Is California Worth The Hype?

[xeemzor]

I have lived in the Midwest my whole life so I'm used to dealing with crappy winters. Every year it's always been depressing as I feel trapped in my apartment, never able to really get outside and do things. Even with proper clothing it's not fun to have dig out your car every 3-4 days. It would be OK if it lasted 2 months, but 4-5 months is painful. This year has been a particularly rough winter and got me wondering if warm weather climates are worth making a move for.

Visiting my Dad is San Francisco has been a breath of fresh air. Grass and trees are actually green, not dead looking a snow covered. The bay is beautiful and there are a ton of fun things to do outside. Even with fog it still feels sunny and cheerful. People seem more relaxed and focused on enjoying life.

Since I do consulting my job is location agnostic. I don't really want to leave my home in Chicago but am really sick of winter. Theoretically, I might be able to get away with living in San Francisco for Dec-April and Chicago from May-November. I'm 26, single, earn good salary, and still have a few more years before I settle down. But is it worth the hassel? The only things holding me back are a few friends, half my family, and the fact that everything is way cheaper in Chicago.

 

[jagec]

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

 

[NutBucket]

Cost of living definitely stinks. But if you can find a good job/client base it's well worth it. Besides, our government isn't nearly as corrupt!

 

[5150Joker]

No it's not. But the bay area is nice, at least some parts. Can't stand S. CA

 

[Slew Foot]

Theres a reason its expensive. Because its awesome.

 

[BoomerD]

I lived in NorCal for 25 years. Overall, it was damned good. Where we lived was way too fucking hot in the summer...and the winter fog can be very nasty...but still...we were about 100 miles from SF, 100 miles from Sacramento, and 100 miles from Yosemite. I could visit the snow and the ocean in one day if I chose to do so.

BUT, the cost of living was high, even living in the sticks where we were at...and if you're in one of the bigger cities, it's even worse...in some cases, MUCH worse.

 

[JMapleton]

Earthquakes, crime, expensive, smog, traffic.

People yap about "oh we got a beach and blah blah." How many of those people can afford to live on the beach? Hardly none.

If you have $50m yeah CA is great but it sucks if you're anyone else. I'd much rather be in Chicago, even with $50m.

And I'm thinking of LA, don't even get me started on the Bay Area, the most overrated place in the US.

 

[xeemzor]

Money might be less of an issue because I would be living with my Dad and paying ~800/month in rent. I would sublease out my furnished apartment in Chicago for the other 6 months and might have to pay at most 50-100/month for it. However, that still doesn't account for the fact that I would be earning a Midwest salary and paying California prices for everything.

 

[BoomerD]

Money might be less of an issue because I would be living with my Dad and paying ~800/month in rent. I would sublease out my furnished apartment in Chicago for the other 6 months and might have to pay at most 50-100/month for it. However, that still doesn't account for the fact that I would be earning a Midwest salary and paying California prices for everything.

If your salary isn't going to increase, then it's not a good deal. I'll be damned if I'd move half-way across the country without a serious pay raise to go with it.

 

[5150Joker]

Earthquakes, crime, expensive, smog, traffic.

People yap about "oh we got a beach and blah blah." How many of those people can afford to live on the beach? Hardly none.

If you have $50m yeah CA is great but it sucks if you're anyone else. I'd much rather be in Chicago, even with $50m.

And I'm thinking of LA, don't even get me started on the Bay Area, the most overrated place in the US.

Plus all the Mexican gangbangers out there. Not that Arizona is much better, Phoenix is also a dump. Scottsdale is much nicer than most California cities and so is our weather 9 out of 12 months.

 

[JMapleton]

Plus all the Mexican gangbangers out there. Not that Arizona is much better, Phoenix is also a dump. Scottsdale is much nicer than most California cities and so is our weather 9 out of 12 months.

Phoenix = giant suburbia in the middle of the desert. All the houses look the same. Strip malls everywhere. 110 degrees. What's the allure? Are people that afraid of a little snow?

