ɪn nˈaɪntiːnhˈʌndɹɪd nˈaɪnti ˈeɪt, ˈæftɚ fˈæmɪli pɹˈɑːbləmz ænd ɹˈuːmɚz ʌv sˈʌbstəns ɐbjˈuːs, ɐlˈʊɹɹɪstə lˈɛft hɪz lˈɔŋtaɪm hˈoʊm ʌv sˌæn dɪˈeɪɡoʊ fɔːɹ sˌæn hoʊsˈeɪ, kˌælɪfˈoːɹniə, ɐtɹˈæktᵻd baɪ ɪts ˈæktɪv kˈʌltʃɚɹəl ˈɑːɹts sˈiːn.
In 1998, after family problems and rumors of substance abuse, Alurista left his longtime home of San Diego for San Jose, California, attracted by its active cultural arts scene.