"American Riviera" vs French Riviera (job market, taxes)

[Swandaddy]

This might be a fun and interesting one: the "American Riviera" vs French Riviera. I'm going to loosely define the American Riviera as the stretch of Southern California ranging from approx. Santa Barbara to San Diego. And since it's right there, feel free to include Tijuana. LA is also included.

And for the French Riviera throw in Monte Carlo and Marseille.

The American Riviera has LA/Hollywood. The French Riviera has Cannes. Areas of interest inclde but are not limited to Climate, scenery, better place to visit, better place to live. Beaches. History, arts, etc also included. LGBT scene also. And whatever else may be relevant/interesting to include also.

I'd like to put the post in the "2 week vacation" context, so no need to go into the Vegas is 4 hours away vs Paris is 4 hours away discussions. But the vacation also would include learning about the day to day life of the people that live in these areas full time, so hence the better place to live.

People who have been to both are encouraged to chime in. Thanks!!

[deneb78]

Climate is the only factor where American Riviera wins. French Riviera wins in every other category hands down.

[jonsereed]

Originally Posted by deneb78

Climate is the only factor where American Riviera wins. French Riviera wins in every other category hands down.

I agree , summers are similar but SoCal winters are quite a bit milder and sunnier.


That area of Cal. the OP put forward is also larger and more densely packed than the french one.


Its like asking … St-Paul de Vence and Grasse or Disneyland and Rodeo Drive?


Interesting match up anyhow



BTW Riviera is not a french word, the French call it either Cote d'Azur or Alpes Maritimes_

[Pokitobounto]

Originally Posted by jonsereed

I agree , summers are similar but SoCal winters are quite a bit milder and sunnier.


That area of Cal. the OP put forward is also larger and more densely packed than the french one.


Its like asking … St-Paul de Vence and Grasse or Disneyland and Rodeo Drive?


Interesting match up anyhow



BTW Riviera is not a french word, the French call it either Cote d'Azur or Alpes Maritimes_

Côte d'Azur...

Alpes-Maritimes, it's more a 'département' in the mind of french

[NJmann]

American Riviera has better climate as winters are warmer and sunnier in general, and also drier.
French Riviera basically in every other category.

[MarisaMay]

France has French food, which I much prefer to American, to be honest.

[BMI]

French Riviera pour moi

[theurbanfiles]

For those saying French Riviera no question, why?

American Riviera is
-more biodiversity
-more impressive diversity of surrounding landscapes
-better weather
-theme parks
-more of a center for modern visual/performing artists (not just actors)
-I don’t know, but I’d guess more cost effective
-more significant urban environments with more human diversity (people, activities, etc)

The French Riviera might be more uniformly pretty and more eco friendly, it’s ciries more ambience and more classical arts and history, and more of a cafe/vino culture though this isn’t in short stock in SoCal either. But while I’d like both, it’s by no stretch a slam dunk for F.R. To me, that depends far to much on individual preferences. That said, I enjoy both and think anyone giving a reasonable look at both would enjoy each as well too for what they are.

[Tall Traveler]

Originally Posted by Swandaddy

This might be a fun and interesting one: the "American Riviera" vs French Riviera. I'm going to loosely define the American Riviera as the stretch of Southern California ranging from approx. Santa Barbara to San Diego. And since it's right there, feel free to include Tijuana. LA is also included.

And for the French Riviera throw in Monte Carlo and Marseille.

The American Riviera has LA/Hollywood. The French Riviera has Cannes. Areas of interest inclde but are not limited to Climate, scenery, better place to visit, better place to live. Beaches. History, arts, etc also included. LGBT scene also. And whatever else may be relevant/interesting to include also.

I'd like to put the post in the "2 week vacation" context, so no need to go into the Vegas is 4 hours away vs Paris is 4 hours away discussions. But the vacation also would include learning about the day to day life of the people that live in these areas full time, so hence the better place to live.

People who have been to both are encouraged to chime in. Thanks!!

Climate - American
Scenery - French
Better place to visit - French
Place to live - american
Beaches - French
History French
Arts - not sure


The reason american one is a better place to live is the superior job market, pay, and lower taxes.

[Gentoo]

Perspective is amazing. As a resident of San Diego, I've never thought of Socal as a riviera LOL Maybe Santa Barbara but that's it.