California screws everyone with ridiculous housing and insane taxes (Sacramento: house, to live in)

[radiolibre99]

Perhaps we're looking at this too narrow. Is CA worth it? Yes and No. I think for single people, people who already own homes and recently arrived immigrants, yes. For the new middle class people ready to enter the housing market and are middle income earners, probably not so much. There is only so much the weather, cool vibes/culture, and liberal politics can sway people. I know Californians wax on about weather but believe me some people could care less unless it's one of those places that gets 10 below. The cool vibes/culture thing starts to wane once you're older and ready to start a family and eventually politics do too. I mean I still don't get the mindset of living in an area based on politics. That is far down below my list when looking for a place.

This question is much more complex than a simple yes or no. CA is a uniquely terrific state that deserves all the praise it gets. I cannot stress how much of an amazing place Californians have created BUT to what extent should we praise it? That's the thing that I think irks some Californians. They want to be recognized as the best under any and all circumstances that befall the state no matter how ludicrous. And if you dissent then it's because you're a "bitter, jealous loser who can't cut it". That level of ranting strikes me as bordering on cultish. This idea that if you're disparaging any aspect of the state's policies that you're somehow anti-Californian. I think that needs to be curbed so we can start to examine some of the real issues the state is going through.

[jnojr]

Originally Posted by Kevdawgg

Yet why do people continue to live there, unknownst they're getting ripped off and could get better deals in Nevada, Arizona, Utah, Oregon, etc...?

It's expensive because people want to live here, and they don't believe NV, AZ, UT, OR, etc. are "better deals". Me, I love San Diego, and if it wasn't in CA, I'd stay forever! As it is, we will be moving soon.

[evening sun]

California,,,,,,,,,,Love it or leave it.

[radiolibre99]

Originally Posted by jnojr

It's expensive because people want to live here, and they don't believe NV, AZ, UT, OR, etc. are "better deals". Me, I love San Diego, and if it wasn't in CA, I'd stay forever! As it is, we will be moving soon.

It's actually the whole package that other places lack that makes CA worth it in SOME regards. Not all. I fell in love with OR and Portland and felt I was getting gypped living in LA but then I thought about how small Portland actually is and how I would've felt as though I was living in a place that is prettier but still lacks the incredible amenities of LA and SoCal in general.

Many places have elements of what coastal CA has but not the years and years of development, culture and diversity of people. This is what makes CA unique.

Having said that, I think you'd have to want those things. If you're looking to just live and work, then you have the supposed "better deals" such as CO, TX, AZ, UT, OR. They're fine and offer some stuff CA does and I do think that we live in a country that is overall developing to where its no longer NY or CA or bust.

[radiolibre99]

Originally Posted by evening sun

California,,,,,,,,,,Love it or leave it.

Please leave.

[Kevroqs]

Originally Posted by jnojr

It's expensive because people want to live here, and they don't believe NV, AZ, UT, OR, etc. are "better deals".

Californians, especially with families move to those states. It's cheaper to raise families, and have a decent middle class lifestyle along with good schools. I run into California escapees in those states, and that's what they tell me.

[saibot]

Originally Posted by Kevdawgg

My family was smart enough to escape, even though the state being a disaster decades ago. (This was during the Gray Davis era).

Originally Posted by Kevdawgg

I run into California escapees in those states, and that's what they tell me.

I notice you keep using the word "escape," as though the people who move out of California all feel lucky to leave.

Most of the people I know who have left California (and there are plenty; I've been here over 45 years) did so reluctantly. It's mostly "Sadly, we were forced to go," not so much "Lucky us, we got out!"

And if those people have come to like and appreciate the good points of their new location, so much the better. Californians also like and appreciate the good points of where they live.

[90077]

Originally Posted by saibot

It's mostly "Sadly, we were forced to go," not so much "Lucky us, we got out!"

After 40 years here, I will certainly miss California. I retired two years ago and it's too expensive for me now.

[Gentoo]

Originally Posted by evening sun

California,,,,,,,,,,Love it or leave it.

I love California but I really hate this mentality.

[Gentoo]

Originally Posted by saibot

I notice you keep using the word "escape," as though the people who move out of California all feel lucky to leave.

Most of the people I know who have left California (and there are plenty; I've been here over 45 years) did so reluctantly. It's mostly "Sadly, we were forced to go," not so much "Lucky us, we got out!"

And if those people have come to like and appreciate the good points of their new location, so much the better. Californians also like and appreciate the good points of where they live.

Yes, you will see over and over again words like "escape" and "flee". Buzz words picked up from AM talk radio. They also seem to like to make their exodus in the ever popular albeit elusive Drove. They always leave in droves. I've contacted Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Ford, Chevrolet and others and none of them make the Drove.