What is your breaking point for moving out of California? (San Diego: theatre, to live)

[wac_432]

Originally Posted by BeachWife

For those of you who stay, despite complaining about how bad it is becoming, what would be your breaking point to pick up and just leave to greener pastures?

I would only leave to go somewhere I liked better. I don't think California is getting worse, on the contrary. Every one of my list of top-10 amazing companies was started (recently!) and remains in California. The high price of realestate in the early aughts was a wake-up call to me, and I bought in during the downturn. So bubble baby bubble!

The politics is not nearly as polarized as the rest of the country. Sure, we're a little left-leaning, but the state is focused on fundamental freedoms and taking care of the population. Other states seem to either insist on being a nanny-state and issuing papers for everything ala. The Democratic People's Republic of Mass., or legislated economic Darwinism where the poor are subhumans required to live in the clouds of smoke from Coal powerplants and be run over by the Hummers of the 1%'ers ala. Texico.

There's one place in the world I like better, and I might go there someday, but if I ever leave CA, it will be with a lot of regret. This is one of the bright spots in the United States and the world, and not just because of the awesome weather and natural scenery.

[seain dublin]

Originally Posted by nightbird47

I didn't want to live in a city. The median price for a home in non cities was far too much for me, so I moved to where a small house can be gotten for 40k or less. I did not want to live in an apartment. It was hot in the summer and the wind blew all the time where I lived, and where I live. But its a house and the tweeker neighbor isn't a wall away and I have tall trees and a yard for my dogs to run in. Sometimes that sort of thing is more important than an overload of stuff around you.

In your other post you mention OK reminding you of the San Fernando Valley, in order to have a valley you have to have mountains. Which you do not have.

You also mention wind in the IE, that's kind of ironic from someone who lives where you currently live.

Have spent time in both the oil country of both TX and OK, friendly people but the wind and the dust are awful, and the lack of scenery downright depressing. You have flat land, but unlike the east you lack the trees and greenery that you would find in places like NC or PA. The only trees you see are the ones planted, most of the land is flat and without trees.

I went to college on what was known as the High Plains of West Texas and Eastern New Mexico, very similar to where you live. It was windy most of the time.

You're also in tornado country.

Yes it nice to have house in an area you can afford, but unless you're content to confine yourself to your house and your yard, and have no interest in having access to culture, sporting events, education, etc., it can get downright monotonous and even depressing for most people.

[sacite]

Originally Posted by BeachWife

I read different threads around this forum and so many people complain about California. They complain about the high housing cost, high cost of living, too many illegals, too liberal, too conservative, too moderate, too crowded!!!

For those of you who stay, despite complaining about how bad it is becoming, what would be your breaking point to pick up and just leave to greener pastures?

No "breaking point" for me. I may move for more money/lower COL but geez, you get what you pay for. Last week I was at Lake Tahoe one day and a couole days later on the pacific ocean. Then I was in the mountsins around Napa. All of this without flying anywhere. Just took 5 days off work for the holiday and drove around. Sure I could move somewhere else with a lower COL, but I'd never have all of this to enjoy. Sports, entertainment, natural beauty and great weather. We have it all. No matter how congested it gets or how much the state tries to soak us with taxes, fees or traffic tickets, for me the cost is worth what we get here. If I move it will be just for a couple of yrs to a state with a much cheaper COL so I can build for retirement. Then I'm coming back .

[sacite]

Originally Posted by BeachWife

I read different threads around this forum and so many people complain about California. They complain about the high housing cost, high cost of living, too many illegals, too liberal, too conservative, too moderate, too crowded!!!

For those of you who stay, despite complaining about how bad it is becoming, what would be your breaking point to pick up and just leave to greener pastures?

Those people are complaining about something else now in another state .

[Fran66]

Originally Posted by sacite

Those people are complaining about something else now in another state .

I don't think a lot of people understand that if they are not basically happy (or content may be a better word) where they are, they won't be happy any place else either. (It also took me quite some time to get that.)

[Escort Rider]

Originally Posted by Fran66

Upon reflection this morning, I'm going to apologize, Curmudgeon. But I truly didn't mean anything by using 'cur' -- I was just using a short cut of your name. Only us old ones, I think, know that 'cur' is a not nice name for a mongrel dog. [I would never intentionally call anyone on C-D a bad name. I don't need to call someone a bad name to insult him/her. ] Again, seriously, I do apologize. I do see, in light of my whole post, how you might think I was calling you an insulting name. Not my intention at all.

Although this matter is none of my business, I have enormous respect for you because of your decision to apologize. The ability to apologize is a mark of good character, in my opinion.

[Fran66]

Originally Posted by Escort Rider

Although this matter is none of my business, I have enormous respect for you because of your decision to apologize. The ability to apologize is a mark of good character, in my opinion.

Oh -- Escort Rider! -- that's the nicest thing you've ever said to me! Come to think of it, it's the only nice thing you've ever said to me. (I am SO bad! LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL)

[dalparadise]

Originally Posted by Fran66

I don't think a lot of people understand that if they are not basically happy (or content may be a better word) where they are, they won't be happy any place else either. (It also took me quite some time to get that.)

