California: Wonderful Despite Disasters, Crowds, Expense?

[bmw335xi]

Originally Posted by allison7

Not really. It encompasses a variety of cities and demographics with Santa Rosa, Novato, Fairfield, Vallejo, Vacaville, San Rafael, Napa, et et. It's all of Sonoma, Napa, Marin and Solano Counties. That's far from being all "old rich white people" and some of the cities have the prettiest views you'll find and minimal crime. Other cities, like Vallejo and Fairfield, have a lot of crime so it really is where you pick like any other State. California offers so much beyond San Francisco, and you won't pay a couple of million for an ugly home everywhere. Housing is much worse in San Jose and San Francisco. I have a new townhome with a pretty water view I didn't have in San Jose, a private garage and easy access to the GGNRA trail system. Somewhere around 40% of the population is between 18-40 so we are not all old and the Bay Area is known for having a large percentage of single people and fewer kids than anywhere else in the country. There is so much to do here!

I've lived in three different cities in California on my own and one when I was growing up, and I will always be a "California Girl".

I should add that I don't like East Bay and find San Rafael already too far out from San Francisco, so the others mentioned wouldn't work. I like Sausalito and Mill Valley a lot, but that's where the demographics come into play. I used to live in San Francisco for a total of 7 years, so I'm pretty familiar with all the surrounding areas. I used to hike around Stinson Beach and Mt. Tam a lot. It's one of my favorite areas in the Bay Area.

[WizardOfRadical]

Originally Posted by 2sleepy

I took what he said figuratively and I agree with him.

It was quite literal. When I worked in Emeryville, there was a homeless person who was at the same corner of my job. For my entire tenure at Wargaming.net. This dude would call me "Mike" for some odd reason. Anywho, he could be covered in his own filth, soaking wet from the rain, with a fresh warrant for his arrest. I would give that dude a Marlboro cigarette and he acted the way I would if I had won a 10,000$ poker hand.

I've known girls who come from rich families. WELL BRED families. Old SF money . Who were by far the most miserable human beings I have ever met in my life. When they were not talking smack, their lives were focused on just how miserable they could make themselves and everyone with in a 5 foot radius.

[2sleepy]

Originally Posted by Sydney123

Look at all the “income inequality” threads, look at New Democratic socialists popping up wanting to give away the farm. ( or get their piece).
Look at people who think that the wealthy should be taxed to death. Look at all the people who think capitalists are evil.

What the heck does that have to do with my question?

[allison7]

Originally Posted by bmw335xi

I should add that I don't like East Bay and find San Rafael already too far out from San Francisco, so the others mentioned wouldn't work. I like Sausalito and Mill Valley a lot, but that's where the demographics come into play. I used to live in San Francisco for a total of 7 years, so I'm pretty familiar with all the surrounding areas. I used to hike around Stinson Beach and Mt. Tam a lot. It's one of my favorite areas in the Bay Area.

I'm still adjusting from San Jose, mostly from the weather. As far as demographics, in a few scattered parts of the North Bay, it's less diverse but it's not all "old rich white people" by any means. San Francisco is so close by and there are single and married professional people everywhere, of all ages. Many of them are forced out this way, because a nicely updated condo can be had for $500k in a safe area. You aren't going to find that in San Francisco.

There's so much more to California than San Francisco or Los Angeles.

[NatureYogi]

Super interesting comments!

Personally if I ever move back to California been considering Sonoma County or Lamorinda, as ways to enjoy the exciting SF Bay Area (Oakland, Berkeley, SF...) from a less hectic distance.

My personal favorite sweet spot is fairly rural and calm yet within hour of an excitedly urban city. Preferably racially/ethnically diverse and not over dunno like maybe 50% conservative...though generally the more rural and quiet the USA town, the less likely it is to be diverse and progressive. (Why?)

I've also never visited San Diego and am curious about it.

L.A. has never called to me, never been, just doesn't much appeal to me.

Northern California I fear would feel too isolated and foggy for me long-term.

Or Scotts Valley or Felton (they're near Santa Cruz) are maybe of interest.