California population declines for second year in a row

[TNT009]

I wish the politicians would focus on dealing with the homeless and taxes.. But ooh well.... Im sooooo embarasssssed that Philly is coming to My beautiful city and one of the newest stadiums and will have to step over dopers and transients everywhere! Go Padres !!

[TheVTCGuy]

Originally Posted by TNT009

I wish the politicians would focus on dealing with the homeless and taxes.. But ooh well.... Im sooooo embarasssssed that Philly is coming to My beautiful city and one of the newest stadiums and will have to step over dopers and transients everywhere! Go Padres !!

Was that cool Saturday night or what!!!?!?!?!!!?! I was at the casino and the whole place was rocking as loud as the stadium watching the game

[TheVTCGuy]

To those of you completely bashing my home state….

I love California, I was born here and except for attending a boarding military school in Michigan as a teenager and living in Mexico for a year (also as a teenager) I have lived here all my life. Wherever you live, be it Fairbanks, or Tahiti, if you are happy there then more power to you. Let’s look at some of the issue people have brought up (bashed) California about.

1. High Taxes and cost of living. Yep, can’t argue that. My 685 square foot condo is near the beach, the money that costs could pretty much buy a mansion in a midwest state. My friends sold their modest home in a modest part of San Diego, and bought a 3,000 square foot, four-bedroom home with one acre of land in Texas. I admit, I understand the allure. Everything here is very expensive; no argument.

2. Crime California ranks 19th,

https://worldpopulationreview.com/st...-rate-by-state

If this is an issue for you, and your priority is to live in a state that has a lower rating, I can not question your motives, more power to you. To those of you that are portraying my state as a crime-controlled dystopian community like in the movie escape from New York, you are WRONG. I am not bragging about 19th, I wish we were 50th, but I hardly carry out my day concerned I will be the victim of a violent crime. I take practical precautions, like every other state we have good and bad areas, but be basically vigilant and crime does not enter in to your life.

3. Homeless Yes, California ranks highest in homelessness, it is exceptionally bad in LA

https://worldpopulationreview.com/st...ation-by-state

Two points: A. We have the most homeless population, around 161,000, however we also have the most PEOPLE in the country, by around seven million more then the second-most populous state. B. Homeless tend to migrate to our state because of the mild weather. I see it, and there are parts of LA that are absolutely disgusting, but show me any major city in the US that does not have a homeless problem.

4. Politics - I won’t (can’t) get in to it here, but I will say this. We (California) have always been progressive. One example is the clean-air standards. Our requirements for vehicles were much more strict then the rest of the country back in the 80s, eventually, EVERY state adopted those standards. New, gasoline-only cars can not be sold in our state starting in 2035. New York has adopted the same standard. 12 COUNTRIES, Germany, Norway, etc. have adopted similar standards of switching to EVs. Personally, I value this attitude and am proud of our efforts towards the environment.

Again, if you live in a cabin in remote Alaska, are happy, I commend you and more power to you. If you live in downtown NY and enjoy life, good on you again. Wherever someone chooses to live taking in ALL the aspects, weather, cost of living, crime, pollution, education etc. I respect their decision and wish them well. For those of you that have trashed my home state, calling it crime-ridden, crowded, basically one step away from hell, I ask you: If it is such a terrible state why is it the most populous? We have problems, but over all I think it is an excellent place to live. I am surprised the population declined the last two years but am not sad. As a matter of fact, I wouldn’t mind locking the door and not letting anyone else in (but that’s me).

This thread was not started as a California-bashing symposium, but to discuss the allure of being able to buy more with the dollar, more space etc. Those of you that have claimed it is crime ridden and flooded with homeless and one step out of purgatory, take a look at your own state before you throw insults.

[SDGT3]

Originally Posted by Blansky

Most wealth in the US is inherited wealth even with the tech boom that created so many millionaires and billionaires. Every state has extremely rich people.

Or you can pull up stakes and move to the boonies and enjoy tranquility. Choices are good.

