Your Ideal Place to Live

[samthesham]

Okay, where would everyone live if they had the choice--ideal place to live and work; ideal place to live and not work, etc... Then explain why you would live there. The whole reason for my little survey is that I am unable to figure where this ideal place is for me.

[goDESS]

Well, I'd have to say my dream place to live is Hump Island. That is my fantasy island where I get to invite special guests for fun and recreation.

In reality, I think the very best place to live is where I live. I live in Orange County. The weather is great, there are tons of things to do, a plethera of jobs available (even in bad economic times), it's majority republican, it doesn't have too much white trash and it doesn't have too much LA.

In Orange County, there are a few good places to live. If you are single and like to party you would want to live near the beach. You generally want to avoid Garden Grove (Garbage Grove) and Anaheim (Anaslime), but they really aren't as bad as most of the mid-west and you would definetly choose either of those cities over anywhere in Texas.

My two favorite areas of Orange County are Santa Ana and Orange. They both are established communities with good and bad parts of town -- you can choose a place to live and not have to worry about waking up one day and finding that your house has plummeted in value because of certain factors... Specifically in Santa Ana there is a really cool area called Floral Park. It has old homes with boulevards and it is just beautiful.

Then there is (where I live), Old Town Orange. It is the largest nationally registered historical district in California. There are all kinds of old homes, some big, some small, some purchased, some rented, some fixed up, some not. it centers around the Orange Circle where there are restuarants and Starbucks (ok, Princessb, Deidrich's too!). And then there is the International Street Fair every Labor Day weekend. They shut down the circle and everyone PARTIES!

Places you want to avoid living: Texas, Missouri, Mentone, CA, San Berandino and Sacramento (unless it is to further your career for a while, but be careful it doensn't get to you!)

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goDESS

[samthesham]

GD--

I must say, you offer a very reasoned, thoughtful commentary on the pluses of OC. I must admit, your references/slights to Texas are amusing, to say the least. Do you per chance have some bad experiences there? If so, do tell or comment further on your dislikes there. I share some of your sentiment RE: that state so I did appreciate your remarks.

But, the time has come for me to admit to you that I did spend some of my formidable years in Texas and thusly feel entitled to Texas-bashing on occasion. I did, however, have more than my fair share of encounters when traveling via DFW subsequent to my repressed years of Texas residency so those should not in any way influence my earlier QQ and AA discussion.

Accordingly, I know you will not be unduly offended when I tell you, GD, that I will NOT be selecting any part of Texas as my ideal place to live. I am still working on that answer but promise to report back shortly...

[goDESS]

StheS --

I have never been to Texas, that I recall, except changing planes. VERY SCARY.

But any man I've ever met from Texas is short (with short-man complex) and tries to make himself taller with ridiculous boots and hats (not necessary in today's society and aren't men supposed to take their hats off indoors?)

All the men I've met from Texas are also stupid and try to cover it up by calling me darlin', commenting on my ass, using their very tiresome vernacular and trying to anwer, order, etc. for me.

This type of man really bores me. I like more cosmopolitan men who wear suits, call me by my real name (I also answer to goDESS), comment on my brains and speak English. Don't get me wrong, I'm no feminist and expect men to be gentlemanly and manly, just politely and not a presumptuious way.

Are you into politics? If so, there are only 53 places to settle down in the country, unless you are planning to be an elected official or work in the private sector. Both of which are great career moves.

If I HAD to live outside Southern California, I would probably choose San Francisco, Seattle, Chicago, Atlanta or New Orleans. I've been to the first three enough to know they are cool, and the last two are just completely romanticized in my mind!

Where do you want to live?

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goDESS

[Yo-Hahn]

I concur on OC, I say San Diego is even better, just a little farther out of the way.

Sam, did you like SD when you were down there?

San Francisco, Chicago, New Orleans, Seattle are all great.

I liked Miami (Winter), Boston (summer) and Cancun.

Never been to Texas so can not comment on that.

[goDESS]

Yo-Hahn,

I'm going out on a limb here, but vibes are telling me that you have not lived in either San Diego or OC, otherwise you'd like OC better!

Am I right? I will confirm your answer with the 8-ball.

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goDESS

[princess b]

Yo-hahn - you beat me to it! If I could live anywhere I think I'd pick San Diego.

Having lived in Orange County the majority of my life, I agree with goDESS about its merits - it's a beautiful place, Huntington Beach in particular. San Diego, however, is just a little more so. Beautiful beaches, a really cool bridge, great bars and restaurants - way more so than OC, and one of the most beautiful hotels (Hotel Del Coronado) in the world. I would love to live on Coronado Island and work in downtown.

San Diego has the most laid back atmosphere of any city I've ever traveled to. Even the business districts are relaxed. The weather is always just a little bit better than OC, yet OC is a very managable drive from San Diego, as is Mexico, Palm Desert and the mountains.

gD - you can drive down to visit in your oh-so-well-suited-to-San-Diego convertible!
Just don't get lost on the marine base!!

[samthesham]

GD,

Just a couple of minor little details before I launch into my almost always lengthy diatribe. My last posting may have been a little unclear if not altogether disjointed. I am happily a Californian--I only had the misfortune to live in Texas for a brief period--okay it was nearly a third of my life. But I certainly did not CHOOSE to live there.

