The Truth about California from a former west coast Girl... (Durham: unemployment, cost of)

[Shelby1234]

Wow, can't believe how many posts are on this topic! I've only read a handful of them. I grew up in SoCal and lived here all my life up till the last few years when I moved to the Southeast. Haven't regretted the move at all! Yes, fellow Californians: There really is a good life outside of the Golden State! Yes, SoCal has better, more consistent weather than anywhere else it seems, but weather isn't everything. Where I now live doesn't have hard winters (barely any snow) but we do get humidity in summer. But along with that are awesome fireflies in the garden at night, and amazing thunderstorms that are beautiful, and yes, lots of really great mild weather too with beautiful fluffy clouds and bright blue skies! No, we don't have the ocean, but when I lived in SoCal I often never went to the ocean (even though it was not far away) because of the f$%#ing traffic to get there! The overcrowding of SoCal, in my opinion, is what makes it miserable. Too many people. Nice place, but too many people. It's too high of a cost to pay to sit in your car going 0-20 mph any time of day. Happened to me too often over the years. You know how much traffic I have going to work now? None! I can actually drive 65 mph in rush hour! Yippee! And we have great restaurants, first rate theater and more here. Yes, Californians, you don't have to live in cramped apts and condos that take all your paycheck, then go on a freeway that's crawling at 14 mph to get to work.

[Raelyn28]

Originally Posted by Shelby1234

Wow, can't believe how many posts are on this topic! I've only read a handful of them. I grew up in SoCal and lived here all my life up till the last few years when I moved to the Southeast. Haven't regretted the move at all! Yes, fellow Californians: There really is a good life outside of the Golden State! Yes, SoCal has better, more consistent weather than anywhere else it seems, but weather isn't everything. Where I now live doesn't have hard winters (barely any snow) but we do get humidity in summer. But along with that are awesome fireflies in the garden at night, and amazing thunderstorms that are beautiful, and yes, lots of really great mild weather too with beautiful fluffy clouds and bright blue skies! No, we don't have the ocean, but when I lived in SoCal I often never went to the ocean (even though it was not far away) because of the f$%#ing traffic to get there! The overcrowding of SoCal, in my opinion, is what makes it miserable. Too many people. Nice place, but too many people. It's too high of a cost to pay to sit in your car going 0-20 mph any time of day. Happened to me too often over the years. You know how much traffic I have going to work now? None! I can actually drive 65 mph in rush hour! Yippee! And we have great restaurants, first rate theater and more here. Yes, Californians, you don't have to live in cramped apts and condos that take all your paycheck, then go on a freeway that's crawling at 14 mph to get to work.

I can't believe that this thread is still going... Wow, I hope my honesty helped people to decide for themselves if Southern Cal is for them or not. I have lived in five states now and many cities and honestly there are many places that are better than Southern Cal...but if one can take advantage of all the opportunies and make the best of it then it will be alright. I have learned that there is always a reason for living somewhere...always, people to meet, things to do and discoveries to be made. Life is short and we all need to make the best out of our circumstances. May you find happy moments where ever life finds you...

[Huckleberry3911948]

its not perfect.
my memphis uncle say huc, livin in california is like livin with a beautiful woman that has a headache all the time.

[Charles]

Originally Posted by Huckleberry3911948

its not perfect.
my memphis uncle say huc, livin in california is like livin with a beautiful woman that has a headache all the time.

My analogy is

"California is like an ex-wife: you had a lot of good times together, in the beginning life was good, the sex was great, you still miss her sometimes, and in some ways you still love her - but you just can't stand living with her anymore."

I knew a guy who divorced his wife then married her again.

[Venusian_Artist]

Originally Posted by MalaK

Oregon is a laid back state with greay hairs, and people making $25k. That's all.

Someone with a California-grade education clearly knows nothing about Oregon.

[MalaK]

Originally Posted by Venusian_Artist

Someone with a California-grade education clearly knows nothing about Oregon.

Let's be realistic now. Oregon is boring, it's a downgraded California.
The only good thing that Oregon has going on right now are the god
damn Oregon Ducks. LOL.

[Wurzig]

Originally Posted by MalaK

Let's be realistic now. Oregon is boring, it's a downgraded California.
The only good thing that Oregon has going on right now are the god
damn Oregon Ducks. LOL.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and life is what you make it no matter where you are. I've been to Oregon several times throughout my lifetime and have never been bored. There is a lot to do in Oregon; along the coast, (as long as you wear a sweater), in Salem, (no sweater required during summer), in Portland, Lake Oswego area, Coos Bay, Ashland, Grants Pass area, Rogue River area, anywhere near the Washington border, on and on.... I've been in quite a few states and quite a few countries. There are several places that I would not see again but Oregon is not one of them.

Is Oregon the same as California? Certainly not.....there is only one California.....but there is only one Oregon, too.....

[Cali-girl]

As a native Californian whose family has been here for five generations, I really love my state and I'm grateful to be able to live here. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else.

That said, I understand that what works for me isn't everybody's cup of tea, and its best to live wherever you are (in this economy) employed and feel at home.

I've recently read how some Californians are now having to live out-of-state and can't wait to return and other California residents can't wait to get out and move to another state.

I'm all for letting out-of-staters know from the get-go of the downsides to living here. All for that.
Especially regarding those who come expecting to make it big in Hollywood. Many of those newcomers end up doing porn in the San Fernando Valley.

I hope the OP's post doesn't fall on deaf ears.

[J1ndo]

Originally Posted by Cali-girl

Especially regarding those who come expecting to make it big in Hollywood. Many of those newcomers end up doing porn in the San Fernando Valley.

Or worse yet, one of 'em ends up as an attention-hungry server at your favorite restaurant. "Hey, wacka wacka wacka, I'll be serving you tonight and will be sure to stop by and bug you every other mouthful!"

[J1ndo]

Originally Posted by Charles

My analogy is

"California is like an ex-wife: you had a lot of good times together, in the beginning life was good, the sex was great, you still miss her sometimes, and in some ways you still love her - but you just can't stand living with her anymore."

I knew a guy who divorced his wife then married her again.

Perfect! I'll only add that, for me, California is the ex-wife who's still a friend... a friend with, um, benefits. However, if I spend more than a week with her, a fight is sure to erupt.