The Bay Area is one of the most materialistic areas in the nation (Los Angeles: home, employment)

[DocGoldstein]

Lamorinda isn't "flashy" wealthy but a lot of us are part of old money. New money tends to live in S.F, and although they aren't "flashy" per say in the traditional sense, I've seen hipster geeks buying $60 truffle burgers in Union Square. If that's not materialism, I don't know what is.

[sav858]

FYI old people with money doesn't equal "old money" haha.

[18Montclair]

Im not materialistic in the sense that things are more important to me than people and relationships, of course not.

But I do like nice things.:-)

[ragnarkar]

One of the most materialistic areas in the nation? I agree.

The #1 most materialistic? I'd say LA, NYC, and maybe Miami are strong candidates.

[Ruth4Truth]

Originally Posted by aslowdodge

It's even worse here in the trivalley. In pleasanton there are 4-5 hi end cars at every intersection. I went real estate hunting in Boise and Raleigh and saw 2 corvettes and maybe 6 eurosedans over a 7 day period. I will see that in my first 30 seconds of leaving the house. I don't even look twice they are so common. What I do look at is older cars like VW bugs, 70's and older cars of any sort, just because they are so rare. I drove 1/2 mile to lunch and went by 1 aston martin db9, a few porsches, and a buttload of MB and bmw's, plus a few lexus's.
Being a car fan it doesn't bother me spending more on a car as I have bought many sports and performance cars. But I am pretty sure most of the people didn't buy the high end cars for their performance od qualities, but more for the status quo.

So now we know where the conspicuous-consumption crowd lives: Pleasanton. The old-shoe people live in Berkeley, Oakland, and around WC/Lamorinda. The people who have a need to show off apparently have to move far away from SF in order to be able to afford their toys.

[chessgeek]

Originally Posted by dragontales

It's expensive but folks want to live here for a reason. It's not about materialism, it's about quality of life. I can easily afford the Ozark mountains in Missouri but why the hell would I want to live there?

Easy access to Branson? Seriously, you are right. The Bay Area offers more.

[DocGoldstein]

Originally Posted by 18Montclair

Im not materialistic in the sense that things are more important to me than people and relationships, of course not.

But I do like nice things.:-)

People who aren't materialistic wouldn't post about median incomes 20x times in a thread as a way to make a point. They would never do that.

[mini_cute]

Originally Posted by DocGoldstein

Lamorinda isn't "flashy" wealthy but a lot of us are part of old money. New money tends to live in S.F, and although they aren't "flashy" per say in the traditional sense, I've seen hipster geeks buying $60 truffle burgers in Union Square. If that's not materialism, I don't know what is.

The definition of materialism: "A tendency to consider material possessions and physical comfort as more important than spiritual values."

I think enjoying good food can be a spiritual value. I mean what is wrong with wanting to eat high quality food? There is nothing truly morally superior to eating the cheapest burger you can find (McDonald's) than eating a high quality burger that happens to be expensive. Unfortunately, in this country, high quality food is expensive and mainstream America still doesn't value quality food. You won't realize what a sham American food is until you have eaten in provincial France. Their food is infinitely better than American food in quality and taste, and doesn't cost a lot. The places that serve high quality filet mignon, for instance, are every day casual bistros that are opposite of the pretentious, fancy, trendy establishments that try to pretend they are high class so they can charge more. You won't know what I mean until you go there and eat for yourself. It will be a mind-opening experience and will change your perspective on food. And I am not the only one who has felt this way.

So as I see it, eating good, quality food is a spiritual value. So spending $60 on a burger to eat a good burger alone is not materialism. It would be different if that person also wanted to show off and there is some question as to whether the $60 burger is in fact better quality and worth the money.

[DocGoldstein]

Originally Posted by ragnarkar

One of the most materialistic areas in the nation? I agree.

The #1 most materialistic? I'd say LA, NYC, and maybe Miami are strong candidates.

Agreed!

[mini_cute]

Originally Posted by ragnarkar

One of the most materialistic areas in the nation? I agree.

The #1 most materialistic? I'd say LA, NYC, and maybe Miami are strong candidates.

Don't forget the OC.