" Chris...you are too young to be having such a sardonic outlook. Why not stay and work to make Napa more of what you would like it to be? Realize that, this is the 21st century and we just don't stand still or go back to the 80s, when you were growing up. There needs to be a clear voice here to stand up and fight and not the continual whining of the complacent and apathetic. Do something! Don't just run away. Napa belongs to you but, if you leave, it will be left with the old, tired, do nothing but complainers that have allowed Napa to become what it is today. "

" Chris. You are truly one of insight and a sense of history. Napa has become a mish mash of "new ageism". I grew up here also; a 62 year old native.

With Mervyn’s and others gone from downtown, one would believe Napa is free to be Napa. They would be wrong.

How many people are willing to walk from downtown parking lot to Target, Orchard Supply or Home Depot from a parking lot in downtown? Not to mention North Napa.

One must wonder why so much construction in Napa is of benefit to us locals? Please don't allow the misplaced "locals" influence your profound considerations. They are not natives and have too many delusions as to what our hometown should be. Let them go back wherever they came from and make their bizarre changes there. "

" Chris, good for you. they way you have described Napa is right on. If I could sell my house I'd be gone to and Im over 50. For miusfit- some of us may be old and tired, tired because we have tried to make a difference and the city and county will not listen to us for years. Most everything that is happening in Napa now is for the tourists and little for the hard working tax paying residents.
Good Luck Chris. "

" Hate to break it to you, Chris, but that is life. And regulating things more won't help either...economics is economics. This has been the situation in cities around the world for centuries, and it will not change any time soon.

If you crave certain things, then there are two choices...1.) leave and find it somewhere else (which you've already decided to do) OR 2.) go out and acquire the necessary skills/resources and come back here to make it happen. I chose the latter, and it worked...and I don't even work in the wine industry. I would hate to live my life expecting to be spoon-fed and molly-coddled...it's much better being in control of your own destiny. "

" It's sad to see young people leaving Napa but there are constraints on a small town. There are tech based businesses in town but not enough customers to keep them very profitable. I find it ironic that you mention the Napa Pipe. They are required to have low income units which you may not be aware of. Unfortunately those units are restricted to an income so paltry people would rather leave.

I agree with misfit, stay and fight. Do something. Attend city meetings, make your voice heard. Petition to find investors for ideas for the future. Make a difference. If not, I wish you the best outside of Napa. Hopefully you won't leave such a wonderful city. "

" The story of turning from adolescent to adult is often one of 'the epic journey', where new adults leave home, family and tribe and set out to find their version of 'the golden apple'.

Some kids can't wait to go, like a caterpillar eager to climb the twig and fly free. Others, need a nudge, and some never leave.

Chris Miller, good luck on your journey... after you've been gone a while you may come home to find yourself remembering your hometown with a little more fondness.

Nothing much in Napa will change... you will though.

~Ruff "

" Aw, Chris, it ain't that bad. There are many engineers who live here in Napa. I've seen them with my own two eyes. Go have your walkabout. You might realize that Napa is a pretty nice place to live when you're all grown up and have a couple kids to raise. You don't even have to love wine. I've gotten away with it. There are a few places that serve beer and sodas. "

" Jim--my husband and I make those walks you describe all the time.

What inhibits most is the convenience of their cars. Ever notice how large Americans have become?

Your walks are nice walks, but that's not the American way of life. It has nothing to do with Napa. "

" Chris, it is sad to say but you are right young man. Just, be thankful that you have figured this out at such a young age, you go, you go and make something of yourself, and do it where ever you want to. I know how you feel, I have been here for all of my life and it is not getting better, it is getting lamer (is that a word), well I say it is and I think you all know what I mean by it. Whatever Napa, your are losing a family member here. Chris, the best of luck to you and may you find a great place to live and love. "

" Napa is an extremely difficult place to live in your 20's. I was born here, left for college and moved back afterwards. Unlike you, I do work in the wine industry, but even so, being in my late 20's I certainly feel like the odd woman out. I like you will be moving to somewhere a little more accepting of young people's point of view and career goals. Napa is changing, but not in favor of young people (unless you want to work at a restaurant or hotel the rest of your life). All these articles keep talking about the new local business' that dowtown wants to attract, but no one could afford to start one or keep up on rent unless their fortunes have already been made. This is an old man's/woman's playground. Sure, I'd consider moving back one day, but then I'll have nothing to complain about. I'll be 50 and I'll fit right in! "

" Chris

I, like you, left Napa after high school to go to college. I'll tell you what... you may not appreciate Napa now, but you will when you're not here. I was so happy to move back home. As for the lack of skilled trade business, that is something that you can change if there is a market for it. Don't hide behind the excuse that is doesn't exist. Make it happen.
As for affordable housing, you would be surprised. On a college grad's salary, you will be able to find something in a decent neighborhood that you can afford. Yes, Napa has its share of problems, but there is still nowhere I would rather live. "

" "No jobs, no affordable housing, gangs and drug infested, everyone else is leaving". This sounds like why Mexicans say they move here.

