Myth or Reality: Is Northern California really more laid-back than Southern California?

[Ruth4Truth]

Originally Posted by Rwarky

Do you feel or believe that Northern California is actually more laid-back than Southern California? Is this notion a myth or reality?

I think to some extent, that image of NorCal comes from generations past. Now that the Bay Area has become a lot more crowded and developed, at least parts of it no longer fit that image. But then there's the rest of NorCal, which still does, IMO. Humboldt, Mendocino Counties, Monterey, and the central and eastern parts of Norcal are pretty laid back.

[MrJester]

Originally Posted by Ruth4Truth

I think to some extent, that image of NorCal comes from generations past. Now that the Bay Area has become a lot more crowded and developed, at least parts of it no longer fit that image. But then there's the rest of NorCal, which still does, IMO. Humboldt, Mendocino Counties, Monterey, and the central and eastern parts of Norcal are pretty laid back.

True, so I guess that's more of an urban rural thing. You have laid back rural desert towns like Palm Springs, Victor Valley, and Antelope Valley in SoCal. Inland Empire is also pretty exurban, a mix of suburbs and rural areas, also more laid back that Orange County.

But if we're talking about urban area vs. urban area, then SF and San Jose are faster paced than either LA or San Diego.