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I'll explain what I mean, and I will also add that I'm also asking this as a question, as I'll admit I'm going more off the little I know.
Now, by west coast city, I mean ONLY those that are actually on the west coast (so not inland western cities).
Now, what do I mean by "lifestyle diverse". I know there are certainly generalizations, and all these cities have a great diversity in lifestyles and walks of life, but there are some larger trends, which as far as I can tell have some truth to it:
Portland and Seattle are somewhat "institutionally granola" I mean there is the whole stereotype of people whose wardrobe is entirely from REI, drinks fair trade coffee, their bike, skis, and rock climbing equipment costs more than their car, works in computers, etc.
San Diego has a distinct Southern California-lifestyle for those who are a bit more conservative, or at least comfortable around/blend in with conservatives.
Now, the first most "lifestyle-diverse" city/metro is unquestionably LA/greater LA. However you feel about it, I can't see how one can argue that it truly has EVERY walk of life.
So that leaves San Francisco/Bay Area or Vancouver.
The Bay Area seems to be "built" by and for those with top of the line formal education. Its more expensive on average than greater LA, the global tech industry is centered there, you have Berkeley, Stanford, other major universities, some of the best high schools in the state apparently. Its like the Boston of the west coast.
Vancouver from what I can tell, seem like Seattle, but maybe more cosmopolitan, or a lot more walks of life that are less staunchly "granola" as its the third largest city in Canada, so you have fewer choices of city than you do in the States. It has a film industry there, many famous musicians that are not "hippy" or "grungy" in the slightest.
What do you think? Again, I'm actually trying to get a little input from others, so I'm not coming from a strong knowledge about all these other cities.
San Diego and the Bay Area (assuming after Los Angeles). Frankly, Portland could be summed up in a paragraph, not a knock on the city, for a small one it has a great pedestrian built core. By the way, Portland nor it's metropolis are technically on the coast. Hah.
San Diego, you can run the typical Southern California image but the 800 lbs gorilla in the room is that it touches and borders (practically makes out with) Tijuana. You're going to have to see and experience a different country's culture altogether that way, for me, a huge plus. I never just think of San Diego as by itself, I always view it as a 5 million place, meaning if I so wanted, the rougher around the edges way of nightlife and more extreme nightlife and social scene are readily accessible to me if I want them to be. If you so wanted to work in San Diego and wanted to pay deep cheap rent, a working visa and paper work to live in Tijuana and easy commute in San Diego can be adjusted for and is becoming a bigger way of life as Mexico rises socioeconomically. Something to keep in mind.
Bay Area, each of the five main parts (north, south, east, peninsula, and inland) has a different cultural lifestyle attached to it's image.
Last edited by Trafalgar Law; 02-03-2014 at 06:34 PM..
San Diego and the Bay Area (assuming after Los Angeles). Frankly, Portland could be summed up in a paragraph, not a knock on the city, for a small one it has a great pedestrian built core. By the way, Portland nor it's metropolis are technically on the coast. Hah.
San Diego, you can run the typical Southern California image but the 800 lbs gorilla in the room is that it touches and borders (practically makes out with) Tijuana. You're going to have to see and experience a different country's culture altogether that way, for me, a huge plus. I never just think of San Diego as by itself, I always view it as a 5 million place, meaning if I so wanted, the rougher around the edges way of nightlife and more extreme nightlife and social scene are readily accessible to me if I want them to be. If you so wanted to work in San Diego and wanted to pay deep cheap rent, a working visa and paper work to live in Tijuana and easy commute in San Diego can be adjusted for and is becoming a bigger way of life as Mexico rises socioeconomically. Something to keep in mind.
Bay Area, each of the five main parts (north, south, east, peninsula, and inland) has a different cultural lifestyle attached to it's image.
I agree, although the commute between TJ and SD isn't really "easy" due to wait times at the border crossing.
I was thinking maybe the Bay Area had greater diversity because it offers a lifestyle that is a lot more urban than what you can find in SD. Both areas have plenty of suburban lifestyles. SD is a lot more diverse politically/ideologically speaking though. But I think when you add in Tijuana it kind of makes a strong case for SD. Granted Tijuana isn't exactly the nicest place to visit but to me it's is fairly interesting and like a different world almost. So the fact that you can live 15 miles from Downtown SD in an area with a different language, currency, and that uses the metric system makes for an interesting dynamic.
Now, the first most "lifestyle-diverse" city/metro is
unquestionably LA/greater LA.
However you feel about it, I
can't see how one can argue
that it truly has EVERY walk of
life.
I cant see how one can argue that the Bay Area lacks any 'walk of life'.
I've seen more freaks and weirdos in the Bay Area than in LA in my personal experience... sure there are more in LA though b/c it's over twice as large...
I've seen more freaks and weirdos in the Bay Area than in LA in my personal experience... sure there are more in LA though b/c it's over twice as large...
I'm counteracting the whole formal education post that was made.
A lot of those freaks and weirdos are college educated lol, especially the gutter punks on Haight. Now if you meant the Tenderloin variety then yeah, but even then there are plenty of college educated people who've fallen on hard times.
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