Spoke with some lifelong Californians yesterday

[cawacko]

L.A. seemed really "Hollywood" to me, with the emphasis on status and looks. S.F. seemed more like a cosmopolitan world city, sophisticated and elegant.

Yes. "Everyone" in L.A. was all waiters and waitresses waiting to be 'discovered' so they could be an actor. And then these guys would all act like they had Hollywood connections to try and impress the girls etc. etc. and it felt like one big fake scene. That's why it was such a culture shock.

Now if you're into the beach lifestyle and love year round great weather then L.A. has a lot to offer. But I'll take NorCal all day long.

 

[ThatOwlWoman]

Yes. "Everyone" in L.A. was all waiters and waitresses waiting to be 'discovered' so they could be an actor. And then these guys would all act like they had Hollywood connections to try and impress the girls etc. etc. and it felt like one big fake scene. That's why it was such a culture shock.

Now if you're into the beach lifestyle and love year round great weather then L.A. has a lot to offer. But I'll take NorCal all day long.

Plus you have the wild parrots of Telegraph Hill!

 

[Cypress]

I thought you were going to say "You might have a nice home in Texas, but when you go outside you're still in Texas."

You're right. The climate was one of the biggest reasons we chose to move to a cooler region. I have zero heat tolerance but love to be outdoors which wasn't possible in St. Louis from late April/early May through the middle/end of October. Cost of living was #2.

I don't like ice, and I'm not particularly fond of snow, but I can tolerate chilly weather more than oppressive heat and humidity.

 

[Cypress]

L.A. seemed really "Hollywood" to me, with the emphasis on status and looks. S.F. seemed more like a cosmopolitan world city, sophisticated and elegant.

In defense of LA, I think it is a world class city in terms of museums, theater, entertainment, sports, outdoor recreation.

I saw a YouTube of a woman who moved back to LA after having been in Dallas for a few years. She said she couldn't wait to get back because the only things to really do in Dallas is go out to eat; she said Texas offers almost nothing in terms of nature & outdoor recreation, or world class artistic and creative vibes.