I’d planned to do a big post next week with a long list of reasons why I’ve decided to do this radical thing. Too much work, so here’s a short post now.
Every once in awhile, I’m motivated to take a risk, and the urge usually centers around my age. The older you become, the more you realize you have less time to pursue your dreams or reach that goal or do the hard thing you’ve been avoiding. For me, getting older has meant less lip service and more action. Time’s running out!
Well, it’s time to take another plunge, to give up one thing in order to gain another. Readers, I’ve decided to…
…leave DC and move to Southern California! Earthquakes and wildfires, here I come…
My sister and niece have been out there for a couple of years, and every time I visit, I don’t want to leave. Despite the California trash-talking you’ve read on this blog…I like the place, at least the area where my sister lives. I like the hills and the weather. And it’s impossible to be depressed with all that bright sunlight. I’ve lived on the east coast all my life, so this will take some getting use to. (No snow?)
I’m leaving a city where I’ve spent almost 10 years. I was drawn to this political place, and working on Capitol Hill was a dream fulfilled. I’ll miss living in the city and not having to drive to a store to pick up cream for my coffee or to run errands. I’ll miss the friends I’ve made here.
I need this move to inject some spontaneity and novelty into my life. Can’t wait. 
I’ve already got the church lined up, but I’m open to suggestions on must-visit sites, and venues where I can meet and hang out with other Christians and have fun.
I’ll write more later. I have to finish packing. Rest easy this weekend, everybody.
Good on you, Lashawn.
Comment by heliotrope — 08.22.08 @ 2:00 pm
Yeah! Welcome to my neck of the woods, you’ll love it except for the traffic
Comment by Stacy Harp — 08.22.08 @ 2:03 pm
Stacy, every time I’m out there, I think about you. We’ve GOT to hang out.
Comment by La Shawn — 08.22.08 @ 2:04 pm
Does this mean that Scotland is out of the picture? Did I miss something?
Comment by Dave — 08.22.08 @ 2:10 pm
No, the UK isn’t out of the picture. It’s just…postponed. Perhaps I’ll get to visit on my book tour!
Comment by La Shawn — 08.22.08 @ 2:12 pm
And it’s impossible to be depressed with all that bright sunlight.
Oooh, not so much. But I hope it works out fantabulously for you, and maybe we can bump into.
Comment by Dan Phillips — 08.22.08 @ 2:13 pm
Well, born and raised in So Cal. AND (are you ready?) lived for 7 years in the UK! Welcome to the madness!
Comment by Tom — 08.22.08 @ 2:16 pm
I am very happy for you! I have family and friends all over SoCal and if I had to move that would be one of the top spots on the list.
Comment by Randy — 08.22.08 @ 3:01 pm
Best wishes as you enter a new phase in your life.
Comment by Rey De La Torre — 08.22.08 @ 3:08 pm
The People’s Republik of Kalifornia? Gripe at Schwartzenegger for me, would ya?
Comment by Dan Paden — 08.22.08 @ 3:09 pm
Wow–that’s exciting! Hope the transition goes smoothly for you. Maybe your next writing project should be a screenplay since you’ll be in screenwriter land.
Comment by Angie B — 08.22.08 @ 3:16 pm
Thanks for the well wishes, all!
Angie - After I write that first book, I may try screenwriting. I mean, why waste the opportunity? I already have a couple of projects in mind, and I know which people to contact. Too fun, man.
Comment by La Shawn — 08.22.08 @ 3:22 pm
Must visit sites and venues to hang with other Christians…
Born and raised in SoCal, Christian, active in my Church family and I am not sure of must visit sites. If I remember from a while back and a reference to the college your sister is attending, are you coming to the Santa Clarita Valley? If so, great place, I work here and it is a very pretty place with lots of nice people.
Other than the nutty politics we have out here, no better place to live!
Dan
Comment by Dan — 08.22.08 @ 3:22 pm
Good luck and God bless as you make your new home. Moving can be quite the hassle, so I hope you’ve got a lot of people who can be of help to you.
Comment by Gabe — 08.22.08 @ 3:36 pm
Just so long as you stop through Pittsburgh on the way and let me treat you to lunch!
We’ll be praying for your change of scenery and that God will do great things through it.
Comment by Mark La Roi — 08.22.08 @ 3:42 pm
La Shawn,
I’d love to show you around The Master’s College, where Shannon spent some time. I think you’d be impressed with our students, and you might have some terrific insights to share with them, as well.
