California Economy Booming: Leaps Ahead of Brazil, Now No. 7 in World

[BeauCharles]

Originally Posted by njbiodude

Most people live in smaller homes overall...

I never understood that house size inflation of the last 25 years (and its happened in California as well). Used to most families were content with 1500-1900 sq ft and a 3/2 configuration. Most were single story ranch style. Pretty much the way it was for decades after WWII. Then about 1990 you suddenly had these cheaply built two story, slab-sided 3000-4000 sq ft monstrosities on the same 4500 to 6000 sq ft lots. Some lots are even smaller and these massive piles cover almost the entirety of it from street to back fence. Its ridiculous, especially considering family size is generally smaller now.

[DriveNotCommute]

Originally Posted by BeauCharles

I never understood that house size inflation of the last 25 years (and its happened in California as well). Used to most families were content with 1500-1900 sq ft and a 3/2 configuration. Most were single story ranch style. Pretty much the way it was for decades after WWII. Then about 1990 you suddenly had these cheaply built two story, slab-sided 3000-4000 sq ft monstrosities on the same 4500 to 6000 sq ft lots. Some lots are even smaller and these massive piles cover almost the entirety of it from street to back fence. Its ridiculous, especially considering family size is generally smaller now.

Not to fully justify it or anything but I think it is because people have more stuff than they used to thanks to the availability of new tools. The definition of comfortable and preferred living has changed with that. Older times didn't have the option of microwave ovens, convection toaster ovens or any of dozens of specialized kitchen appliances in an era of expanded choices in luxuries that are accepted as normal.

Take garages as a symbol of this. Back when society was simple enough that a single income (and thus just one primary decision maker) could support the whole household, only one car was really needed. Likewise, this single decision maker had more power to unilaterally decide what else was needed in the household.

Compare that with today where home ownership often requires two incomes and therefore space in the garage for a minimum of two cars. Expand this to the rest of the house: Both income earners are decision makers in an environment where there is more stuff than ever to make decisions about. More often than not, both sides can simply each get what they want since both are income earners and both typically want to avoid unnecessary conflict. This naturally expands the minimum necessary space to accommodate those wants.

[bigdumbgod]

Originally Posted by njbiodude

Recently accepted a job in CA for 50k more a year than where I work in NC. Even if I factor in paying an extra 1k a month for housing, $400 a year for auto insurance and gas, and slightly more for taxes (mostly federal) and services I still come out ahead. Many things like vegetables and heating/AC, and employer sponsored health insurance are actually cheaper as well.

Yes it might be expensive overall, but working in these Union-bashing, right to work Southern states is not paradise either. Not to mention as someone who's lived in CA before, the quality of life is certainly better than many other parts of the country. Most people live in smaller homes overall but it's still a wonderful place to be.

Without California our trade deficit would be exponentially worse. CA exports large amount of technology products, movies, agriculture, high end automobiles and software around the globe. And they pay far more in tax revenue than they get back to support their federal government "hating" Republican states.

^^^Spot on.

+1

[LoriBee62]

Originally Posted by BeauCharles

I never understood that house size inflation of the last 25 years (and its happened in California as well). Used to most families were content with 1500-1900 sq ft and a 3/2 configuration. Most were single story ranch style. Pretty much the way it was for decades after WWII. Then about 1990 you suddenly had these cheaply built two story, slab-sided 3000-4000 sq ft monstrosities on the same 4500 to 6000 sq ft lots. Some lots are even smaller and these massive piles cover almost the entirety of it from street to back fence. Its ridiculous, especially considering family size is generally smaller now.

Yes we've got those here, and they're on "zero lot lines" which means your wall is the "fence" to your property. Big house/tiny yard is my personal nightmare. I'll take big yard/tiny house every day of the week!