Why is California so worshipped by people? (Los Angeles, Arcata: transferring to, school)

[sheri257]

Originally Posted by Texasturkey

It depends on what industry you work in. People have college education and extensive job skills. But, competition and high prices are keeping them from getting ahead and becoming successful. Maybe it is better to live somewhere where they can stetch their income and build a savings account instead of living check to check like most middle class Californians.

Maybe it is. I didn't find that to be the case but it could probably work for other people.

There's always going to be people who want to live here no matter what (myself included). And that does potentially flood the labor market for many professions (keeping wages relatively low) while, at the same time, keeping living costs high.

My wages aren't low ... they're high because I went into a high demand profession. But I realize that not everyone is in the same situation.

[riceme]

I was born and raised in California, and went to school there before transferring to the Western Panhandle of Florida for work. Talk about a miserable place to live! Let's talk about Florida, babe.

It sounds like you chose to live in the crappiest areas of California to live in that you could find.

I grew up in Tehachapi, where the weather is cool, the people are laid-back and friendly, there was virtually no crime, and there are beautiful mountains all around you. Although it's only 3-1/2 or 4 hours from Los Angeles, I have only been to (edit: "THROUGH") that miserable place five times in my 36 years. On purpose. Because LA sucks and I like the mountains. So... I stayed there!

When I went away to school, I went to Humboldt State in Arcata, California on the North Coast. Weather = cool all year 'round, people = as easy-going as they come, mountains = 15 minutes away, Pacific Ocean = 5 minutes away... What else could a person want??

Yeah, I agree: Hollyweird is lame. But if you're a California native, and you think Hollywood and LA is all that wonderful state has to offer, you were sheltered, my dear. You missed the most beautiful mountain range in this country (okay, I could be biased), the Pacific Ocean, amazing lakes, rivers, and deserts, Yosemite National Park,... I could go on for days on the great things about California.

If your experience was hot, high crime, and expensive, then I would say that's your own fault.

[rwein1]

You probably haven't lived in the other parts of the country or overseas. Try that...and then you will be able to answer your own question. I'm not trying to sound smug, but it will really give you a deeper appreciation of what we all have here.

[Texasturkey]

Originally Posted by riceme

I was born and raised in California, and went to school there before transferring to the Western Panhandle of Florida for work. Talk about a miserable place to live! Let's talk about Florida, babe.

It sounds like you chose to live in the crappiest areas of California to live in that you could find.

I grew up in Tehachapi, where the weather is cool, the people are laid-back and friendly, there was virtually no crime, and there are beautiful mountains all around you. Although it's only 3-1/2 or 4 hours from Los Angeles, I have only been to (edit: "THROUGH") that miserable place five times in my 36 years. On purpose. Because LA sucks and I like the mountains. So... I stayed there!

When I went away to school, I went to Humboldt State in Arcata, California on the North Coast. Weather = cool all year 'round, people = as easy-going as they come, mountains = 15 minutes away, Pacific Ocean = 5 minutes away... What else could a person want??

Yeah, I agree: Hollyweird is lame. But if you're a California native, and you think Hollywood and LA is all that wonderful state has to offer, you were sheltered, my dear. You missed the most beautiful mountain range in this country (okay, I could be biased), the Pacific Ocean, amazing lakes, rivers, and deserts, Yosemite National Park,... I could go on for days on the great things about California.

If your experience was hot, high crime, and expensive, then I would say that's your own fault.

One of my best friends moved to Kern County 7 years ago. North Edwards, Mojave and now Tehachapi for the last 4 years. The cost of living and rent is much lower than LA. She loves it. But, gets bored at times. Mostly families and not a lot of employment opportunities. Most People drive to Bakersfield or the Antelope Valley for work. Kern County has its problems. I won't get into it here. There are plenty of threads for that already.

[Texasturkey]

Originally Posted by sheri257

Maybe it is. I didn't find that to be the case but it could probably work for other people.

There's always going to be people who want to live here no matter what (myself included). And that does potentially flood the labor market for many professions (keeping wages relatively low) while, at the same time, keeping living costs high.

My wages aren't low ... they're high because I went into a high demand profession. But I realize that not everyone is in the same situation.

There is competition for certain occuptations in the public sector due to the language barrier. "Bilingual Required". Education, child development, social services, law enforcement, probation, parole and corrections. Depending on what location in LA County and title of position. The private industry is a lot different. This is probably posted in the wrong thread. But, it is reality in Southern CA particularly in LA.

[sav858]

Originally Posted by sheri257

This is true. You've got to have the job skills to make more money or, you're probably not going to live comfortably here.

