Quote:
Originally posted by fastpat
It ain't in Long Beach. 
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No, it ain't. I was born here. It was different then and even not that long ago. Mainly a large city by the beach. Lots and lots of retired folks from the Midwest come here to live. Reasonable manufacturing, retail and maritime enterprises. Then, the old folks all died.
Now the place is the poorest city in the state for population 100K>. 6th in the US. Boeing bought Douglas and tore it down; subdivided it. Developers razed hundreds of single family homes and put 8 units on 2 lots with 8 off street parking spots. The city government has been corrupt for decades. Might actually be OK now, but way, way too late.
I moved to South Orange County (you know, the TV show) to a planned community for 13 years. Tough place to live for a nice guy who liked his tools. I lived in 2 other towns of 25K and couldn't make a living. I couldn't crack the good ol' boy network and I didn't have the rest of my life to try.
Long Beach has offered me half a million people within 8 travle miles, something I cherish after driving 25K+ miles/yr in OC, never leaving the county. This is for contractor type of work. Now, I drive 3-4K business-wise.
There is some 2nd generation oil and shipping money here, but not like some other areas nearby. Then, there's the new money. That's the rub.
No class whatsoever. Just like on TV.
Grady, thanks man. I was on that thought already as I wrote, "In fact, I've made a decision to move to a 964 or 993 after this one, if it becomes viable. That's the only genteel thing I can think of that I like." I could have more than one, actually. A 60's Ferrari, an early 911 coupe and a later 90's something 911 would be all the "gentility" I would ever need.
Pat, I hear ya. I lived in AL for one year. My wife is from the South. Many a true lady have come from the South. I'm pickin' up on what you're puttin' down.