I don't fit here

[urbanrebel]

The minute I got to LA as a teen, I felt like it was home.  It fit me like a glove.  I have been trying to see if there's some place I think I could live in the Bay Area for a while - to be closer to my parents through their health issues, but I just don't feel like I *fit* anywhere up here.  I went to wander around San Francisco to see if I

Comments

[gnumoose]

I usually head over to Berkeley at least once when I visit SF.

San Francisco is certainly not the same city as it was when I first started visiting in 1995. I do enjoy it there, but it's not the same. Eagle closing, places in the Castro gone, friends gone (moved or other wise) It feels home to me though. I know when I start walking around in a couple weeks, I'll be happy.

Manhattan though is a great city to live. I've seen things at the Gristedes in Chelsea that have been pretty amazing.

Hope you find "home" soon!

[urbanrebel]

Well, I don't really know any places in the Castro etc. It's just a very different city with a very different feel than LA, and I just find myself *uncomfortable* there after a bit and am usually ready to leave. But, I have heard from others who have felt that way that it grows on you, and I do remember that after visiting for weekends several times during my grad school years.

I'd move to Manhattan in a heartbeat though if it weeren't so far from my family - at a time they need me most.

[gnumoose]

well yes, there is a comfort when I get to San Francisco, a familiarity when I'm there. Perhaps it might be time for you to investigate the Castro area with someone very familiar with it

[urbanrebel]

Well, I know what the Castro is. It's just not a place that I feel particularly comfortable. I can't explain it. I very much go by vibe and I don't need to spend a lot of time somewhere - or with anyone to to show me an area. I have traveled all over by myself. I know Paris felt like my home in Europe the first time I ever went there and every one of the half dozen plus times I've been back. I knew I could live in Barcelona the first time I went there and started going there ever year for my birthday for a number of years. I went to Prague to see if I could live there because I thought of taking a year there to write a book, but despite it being THE most beautiful city I've ever seen, I realized I couldn't live there. Again, the vibe there just wasn't for me. And I know I feel like I fit more in any area of NYC than I do in San Francsico

[gnumoose]

Yes, from the times I've been up that way, Pacific Heights and the Marina are nice. Hoping that you are able to find a place that fits you best.

[urbanrebel]

Thanks. Yup, I think what I need to do is drive my car up there and drive all over. I've been taking BART, and it's too hard to explore all the neighborhoods via the transit system - or walking. When I moved back to LA from OC, I knew things had changed a lot since I last lived there - and I had changed too of course. So rather than go back to the same area I lived in before, I started in Santa Monica and worked my way inland, driving every neighborhood to get a feel for the neighborhoods now. I think that's what I need to do again if I commit to making this more more long-term until things settle down.