Northern Cali

[Anonymous]

Anyone live/d there? Pros and cons? Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Yes. Now please promise to never ever say Northern Cali again.

Seriously, I lived in Palo Alto and SF post college so I probably won't be much help.

[Anonymous]

I think the correct term for SF is Frisco.

[Anonymous]

Yes, I lived in the East Bay (and am going back!)

[Anonymous]

My sister lives in Redwood City, 2 towns over from Palo Alto. We are from MD and she hates it! She stays b/c she is divorced and has 2 teenage daughters and joint custody. California is SOOO different from the east coast.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My sister lives in Redwood City, 2 towns over from Palo Alto. We are from MD and she hates it! She stays b/c she is divorced and has 2 teenage daughters and joint custody. California is SOOO different from the east coast.

Sooo much better.

[Anonymous]

Is there something particular you want to know. California is great. And, p.s., nobody in California calls it Cali.

[Anonymous]

I love Santa Cruz, Cupertino, San Jose, and Los Gatos. Capitola and Soquel. I miss that entire area dearly.

Con: crazy expensive.

[Anonymous]

I live in south bay area. Very expensive and not walkable at all. I miss DC area...

[Anonymous]

I lived in Arcata for a couple of years (right near Eureka) and LOVED it! Gorgeous area, friendly people, great college town. Cons: not many job opportunities. And those who posted before are correct, no one in CA calls it Cali...

[Anonymous]

I just moved there from DC. Sacramento to be exact. Also lived in Pacifica and San Diego. PP above is correct in that it is sooooo much better! People are happier and therefore friendlier. I noticed this instantly after returning each trip. I disagree that it's crazy expensive. I was always complaining about how expensive everything was in the DC area, so if you're used to those prices, you'll find it's quite affordable here. Any specific questions?

[Anonymous]

Yep, live in the East Bay now. Love it! People are so much warmer here, great weather, great culture. Cons: it's pricier and public schools are spotty in places.

[Anonymous]

I am not OP, but I have a question. I just moved from DC area to South Bay. I had an international development type of job in DC (analyst level). My major in college was psychology, and I have a masters in management. What are my opportunities in the SF Bay area? I currently SAH but am thinking about going to work.
I am thinking HR, project management, QA, anything else? I am really at a loss.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I just moved there from DC. Sacramento to be exact. Also lived in Pacifica and San Diego. PP above is correct in that it is sooooo much better! People are happier and therefore friendlier. I noticed this instantly after returning each trip. I disagree that it's crazy expensive. I was always complaining about how expensive everything was in the DC area, so if you're used to those prices, you'll find it's quite affordable here. Any specific questions?

Big difference between Sac and Bay Area or Silicon Valley!

Some days I think the worst parts of Cal (Bakersfield, for instance) are better than the DC area.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I just moved there from DC. Sacramento to be exact. Also lived in Pacifica and San Diego. PP above is correct in that it is sooooo much better! People are happier and therefore friendlier. I noticed this instantly after returning each trip. I disagree that it's crazy expensive. I was always complaining about how expensive everything was in the DC area, so if you're used to those prices, you'll find it's quite affordable here. Any specific questions?

I agree that people seem both happier and friendlier in California than people on the East Coast. Northern California is stunningly beautiful, too.