OT - To All You SoCal Guys (and Girls), Do you like it there? Options

[riverman]

My mind gets active when I have nothing to do, so while the site was down I started thinking about travel. I've always wanted to see California and one day I will, but I began to wonder 'Is it all it's cracked up to be?'

I think one of the reasons California looks so appealing is that it's always hyped in the movies and on TV - good weather, beautiful people, easy lifestyle, rust-free teeners. But the flipside of that is overcrowding, high cost of living, gang violence and smog.

I know that every place has it's qualities (southwestern Ontario - clean cities, safe neighbourhoods, high standard of living, gorgeous summers) and we all live where we live for a reason. But every winter all I want to do is get away. I hate the snow and the cold.

So tell me, is California all it's cracked up to be? For those of you born there, would you rather live somewhere else? For those of you who moved there, was it worth it?

[army dude]

I was stationed at what used to beNAS Miramar. I know it is a Marine base now but I was there for 4 years. I loved it! This was 85-90 and I haven't been back since but thought about it alot. I loved Mission Beach, Lajolla, Pacific Beach and Black Beach. They did alot of nude sunbathing there!!I had binoculars!!Saw all women, thank God!! Went to Tijuana alot and up to LA. Great times fo sho!!