Moving to US - Boston vs Santa Monica
#31
Re: Moving to US - Boston vs Santa Monica
It'll be shit in a couple of weeks, till autumn...where it'll be to hot and humid to do anything or covered in mozzies.
#32
Re: Moving to US - Boston vs Santa Monica
It's illegal to text in MA while driving too...doesn't stop people
#33
Banned
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 5,154
Re: Moving to US - Boston vs Santa Monica
The law is unenforceable. The cops:
1. Don't appear remotely interested in enforcing it and;
2. They are not allowed to seize your phone to inspect it to find out if you were 'texting'.
The law is incredibly bad. It only applies to the act of 'texting'. Dialling a number, or selecting a music track to play is equally as dangerous, yet not covered by this ridiculous law.
I notice the only traffic law cops are interested in enforcing is speeding, a law which I have given up paying any attention to outside of built up areas given I see State police going up and down the highways at 100mph regardless of whether they're on blue lights or not.
1. Don't appear remotely interested in enforcing it and;
2. They are not allowed to seize your phone to inspect it to find out if you were 'texting'.
The law is incredibly bad. It only applies to the act of 'texting'. Dialling a number, or selecting a music track to play is equally as dangerous, yet not covered by this ridiculous law.
I notice the only traffic law cops are interested in enforcing is speeding, a law which I have given up paying any attention to outside of built up areas given I see State police going up and down the highways at 100mph regardless of whether they're on blue lights or not.
#34
Banned
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 5,154
Re: Moving to US - Boston vs Santa Monica
The things which made California feel more like England than MA for me was:
1. The coastline reminded me of England (Sandbanks / West Dorset etc).
2. Similar laws. No use of a handheld device whilst driving (this was so refreshing!) and having to pay for plastic bags was another. Plus, notices everywhere about things which could be detrimental to your health. It was very England-esque in those respects.
#35
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 41,518
Re: Moving to US - Boston vs Santa Monica
I wasn't thinking of the buildings so much..
The things which made California feel more like England than MA for me was:
1. The coastline reminded me of England (Sandbanks / West Dorset etc).
2. Similar laws. No use of a handheld device whilst driving (this was so refreshing!) and having to pay for plastic bags was another. Plus, notices everywhere about things which could be detrimental to your health. It was very England-esque in those respects.
The things which made California feel more like England than MA for me was:
1. The coastline reminded me of England (Sandbanks / West Dorset etc).
2. Similar laws. No use of a handheld device whilst driving (this was so refreshing!) and having to pay for plastic bags was another. Plus, notices everywhere about things which could be detrimental to your health. It was very England-esque in those respects.
#36
Re: Moving to US - Boston vs Santa Monica
Boston, Santa Monica - there are FAR worse places to live. I'm sure you'll be happy in both.
There are pro's and cons though and weather and ability to return home are going to be, I am sure, the primary ones.
Boston has seasons - all four of them - and having lived in England, thats both awesome and a bit of a pain in the arse in equal quantities. BUT, its also only a 6-7 hour flight from the UK, which is important for people visiting and for you visiting the UK.
Santa Monica, I cant comment on - however, I guess that an 11 hour flight is probably a consideration, and if you hate the cold, then its probably a nice place to be.
There are pro's and cons though and weather and ability to return home are going to be, I am sure, the primary ones.
Boston has seasons - all four of them - and having lived in England, thats both awesome and a bit of a pain in the arse in equal quantities. BUT, its also only a 6-7 hour flight from the UK, which is important for people visiting and for you visiting the UK.
Santa Monica, I cant comment on - however, I guess that an 11 hour flight is probably a consideration, and if you hate the cold, then its probably a nice place to be.
#37
Re: Moving to US - Boston vs Santa Monica
Oh, and for those that say that Boston is nothing like England, they might be advised to look around.
Grass, plants, trees and a signficant amount of the animals are all similar to the UK.
(although there are a shit load of other animals that arent)
Grass, plants, trees and a signficant amount of the animals are all similar to the UK.
(although there are a shit load of other animals that arent)
#38
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Mar 2008
Location: Santa Cruz, CA
Posts: 4,913
Re: Moving to US - Boston vs Santa Monica
Most of hassle of air travel is getting to and from the airports and making connections so, for me, it is far more important to be in fairly easy reach of a major international airport than how long the flight itself is.
#40
Re: Moving to US - Boston vs Santa Monica
People keep saying this but I really don't buy it as an argument for living on the east coast. Provided that I can get a direct flight (and there are plenty of them from LAX, SFO etc) then a few extra hours in the air doesn't really matter to me.
Most of hassle of air travel is getting to and from the airports and making connections so, for me, it is far more important to be in fairly easy reach of a major international airport than how long the flight itself is.
Most of hassle of air travel is getting to and from the airports and making connections so, for me, it is far more important to be in fairly easy reach of a major international airport than how long the flight itself is.
Also, if one parent is planning on going back 1-2 a year, on their own with the kids, it can make a big difference.
#41
Re: Moving to US - Boston vs Santa Monica
I wasn't thinking of the buildings so much..
The things which made California feel more like England than MA for me was:
1. The coastline reminded me of England (Sandbanks / West Dorset etc).
2. Similar laws. No use of a handheld device whilst driving (this was so refreshing!) and having to pay for plastic bags was another. Plus, notices everywhere about things which could be detrimental to your health. It was very England-esque in those respects.
The things which made California feel more like England than MA for me was:
1. The coastline reminded me of England (Sandbanks / West Dorset etc).
2. Similar laws. No use of a handheld device whilst driving (this was so refreshing!) and having to pay for plastic bags was another. Plus, notices everywhere about things which could be detrimental to your health. It was very England-esque in those respects.
#42
Re: Moving to US - Boston vs Santa Monica
Never been to Boston but I've been to Santa Monica many times. I love that place! As said though, I imagine it would cost an absolute fortune to live there.
#43
Account Closed
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 0
Re: Moving to US - Boston vs Santa Monica
Santa Monica is very expensive to live in but if you have the money, it's nice. I believe it has its own school district which is considered better than LA Unified. Usual LA caveats; superficial, hideous facelifts, druggy kids, awful freeways. The weather is great there though, cool shops, beaches.
Not sure anything can be done about the congestion though, can only make the freeways so wide.