Sly Bald Guys Forum
Discussions About Being Bald => General Discussion => Topic started by: Robmeister on March 08, 2008, 09:10:39 AM
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This topic was spurred by the below post by SlySurfer to Timmay on the "backseat driver" thread in response to Timmay dealing with some snow driving.
Brought my thoughts over here so as to not hijack the thread
Even though I employ a polemical combo of sarcasm and hyperbole....there's nothing wrong whatsoever with Surfer's post...or his preference for living at the beach. It simply reminded me of something I've pondered frequently and which was reinforced by Surfer's post. I ain't pissed off at Surfer or anything else for that matter. He just happened to spark thoughts that I have cogitated from time to time since we moved to Denver from Ft. Lauderdale.
Sorry Surfer, nothing personal.
Where do you live, Timmmay.....Siberia? @c3
I haven't seen a single snow flake this entire winter.
Man, I'm one lucky dude. The sun's been shining on my bald head all winter.
I have to admit that I admire you midwestern slys. You certainly have guts to go driving in all that slippery icy mess.
So you prefer earthquakes, mudslides, fires, air pollution and drive-by shootings.
That's the beauty of so many people (particularly South Florida and Southern California) thinking that living near the beach is the END ALL of places to live. It keeps gorgeous places like Denver (and the midwest) less populated.
Now you being an avid surfer, sure....your place is at the beach. But I've lived in both Southern Calif. and South Florida and yeah, the beach is pretty damn cool....even did a fair amount of surfing back in the day. But it continues to amaze and amuse me how some beach folk cling to the notion that they--through upbringing or choice--are part of an elite elect that enjoys the END ALL Xanadu of places to live that ALL THE REST OF US could only WISH and DREAM to be as lucky. As if the rest of us that actually enjoy 4 seasons are a bunch of pitiable land-locked saps.
I'm not arguing that people can't have and express their reasons to live where they live. But after living in several and varied parts of this beautiful country, growing up near the beach in So. Calif. (which I thoroughly enjoyed) and especially when we made the move to Denver from Ft. Lauderdale, I've come to notice a subtle and sometimes not-so-subtle "arrogance" with beach dwellers.
In other words, in other non-beach places I've lived, I ain't heard folks worry too much about where other folks move to or choose to live.
But, MAN, God forbid you should commit the blasphemy and devolution of moving from the beach to where you might have to put on a jacket and deal now and again with that disgusting white stuff that really screws up the look of things at Christmas time and defiles the appearance of the landscape.
When we moved here, our friends and family in Ft. Laud. couldn't comprehend why in the world we would be foolish enough to move to a place they likened to "Siberia" or clinging to the side of Mt. Everest. (thanks, Surfer, for actually verbalizing what I suspected for years)
What's funny is that--over the years--we've met others who have moved here from South Florida and coastal Southern Calif. who said that they experienced the same exorcism in tearing themselves away from pleading friends and family who vehemently and repeatedly warned them of the folly of leaving the Nirvana of sun and sand......AAAAAAAHHHHHHH !!!!
I don't know how unbearable it is in Timmmmmay's neck-o-the-woods, but here's a few shots of areas just a short 15-20 minute drive from my house in the Denver burbs.
(https://www.slybaldguys.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi176.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fw166%2Frobmeisterbrau%2FIndianPeaks.jpg&hash=e9f10965f7c833f63c115b11b07b013cb618c782)
(https://www.slybaldguys.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi176.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fw166%2Frobmeisterbrau%2FSnow.jpg&hash=22dbda43b3f166a1d3c4d32c836a293cb882182d)
(https://www.slybaldguys.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi176.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fw166%2Frobmeisterbrau%2FArrowheadGolfCourse.jpg&hash=9271e8730b656d31d83e5a49d5d7f3fb23973715)
Yeah...it's horrible around here....how in the world could I have done such a cruel injustice to my family as to move away from the beach, man.
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Wow Rob...quit a statement there. I guess I came flying in low on this one. Didnt realize there was a problem anywhere or maybe i didnt read thru it thoroughly enough. Let me just say this. Each and everyone of us..no matter where we live...just remember it takes us all to have a good country. No I dont have the mountains, the rolling bubbling brook, the beach, large cities like NYC. What I have here is Home. Anyone can have a house in a city....but it takes alot of work to have a home. Doesnt matter where you live...you always want better....want more. Sure I would love to walk out of my back door and have my bare feet going thru the warm sands of a beach. I would love to sit out on my back deck on a cool summers morning over looking the mountains of Montana.
I live in small town american. We are not fast paced around here....we dont have the shopping malls in our town. What we have is when you walk into a mom and pop store....they know you as you walk in. I live in a town where you can walk up to a business and there maybe a note on the door...walked down to the bank...brb. Have I complained about nothign for the kids to do around here? Yes many of times.....but I wouldnt raise my kids anywhere else other than here. We have a lot of culture in my area. The biggest thing around here are the amish. Yes they can be pain in the asses sometime...but where else can you take a midweeks summer drive thru the country and see 4 work horses pulling a plow with 1 amish guy on the back steering. Well else can you go and see a community pull together...just for instance...today. Sitting in our High school Gymnasium which seats 9000 people and it was packed. Not a seat to be found, our local high school played its first round of the regional basketball. We won our first round 70-63, all the way up to the middle of the fourth quarter it was anyones game..neck to neck..with a couple of ties along the way. Im not saying I dont envy those who live with the beach ..the mountains....teh big cities...but Washington Indiana....its Home...to me anyways. Come rain, snow, sunshine, tornados, earthquakes....You bet your ass....when my time comes.....I will be buried outside of town at Sugarland Memory Gardens....Thanks...
