[Porsche-O-Phile]

Yea, it's a mixed bag. There's a lot that I wish were different about here - political climate, attitudes about personal responsibility, English as a first language (you know what I'm getting at here), housing prices and so forth among them. However we have to take the bad with the good and I still believe the benefits outweigh the costs. At least for now. The pendulum is swinging in the opposite direction and the day may very well come in the next couple of years when I finally say it's no longer worth it. Things are definitely heading that direction. But they might start improving too (one can dream, can't they?)

No snow, no rednecks, no bible-bangers, no S.A.D. and being able to ride a bike/go for a walk outside/drive a convertible (or targa) year-round tend to make it worthwhile, at least in my book. For now. Not to mention the ready availability of jobs and a virtual guarantee of continuous employment - particularly important heading into a recession.

CA is certainly not without its problems, but for me, now, it's the only place I'd like to be. And I've lived in the northeast (Massachusetts and NH), the south (FL), the midwest (Chicago), the northwest (Portland) in addition to here, so yes - I've seen what other areas have to offer. Overall, this is still the best deal going.

And you're right - Palm Springs is more like Florida or Scottsdale (overrun with near-deads) than southern CA. It's probably far enough from the L.A. problems where you'd be okay with it. I figure the further one is from L.A. the better - unfortunately Long Beach is starting to become more and more like it daily, which is making me seriously reconsider being here. . . Maybe time to look at heading down to O.C. or San Diego soon.