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?

[seanery]

I spent 4 years there, and am trying to get back out there. LA is a different place than most in the US (and the world most likely). For me, it makes sense, because there is more work for me there than any place else. I'm a video editor and graphic designer. I lived at the beach, and loved it. I think it might be tough to live too far inland. The Inland Empire would never work for me, even the valley could be tough. It get's damn hot in the valley in the summer - but it's a dry heat (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/laugh.gif) Traffic is a bitch! If I left home at 6:30am I could be at work by 7:00am, if I left at 6:45 or 7:00 then it would be 7:45 to 8:15 before I got to work. The smog can get on you, and so can the June Gloom if you live at the beach. But, the most beautiful days you'll ever find are the days right after it rains. Those will usually be incredibly sunny and clear like you've never seen it before in SoCal. The weather is awesome, I used to love sitting on the deck of the boat in January in shorts cooking out on the grill. There are a TON of people, always, everywhere you go. Don't plan on being alone unless you're in your house. Banks have security entrances & tellers are behind 2" of plexiglass. In-N-Out (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/burger.gif) (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/thumb3d.gif) Willow Springs, Button Willow, Fontana are all close. Driving events happen all year long. Gas is higher, cars are cheaper, land is crazy $$.

Well, those are some of my rambling thoughts.