I remember the mantra...everyone is leaving California..... that was in the 1990s after the Rodney King Riots....... well guess what, the population barely moved and then increased again. If people leave California for retirement, or cheaper housing, or fires or whatever....good for them. Won't change anything here. And moving to Florida just got a nasty wakeup call with the hurricane. Vegas and Phoenix just keep getting hotter in the summer, Texas is still Texas and funky weather seems everywhere now.

My theory is enjoy where you live and if you don't, then move. All good.

Actually that is not true. Multiple studies show that ~ 88% of millionaires are self made and not a result of inheritance.

Never heard anyone say they were moving out of CA in the 1990s or a result of the riots. More recently however, we know several friends and family that have moved out of CA to ID, WA, OR, TX and other places and are extremely happy and regret not moving out sooner.

If you've moved from another place that is extremely cold, CA can seem like paradise. But those who were born and raised in CA have seen much change. It's no longer the land of opportunity it used to be and living under one party rule has drastically changed the state as a whole.

The cost of living delta has narrowed however. Other state's RE prices have skyrocketed in the past 5 years and the so called bargin of living in a state other than California is no longer as compelling.

[Blansky]

Originally Posted by SDGT3

Actually that is not true. Multiple studies show that ~ 88% of millionaires are self made and not a result of inheritance. The issue we felt that the banks would only lend money to people who already had it.

Never heard anyone say they were moving out of CA in the 1990s or a result of the riots. More recently however, we know several friends and family that have moved out of CA to ID, WA, OR, TX and other places and are extremely happy and regret not moving out sooner.

If you've moved from another place that is extremely cold, CA can seem like paradise. But those who were born and raised in CA have seen much change. It's no longer the land of opportunity it used to be and living under one party rule has drastically changed the state as a whole.

The cost of living delta has narrowed however. Other state's RE prices have skyrocketed in the past 5 years and the so called bargin of living in a state other than California is no longer as compelling.

You are correct about the self made millionaire, I was reflecting back when I started my business and the wealth at that time I believe was inherited. The issue we felt that the banks would only lend money to people who already had it.

However since tech started in the late 70s early 80s vast number of millionaires and billionaires was created by working there and investing in it. When I lived in Silicon Valley in the 90s there was something like 1 billionaire and dozens of millionaires created every month.

As for the migration after the riots, I was actually one of them and we moved to Portland OR. and there was a backlash due to all the California people moving to Portland, Seattle, Idaho, Phoenix etc and driving up real estate prices by coming in with their California money from selling their homes and causing the housing markets in those states to explode making it difficult for the residents of those states to afford houses.

After a year we were back in San Jose due to my wife's work.

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by TheVTCGuy

To those of you completely bashing my home state….

I love California, I was born here and except for attending a boarding military school in Michigan as a teenager and living in Mexico for a year (also as a teenager) I have lived here all my life. Wherever you live, be it Fairbanks, or Tahiti, if you are happy there then more power to you. Let’s look at some of the issue people have brought up (bashed) California about.

1. High Taxes and cost of living. Yep, can’t argue that. My 685 square foot condo is near the beach, the money that costs could pretty much buy a mansion in a midwest state. My friends sold their modest home in a modest part of San Diego, and bought a 3,000 square foot, four-bedroom home with one acre of land in Texas. I admit, I understand the allure. Everything here is very expensive; no argument.

2. Crime California ranks 19th,

https://worldpopulationreview.com/st...-rate-by-state

If this is an issue for you, and your priority is to live in a state that has a lower rating, I can not question your motives, more power to you. To those of you that are portraying my state as a crime-controlled dystopian community like in the movie escape from New York, you are WRONG. I am not bragging about 19th, I wish we were 50th, but I hardly carry out my day concerned I will be the victim of a violent crime. I take practical precautions, like every other state we have good and bad areas, but be basically vigilant and crime does not enter in to your life.

3. Homeless Yes, California ranks highest in homelessness, it is exceptionally bad in LA

https://worldpopulationreview.com/st...ation-by-state

Two points: A. We have the most homeless population, around 161,000, however we also have the most PEOPLE in the country, by around seven million more then the second-most populous state. B. Homeless tend to migrate to our state because of the mild weather. I see it, and there are parts of LA that are absolutely disgusting, but show me any major city in the US that does not have a homeless problem.

