California is known for its sunshine and earthquakes

I guess you could call it the shake and bake state.

I was in LA for two weeks during a convention and was not impressed.  It would seem that you are rich, poor or live way to far out of town.  There where clearly some nice areas, but as a whole, it was a pit.  (Reminded me of my time around Soeul and the DMZ in Korea in an earlier life.)  I could never live there.  San Fran was much nicer, but too expensive.  Do not even get me started about San Diego.  Ahh, but the beaches are spectacular.  My soon to be ex got a job out in LA that was a one in a lifetime opportunity.  It was her dream job... and rightfully so, but I could not be happy there.  Our interests had changed.  I guess you could say California came between us...in a way.  Guess that does not help my opinion.  I'll take any of the eastern cities just about any day.

This is the conclusion I've reached after living in So Cal for 20 years.  Sure we have lots of tourist attractions, but on the surface, I can easily see how you would feel the way you do.  Especially if you were staying downtown on business.

It's only when you really get into the flow of things around here that you begin to appreciate it.  When I moved here I wasn't sure if it would ever seem like home.  Now I can't imagine living anywhere else.

and it was boring as hell.  SF is better but very expensive (lived in Oakland and Foster City for a while - couldn't afford SF).  I moved to NY and had the time of my life (3 yrs. in Queens) - met my wife there.  Now, I live in Boston and hate it (only here for school).  

I definitely choose NY over CA, but would take CA over Boston.

The best thing to me about the East coast is that you get to see so many different people (especially in NY).  In CA you drive everywhere and don't get to meet as many people - in NY and Boston you can meet people just walking down the street (and the women in NY - my God.  Damn I miss Central Park).

My 2 cents.

1) NYC:  I grew up there.  Forget the bullshit movies.  It's beyond question one of the world's great cities.

2) Chicago:  My favorite.  Not quite NY but enough of whatever you want to keep any reasonable person satisfied, whether it's the Art Institute, the Lyric Opera, the best blues bars in the world, or ethnic restaurants (might even beat out NY in this category).  Oh, and the only remaining major zoo that I know of in the USA that's still FREE, GRATIS, no admission charge.

3) Boston:  a lot of old world charm.  Refreshingly small, but the concentration of universities results in a sophisication equal to any.

4) San Diego:  Not a beautiful city, but placed on some of the most beautiful land you'll find anywhere.  Mountain trail hiking right in the city, second only to Boulder, CO in that regard.  Can't compare to any Eastern city for culture, but there's enough to get by on.  Much to my surprise I've built rather a nice life for myself here.  I sometimes miss winter, though.  I mean, can a childhood be complete without school being closed by snow?

...and now with our govenor recall mess, you could add "flake" state to your list.  But in all honesty, I live in Northern Cal, in Monterey, and absolutely love it!!!!!  Most people from outside the state don't relize it, but SoCal and NorCal are two very different places, both with thier good and bad points. I'm just happy more people enjoy/visit Southern Cal more so the masses can stay down there! (Not that the Bay Area is not crowded, but it's not nearly as wacked out as LA...Sorry, my parting jab at SoCal.

California still sets the trends for this country.

most sincere about disliking California are those who are uncomfortable with the informality of personal interactions here, and just feel more comfortable with stiffer, more formal types of interactions.   Many of the others are just plain jealous, and would move to California in a heartbeat if they had the opportunity.

ah--- the Hotel California is in Mexico@


wally

I grew up in Indiana (near Chicago), lived in Boston for nearly ten years, and then had a choice because of my then-wife's work of either New York or LA. We chose LA because of my work.

I definitely won't move anywhere is snows.

I miss much about Boston, but the divide between native and transplant is too great to cross. Besides, I can't go back to being 22 and having a great time there.

New York would have been more expensive, at least to live in Manhattan, but quite a change from Boston. My work visits there seem to feed my New York needs without actually having tried to "make it there".

Chicago is IMO the most liveable big city. I just feel great about being there. Food, entertainment, transportation, neighborhoods, the Cubbies...

But when I try to think about where I would move to from LA, I can't picture the place.

Mountains, desert, and beach, all within a day-trip, all year long. Riding a bike on the path by the beach, all year long. Weekend trips to SF, SD, Phoenix, or Vegas. Great days in February where I can call up my friends on the east coast and say "it's 82 degrees". Year-long culture, restaurants finally, job opportunity. We're all immigrants here, so we can find someplace to fit in at any time.

In all major US cities, as well as LA, I can take you for a tour of the neighborhoods that will make you *not* want to live there, but also to the places that will make you feel at home (OK, I'm challened to find that place in Cincinnati...).

You know, 500 people died a few years ago in a heat wave in the midwest.

Didn't they get told it was going to be hot?

We just invented the earthquakes, fires, floods, and riots to keep out the illogical.

since I was three. Since this is all I know, I'm not sure whether I like or dislike it, but I can tell you this: I have always felt as though I've really missed out on what it would be like to live somewhere else.
I had my place for sale earlier this year and went through plans A - C, all of which didn't pan out. Not meant to be for me to leave - at least not yet.
One of my sisters has lived in another state for 30 years, and cannot understand why all the rest of us are still in CA. There's more to life than weather..
I DO feel that people from other states, particularly the midwest, and the east coast are more into their friends and family, and Californians are more into themselves. My opinion..
I wouldn't have a clue how to live (or drive!) in snow, I'd probably have a heart attack from terror if a tornado came my way and then I hear of things like mosquitos and ticks and I'm reminded of the old Hitchcock movie "The Birds"...
I guess you adjust..