Any other transplants here from the "big city" to the North State? (Sacramento: Home Depot)

[mateo45]

Recently relocated from a large metropolitan area to the middle of the North State (basically the north Sacto Valley and the North Coast, compared to say the Bay area and Sacramento). Naturally the culture in this part of ''NorCal'' is much more rural and small town, and often surprisingly conservative.

Are there many other folks here who have made similar relocations from large metro areas, to (much) smaller towns and local cultures here, and how's been the transition?

[Curmudgeon]

Not within CA but from downtown Sacramento to a very rural area in the Ozarks. The closest village (pop. 137) is nine miles south and the closest food, pharmacy and home maintenance shopping is 18 miles north with clothes shopping, medical care, entertainment and everything else an additional 4-5 miles. The "big" city (160K) is 60 miles from home.

The culture is very southern and very different but not foreign to either of us and the transition has been painless. You just have to be open and pleasant and the rest takes care of itself.

[mateo45]

Sounds like a good location and that "cultural" fit is a pretty important one. Though being of the ''opposite'' political persuasion, there's a big state U nearby that kinda "softens" the predominantly conservative North State vibe here.

I also wonder if having certain conveniences has much to do with it, since fortunately there are most "big box" stores (Home Depot, Walmart, etc.) within maybe 8 miles. Although if instead I had to rely on just a local K-Mart (if that), which is often the most common large retailer in a lot of rural places, it might be "interesting".

Still regardless, have discovered that not seeing a traffic jam in months (unless traveling down to Sacto) is absolutely "priceless"!

[caligirlz]

I was born & raised in Arcadia (SoCal), and moved to Visalia (Central Valley) in my teens. Now that was a shocker! People were 10-20 years behind the times there. But in time, I got used to and came to love the slower pace of life. I had the reverse shock when I moved from Visalia to Sacto. The traffic and crowds are annoying. I can't believe some of the drivers who don't know how to merge. Thank goodness I have a very short commute. I've adjusted my shopping hours to avoid the crowds as much as possible. I guess, I still pretty much prefer the slower pace of life, and is why I spend most of my time out here in the suburbs.

I just want to add...coming from the conservative central valley, I've found Sacramento (& even Folsom) to be very liberal. It's understandable being in the state capitol, but... still. Thankfully, most of my friends (liberal & conservative) are mature enough that we are able to talk issues without getting offended.