California people on C-D?

[nullgeo]

Originally Posted by Bulldogdad

Last places I saw it

//www.city-data.com/forum/25872720-post5.html

//www.city-data.com/forum/25873386-post7.html

Dawg, I realize you are flush with excitement over your self-perceived cleverness ... but really, time to clear your pipes ...

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by SunnyTXsmile

With so much sunshine in CA, you'd think most people would be happier on the CA board than on other state boards due to increased vitamin D, lack of SAD, being outside vs. inside on a computer (so less CA people online), etc., yet there seems to be an unusually high number of argumentative and/or just plain nasty people on the CA board compared to other city/state boards. That is very shocking to me.

I'm not starting this for it to turn into a tomato fight (so, no personal attacks towards anyone specifically on the board), I'm simply asking from a purely analytical perspective because psychology is a big topic in my family, so these are just things I think about.

1. People of CA, why do you think there are so many argumentative people on the CA board compared to other city boards? Economy troubles, perhaps (that can certainly be stressful)? Increased number of tech jobs in CA so more people are online 9-5? The fact that CA is so large so it just seems like there are more argumentative people on the CA board, but really the ratio is in keeping with the population? Another reason?

2. Do you think CA residents in real life are happier than those you encounter on C-D? I know that for my current city (Mid-Atlantic now, but CA soon), that the portion of people on C-D are more "Debbie Downers" than the people I know in real life in this city, so, to me, the people you meet on C-D aren't an accurate representation of the people you'd meet in real life in my Mid-Atlantic city (I'm glad I know that because if C-D was my only source of what people are like in my current city, I'd have serious reservations about moving here). What are your thoughts about that same topic as it relates to CA?

I'd be surprised if many, if any, people have enough thought about this topic other than myself, but if you have an opinion, I'm interested to hear it. Please keep responses in line with C-D's TOS. Thank you.

For starters, not all CD posters on the CA board live in CA, some do, some used and some are thinking of re-locating; I don't think the people on this thread are much different than any other ones. Yes, there are those who have problems with CA living. There are reasons for that, the sunshine is a big plus, the beauty of the state is another plus and the diversity, but with this comes, a very high cost of living, relatively high unemployment, problems with the liberal government and the illegals wanting to take over the state. Living someplace that is almost bankrupt isn't a fun place to live; knowing, if you are a government employee or retiree your pention and benefits might be going down the tubes and your dream of living a good life in your advanced years might not come true doesn't help. Also remember, people in other states see Ca as the land of milk and honey but it is not any different than anyplace else. Many people living in Ca are very smug about what the preceive as the greatest land on earth, for others, they can't see that. They either have no jobs, or are under employed, they are living in homes that were purchased for a mil and now worth less than they owe or they are paying a couple thousand in rent each month for a 2 bedroom nothing of a home. Gas prices are off the wall, and the school districts, for the most part are not all that great.

Even with all this, most of us know there are lots of positives about Ca, it is just we have to keep our eyes and ears open and realize no place is utopia.

[slo1318]

Originally Posted by SunnyTXsmile

As for paddle boarding (now I'm jealous ), I can't WAIT to be in CA so I can fill my days with such fun activities again!! (hence, my reason for being so perplexed by the grumpsters in CA - how can you be grumpy when you're in California?! )

Very good theories, so far. All different, but all equally accurate, I'd imagine.

I do find that CD is a bit of a snapshot of California, but also of those that left and those that want to come back. In my experience California has both those who love and wouldn't go anywhere else and those who are disgruntled. Our experience in Texas has been good but we didn't leave because we were disgruntled at all in fact the opposite. I will say that texans in general even the new comers seem more content on average. Or maybe they're just quiet about it.

[slo1318]

Originally Posted by DMenscha

There's more of us on this forum than any other I would think. More folks, more opinions.

If this site was called country-data instead of city-data, you would probably find much happier posters.

That's a funny but maybe truism. I always felt that a lot of californians had this stigma about small town or country life. The term hick or okie is common. Here in Texas ranch life, small town life is much more respected and coveted.