Timmay
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...where else can you take a midweeks summer drive thru the country and see 4 work horses pulling a plow with 1 amish guy on the back steering.
My point exactly, brutha....
Dayam...you beat me again at the verbosity quotient.
Yeah, my point was simply that you, yours, mine and many I've met in NON-BEACH areas love where they live and that's it.....they don't make a point of pointing out the "inferior-to-where-I-live" thing.
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Rob....way I look at it....its a silent cry from them that they are actually saying they hate where they live. I dont know of anyone ....young or old...who wouldnt want to experience snow. As much as I hate snow...after it falls.....I still tend to turn to my childish ways when a snow storm is coming. Nothing like getting all bundled up and taking a huge tractor tire innertube down some big hills we have here at our city park. Building snow ball forts and having snow ball fights...( I dont imagine having sandforts with sandball fights feel pretty good) Laying on the ground with your daughter making snow angels...watching them stand outside catchign snow flakes with their tongue. Telling them about the times when yo were little ..scooping up fresh fallen snow in a bowl and adding sugar milk and vanilla to make icecream. Yes I know there was a report about not eating snow for health reasons....but come on.....so what we gonna do next..not breathe as we walk down the sidewalk?
And besides...Indiana has the Indy 500!
We have a beach....Lake Michigan...
One thing good about not living in a coastal warmer state.....We dont have the tourist and snow birds! .......Easy living my friend...easy living.
Timmay
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here is some of Indiana's scenry...
(https://www.slybaldguys.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi255.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fhh157%2FTimmj%2Findianabridge.jpg&hash=622ba5aa11f0e8c31627106892bd9dddce2d9288)
(https://www.slybaldguys.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi255.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fhh157%2FTimmj%2Findywaterfall.jpg&hash=21fb1dd7ee9dcbb3f7f9dad9e53c53cfcca36b26)
(https://www.slybaldguys.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi255.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fhh157%2FTimmj%2Findiana.jpg&hash=b5981c42a555d3e3e8ab168183e689a4bdbafcfc)
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I've got to agree with Timmy on this one. I, too, and from a small town in north central Illinois. We don't have much, here. No malls (closest is about 30 minutes away - 2 towns over), no Wal Mart (although we are getting one in the next few years), the same mom and pop stores that he mentioned. We have our share of problems like anyone else (petty crimes, bad roads, poor economy), but this is home. I have moved away from home, to another state, twice in my 28 years on earth, and I always come back. Some people joke that Streator, Illinois is a black hole and always sucks you back in...well, i think it's the fact that it's home, and always will be. I don't care much for the snow, but again, when it comes in fresh, something about it brings out the kid in me and I want to hit the hills with a sled or an inner tube, have snowball fights, build snow forts. You can keep your earthquakes, forest fires, pollution, drive by shootings, and hurricanes. I'll take some snow in the winter, the occasional tornado, and camping on cool summer nights. There's no place like home.
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With very few exceptions, I would think people CHOOSE to live where they live. You want Mountains? Go to the Rockies, or the Sierras. You want plains? Go to the midwest. You want big city life? Go to LA, Chicago, etc. You want the beach? Go to the West or East Coastline.
No need to go on a bashing spree here. Everyone is (or should be) proud of where they are residing. If you don't like it, MOVE.
It's funny you mention quakes, Rob as a criticism of living in CA. As someone who spent some time in CA, you know the ones that cause any serious damage are extremely rare. Personally, I'll take the occasional shake versus a guaranteed miserable winter & humid summer. I hear this from people that I deal with on the east coast OFTEN. Yet, I personally know more than a dozen people that have transferred from the NY area (supposedly the GREATEST CITY ON EARTH) to CA. When I ask them, "So, you wanna move back?" Without exception, the anser is "Are you kidding me?". Maybe a dozen is a small sample, but the point is that they made a choice to move and were happy with the choice.
The payoff for MY CHOICE of living in CA is weather that I like.
The USA provides ample choices.
For me, I do not plan on leaving CA anytime soon (especially Northern California).
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I have to say that I appreciate the great beauty that North America contains. I can't say that I have seen all of it...at least not yet. In 2005, I went to Miami for the first time on a business trip. I really enjoyed the BEACH! Yes Rob!!!!! It was fun but too humid for my taste!
I have been to Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas to visit relatives and friends. Through that, I got to experience the beauty of the southern part of the Great Plains, and the pine woodlands that I was surprised to see in Texas and Southwestern Arkansas.
The Nevada and Arizona deserts are beautiful with their geology.
Northern California is beautiful with the Redwoods and the dry hills around the Bay Area.
Vancouver is stunning!
What I am trying to say here is that I appreciate the varied beauty of our continent!
Fortunately, for me here in Seattle, I can get out to similar views the Robmeister posted rather quickly too! Plus I am a 10 min drive from the BEACH. Yes, in my part of the world, it it the cold water beach from the Pacific through the inlet called Puget Sound. But it is home to me as I was born here. In case you didn't know, the desert is only a 2 hour drive from Seattle. Most people think that Washington State is just a rainy moss covered area with pine trees. But the east side of the state is rather arid. But the Cascade Mountains are a short drive from the city and so is the desert.
Anyway, sorry for the ramblings. But I just want to say that there is not reason for snobbery about areas. All of them have great pluses and minuses. And different people will like different areas for different reasons.
Who knows, maybe someday I will live in Alaska!!!!
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.....It's funny you mention quakes, Rob as a criticism of living in CA.
Silly man...
I wasn't criticizing anyone for living anywhere...
Since Surfer brought up a worse case scenario of midwest living ("slippery icy mess")...I responded simply by pointing out a few worse case scenarios of California living.
