8 Teachable Moments After The First Year Living My California Vacation



I was obsessed with the idea of California when I was 15. After a household getaway to San Diego County, the intensity of my interest just heightened.

The endless variety of pop-punk songs about my favorite state on my first-generation iPod sustained my fascination, as well as aerial "loan shots" of Newport Beach I saw while bingeing on episodes of "The OC." Bottom line: I was California dreaming.

I held on to the hope that a person day, a West Coast sundown would be mine. A decade later on, I got my desire.

It was a giant leap of faith that led me to LAX with an open-ended ticket. I had 2 bags and a heart filled with ambition. I was simply two months shy of my 25th birthday and I couldn't wait to commemorate my quarter-century in my preferred state.

One year after that defining minute, my departing flights are no longer from Los Angeles, but San Francisco.

In my year as a Californian, I have actually managed to live in both Southern and Northern California. I never ever considered my relocate to be changing teams or altering sides; it was simply an opportunity to continue exploring and adventuring.

While a year may not appear like a long period of time, I've learned and grown over the previous 12 months. My eyes, heart and mind have opened to another method of life. I can really state I see the world in a different way and have been altered forever.

While SoCal and NorCal have both featured separate lessons, there has actually definitely been a lot of overlap in the knowledge the Golden State has used me.

Cash, Money, Cash ...

The fastest lesson I learned in California was it's really costly to live here. The high expense of living is a quick deterrent for most who had actually otherwise consider moving, but in many methods, you get what you spend for.

California has the best weather condition on the planet-- particularly SoCal. It's unusual to truly require either air conditioning or heating, with cool nights and warm, bright days along the Southern coastline.

Even in Northern California, heating is hardly ever totally essential; although, the nights get chilly and often call for a space heating unit. However, be prepared to invest about half of your salary on lease if you choose San Francisco.

Get 'Yer Grub On

Food may be expensive and include to the astronomical expense of living, but California has a few of the best food in the country.

For any yearning you might have, there is likely a first-rate dining establishment near your metropolitan location. I 'd never had Burmese food till I moved to California, however found a world-renowned area for it within walking range of my SF apartment or condo.

You can also get a genuine bowl of ramen at a neighborhood joint for less than $10.

Worth keeping in mind is that for every dietary limitation you might have, there's a place that caters to your requirements. I'll one-up you with a list of regional vegan restaurants.

Meat-eating and craving a bison hamburger on a whole-wheat bun, avocado and a kombucha to wash it down? We gotchu.

Simply don't get sticker label shock when you're handed the check. Just in the Golden State ...

The Struggle Of Pacific Time

I never ever realized just what does it cost? of a difference 3 hours makes up until I vacated west. It's so much harder to get in touch with good friends working nine-to-five jobs and older loved ones seldom are awake at hassle-free times to call after work.

Truthfully, there's absolutely nothing more aggravating than getting a 6 am call from a lawyer who assumes from your location code that you're on Eastern Time. As if you needed another factor to hate those calls ...

Likewise, it can be exceptionally tough to watch sports on the West Coast. The early video games begin TRULY early, and if your preferred team isn't really local, it's remarkably challenging to find a bar with the video game on.

Sports matter a lot less here, and while it's not difficult to catch the video game of your choice, be gotten ready for an obstacle.

Location, Area, Location

It's now funny to me that everybody loves to boast about the distance of things on the East Coast.

While it's true that having the ability to hop on a train from New york city to Philadelphia or DC is a terrific option for a modification of scenery, let's not ignore all the incredible sights on the left coast.

Vegas, the Grand Canyon, Mexico, Zion ... All these locations are an easy journey from California. I left pals and a city I was just beginning to get to understand and love when I left Los Angeles.

Traveling to LA from SF is an extremely quick aircraft ride and not extremely pricey at all. I can get out to LA as often as when or twice per month if I desire.

The benefit of the West Coast also indicates I can take a weekend getaway to Scottsdale without having to miss out on a day of work, which is an incredible perk (and one I have actually extensively exercised.).

In some cases, I believe I never understood real natural beauty up until I relocated to California. Naturally, I'm not talking about Hollywood charm (a lot of puns, you guys!).

The California shoreline is among the most gorgeous on the planet, with sights like Huge Sur, Point Lobos and Malibu hardly resembling anything else in the world. And, there ain't nothin' like watching a sunset over the Pacific Ocean.

Here Today, Gone Tomorrow.

Patterns are a lifestyle here. No matter how attractive or god-awful they might be, in America, the patterns start in California.

Whether it's a tech pattern in coding or engineering, or clothes or hairstyles in Hollywood, you'll always see it here initially.

Stereotypes.

The archetypical tech staff member or engineer wears flannel, vans, beanies and wayfarers or converse.

A Hollywood hipster can be found dressed up in American Garments and discussing the "raw, realness" of vinyl. While these are not true throughout the board, they have wide validity.

The image of a Hollywood confident batting incorrect lashes and twirling hair extensions is tough NOT to find in the Los Angeles nightlife. Nevertheless, these cliché visions can be deceptive.

Two of the most fantastic women I had the satisfaction of conference in LA were in entertainment, and personality-wise, they supplied a plain contrast to the "fakeness" often connected with Hollywood.

In San Francisco, I have actually fulfilled a lot of tech employees and engineers who look completely "typical," or perhaps fashionable compared to the SF start-up stereotype.

If you can look previous looks, all the surprise gems in California will surprise you.

Most of the time, you meet people who feel so grateful to be doing exactly what they enjoy in the finest place in the world to do it, and that Source type of enthusiasm and drive is infectious.

Frankie Say Relax.

While San Francisco is the most East Coast-esque of the cities in California, I learned a valuable lesson even in hectic LA that equates into a mantra whenever I step outside the city limitations of San Francisco: Breathe.

California is so beautiful it's outrageous. You'll surely miss some amazing and amazing landscapes if you don't stop and look up or around you.

Get in your vehicle or hop on a train. Listen to an album that moves you to the depths of your soul. Do not hesitate and delight in the flight.

Take a deep breath. Be grateful just to be.

For a while, I hesitated of truly taking in all of California's majesty. As a self-proclaimed wanderer, I didn't want to fear leaving on my next adventure when the timing is.

I have no concept exactly what remains in shop for the future, however I more than happy to be here now. Whatever might come, I'll ride the waves and roll with the punches.

I got my California dream. All I need to do is breathe.

I was just two months shy of his comment is here my 25th birthday and I couldn't wait to celebrate my quarter-century in my favorite state.

While a year might not seem like a long time, I've learned and grown over the past 12 months. Truthfully, there's nothing more aggravating than getting a 6 am call from a solicitor who assumes from your area code that you're on Eastern Time. As if you needed another reason to hate those calls ...

Also, it can be incredibly difficult extremely challenging sports enjoy the West Coast. Get in your automobile or hop on a train.

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