No matter how many people move out of state ... there's just as many people with money who will pay to live here no matter what the cost.

That's just the unfortunate reality of the situation.

That is not true at all today. CA has a negative net migration, more so than any other state. The only reason our population continues to grow is b/c of births and immigration and NOT b/c people are still flocking here. I can't remember the exact figure but I think it's something like at least 100,000 more people leave the state than move in.

I don't get it with some people here and them actually believing everyone still wants to live in CA, that is simply not true. It's part of the reason our real estate prices are so overpriced, b/c people here still think there house is worth double despite neither incomes nor "desirability" doubling in the last 7 years. This state has lost its appeal for many a while ago. Some people have too big of ego's in this state and it's annoying, I wish people would be a little more down to earth here and come back down to reality and realize for day to day living this state has less and less appeal every year.

[sheri257]

Originally Posted by sav858

I don't get it with some people here and them actually believing everyone still wants to live in CA, that is simply not true. It's part of the reason our real estate prices are so overpriced, b/c people here still think there house is worth double despite neither incomes nor "desirability" doubling in the last 7 years. This state has lost its appeal for many a while ago. Some people have too big of ego's in this state and it's annoying, I wish people would be a little more down to earth here and come back down to reality and realize for day to day living this state has less and less appeal every year.

You completely misread my post. I didn't say there wasn't negative net migration and I didn't say that everyone wants to live here. I did say that it doesn't matter when it comes to the cost of living.

California has had negative net migration since the '90s yet the cost of living remains high. Housing prices were the highest in the country during the boom and the premium markets are still expensive even during the crash.

Why? People with money pay to live here. It has nothing to do with ego or arrogance ... it has everything to do with the fact that those with money pretty much pay whatever it takes.

That's what keeps the cost of living high no matter how many people move out of state. Sure, there are people who leave but, it's obviously not in significant enough numbers to drive down the cost of living.

If it was ... California would be a lot cheaper place to live. But that just hasn't happened.

[Avaria]

Why I worship California

I have lived in Oregon, Idaho, Arizona, and Colorado - they never felt like home no matter how long I lived there.
It wasn’t the components of these places – because like California they have freeways, street lights, buildings and houses. And it’s not the aesthetics of the area – because those other states are beautiful in their own way.

What makes me love California is the collective thought. I can talk about a subject and most people know what I am talking about; they can relate. There is a bond among neighbors that I can’t find in any other state.

There are lots of pit falls to California and I am not a Pollyanna. But the uniqueness of Californians and the California lifestyle always draws me back home. And of course, there is always the FANTASTIC food, the scenic drives, and the plethora of things to do that keep me totally entertained in California.

No place feels like home – no place - It’s only California that feels right to me. I have tried living other places and I just feel like a tourist sitting with a bunch of locals who just told an inside joke and I just don’t get it. No matter how much I try to immerse myself in the culture and community of other states – I always feel like an outsider.

[City Boy]

Oregon and Washington are boring and I hate the weather. Nothing feels more like home than California. The State is large and has the climate of those two states you mentioned depending on what part you are in. You can do anything you do in any other state in California.

Why do people like you generalize the entire state? What is the Hollywood mentality? Elitism? Snobbish? That can be found in any city or town in the country. What's your point.

[ArizonaBear]

Originally Posted by Avaria

Why I worship California

I have lived in Oregon, Idaho, Arizona, and Colorado - they never felt like home no matter how long I lived there.
It wasn’t the components of these places – because like California they have freeways, street lights, buildings and houses. And it’s not the aesthetics of the area – because those other states are beautiful in their own way.

What makes me love California is the collective thought. I can talk about a subject and most people know what I am talking about; they can relate. There is a bond among neighbors that I can’t find in any other state.

There are lots of pit falls to California and I am not a Pollyanna. But the uniqueness of Californians and the California lifestyle always draws me back home. And of course, there is always the FANTASTIC food, the scenic drives, and the plethora of things to do that keep me totally entertained in California.

No place feels like home – no place - It’s only California that feels right to me. I have tried living other places and I just feel like a tourist sitting with a bunch of locals who just told an inside joke and I just don’t get it. No matter how much I try to immerse myself in the culture and community of other states – I always feel like an outsider.

I know of what you speak of there...............California is more than just a physical place------------it is also a state of mind.

For the record: despite my being from the Wash DC area; several people who knew me back there commented on my having more of a 'West Coast' vibe-------never mind I had never been to the latter place till I left DC 30 years ago------------permanently.