4. Politics - I won’t (can’t) get in to it here, but I will say this. We (California) have always been progressive. One example is the clean-air standards. Our requirements for vehicles were much more strict then the rest of the country back in the 80s, eventually, EVERY state adopted those standards. New, gasoline-only cars can not be sold in our state starting in 2035. New York has adopted the same standard. 12 COUNTRIES, Germany, Norway, etc. have adopted similar standards of switching to EVs. Personally, I value this attitude and am proud of our efforts towards the environment.

Again, if you live in a cabin in remote Alaska, are happy, I commend you and more power to you. If you live in downtown NY and enjoy life, good on you again. Wherever someone chooses to live taking in ALL the aspects, weather, cost of living, crime, pollution, education etc. I respect their decision and wish them well. For those of you that have trashed my home state, calling it crime-ridden, crowded, basically one step away from hell, I ask you: If it is such a terrible state why is it the most populous? We have problems, but over all I think it is an excellent place to live. I am surprised the population declined the last two years but am not sad. As a matter of fact, I wouldn’t mind locking the door and not letting anyone else in (but that’s me).

This thread was not started as a California-bashing symposium, but to discuss the allure of being able to buy more with the dollar, more space etc. Those of you that have claimed it is crime ridden and flooded with homeless and one step out of purgatory, take a look at your own state before you throw insults.

Everyone knows its hell on earth Paul.

20221017_155518.jpg

Sent from my SM-G960W using Tapatalk

[RyanJ]

Originally Posted by DocHorton

Why don't you enjoy it? Travel more, eat at nice restaurants, give to those less fortunate, take more frequent vacations, buy a sports car, retire younger, etc.

I can think of a lot of ways to enjoy more money....

So I enjoy my environment more than things. There comes a time for a single person where more money doesn't mean much. When you are sitting at 600k a year, does making 650k really change much? Just using that as an example, not saying what I actually make.

Eat at nice restaurants: I have eaten at every nice restaurant within a 50 mile radius of my house. In CA there are many many more choices. Pre-pandemic I had hired a chef to teach me how to cook. I also planned on taking cooking classes in various types of cuisine. I actually prefer to cook.

Give to those less fortunate: 15% of my income goes to charity, sometimes more.

Travel more: I used to travel 6 months out of the year. I still do 3-4 times a year as well as 3-4 vacations. Fly first class and stay in nice hotels. Traveling from a smaller city actually sucks because of all the connecting flights.

Buy more stuff: I am actually in the process of removing things that I have purchased as I hate having all this stuff. Sports cars do nothing for me.

Basically what I am saying is my environment and where I live means more to me than anything else. It took me a long time to figure this out. I am a homebody so building a nice house overlooking the ocean and relaxing at home on my own property seems heavenly to me.

Having access to luxury shopping, restaurants, and easy direct flights everywhere are just icing on the cake for me.

Could there be other places that would also make me happy besides CA... Absolutely. I just know my decade or more in CA was the happiest time in my life and I should not have moved.

The only thing that keeps me here is the happiness I see on my families faces (mom, dad, sister, niece, nephew, etc.) when I visit with them almost every day. Their smiles are the only things keeping me here.

I am not mentioning where I live because it is a beautiful state and I can see why people love it here. It just is not for me.

[pickettt]

Originally Posted by Blansky

….. and there was a backlash due to all the California people moving to Portland, Seattle, Idaho, Phoenix etc and driving up real estate prices by coming in with their California money from selling their homes and causing the housing markets in those states to explode making it difficult for the residents of those states to afford houses.

I think this is the recurring theme, and at the end of the day it’s all about money. Markets are going to move up and down whether we like it or not. All we can do is adjust; if not our financial situations, at least our attitudes.

[JParm]

Originally Posted by RyanJ

So I enjoy my environment more than things. There comes a time for a single person where more money doesn't mean much. When you are sitting at 600k a year, does making 650k really change much? Just using that as an example, not saying what I actually make.

