The Vibe: California Is Where Anybody With A Dream Goes
You might think of Hollywood and Los Angeles first when you think of California, but this is a massive state and that takes up only about 2 percent of it. For all intents and purposes,
California basically is the West Coast.
It encompasses the best and sometimes the worst of America. From the unattainable yet highly-coveted Hollywood Hills and celebrity culture in Los Angeles, to the beach bum surfing vibe in San Diego, to the bohemian free-spirits of Northern California and the nerdy tech-geniuses who are going to change the world in Silicon Valley–these stereotypes aren’t just stereotypes. They exist because it won’t take you long to find someone who fits the bill.
But there’s a reason why so many songs are about California. If you ask Katy Perry, the girls are undeniable and the Beach Boys wish they all could be like them. Miley came for a party in the U.S.A and Axl called it the jungle. It may not be a perfect state, but California really is the Land of Dreams.
Local Flavor: You’re Either NoCal or SoCal
Northern California and Southern California may as well be two completely different worlds.
Southern California is the land where you’ll find much more of an emphasis put on physical attractiveness, wealth, and success. There are no rules to fashion as long as you’re fashionable and you’ll find a good mix of both stilettos and flip-flops. A trip to San Francisco feels like you’re entering a different state where you missed the memo about the Toms and Birkenstocks.
Northern California is the land where you’ll find many more of the free-loving hippie stereotypes that you so often see on television But don’t expect just free-spirits here, either. Silicon Valley is overflowing with tech-geeks who are here to take over the world, all while wearing jeans, sandals, and their favorite hoodies. It’s a much more laid back vibe where a trip to SoCal feels overwhelming because of the rush, crowds, and different lifestyle, but is always good for a few parties and Disneyland.
And then there is the Central Valley, but they’re too busy feeding everyone to get involved.
Cuisine: You’re Neither In Nor Out
Thanks to In-N-Out Burger, when you live in California, you’re both. In-N-Out Burger is way more than just a popular fast food joint. But even though this is technically a fast food place, trust me when I say that there’s nothing fast about it. The lines are always long but that’s because there’s nobody in California who eats meat who doesn’t love In-N-Out Burger.
Mexican is also huge throughout all of California. And as a state with so many Mexican settlements and influences, it would be weird if it wasn’t. Tacos, burritos, Empanadas… Whatever is on the menu, it will almost always be on point in California – not that Taco Bell imitation stuff.
Insider tip: the food trucks and shoddiest looking taco stands are usually where you’ll find the best food. And there’s nothing weird about a burrito with fries in it.
And because agriculture is so big in California, be prepared for a lot of farmer’s markets, farm-to-table restaurants, and an avalanche of avocados.
Nightlife: California Knows How To (Dinner) Party
If you’re in Los Angeles, you’ll never have to look very far to find a club as the City of Angels has one of the most famous nightlife scenes in the world. There are plenty of other great places to find the party, though, but you’ll find that overwhelmingly, Californians party a little bit differently.
In cities like New York and Chicago, it’s much more common to meet up with friends at a trendy restaurant and then maybe hit a local bar or two. And although you can do that in cities around California, people here tend to prefer dinner parties and throwing parties at home over going out. And because Californians do spend so much more time cooking-in, you’ll find a serious shortage of take-out places almost everywhere.
Weather: It’s Why Everyone Stays In California
San Francisco is foggy. Los Angeles is smoggy. But there’s no getting around the fact that if you asked every single Californian transplant why they moved to California, the overwhelming majority would tell you that they wanted to live in place that had perfect weather year-round.
Everything you’ve ever heard about the California weather is true. The sun is best friends with The Golden State, with Downtown Los Angeles averaging 292 days of total sun a year and San Francisco averaging 260. According to U.S. Climate Data, the average high in Sacramento is 73 degrees, with a low of 48, while the average high down south in Santa Monica is 62 degrees with a low of 56. But there are exceptions to be made, of course. If you’re looking for snow, Tahoe is one of the most gorgeous places to celebrate both summer and winter.
