I want to be culture shocked: will San Diego have that affect on a native Atlantan? (rent, lawyer)

[PeachtreeCornersMike]

Originally Posted by plessthanpointohfive

Why not move out of the country?

Don't you think, logistically, that would be very difficult? How would I move my car, find an apartment, find a job, etc.?

Seriously, if you grew up in Atlanta you won't be *shocked* culturally by anything. There might be cities that are more this and less that, etc, but nothing that really jolts your sense of being.

Dang. Well, I am not sure I want to go into shock. What about culture surprised?

But if you were to move to South Africa...could be very interesting. Or Namibia. They speak English there so it wouldn't be too difficult. If you want to learn Portuguese, move to Mozambique. And if you REALLY want culture shock, move to Angola (Portuguese) or Mali (French).

I don't want to live in Africa, and I don't speak any foreign languages, so that leaves: Canada, Australia, NZ, and the U.K. I am Italian, so that would be really cool, but my grandparents refused to pass down the language.

But I can't imagine there's anywhere in the US that's sooooo different you'll feel like you're in a different world, so to speak.

What do you think is the total opposite of Atlanta, major-city-wise, in the U.S.?

[PeachtreeCornersMike]

Originally Posted by Adric

It won't really. It might be stressful for a while for someone who's not used to the break-neck pace it moves at but that's about it.

Culture shocks aren't all that fun actually. They can lead to depression. I did a three month stint in Japan back in 2005 and after about three weeks, I was depressed and felt isolated. The secret though is to not fight the culture and instead accept it and go with it. Once you do that, it's much better.

Yes, I think Japan would do that.

As for New York, I feel like that is cool but it's also so overdone. Plus, it would still be the east coast. Do you think NYC is the most opposite from Atlanta?

[PeachtreeCornersMike]

Originally Posted by allenk893

If you want culture shock, San Diego is definitely the place to accomplish that coming from Atlanta.

Good to hear! Thanks for your post.

[midtown mile girl]

I have family in that area. San Diego's downtown area is really nice, very clean, much nicer than Atlanta's downtown. The only downside may be the cost of living.

[loveautumn]

Keep in mind that things in California are deeply superficial In other words, don't expect anything very intellectual, even if people are smart. It's extremely PC here so nobody talks about anything. Also, there are ALOT less black/AA people here than in Atlanta, which might be a culture shock of sorts.

[plessthanpointohfive]

Well, when I was suggesting moving out of the country I suppose I had in mind what everyone I work with, who moved overseas for work, has done, which is to put all your stuff in storage and go...but these are people who have a job waiting.

So, for your -- get a job first, sell your car, move.

Actually, South Africa and Namibia would be fun. They're pretty modern and English speaking (also Afrikaans, but everyone speaks English from what I've experienced).

Honestly, though, I think you won't feel like a fish out of water anywhere. If you're really just looking for a change in pace then I think the West Coast, in general, will fit the bill.

[AnsleyPark]

Hong Kong, Tokyo, an African city. I just don't think you'll have culture shock in the US.

[RainyRainyDay]

Originally Posted by AnsleyPark

Hong Kong, Tokyo, an African city. I just don't think you'll have culture shock in the US.

My family experienced culture shock on moving to Cobb County from British Columbia, and another C-D member with whom I've exchanged messages experienced the same thing on moving from Seattle. This isn't because we were terribly provincial, either - the adults in both families have lived in a variety of places, some on other continents.

So, maybe it's easier to go from Atlanta to Seattle than vice-versa, and maybe the OP is a liberal ITPer with more west coast-ish tastes and opinions, but seeing as he considers San Francisco "too 'out there'" I doubt that. I suspect he'd find culture shock in Seattle.

Hey, OP, you do realize Seattle gets less precipitation than Atlanta, on average? Admittedly, the skies are grey more often in Seattle, though.

[PeachtreeCornersMike]

I think i derailed this thread with the title.

My definition of culture shock: "Wow, they do that really different in Atlanta!", not "Wow, that exists?" or "I want to go home because this place is so different that I am depressed." I hope that makes sense? Maybe culture surprised is better?

[PeachtreeCornersMike]

Originally Posted by loveautumn

Keep in mind that things in California are deeply superficial In other words, don't expect anything very intellectual, even if people are smart. It's extremely PC here so nobody talks about anything.

That's interesting. Are you saying that people would rather talk about, say, their favorite car then a presidential election? That's not necessarily bad. Coming from law school, where dorks love to show how intellectual they are, I could use a break!