In fact...the whole point of my verbose rant was to point out that, out of all the places I've lived and the folks I've met....I've found it curious that it's been only the beach folk that have a tendency to "criticize" with regard to where other folks choose to live. And it was Surfer's post that bore that out again. I just--with as much sarcasm and hyperbole (and pictures !) as I could muster--expressed how curious I find that mindset.
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Being from cajun country and being able to see some parts (not nearly enough) of this country, I am living back in La. I bitch about it all the time, but i do love the swamp. Fishing, hunting, scenery is beautiful. My personal favorite part of the country is the desert southwest (four corners region) that, to me, is the most breathtaking place to VISIT.
Because of the way our society is, we tend to never be satisfied with what we have or where we are. Everyone knows I really miss the rocky mountains, but some part of me is glad i don't live there. Cause living there, I fear, I may take that beauty for granted if I saw it everyday. People come here and are amazed by the Atchafalaya Basin. I grew up around here and it is just normal for me to see it everyday. You guys in the mountains see them everyday and would probably think other places are beautiful, just like I think other places are. My point is this, love where you are and admire the beauty you have around you. I can always take a trip to the mountains, or the desert southwest, or the east coast, etc (you get the point), but even though these places are beautiful in their own way, south louisiana is home for this coonass. But I do appreciate ALL the other areas of this world for what they have to offer. So instead of condemning what you haven't experienced, just go out and see the country. Take it all in like you are a 7 year old when everything is amazing. You may see some things that blow you away, and you will always have the memories to keep as your own when you get back to wherever HOME is.
CARPE DIEM = SEIZE THE DAY.
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Being from cajun country and being able to see some parts (not nearly enough) of this country, I am living back in La. I bitch about it all the time, but i do love the swamp. Fishing, hunting, scenery is beautiful. My personal favorite part of the country is the desert southwest (four corners region) that, to me, is the most breathtaking place to VISIT.
Because of the way our society is, we tend to never be satisfied with what we have or where we are. Everyone knows I really miss the rocky mountains, but some part of me is glad i don't live there. Cause living there, I fear, I may take that beauty for granted if I saw it everyday. People come here and are amazed by the Atchafalaya Basin. I grew up around here and it is just normal for me to see it everyday. You guys in the mountains see them everyday and would probably think other places are beautiful, just like I think other places are. My point is this, love where you are and admire the beauty you have around you. I can always take a trip to the mountains, or the desert southwest, or the east coast, etc (you get the point), but even though these places are beautiful in their own way, south louisiana is home for this coonass. But I do appreciate ALL the other areas of this world for what they have to offer. So instead of condemning what you haven't experienced, just go out and see the country. Take it all in like you are a 7 year old when everything is amazing. You may see some things that blow you away, and you will always have the memories to keep as your own when you get back to wherever HOME is.
CARPE DIEM = SEIZE THE DAY.
Paul's post is exactly the point I was trying to make. Damn, that coonass sure is eloquent. O0
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Great points Paul and very well said. I for one, have lived or traveled to five continents and 28 countries besides the U.S. Home is where YOU is. Every place on this earth has something special to offer us. You just need to get out there and find the place that is special to you. For me it is the U.P. of Michigan where you have the beaches of either Lake Superior or Michigan, the Porpupine Mountains, the dense forests and cedar swamps of the interior, the many off shore islands of the Great Lakes and the majestic beauty of the Straits of Mackinac. The winters may be tough, but that is the price you pay for having only 300,000 people in the whole penninsula. Personally I will take rough winters and pleasant summers with less people to spoil the view.
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I've been to a few different states in my life..... California, Florida, Colorado, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, and New York (both the city and upstate). I absolutely loved something about every one of them. But man I love my home in my small town where there are no malls, no fast food, no traffic lights. A place where everybody knows your name.
I think the thing that makes all those places I visited so great in their own way is that they are all very American. God Bless the US..... (Corny maybe but true to me...)
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The beach is indeed overrated. I have lived near it for over 7 years, just 50m from it actually.
To some, it is Valhalla. They spend every waking near the ocean or in it. And I'll admit, It is a very beautiful thing to see the sun coming up at 5am while running on the soft sand. But I am dumbfounded how anyone can feel that living somewhere else other than near the beach requires "guts".
SlySurfer is a known rabblerouser so I dont think much weight should be viewed from his posts.
I consider it a blessing that I have been able to live and grow up in the Midwest. Sure we dont have any beaches(Ocean,we do have the Lake Erie shore!) or towering snow capped peaks.Did I worry about that growing up and having wonderful childhood?Hell No.
Like Mike, I have been able to travel throughout nearly all of the USA and a lot of Canada too. I spent time in the big cities and drove through small communities with 1 stop light. Most people are happy where they are. They wouldnt trade their small time happiness for anything.
Newport Beach California I found is one of the most unwelcoming,uninviting places that I have ever been to.Huntington however,is another story.
LA is one of my favorite cities to visit, I love the atmosphere of it all. The buzz and feelings it envokes.
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So you prefer earthquakes, mudslides, fires, air pollution and drive-by shootings.
.....It's funny you mention quakes, Rob as a criticism of living in CA.
Silly man...
I wasn't criticizing anyone for living anywhere...
Sounds like criticism to me ???
Sincerely,
Silly Man
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Sounds like criticism to me ???
g@@4
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I have been on the road for about 11 years in a truck or car, so I've had the great oppertunity to see things up close in all types of cities, both big and small. I've been to both coasts, both borders north and south and into canada and mexico. Somebody said it best when they said "home is where you are". You have to make the best of where you are, if not then move. There is beauty and greatness in all parts of this great country as there is ugly and negativity. I have loved and hated the best of all worlds living in a small town, the mountains and the beach. Live where you choose and be happy that you are living.
