<BR>I am in the same situation as Mitch. We are considering moving to SACRAMENTO area. Please give any feedback. Thanks!

Im a bay area refugee( gucci-clad refugee that is) recently relocated to Las Vegas and can honestly say that I feel like Ive moved to hell! Life sucks here and I would give anything to move back to my little $600K bungalow in the Berkeley foothills. The only advantage is that from the money we made from our bungalow, we were able to buy a huge 3,500 sq. ft. executive-style home with a pool in Vegas. The disadvantages are many like the incessant heat which would be okay were I a damn cactus and its sad when our cultural events revolve around faux-replicas of other places like NY and Paris. Well, at least we have AC?

Miranda-My heart bleeds for you! And to think there are people in this country who can't make it on minimum wage, don't have decent health care coverage, childen who go to bed hungry every night, people living in boxes under overpasses...Be thankful for what you have and quit your bitchin honey, you have it a lot better than a lot of people! You are proof positive that money can't buy class and character!

Excuse me George-What the hell is your problem? <BR> <BR>This messageboard is not meant to fix the world and the ills of social injustice. You need to get off your high horse and get a clue on life-HONEY. <BR> <BR>You dont know what Ive ever done to help improve the quality of life for the poor in all the places ive lived in so mind your own business. <BR> <BR>Am I not allowed to post my opinions on this topic? AND just because I do, does that mean that I am ignorant to societies problems-NO,and NO. <BR> <BR>Take your preechie attitude and kiss my ass. I dont need your permission to breathe nor do I need your permission to speak my mind. Excuse me, We've worked damn hard for the things we have and I'll be damned before I let some little Know-nothing finger pointer tell me about myself. <BR> <BR>

I live in San Diego and let me tell you it is the most beautiful place I have ever lived or been to or even seen. Can't beat the weather, SO much to do. The cost of living is a little high, but that is the only possible drawback I can think of. Good luck to you.

Ive live in Portland, OR and think its a pretty great place to live. Lots of trees and beautiful hillsides and rivers. Not to mention a busier downtown area than San Diego( I moved here from SD in 1999) that reminds one of San Francisco. Oh well, to each his own. <BR> <BR>

To Paul from Phoenix- <BR> <BR>The desert heat must be melting your brain away! I had to laugh when you said that there is more to do in Phoenix than San Francisco. I've been to both places many times and can't even believe you would even compare two. <BR> <BR>Phoenix, in my opinion, is the lamest major city in the country, and ugly to boot. The metro area is comprised of cheaply built tract homes with zero character, strip malls, and dust. There is no "there" there. Whenever I've been there, even during the winter, the place feels abandoned. I've always wondered where people go just to relax and be outdoors. Encanto Park is boring. <BR>After you hike Camelback Mountain where do you go next? Back home to your walled up, air-conditioned tract home I assume. <BR> <BR>And to say that the restaurants there are better than in SF is a joke. I know there are some fine restaurants in the area, but all I see are Chili's, Applebee's, Village Inn, etc. And why is it that all the good restaurants in Phoenix are in a strip mall or a resort? <BR>As for the many sports teams in Phoenix, all team owners know that there is so little to see or do in Phoenix that it's residents have no choice, but to go to a game or two once in a while, thus sports teams abound. How's that Cardinal stadium issue going, anyways? <BR> <BR>Don't get me wrong, Phoenix is a nice place to visit, but after two day, I can't wait to get the heck out of there. <BR>

Joe, you took the thoughts right out of my mind and plunked them down. <BR>I used to live in PHX, and I'm not a PHX-basher. I actually like PHX a lot. <BR>But to compare it to SF for restaurants and activities is, indeed, a bit comical. <BR>PHX has less in the way of cultural activities and good restaurants than any other city in the US's top 15 metro areas IMO. <BR> <BR>And while my relatives live in San Diego, I have to chuckle at Elizabeth's hyperbolic comments too about SD. If it's the msot beautiful place she's ever seen, she needs to get out and travel a bit more. SD is not on most people's list of most beautiful/picturesque cities in the US. It's harbor looks nice with the sails and all, but it has nothing unique over lots of other Californian cities, and it's not nearly as beautiful (from a distance) as San Francisco. Chicago's skyline is the msot beautiful (viewed from the lake). DC certainly has the corner on architectural aspects of beauty. <BR>And what about the REALLY beautiful cities: Sydney is like something out of an artist's imagination; Paris....well, you get the idea. <BR>SD is great for what it is. But what makes it special and unique? I've never figured out the attraction for some people. Great weather can be found lots of places. Coastline? Plenty of that, too.

Top Ten Reasons to Stay The Hell Away From Phoenix: <BR> <BR>1. Strip malls, strip malls, and more strip malls. <BR>2. A gas station on all four corners of every intersection; a 7-11 on every block. <BR>3. The local newspaper is for idiots; the local news is for idiots who can't read. <BR>4. Dinner at Applebees is considered living large. <BR>5. Did I mention the heat? <BR>6. Guns, guns and more guns! <BR>7. Nothing to do. Ever. Nope. <BR>8. Even the swimming pools are hot. <BR>9. Would you like stucco with your windowless tract home, maam? <BR>10. Front lawns made of rocks.

I too live in Las Vegas and enjoy it here very much unlike the others that posted above. It took me five years to actually enjoy living here but as they say, home is where the heart is! We have a very good local economy. No state income tax. Can get to San Diego, LA, San Fran, and Phoenix in less than an hour and the flights are inexpensive. My husband grew up in San Diego and said he would not want to move back because of the unbearable traffic and the cost of living is ridiculous. My inlaws moved here recently from S.D. and were paying 800/mo. electric bills for a 1200 sq. foot home with a pool. I would think very long and hard before moving there. But it is beautiful. Good Luck.

Believe me if my hubby and I thought we could afford to buy a house there we would be in S.D. tomorrow! <BR> <BR>Enjoy!

Miranda, honey if you are that unhappy and can afford it, move back! Life's too short to live somewhere you hate....at least not longer than you have too!

I grew up in San Diego, but have visited many cities around the country. Of course it depends on what you like, but you can not beat the weather in San Diego. There isn't as much to do as in some other Metropolitan areas but there's enough to keep you busy, especially if you like outdoor activities. With the desert to the east, Mexico to the south, and Los Angeles/Orange County to the north you are within driving distance of an awful lot of fun and adventure. The fairly recent renovation of the Gaslamp area downtown was a huge plus for the city and is a wonderful place to spend an evening. The only other place I would consider living is San Francisco. It is a wonderful city but a bit too cold and pricey. I like the charm and character of some eastern and southern cities but hate the humidity. The seemingly constant rain up north also can become a real drag.

Coeur d'Alene, ID <BR>Beautiful, clean, mild winter (sort of), <BR>on a huge lake, decent progressive <BR>radio stations, affordable, Aryan nation <BR>stuff is overblown. Close to Canada <BR>and Washington. Green and lush. <BR> <BR>I live in San Diego now. No longer <BR>affordable and horrendous traffic. <BR>Crowded all the time, but summer the worst.

NYC - nothing else compares

You tell him Miranda! Just in case you're new here, certain people tend to get bent out of shape if someone happens to mention that they have a bit more material wealth. I can't figure it out but apparently it's a real sore spot with some. Just wanted to give you a heads up.