Originally posted by BambiKiller240

Why is it that so many people feel the need to be here? CA must have something that is attracting them.........or maybe everywhere else has NOTHING to entice people to stay where they are.

Good point.

As for the reason I live in CA, it's quite simple -- I am in the military, and was sent here by my Uncle Sam. (so, referencing the previous post, the door really isn't unlocked for me). If it were up to me, I never would have left Texas. Now, Texas may not have anything that would cause you to leave CA, but to me, it's home.

When I ask what keeps people here, the answer I get 9/10 times is "the weather". Granted, the weather is nice here year-round, but to me, isn't everything. Here are my main gripes:

1) why do people suddenly stop speaking English when I drive off the base ? This is still America, yes ?

2) why is it necessary for a 1,500 sq ft house in a halfway decent neighborhood to cost over $300,000 ?

3) why does my insurance have additional "California only" required coverages ?

4) how is it that a state can find itself in a "power emergency", over-commit millions of dollars to "fix" the problem, and then RE-ELECT the guy who was really responsible for the problem in the first place!!

5) did I mention the English thing ?

Just my .02. I'm sure you could rack up a list of reasons you'll never live in TX, and that's fine. Noone says we all have to get along perfectly. That would be boring!!

btw, my 98% rust-free Z will be leaving the state with me in a few months. I will be taking that part of CA with me!!

When you are back in Texas and decide to try autocrossing your Z, be sure and check out events where Tom Holt races.. A great guy with an amazing car. http://www.ccsi.com/~tholt/ As far as California's diversity, many people find it challenging while I prefer to look at it as what America is truly about. I work in one of the most diverse cities in the U.S. (Sacramento) and value the experiences and lessons learned from different cultures and points of view. Having traveled around the world in my job I certainly understand the joy of going home. Congratulations and thanks for serving in the military. I have been to Texas, been drunk in Texas and had a great time, but I was glad to go home too. Steve

I spent 6 years in grad school at UCLA, one of my kids is a Santa Monica Native, and you COULDN'T PAY ME ENOUGH TO GO BACK THERE! I've spent some time in the San Francisco Bay area, and it's nicer, but I find that's where more of those "Fruits and Nuts" reside. Anyway, not all of us think CA is heaven, or anything close. Enjoy. I'll take the prairies.

Originally posted by mar2c

Good point.

As for the reason I live in CA, it's quite simple -- I am in the military, and was sent here by my Uncle Sam. (so, referencing the previous post, the door really isn't unlocked for me). If it were up to me, I never would have left Texas. Now, Texas may not have anything that would cause you to leave CA, but to me, it's home.

You did see the smilies, right. I'm not capping on you OK?

Originally posted by mar2c

When I ask what keeps people here, the answer I get 9/10 times is "the weather". Granted, the weather is nice here year-round, but to me, isn't everything. Here are my main gripes:

The weather and JOBS (until recently, anyway) are major reasons people from all over come here. Many folks hauled arse out of Texas durring it's lean years of the 80's when the oil biz and the Savings and Loan Scandals had many Texans by the financial balls.

Originally posted by mar2c

1) why do people suddenly stop speaking English when I drive off the base ? This is still America, yes ?

Because the government (not necessarily the STATE government) allow and even encourage this by mandating bilingual ballots and other public information and services. Texas has a large border with Mexico, do you mean to tell me that there aren't the same situations in Texas? Perhaps Texas only has two languages as it is primarily a gateway to Mexico only, whereas CA is a gateway to Mexico and the Far East as well?

Originally posted by mar2c

2) why is it necessary for a 1,500 sq ft house in a halfway decent neighborhood to cost over $300,000 ?

Because of the aforementioned JOBS. Many of which pay extremely highly. (Don't think I'm particuarly happy about that, as it has priced me out of owning a home) Also because there is such a great influx of people into the state that the housing industry can hardly keep up with the demand for new homes. Supply & Demand.

Originally posted by mar2c

3) why does my insurance have additional "California only" required coverages ?

I'm not sure what you mean, as I've never had insurance in another state.

Originally posted by mar2c

4) how is it that a state can find itself in a "power emergency", over-commit millions of dollars to "fix" the problem, and then RE-ELECT the guy who was really responsible for the problem in the first place!!

Same reason the G W Bush was able to become Governor of Texas after his stellar display of business accumen and leadership as a baseball team owner and in running an oil exploration company in to the ground. Arkansas voted in Clinton as Governor, New York voted in Mrs. Clinton as Senator. It's called the "Forrest Gump Syndrome". "Stupid IS As Stupid Does." If there was an IQ test required in order to be allowed to vote, the various states and the entire country might be in better hands. Sadly, any fool that can find the ballot box is allowed to cast a vote, even if he/she doesn't know JACK about what the candidate or issue is all about.

Originally posted by mar2c

5) did I mention the English thing ?

Yes you did, and you're preaching to the choir my friend. My mantra is "If you won't learn English, go HOME!" Maintain your heritage and don't forget your native tongue, but it is up to YOU to become bilingual to assimilate into OUR "American" culture.

Originally posted by mar2c

Just my .02. I'm sure you could rack up a list of reasons you'll never live in TX, and that's fine. No one says we all have to get along perfectly. That would be boring!!

I was in the US Naval Air for 6 years and at that time (1970) when my plane full of Texans and Californians arrived in Memphis for Boot Camp, the first words out of the Drill Instructors mouth was, "California is the land of Fruits and Nuts", and "The only things that come from Texas are Queers and Steers." Both of our states were looked down upon by most other states. I had many friends who were Texans while in the service, but I also ran into quite a few of the people from Texas who caused the other states to feel that way. You've probably had similar experience in CA.(?)

Originally posted by mar2c

btw, my 98% rust-free Z will be leaving the state with me in a few months. I will be taking that part of CA with me!!

OK, we'll let you take ONE, but only ONE!