A good rule of thumb as to whether it'll be worthwhile for you to leave California. (Sacramento: condo, home)

[CA4Now]

Originally Posted by ragnarkar

None of the perks of California are unique to the state but the whole combination is unique. If you want to get your money's worth, you need to embrace at least several of them.

But be honest; most of us are not here to get "our money's worth." We're here because our jobs, family, and friends are here. Yeah, the weather's great, and so are the mountains and beaches, but how great would they be without a way to get there (jobs) and people with whom to go (family and friends).

[ragnarkar]

Originally Posted by CA4Now

But be honest; most of us are not here to get "our money's worth." We're here because our jobs, family, and friends are here. Yeah, the weather's great, and so are the mountains and beaches, but how great would they be without a way to get there (jobs) and people with whom to go (family and friends).

And to be honest, most of us don't live our lives around our friends and extended family. Jobs: you can find one somwhere else unlike family and friends who won't follow you elsewhere.

[Tulemutt]

Originally Posted by ragnarkar

And to be honest, most of us don't live our lives around our friends and extended family. Jobs: you can find one somwhere else unlike family and friends who won't follow you elsewhere.

Speak for yourself.

[roadwarrior101]

Originally Posted by ragnarkar

And to be honest, most of us don't live our lives around our friends and extended family. Jobs: you can find one somwhere else unlike family and friends who won't follow you elsewhere.

Honestly, that's probably the main reason why I'm still here in California. Yes, the weather is great and there are tons of recreational opportunities. But, with a busy job, hellish commute and high expenses, it wears on us. As we're raising young kids, we don't have as much time to hang out with family/friends or explore the region as before. It seems more like we can pick up and move for a better quality of life and not miss out all that much.

[Mr5150]

Originally Posted by ragnarkar

And to be honest, most of us don't live our lives around our friends and extended family. Jobs: you can find one somwhere else unlike family and friends who won't follow you elsewhere.

Originally Posted by roadwarrior101

Honestly, that's probably the main reason why I'm still here in California. Yes, the weather is great and there are tons of recreational opportunities. But, with a busy job, hellish commute and high expenses, it wears on us. As we're raising young kids, we don't have as much time to hang out with family/friends or explore the region as before. It seems more like we can pick up and move for a better quality of life and not miss out all that much.

Honestly, unless you decide to change your priorities from career to relationships nothing will be different no matter where you live. And if your kids consume all of your time in CA, how will that be any different in Texas? Big city traffic is bad regardless of where you live. Just a matter of degree.

[ragnarkar]

Originally Posted by Tulemutt

Speak for yourself.

I challenge you to support your assertions with facts.

[ragnarkar]

Originally Posted by Mr5150

Honestly, unless you decide to change your priorities from career to relationships nothing will be different no matter where you live. And if your kids consume all of your time in CA, how will that be any different in Texas? Big city traffic is bad regardless of where you live. Just a matter of degree.

Some of us have tried focusing on relationships and found it more fulfilling to focus on career instead.

Read the book Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking to understand this perspective.

[Tulemutt]

Originally Posted by ragnarkar

I challenge you to support your assertions with facts.

You first. You posted the claim ... which, by the way I didn’t deny ... I just said “speak for yourself”.

[ragnarkar]

Originally Posted by Tulemutt

You first. You posted the claim ... which, by the way I didn’t deny ... I just said “speak for yourself”.

I don't deny that either

[Ruth4Truth]

Originally Posted by ragnarkar

If you're struggling to make ends meet despite trying your best, the answer is Yes, you should leave.

But if you have a career that pays well outside of CA and a family receptive to the idea, then this is what you need to consider:

What makes California so great in your mind? Reflect on that. If it's just one or two of the common reasons below, you're probably better off somewhere else. If you got 2 strong reasons or several of the below are dealbreakers, then moving away might not be worth it even if you get a lower cost of living elsewhere.

Here's a list of common reasons why people like CA and alternative places that offer these and a lower COL:

Sunshine and mild to warm weather year round : Arizona, southern Nevada, Texas, Florida.

West Coast culture : Pacific Northwest

Multiculturalism : Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Atlanta

Marijuana : Pacific Northwest, Colorado

Mountains : Colorado, Idaho, PNW, Wyoming, Montana, New Mexico

Beaches: Gulf Coast, Florida, PNW (if you don't swim or surf)

AZ, NV and TX don't have "mild" weather. Arguably FL doesn't either, compared to CA, but some people are able to deal with the heat, high humidity, and resulting mold and parasite issues.

Gulf coast, for beaches? um.....no. (See above, re: "heat, humidity".)

Mountains: CO, ID, MT: again--extreme weather. Months of deep snow in winter, summers in the 90's in CO.

It's REALLY hard to replace CA, once you've come to love it, and to appreciate year-round outdoor weather. NorCal isn't quite year-round outdoor weather, but the cold and (with luck occasionally rainy) winters are a nice seasonal change.