If you are from the West Coast ...

[atlantagreg30127]

It's hard to compare "The West Coast" with Atlanta because the West Coast itself is incredibly varied in look, feel, attitudes, and even weather patterns. Atlanta is just one city in one small regional area.

I've been to the West Coast. I would do well in a place like Seattle or Portland. Others would not. For some, San Francisco is it. For others, L.A. I have a coworker who is from San Bernardino, CA (which compared to L.A. as a suburb of it is basically like living in Gainesville GA compared to Atlanta I guess). He has said nearly the exact same thing a couple of people here have already said - that Atlanta has a golden reputation as "the" place and it's a good place to get grounded (financially), before moving "back home" to the West Coast. He and his wife like some aspects of living here, but other than lower prices, he said it's not for them, and they'll eventually move back. Over the years this is generally the same thing I've heard from many who move here from the West Coast, though occasionally you run across one that never quite fit in out West who settles in here better and stays.

One comparison, though. L.A. is a little like Atlanta in that their reputations are more golden than the reality. I've known folks who have taken a stab at L.A. living in the past, and they always call back with comments about how you have the "Hollywood, Beach, and glitz" image of L.A. proper, but in reality it's overall just a big, smoggy, dirty city, with a few pockets of glitz tossed in here and there. People come to Atlanta in a similar fashion. They're surprised how cheap homes are, and how many trees we have on the good end, but then see the darker sides and had no clue those existed. Seems the L.A. and Atlanta marketers are doing their jobs well. LOL

Moral of the story: There really IS such a thing as a "West Coast Attitude", and if you have it, you will most likely never be happy in Atlanta, and may only be happy back home somewhere on the West Coast. If you are a bit (or a lot) of a misfit on the West Coast and have never felt like you truly belonged there, then Atlanta (or some other Eastern city) might be a fit for you - you have to try it on first, though.

[rswlguy]

Originally Posted by atlantagreg30127

It's hard to compare "The West Coast" with Atlanta because the West Coast itself is incredibly varied in look, feel, attitudes, and even weather patterns. Atlanta is just one city in one small regional area.

I've been to the West Coast. I would do well in a place like Seattle or Portland. Others would not. For some, San Francisco is it. For others, L.A. I have a coworker who is from San Bernardino, CA (which compared to L.A. as a suburb of it is basically like living in Gainesville GA compared to Atlanta I guess). He has said nearly the exact same thing a couple of people here have already said - that Atlanta has a golden reputation as "the" place and it's a good place to get grounded (financially), before moving "back home" to the West Coast. He and his wife like some aspects of living here, but other than lower prices, he said it's not for them, and they'll eventually move back. Over the years this is generally the same thing I've heard from many who move here from the West Coast, though occasionally you run across one that never quite fit in out West who settles in here better and stays.

One comparison, though. L.A. is a little like Atlanta in that their reputations are more golden than the reality. I've known folks who have taken a stab at L.A. living in the past, and they always call back with comments about how you have the "Hollywood, Beach, and glitz" image of L.A. proper, but in reality it's overall just a big, smoggy, dirty city, with a few pockets of glitz tossed in here and there. People come to Atlanta in a similar fashion. They're surprised how cheap homes are, and how many trees we have on the good end, but then see the darker sides and had no clue those existed. Seems the L.A. and Atlanta marketers are doing their jobs well. LOL

Moral of the story: There really IS such a thing as a "West Coast Attitude", and if you have it, you will most likely never be happy in Atlanta, and may only be happy back home somewhere on the West Coast. If you are a bit (or a lot) of a misfit on the West Coast and have never felt like you truly belonged there, then Atlanta (or some other Eastern city) might be a fit for you - you have to try it on first, though.

Hey Greg, thanks for posting this. Very good thoughts and analogy in the two locales. I started this thread LONG time ago ... I noticed someone stated they "hated everything about Georgia" ... that is truly NOT right to say and very narrow-minded. Even young people can be very negatively opinionated.

I've come to the conclusion recently that my life isn't too bad here ... there are a few things I don't like. I've got it pretty nice up in the NW 'burbs and having the rental intown. Having made these purchases back in the early 90s ... I'm better off than some. One thing however that I've noticed ... that the "lower cost of living" makes some very transient. Almost every person I've known since I've moved here, has gone on to other places.

There is a lot of dissension between people here in Metro Atlanta that I didn't see living out West. Perhaps it's more pronounced in the East coast, I don't know. Or I don't remember such?

Anyhow good words and thoughts. Reality grounded I'd say ...

[ATL-J]

Originally Posted by rswlguy

If you are originally from the West Coast (SEA, PDX, SFO, LAX or SAN) or anywhere in between, and now living in Atlanta:

What do you see as primary positives about Atlanta.

What do you see as primary positives about your West Coast hometown.

What would it take to keep you in Atlanta, or make you want to move back to your West Coast hometown.

Thanks for your input – (similar to previous thread of “originally from North East”) Thought it was a great, proactive and positive discussion!

1. Cultural diversity. Friendly people. Lower clost of living.
2. Weather. Beach (LA/OC).
3. Will ultimately move back because of family and weather.

[rswlguy]

Originally Posted by ATL-J

1. Cultural diversity. Friendly people. Lower clost of living.
2. Weather. Beach (LA/OC).
3. Will ultimately move back because of family and weather.

Well somethings I definately agree. I'd had my eyes on San Diego if I were going back for weather and/or beach activities. For me perhaps retirement part-time in Palm Springs and San Diego.

Lower cost of living? Perhaps in "some" areas of course. Everything is so darned expensive out West. The demand for that kind of lifestyle is great.

Cultural diversity? ABSOLUTELY. And most Californians let "others be".
Friendly people? More OFTEN than NOT. Funny thing I have more true long-term friends in California (in 36yrs that I lived there) than the past 18 in Georgia. The friends I've made in GA are no longer living in GA - they left.

Thanks for posting ... and your insight.

[Motion]

Originally Posted by atlantagreg30127

It's hard to compare "The West Coast" with Atlanta because the West Coast itself is incredibly varied in look, feel, attitudes, and even weather patterns. Atlanta is just one city in one small regional area.

I agree we probably should just compare Atlanta to a similar sized west coast city.

[justhere]

Agree - comparing a state of 36 million ppl to a state of 9.3 million ppl isn't really fair.