Eat at nice restaurants: I have eaten at every nice restaurant within a 50 mile radius of my house. In CA there are many many more choices. Pre-pandemic I had hired a chef to teach me how to cook. I also planned on taking cooking classes in various types of cuisine. I actually prefer to cook.

Give to those less fortunate: 15% of my income goes to charity, sometimes more.

Travel more: I used to travel 6 months out of the year. I still do 3-4 times a year as well as 3-4 vacations. Fly first class and stay in nice hotels. Traveling from a smaller city actually sucks because of all the connecting flights.

Buy more stuff: I am actually in the process of removing things that I have purchased as I hate having all this stuff. Sports cars do nothing for me.

Basically what I am saying is my environment and where I live means more to me than anything else. It took me a long time to figure this out. I am a homebody so building a nice house overlooking the ocean and relaxing at home on my own property seems heavenly to me.

Having access to luxury shopping, restaurants, and easy direct flights everywhere are just icing on the cake for me.

Could there be other places that would also make me happy besides CA... Absolutely. I just know my decade or more in CA was the happiest time in my life and I should not have moved.

The only thing that keeps me here is the happiness I see on my families faces (mom, dad, sister, niece, nephew, etc.) when I visit with them almost every day. Their smiles are the only things keeping me here.

I am not mentioning where I live because it is a beautiful state and I can see why people love it here. It just is not for me.

Leave it to me to provide pictures...even blurry ones. When you are able to experience the below literally everyday of the year, it makes it very hard to think of any other place that can match it.

I agree with Paul - it seems to me the people that continue to bash California either don't live here or are/were priced out. Yes, the cost is high - that's something that isn't going away anytime soon. However, the homeless / politics / crime argument is one that truly doesn't affect us all that much - or many of my friends that live here. You'll find the homeless and crime in any major city / state, and don't get me started on politics across this country. Additionally, I've not once heard any of my friends say they left because the crime rate was too high, or the political scene wasn't for them - it always came down to cost of living, which I absolutely understand. However, I have many friends in other states say they would absolutely move to CA if it wasn't for the high cost...that's it. It all comes down to money, not anything else mentioned.

To Ryan's point - money isn't everything. We could be anywhere living larger, but I wouldn't trade living in this state for that, even if it meant a larger house, more money in the pocket, etc.

At the end of the day, if you don't like beaches, mountains, and amazing weather all year round, then California isn't for you. But don't say people are leaving because of politics, crime and the homeless - that's only a small sliver of the population using that excuse...most leave because of money.

[Calatrava r]

Originally Posted by EEpro

Too bad there's no representation in government for these squeezed people

There could have been, but they voted with their feet instead of at the ballot box.

[pickettt]

Originally Posted by Calatrava r

There could have been, but they voted with their feet instead of at the ballot box.

No faith in the system. Can’t say I blame them.

[DocHorton]

Originally Posted by RyanJ

So I enjoy my environment more than things. There comes a time for a single person where more money doesn't mean much. When you are sitting at 600k a year, does making 650k really change much? Just using that as an example, not saying what I actually make.

Eat at nice restaurants: I have eaten at every nice restaurant within a 50 mile radius of my house. In CA there are many many more choices. Pre-pandemic I had hired a chef to teach me how to cook. I also planned on taking cooking classes in various types of cuisine. I actually prefer to cook.

Give to those less fortunate: 15% of my income goes to charity, sometimes more.

Travel more: I used to travel 6 months out of the year. I still do 3-4 times a year as well as 3-4 vacations. Fly first class and stay in nice hotels. Traveling from a smaller city actually sucks because of all the connecting flights.

Buy more stuff: I am actually in the process of removing things that I have purchased as I hate having all this stuff. Sports cars do nothing for me.

Basically what I am saying is my environment and where I live means more to me than anything else. It took me a long time to figure this out. I am a homebody so building a nice house overlooking the ocean and relaxing at home on my own property seems heavenly to me.

Having access to luxury shopping, restaurants, and easy direct flights everywhere are just icing on the cake for me.

Could there be other places that would also make me happy besides CA... Absolutely. I just know my decade or more in CA was the happiest time in my life and I should not have moved.