Yup, there are a number of us that work in the political fray up here. I admit I am insane enough to even like it from time to time; not only that, to keep doing it even in the face of adversity.

Yo-Hahn- I did like residing in SD a lot but I must admit the type of work I was doing there then did not necessarily lend itself to even the slightest degree of off-work activity.. I did manage a tiny bit here and there, but only a mere taste. I think I would like SD much better now if I could actually appreciate it a little bit.

GD, so while I do like SD quite a bit, I am not sure I would want to live there indefinitely. I am sure I might be convinced given the right(no pun intended) dynamic. Plus, SD is just too damned far from everything else. I am by NO means any expert on OC whatsoever, but every time I have been there I have enjoyed what I have done and what I have seen. Most often though, it was in the coastal cities which are pretty hard to beat.

Sorry my commentary once again appears to be headed in the ad infinitum direction again, but hey, what can I say. Somethings will never change I guess....

Places I really do like though and could consider at least living in: Portland, OR; Monterey Bay, Los Gatos, SD, Seattle, Huntington/Newport/Seal Beach coastal communities; I am sure there are more. Nowhere in LA or near that god-forsaken place.

[Xena]

Hey SamtheSham--

I thought your favorite place to live WAS West Texas? Are you just putting on a front for these people? http://bressler.org/ubb/smile.gif

Everyone--

If you ask me, you CANNOT beat the San Francisco/Monterey Bay Area to live in if you can afford it. If I were a lady of substantial means, I would love to live in Carmel, Pacific Grove, Los Gatos, Los Altos, Saratoga, Hillsborough, Orinda, Lafayette, Tiburon, Saulsalito, Sonoma, etc. etc. The scenic beauty is unmatched. The weather is perfect (doesn't anyone else on this list like seasons???????). There are restaurants and bars galore. Low crime (in the places I listed). Shopping o'plenty. Tons of recreation. Good professional sports teams with cute players. And also one of the hottest job markets in the United States. Who could ask for more? Lastly, for me, my family lives there too so that is a huge added benefit. The down side is it is expensive & there are way too many people since everyone else thinks it is great too.

In OC: Corona Del Mar, Newport & surrounding area (Beacon Bay, Lido, etc.) is the best. In San Diego, hands down, Coronado is the coolest. ALthough the Gas Lamp District is the coolest area to go out.

goDess-- New Orleans is fun to visit but has heinous weather, serious crime, fattening food, no real shopping, and vodoo!!

[Yo-Hahn]

goDESS - have lived in SD but only visited OC many times, Did live in Belmont Shores (LB).

I still say Boston, Chicago, and Miami!

[This message has been edited by Yo-Hahn (edited 06-16-99).]

[Mr. Country]

I am new to this X-Styles, but what is wrong with Texas?

[samthesham]

Mr. Country-- To answer your question, there is perhaps nothing wrong with Texas assuming you were born there, you like it, it's all you know, or any combination there of.

In addition, Texas, I have found, is a perfectly fine place to visit...

[the spy]

Have to log in as a vote for San Diego especially North County along the coast. Kind of funky but close to the beach and all the great things San Diego has to offer. Very laid back and great weather.

Once you get outside the great state of CA - you must consider Chicago and the Virginia area just outside D.C. Chicago is a bustling, hardy midwest city that has character and offers the best living should you move to the middle of the country (no redeeming qualities in weather however). Virginia is right outside the "hub of American politics" for those of us who just can't get away. Lovely rolling hills and culture with a homey feel (again no comment on the weather).

Finally, you should consider western living in the Rockies of Colorado. Skiing in the winter and biking/hiking in the summer. Great people and not the midwest for those of you who are "middle" shy.

[caleb]

OC sucks

Venice rules!

best ideal job - having no job
best recreation - bike, board and beach

long live the bong

peace

[RedAaron]

what caleb said X2

[goDESS]

Samthesham,

While you are considering Portland, there is one very important thing to factor in -- white, hairy, slightly mossy toes sticking out of berkenstocks. Yes, there is a little of that element in Seattle, but Portland takes the cake in that area.

What do all of you think of Sacramento?

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goDESS

[samthesham]

GD, good point you have made re: the white hairy, slightly mossy toes. But I don't recall it being any worse whatsoever than is the case in my former home of +12 years--liberal, hippie-fest Santa Cruz, home of the banana slugs, communist city council members, gay/lesbian mayors, et.al.

I like SAC okay--shopping sucks so you would not like that one bit. Food places are decent, it's close to so many fun places to visit--skiing, Tahoe, other various lake-like activities, San Fran, Napa,....

I could really learn to like SD a great deal if I could have lived there longer--like I think I said, I barely got a taste of it. I don't claim to know squat about your area of expertise--namely OC. I wish I knew more cause I am sure I miss out.

I think if I were truly pushed I would live somewhere in Northern California because of all the above and the fact that my family is also within a couple hours. SD makes it pretty much impossible to do anything from there to somewhere else in Cali except via plane--(QQ or AA anyone ?!?) I like to be able to drive with virtually zero advance notice/warning.

I still like Portland aside from being exceedingly liberal, it is quite pretty and affordable. Plus no sales tax!!

[Favetti]

All these places are trivial and droll.

There is but one place to live -- The City.

Enough said.