Give me some urban life. Chicago is a real city without "rip off" prices like NY or LA have.

 

[drinkmorejava]

I grew up in MN, then went to CA right after school. I bailed as soon as a could ...something like 1 year and 2 days, and I had a 1 year commitment.

I found it to have zero redeeming qualities, but I was in the LA area.

I'm sure northern California could be a lot nicer. I went to SF once; it was swell. Stuff is expensive. Not sure why anyone would rave about it, there are a lot of nice places in the world.

I'm happy in Boston now.

 

[PhoKingGuy]

Its shitty, horrible and quite possible the worst place on the face of the planet.

Please don't come here, we're already full.

 

[PhoKingGuy]

Earthquakes, crime, expensive, smog, traffic.

People yap about "oh we got a beach and blah blah." How many of those people can afford to live on the beach? Hardly none.

If you have $50m yeah CA is great but it sucks if you're anyone else. I'd much rather be in Chicago, even with $50m.

And I'm thinking of LA, don't even get me started on the Bay Area, the most overrated place in the US.

This insight coming from someone who bought an ILX. So basically, worthless.

 

[NutBucket]

Earthquakes, crime, expensive, smog, traffic.

People yap about "oh we got a beach and blah blah." How many of those people can afford to live on the beach? Hardly none.

If you have $50m yeah CA is great but it sucks if you're anyone else. I'd much rather be in Chicago, even with $50m.

Let me get this straight. You're complaining about crime and would rather live in Chicago? Hope you own a bulletproof vest.

The point isn't that you can live on the beach. The point is there's the beach that is fairly easy to get to. Or the mountains. Or the desert. Basically whatever you want is a day-trip.

 

[NutBucket]

Its shitty, horrible and quite possible the worst place on the face of the planet.

Please don't come here, we're already full.

On second thought, I'm with this guy.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Its shitty, horrible and quite possible the worst place on the face of the planet.

Please don't come here, we're already full.

Agreed. Please don't move here... you'll just hate it anyway.

You can't carry a gun so you'll be mugged and killed everytime you walk out your door. Even the Mexican food sucks.

 

[ponyo]

Chicago sucks in the winter.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Serious response: Have you considered renting a place here just for a few months during the winter? My Father-In-Law has a house in Rancho Mirage he rents to a Chicago snow bird for 2-3 months a year every year... sucks because he's there now and we can't use the place. I'll be out there in May though with my wife and son for Memorial Day weekend.

 

[JMapleton]

Serious response: Have you considered renting a place here just for a few months during the winter? My Father-In-Law has a house in Rancho Mirage he rents to a Chicago snow bird for 2-3 months a year every year... sucks because he's there now and we can't use the place. I'll be out there in May though with my wife and son for Memorial Day weekend.

All the houses look the same in California. There is no character. It's a giant suburb. There's no grit.

 

[NutBucket]

That's retarded. All cities are like that to some degree unless you're talking about someplace truly ritzy like Beverly Hills. It's just a matter of what era the houses were built.

 

[Dirigible]

All the houses look the same in California. There is no character. It's a giant suburb. There's no grit.

lol

 

[JMapleton]

That's retarded. All cities are like that unless you're talking about someplace truly ritzy like Beverly Hills. Just a matter of what era the houses were built.

Most older cities are not like that. 90% of CA was built after WWII. It's cookie cutter city.

 

[NutBucket]

Brownstones, row houses, etc.

Streetview 6046 S Mozart St, 60652. That's what I think of when I think of a "traditional" Chicago home. Gee, they look pretty similar don't they?

 

[JMapleton]

Brownstones, row houses, etc.

Streetview 6046 S Mozart St, 60652. That's what I think of when I think of a "traditional" Chicago home. Gee, they look pretty similar don't they?

Yeah but that's waaaay out in the suburbs. You're 15 miles from the Loop.

That's still better than neighorhoods filled with hundreds of these:

http://www.socaprobate.com/images/CA_house_Small.jpg