Some of them might one day find themselves doing what you are now doing.
Rick
Comment by ManlyDad — 08.22.08 @ 3:43 pm
Good Luck and God Bless. I can not imagine living in Washington DC but have spent some years in Northern California and agree that the sun is wonderful. For your next adventure, you might want to try Beaufort. Both SC and NC versions are wonderful, but alas, not as sunny or mild as So. California. I hope you’ll continue to blog, you’ve a much needed voice.
Comment by Kit Winterer — 08.22.08 @ 4:00 pm
Well, I was born and raised in SC.
Comment by La Shawn — 08.22.08 @ 4:04 pm
We shall hang out any time. Hopefully you won’t be too far away.
Comment by Stacy Harp — 08.22.08 @ 4:05 pm
Woo hoo! You go, girl!
Comment by jb — 08.22.08 @ 4:26 pm
Don’t move to the coast, move to the Central Valley.
It is much more conservative.
Comment by NerdMom — 08.22.08 @ 4:45 pm
Welcome to California, LaShawn! The Left Coast needs more thinkers and shakers such as yourself. In terms of just beautiful sights, I’d recommend the Central Coast: Arroyo Grande, San Luis Obispo, Cambria, Morro Bay, San Simeon–very small town feel and wonderful architecture and people! My husband and I escape there (he has family in the area) every so often just to get a break from Los Angeles!
Fuller Theological and Biola University in So Cal seem to have the pulse on events for Christian movers and shakers, so if you’re anywhere nearby, I’d get myself involved there.
Best to you–can’t wait to see what your take on the nutball politics here!
Comment by Jennifer — 08.22.08 @ 4:59 pm
Lucky you. Except for some of the population centers California is pretty conservative. Also you can spend a lifetime seeing things in California and still not see all the wonderful things there. Although I would skip Barstow if it were me.
Comment by Azygos — 08.22.08 @ 5:00 pm
Wow, that’s terrific. My family and I are contemplating a move in the near future, but nothing so glamorous as Cali. We are headed toward our next door neighbor Louisiana to do some work in St. Bernard Parish near New Orleans (the area that sustained the most damage by Katrina). Good luck with your move, and keep the posts comin’. We Texans (soon to be transplants) love ya, girl!
Comment by Tiffany Partin — 08.22.08 @ 5:02 pm
Dang it, La Shawn, just as I am looking at moving to DC, you have to go and move on me like that. Seriously, I’m glad for you and proud of you. I hope they have internet access where you’ll be so you can keep your site up.
Comment by Nathan Bradfield — 08.22.08 @ 5:39 pm
YES! La Shawn coming to Southern Cali!!!
Well, glad to have you La Shawn, and being a San Diegan, you know I want you around here! We’ve got to hook up and swap writing ideas!
I love visiting the LA area, not wanting to live there as I did for over 20 years. My favorite spots have to be around Malibu - an area I fell in love with every time I visited my son who went to school at Pepperdine there in Malibu. Driving up that Pacific Coast Hwy to the school is a thing of beauty - and hazardous driving!!! (Look out for falling rocks!)
But the San Diego shores are no slouches either! As well as Orange County…all of Southern Cali is nice and I completely understand you falling in love with it!
Welcome La Shawn, to Southern Cali!
Comment by Carlotta — 08.22.08 @ 5:56 pm
I have to second what Carlotta said. I lived in San Diego for eight years. The politics are crazy, but it’s a beautiful area.
Comment by Trish — 08.22.08 @ 6:57 pm
California? Are you out of mind?
Er, I mean have a good move…
Comment by Adam Graham — 08.22.08 @ 7:01 pm
Hey Trish! Another SDer! YES!
Aren’t our politics here embarrassing?
As long as we can keep our SD Chargers, I’m fine!
Comment by Carlotta — 08.22.08 @ 7:34 pm
The Peoples’ Democratic Republic of California?
Comment by Mwalimu Daudi — 08.22.08 @ 7:55 pm
you should check out Mosaic Church, in LA. Not sure where you will be living, but Mosaic has quite a presence in several locations: west LA, south bay, pasadena, etc. erwin mcmanus is senior pastor.
http://www.mosaic.org
Comment by Randy Kluver — 08.22.08 @ 10:46 pm
Carlotta–
I live in Illinois now, but there are some things about SD I remember with fondness, like walking in Balboa Park. And the radio stations there are MUCH better than they are here.
