From N.H. to San Diego! Few Questions (Napa, Nice: buy, restaurant)

[moved]

Credit Unions. California Coast is great! People are getting rid of Chase due to the fees that they're charging now.

[Stanks]

It's between BOA and credit unions.

[shmoov_groovzsd]

Originally Posted by Stanks

It's between BOA and credit unions.

Either or. I have both, Mission and BofA. I prefer BofA for just about everything.

BOFA
- Easy ATM access for depositing cash, checks
- Great banking website, easy to use
- Lines can be long
- Lots of branches

Mission
- Friendlier staff than BOFA
- Ridiculous lines at some locations
- ATM deposits from the yesteryear (enveiopes, no cash)
- Limited branch locations
- Easier? To get loans from (I have heard this but never used it)
- Part NFCU so not ATM fees at most other CU's

[Stanks]

Well Ladies and Gents: It's been a week since I've joined the wonderful community. I just thought I'd say a few things that I've learned since I've move on over to the Left Coast.

1. Plaza's / Malls - You guys have a LOT of them. Somewhat small roads and it seems like most every store is always packed. Not a bad thing. Just a simple notice.
2. FOOOOOD - Obviously, you guys got it. Everything I've had so far from little diners, to restaurants, to fresh California produce from the market, has been nothing less than great. Hell, I went to a "roach coach" this afternoon at work and it was amazing...
3. Traffic / Driving- Here is a bit of a negative unfortunately. Where I am from, drivers are normally relatively passive. Do the speedlimit, maybe a few over sometimes. In California, at least from what I've seen, it's a real aggressive driving population. You have to own the road or else, you might cause an accident. So, I've been trying to keep with you guys but, it'll take time.
***On a side note, for a state where the people are so mellow and so relaxed and very nice, I don't get why they drive like they're trying to escape the city.

So far San Diego, you got it going on. It's only been a week and I have much more to learn, but, it's been a great time.

[CarawayDJ]

Originally Posted by Stanks

Well Ladies and Gents: It's been a week since I've joined the wonderful community. I just thought I'd say a few things that I've learned since I've move on over to the Left Coast.

1. Plaza's / Malls - You guys have a LOT of them. Somewhat small roads and it seems like most every store is always packed. Not a bad thing. Just a simple notice.
2. FOOOOOD - Obviously, you guys got it. Everything I've had so far from little diners, to restaurants, to fresh California produce from the market, has been nothing less than great. Hell, I went to a "roach coach" this afternoon at work and it was amazing...
3. Traffic / Driving- Here is a bit of a negative unfortunately. Where I am from, drivers are normally relatively passive. Do the speedlimit, maybe a few over sometimes. In California, at least from what I've seen, it's a real aggressive driving population. You have to own the road or else, you might cause an accident. So, I've been trying to keep with you guys but, it'll take time.
***On a side note, for a state where the people are so mellow and so relaxed and very nice, I don't get why they drive like they're trying to escape the city.

So far San Diego, you got it going on. It's only been a week and I have much more to learn, but, it's been a great time.

I was born and raised in NH (Lakes Region) and have lived in SoCal for most of the past 9 years. Yeah, the driving is different. The first thing you learn to do is go faster. Once you get used to it though, you'll find it unbearable driving back home with everyone going maybe 2mph over the speed limit.

Food is good here, but you WILL miss certain things about New England. For me, it's the whole-belly fried clams and the New York Style Chinese food. I've found some places that serve whole-belly fried clams, but those little suckers just don't make the trip out here with all of their flavor intact. Other things you'll notice too. Veggies growing in an irrigated desert blanketed in smog just don't have the same taste as something that comes fresh from a New England farm.

You might experience a little culture shock. Much of New England is culturally conservative (not to be confused with politically conservative). One visit to the Ocean Beach in the evening and you'll realize you are no longer in New England.

San Diego is a real nice city. You'll enjoy it here. Even if you move back someday, no way you will not reflect back upon your time there positively.

Enjoy!

[Jaded]

Originally Posted by CarawayDJ

Veggies growing in an irrigated desert blanketed in smog just don't have the same taste as something that comes fresh from a New England farm.

I'm curious where you buy your veggies and fruit? I've found that on the East Coast they are more tasteless than in Cali. I thought it might be due to long "drive" from the West - LOL! What you've described sounds like Los Angeles, not San Diego. But again, just curious.

[Tags]

Originally Posted by CarawayDJ

I was born and raised in NH (Lakes Region) and have lived in SoCal for most of the past 9 years. Yeah, the driving is different. The first thing you learn to do is go faster. Once you get used to it though, you'll find it unbearable driving back home with everyone going maybe 2mph over the speed limit.

Wow, really? I live in NH and work for a company in SD so I spend a good bit of time there, and I think people drive just as fast and aggressively here. You don't have the relative chaos of ten-lane divided highways, but try setting your cruise 2 mph over the speed limit on 93 headed towards the Lakes Region and watch cars fly by you all day long. And then there's the influence from Boston on city driving -- the first few seconds of a red light are just a suggestion...

[CarawayDJ]

Originally Posted by Jaded

I'm curious where you buy your veggies and fruit? I've found that on the East Coast they are more tasteless than in Cali. I thought it might be due to long "drive" from the West - LOL! What you've described sounds like Los Angeles, not San Diego. But again, just curious.

I'm referring to where the majority of the agriculture in CA is located. There are semi-local farms in San Diego county, but how many? How much of what you see in Ralphs, Albertsons, or Vons is from the local area? Maybe people's in OB.

I can't speak for the entire East Coast, only parts of New England. That said, I'm sure that some CA veggies do make it up that way out of season.

[CarawayDJ]

Originally Posted by Tags

Wow, really? I live in NH and work for a company in SD so I spend a good bit of time there, and I think people drive just as fast and aggressively here. You don't have the relative chaos of ten-lane divided highways, but try setting your cruise 2 mph over the speed limit on 93 headed towards the Lakes Region and watch cars fly by you all day long. And then there's the influence from Boston on city driving -- the first few seconds of a red light are just a suggestion...

We have different experiences. I'm not the only person who has said this though when they move to CA. It's a common first impression.

[oddstray]

Originally Posted by CarawayDJ

I'm referring to where the majority of the agriculture in CA is located. There are semi-local farms in San Diego county, but how many? How much of what you see in Ralphs, Albertsons, or Vons is from the local area? Maybe people's in OB.

I can't speak for the entire East Coast, only parts of New England. That said, I'm sure that some CA veggies do make it up that way out of season.

There are many semi-local farms.

Good-tasting veg in San Diego (or anywhere) doesn't come from the big chain supermarkets, who sell mostly tasteless, mass-produced product that looks pretty, but looks aren't taste.

For good veg, try the local farmers' markets. Or buy from a CSA: San Diego Roots Sustainable Food Project. If you shop in stores like Henry's, Jimbos, Whole Foods, you might be able to find some good-tasting locally-grown stuff. Does anyone know whether stores like North Park Produce or Northgate Gonzalez have good local veg?