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I have been on the road for about 11 years in a truck or car, so I've had the great oppertunity to see things up close in all types of cities, both big and small. I've been to both coasts, both borders north and south and into canada and mexico. Somebody said it best when they said "home is where you are". You have to make the best of where you are, if not then move. There is beauty and greatness in all parts of this great country as there is ugly and negativity. I have loved and hated the best of all worlds living in a small town, the mountains and the beach. Live where you choose and be happy that you are living.
Very well said mate.
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As someone who has been fortunate to travel through much of this great country we call the U.S. and other parts of the world, I have to say that there are advantages and disadvantages to living anywhere.
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I recently moved from Norther California to the Seattle area. I was born and raised in the Bay Area. When I told my family and friends that I was moving to the Seattle area the ONLY ones that had the "OMG, why would you leave Nothern Ca?" attitude were the folks that had lived there for less than 10 years. Most of the people I grew up with or family that are native Californians have left as well.
Most agree it is overcrowded and overpriced and better sold to those willing to pay for it as the beach, the weather and the rest of the things that everyone makes such a big deal about are very overrated.
The ocean water is about the same temp as the beach here in WA.
Beach towns do NOT get the same sunny weather they get in the valley, it is usually socked in with fog untill 2-3 in the afternoon and cold.
paying 1mil + for a house that is nowhere near a beach, stacked on top of your neighbor and no different than any other suburb in the US is ridiculous.
It rains through May usually.
It is still cold in December (although sunny)
2 seasons, late fall and Arizona.
I could weave a blanket about So-Cal as well.
Bottom line, I always laugh about people that talk up California like it is the end all of existance. It has its complete crap points just like everywhere and its beautiful points as well... If you are willing to pay 2x of what you would pay elsewhere to say you live in CA, it is the place for you.
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This is about as bad as talking about the presidental election.
Everyone is going to have their differences. And thats good, because if we all agreed to like and do the same things....imagine how many red and whites we would have running around...!!!!!!!!!! LOL...because Im sure you all would want to be just like me ...right. Hey I will even move to Florida on the beach. How does that grab ya? LOL
Timmmmay's wired tonight!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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....imagine how many red and whites Hey I will even move to Florida on the beach.
timmy...memo 2 U: keep the red and whites in indiana.
WARHAWK O0
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I recently moved from Norther California to the Seattle area. I was born and raised in the Bay Area. When I told my family and friends that I was moving to the Seattle area the ONLY ones that had the "OMG, why would you leave Nothern Ca?" attitude were the folks that had lived there for less than 10 years. Most of the people I grew up with or family that are native Californians have left as well.
Most agree it is overcrowded and overpriced and better sold to those willing to pay for it as the beach, the weather and the rest of the things that everyone makes such a big deal about are very overrated.
The ocean water is about the same temp as the beach here in WA.
Beach towns do NOT get the same sunny weather they get in the valley, it is usually socked in with fog untill 2-3 in the afternoon and cold.
paying 1mil + for a house that is nowhere near a beach, stacked on top of your neighbor and no different than any other suburb in the US is ridiculous.
It rains through May usually.
It is still cold in December (although sunny)
2 seasons, late fall and Arizona.
I could weave a blanket about So-Cal as well.
Bottom line, I always laugh about people that talk up California like it is the end all of existance. It has its complete crap points just like everywhere and its beautiful points as well... If you are willing to pay 2x of what you would pay elsewhere to say you live in CA, it is the place for you.
Agree with most points here, Marz.
Like you, I was born and raised in the East Bay. Loved it. Though I think you're way off on the weather portion of your post, more on that in a minute....
Overcrowded? Yes. Which I guess is a result of it being a popular place to live. Like Seattle, being by the water limits the amount of land you can build on. I hope you didn't leave the Bay Area hoping to escape traffic. Seattle's traffic is no picnic for the very same reason.
Overpriced? Undecided. Supply & Demand economics. A house is worth whatever you can get for it. See my response on overcrowding.
Attitudes? Interesting theory. Like the original post that started this thread and the reason I responded, people are going to take pride in where they live (or in your case, moved to).
Water Tempature? True. However, contrary to the perception of some in other parts of the USA & rest of the world, not all Californians surf.
Weather? Rains through May? :/O Doesn't sound like you believe in global warming. Oh wait I forgot, the lack of rain AND overabundance of rain are BOTH caused by global warming. :*)) 2 seasons...fall & Arizona? :/O Ever heard of the term "microclimates"? During the summer months, there can be as much as a 40 degree difference in temperature in only a 20 mile drive (San Francisco to Walnut Creek). Marin County, the Central Valley, the East Bay, the Peninsula all have very different weather. Where I grew up (Alameda) it rarely experienced extremely highs or extreme lows. Some people may hate that, others find it ideal. Personally, I like the heat, which is why we lived in the San Ramon area before we moved near Sacramento.
The reason we moved to Rocklin, CA had a lot to do with lifestyle and the related cost. We wanted to have kids and the idea of The Lovely Mrs. Schro staying home to raise them. It was tough to do where we lived and still have a home big enough for us and what we wanted. When we moved from Dublin, CA in June 2000, our home sold for $250 a sq. foot. Even after the recent downtown, our original home is still estimated to have a value around $385 per sq. foot. So, if it were overpriced, we would have seen a market correction in the Bay Area only.
When we bought here in Rocklin, our total cost was approx. $106 a foot for a 3,200 SF home. Today, it's estimated to be $187 per SF (though I think that might be a bit high). However, that's not extremely critical to us in that we don't plan on moving soon. We had a totally different reaction from people we spoke with after we moved here than you. Almost universally, the reaction was "You are? WOW! We thought about that, just didn't have the guts to do it".
