Bay Area Pet Peeves?
My big ones are all related to driving - the consistent traffic makes it impossible to get anywhere fast, and parking is often expensive and tough to find. I also think the tolls are astronomical, although it is nice that they only exist in one direction.
I've said this before, but it is a symptom of living in such a great, desirable area...
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@StephSF - Here's my politically incorrect list but since you asked: homeless people, really really bad drivers (there seem to be a lot around here), unfriendly rude people, cyclists who think they rule the road and cause major traffic jams, pedestrians who could give a hoot less about walking in front of your garage ignoring the flashing light & siren sound and people with double wide strollers - reserve those for Noe Valley and the suburbs where the sidewalks are larger thank you.
Do I sound angry? But there are so many things I love about the city, these are a small list in comparison to things I love. :)
How about insane parking regulations? I know I mentioned this already but I just got a call from the police department telling me that my car was parked illegally and is getting towed immediately. Well, I'm in Vegas and my roommate borrowed it, which shows how much I can do about it right now. I know that these things happen everywhere, but it seems that California roles out an abnormal amount of parking violations.
Sorry for the negativity. This will probably be my last time posting on this thread but I needed to vent.
Definitely the parking in the city--though I still think the traffic is mild compared to the LA area. (I'm not kidding--2 am traffic jams).
This is probably the same most places but, I hate how the school system is made for parents with one to two kids. They expect you to do volunteering and they sneak in a bunch of hidden fees from the boosters to paying for extra supplies etc. And it seems like every school is on its own schedule, so if you have kids at separate schools like I do its a real pain to coordinate things. I cannot imagine how a single parent would manage this system--we can barely manage it.
Orinda, by the way, is especially bad because its the sons and daughter of CEO's and upper level middle managers. They seem to think we have all the time in the world not only to take the afternoon doing homework but to come in during the day to help in the library, to donate at least $500 for the boosters, to run the school fair, etc. etc. I guess people around here don't have jobs outside of parenting or have help.
Walnut Creek is totally different. Much more aware of work schedules and other time pressures parents may have.
Wow, I can't even imagine. That sounds frustrating just hearing about it. I actually think that that is more of a California not having an educational budget problem, and less of a Bay Area-specific problem, just based on the fact that I have heard similar gripes from other parents in other parts of the state. They are pulling from funding wherever they can, and unfortunately the wealthy parents are an easy source to tap into.
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