I don't disagree with you about the romanticized/arrogant attitude from Californians, but there are things you can do where I live that you cant do anywhere else. Couple years ago in college me and some buddies woke up early and went to Newport Beach to surf. Then in the afternoon we drove up to Big Bear to meet up with other friends with a cabin to snowboard, all in one day. Next weekend we went to Glamis sand dunes to ride our dirtbikes. During the summer we go out to Havasu for water shenanigans. These things are within an hour drive of where I live, minus Havasu. I spent a year in Washington for work and as much as I loved it up there it didn't offer the amount of stuff to do within close proximity. Also your Mexican food isn't that great, but sushi is top notch.

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Yeah traffic, taxes, cost of living, and some of the politics are a pretty annoying. But I believe its overshadowed by all the positives this place has to offer.