On a side note, my aunt & uncle lived in the Mitchell Hill area outside of Bellevue for 25 years (recently moved to central WA). In the early 90's, they bought my parents' minivan b/c they needed it to help care for my aunt's mother. Anyway, she was shocked how many Seattle-ites would cut her off and not let her merge onto highways b/c of her California plates. She said people up there hated Californians.
There are a ton of reasons why we love it here in Rocklin. The schools are highly accredited, proximity to Lake Tahoe (only 2 hrs away instead of 4), my work from home arrangement, access to golf, the friends we have made here, the sun coming up in the morning over the hill in our backyard, to name a few. However, there are a ton of things we miss about the East Bay...professional sports (HATE the Sacto Kings), the Livermore Wine Valley, family, the weather (although it's pretty nice here in Rocklin), proximity to the bay and the coast.
Based on your post, I'm guessing "weaving a blanket" about SoCal would mean ranting. I can honestly say that I know a few people that view SoCal beach cities as the greatest place in the world (Robmeister's point). I am not a huge fan of SoCal (actually hate LA). The variety that Northern California offers is great. You could ski in the morning, and play 18 holes of golf in the afternoon (although with Mammoth Mountain in SoCal, you could do it down there also).
Although we did leave the Bay Area, we stayed in Northern California for many reasons. We love it here. Is it the "Be All / End All"? Since we haven't experienced everything the USA has to offer, I can't say. For anyone to call their place of residence "the greatest place in the world" without experiencing everyplace in the world is pure hyperbole.
Do we plan on staying here the rest of our lives? Who knows.
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Paul, you say it best....I think i'm going to cry...LOL
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A month ago we were on vacation on the Gulf beaches near Clearwater FL. Temps in the 70's, wearing shorts most of the time, beautiful beaches. We talked about moving there someday. But I had to remind my wife this is great weather for February and summer is very hot there. After a week we were ready to come home to the snow (N.E. Ohio near the PA. line)
Last week I was outside walking in the snow, the crisp cold air blowing in my face, fresh snow clinging to the trees, etc. And I LOVED it! I love winter around here; for a while. It's March now and snow "should" be melting. In a few weeks I will be flyfishing in the rivers near Lake Erie for steelhead; watching everything dead come back to life in sprouts of green. I LOVE that! But I can't wait for summer. The sun beating down on me while I work in the garden, driving by the farms, seeing the Amish working their fields (yes we have them nearby too). I LOVE summer around here, for a while. It gets cool in the autumn the trees are beautiful in their fall colors. The wineries are getting in their grapes; apple festivals, etc. Then wait for winter.
You guessed my point. The Florida coast is great, but it gets old after a week. We love each season around here. Not everything is great here; the economy is bad and most good paying jobs have left. But the home prices are the lowest in the country. More money to spend on enjoying what is here (and vacation for ONE week in Florida).
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I recently moved from Norther California to the Seattle area. I was born and raised in the Bay Area. When I told my family and friends that I was moving to the Seattle area the ONLY ones that had the "OMG, why would you leave Nothern Ca?" attitude were the folks that had lived there for less than 10 years. Most of the people I grew up with or family that are native Californians have left as well.
Most agree it is overcrowded and overpriced and better sold to those willing to pay for it as the beach, the weather and the rest of the things that everyone makes such a big deal about are very overrated.
The ocean water is about the same temp as the beach here in WA.
Beach towns do NOT get the same sunny weather they get in the valley, it is usually socked in with fog untill 2-3 in the afternoon and cold.
paying 1mil + for a house that is nowhere near a beach, stacked on top of your neighbor and no different than any other suburb in the US is ridiculous.
It rains through May usually.
It is still cold in December (although sunny)
2 seasons, late fall and Arizona.
I could weave a blanket about So-Cal as well.
Bottom line, I always laugh about people that talk up California like it is the end all of existance. It has its complete crap points just like everywhere and its beautiful points as well... If you are willing to pay 2x of what you would pay elsewhere to say you live in CA, it is the place for you.
Agree with most points here, Marz.
Like you, I was born and raised in the East Bay. Loved it. Though I think you're way off on the weather portion of your post, more on that in a minute....
Overcrowded? Yes. Which I guess is a result of it being a popular place to live. Like Seattle, being by the water limits the amount of land you can build on. I hope you didn't leave the Bay Area hoping to escape traffic. Seattle's traffic is no picnic for the very same reason.
Overpriced? Undecided. Supply & Demand economics. A house is worth whatever you can get for it. See my response on overcrowding.
Attitudes? Interesting theory. Like the original post that started this thread and the reason I responded, people are going to take pride in where they live (or in your case, moved to).
Water Tempature? True. However, contrary to the perception of some in other parts of the USA & rest of the world, not all Californians surf.
Weather? Rains through May? :/O Doesn't sound like you believe in global warming. Oh wait I forgot, the lack of rain AND overabundance of rain are BOTH caused by global warming. :*)) 2 seasons...fall & Arizona? :/O Ever heard of the term "microclimates"? During the summer months, there can be as much as a 40 degree difference in temperature in only a 20 mile drive (San Francisco to Walnut Creek). Marin County, the Central Valley, the East Bay, the Peninsula all have very different weather. Where I grew up (Alameda) it rarely experienced extremely highs or extreme lows. Some people may hate that, others find it ideal. Personally, I like the heat, which is why we lived in the San Ramon area before we moved near Sacramento.
