I moved from New Zealand to California a decade ago.
There are a lot of stereotypes that aren't true for the entire state.
Everything seems bigger in California than in the island country.
After a period of travel, I left New Zealand and settled down in California.
I'm still here in Lake Tahoe, enjoying a life centered around the outdoors. Whenever I can, I return to New Zealand.
There are some things that surprised me when I moved abroad.
Many New Zealanders travel with a tradition of the "Big O.E." Some people use part of their annual leave to go to foreign countries.
Most people I know are familiar with someone who is well-versed in different parts of the world.
I still get stereotypes of California from the television screen, such as palm tree-lined streets, celebrity hangouts, and models. It looked like a beach vacation from the outside.
Its landscape, weather, and population are not the same as portrayed in pop culture. There is a popular tourist destination in the Sierra Nevadas.
Locals tend to wear practical, outdoor clothing and barely any designer outfits when they shovel a lot of snow. There are still some celebrity hangouts.
I was pretty sure Uncle Sam was going to come for me, but I think this is a matter of perspective.
I was on a tax rate of 33% when I left New Zealand. There are no deductions for ordinary working people and you have to pay a goods and services tax of 15%.
One of the most-taxed states is California, with an income-tax rate of 1% to just over 13% and a statewide sales tax of around 7%.
Federal income taxes range from 10% to 37%, plus there are many available deductions and credits that can make a big difference in your bill.
California is over one and a half times larger than New Zealand.
This was hard to grasp. In New Zealand, you're never more than a couple of hours from the sea, but in California, you can be closer to the Pacific than the sea.
It seems like everything is bigger.
I was hit by a large family vehicle on the road. A few years ago, I ordered a salad with half a head of lettuce and a pound of other ingredients. Since leftovers are a bonus meal, I'm not upset.
I knew there were bears nearby, but I didn't know how close they came to urban life.
There are a lot of black bears on the shores of Lake Tahoe. New Zealand has no native mammals other than a few bat species.
I had to learn how to live with bears.
I keep my car locked and don't leave anything in it. The animals don't have a chance to get into the trash, so I put it in bear-proof bins. I don't grow plants that could draw their attention.
I love our bears and do what I can to protect their home.
I'm a writer and cry out loud so I've always been pretty confident in my English. Sometimes it felt like I was not speaking the same language.
The average local was often confused by the words I used. I would have to think about what I said when they looked confused.
Some Californians don't know what I'm talking about when I say "jandals", "toGS", "bell pepper", and "colder bin"
It was a learning experience, but I think I've figured it out.
In New Zealand, Halloween is not as big as in the US. I didn't think I would get into it because I thought it was a commercial activity.
The holiday grew on me as a child, from the decorations to the costumes.
Our neighborhood has a carnival-like atmosphere for the holiday because we put time and thought into our costumes. I was surprised by how much candy people Collected.
I grew up in a village. Planning is required when going to a city just a short distance away. It was a bit far to drive for less than a few days' vacation.
Many Californians commute over four hours for weekend trips. People don't seem to think of long drives as a big deal.
I used to look for flights if the drive was more than seven hours, but now I mean somewhere over eight hours away.
There are a lot of adventures to be had if you are willing to drive.
We traveled over eight hours from Salt Lake to Joshua Tree. We went to old ghost towns and wildflower fields on day trips.
I didn't think the wild parts of California would be so great. The scene for many adventures can be found in the back country.
During the summer we hike, camp, and backpack. Every day, we could explore a new trail.
Our family has been to national parks many times. Most of California's parks have secluded areas to enjoy.
Many of the parks have dark-sky preserves where you can see the stars.
Californians are stereotyped as not being super friendly. I'm happy to say that has not been my experience.
Most people here are not only friendly but genuinely encouraging when moving away from friends and family. The people cheer on their friends and neighbors.
In California, I've made some great friends.
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