Post #35785 by RhumbaKitty on Fri, May 23, 2003 10:15 PM

Might I add my .02?

As a native San Franciscan, the City was the most fabulous place to grow up, next to NYC maybe. Public transportation and abundant cultural activity AND diverse population made for an ideal independent education, and remain the best parts of the City in my memories. What I miss the most about the City is hearing fog horns.

When I left for Long Beach, I was asked a mournful sour “Why?!?” over and over. “It was either Long Beach or Fresno” shut them all up quick. I went for school, intent on staying for up to five years. I left nine months later. I like breathing.:) [I understand Long Beach is nicer now, but I prefer getting to places without having to sit in a car for long periods of time.]

Might I suggest trying San Luis Obispo? I’ve been here for over 15 years now. We have a well-known Farmers’ Market as well, and there are markets every day of the week somewhere in the county. A chef (fr. SF) I dated loved the restaurants we have here, and the cultural activities expand each year. If you live in the downtown area (not what it sounds like, this is an old railroad town grown up) you can walk everywhere you need to, and visitors often remark about the friendliness of people. Neighbors know and look out for one another, strangers greet each other on the street!

As a working artist, I talk to people every week who are visiting and wish to live here. The only things I missed from being in Long Beach were the temperature and Trader Joe’s. San Francisco was too cold for me after that, and now we have TWO Trader Joe’s! Whatever the climate you want, you can find it in this county—hot summers/cold winters, temperate all year round, or fog nearly every day. Speaking of fog, my first visit to Morro Bay felt like walking through a time portal and ending up in San Francisco—complete with wharf and shell shops! Avila Beach is a place being reborn after a massive cleanup, very nice and right at the water. If you have any interest in viticulture, this area is now huge for wine.

On another note, we have the largest Mardi Gras celebration this side of the Mississippi, now 25 years old! The community of fabulous creative people is what kept me here in the first place—if that sort of thing means anything to you. Being located roughly midway between SF and LA is handy too. And almost everyone who visits will want to move in!

Laissez les bons temps rouler!