The reason we moved to Rocklin, CA had a lot to do with lifestyle and the related cost. We wanted to have kids and the idea of The Lovely Mrs. Schro staying home to raise them. It was tough to do where we lived and still have a home big enough for us and what we wanted. When we moved from Dublin, CA in June 2000, our home sold for $250 a sq. foot. Even after the recent downtown, our original home is still estimated to have a value around $385 per sq. foot. So, if it were overpriced, we would have seen a market correction in the Bay Area only.
When we bought here in Rocklin, our total cost was approx. $106 a foot for a 3,200 SF home. Today, it's estimated to be $187 per SF (though I think that might be a bit high). However, that's not extremely critical to us in that we don't plan on moving soon. We had a totally different reaction from people we spoke with after we moved here than you. Almost universally, the reaction was "You are? WOW! We thought about that, just didn't have the guts to do it".
On a side note, my aunt & uncle lived in the Mitchell Hill area outside of Bellevue for 25 years (recently moved to central WA). In the early 90's, they bought my parents' minivan b/c they needed it to help care for my aunt's mother. Anyway, she was shocked how many Seattle-ites would cut her off and not let her merge onto highways b/c of her California plates. She said people up there hated Californians.
There are a ton of reasons why we love it here in Rocklin. The schools are highly accredited, proximity to Lake Tahoe (only 2 hrs away instead of 4), my work from home arrangement, access to golf, the friends we have made here, the sun coming up in the morning over the hill in our backyard, to name a few. However, there are a ton of things we miss about the East Bay...professional sports (HATE the Sacto Kings), the Livermore Wine Valley, family, the weather (although it's pretty nice here in Rocklin), proximity to the bay and the coast.
Based on your post, I'm guessing "weaving a blanket" about SoCal would mean ranting. I can honestly say that I know a few people that view SoCal beach cities as the greatest place in the world (Robmeister's point). I am not a huge fan of SoCal (actually hate LA). The variety that Northern California offers is great. You could ski in the morning, and play 18 holes of golf in the afternoon (although with Mammoth Mountain in SoCal, you could do it down there also).
Although we did leave the Bay Area, we stayed in Northern California for many reasons. We love it here. Is it the "Be All / End All"? Since we haven't experienced everything the USA has to offer, I can't say. For anyone to call their place of residence "the greatest place in the world" without experiencing everyplace in the world is pure hyperbole.
Do we plan on staying here the rest of our lives? Who knows.
Yeah, I was thinking last night that I came down on Nor Cal pretty hard but most of it is pretty true but I too would like to expand a bit... and your reasons for living where you live are very on-par to what I am saying.
First off, I will ALWAYS love the Bay Area for what it is and it will always be home.
As far as overcrowding, it is not just traffic it is the urban sprawl of 1-2 story building that are blanketing the whole east bay now. No one wants to live on Tennyson in Hayward or shop at Southland Mall anymore... so they keep migrating and building east leaving a ocean of "old" neighborhoods and outdated malls in its wake. We have all seen this before, in So-Cal...
Overpriced? I guess it is supply and demand although the fact that homes are spending alot more time on the market and prices are dropping is a perfect example of the reality people are facing when looking to purchase a average home. 900,000 for an average home in an average neighborhood with no more natural amenities than you would find anywhere else in the country. People are commuting 2 hours (each way) to own a home that they can afford with an average Bay Area job. Throw a 10K prop. tax bill on that and you have yourself competing with some of the most beautiful places in the US... Areas like San Leandro or Oakland could be amazing cities but due to the exodus' of the past these towns have been turned into upper middle class houses in a high crime neighborhood with poor schools. Take a look at the real estate trends in the bay area from May 06 to present. The market tanked tremendously due to it being overpriced. People in the San Joaquin Valley are actually upside down in houses (that is a first in CA). The past 3 yeas has produced a buy high, sell low atmosphere in the Bay Area, it almost kept me there. In places like Tracy, Lodi, Stockton, Modesto, etc... it is even worse.
My weather comment was based on summer time is hot, winter time is like late fall in most other areas. Yes there are certain micro-climates like San Franciscos foggy cold summer days and the relentless heat of the San Juaqine Valley. The weather is constantly moderate really with no real change of the seasons. Its just not all sunshine and 80 degrees as some would have you believe.
I am not talking attitudes of pride in where someone lives as much as the egos that go with it. Paying 1mil + to live in Pleasanton is a bit ridiculous to me (to me, not to the person that wants that Orange County Lifestyle without the beach)... This is not the same "taking pride in where one lives" like a tight knit community would have, it is taking pride that I can afford to live in X- gated Community and my children attend X-charter School that is soo hard to get into. Just like having designer jeans, these folks are buying designer homes etc. Just another tag to show off to those around you and being from San Ramon, you must have seen this...
I can honestly say that California is a nice place but the hype really outweighs the reality in most cases. A small percentage really live the California lifestyle and a large percentage are just following the herd.
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I can honestly say that California is a nice place but the hype really outweighs the reality in most cases. A small percentage really live the California lifestyle and a large percentage are just following the herd.
GREAT posts dudes! I think Marz's last line is a great one...
I would love to put in my two cents when I get a moment to put my thoughts down..
so I'll be gabbin' bout it later!
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All valid points Marz, no argument there.
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All valid points Marz, no argument there.
Likewise... spent 2 hours on Friday talking to my best friend (from CA) about this same thing... He is thinking about moving to your neck of the woods, El Dorado Hills.
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All valid points Marz, no argument there.
....as long as ya don't bring up mudslides, earthquakes, fires and drive-by shootings >:D
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5t*mp
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....I had to remind my wife this is great weather for February and summer is very hot there.
PRECISELY!
