I went to college in Redding, CA (which is, like, 2 hours from the Oregon border in case you don't know) and I'm going to be honest, it was kind of a culture shock. See, I grew up in San Jose. It's 4 hours away from Redding, but it's so different. That's something I really appreciate about California: how different each section is. I guess that's why people wanted to split California into six states at one point. Anyone else remember that?

Anyway, I don't think you ever realize certain things about your hometown until you're away from it, so here are some things I've noticed about San Jose during my time away from it.

1. There aren't a lot of tourist attractions, despite it being the third-largest city in California.

I mean, there are things like the Winchester Mystery House and museums (Children's Discovery, Tech, the Rosicrucian) (remember those field trips?). And we're not that far from Great America. But San Jose really isn't a tourist-y city. It's more historical yet also tech-y.

2. You’re not really sure if you’re part of the Bay Area and Silicon Valley or just part of Silicon Valley.

I actually never doubted this until I went to school and met people from the "real" Bay Area and stripped away everything I've ever known about myself. At least no one can dispute I live in the Silicon Valley.

3. If you move back after college, you’re going to live with your parents for awhile because it’s so expensive.

It is so expensive. So ridiculously expensive. Thank your parents for moving here when housing was much cheaper.

4. Avoid downtown during Memorial Day weekend.

Fun fact: I have a terrible sense of direction and got lost during Memorial Day weekend and ended up in (you guessed it) downtown San Jose. There were so many people in bright colors and wigs and I may have almost run over Tuxedo Mask. Whoops.

5. You live in a world of over-achievers.

I don't really have any way to explain this. I'm just going to blame the Silicon Valley again.

6. You're somehow simultaneously stressed and laid back.

I also can't explain this. It's like, we're Californians; we're so relaxed. But we're over-achievers, so...we're stressed?

7. Diversity is a thing you take for granted.

Can I just reiterate that I went to school in REDDING for 3.5 years? And along with the diversity in people...

8. The variety of food

All the sketchy hole-in-the-wall places and family-owned restaurants and (some of) the fusion and there's Psycho Donuts...

You get the picture. It's so delicious.

9. You're a Sharks fan.

We're not all San Francisco Giants or Oakland A's fans. We're not all 49ers fans. But this is Sharks territory, so go wear your teal proudly.

10. San Jose may not be super interesting, but at least you’re less than an hour away from both San Francisco and Santa Cruz.

If nothing else, we're very conveniently located.

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San Jose, I have taken you for granted far too many times. Despite your flaws, including not being able to afford any housing, I still think you're great.