California allure
So, what is it that drives so many people, generation after generation, to move to California? Can it just be the weather alone? Probably not. Indeed, the state has many draws, most notably a powerful economy, diverse culture and, well, the ever-present, seemingly impervious "California" mystique. Yet, we should be careful not to underestimate the huge draw of the weather itself:
It worked then. It works now. Just ask Thu Hoang, 43.
This winter, Thu and her husband, Hung, were visiting relatives in the San Fernando Valley. They decided to take a weekend jaunt to San Diego. Lunchtime brought them to beautiful, wealthy La Jolla.
Back in New York, it was dreary. But the French bistro they chose was soaked in sunshine. There were flowers everywhere. People looked happy...
...In March, they came to scout out houses, choosing one in Temecula twice as big as their apartment in Queens. On April 28, they moved in.
"Six months ago we wouldn't have known where Temecula is," said Thu. No fashion hot spot, the Inland Empire city has few venues for Thu to wear the 100 pairs of shoes that accompanied her here.
No matter. "It's so beautiful here, it feels like a perpetual vacation," Hung said.
Los Angeles Times
Over the years, I have found many California natives -- myself included -- having neither truly experienced a cold, northeastern winter nor a hot, humid southeastern summer, often overlook -- even dismiss -- the powerful allure of California's consistently moderate weather. Sure, some of the interior areas can get a bit warm during the summer (though it's a "dry" heat and is still cooler than Las Vegas, Phoenix and most of western Texas). And many coastal areas can spend weeks with dreary, overcast skies during the winter (though by no means is it Seattle). But, it's the other 40+ weeks of beautifully temperate and mild weather that more than make up for a few weeks of summer heat and/or winter fog.
But, of course, there are other draws as well. Again, the diverse culture, varied landscape and, without a doubt, the economy:
California's humming economy was the strongest draw; the unemployment rate in several big counties, including Orange, San Diego and Riverside, is significantly under the national rate.
Los Angeles Times
But, is there a point at which the allure fades completely? Probably not, though indeed it may diminish somewhat from time to time as it did during the early-to-mid-1990s. Even so, "California" as a state of mind is probably so far ingrained that people are likely to continue seeking it out for generations to come:
The Los Angeles Times
Related
- Los Angeles Times - California, Here They Come
Visit
version: 4.01
Photos
Gallery Index
Raincross Square
Photo Pool
www.flickr.com
|
Leave a comment