South and Central Florida have only two seasons as well....hot and HOTTER
Visiting and vacationing there is great when you can put on yer baggy trunks and Tommy Bahama everyday. But living and working there (for me anyway) was........
I was going to say, "unbearable", but that's a little dramatic....."very uncomfortable" more fits it since I wear a suit and tie a lot in my business.
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5t*mp
Surfer started it !! b*n!
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There are good and bad points about everywhere I guess but it is how applicable the location is to your wants, needs and way of life that makes it the place for you.
It just (obviously) bugs me when people try to make a place with very obvious faults out to be the end all shangri-la and everywhere else is inferior.
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It just (obviously) bugs me when people try to make a place with very obvious faults out to be the end all shangri-la and everywhere else is inferior.
DING...DING....DING....DING !!!
WE HAVE A WINNER JOHNNY !!!
That's exactly my point in originally taking Surfer to task.
I've always chosen where to live based on my own "thang".....never worried about or berrated folks choosing to live somewheres else.
Only mentioned earthquakes, etc....in response to Surfers "icy slippery mess"
"egocentricity" I think it's called....."My way or the highway...and I'll let you know about how crappy your way is"
Have brother/sister-in-laws that are like this (I think it betrays a level of insecurity or sumthin').
It's not enough for them to enjoy cycling as their chosin favorite activity.....but of course they go the next step in making a point of pointing out to me how "stupid" and "boring" golfing is.
I would say it boils down to the treasured maxim, "Live and let Live"
But to the in-laws and other egocentrics it's, "Live and let the other sap know how inferior his way of living is"
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blah blah blah blah. Florida and other gulf or coast states are nice. I enjoy vacationing there, thats about it. If I had to live say in Sarasota FL....very nice beaches......but you have to stop and think.....ummmm if I live here, that means I have a house that needs kept up, I will have a job that will more than likely work at from 7am-5pm...then its off to the basketball practice/games, soccer practice, be at home for dinner.....do chores around house, help wiht home work....X's taht by 6 days and then add Sunday....the morning is spent at Church...so when does that leave me time for family? Let alone time for the beach. Vacationing in all these places is great....and I think I will keep it that way.
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Great, great posts! Thank you all. It's an awesome part of my daily English lession.
Overcrowded, overpriced, bad weather:
YEAH, you talk about: E U R O P E!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Weather: Summer in HH? It's a green coloured winter.
But how you said, we l i v e here, our children and family and friends live here with us, it's our home. O0
J
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its funny that you said something about the "hype" of CA, thats exactly why I didn't like it, all I knew of Ca was what I'd heard or seen on TV and its not quite like that, it was kind of a disappoinment. I'm not saying it is bad just not my cup of tea. I think alot of people have a misconception of CA.
Rob it gets cold in FL I've seen it snow twice in southwest FL and they get crop freezes every year, granted it only for about a month out of the year
Timmy I lived in the Sarasota area for about 20 years I hated it at first but the longer I was there the more I grew to love it there, I'm drawn to the water. as soon as I can I'm moving back. I'm heading down that way for my next job, I can't wait for some warmth.
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its funny that you said something about the "hype" of CA, thats exactly why I didn't like it, all I knew of Ca was what I'd heard or seen on TV and its not quite like that, it was kind of a disappoinment. I'm not saying it is bad just not my cup of tea. I think alot of people have a misconception of CA.
Rob it gets cold in FL I've seen it snow twice in southwest FL and they get crop freezes every year, granted it only for about a month out of the year
Timmy I lived in the Sarasota area for about 20 years I hated it at first but the longer I was there the more I grew to love it there, I'm drawn to the water. as soon as I can I'm moving back. I'm heading down that way for my next job, I can't wait for some warmth.
I guess that is sorta like Las Vegas. Dont get me wrong....it was nice...and I really liked it there...but its not a desination that I will have on the top of my list of places to go visit. I think what it was you see all of this stuff on TV and when ever you see advertisments about Vegas all you see is lights lights lights. I thought alot of the casinos were beautiful and all....but over all I was dissapointed....because of the slogan...What happens in Vegas...stays in Vegas....well nothing happened to me........so....LOL
Timmayy!
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What am I thinking?
"Hey Lovely Mrs. Schro, pack up the kids, we need to leave California NOW!"
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OOOOOOOOOOhhhh first thing you know ol Jeds a millionaire.........kin folk said Hey Jed move away from here... said Kalifornie is the place you wanna be...so they loaded up the truck and moved to beverly.....
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.... I think alot of people have a misconception of CA.
Well, based on these posts, THAT'S a no-brainer... ???
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My point is this, love where you are and admire the beauty you have around you. I can always take a trip to the mountains, or the desert southwest, or the east coast, etc (you get the point), but even though these places are beautiful in their own way, south louisiana is home for this coonass. But I do appreciate ALL the other areas of this world for what they have to offer. So instead of condemning what you haven't experienced, just go out and see the country. Take it all in like you are a 7 year old when everything is amazing. You may see some things that blow you away, and you will always have the memories to keep as your own when you get back to wherever HOME is.
Paulie my man, you said it best. Bottom line, this is a beautiful country we live in, with so much to offer on all coasts and in between.
Of course everyone one is going to have a different ideal or preference on where they would like to live. Those of us who are fortunate enough to be able to decide to live where we want get to do just that. Many people are not able to do this due to certain factors in life; income, social status etc. Yet another good many decide they like it just where they're at. They choose to travel and see the world.
What it comes down to is choice, as Schroman put in capital's in one of his posts. We get to choose where we want to live, and this is what's great about living here.
There is good and bad everywhere, and if you're going to down some places and take the stand of "oh, not in my backyard" , then you're just being close-minded and opinionated. I must say I took offense to surfer's comments, as I will agree with RM that there is a certain mindset of many Californian's. But that can be said about any city or state.
