Moving from NYC to California - looking for socially conscious, laid back, non-materialistic small town (San Diego: private schools, college)

[NYCtoCalifornia]

Originally Posted by esunsalmista

Look, no offense but for the sake of keeping your topic as useful to you as possible, I think you should think a little more before you post comments like this. I know you're just being honest about where your perceptions of SoCal come from, but people will call you out on this (rightfully so).

That being said, I do somewhat understand the sentiment you're describing (even if you don't really fully know what you're talking about). I grew up in San Diego and went to University in Berkeley. San Diego, I think, is light-years behind Berkeley in just how politically aware the general population is. That might be a bit unfair to say because a lot of it is fueled by the student culture over at Berkeley. By the way, some of the perceptions you have of SoCal could very well explain cities in NorCal as well. I'm sure you've been to San Francisco, although I'll concede the people I've met there do seem a little more politically aware than the people I know in San Diego.

I was calling myself out by admitting my opinion is skewed, not well developed, and perhaps can't be trusted, so no offense taken. That's why I'm here, mostly - to find out if I'm way off base.

I appreciate your response.

[Fran66]

Originally Posted by NYCtoCalifornia

Which town do you live in? Just kidding.

rotflmao!

[Fran66]

Originally Posted by NYCtoCalifornia

I actually grew up on a property like this in rural Canada. We are up for it, but, yes, it's a lot of work! (no goats.)

But I like goats -- especially goat's milk. Oh well, guess I can't move next door to you! LLLLLLLLLLLOOOOOOOOOOOOLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL

[looking4home]

To the OP - why California? Why not stay on the East Coast? What you are looking for can be found in many places such as Vermont, where my daughter lived for a couple of years. You didn't mention weather, so I assume that isn't a reason you are moving out west - or is it?

[esunsalmista]

Originally Posted by looking4home

To the OP - why California? Why not stay on the East Coast? What you are looking for can be found in many places such as Vermont, where my daughter lived for a couple of years. You didn't mention weather, so I assume that isn't a reason you are moving out west - or is it?

Not the OP, but: It's in the first paragraph. They want to be close (reasonable driving distance) to friends and family.

[looking4home]

Originally Posted by esunsalmista

Not the OP, but: It's in the first paragraph. They want to be close (reasonable driving distance) to friends and family.

Don't know if I really believe that. It's obviously not a priority, or they wouldn't care so much about the other stuff. Family comes first, right, with friends following a close second?

Look, this is silly. Every town in California, whether leaning left or right, have things like farmer's markets, ADA compliance, etc. And if you're going to send your kids to public schools in California, then don't worry they will be sure to get the max dose of "progressiveness" replete with gay history starting in grade school level and transgendered bathrooms. IMO, wanting to completely surround yourself with people who are in lock-step with your political views and wanting to "avoid" people who think a certain way or have different political outlook, is a little creepy, frankly.

[NYCtoCalifornia]

Originally Posted by looking4home

Don't know if I really believe that. It's obviously not a priority, or they wouldn't care so much about the other stuff. Family comes first, right, with friends following a close second?

Look, this is silly. Every town in California, whether leaning left or right, have things like farmer's markets, ADA compliance, etc. And if you're going to send your kids to public schools in California, then don't worry they will be sure to get the max dose of "progressiveness" replete with gay history starting in grade school level and transgendered bathrooms. IMO, wanting to completely surround yourself with people who are in lock-step with your political views and wanting to "avoid" people who think a certain way or have different political outlook, is a little creepy, frankly.

I don't except to completely surround myself with others who think like me. It's not so much about how others think but rather about what kind of communities exist as a result of people's priorities (well-funded schools, affordable healthcare, wheelchair accessible, clean, thoughtfully-budgeted, environmentally friendly). I want to live in a community that values people. I realize things are different in America than other developed nations (this isn't the most progressive of the countries out there) but I'm investigating, seeing if perhaps there are little pockets. Again, it's not that I don't want to know Republicans. I'n just an idealist, that's pretty much it. I wasn't raised in this country so I don't know... If there are pockets out there that for my description maybe locals can tell me.

[NYCtoCalifornia]

p.s. I'm glad to know gay history starts in kindergarten. Now we are talking. Really, I don't know California that well.

[NYCtoCalifornia]

p.p.s. And, yes, we are looking for nicer weather so that is absolutely also a factor. I'd like to avoid cool costal towns (if we end up in Northern California).

[pacific2]

I'm curious, OP, but have you ever considered living in a progressive town like Laguna Beach, while maintaining a second vacation home north of here?

Coming from NYC, I suspect that chickens and isolation can get to be old really fast, and you'll find yourself craving more stimulation.

Just a thought.