Possible move from Bay Area to San Diego. Would you do it?

[OwlAndSparrow]

Originally Posted by sav858

Well if Little Saigon is considered "historic" and "urban" in OC then again that only exemplifies again what I was talking about. Yeah nothing says "urban and "historic" like strip malls and a community that didn't exists until the 60's/70's....lol. But I would agree it's a very interesting ethnic neighborhood/area to visit and spend time in, just not necessarily the most aesthetically interesting or impressive one.

It's the continuation of a city and culture that have been around since long before the U.S. was even founded. That's extremely meaningful to people who lost their original home to the Communists and thus had to rebuild it elsewhere. The area itself isn't ancient history, but it's major history connected to ancient history, and it tells a really fantastic story about the human spirit and the ability not to give up.

It may not be meaningful to everyone, but for many, many people, it's been the only hope for survival and a symbol of a hard-earned good life.

You might look down on outdoor malls, banh mi shops, and Tet celebrations, but to those who bought that lifestyle with their bravery followed by their blood, sweat, and tears, they mean everything.

Scoff all you want. If you can't see the beauty of the place, that doesn't hamper my ability to enjoy it. But consider being more open-minded.

[sav858]

Originally Posted by OwlAndSparrow

It's the continuation of a city and culture that have been around since long before the U.S. was even founded. That's extremely meaningful to people who lost their original home to the Communists and thus had to rebuild it elsewhere. The area itself isn't ancient history, but it's major history connected to ancient history, and it tells a really fantastic story about the human spirit and the ability not to give up.

It may not be meaningful to everyone, but for many, many people, it's been the only hope for survival and a symbol of a hard-earned good life.

You might look down on outdoor malls, banh mi shops, and Tet celebrations, but to those who bought that lifestyle with their bravery followed by their blood, sweat, and tears, they mean everything.

Scoff all you want. If you can't see the beauty of the place, that doesn't hamper my ability to enjoy it. But consider being more open-minded.

I said "it's a very interesting ethnic neighborhood/area to visit and spend time in", what exactly am I not being open-minded about? You seem to have really selective reading when it comes to my posts.

[OwlAndSparrow]

Originally Posted by sav858

I said "it's a very interesting ethnic neighborhood/area to visit and spend time in", what exactly am I not being open-minded about? You seem to have really selective reading when it comes to my posts.

Did you forget the rest of the paragraph, which was condescending dreck?

You can enjoy L.A. without being dismissive of things that are extremely important to others, you know.

[sav858]

Originally Posted by OwlAndSparrow

Did you forget the rest of the paragraph, which was condescending dreck?

You can enjoy L.A. without being dismissive of things that are extremely important to others, you know.

Well we all have different opinions and I don't find the area "historic" or "urban". In the context you used the word "historic" I see what you mean now though but I still don't find it urban.

We all don't like or value the same things, if that comes off as being "dismissive" and it offends you, I'm not sure what else to say besides maybe grow some thicker skin if you're going to use this site.

[SantaFe Gal]

I grew up in the East Bay Area but ended up working in San Diego and living in Carlsbad from the mid-90's to 2008. People are great, housing a little pricey but the weather and the beaches made it worth it. Wonderful Asian food in Sorento Valley and fabulous Mexican food everywhere. Traffic isn't as bad as the Bay Area or L.A. and the Coaster is a commuter train that runs down the coast from Oceanside all the way into downtown San Diego. Balboa Park has art museums, the Old Globe Theater and the world class S.D. Zoo. Nearby there's a huge botanical garden in Encinitas, Sea World, Lego land, specialty nurseries, outlet malls, athletic events (Padres and Chargers) and terrific music in old town S.D. and at the Coors's Amphitheater. Having lived in four other large metro areas in four different states San Diego was my favorite and I would move back in a heartbeat if I had the chance.

[metoque]

Originally Posted by SantaFe Gal

I grew up in the East Bay Area but ended up working in San Diego and living in Carlsbad from the mid-90's to 2008. People are great, housing a little pricey but the weather and the beaches made it worth it. Wonderful Asian food in Sorento Valley and fabulous Mexican food everywhere. Traffic isn't as bad as the Bay Area or L.A. and the Coaster is a commuter train that runs down the coast from Oceanside all the way into downtown San Diego. Balboa Park has art museums, the Old Globe Theater and the world class S.D. Zoo. Nearby there's a huge botanical garden in Encinitas, Sea World, Lego land, specialty nurseries, outlet malls, athletic events (Padres and Chargers) and terrific music in old town S.D. and at the Coors's Amphitheater. Having lived in four other large metro areas in four different states San Diego was my favorite and I would move back in a heartbeat if I had the chance.

Great post and I totally agree. I've lived all over the country (and out of the country), and San Diego has been the best by a long shot not just for its weather and attractions, but also from a beauty and people perspective. The people here are more friendly and down-to-earth, whereas people in the Bay Area and Seattle were often a combination of snobby, aloof or insular. I'm in heaven here and never want to leave.

[tstieber]

Originally Posted by sav858

Both San Jose and San Diego actually are pretty safe areas overall.

Another thing I'm kind of surprised about is that you loved the skiing and natural beauty of Washington but want to be in SD over the Bay Area. The skiing is MUCH better in Northern CA and the natural scenery is more similar to Washington than Southern CA is. Inland Southern CA is pretty dry, brown, and barren in comparison. I prefer Coastal SoCal to Coastal NorCal but prefer inland NorCal to inland SoCal.

If you guys can make a lateral career move then San Diego is a much better value than the Bay Area and especially Silicon Valley. IMO the quality of life and lifestyle along coastal SD is superior to much of the Bay Area, especially the suburban sprawl rat race of Silicon Valley with its insane housing costs.

I absolutely loved living by the ocean in San Diego and miss it all the time, the Bay Area is pretty much walled off from the ocean and it's probably a good thing because of how cold and foggy it is much of the time. But like I said the skiing and mountain scenery up here is better and more like WA so you're kind of making a trade there.

I dunno about comparing scenery to WA state. I've been to Seattle several times, and it looks completely different from anywhere in the Bay Area, like night and day.