Does Lamorinda Have An Image Problem?

by Jim Caroompas

I know what it is to suffer. I grew up on the tough, hard-scrabble streets of Lafayette. 

I use that line a lot, and it always draws a pretty good laugh. 

I used the same line on Facebook the other day, and an acquaintance of mine weighed in, to my surprise, that Lafayette is a wonderful place to live, and already has an image problem, and I shouldn't disparage the place. 

"But it's a joke," I replied. "I've never heard anyone say Lamorinda is a tough place." 

"No," someone else said. "I grew up there, too. It's pretty snooty." 

That got me thinking about all three communities. I'm pretty familiar with all of them, and while I think all three cities are sheltered, quiet places (not by accident), and certainly well-heeled, I have encountered no more snoot there than anywhere else. 

People seem pleased with their semi-rural lifestyle, and happy to be miles from the parking problems, noise, and chaos of our urban neighbors. Life is languid and bucolic in Lamorinda. And friendly. People are for the most part pretty open, unless you look as though you're planning to burglarize their home. 

I live in Martinez, which has its share of snooty people. But outsiders think of Martinez as a rough, weird place that smells like an oil refinery, when nothing could be farther from the truth. It's actually lovely and charming, with great people and amazing schools. 

So people who don't live in Lamorinda may very well see the communities as snooty. Will that have the same economic consequences as the reputation Martinez has? Doubtful. All three cities are places many people aspire to live in. For real snoot, you probably have to travel down the Peninsula to places like Los Gatos and Aptos. 

But what do you think? Is Lamorinda known by outsiders for its high levels of snooty-hood? Do you think it's a snooty place? Will this have a harmful effect on the future of the communities? 

Tell us in the comments.