Who's in or been in Cali?

As you probably don't have much say so over which place you go to, I say it doesn't matter. You would probably feel more comfortable in central California, but so-cal will be more of an "experience"(if you do end up in the SD vicinity you might want to learn a few phrases in spanish, or at least learn the difference between Dos XX and Corona) Six months is not a long time. There are some things that you should realize going in, the cost of living is not what you are used to, which makes the fact that your housing and utilities are covered all the more valuable. You cannot survive in California without a car. There are some laws in California that are not what you are used to, look into the issues that pertain to you and be prepared.
 
No matter where you end up in California, you're only 2 hours from another climate, i.e., beach, desert, mountains, rivers, etc. etc. Even if you're in San Diego. Plus, if you're in San Diego, you've got deep sea fishing.

In 6 months you can't possibly see and/or experience everything there is to see/do in California.

You can hunt, fish, hike, river raft, sky dive, water ski, seadoo, snow ski, snow board, hike, explore, 4X4 in off-road areas, rock climb, surf, windsurf, parasail, gamble, concerts, sports (watch or participate in). You can do more in California than in most states because we have so many varied climates and altitudes from low to high, from smooth to rocky, to beautiful desert to gorgeous mountains (if they haven't all burned up).

The biggest drawback to California is the ridiculous housing costs. And if your employer has that covered, you're better off than most.

I'm a native Californian - I've never wanted to live anywhere else. Although I have moved to the rural desert where it is more peaceful and laidback than at the beach next LAX where I grew up.

Come to California. It's a great place to visit (please go home when you're done. ;))

TJ
 
Born in San Diego, raised in Oakland. Am I the only one here who would pick SD over Modesto/Tracy? I don't know very much about San Diego, but when I visited there a couple of years ago, I really liked the feel of it. I personally would pick a lot of places over Modesto/Tracy. As far as I'm concerned the only thing good about Tracy is that it's not that far a drive from the Bay Area. It's all relative though, I don't mind being in a highly populated area. If you're from an area where there isn't too many people and you want to ease into places with more people, then Modesto/Tracy might be good for you. The cost of living is a lot cheaper also.
 
Some of the beach areas in San Diego are really nice. My younger brothers live in Pacific Beach. A really cool area - lots of college kids because of San Diego State or University -whichever.

Downtown San Diego has been undergoing renovation and there are so really cool areas downtown. I think one area is called the "Lamplight" area or something.

If you end up in San Diego, PM or email me and I'll hook you up with my younger brothers. They know a gazillion people and places and things to do and see. They are always busy and on the go.

But even Modesto is only an hour or two from the coast and San Jose and San Francisco and Sacramento, etc. etc. And as someone already said, you have Napa Valley and Sonoma Valley another hour or so north. Beautiful country.

San Diego has a fwy that takes you to Arizona. Some great older western towns there. I believe PhilL took a business trip weekend to Tucson - a nice place to visit.

Either way, you can't lose.
 
I appreciate this guys.

I had pretty much decided to hold out and wait for another other next semester. (Which, honestly, ISN'T being hopeful there are nearly twice as many companies come in the spring semester and I "got" the intern with the only company I interviewed with.) But now I'm back on the fence.

One random question...you guys are pretty tight on emissions and guns, no? I drive a 2500HD 4-door 4x4 (12mpg) and have a dearly loved small arsenal. What do I need to know about these topics and can I get a resident's hunting license if I'm only there for 6 months.

Also, churches...are what I dare call "normal" protestant churches hard to find?
 
You wont find a more beautiful scenery or awesome weather then in Cali. Lived in So Cal for 40 years. Moved to the Deep South and have regretted it. Dont miss the laws,traffic,crime,cost of living and throngs of people in Cali. But,Living here in the South makes me homesick for Cali. If you like hicks and churches,may I suggest the South for you? Pickup trucks,humidity,obesity,fried food,buffet everything,the rebel flag,mud boggin,mossy oak tshirt with 'git r done' on it and a fishing hook on your hat..... ugggh.
 
LOL...spent some time south before...I'm not that way.

I'll go ahead and clarify some of my ideas...it's not hicks that I identify with, it's the men who are proud to make there living with hands and sweat. No fishing hooks are in my hat, git r done WAS a funny joke...thats all, not really interested in churches...interested in Christ...and I've found a Christian life is difficult to do alone.

