Pros and Cons

So I have been here almost 5 months now, and I have been thinking about the positives and negatives about living in Southern California. It's not an exhaustive list, but here are some of my thoughts.

Things I love about SoCal:

• The weather. Temps in at least the 60s, most of the time in the 70s is not to be sniffed at. It's lovely seeing the sun almost everyday and if I am honest I don't give a hoot about the seasons like we get them in the UK. Sunny and warm virtually all of the time works just fine for me! I don't think it should be underestimated how smiley the sun can make one feel. 
• The beach and the Ocean. The beaches are beautiful. Big old clean sandy bad boys with awesome boardwalks that go on for miles. And the Ocean is big and blue and ever present.
• The friendliness of people. Waiters/bar staff/shop staff - everyone seems to be so much more friendly than at home. I don't know if the accent helps, but people seem to go out of their way to talk to me and provide me with good service. I know some of it is to do with tipping culture, but genuinely people seem happier here (linked to the sun?) 
• The food. Generally is awesome. So much choice (probably too much choice) in restaurants. It would be very easy not to cook again if I lived here (although a tad expensive).
• I get to see all the TV shows I love at the time they are broadcast, not 6 months to a year later when one of the British networks thinks that they might be worth investing in. 
• It is laid back and very relaxed and none of the freneticism of London
• It's so different to London

Things I don't love about SoCal:

• Everything is a drive away normally of at least 30 minutes. Imagine London neighbourhoods split up with 7 odd miles between each of them and no tube system...For me, this means a lot more mental effort is required to actually leave the house and get in the car to go places. Somehow walking to the tube at home seems less arduous...
• None of the prices have tax added anywhere, so you have to figure that in to your bill at the end along with up to 20% tip if you are in a restaurant - it makes things a fair bit more expensive than you originally thought. 
• Most of my friends and family aren't here.
• It is possibly too laid back and relaxed and I wonder how any business gets done...
• It's not London