[ValerieGLF]

This earthquake was a NOTHING. I wasn't even sure I felt it at all, but of course my Jonothan did since animals are better at sensing those things. We haven't had a strong earthquake in the socal area in about 8 years as far as I recall. (I'm not saying that's a bad thing, though. I realize a lot of people think we're "due" for one soon).

I LOVE CA. I was an OC girl born-and-raised, did my undergrad degree on the East Coast, but knew I would come back (and here I am again)! Now I live in West LA, though that's only for law school. If/when I get a chance I'll move back to OC (North OC) or perhaps to San Diego. It's beautiful down there and downtown San Diego is becoming a great area for late 20s/early 30s crowd.

To the NY girl, though - I have to admit if there was anyplace else I'd live besides socal, it would be NYC. I have lived in DC, Boston, NYC, and spent a good amount of time in Miami and San Fran, but nothing has my heart the way NYC does (and at least the winters aren't TOO bad compared to some places). However, all of my family is here in socal, and in the end I never did get used to snowy winters.

Top thing I miss about NYC: 24-takeout from enough places that you could have ANY type of food from any food-genre whenever you wanted. That is DEF not true even in central parts of Los Angeles (the "busy," more "city"-like parts).

Furbabies definitely prefer CA, too. How can they not? After all, they HATE having to wear little winter jackets even more than we do. And Jonothan absolutely loves driving in my convertible with the top down and the wind blowing through his hair. I didn't get Jonothan until I moved back to Cali, but from his visits back East with me, I can tell he prefers good old CA.

Anyway - NYC or CA, both great options. Good luck with whatever you decide! (Oh and I realize you didn't say you live in NYC, and may just live in New York state, in which case you should definitely move since it's only NYC that can hold a candle to SoCal. Hee hee).