Southern California has its share of surprises. But until you live here, you can’t fully appreciate just how surprising things can be. For example, take a look at these 10 things no one tells you about living in Southern California. Which ones surprise you the most?
- That Southern California and Northern California are polar opposites.
flickr/jack donahue Until you live in SoCal you truly have no idea of the vast differences between the northern and southern part of the state. From the climate to the scenery and even the personality of the people who live there, everything in Southern and Northern California is so different it’s like two unique planets.
- You’ll long for distinct seasons after a year full of nothing but summer.
flickr/enrico carcasci Enjoying the sunshine is just a given in Southern California, and we are grateful for the beautiful weather. But no one ever tells you just how much you’ll miss each and every season until you move here. Whether it’s the crunchy leaves in the fall or the dusting of snow in the winter, you may find yourself longing for a change of season after experiencing summer in SoCal all year long.
- Exercise is practically a religion in Southern California.
flickr/nathan rupert Most Southern Californians are quite fit. Whether it’s hiking, biking, walking, surfing, or doing yoga, you’ll quickly discover that most everyone in SoCal is obsessed with some form of exercise.
- Living in Southern California will turn you into an aggressive driver.
flickr/ernesto endrade Whether you’re on the freeway, merging into another lane or just trying to find a parking spot at the mall, you’ll quickly discover that driving in SoCal is practically a competitive sport.
- You’d better have a guest room or at least a comfy couch because EVERYONE will want to come visit you.
flickr/sue talber photography When you live in a place like Southern California, you’ll find that friends and family are always up for a visit. Whether you have vacation time or not, you’d better be prepared for everyone to sign up for a visit so they can check out Disneyland and Sea World.
- People may tell you it’s expensive to live in SoCal but they don’t tell you just HOW expensive.
flickr/401k2012 Whether it’s the price of housing, sales tax, the price of gas, or even the price of food, everything in SoCal is so much more expensive than you could ever possibly expect.
- If you don’t have a car in SoCal you’ll have a challenging time getting around.
flickr/chris goldberg Southern California isn’t exactly known for its excellent public transportation. With that said, if you rely on public transport to get around then you’ll find yourself in a total transportation pickle when you live here - the car is king in SoCal.
- Everyone grills in SoCal, all the time. All. The. Time.
flickr/army medicine You’d better have a BBQ when you live in SoCal AND know how to use it as dinnertime often consists of throwing something on the grill most every night of the week. Whether it’s fall, winter, spring or summer, Southern Californians will be outside grilling.
- You’ll become a total Mexican food snob after living in Southern California.
flickr/y6y6y6 Until you live in SoCal, you have no idea just how good Mexican food can be. Whether it’s the local taco shop at the end of the block or a mom and pop hole-in-the-wall, you will quickly discover that you’ll never again enjoy Mexican food as much as you do in SoCal.
So there you have it! The ten things no one tells you about living in Southern California. Which of these things were you surprised to discover?
flickr/jack donahue
Until you live in SoCal you truly have no idea of the vast differences between the northern and southern part of the state. From the climate to the scenery and even the personality of the people who live there, everything in Southern and Northern California is so different it’s like two unique planets.
flickr/enrico carcasci
Enjoying the sunshine is just a given in Southern California, and we are grateful for the beautiful weather. But no one ever tells you just how much you’ll miss each and every season until you move here. Whether it’s the crunchy leaves in the fall or the dusting of snow in the winter, you may find yourself longing for a change of season after experiencing summer in SoCal all year long.
flickr/nathan rupert
Most Southern Californians are quite fit. Whether it’s hiking, biking, walking, surfing, or doing yoga, you’ll quickly discover that most everyone in SoCal is obsessed with some form of exercise.
flickr/ernesto endrade
Whether you’re on the freeway, merging into another lane or just trying to find a parking spot at the mall, you’ll quickly discover that driving in SoCal is practically a competitive sport.
flickr/sue talber photography
When you live in a place like Southern California, you’ll find that friends and family are always up for a visit. Whether you have vacation time or not, you’d better be prepared for everyone to sign up for a visit so they can check out Disneyland and Sea World.
flickr/401k2012
Whether it’s the price of housing, sales tax, the price of gas, or even the price of food, everything in SoCal is so much more expensive than you could ever possibly expect.
flickr/chris goldberg
Southern California isn’t exactly known for its excellent public transportation. With that said, if you rely on public transport to get around then you’ll find yourself in a total transportation pickle when you live here - the car is king in SoCal.
flickr/army medicine
You’d better have a BBQ when you live in SoCal AND know how to use it as dinnertime often consists of throwing something on the grill most every night of the week. Whether it’s fall, winter, spring or summer, Southern Californians will be outside grilling.
flickr/y6y6y6
Until you live in SoCal, you have no idea just how good Mexican food can be. Whether it’s the local taco shop at the end of the block or a mom and pop hole-in-the-wall, you will quickly discover that you’ll never again enjoy Mexican food as much as you do in SoCal.
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