I visited Ireland a couple of years ago and absolutely loved the land, the people, the place. Pure magic

I was born, raised, and live in northern California. For the most part, I feel blessed. California has just about every type of geography imaginable. Ocean, mountains, desert, valleys, and the temperate rain forest filled with giant, gorgeous redwood trees. Except for the extreme heat of summer in some places our weather is lovely. The nature in California is astounding. Truly beautiful in every way.

The people of California are, in general, not so friendly. I've traveled a lot around the U.S. and to various locations in the world; Californians seem to me to be the least friendly people I've encountered. I will say, however, that much of that unfriendliness has to do (I believe) with generally well-educated, thinking people who are frustrated with certain ways our society is faltering. Too much stress and it makes people cranky.

We have decent renter's rights in Calif, better than most states. Far and above the biggest disadvantage to living in California is the expense. We have a very high cost of living here. The less-desirable places are expensive, the highly desirable places are outrageously expensive. This state is very, very large so traveling from one part to another is quite a journey. If you don't have a great car and a whole lot of money for gas you are pretty much stuck, confined to your part of the state.

The diversity in this state is fabulous. So many kinds of people from so many places, it is a multi-textured land, for sure, and very progressive. We learn from each other's cultures and beliefs and such. There are all kinds of foods here, and so many fresh fruits and veggies all year 'round.