Comment by Trish — 08.22.08 @ 11:15 pm
Oh, sorry about that Trish…you did say “lived.”
It’s Friday, a very lazy day for me!
Comment by Carlotta — 08.22.08 @ 11:50 pm
What happened to London?
Comment by Greg — 08.23.08 @ 3:16 am
Best of luck to you!
Comment by DragonLady — 08.23.08 @ 8:59 am
Good luck!
When I first saw the teaser in my RSS feed, I thought you were announcing you were leaving blogging.
I’m glad it’s not as bad as that. Southern California has its benefits, to be sure, but Southern California? Are you, like, going to, you know, change your blogging style?
All kidding aside - all the best to you in your move.
Comment by steve matlock — 08.23.08 @ 9:53 am
My husband and I are both CA natives and we WELCOME you to all the good and bad that make up the Sunshine State! I hope you’ll visit Grace Community Church and that I will have the opportunity to meet you!
Comment by Ann — 08.23.08 @ 10:40 am
P.S. Carlotta — Pepperdine is my alma mater and it’s a part of our family’s life again: We dropped off our oldest daughter there this week to begin her freshman year. I agree — Malibu is a beautiful place!
Comment by Ann — 08.23.08 @ 10:43 am
Good for you La Shawn. I’m slightly envious, I’ve had the desire to move out of Ohio for some time now! I’ll live vicariously through your postings on the subject.
Comment by Tom Blogical — 08.23.08 @ 11:44 am
Hmmm… Lashawn still single, and one state over from Phoenix where I am. Excellent. All according to my diabolical plan.
More seriously, best wishes on the radical change.
Comment by Finn — 08.23.08 @ 11:44 am
Ann, a family of Pepperdiners! That’s great! My father is also an alumni getting his Master’s degree there so we have a little family thing with Pepp as well!
I love the conservativeness of Pepperdine and your daughter should love it there!
Is that Grace Community Church as in Pastor MacArthur’s church?
Comment by Carlotta — 08.23.08 @ 2:20 pm
LaShawn,
I lived in SD area for 13 years where my husband is a native. We no longer live in California.
We loved Calvary Chapel in Carlsbad–huge church–great pastor.
Other sites to visit now and over your time there:
Carlsbad Outlet Mall (shopping)
Carlsbad Antique Stores
The town of Julian (in the fall for apple pie and cider!
The town of Solveng north of LA
SD Zoo
Wild Animal Park
Coronado
Hotel Del Coronado
Day Trip to Catalina
Top of the Hyatt in downtown SD
Navy Base Coronado
Camping on the beach
Fidel’s Mexican Food in Solana Beach
The Marine Room in La Jolla
La Jolla Cove
Fort Rosecrans Military Cemetary at Point Loma
San Diego Padres ball game
That should get you started.
Best wishes on the left coast.
Comment by sharprightturn — 08.23.08 @ 2:42 pm
Dearest LaShawn,
Welcome to our neck of the woods. So happy to have you join us out here. My family and I live in the Seal Beach area. If you are ever in the neighborhood and in the mood for a beach day, we’d be honored. Being Jewish and not knowing what area you will be in, can’t recommend a church but I have faith you will find a place you love.
Good luck on your move and welcome,
Nora
Comment by Nora — 08.23.08 @ 8:02 pm
Have you lost your mind? Do you really want to move to the People’s Republic of California, where the commissars are about to enact a tax on *grocery bags*? Or perhaps you’ll look forward to the day the state changes it’s name to “Baja California del Norte”?
I was born and raised here, but I’m leaving. See ya…
Steve
Comment by Steve — 08.23.08 @ 8:49 pm
Come visit Harambee when you are near Pasadena.
Comment by Rudy — 08.23.08 @ 10:46 pm
I hope it’s great for you.
Comment by HeatherRadish — 08.23.08 @ 10:53 pm
LaShawn Barber is moving to Southern Cal.
Pingback by Urban Onramps — 08.23.08 @ 11:10 pm
Welcome!
Earthquakes: No biggy; you get more jolts driving on DC’s lousy roads.
Politics: Way worse than 35 years ago, but still not even in the same pit as DC, MD, NY….. We recalled our last governor for lying to us; name me another state that has done that.