I'm not so sure. I was basically content with friendships and family life in Houston, but was decidedly unhappy living in Texas. I had reached the peak of my career (my field was dramatically limited in Texas), the weather was oppressive, the abuse of the environment in the cause of being "business-friendly" was criminal and left the bay that is touted as Houston's waterfront as a polluted cesspool. My "city" was more like a huge sprawl of suburbia that didn't inspire or really interest me anymore, and there were few weekend escapes nearby that were worth my time.

I embraced a Texan lifestyle for many years to try to compensate for its shortcomings. I lived in a big house with a nice pool. I drove some pretty nice cars. I traveled quite a bit. I made the best of living in a place that, except for many of the people, was not very conducive to my happiness.

Now, in California, my life is completely different. I enjoy the weather. I go on day trips to Wine Country, Santa Cruz, Monterey, and up to Tahoe. I go hiking in the foothills of Mt. Tam, among redwood trees on a whim, whenever I want. There's a cheese shop that's walking-distance down the street from me, with everything I need to make a nice picnic for me and my wife to take up on the cliffs overlooking the Golden Gate--a site reachable on our bicycles. The streets in my and surrounding neighborhoods are busy with pedestrians, cafes and character. I live in an apartment 1/3 the size of my old house, in the center of one of the most vibrant and interesting cities in the country. My weather is now 8 months of Spring, 3 months of Fall, and 1 month of Summer. My career is re-energized. I'm making more money and I have room to grow.

I am much happier in California, despite the expense, taxes, and fewer material possessions. Yes, the City is sometimes a grind, but I find it inspiring. I do things for free on a whim that most people save up all year for vacations. My quality of life here is through the roof! That might be replicable in another state, but it sure wasn't in Texas.

[arleigh]

Well I thought I'd leave when I retire, but ,

When dad got weak, I had to step in and help sort through the junk and there is tons of it literally.
When he passed, it all fell on me.
My brother just retired and closed the shop and now I have all of that.

I have been trying to keep up with the goings on around the country, and dream of a better state to flee to, and personally I'd rather be in Alaska I think. getting to the point now that it's a pipe dream as well.
California has been driving out business for the past several years and from the looks of things isn't getting any better.
I am bit conflicted ,
ON one hand selfishly , being in Alaska or some where similar, I can hunt and fish in the middle of no where and not go home.
I love the woods and being around critters more than hunting actually. I'm learning to garden and hope to make a good go of it.
On the other hand, I am here to help people ,and running off, doesn't accomplish that.
So no matter how bad it gets here , unless God gives me direction otherwise I'm here.
Since the democrats have invited even more government dependents, (Illegals) the strain on the economy is not only going to break the state , it is going to break the nation.

[Fran66]

Originally Posted by dalparadise

I'm not so sure. I was basically content with friendships and family life in Houston, but was decidedly unhappy living in Texas. I had reached the peak of my career (my field was dramatically limited in Texas), the weather was oppressive, the abuse of the environment in the cause of being "business-friendly" was criminal and left the bay that is touted as Houston's waterfront as a polluted cesspool. My "city" was more like a huge sprawl of suburbia that didn't inspire or really interest me anymore, and there were few weekend escapes nearby that were worth my time.

I embraced a Texan lifestyle for many years to try to compensate for its shortcomings. I lived in a big house with a nice pool. I drove some pretty nice cars. I traveled quite a bit. I made the best of living in a place that, except for many of the people, was not very conducive to my happiness.

Now, in California, my life is completely different. I enjoy the weather. I go on day trips to Wine Country, Santa Cruz, Monterey, and up to Tahoe. I go hiking in the foothills of Mt. Tam, among redwood trees on a whim, whenever I want. There's a cheese shop that's walking-distance down the street from me, with everything I need to make a nice picnic for me and my wife to take up on the cliffs overlooking the Golden Gate--a site reachable on our bicycles. The streets in my and surrounding neighborhoods are busy with pedestrians, cafes and character. I live in an apartment 1/3 the size of my old house, in the center of one of the most vibrant and interesting cities in the country. My weather is now 8 months of Spring, 3 months of Fall, and 1 month of Summer. My career is re-energized. I'm making more money and I have room to grow.

I am much happier in California, despite the expense, taxes, and fewer material possessions. Yes, the City is sometimes a grind, but I find it inspiring. I do things for free on a whim that most people save up all year for vacations. My quality of life here is through the roof! That might be replicable in another state, but it sure wasn't in Texas.

No, no -- I agree with you -- what I meant was: If we really think moving to another place is going to make us happy -- when we're not at all happy where we presently are -- it's not going to happen. Not after the honeymoon, with the new place, is over. I know I'm going to like living in CA (again) much better than I like living in NM. But I'm not miserable here either. If I couldn't afford to move back -- if I had to live out the rest of my life here -- I would be just fine.