The only thing that keeps me here is the happiness I see on my families faces (mom, dad, sister, niece, nephew, etc.) when I visit with them almost every day. Their smiles are the only things keeping me here.

I am not mentioning where I live because it is a beautiful state and I can see why people love it here. It just is not for me.

Sounds like you are living the dream and California is the perfect place for you. Hope you get a chance to move back soon.

[mountainjogger]

Originally Posted by TheVTCGuy

To those of you completely bashing my home state….

I love California, I was born here and except for attending a boarding military school in Michigan as a teenager and living in Mexico for a year (also as a teenager) I have lived here all my life. Wherever you live, be it Fairbanks, or Tahiti, if you are happy there then more power to you. Let’s look at some of the issue people have brought up (bashed) California about.

1. High Taxes and cost of living. Yep, can’t argue that. My 685 square foot condo is near the beach, the money that costs could pretty much buy a mansion in a midwest state. My friends sold their modest home in a modest part of San Diego, and bought a 3,000 square foot, four-bedroom home with one acre of land in Texas. I admit, I understand the allure. Everything here is very expensive; no argument.

2. Crime California ranks 19th,

https://worldpopulationreview.com/st...-rate-by-state

If this is an issue for you, and your priority is to live in a state that has a lower rating, I can not question your motives, more power to you. To those of you that are portraying my state as a crime-controlled dystopian community like in the movie escape from New York, you are WRONG. I am not bragging about 19th, I wish we were 50th, but I hardly carry out my day concerned I will be the victim of a violent crime. I take practical precautions, like every other state we have good and bad areas, but be basically vigilant and crime does not enter in to your life.

3. Homeless Yes, California ranks highest in homelessness, it is exceptionally bad in LA

https://worldpopulationreview.com/st...ation-by-state

Two points: A. We have the most homeless population, around 161,000, however we also have the most PEOPLE in the country, by around seven million more then the second-most populous state. B. Homeless tend to migrate to our state because of the mild weather. I see it, and there are parts of LA that are absolutely disgusting, but show me any major city in the US that does not have a homeless problem.

4. Politics - I won’t (can’t) get in to it here, but I will say this. We (California) have always been progressive. One example is the clean-air standards. Our requirements for vehicles were much more strict then the rest of the country back in the 80s, eventually, EVERY state adopted those standards. New, gasoline-only cars can not be sold in our state starting in 2035. New York has adopted the same standard. 12 COUNTRIES, Germany, Norway, etc. have adopted similar standards of switching to EVs. Personally, I value this attitude and am proud of our efforts towards the environment.

Again, if you live in a cabin in remote Alaska, are happy, I commend you and more power to you. If you live in downtown NY and enjoy life, good on you again. Wherever someone chooses to live taking in ALL the aspects, weather, cost of living, crime, pollution, education etc. I respect their decision and wish them well. For those of you that have trashed my home state, calling it crime-ridden, crowded, basically one step away from hell, I ask you: If it is such a terrible state why is it the most populous? We have problems, but over all I think it is an excellent place to live. I am surprised the population declined the last two years but am not sad. As a matter of fact, I wouldn’t mind locking the door and not letting anyone else in (but that’s me).

This thread was not started as a California-bashing symposium, but to discuss the allure of being able to buy more with the dollar, more space etc. Those of you that have claimed it is crime ridden and flooded with homeless and one step out of purgatory, take a look at your own state before you throw insults.

Well said Paul. All states in our diverse county have good points and bad. To pretend otherwise is just plain silly.

I also wonder about the motivation of people who make it a cause celebre to engage in vocal and sometimes mean spirited criticism of other people's choices, be it where to live, or how to live.

Toast the next sunset on the Pacific for me.

[Bro Watch]

These videos are hilarious!

https://youtu.be/HlDWzN6TW5Y

https://youtu.be/3MOy6Z_UP7c

Sent from my SM-S906U1 using Tapatalk

[SDGT3]

Originally Posted by JParm

Leave it to me to provide pictures...even blurry ones. When you are able to experience the below literally everyday of the year, it makes it very hard to think of any other place that can match it.

I agree with Paul - it seems to me the people that continue to bash California either don't live here or are/were priced out. Yes, the cost is high - that's something that isn't going away anytime soon. However, the homeless / politics / crime argument is one that truly doesn't affect us all that much - or many of my friends that live here. You'll find the homeless and crime in any major city / state, and don't get me started on politics across this country. Additionally, I've not once heard any of my friends say they left because the crime rate was too high, or the political scene wasn't for them - it always came down to cost of living, which I absolutely understand. However, I have many friends in other states say they would absolutely move to CA if it wasn't for the high cost...that's it. It all comes down to money, not anything else mentioned.

To Ryan's point - money isn't everything. We could be anywhere living larger, but I wouldn't trade living in this state for that, even if it meant a larger house, more money in the pocket, etc.

At the end of the day, if you don't like beaches, mountains, and amazing weather all year round, then California isn't for you. But don't say people are leaving because of politics, crime and the homeless - that's only a small sliver of the population using that excuse...most leave because of money.

There's plenty of people in this thread that were born and live(d) in California and have said they've had enough or are getting out, you just aren't listening to them. You say money is one if not the only reason, then you have to include the business climate.

There's a reason why many fortune 500 companies including but not limited to Toyota, Nissan, Tesla, Oracle and other smaller firms have left for greener pastures. With them come their employees should they choose to leave. It's very telling to see how many tech workers left California and are not willing to come back to CA since the pandemic preferring to work/live remotely elsewhere.

[JParm]

Originally Posted by SDGT3

There's plenty of people in this thread that were born and live(d) in California and have said they've had enough or are getting out, you just aren't listening to them. You say money is one if not the only reason, then you have to include the business climate.

There's a reason why many fortune 500 companies including but not limited to Toyota, Nissan, Tesla, Oracle and other smaller firms have left for greener pastures. With them come their employees should they choose to leave. It's very telling to see how many tech workers left California and are not willing to come back to CA since the pandemic preferring to work/live remotely elsewhere.

You're right, I did say it's about money - and that's the reasoning for the companies that you mentioned leaving the state, so what point are you trying to make that's different from mine?

[TheVTCGuy]

Originally Posted by JParm

Leave it to me to provide pictures...even blurry ones. When you are able to experience the below literally everyday of the year, it makes it very hard to think of any other place that can match it.

I agree with Paul - it seems to me the people that continue to bash California either don't live here or are/were priced out. Yes, the cost is high - that's something that isn't going away anytime soon. However, the homeless / politics / crime argument is one that truly doesn't affect us all that much - or many of my friends that live here. You'll find the homeless and crime in any major city / state, and don't get me started on politics across this country. Additionally, I've not once heard any of my friends say they left because the crime rate was too high, or the political scene wasn't for them - it always came down to cost of living, which I absolutely understand. However, I have many friends in other states say they would absolutely move to CA if it wasn't for the high cost...that's it. It all comes down to money, not anything else mentioned.

To Ryan's point - money isn't everything. We could be anywhere living larger, but I wouldn't trade living in this state for that, even if it meant a larger house, more money in the pocket, etc.

At the end of the day, if you don't like beaches, mountains, and amazing weather all year round, then California isn't for you. But don't say people are leaving because of politics, crime and the homeless - that's only a small sliver of the population using that excuse...most leave because of money.

Very well said Jesse.

(Is my room ready? )

[SDGT3]

Originally Posted by JParm

You're right, I did say it's about money - and that's the reasoning for the companies that you mentioned leaving the state, so what point are you trying to make that's different from mine?

I reread my post and perhaps I did not articulate it well. The money may be a large factor for some people but historically, CA has always been more expensive than other places. What's changed is he root cause of higher prices, coupled with higher crime, homelessness etc and it comes down to one party rule that was not the case up until 10-20 years ago.

Another consideration is the ranking of the public education system in CA considering the resources it possesses. Finally as mentioned before, a significant percentage of tech workers who have high income and can live anywhere chose to leave CA and live elsewhere and prefer not to return to Silicon Valley.

To each their own, but to say people who haven't lived in CA are bashing it is off base if you read through the thread.

[BLACKHORSE 6]

About 5 years ago the wife and I visited Boston. We paid for a local tour guide, a guy in his mid-sixties, to give us a personalized tour of the city that was focused on Revolutionary War history. Anyway, we spent the whole day with him and got to know him a little. All his kids were grown and married, and when they finished school and started their adult lives, Boston had gotten so expensive that they all left. He was sad about it, but understood why they couldn’t stay. He and his wife were planning on moving out of the area because they were tired of the winters and could be in a more centrally located place to optimize travel to see all their grandkids.

Reading through this thread reminds me of that guy. Part of all this is the natural ebb and flow of migration for al kinds of reasons. The truth is that all 50 states are sort of competing with each other to entice individual opportunity seekers, young families and corporations to either move into their area or stay to invest in the communities they’re already in. It’s always been that way. Maybe places like CA need to take a look at the issues that are driving people away, but I’ve seen too much of the world to think that CA wouldn’t be a great place to live compared to lots of other places I’ve been.

[RyanJ]

All of this seems completely normal to me.

People move to different states all the time for different reasons. There isn't going to be the best state. Only the best city/state for you that meets your current needs.

CA is still the most populous state in the country and would be the 5th largest economy (by GDP) if a country. They seem to be doing just fine.

I think it would be great if other states started to grow and get an influx of new people, businesses, etc. There are a lot of states that need it desperately.

[BNA/LION]

People move in and out of all 50 States in the USA everyday.

[Star Ferry]

I’m all for freedom. Not totally sure how the more affordable pockets of CA work, but I would never blame anybody for moving out of NY. Make perfect sense if you’re not rich, because it’s horrendously expensive to live here in a way that I consider morally unfair to your typical working Joe.

[THC]

On a side note, I am very proud of our Moderators letting this thread roll on this far..

[TNT009]

Ill go as far as saying, if you dont like it.. Move.. You wont be missed and someone will replace you!

[Chester01]

Much of this has to do with folks WFH, thinking they can get a better deal. I’ve looked many times to get out of the NE, when you crunch the number and get to a cheaper state, factor in the area with solid schools, and the fact that pay tends to be less, moving from a more expensive state to a cheaper state is not as great of a deal as it seems. I remember Texas several years ago, yeah, real estate was a bit cheaper compared to NJ, property taxes about similar. Where ever you go, there you are my friends and the grass is always greener on the other side.

[JParm]

Originally Posted by THC

On a side note, I am very proud of our Moderators letting this thread roll on this far..

2nd.

[RyanJ]

Originally Posted by Chester01

Much of this has to do with folks WFH, thinking they can get a better deal. I’ve looked many times to get out of the NE, when you crunch the number and get to a cheaper state, factor in the area with solid schools, and the fact that pay tends to be less, moving from a more expensive state to a cheaper state is not as great of a deal as it seems. I remember Texas several years ago, yeah, real estate was a bit cheaper compared to NJ, property taxes about similar. Where ever you go, there you are my friends and the grass is always greener on the other side.

This is a pretty solid answer. I am one of those people that can WFH and coming from Big Tech, many of us did extensive research on ACTUAL costs of living.

When you get right down to it, in the nicer areas; the costs start to be very similar. I am talking comparing as close to Apples to Apples as possible. Of course if you move from Newport Beach to the cheapest and hottest town in Arizona, population 8 then it will be way cheaper.

I mean look at Cary, North Carolina. That used to be an amazing sleepy town that was very well priced. Now, the prices have shot up since the Tech Companies have moved in. New homes can be over a million while even townhomes are 1/2 million to 3/4 million. Craziness...

[TswaneNguni]

Well,if you dont like it in California ,you have many others to choose from ..

I really liked North Carolina ,when I visited .

[Blansky]

While all the jealous people are hashing this California thing out, I'm taking my helicopter to the beach.

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by Blansky

While all the jealous people are hashing this California thing out, I'm taking my helicopter to the beach.

Damn you Blansky ….

Up here, I’ll be tobogganing down to the river to go ice fishing.