I grew up in NY (upstate), lived in Balto a few years. I love L.A.! The worst here is better than the best of aforementioned places.
Snow: It’s in the mountains if you want it. And the beach is still open all winter if you’d rather. (And my kids wouldn’t wear jackets or sweaters even in the winter, though they had to wear shoes when it rained.)
Summer: Never 98% RH. Enough said.
Crime: Really bad in some places, really not bad at all in most places. (The cops don’t know where my street is, they come here so seldom.)
Churches I’d recommend: Lake Avenue (my home), Church on the Way, Mosaic, Faithful Central (maybe it’s renamed–not sure), Faith Community (not a complete list, so don’t anybody feel slighted).
Comment by dooz — 08.24.08 @ 2:24 am
If you’re going to be in the Santa Clarita area, try The Church on the Way North, on Cinema Dr. off Valencia.
When you visit Malibu, take a lunch break at the Malibu Fish Market, a few miles north of Pepperdine. Dress casually. The fish is fresh and the prices are reasonable.
Be sure to visit the Getty museum, both off the 405 and the 1 (Pacific Coast Hwy).
Comment by Tanny O'Haley — 08.24.08 @ 5:44 am
They tell me, “It never rains in Southern California”
Comment by GusB — 08.24.08 @ 9:58 am
I just moved to Southern California from across the country for law school last Friday! It’s a great experience so far. I haven’t been this far west so I wasn’t sure what to expect, but it was smooth. I hope you have as good an experience if not better!
Comment by Lane Chaplin — 08.24.08 @ 12:30 pm
It must be the “time” to move or something.
We are moving Washington to Texas on September 8. (Leaving Washington that day)
Comment by My Boaz's Ruth — 08.24.08 @ 4:45 pm
Apparently I live in the vicinity of Nora. Some places I would recommend are The Huntington in San Marino (library, art collection, botanical gardens), the Getty Center in Los Angeles, Mount Calvary Retreat House in Santa Barbara, and Catalina Island. Maybe the Hollywood Bowl and Griffith Observatory. The train is a great way to travel to San Diego. I have no clue about where to meet Christians outside of church activities. If you find out, let us know!
Comment by KS — 08.24.08 @ 6:01 pm
Good luck on the move, LaShawn:) KEEP ON BLOGGING THOUGH!
Ah, California….where a Hazmat team needs to be called when you break a light bulb!
Comment by Dan — 08.25.08 @ 8:26 am
So I take it we can expect many more illegal immigration posts again! Thank goodness, we need all the help we can get in the pro-enforcement movement.
Welcome to the jungle baby.
Comment by Digger — 08.25.08 @ 1:28 pm
LaShawn,
I stopped reading politblogs for a while and am starting back up, beginning with yours. We just left CA for TX (it was a God thing).
CA needs more voices like yours, undoubtedly. Whether you love or hate it (or where ever you decide to hang your hat) will be totally up to you. It has to be great to have your sister close by, though!
Thankfully, So. Calif. isn’t all like you see in the movies or Real Housewives of OC. Lots of the big draws were mentioned here already, but you might want to take the time to check out things like missions (San Juan Capistrano area…take the train), weekend farmers markets (nice one at UC, Irvine), old town Orange and nearby Tustin.
Someone mentioned Cambria…love it there. If it’s around, eat at Robin’s. Fond memories of that town.
So. Cal. has a lot of chapters of Young Republicans as well as Republican Women Federated if you lean towards groups like that. You can’t beat the home of the Minutemen, can you
Comment by Phisch — 08.25.08 @ 2:46 pm
You did put it out about wanting to move to England and you have been kind of back and forth to California. So I wondered when you were finally going to post that you were leaving D. C. and moving somewhere.
I have only been to California and its west coast side once for a conference in Anaheim back in 2004. It was November and back home, the Philly area was experiencing early cold (high of 30 degrees) weather. I wished I could have transported my house to an Anaheim neighborhood and put a Southern California Spanish stucco facade on the outside of the house. That would have been so nice to live there.
Well, great for you! Just don’t stop blogging.
Comment by Bev — 08.25.08 @ 4:45 pm
How exciting!
I’m in Oceanside (North San Diego County), and we’re having a hot and humid day (78 with 67% humidity). We even had 5 minutes of the fat rain that comes in a heat storm.
