Discussion of Firms and Life in SF/SV

[Mister_Ruysbroeck]

Originally Posted by Greedy,Greedy,Greedy

ok, I didn't scroll back far enough on return from vacation. I'm very sorry to hear about the miscarriage. Man, that sucks.

The way I know to sell the pennisula is not to sell it as suburbia, but as some odd mix of urban, exurban, college town, and tech campus living. It's something I've half-heartedly tried to do periodically, but never successfully. The area also has always struck me as having more diversity with less tension over race and ethnicity than just about anywhere, which is very cool. The other selling point I'd suggest is that it may be easier to raise a kid in a place where you don't have to worry about whether the science textbooks give evolution and creationism equal billing (this plays out in a thousand ways - I have stories about relatives dealing with their kids in Southern schools that would offend most 19th century educational standards; I expect Texas would have similar battles). And don't underestimate the boost SF can give someone working in arts/entertainment.

But, yeah, being near family is pretty great when wee ones come round.

Wow, this whole discussion was exactly what I came here for. I knew you guys would have some good advice about SF.

I've been going through some major life changes over the last year and the current plan being discussed is a move to SF. Kids are on the horizon, so this discussion has been very helpful.

It's unlikely that we'll have much of a support network if we move, though my SO's sister and BF might make the move with us. We may even be able to convince SO's mom to make the move. My brother and his wife may end up in San Diego in a couple of years, but if we go out there alone, I'm worried it will be tough to have kids there.

Option B is Boston, where my SO is from and where her family currently lives. The problem is I am tired of the weather where I live and going to Boston doesn't give me much of a change.

I also really don't feel like taking the CA Bar. To be honest, I hate being a lawyer and this might be a good excuse to pursue an alternate career path. That said, starting over at this stage in my life in a city where the COL is so high is a little scary.

Anyone have experience living north of SF proper? What's on the other side of that big red bridge, anyway? All comments, including snarky ones, are appreciated. Thanks.

[Flinty_McFlint]

Originally Posted by Mister_Ruysbroeck

Wow, this whole discussion was exactly what I came here for. I knew you guys would have some good advice about SF.

I've been going through some major life changes over the last year and the current plan being discussed is a move to SF. Kids are on the horizon, so this discussion has been very helpful.

It's unlikely that we'll have much of a support network if we move, though my SO's sister and BF might make the move with us. We may even be able to convince SO's mom to make the move. My brother and his wife may end up in San Diego in a couple of years, but if we go out there alone, I'm worried it will be tough to have kids there.

Option B is Boston, where my SO is from and where her family currently lives. The problem is I am tired of the weather where I live and going to Boston doesn't give me much of a change.

I also really don't feel like taking the CA Bar. To be honest, I hate being a lawyer and this might be a good excuse to pursue an alternate career path. That said, starting over at this stage in my life in a city where the COL is so high is a little scary.

Anyone have experience living north of SF proper? What's on the other side of that big red bridge, anyway? All comments, including snarky ones, are appreciated. Thanks.

North of the Golden Gate Bridge? Immediately to the North are yachts, mansions and wine country, and then north of that are cows.

[Mister_Ruysbroeck]

Originally Posted by Flinty_McFlint

North of the Golden Gate Bridge? Immediately to the North are yachts, mansions and wine country, and then north of that are cows.

Yeah, like Sausalito and San Rafael? What about Richmond?

I have spent time in SF, but always downtown. I know next to nothing about the rest of the bay area. I just know the city itself is amazing. My SO is in the wine industry, so there's that, too...

[Sidd Finch]

Originally Posted by Mister_Ruysbroeck

Yeah, like Sausalito and San Rafael? What about Richmond?

I have spent time in SF, but always downtown. I know next to nothing about the rest of the bay area. I just know the city itself is amazing. My SO is in the wine industry, so there's that, too...

Richmond is still a pit, I believe, and far from SF. You want some cheaper options, but near the city, look at Oakland, or some of the burbs south of SF that aren't really Silicon Valley.

You want to talk, send me a PM.

[Pretty Little Flower]

Originally Posted by Flinty_McFlint

North of the Golden Gate Bridge? Immediately to the North are yachts, mansions and wine country, and then north of that are cows.

I once dated a chick who grew up north of the cows. North of the cows are Redwoods and really good pot. There may be more cows, too, but once you're on the pot, you tend to notice the Redwoods more. I mean, that's what she told me. I only get high on life and America.

[Hank Chinaski]

Originally Posted by Pretty Little Flower

I once dated a chick who grew up north of the cows. North of the cows are Redwoods and really good pot. There may be more cows, too, but once you're on the pot, you tend to notice the Redwoods more. I mean, that's what she told me. I only get high on life and America.

I've quoted this so that everyone can better understand why it is so easy for me to win "most helpful" year after year.

[Sidd Finch]

Originally Posted by Hank Chinaski

I've quoted this so that everyone can better understand why it is so easy for me to win "most helpful" year after year.

Because we're all stoned?

[LessinSF]

Originally Posted by Sidd Finch

Because we're all stoned?

If CA completely legalizes it, like CO and WA, there will be a lot of pot-related legal work. Everything from simple incorporations to IPOs and regulatory work.

