San Francisco or San Jose? (Pittsburg, Campbell: real estate, houses, theatres)

[sonarrat]

Originally Posted by Alexus

Hard for the Arts to find support in that place, as there are not enough cultured, sophisticated people there to support the ballet, opera, or the orchestra. Itzhak Perlman will never play there. What the hell happened to the San Jose Symphony Orchestra? The California Youth Symphony out of Palo Alto appears to be preferred.

It's called the Symphony Silicon Valley now. I worked for their choir for a season, and they're a very solid group considering their puny budget. Also, Perlman performed in San Jose's California Theater on January 28, 2007, so there.

[mysticaltyger]

[quote=Alexus;7386471] The city tries to embrace an identity as the "Capital of Silicon Valley." But all this does is identify it as the place dominated by the most boring of people: mind-numbingly corny techies, engineering geeks, nerds, and dweebs. It is not the "capital of SV", just the biggest city in the region.
[quote]

I think you're statement is kinda harsh. But unfortunately, it's mostly true. Silicon Valley and SJ are too dependent on the tech industry. Techies in general aren't very balanced in their outlook on life. Science & Technology are to them what the Bible is to Fundamentlist Christians.

[sonarrat]

SJ: Horrible traffic because of all the people who live in SJ
SF: Horrible traffic because of all the people who commute/visit from elsewhere

SJ: Public transit is a victim of the traffic due to limited routes which all use major thoroughfares
SF: Public transit transcends the traffic with its variety of creatively laid out routes

SJ: Some nightlife in various pockets
SF: Lots of nightlife in most neighborhoods

SJ: Has all the big-box and little-box shopping you'll need for anything whatsoever
SF: Severely limited options for everyday staples

SJ: Light rent control
SF: Extensive rent control

SJ: Mobile home parks provide an easily accessible source of affordable housing
SF: Dangerous, aging and overcrowded public projects provide affordable housing to a few with long waiting lists

SJ: Crime is primarily fueled by gangs and innocents are seldom implicated in violence
SF: Crime is primarily fueled by gangs, but random acts of violence are more frequent

SJ: Schools range from terrible to great
SF: Schools range from decent to best in the nation, but lottery system puts a damper on it

[bigdumbgod]

Originally Posted by sonarrat

SJ: Crime is primarily fueled by gangs and innocents are seldom implicated in violence
SF: Crime is primarily fueled by gangs, but random acts of violence are more frequent

Crime is a huge reason why people choose SJ over SF. Seems to many it has much to do with junkies and crack addicts who are unconcerned with the safety of others, or the prospect of their own incarceration, when faced with not getting their next fix. And they are everywhere throughout "The City". And they constantly hunt down persons and property, and will never stop.

Re: "SJ Gomers...etc. " -
SF snobs always have this strange propensity for passing forth tired, predictable diatribes about San Jose and Oakland, yet their attitude (like conservative blowhard commentators) simply lets shine their mysterious insecurity. And maybe that's it - there is little to feel 'secure' about in "The City" that surely must be God's gift to the universe. Meanwhile, life goes on rather leisurely down here for us gomers, whether in the valleys or the hills, and we will happily jettison the type-A jittery snobs north for their proper 'fix'.

[Alexus]

Everytime this topic pops up, the pattern is the same. Somehow, the big Campbell that is San Jose is stacked up against a city that is in an entirely higher class, San Francisco. The usual suspects then desperately attempt to defend their bland city (San Jose) to no avail.

Probably best to compare San Jose to Milwaukee or Phoenix.

[krudmonk]

High-class people usually troll internet forums.

[treedonkey]

SF: BEST FOR: Staring at women, watching Baseball, eating out, and Feeling Cool.

SJ: BEST FOR: Finding parking, grubbing on mexican food and not having to look cool.

[bigdumbgod]

Originally Posted by treedonkey

SF: BEST FOR: Staring at women, watching Baseball, eating out, and Feeling Cool.

...and tourists staring at gay people staring at other gay people

[Alexus]

I think San Jose is great for seeing the latest in fashion Ugg boots, girls spitting on the sidewalk, and men with scraggly beards and pot bellies.

Urban Dictionary: ugg boots

[krudmonk]

San Francisco, while a fine city, is a magnet for one-dimensional people who use their address as a crutch to fill the void where there'd normally be a personality. They needn't be artistic or worldly if they live in a place that is known for being such. Their city is the one validation of their life, so they must constantly reassure themselves that it is the best city and all others are terrible. We see one example here.