Scared of San Fransisco and New York!

Not_Punny

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As for establishing a new circle of friends, I would rank in increasing order of difficulty: SF, LA, NYC. Initially, LA will seem friendlier than SF, but it's hard making real friends there because of flakiness and double booking; Los Angelinos are slippery fishies. It's tinseltown baby... schmooze but don't dig too deep.

Ahem! Mr. Musclebutt, I generally agree with you, but you're painting way too broad a brush stroke here. "Tinsel town" is like a SMALL piece of LA. LA county has over 10 million people, and most of us are nice people!
 

Love-it

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Again, this is inaccurate. San Francisco has loads of microclimates and if you pick the right neighborhood you won't see much fog. I receive clear skies and full sun 10 months out of the year minus the standard two months for our winter's rainy season.

My statement is not "inaccurate", a new person has to find where the "microclimates" are to enjoy the "right neighborhood", it takes awhile to learn the lay of the land and find a place to live, and when they have to travel outside of that "microclimate" for work, etc. they will encounter fog far more often than you indicate.
 

ActionBuddy

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Great advice Musclebutt2!

BTW... the reason I'm watching this thread, is because I am also wanting to move. Most likely to the Bay Area, but considering San Diego.

I wish I had tried it in New York City when I was in my 20's, when many friends moved there.

Onan
 

Eva

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...<snip>...
BTW... the reason I'm watching this thread, is because I am also wanting to move. Most likely to the Bay Area, but considering San Diego.
...</snip>...

Onan, I lived in San Diego for 7 years and pretty much consider that to be "where I come from" because I did the majority of my personal growth there. I left in 1999 (got to be too expensive and I just needed a change) but I still have friends there so I visit as often as I can. The city (note lack of pretentious capitalization) itself has changed since I lived there but I'd still prefer San Diego to any other city I've been to in California.
 

guiltrip

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San Francisco is nice and all, but theres nothing to do there. If you want fun on the West coast, go to Los Angeles or Ventura or something
 

Skootavi

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Don't let the "expensive" tag on SF scare you. I lived in SF for 20 years after getting out of high school. I know many people with all kinds of financial status. I have friends who live well on $40k and friends who can't seem to make it on $200k. It's all in how you budget your money. I had a great place off Haight st and only paid $600 per month. Fun spot, lots of things to do. Easy to get around. My biggest complaint about the city is NO PARKING! do your research on where you want to live. How far do you want to be from work? Are you planning on using your own vehicle or taking mass transit. Do you mind walking up and down hills or do you prefer the flats? You can save some money on rent if you live outside the city and commute but you will pay in gas or transit fees.
You have all kinds of options. I love SF and would move back in a second if I didn't love my job now. Someday, I will definitely be back there.
 

UtahCock

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Wow. Lookslike some passionate opinions. As you can see, though, alot of people feel passionately about San Francisco. It seems to do that to you. I left because I hated it, but now i miss it. Would I move back? I dont know. Major reservations. Mostly because it does close down early and the public transit is going through some major issues right now.

But you do grow to love it. I might htink that way because I am a tree-hugging liberal and that mindset is espoused everywhere.

I will say visit both places and not from a hotel. Stay with a friend if you can so you can see what itsliek to actualy try to get around rather than from a centrally-located, tourist freindly hotel.

NYC will of course take the cake for culture. San Francisco willofcourse take the cake for weather.

My own experience: I lived in the SOMA by the Giants Stadium. Lots of yuppies, single business people who seem to live for their work. It was always sunny there. I actually wanted mroe cloudy weather and fog. The puiblic transit drove me nuts more than anything. Especially trying to cross thorugh Chinatown. Arg! That place became the bane of my existence.

The best Italian food is not to be found in North Beach (lots os sucky overpriced cafes).

Lots of beauty.

Mission was recommneded to me because it woudl be cheaper and its where the artists go. But is become over pirced and is still ugly. But hey some of the best food in sf is there.

