Moving from home can be either the best moment of your life, or the most terrifying step you take. For a lot of us moving from Sunny Southern California to Merced, can definitely lean more on the spectrum of terrifying, but soon enough most of us become acclimated to our surroundings and truly embrace our inner Bobcat. These are some of the weirdest and or most difficult transitions between moving from SoCal to the Central Valley.

1. The Heat in Central Valley can be Absolutely Insane

Don't get me wrong, there's heat in SoCal, but nothing compared to the Central Valley. Coming from SoCal, landmarks such as Los Angeles or San Diego, there seems to be more of an ocean breeze coming our way. What sort of ocean breeze are we supposed to retract from in the Central Valley?! It is literally an oven made by nature.

2. Say goodbye to decent Mexican food

To all of you from the Central Valley saying your Mexican food is quote on quote “Bomb”, you all need a reality check. Because we all know that the best Mexican food is found in sunny SoCal, After all, I can literally drive into Mexico on a short car ride. Our favorite Mexican food will be missed for the next few months *Tear*.

3. Where’s the Beach?

For those of you who grew up In San Diego or Los Angeles, or anywhere around there, you go to the beach with ease. But here in the Central Valley, you will be embarking on a mission to make it to Santa Cruz. Might as well just skip the beach and head to Yosemite. Which is why we must enjoy our summers and head to the beach as much as possible.

4. The dreadful car ride from SoCal to the Central Valley

As much as I love cows and the smell of manure, this car ride sucks! I remember my first time driving up to Merced from San Diego I could not believe that I was still in California. About a straight six hours of farms, cows, farms, cows, “ooh a factory”, cows, cows, and more cows. So enjoy your next car trip home everyone.

5. The Sunsets

Who cares if the sunsets are caused by pollution. You will never encounter a more gorgeous sunset than in the Central Valley. The pinks and reds and oranges, and the manner in which they collide actually leave people speechless. I must say, prettiest pollution I have ever seen.

6. Yeah sorry this is Merced.

If you're trying to go shopping.. “yeah sorry this is Merced”

If you're trying to have a nice dinner… “yeah sorry this is Merced”

If you want to go anywhere with more grocery options… “yeah sorry this is Merced”

People in the Central Valley know the ultimate struggle of needing to drive miles to go to a mall or get to a new grocery store. For a lot of us in SoCal, it can be a five minute car ride, sometimes even a walk.

So yes all of these factors may be a slight let down at first. But as time goes on, you'll 1. Treasure home even more, 2. Realize that these items make the Central Valley what it is, or 3. Make a trip to SF real quick. Anyhow, enjoy where you are and know that you're not alone, SoCal kids understand.