Misconceptions? , of course we will have misconceptions, when we only see a tv or hollywood version of a certain location.
I moved out West (AZ) from NY in July, and I gotta tell you, I love it here. Do I miss things about NY, of course, who wouldn't, it's where I grew up. But I do love the mountains and desert out here, love the beautiful sunsets, the palm trees, etc.
I could go on and on, but coming back to the point, it's all about choice, choosing where you want to live, what you want for your family. That's what matters, guys.
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I9hpMgKI_NU (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I9hpMgKI_NU)
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Notice how SlySurfer has not made 1 post in this thread to defend or explain himself.
Pretty pathetic on his part. I think we all should just ignore him from now on, he deliberatley tries to stir the nest.
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Notice how SlySurfer has not made 1 post in this thread to defend or explain himself.
I was thinking that earlier.........for the record, it's been my experience as a lifelong Californian that Northern & Southern California are worlds apart in natural beauty, variety, and attitude.
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Notice how SlySurfer has not made 1 post in this thread to defend or explain himself.
Pretty pathetic on his part. I think we all should just ignore him from now on, he deliberatley tries to stir the nest.
Like you're trying to do now?
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Im at a loss on this one...?????????
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Well....when I originally started this thread, I PM'd Surfer and gave him a heads up that I was sorta taking him to task and that it was just a spirited and sarcastic rant that meant no bad blood.
Told him that his post to Timmmmmmmmay simply bore out what I have heard now for quite a few years.
So my original blog was about ATTITUDES......NOT where the best/worst place to live is
I could have illustrated the exact same point using my in-laws and their "cycling-vs-golf" mindset. Prolly shoulda.
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I gotcha!.....i can now see where the post got turned around....thanks bro..
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That's why I named the post "Beach, Mountains, Desert, Great Plains and more !!!!"
Notice I didn't name it "California Sucks" or "Denver Rules"
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:-X
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I feel discriminated against though.....because my area got listed as ..." And More" not sure what you would call the area I live in? AmishVille maybe? LOL...I think my town is about 50 years behind schedule....lol
See ya Timmmayyy!
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I feel discriminated against though.....because my area got listed as ..." And More" not sure what you would call the area I live in? AmishVille maybe? LOL...I think my town is about 50 years behind schedule....lol
See ya Timmmayyy!
You live near the Amish too? Great people. Nothing to be ashamed of.
We all could learn a great deal from those folk. They know what really matters....family and friends. They make do with just the plain and simple.
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:-X
"lol....Maybe schro can't get past the meister's "earthquakes, mudslides, fires and drive-by" comment...lol"
Timmayy!
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"lol....Maybe schro can't get past the meister's "earthquakes, mudslides, fires and drive-by" comment...lol"
Timmayy!
Someone's been paying attention !!! :@` !B@ P@^
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I feel discriminated against though.....because my area got listed as ..." And More" not sure what you would call the area I live in? AmishVille maybe? LOL...I think my town is about 50 years behind schedule....lol
See ya Timmmayyy!
You live near the Amish too? Great people. Nothing to be ashamed of.
We all could learn a great deal from those folk. They know what really matters....family and friends. They make do with just the plain and simple.
I agree with ya Tyro.....I like going out on a mid weeks drive thru the country especially during planting and harvest season....you see how they really work the land wiht just a horse and plow.....it just amazes me....I think I might consider becoming amish....they are the only ones that arent arguing about the price of Gas!................
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"lol....Maybe schro can't get past the meister's "earthquakes, mudslides, fires and drive-by" comment...lol"
Timmayy!
Someone's been paying attention !!! :@` !B@ P@^
Hey now....you are underestimating me....or are you not? I might have a small wind tunnel in my head...but I do listen...lol
Timmmayy!
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Not true and I'm done.
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Notice how SlySurfer has not made 1 post in this thread to defend or explain himself.
Pretty pathetic on his part. I think we all should just ignore him from now on, he deliberatley tries to stir the nest.
Where did this hostility come from J? Don't see a reason for it!
Robmeister initiated this thread in reaction to one of my posts. He explained this to me in an IM. I have no problem with that. But there seems to be some misconceptions to my intent.
I was in no way boasting that where I live is Utopia. And I was not stirring the nest, as J claims. What I said was taken out of context. It was just a response to TimmJ’s post in the "Who’s A Back Seat Driver In Your Family Thread".
Had that problem tonight. We got snow here today and it was drifting and blowing across the highways and stuff. Well early this evening we were coming back to town and the roads werent in that good of shape. Basically I was coasting down the highway. There was a car...oh lets say ....about 10 car lengths in front of me....my wife was like...Timmm! Slow down! you are going to rear end that other car if you start sliding!
I have experienced 4 brutal winters in Chicago. So I speak from experience, when I said that I admire midwestern slys for having the guts to drive on icy roads.
Guess I’m the chicken here. Cause when I lived in the windy city I took mass transit at the sight of the first snow flake.
It doesn’t matter where you live…..the mountains, the shore, big cities, small towns. Home is where the heart is.
Peace bald bruthas,
Anthony
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I find it fascinating the things people get defensive about -- one of them apparently being the places where they live. Some people like California, some people like New York and some people like Florida. Nobody likes New Jersey, but some of us have to live here! >:D >:D :*)) :*))
Seriously, it's all a matter of preference. If you're happy with where you're living, who cares what anybody else thinks of it?
In some ways this reminds me of some of the spats that break out from time to time on the dog forums. If you ever want to start a fight, go to one of those forums and tell somebody the brand of dog food they're using is no good, and then stand back and watch the sparks fly!! :/O