Los Angeles
The coast near San Francisco
Lately, the topic of "California" has emerged in my thoughts and in my conversations with friends and family. This state seems to invoke within my acquaintances both great pride and great annoyance. Beautiful coastlines. Technology. Bad LA traffic. The pulse of pop culture and Hollywood. Lots of people. A laid-back lifestyle (at least in Southern California). Surfing. Crime. A governator. Expensive cost of living. A wide range of incomes and lifestyles. A greater emphasis on materialism. A mix of cultures. And, one of the places I've been looking at jobs.
I have limited experience with the state. I've been to Disneyland with my family (in 5th grade). I went to San Diego with my high school orchestra. I went to Murrieta two summers ago for my best friend's wedding. Last summer, I drove through CA on the way to Mexico and spent a night camping in Barstow. But really, I haven't gotten to know the state very well.
My parents were married in the Berkeley area and spent their honeymoon traveling up the California coast. I have a great uncle in San Diego. I have many friends there as well. In fact, some of you blog readers have lived or currently live there.
So, here comes my question. What do you think of California? It's pretty impossible to paint a one dimensional picture of this massive state. There are definitely things I like about it: good weather, the ocean, lots of job opportunities, a decent young single LDS population, the diversity, etc. However, the masses of people, the high cost of living, the complaints that there is a large emphasis on materialism, and complaints I've heard that some Californians have a California-is-the-center-of-the-world complex, make me a bit wary.
I've always been a bit drawn to this state. Perhaps it's my love of the ocean, inspired by a family trip to Mexico in 4th grade. Or, it might originate in the many movies or tv shows (think "Saved by the Bell") that I watched as a kid. It just seemed like a more interesting place than Wisconsin.
I wonder, however, if real acquaintance would draw me in or turn me off? It's hard to say. The older I get, the more I've come to appreciate my Midwestern roots. Bad weather, good people. But, there's something real and humbling about growing up in a place that isn't everyone's destination. Vagabonds, hippies, and crooners never sang, "I left my heart in Milwaukee..." But in a way, I have. I really do think Wisconsin is a beautiful place. It definitely has drawbacks, but I'm glad I grew up there.
Despite my hesitations, I've realized in my travels that good people are everywhere. Culture may be regional, and I'm not sure how to categorize California culture, but you can find good people all over. I know Wisconsin, I know Utah, and I sort of know Spain, but California is still a mystery to me. What draws so many people there? Or me?
Anyhow, I'd love to know your thoughts/opinions. I'm looking at jobs in a lot of places, and I'm looking especially at DC, but California does have a lot of jobs, so it's on my list of options as well. What do you like about this state? What do you not like? Is there much truth in the stereotypes? Do happy cows really come from California? (I still think they come from Wisconsin) :-)
