Hatin' on the Californians (transplants, sales, new home)

[Jamminredheaded]

Why do Oregonians seem to despise Californians so much? I mean I've heard that the state lawn ornament (if there were one) would be a sign that reads "Californians Go Home."

I understand how Oregonians might gripe about those that were born and raised in the areas such as Los Angeles -but still... why overgeneralize with "Californians"? Attitudes/values vary across the state from the granola virtues of Berkeley to the the hoity-toity of Beverly Hills to the sunny disposition of San Diego.

[Miami305Kid]

It's cause they're bad that Socal has better weather, beaches, and hot girls than their entire state.

[tiffela74]

"It's cause they're bad that Socal has better weather, beaches, and hot girls than their entire state"
This was just rude and uncalled for. Why would you want to post something like this other than to just make others upset? Theres no way this was helpful at all. A very immature and mean post. Not nice.

Now, to the OP. Truly, for each rude and overbearing person who makes these "everyone hates Californians...Go back to California" statements/posts, there are 100 others who are disagreeing. For some reason, those who have something negative to say, seem to have louder voices and more impact than those of us who are disputing them. If you search, (with out difficulty I must say) there are several threads already on this forum about the same exact subject you just started another thread on. And many people trying to argue against those who are saying such mean things. I dont think we really needed another thread on this, it would have been better combined with one of the others on the same subject, but since its already here, please do listen and believe me when I say that the "hating californians" is way overblown by a couple of loudmouths and its more something of the way past than it is now. Oregon has more people that were born OUT of state then IN state. And yes, many that moved here from Cali. Heck, on my street alone, out the 10 houses, theres only 2 families that are born/raised here(and one is me!) , 3 that moved here from Cali within the last 2 yrs, 1 that moved here from Cali about 10yrs ago and whos kids all still live there, and 2 from other states besides Ore/Cal. We all get along just fine, have neighborhood sales and get togethers, my kids call the most recent California transplants their adopted grandparents! 90% of the people Ive talked to that moved here from out of state, whever that may be, have all said they have had nothing but people being friendly and helpful. One of our recent newcombers had an issue w/one cranky old woman, but again, said she was it and everyone else was welcoming. Might want to read up on her posts about how she and her family have been received. Also another who moved here to the Ore. Coast, (within a week or so ago)and how terrific everyone has been to him. Theres plenty of people gettin on here and sharing how good its been. Disputing this old claim that oughta be dried up by now about how "Everyone Hates Californians"
again, its only a handful of jerks who insist on trying to keep that. For the most part, noone gives a rip where youre from, unless its just pure curiousity.
okay, leaping off my soapbox now. Hope this is helpful,
Tiffany

[Wicked Felina]

There you go again, Tiffela, being the calm voice of reason. Thank you ~...they could use you on some other forums, as well. IMO, stay on your soapbox!!!!

[scone]

Originally Posted by Jamminredheaded

Why do Oregonians seem to despise Californians so much? I mean I've heard that the state lawn ornament (if there were one) would be a sign that reads "Californians Go Home."

I understand how Oregonians might gripe about those that were born and raised in the areas such as Los Angeles -but still... why overgeneralize with "Californians"? Attitudes/values vary across the state from the granola virtues of Berkeley to the the hoity-toity of Beverly Hills to the sunny disposition of San Diego.

Culture clash. The two societies have been separated long enough to form differing cultures, and some of their values are almost diametrically opposed. Especially, as you point out, between Oregon and SoCal. It's birkenstocks versus high heels, plastic surgery versus the no-makeup look, flashy cars versus a bicycle, conspicuous consumption versus simple living, freestyle Schwarzennegger capitalism versus "sustainable jobs." You can feel, see, and hear the differences the moment you step off the plane.

So it's not a question of individual Oregonians "hating" individual Californians, but of whole cultures in conflict. The problem is intensified by Californians who don't like the local culture coming to Oregon, which makes the contrast between the two cultures ever more pronounced, over time. And this phenomenon isn't limited to this area. There's a new book called "The Big Sort" about Americans migrating to like-minded communities, which makes the local culture more homogeneous, more like-thinking, and that in turn can make attitudes more extreme than they would otherwise be. So we're seeing an America that's much more "X versus Y" rather than "X AND Y AND Z."

[Hazel Eyes]

I guess some folks in Oregon don't understand that Californian's are U.S. citizens and can live anywhere they choose..It's just not Oregon that pulls the welcome mat away....Check out some of the posts from other states on this website....

[tiffela74]

yes, but they are the MINORITY.... most folks here in Oregon are FINE with whoever moves here from wherever.
Youre gonna find the Buttheads no matter where you go....and again, theyre usually the loudest and most negatively opinionated.

[Nell Plotts]

I wouldn't take this 'Californian' stuff seriously. In the 70s & 80s there were concerns about land use planning, growth. The view was that California didn't manage growth. The other issue was that Californians were paying what the locals believed to be outrageous prices for homes, driving sellers expectations to the sky. Not that the sellers (Oregonians) weren't delighted to effectively pick the pockets of the new arrivals.

Today urban growth is pretty well managed and our homes are just as ridiculously priced.

Most new arrivals today are coming here to participate in the Oregon way of looking at the world. Still, many Oregonians still believe that Californians have lots of money so change your car plates as soon as convenient and join us at the garage and estate sales. For heaven sakes don't wear bling on the street, 'Mrs GotRocks' is not a flattering reference.

[Jamminredheaded]

Originally Posted by scone

Culture clash. The two societies have been separated long enough to form differing cultures, and some of their values are almost diametrically opposed. Especially, as you point out, between Oregon and SoCal. It's birkenstocks versus high heels, plastic surgery versus the no-makeup look, flashy cars versus a bicycle, conspicuous consumption versus simple living, freestyle Schwarzennegger capitalism versus "sustainable jobs." You can feel, see, and hear the differences the moment you step off the plane.

I can't help but chuckle at the similarities between Bay Area dwellers and Oregonians. Seems I would get on just fine being a chica from N. Cali living in Oregon. On the otherhand, I think my fiance will hate it (native of SoCal) -and it was his idea to start looking to move to out of state.

[whynot?]

I'm not an Oregonian or a Californian, but I live in Hawaii and we get lots of people moving here from California. What I notice is that while they've supposedly left California to get away from this or that bad thing there, they're really not happy with the ways Hawaii is not California, and set about trying to change our ways, our habits, our laws, and our preferences to make them more like California.

It kind of makes me laugh, fleeing a place just to try to rebuild your new home in its image, but over time -- and with a large influx -- it really does have a significant influence socially, culturally, and politically that may or may not please those who have lived in the new state for a long, long time.