Sharprightturn’s list is good for the SD area(definitely Julian in October for the Apple Festival), but I’d add the Embarcadero (SD’s harbor front) with a visit to the USS Midway and lunch or dinner at Anthony’s Fish Grotto.
As for beaches, I’m partial to Oceanside and Carlsbad. In Orange County, Newport Beach is better than Huntington Beach. In LA, Manhattan Beach is the favorite of a friend of mine more familiar with that area. She said Santa Monica’s beach used to be good, but there’s never anyplace to spread out a beach towel anymore.
In the North SD County area, good churches are Lighthouse Christian Church (mine) and North Coast Church (there’s also a North Coast Calvary Chapel and a North Coast Presbyterian Church to keep people confused). North Coast Church has a lot of activities for non-college-age singles that are fun. And my friends and I go out to lunch and usually a movie after church many Sundays, and you’re more than welcome to join us! You too, Carlotta!!!
Comment by SkyePuppy — 08.25.08 @ 5:24 pm
Congrats! God Bless you with safe travels as you go cross country!!
Comment by Tiffany In Houston — 08.25.08 @ 6:45 pm
Speaking of earthquakes–
The first time I experienced an earthquake in California was not long after I moved there. It was about mid-morning on a weekend, and I hadn’t gotten up yet. The shaking woke me up, and I was confused for a minute. Then I thought, “Oh, it’s an earthquake” and went back to sleep! I figured I’d be safer there than anywhere else. I’ve actually experienced more earthquakes here in the Midwest than I did in California.
The troubling thing about Southern California is the wildfires. Even if they don’t come close, they’re frightening.
Carlotta, is Machu Picchu restaurant still in business? It was one of our favorites when we lived in Sandy Eggo.
Comment by Trish — 08.25.08 @ 9:11 pm
Carlotta — yes, Grace Community where John MacArthur is the pastor.
Our daughter started her classes at Pepperdine today and already has loads of homework…but she’s loving it!
Oh! And LaShawn, you’ll have to pay a visit to the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum in Simi Valley. It’s a special place!
Comment by Ann — 08.25.08 @ 10:23 pm
Welcome to Califonia,
I lived here all my life, the good stuff, conservatives bastions in Orange County and Simi Valley, beautiful places to see: Yosemite Valley, Sequoia National Park (Check out Hume Lake Christian Camp if you have a chance), skiing in Big Bear or Mammouth Mountain, and of course, all the beaches (Think of the song, Surfin USA, by the beach boys).
The nutty stuff: the real estate market, the traffic (avoid L.A., Orange County, The Valley, etc. during rush hour, which is pretty much from 7 AM until midnite), majority of liberal sheep who, while usually being very nice people, have a difficult time being logical, and gangs.
Still a great place to live.
Dave
Comment by Dave Chavez — 08.26.08 @ 3:49 pm
I’d still like to know in more detail why you decided to move out there and how things are going for you.
Comment by mj — 08.27.08 @ 8:34 am
MJ, I will blog more about the move and what motivated it.
Comment by La Shawn — 08.27.08 @ 12:17 pm
I grew up in L.A. The community of Eagle Rock, to be exact (between Pasadena & Glendale). I’m loving living in the Pacific Northwest now, but I wish you the best in this move! Watch out for the smog!
Comment by Michele — 08.27.08 @ 9:16 pm
Wow! I just moved from SoCal to NC after living in L.A. for 21 years. Be sure to see the Eastern Sierra–take Highway 395, which winds through valleys surrounded by 14,000-foot mountains on both sides.
Comment by Funky PhD — 08.29.08 @ 2:12 pm
La Shawn Barber Moves to Southern California! Will the Left Coast Survive?…
La Shawn Barber has long been one of my favorite Bloggers. That’s why she is in my Food for Thought Blogroll. An Independent Conservative who writes about politics, faith, culture, digital technology and, occasionally, how these things intersect. Arou…
Trackback by Musings of a Mad Macedonian — 08.31.08 @ 3:16 pm
This does not compute LaShawn. You are one of the most down to earth and rational people around, So why again are you moving to the land of fruits and nuts? The taxes in DC are bad but in California it’s a nightmare. On the bright side, you can counsel the liberal Hollywood rehab crowd I suppose. I guess the only thing truly constant is indeed change. Good luck La shawn. Oh don’t forget to brush up on your Spanish. lol
Comment by Tyrone — 09.01.08 @ 3:04 am