Does Northern California have more in common with Oregon and Washington than with SoCal? (Oakland: school, moving)

[Senno]

That's actually pretty funny, Leonard. Good one.

Now I declare you redundant and lay you off.

Oops, decided to rehire ya as "My Man in Tennessee."

[ukiyo-e]

Originally Posted by Steve97415

I would say the inverse is more true. Oregonians who live in the southern tier of counties feel more affinity to California cities in the State of Jefferson -- Redding, Yreka, Eureka, etc. -- than they do to Eugene or Portland. Ashland and Brookings are basically far-northern California cities populated by Californians who have oozed over the border a bit. There's a major cultural rift in Oregon between the Willamette Valley and the area from Roseburg on south. The State of Jefferson is almost like a third state that lies between the two.

This. I lived in San Francisco for 17 years and Davis for 8, and now I live on the Olympic Peninsula in WA. There are conservative areas of NoCal like Redding, etc., that are similar to conservative areas of Oregon and Washington, and liberal places like Eugene and my neck of the woods that would fit right into the Bay Area, culturally and politically. And Steve is right about Ashland and Brookings...a lot of Oregonians resent the way Californians have invaded those towns, particularly Ashland.

I think the division is not so much a north/south dividing line as a mosaic. Because even northern California is very diverse culturally and politically.

[Leonard64]

Originally Posted by Senno

That's actually pretty funny, Leonard. Good one.

Now I declare you redundant and lay you off.

Oops, decided to rehire ya as "My Man in Tennessee."

Your gonna "lay off" me???

I am sorry, the only person who can claim me as their "Man" anywhere, is my wife. She does so regularly. Kinda like "Oh man Leonard (Substitute real name), what did you do now?"

[Senno]

The title "My Man in Tennessee" is the polite version. You are the man on the scene for any TN questions I have.

[BayArea32]

In response to the OP, Northern California is overall more similar to Southern California than it is to the Pac NW. Demographics, architecture, and climate of NorCal are a more "tempered" version of SoCal. The Pac NW reminds me of a moderate climate, more liberal version of the Midwest

[Ruth4Truth]

Originally Posted by BayArea32

In response to the OP, Northern California is overall more similar to Southern California than it is to the Pac NW. Demographics, architecture, and climate of NorCal are a more "tempered" version of SoCal. The Pac NW reminds me of a moderate climate, more liberal version of the Midwest

Not all of NorCal. Up around Arcata it's a rain forest, very much like the PacNW. Rivers teeming with salmon in season. The traditional Native architecture is like the cedar plank longhouses of the NW Coast, except they're built out of redwood planks, and are dug into the ground a bit, for warmth.

[Gentoo]

Originally Posted by Ruth4Truth

Not all of NorCal. Up around Arcata it's a rain forest, very much like the PacNW. Rivers teeming with salmon in season. The traditional Native architecture is like the cedar plank longhouses of the NW Coast, except they're built out of redwood planks, and are dug into the ground a bit, for warmth.

And not even all of the PNW is the same. People always think of temperate rain forest but that's just on the coast. Central parts of OR and WA are mountainous, similar to the Sierra. The eastern parts are semi arid and much drier, even the area between the coastal mountains and Cascades in Oregon doesn't look like the OR people think of. Neither region is all one thing.

[Ruth4Truth]

Originally Posted by Gentoo

And not even all of the PNW is the same. People always think of temperate rain forest but that's just on the coast. Central parts of OR and WA are mountainous, similar to the Sierra. The eastern parts are semi arid and much drier, even the area between the coastal mountains and Cascades in Oregon doesn't look like the OR people think of. Neither region is all one thing.

Right. Well, I just wanted to make sure our NorCal posters didn't forget the rainier part of NorCal. It's a unique region, one we should be proud to call our own, and one that ties us to the PacNW ecologically and culturally.

[Mommalot]

Originally Posted by Ruth4Truth

Right. Well, I just wanted to make sure our NorCal posters didn't forget the rainier part of NorCal. It's a unique region, one we should be proud to call our own, and one that ties us to the PacNW ecologically and culturally.

I live in this rain forest! I agree with Ruth4Truth but would add that you only need drive a very short distance inland to find relief from the rain forest climate. Willow creek is one hour east and has temps in the 100 range in the summer time and is where many go for "heat" but they still get a lot if rain in winter. Willow Creek is also a little less liberal. Actually Blue Lake, ten minutes in, and Fortuna one hour south on HWY101, are both notably warmer and sunnier, but still close enough you won't escape the rain totals. Fortuna has a notable difference in culture. A lot of ranchers, more conservative than Arcata but it doesn't take much to be more conservative than Arcata. Blue Lake is more rich in tribal culture. Like southern OR, it doesn't take much of a drive in land to find dry warmer climates, each with their own mix of cultures.

Another thing i can agree with are the comments on pockets of differing cultures. There are many, even in the most liberal areas, who are very conservative up here. Isn't this true just about anywhere?

[Gentoo]

Originally Posted by Mommalot

I live in this rain forest! I agree with Ruth4Truth but would add that you only need drive a very short distance inland to find relief from the rain forest climate. Willow creek is one hour east and has temps in the 100 range in the summer time and is where many go for "heat" but they still get a lot if rain in winter. Willow Creek is also a little less liberal. Actually Blue Lake, ten minutes in, and Fortuna one hour south on HWY101, are both notably warmer and sunnier, but still close enough you won't escape the rain totals. Fortuna has a notable difference in culture. A lot of ranchers, more conservative than Arcata but it doesn't take much to be more conservative than Arcata. Blue Lake is more rich in tribal culture. Like southern OR, it doesn't take much of a drive in land to find dry warmer climates, each with their own mix of cultures.

Another thing i can agree with are the comments on pockets of differing cultures. There are many, even in the most liberal areas, who are very conservative up here. Isn't this true just about anywhere?

Yes it certainly is. Oakland is a very liberal city. It also has a sizable Mormon population complete with a nice temple. Mormons are not known for being liberal by any stretch.