You can keep the obesity, and rebel flags

I do like some fried food and mossy oak tshirts though lol!!

Nonetheless, I do realize what I am to most the Americans...a hick. Without some sort of tie to the outdoors and physical labor I feel pretty lost
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I'd say go for San Diego if you can, broaden your horizons.

Tracy/ Modesto really is like a hick town. Won't be too different. Maybe a tad boring.
 
Honestly , unless you absolutly love tons of regulations , ordinances and laws, horrible traffic and air quality ,illegals , ridiculous firearm laws , gang bangers , car jackings , drive by shootings ,horrid prices on everything you can imagine except produce (forget about buying a house here) etc etc.
Avoid California. :D

I will trade any of you that live in Oregon/Washington/Idaho in a hot second.
 
rebeltf said:
"....Honestly , unless you absolutly love tons of regulations , ordinances and laws, horrible traffic and air quality ,illegals , ridiculous firearm laws , gang bangers , car jackings , drive by shootings ,horrid prices on everything you can imagine except produce (forget about buying a house here).....
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Oh, so you've lived in Toronto? ;)
 
rebeltf said:
Honestly , unless you absolutly love tons of regulations , ordinances and laws, horrible traffic and air quality ,illegals , ridiculous firearm laws , gang bangers , car jackings , drive by shootings ,horrid prices on everything you can imagine except produce (forget about buying a house here) etc etc.
Avoid California. :D

I will trade any of you that live in Oregon/Washington/Idaho in a hot second.
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I can't argue with any of those points, and I still think CA is one of the best places to live in. There's no way I'd trade living in Cali for Idaho. Idaho?!?

If you really want to get out of CA, I imagine it would pretty cost effective. What's stopping you from moving?
 
In Modesto there is a place downtown calls Noah's Hofbrau. Awfully good food. Inexpensive too.
 
Kaizen1 said:
I can't argue with any of those points, and I still think CA is one of the best places to live in. There's no way I'd trade living in Cali for Idaho. Idaho?!?

If you really want to get out of CA, I imagine it would pretty cost effective. What's stopping you from moving?
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Yes Idaho , to me Idaho and similiar states = freedom to do what I want
(within reason of course) , Idaho is a beautiful state.
I stay here for my folks , they are up in their years and I'll be darned if I'm going to leave them here whilest I go off to run with the caribou. :D

One day...one day. :)
 
rebeltf said:
Yes Idaho , to me Idaho and similiar states = freedom to do what I want
(within reason of course) , Idaho is a beautiful state.
I stay here for my folks , they are up in their years and I'll be darned if I'm going to leave them here whilest I go off to run with the caribou. :D

One day...one day. :)
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I have to admit, playing with a fully automatic shotgun in my backyard is tempting...
 
For the record, Yosemite is in California, Yellowstone is in Wyoming/Montana/Idaho.

It shouldn't be hard to find a church. One good thing about high population density is that you don't have to go too far to find a group you fit in with.
 
If someone else pays for housing it would be stupid to pass up a chance to live in the San Diego area for 6 months. You can hardly find milder weather on the planet. You could spend most of your time at the beach. Take up surfing or diving as a hobby for awhile. Take your big ol 4x4 over to the Colorado River on winter weekends or down to the Gulf of California. Casual shooting opportunities will be slimmer there, but it's time you had a change of pace. Traffic may drive you crazy. You will be amazed at how bright and new most of San Diego county is. The area has grown greatly in size and prosperity in the last 25 years.

There are plenty of Protestant churches in California. There is a large enough population that you can find any type that you are interested in.
 
Jeff Clark said:
If someone else pays for housing it would be stupid to pass up a chance to live in the San Diego area for 6 months. You can hardly find milder weather on the planet. You could spend most of your time at the beach. Take up surfing or diving as a hobby for awhile. Take your big ol 4x4 over to the Colorado River on winter weekends or down to the Gulf of California. Casual shooting opportunities will be slimmer there, but it's time you had a change of pace. Traffic may drive you crazy. You will be amazed at how bright and new most of San Diego county is. The area has grown greatly in size and prosperity in the last 25 years.

There are plenty of Protestant churches in California. There is a large enough population that you can find any type that you are interested in.
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Now this is what I'm talking about. I really like the feeling of San Diego. I'm surprised how many people are suggesting Modesto over it:barf:. To me, it would be a no brainer.
 
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