When I meet people who talk like this I ask they why they don't stay and get involved and make a change for the better. Plenty of people in Napa are trying to make it better. I you open up to a diverse range of ideas you will be surprised how much is being done and how much help is needed from good people.

Running away is not the American way. "

" Chris,

I have lived in Napa my whole life and I'm in my 40's. I agree with everything you said. Napa is gone. Gone are the days of a simpler life. The city has turned into a tourist City and the gangs are taking over the rest of it. I cannot picture myself living here when I retire. Every bit of land has either been covered in grape vines or houses. People on the east side of town in the country, are complaining the water is gone. "Hello????" EVERYONE has planted grapes and their wells went dry. I miss the Napa that use to be......The traffic is terrible. There are stop lights at every corner to control the traffic because there are too many people in this small valley. Bringing more tourist to downtown wil only make it worse...Leave the wineries and tourism up valley. "

" Yes, Chris I have to agree with you--I am also a native and everyone I know has finally jumped ship in the last five years--I'm trying, but am stuck trying to unload my house in this market--it's funny how there are million dollars condos on the river, but apparently almost impossible to sell a $650,000 house in Browns Valley--go figure. Napa used to be a nice place to live--for me, however, I am completely exhausted with the new "attitude" that permeates the area with people somehow believing they are special because they live in the "valley". There are many other wonderful places to live---my kids have all relocated and almost never come back to Napa and they are very happy. You may look back on Napa fondly at some point, but I understand that it might be too fresh for you right now. I miss the Napa I grew up in--nothing remotely similar to what it is now--EVERYTHING changes however. It really depends on how one views change--I'm happy to be leaving instead of being bitter--just wish I could sell my house!!!! Any buyers out there???? "

" Chris,

As with most engineering graduates you seem not have taken any economics courses, or courses, like history, that provide a broader perspective on how communities change over time. We live in a global marketplace. Yes, it's become a stock cliché, but too many people don't seem to understand its signficance.

Regions, if they are to thrive, must respond to societal trends. Silicon Valley emerged because all the ingredients were in place to create the hi tech capital of the universe. Should Santa Clara Valley have stayed a farm basket? (I'm sure there are many natives who think so).

Tourism and the wine industry are the dominant forces driving Napa's economy. As another poster noted, you either prepare to ride this wave or take you surf board elsewhere. There are a number of Engineeringvilles in the U.S. It's the rare very talented person who can have it both ways.

I for one welcome the growing sophistication that comes with the changes the town is undergoing. Just maybe we can support the Napa Valley Opera House, Lincoln Theater, and a small night club in the Hatt building showcasing talents like Wesla Whitfield singing selections from The Great American Songbook (Gershwin, Porter, Kern, etc). A superb way to bridge the present with the best of the past (I know too elitist...)

Epi "

" Often, young people must move to large cities, work there awhile, gain experience, and then move back home or elsewhere. My son did just this and he was promoted into a network engineering position in less than eight months. This would have NEVER happened if he had stayed here. Now that he's out there in the bigger world, he says he will probably never return to this area, even if jobs are available.

Do not get stuck on settling down in any one place at such a young age. Explore the possibilities. Try living and working in different types of environments. Maybe you'll decide to move back, maybe not. There's a big world out there to explore. Don't build obstacles at such a young age. "

" Couldn't've said it better myself, Chris. "

" I agree with Chris. I am a college graduate who moved back to Napa recently after 9 years away. It took me a month and a half just to get a job that doesn't require any education at all. I looked for jobs in neighboring counties as well and didn't find much. I now have 2 jobs that I work my butt off at just to pay off some debt I've accumulated as well as college loans. I'm honestly just saving up so I can get out of here again. Don't get me wrong I am happy I have a job at all with the way things are. Almost everyone I know that still lives in Napa works at a restaurant. They know it's a road to nowhere and many are just saving up to leave. I was also surprised with how bad the traffic has become around here. Seems like a rat race and a change in atitudes in a negative way.

By the way. Why do most of you people who shop at Trader Joe's insist on not returning the shopping carts to where you got them? Do you also teach your kids to leave their toys wherever they want or to return them where they got them? Easy concept. You leave the carts sitting on the curbs or piled up in the planter boxes. Does it really take that much time to return the cart? The only reason I see for not returning it is if you're elderly or disabled. Just another example of the lazy American society. Why be so lazy? Or is it just selfishness like this town breeds? Seriously. "

" Let the gangs and the wine snobs fight for their turf. If I could sell my house I would be "outahere". "

" If The SMoking Cat was your place of choice here in the entire valley, you really DO need to Go!! Take as many of your buddies with you as you can, Please!! "

" Forget what jwk said Chris, Being a person that has walked the mean streets of NYC, to the warm lapping waters of the carribbean, You need to make the transition from young man to adulthood. When you come back home, make sure you put the strength of your convictions out there, and if you find more like minded people, eventually the change you seek shall and will come about. "

" ADark1 , are you really as nice as you sound on these blogs ?? I love how you have good response to people ..Thanks ... "