[quote=jstoesz]Yeah, the state is a magnet for the irresponsible[/quote]
I think there’s often a conflation of time and space. Many other folks who’ve arrived in San Diego in their adulthood have memories of faraway hometowns from the 60s, 70s, or even 80s – and the San Diego of the 2000s+ seems materialistic, irresponsible, expensive. Because of the maturation of consumer culture over the last 30 years, these properties are found nationwide. Here in San Diego, there are enough people who can achieve material excess, and plenty who aspire to it. But the vast majority are normal folks. Once you see past the perceived stereotypes, its a city full of honest, hardworking people.
Locals have to deal with this at Padre games all the time: people living in San Diego who are brash about their old hometeams and hostile to their “host” city. And San Diegans – well, we don’t really care – just spend your money and have a good time. Its not that people are passive here, its just that most of us like where we live and don’t need to say much more. As housing grows more (relatively) affordable, then that helps us stay here.
Go down to Tio Leo’s on Morena and take a good look at the illuminated photo by the hostess stand. I love that photo. Its probably from the early 70s. It shows the San Diego of my childhood – a small, mellow town. I long for that place. But I know that the city has grown, but having a long memory, I know that that the spirit of that small town still exists in the people and neighborhoods of today. Keep in mind that back then, I used to ride my BMX around the dusty hills that’s now Carmel Valley.
We’ve all been paying careful attention to the housing bubble. We know this was a national (indeed international – ask people from Ireland & Spain) phenomenon. The irresponsibility is widespread.
Its just that San Diego, LA, SF, etc. are expensive – more expensive than MN or IA. So is NYC and Boston. I love the Twin Cities. But historical market forces say that this is a more desirable place to live. So, it costs more. Its just really up to individuals as to where they want to live.