The people are realy great in SF. I actually was pleasantly surprised at how nice people were. When I went to tcheck out grad school there, if i opened up a tourist map on the street peeople woudl ask if they coudl give me a directions. I felt totally comfortable goign up to anyone to ask for help.

dont expect o find parking. Some will say leave your car behind, it depends on where you live, if you have aprking that comes with your place, keep the damn car!! You will need it. Especially to get home from the club at night.

There is a smugness there. But is it really so awful to feel pressure to be more conscious about the impact of your purchases on society and the environment?

People in SF seem to people who have passion. They are passionate about somethign in life and they are doing it. Whether youre talking to a corporate climber or a barista or a himalayan imports shop owner.
 

SpeedoGuy

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My statement is not "inaccurate", a new person has to find where the "microclimates" are to enjoy the "right neighborhood", it takes awhile to learn the lay of the land and find a place to live, and when they have to travel outside of that "microclimate" for work, etc. they will encounter fog far more often than you indicate.

Agreed. There are a few microclimate effects to be found in SF but they're not called "micro" for nothing. The hilly terrain means some neighborhoods are more protected from wind than others and so it might take hour or so longer for the fog to roll in. But the fog eventually gets there, sooner or later.
 

ital8

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I've never been to San Fransisco, but I heard that is it very clean. I practically live right around the corner from NYC, and I have to say that I never ever get bored of that city. I've traveled over seas and up and down the East coast, and I still have not seen a city that matches the vibrancy of NYC. Everything is at your fingertips regardless of your tastes. The city isn't as dirty as some people may think. One other poster stated that it isn't as seedy as it used to be. That's true. The subways are actually cleaner and safer than they used to be. In fact, they are in the process of installing new state of the art subway trains.

On the flip side there are certain areas that are dangerous, but if you're smart and alert you should be fine. I believe NY is the safest big city in the country. It is a very fast paced city, and the people probably aren't as friendly as the people from San Fransisco. Also, during the holiday season the city becomes claustrophobic between the tourists and holiday shoppers. San Fransisco has the edge in weather, although our past couple of winters have been mild. The summer can be brutally hot.

Since NYC is in the Northeast you also have Boston, Philadelphia, and Washington D.C. just a few hours apart from each other.

I'm sure San Fran. is a beautiful city, but don't forget about the potential for earthquakes. Then again, forecasters have said that NYC is due for a hurricane, so take your pick.
 

bigbull29

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Here's a timely article that may help your decision to move. The Bay Area is 40% more expensive to live than any other part of the country. But we also had the country's biggest paychecks and are the second richest region of the country, second to southwestern Connecticut.

Bay Area economy, pay, cost of living are at the top of the heap

This is very misleading. You better have bigger paychecks to accommodate the extremely high cost of living.

Awful housing conditions for the price you pay.

They ain't any happier there than than they are anywhere else in the US.:biggrin1:

I think people are living materially better in Dallas, Atlanta, Pittsburgh, etc...

All that said, you CANNOT rely solely on the opinions of others. Go for yourself and find out. You may hate. You may love it. You may thing it's just ok. God knows! I've hated a lot of places that people brag endlessly about...

BTW, San Francisco is NOT clean compared to other US cities. They have more foul smells and trash on the streets than anywhere. Oh, I forgot...all the needles... :eek:
 

36DD

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I grew up in L.A. and don't care much for S.F. The southern part of the state has gorgeous weather year round, it is friendlier and more relaxed, especially the beach towns. If I had to choose between N.Y.C. and S.F., I'd go with N.Y. in a heartbeat...no earthquakes (I've been through a few big ones, some of them quite devastating).
 

Industrialsize

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I'd serioulsy consider Boston. I lever there from 1975-1995.....geat vibe, energy, lots of colleges, hospitals etc. very walkable....Plus the Club Manray has a GREAT fetish night, a bisexual vibe...plus nyc is a 4 hour drive, 3 hour train ride, 45 minute plane flight