C C California
 

I know at least Rog lives there now. And I especially direct this question at him since he also previously lived basically where I live :o

Is California awesome? Is my question.

I really feel like I would love it there (in particular the southern coastal area) and it has an abundance of jobs that fit w/ my math/comp sci double major, but everyone here is all "omg no cali sucks bawls its terrible on all counts" but they never really explain why.

calis all about the gays and weed dude you'd like it there 8]

Yes, California is awesome, but you have to be careful because there are some very unawesome parts. Generally speaking, Southern California is not awesome except for very specific parts of LA and San Diego. Unless you're a complete Bible thumping Republican I would recommend staying out of Orange County or Northern San Diego County. I guess one of the worst things about a lot of California is the cost of living, but if you have a good job then I guess that doesn't really matter. The weather is usually amazing, but depending on where you live, you'll be stuck in traffic too much to enjoy it. But what do I know, I live (when I get back to CA) an hour south of the Oregon border. I'll probably have to move to LA or San Diego for grad school though.

hobo: What's san fran like, I might go to college hurr. :o

Gay. Haha, no really, but you probably already knew that. It's really expensive, but there is a lot going, restaurants, music, parks, drugs. It's almost always 40-60 degrees and foggy, and you have to be careful not to trip on the homeless and step on dirty needles.

Where are you thinking about going to college? I think most of them are pretty commuter-ish, just a heads up.

the art institute of san francisco :x i was wanting to, but i keep hearing shitty things about it. :(

man, picking a college is hard

Yeah, don't go there. SF isn't bad, but the Art Institute isn't really a college. It's fucking expensive and it's not even accredited. You might as well go to ITT Tech. If you want a degree in art go to a real college like San Francisco State.

Do they have courses in animation? :O

I live in CA, and I could take it or leave it for the reasons renee described. It's got great weather, and lots of stuff to do, but it's very expensive, and it's packed with people, on the roads, the sidewalks, the parks, everywhere. And yeah, if you can get a well-paying job, the cost of living isn't so bad. I assume.

Also, it annoys me that nearly every California/LA native I talk to seems to think that Southern California is god's gift to the world.

I assume the same thing. I live in Humboldt County, and it's still expensive. I can't imagine living in the regular part of CA.

Couldn't have said it better myself. Lived in SD for three years and those are my basic sentiments.

California is the greatest state in the union to live in. And no, that's not just my opinion, it's fact. Except maybe New York, (if you like big cities which I do); you won't find a better state. Especially Northern California. I've lived in the Sacramento area for my whole life until about 4 years ago when I moved to England to marry my wife, and even she, having visited Sacramento and my home town after living in England her whole life, cannot wait until we are able to move back. It's literally the difference between sunshine/warmth and permanent gray/dismal cold.

Because of it's greatness, as others have said, it can be expensive living there in the right areas, but it can also be affordable if you find a deal in a suburb somewhere. Other than that, there aren't many cons to California that I can think of. If we're talking Southern California, then yea, that can be a little dirtier and is overrun with illegal immigrants, and a lot of cities like most of L.A. and San Diego can be hairy to live in. Also the summers can get pretty hot, but to me, that's a lot better than freezing cold greyness for months on end.

Basically, as with Rog, if you love going out and doing things and finding the quirks of a city while living in one of the largest cities in the world, and don't mind that the entire city is made up of failed actors, you'll love L.A. and Socal. If you prefer a quieter life in the suburbs with virtually no crime, that still has some trees left, and is an hour away from anything you'd ever want to do (mountains, beach, big city, casinos, etc), go to Northern California. Sacramento and (it's outlying cities in particular) is one of the fastest growing cities in America and has everything you'd ever want.

San Francisco is also my absolute favorite city in all of America. Sure it has a lot of gays and homeless (all major cities do), but you'd never know unless you actually went to the right districts looking for them. It's so beautiful and the weather is always perfect. It's got a million things to do, a zillion great restaurants, the traffic isn't as bad as you'd think for a big city, great theatre, great sights, and is right on the ocean. It doesn't get much better than SF people.

I've driven across America and seen many states and many cities, and I have no qualms whatsoever recommending California to anyone who asks. Unless you're super conservative or religious, I don't see any reason why any sane person wouldn't love living there. Next year is a good time to move as well since the crazy housing bubble burst this year and house prices will soon plummet.

Uh...I grew up outside of Sacramento and I wouldn't really use it as an example of why California is great. Yeah, I guess midtown is cool, but the rest of the city isn't anything special. And then there's Elk Grove...

For Sacramento that's the understatement of a life time. It was 115 two summers ago, and I think it got up to 110 this past summer.

I think I've seen a homeless person in every single neighborhood in San Francisco. But there are definitely all types of homeless in SF, from entertain to scary to holy shit, how is that person still alive?

From what I remember of Orange County, everyone my age was an atheist and I could buy any choice shit that I wanted from random people in the High School quad area

In fact, the most annoying motherfuckers I met there were all PETA freaks and this one Jewish vegan activist chick who was convinced that the Mission Viejo High D&D club was regularly worshipping Satan during lunch hour, with the help of the science teacher (I'm not sure how any of that last bit makes sense either, shut up)

I wish my school had a D&D club.:(

Yeah, but those were high school kids, I assume, rebelling against their uber-conservative parents.

Actually, with the exception of my two friends in it, they were pretty gay too

Edit: (D&D club)

Oh yeah, I totally wish I could have worshiped Satan at Davis High, that would have been super sweet.

Those high school kids are now the college community, and unless you're going to California to chill at the fucking country club, they're going to be the local social network

Woah man, I go to the state college...

Pfft, no wonder you got the conservatives, sheeit


Who the fuck else would afford a California State college, why the hell do you think I left the place

God yes. I hate that.

The people who can't afford the University of California. Plus, I go for free, STATE UNIVERSITY GRANT, baby!

Damn high quality students, the only grants I get are for working my ass off in journalism

Indeed. And now, as if summoned by magic, we have PJ here to illustrate the point for me.


Then quit making an ass out of you and me!