Why San Francisco?

As of October 10, 2005, my wife and I have lived in the San Francisco Bay Area of California for one year. We are both originally from Ohio. What made us decide to move close to San Francisco?
     My wife and I never really felt like we fit in to life in Ohio. After traveling in Europe, Asia, and other parts of North America, we felt even more strongly about how we were not suited to life in the land where we were raised.
     My good friend, Tim, has posted an excellent piece on his blog, Traveling Through Life Without a Map. In “Back to the Foundry” Tim talks about the differences in attitude and outlook on life between the industrial “Foundry” Region and the post-industrial “Ecotopia”. The names refer to the distinct regional “nations” that Joel Garreau noticed in his journeys across North America as a reporter and wrote about in his Nine Nations of North America.  I think that Alvin Toffler’s work, The Third Wave also can shed some light on these differences. The Industrial Foundry is an area in decline but still clings to a mindset and a way of life that is quickly vanishing. It is a region that prides itself on hierarchical organization, mass production, and consequently promotes a strict obedience to one’s superiors. This mentality is suitable for a region where factories and mass production dominate. But this is no longer the case, as globalization and slavish devotion to the bottom line by soulless mega corporations move the factories to the south, and later, the third world. All that is left are the low paying service jobs. The mentality of the factory still persists and as such, creativity, innovation and self expression are stifled. The good paying jobs and quality of life that accompanies them are to be found with less and less frequency in the foundry.
     On the other hand, the Ecotopia region (Which includes Northern California) is booming (in relation to other parts of the North America). Why? The “Creative Class” so identified by Richard Florida in his Rise of the Creative Class are motivated to move to regions that have three vital properties, Technology, Talent, and Tolerance. It is this last “T” that the Foundry is lacking with it’s deeply entrenched Social Conservatism. The Third Wave jobs of the information, idea, and creative sectors riley upon such openness to novel approaches and influences.
     It is because of the this sense of Tolerance that tipped the scales in favor for my wife and I to move to the San Francisco Bay Area. So what made us decide to live there?
     The mild weather certainly had its appeal, but that was simply icing on the cake.
     First, There had to be opportunities for us to work. My wife has a Master’s Degree in Public Health. So, a region more committed to improving the quality of life of its citizens would be better than an area not so inclined. That pretty much limited it to the upper great lakes, and the east and west coasts.
Next we desired to live in a place with character. The last thing we wanted was to live in a soulless “anywhere USA” city or town. Unfortunately, in the Midwest, the foundry, and much of the rest of the USA, that is all there is. We knew that there were cities with distinctive local character. That left us with places like Washington D.C., New York, Boston, or San Francisco. Florida writes in Rise of the Creative Class, that “Places are valued for their authenticity and uniqueness, as I heard many times in my studies.” He continues later by saying, “People in my interviews and focus groups often define “authenticity” as the opposite of generic. They equate authentic with being “real” as in a place that has real buildings, real people, real history. An authentic place offers unique and original experiences.”  My wife and I vastly prefer small, unique specialty shops to the soulless big box and chain stores that dominate much of the country.
Next, we wanted to live in a place that was pedestrian-friendly and that also possessed good public transportation. We visited many cities around the world that possessed these aspects. Being able to walk through a city from location to location gives one more of sense of a city, its character, and its people. Driving from destination to destination in a car leaves one with little sense of a city or its people, and contributes greatly to the “Anywhere USA” feeling.
We also wanted to live in a city that possessed a good deal of cultural attractions, not only of the large scale (such as museums and concert halls) but also of a more informal nature, such as coffee houses. Unfortunately in much of America, entertainment options are confined to either expensive tuxedo and limousine opera house variety or the massive beer-fueled sporting event and concert variety.
But perhaps, most importantly, we wanted to live somewhere where we would be able to fit in and make a contribution to our communities. As I mentioned we never felt like we fit in back in Ohio. We were different from most around us – which didn’t bother us. But we were often ridiculed or dismissed for our dreams, desires and ambitions – which did bother us. The fact that we desired a life different than those around us came as a surprise to many in Ohio. They really haven’t thought about the fact that life can be different than what they know. Those who have given it a thought are apt to dismiss such notions as mere fantasy.
     Here, in the heart of Liberal America, I can tell people that I have lived in Japan, study Philosophy, and like to cook; and people accept that. It’s not seen as strange. Everyone is different after all, they say. They are right.
     It’s that openness to the different that is so appealing about San Francisco (and to a somewhat lesser extent the Bay Area, in general.) Here there are people from all corners of the United States and the Earth. There are people with various backgrounds, lifestyles, and ideas. Everyone has something to offer and we can all learn from each other. Combine this Tolerance with the Technology being developed (and already existing here) with the Talent that is drawn here for the open and accepting atmosphere, and you have a model for success that ranks highest (in nearly every category) in Florida’s Rise of the Creative Class. By this mean more than the monetary success (which can be great). I mean success in quality of life as well. Here is a place that understands the fundamental changes of Toffler’s Third Wave. Creativity is encouraged and people are accepting of new ideas and different people.
     Here is place where I can pursue my dreams and make a contribution to society that may be welcomed. Here is finally a place that feels more comfortable - like a home.