The Times Poll on North, South
The Times has written much about a recent poll showing that many residents of north Orange County would prefer to reside in south Orange County. In particular, the views were reported of some Anaheim Hills residents who believe south Orange County is a more “prestigious†place to live.
We have all witnessed the cities of Yorba Linda and Anaheim Hills despoil Santa Ana Canyon with their inability to say no to any developer. It is ironic that the residents of those “prestigious†developments are now disaffected with what was sold to them and covet that ephemeral image they attributed to south Orange County.
No one need worry with envy. We can all rest assured that local politicians and avaricious developers will ruin south Orange County as well.
What is most troubling and unnoted about these poll results is their sad commentary on values. Shopping malls, “prestigious†addresses and other icons of material excess have seemingly become the centerpieces of an entire culture driven by envy. That is what people formerly disparaged as “keeping up with the Joneses.â€
WILLIAM DAVIS
Yorba Linda
Sign up for Essential California
The most important California stories and recommendations in your inbox every morning.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