Safety & Crime: It All Depends On Where You Are
https://www.facebook.com/visitsantamonica/photos/pb.81498360664.-2207520000.1440800055./10152118026495665/?type=3&theater
As with any state, how safe you are will overwhelmingly depend on what county or neighborhood you’re in. But overall, you can feel safe living in California. The state’s property crime rating comes in about one percent below the national average at 26.5 percent. But, doing your research on neighborhoods in any city or town that you’re moving to will make all the difference.
For example, San Diego has an overall great crime rate, coming in 11 percent lower than the national average. But if you live in the Mountain Hill or Southcrest neighborhoods in San Diego, you’ll find a crime rate that averages nearly 50 percent over San Diego.
So, make sure you look into each area before deciding for sure. Remember that California is generally a pretty expensive state, so the more affordable it seems, the more you’ll want to double check the crime.
Commute: Prepare To Spend Half Of Your Life In Traffic
Half of your life is obviously an exaggeration. But that’s what sitting in traffic every day does to you: it makes you do and say absurd things because that’s the only thing that keeps you from losing your mind. Of course, where you live in California will determine what your commute time will be as well as if you even have to use a car.
USA Today ranks California State in the top eight states for worst commute times in the country, with an overall average one-way commute of 27 minutes daily. However, the numbers can change greatly when you break it down by area.
The Census Bureau reports that San Francisco has the highest population of workers who commute 50-90 minutes each way to work every day and the city has an average commute time of 30 minutes one way.
In Central California, Fresno has the shortest commute of California’s 10 major cities with a daily average of 21.7 minutes each way. And Los Angeles takes the commuting cake, with the Census Bureau reporting that nearly 12 percent of county commuters faced a 60 minute or more commute every day; the city has an overall commuting average of 29.4 minutes.
Cities like Los Angeles and San Diego are still highly car-dependent. However, if you can afford to live in San Francisco, you won’t even need a car as the city has a Walk Score of 84, Transit Score of 80, and Bike Score of 75.
Definitely do your research before deciding and you’ll soon realize that no two California cities are created equal when it comes to the rules of the road.
Cost Of Living: California’s Price Tag Is Rodeo Drive Expensive
There’s no escaping the California price tag. USA Today lists California as the sixth-most expensive state in the country. And anyone who lives here will tell you that even that seems a little generous because living in California definitely has its way of draining one’s budget.
On a national index of 100, California’s cost of living comes in at 127.1 overall. Groceries and utilities rank at 113, transportation is 111, healthcare is 109, and the housing market really steals the overpriced show with an index of 176.7, according to the MERIC first-quarter report.
Of course, some areas can be a little less brutal to your wallet, like Fresno which only has a cost of living index of 106. And then there are others that aren’t even remotely attainable for a lot of people, like Beverly Hills, where the cost of living index is a whopping 408. And no, that’s not a typo.
The Beach Isn’t The Only Reason To Be Outdoors
Renowned national demographer Joel Kotkin has called California “God’s best moment.” And if you’ve ever taken a Route 1 drive along the California Coast, you’ll be hard-pressed to disagree.
The topography of California tends to get outshined by the weather but it’s genuinely one of the Golden State’s best attributes. The rolling hills, breathtaking cliffs, and gorgeous beaches will never cease to leave you in awe.
Between the scenery and the amazing weather, California is the kind of place that can turn even the biggest couch potato into an outdoors lover.
Living In California Teaches You The Realities Of The Future
You’ve undoubtedly heard about the California drought. In a world that often feels like there is plenty of everything to go around, it’s hard to understand the magnitude of what is going on. But when you live in California you quickly learn the difference between just being dry and being dry.
The wild fires that plague the state are only one symptom. You can see the effects everywhere you go, from the brown grass at every turn to the wilting palm trees. There are rules and regulations that residents are requested to follow outlining how much water one should use with a strong urge to learn how to conserve.
Watering lawns used to be a symbol of pride for home owners but now is looked down upon by neighbors if they catch who which can even lead to a phenomenon known as “drought shaming.”
If nothing else, living in California will wake you up to the realities of the future the whole world faces concerning environmental issues and conservation. The great news is that water conservation has reached all-time highs and cities throughout the state have begun taking increasingly eco-friendly steps towards becoming a more sustainable and environmentally-friendly state, taking the lead for the rest of the country.
Like This Post? You’ll Definitely Love These:
