What's up with people who move out of state, then run back in a year or less? (Commerce: best neighborhoods, to rent)

[EscapeCalifornia]

Did they not investigate, research, and make trips? Was the move impulsive? Did they just get homesick and not stick it out long enough to make the new city "home"? Moving is one of the biggest decisions anyone can make and to undo it so quickly makes me wonder what went wrong in the process.

[Charles]

I've wondered that myself. Took me a year to do the research to move. I can understand extreme situations: sudden illnesses in the family, extreme employment transitions, etc but those would be pretty rare. We read so many posts about "I moved from LA to where ever and we hate it here...." Makes you wonder how much research was performed and how many value added trips to the new location were performed.

It doesn't look as bad if they go from renting in LA to renting in the new place, but what really looks bad is selling in LA, buying elsewhere then selling again and buying again and incurring all the realtor costs and in many cases a big jump in property taxes when they moved back to California. That's a nasty hit.

[Roma]

It doesn't matter how much research you do on a place. Living there is completely different.

It's not just the weather, it's everything else too. Things you wouldn't even realize until you don't have it anymore. It's the big stuff and most importantly the small stuff.

Not ever place is for everyone.

You said you noticed that a lot of people return or want to return to California after moving away. That would speak volumes to me if I was you. Don't blame it on research. You can research all you want but you have to experience it to get a true feeling. You will see soon enough for yourself as you say you are moving out of CA. Heck you might love your new state. But like I said, not ever place is for everyone.

What I noticed the most from this board is, the people that can afford to move back to California, do.

I see it all the time. I hear it all the time. And not just from the board either. From where I live now in Texas. I will be talking to my hairdresser or someone about wanting to move back to CA and she will say "so and so also wants to move back to CA too". My insurance agent wants to move back but is priced out. My Vet in Texas said she dreams of living in CA. My builder neighbor here in Texas said most of the Californians and New Yorkers seem to move back. My other old neighbor here lasted a little over a year here in Texas before they moved back to Colorado. (not every place is for everyone!!!)

If I was you, I would make sure I was able to move back to CA just in case Colorado was not for me. Lucky for us, we can move back (once our properties sell in Texas) Cross your fingers for us please!!!

[Mach50]

I have seen this over and over.

I see a lot of folks that start to complain about California and it really blinds them of how good it really is to live in California.

Most complain about:
1) Cost of living
2) Traffic
3) Air Quality
4) Illegals
5) Materialism

they get so frustrated with above, it drives them to move.

Then they find that the new place fixes the CA complaints, BUT there is whole other set of even worse things to complain about there like:

1) Boredom
2) Bad Weather
3) No Jobs
4) No diversity
5) No beaches and mountains
6) No In and Out

so they move back.

[Charles]

Originally Posted by Mach50

1) Boredom
2) Bad Weather
3) No Jobs
4) No diversity
5) No beaches and mountains
6) No In and Out

so they move back.

I understand what you wrote. I think the comment the original poster was making is just about all of the six things above can be easily researched prior to a move. And also, in a subsequent post, a poster implied all the internet research in the world can't substitute for a visit or living there. It takes both: lots of data and "boots on the ground". (City-Data is the next best thing to boots on the ground by the way...) I researched like a maniac, almost went into analysis paralysis AND I made two trips out to Colorado. I performed simulated driving commutes during rush hour. I did everything I could do in a practical sense. I don't regret my move.

Also, somewhat related, I read posts on both the California boards and Colorado boards that sound like this (no kidding): "We are moving to Colorado at the end of next month and I'd like to know about the weather, the best schools and and the best neighborhoods. Are there lots of jobs there?"

See this for example:

http://www.city-data.com/forum/2142069-post33.html

[goozer]

Originally Posted by Charles

I understand what you wrote. I think the comment the original poster was making is just about all of the six things above can be easily researched prior to a move. And also, in a subsequent post, a poster implied all the internet research in the world can't substitute for a visit or living there. It takes both: lots of data and "boots on the ground". (City-Data is the next best thing to boots on the ground by the way...) I researched like a maniac, almost went into analysis paralysis AND I made two trips out to Colorado. I performed simulated driving commutes during rush hour. I did everything I could do in a practical sense. I don't regret my move.

Also, somewhat related, I read posts on both the California boards and Colorado boards that sound like this (no kidding): "We are moving to Colorado at the end of next month and I'd like to know about the weather, the best schools and and the best neighborhoods. Are there lots of jobs there?"

See this for example:

http://www.city-data.com/forum/2142069-post33.html

That's funny. I've noticed the same thing on these boards. People ask questions that the simplest amount of research could answer. Such as..."I'm looking for a liberal-minded city close to mountains and outdoor recreation where there are many damp and rainy days. Would I like Portland and/or Seattle?" It kills me.

[_Charles_]

These City Data baords are good resource to find out about places to live - for those of you considering a move etc... They are not sponsored Chamber of Commerce type sites - so there is no hidden agenda and the moderators are quick to get rid of abusive posts from itinerate trolls. You can get good information from unbiased sources here.

[Niners fan]

I guess it depends who you know. I know tons of people who have left CA and not one of them have moved back. I am considering leaving myself and when I talk to others who have friends who moved away (most to AZ, UT, ID) the most common response I hear is something like "They love it there and would never move back."

That being said, it doesn't matter where you from or to it is going to take a period of adjustment. I am sure there are things I will miss about CA once we leave.

[Mach50]

Originally Posted by Charles

I understand what you wrote. I think the comment the original poster was making is just about all of the six things above can be easily researched prior to a move. And also, in a subsequent post, a poster implied all the internet research in the world can't substitute for a visit or living there. It takes both: lots of data and "boots on the ground". (City-Data is the next best thing to boots on the ground by the way...) I researched like a maniac, almost went into analysis paralysis AND I made two trips out to Colorado. I performed simulated driving commutes during rush hour. I did everything I could do in a practical sense. I don't regret my move.

Also, somewhat related, I read posts on both the California boards and Colorado boards that sound like this (no kidding): "We are moving to Colorado at the end of next month and I'd like to know about the weather, the best schools and and the best neighborhoods. Are there lots of jobs there?"

See this for example:

http://www.city-data.com/forum/2142069-post33.html

What I was trying to say is:

I think people get so blinded by complaining about California that they don't realize the shortcomings of the other places, even with doing full on research.

A neighbor of mine, 2 years ago got fed up about Cali, so they researched Houston, Texas...told me how great it was, talked it up a storm. Then they got there and realized they made a big mistake. Smart folks too, they just got caught up in the Cali complaints.

[EscapeCalifornia]

Originally Posted by Mach50

1) Boredom -- not a problem
2) Bad Weather -- I'll deal
3) No Jobs -- Won't move without a job
4) No diversity -- Diversity's overrated
5) No beaches and mountains -- Never go there anyway
6) No In and Out -- Yeah I'll miss it but its not enough to keep me here

see ^^^^^^^