San Francisco is tabasco sauce like New York City is wasabi.

I've been in San Francisco for a little more than six months now. So I guess it's time for a temperature check on how I feel about this place.

First, I'll set the basis for comparison. NYC is wasabi because it burns, is tough on the sinuses, and is certainly not for everyone.

There's a wicked flare that comes from NYC. The people, the weather, the traffic, the pollution—they all bite you in ways you can't imagine.

And like any sushi lover, it can grow on you like an addiction. Soon, you can't have your sushi without wasabi.

SF is tabasco sauce because it doesn't burn as much. More people can accept the drab yet fairly stable, temperate weather here. More people can find a niche in this varied landscape.

And like all hot sauces, there's a certain addiction that builds in this city too.

Before I go on, let me dispel some myths about this city.

  • SF does NOT have nice weather all year round
  • Everyone here is NOT that laid-back and friendly
  • NOT everyone at Berkeley is naked or smokes pot

Shortly after I moved out here, I had several NYC buddies visit me. This gave me a chance to play Tour Guide. I was able to learn a lot about the city that way.

Ironically, I know more history about SF than NYC. It's one of those "I live there so I never bothered to see the tourist attractions and learn their histories" type of deals.

But aside from the history, here are some harsh realities:

  • It rains A LOT here
  • Affordable housing is a nightmare to find
  • Half of the city is made up of non-San Franciscans
  • Most native San Franciscans HATE dot-comers and SUVs
  • Your first driving experience on one of SF's steep hills will scare the shit out of you

If you were to ask me about SF, the first and foremost thought would be, "It's hilly and rainy and everything closes early."

That's my Snotty New Yorker Attitude; that's where I compare every city I see to NYC and complain about how it's not NYC.

Snot.

(I mean me; I called myself a Snot. Not you. Snot.)

I realize that I have this Snotty New Yorker Attitude. And one of my reasons for moving out here is to abolish that.

Another is to mellow out my workaholic tendencies so I can learn to enjoy life a little more.

Fortunately, it's easy to do that around here. The majority of the people I've met are substantially more laid back than New Yorkers. (Here I go comparing them again… Snot.)

One very important thing that I've learned is that Who You Know In A City is directly related to How Well You Like That City.

I've got a ton of wonderful friends and family in NYC whom I miss dearly.

If I were able to pick up all of those friends and family and drop them in SF, my opinion of this city would rise faster than Britney Spears on the Teen Pop Charts.

The common response to this opinion is, "You'll love this city after you've made some close friends here."

True, I can't argue with that. According to a coworker, the average time it takes for one to feel truly comfortable with a new city is 10-12 months.

So I've got some more time to go.

It will take time to get used to pronouncing Gough Street "Goff" and not "Go" as many tourists and, "Uneducated, ignorant slime" (as a San Franciscan referred to them—an example of Snotty San Franciscan Attitude) call it.

At least I know enough not to call SF "Frisco" or "San Fran." But calling it "The City" just seems wrong. My Snotty New Yorker Attitude immediately thinks of "The City" as NYC. It's going to take a while to disassociate the two.

I find it particularly ironic that half the people I've met in The City (see, I'm trying to do it, really I am) are non-San Franciscans. They are transplants, like me.

And with them is a range of attitudes. While the general vibe is one of mellowness, I've run into more than my fair share of uneducated, ignorant, close-minded, rude, prejudiced, selfish, obnoxious, paranoid, sleazy slime here.

For one, the drivers here are awful. They're not aggressive like NYC drivers; they are simply BAD drivers.

I can't tell you how many times I've seen cars swerve in and out of lanes (they are clearly not intoxicated either, unless they're drinking at eleven o'clock in the morning).

And I take defensive driving very seriously now because of all the stop signs and red lights that I've seen cars blow by.

The homeless in The City are also an issue to newcomers. Since the weather here is more moderate, more homeless individuals are able to congregate on the streets.

Their visibility alarms many tourists. But what really alarms me is their aggressiveness. Many of them have no qualms about harassing you as you wait on line at McDonalds. As you walk back to your table to eat your burger and fries, they'll follow you and demand an offering. Violently too.

Now that I've listed a bunch of negatives, let me point out some positives.

Political activism here is wonderful. On every lamp post is a poster about some proposition that you should or shouldn't vote for.

Environmental-, vegetarian-, and even vegan-friendly restaurants and stores abound. The food they serve is delicious too.

The ethnic diversity is considerable. Not only that, interracial relationships (and tolerance of such relationships) are very common.

This diversity is reflected in the wide range of ethnic and social enclaves around the city. From well-known areas like Japantown and Haight to the mini-meccas in Sunset and Richmond, you'll find something for everyone.

Outdoor activities are plentiful. Camping, hiking, biking, jogging, hang gliding, sky diving, you name it. Wine tasting is also a highly ranked and recommended activity.

And every once in a while, you'll come across an individual who is just darn super nice.

San Francisco sure ain't no New York City (there, I just had to say this sooner or later), but give me a few more months and perhaps I'll have a Snotty San Franciscan Attitude instead.

. . .

How would you compare NYC to SF?