LessinOttawa

[Atticus Grinch]

Originally Posted by Mister_Ruysbroeck

Anyone have experience living north of SF proper? What's on the other side of that big red bridge, anyway? All comments, including snarky ones, are appreciated. Thanks.

(1) You don’t have to be from Marin to be a douchebag, but it helps.

(2) Napa County is a small fuckin' town in which to do legal work. I’m sure the QOL doesn't suck, but don’t kid yourself — 95% of the wine business is straight-up agriculture. It’s not glamorous. All the issues are about farm labor and where you store the shit that smells.

(3) Santa Rosa is a real city with real businesses, and it will probably grow. Find a job there and you’re going to be okay. Live there and think you’ll commute to the City? Dream on. Misery. Petaluma is probably an even better place to live, but same essential problem. Sonoma County is a good place to be rich, but so's everyplace.

(4) I’m the guy who says you should have your kids within driving distance of your parents or hers, and a set of cousins if possible. Life is easier if you have a support system you don’t have to pay taxes on.

[Greedy,Greedy,Greedy]

Originally Posted by Atticus Grinch

(1) You don’t have to be from Marin to be a douchebag, but it helps.

(2) Napa County is a small fuckin' town in which to do legal work. I’m sure the QOL doesn't suck, but don’t kid yourself — 95% of the wine business is straight-up agriculture. It’s not glamorous. All the issues are about farm labor and where you store the shit that smells.

(3) Santa Rosa is a real city with real businesses, and it will probably grow. Find a job there and you’re going to be okay. Live there and think you’ll commute to the City? Dream on. Misery. Petaluma is probably an even better place to live, but same essential problem. Sonoma County is a good place to be rich, but so's everyplace.

(4) I’m the guy who says you should have your kids within driving distance of your parents or hers, and a set of cousins if possible. Life is easier if you have a support system you don’t have to pay taxes on.

He said his SO is in the wine business. Isn't the right answer here for him to be a gentlemen lawyer/farmer somewhere in wine country, hang with the rich folks in their mansions and yachts north of the bridge, and show up in SF every now and then for some culture?

I think you all are trying to plan a hardworking urban lawyer life for the guy. Solamen miseris socios habuisse doloris.

[Atticus Grinch]

Originally Posted by Greedy,Greedy,Greedy

He said his SO is in the wine business. Isn't the right answer here for him to be a gentlemen lawyer/farmer somewhere in wine country, hang with the rich folks in their mansions and yachts north of the bridge, and show up in SF every now and then for some culture?

(1) "I’m in the wine business (East Coast)" = "I buy cases and sell bottles." "I’m in the wine business (West Coast)" = "I buy harvests and sell grapes" or "I buy grapes and sell cases."

(2) I’d love to be a gentleman farmer. But these days to get there you have to pay your dues. Napa and Sonoma are lousy with law practice money; unless MR has serious bank, there’s no room at that baccarat table anymore.

(3) You know a good way to make a small fortune in the wine game? Start with a large one.

It’s probably a good gig if he can get it, but can he get it?

[Hank Chinaski]

Originally Posted by Atticus Grinch

(1) "I’m in the wine business (East Coast)" = "I buy cases and sell bottles." "I’m in the wine business (West Coast)" = "I buy harvests and sell grapes" or "I buy grapes and sell cases."

(2) I’d love to be a gentleman farmer. But these days to get there you have to pay your dues. Napa and Sonoma are lousy with law practice money; unless MR has serious bank, there’s no room at that baccarat table anymore.

(3) You know a good way to make a small fortune in the wine game? Start with a large one.

It’s probably a good gig if he can get it, but can he get it?

I can't answer any of those questions, but if someone tells mr r "you want that $$, suck at my ass" He may be willing to do that, whereas you or I may not. So don't be so negative?

[Greedy,Greedy,Greedy]

Originally Posted by Atticus Grinch

(1) "I’m in the wine business (East Coast)" = "I buy cases and sell bottles." "I’m in the wine business (West Coast)" = "I buy harvests and sell grapes" or "I buy grapes and sell cases."

(2) I’d love to be a gentleman farmer. But these days to get there you have to pay your dues. Napa and Sonoma are lousy with law practice money; unless MR has serious bank, there’s no room at that baccarat table anymore.

(3) You know a good way to make a small fortune in the wine game? Start with a large one.

It’s probably a good gig if he can get it, but can he get it?

MR, after you and your SO pick up that Vineyard, remember, I'm the one who believed in you, I'm the one who didn't think you'd end up in some dead-end urban law firm sucking up to the plushbottoms to eke out a lousy few hundred grand a year.

[Sidd Finch]

Originally Posted by Greedy,Greedy,Greedy

MR, after you and your SO pick up that Vineyard, remember, I'm the one who believed in you, I'm the one who didn't think you'd end up in some dead-end urban law firm sucking up to the plushbottoms to eke out a lousy few hundred grand a year.

This is what I do. But I'm also in the wine business, as a consumer. No rain in California this year? BFD -- in a couple of years I'll drink French or Italian wine instead. Euro gets too high? I'll go back to Cali wine.

My point: Actually producing anything is overrated.

[Mister_Ruysbroeck]

Thanks for the comments. We're still weighing options. Boston vs SF vs Chicago (been there, done that). Lots to consider. Might just start applying for jobs and see what happens...