We all know that Southern California is one of the best places on earth to live. Whether it’s the perfect weather all year long or the gorgeous scenery in every direction, there’s always something to love about this pocket of paradise.
But even living in paradise comes with its own risks. Here are 10 things to look out for when living in SoCal. Which ones do you think are the biggest risks?
1. Wildfires
Each and every year when wildfire season hits, SoCal residents are prepared for wildfires to impact their area. All it takes is a single spark and an entire home or even an entire neighborhood can easily be at risk.
2. Mountain Lions
When it comes to mountain lions, Southern Californians know they need to be on the lookout for these aggressive animals. Whether these wildcats are roaming through the Santa Monica Mountains or traipsing through canyons, this is one animal in SoCal that we would all prefer not to encounter.
3. Encountering Road Construction
Southern California is notorious for road construction. Whether the construction is clogging up traffic on the freeway or rerouting to a side street, always allow plenty of time to get to your destination in SoCal as you never know when you'll encounter another detour while driving.
4. Potholes
With the amount of road construction going on around Southern California, you'd think our roads would be in top condition. Unfortunately, that's not the case. Most drivers and pedestrians find themselves contending with potholes on freeways, side roads, and on many of SoCal's neighborhood streets.
5. Sunburn
Even just spending a short amount of time outside in SoCal can result in a sunburn. That's why Southern Californians always make sure to slather on the sunscreen before leaving the house.
6. Rattlesnakes
For those of us who enjoy the great outdoors in SoCal, we know that heading outside has some risks. Especially in certain parts of the state that are known for having rattlesnakes. Whether out hiking or walking, always make sure to have your eyes and ears open for an unexpected rattlesnake.
7. Road Rage
It's impossible to drive in Southern California without experiencing some sort of road rage. Whether you're the one experiencing the rage or it's being directed at you by another driver, road rage is definitely one thing every Southern Californian has experienced at least once.
8. Motorcyclists
As if driving in Southern California wasn't challenging enough. Add a motorcyclist to the mix and you'll soon be gripping the wheel even tighter as many motorcyclists in SoCal are extremely aggressive drivers...especially when weaving through traffic at high speeds.
9. Severe Droughts
After a long, dry season in SoCal when there isn't a lot of rain, the risk of a drought in this part of the country is extremely high. Whether we have to limit our water consumption during peak hours or stop watering our lawns and plants altogether, we all know just how devastating a drought can be in SoCal.
10. Earthquakes
We may not have to worry about hurricanes or tornadoes like some other parts of the country do, but we definitely worry about earthquakes around here. And even though we haven't had a major earthquake for a while, experts say the big one is coming. Are you prepared?
After looking at some of the risks of living in Southern California, let’s take a look at some of the best decisions you can make when living in SoCal . Here are 10 we think you’ll be able to relate to.
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