Why do so many young people move to CA? (Los Angeles: transplants, crime)

[vive2003]

Hi everyone--

I moved to California (Costa Mesa to be exact) this summer, essentially to live with my now ex-boyfriend. Anyhow, I am now taking a journalism class for which I need to write a feature story, and the subject I selected is young California transplants. Basically, when I moved out here I was surprised at the number of young people (late teens through mid-twenties) who relocated to this state from all over the country. It intigued me to investigate the reasons as to why California is the go-to state when a young person is moving away from his or her home base...I'm really hoping someone will have some opinions, references, people to talk to, etc. that might help me out with this...
Thank you!!!!!
-Haley

[notmeofficer]

wine, work, women and weather....


Haley, my perspective is skewed,,,

I saw many many young people come here seeking fame and fortune. They were the celebrated homecoming queens in Oakadokie America and believed that California would embrace them in the same manner. They would show up in Hollywood truly believing "they" were the one going to make it big in Los Angeles... .0000001 % ever did... the rest...

Took acting classes at Lee Strausburg acting academy honing their skills for being discovered...

Became waiters at trendy spots hoping to be discovered...

Started doing porno hoping to be discovered...

Started doing "directors" (isn't everyone on L.A.?) hoping to be discovered

Started doing tricks on Santa Monica Blvd hoping to be discovered

Went back to Oakadokie broken and drug addicted discovering life is cruel and cold when you don't make the right decisions


Ok.. so this is my cynical view... it is a real view however... I saw it firsthand, everyday I went to work in West Hollywood, (Sunset Blvd,, all the famous rock and roll bars and nightclubs). The daytime population was 90k.. at night the young people would make the area swell to 400,000... trust me I got to speak to a lot of them and ask that question,,, why?,, why did you come here?.. did you think you would end up like this? It was easy to spot the "newbies" off the Greyhound buses... they would walk down Sunset Blvd by Mann's Chinese theater looking at all the stars on Hollywood Blvd... you could practically see the wheels moving in their heads... seems like each one had the same story.. "Im an actor".. who in Hollywood isn't!...

Me... I came looking for the California dream, laid back life, warm sun and fun,beautiful girls, great opportunity.. I found some of that... then I grew up. Most importantly I found an unusual woman who married me.. of course it took me being here for 25 years to find her...she was a native and the quintesential essence of what I thought a California woman was, brainy, beautiful and boundless in energy... and all natural.. not like the fakeness of what California women are typically known for today
I had already been a policeman on the east coast.... I was tired of the cold weather... my brother lived in Beverly Hills, hey isn't all of California like Beverly Hills? So I moved here for a higher paying better career job with L.A County Sheriff... I was 22... it was exciting.. so much to do.. I could run anytime I wanted ,, weather was never an issue.. so I packed up a jeep and a small utility trailer with everything I owned and spent six weeks driving across the country.. staying at every mom and pop Podunk sheriffs department I could.. eating with joe deputy and his family in small town America, trading department patches and telling war stories with all the experience a two year policeman could muster... but man was I excited.. going to L.A... Those six weeks traveling America was an experience for me and I got to see the "real" America... far removed from L.A.

I was a little shell shocked when I arrived and realized how busy it actually was... a great job staved this off... I have a strong memory about not even knowing there was a freeway to get from west to east that was more efficient than city streets.. so my commute from Santa Monica to East L.A (academy) took hours on city streets.... everything was so fast,, so unfriendly.. and people always seemed to try run a "game" on you.. fortunately as a policeman the learning curve is steep by necessity.. but blue eyed wonders from Kansas got taken advantage, of this I'm sure...
it was depressing to see so many people my age on the street squeaking by.. many becoming desperate as money from mom and dad didn't even make a dent for living here...
What I found was a California far from laid back... the haves wanting more.. the have nots seeking it or giving up.. or a few..seemingly very few, content with what they have made for themselves beyond material wealth.. or elusive fame...
Do a search on "Children of the Night"... there was a documentary on it some years ago.. became an outreach organization in L.A.... where young people would show up trying to get out of the depths of L.A chewing them up...
I had worked south central L.A. (Firestone) for five or more years when I transferred to West Hollywood Station... I considered myself battle hardened by ghetto policing but I wasn't ready for what i saw on Santa Monica Blvd... kids.. by the hundreds.. without exaggeration.. on the Blvd,, doing anything and everything just to survive,,, made me want to transfer back to the ghetto immediately.. eventually I became desensitized to it.. just another day in L.A.

Lots of young people want to avoid the unpleasant side of Hollywood.. pretend it doesn't exist...and if they are smart enough to actually perceive it then they have to be smart enough to avoid it's pitfalls.. the lifestyle is pretty narcotic..

Are there success stories.. sure.. tell me

[socketz]

"Why do so many young people move to CA?"

So let's finish the sentence....

Why do so many young people move to CA, and so many people in their 30s through 60s moving out ?

In my opinion (i.e. there are hot girls everywhere, and I love CA, so not jaded)...

The incredible weather/topography breeds an unparalled sense of optimism. Optimism that since being younger, has become jaded by the harsh world of reality. When I first arrived in San Diego when I was 20, I felt like life had no bounds and was angry at myself for not finding the place sooner.

Now, fast forward 15 years later, I still feel life has no bounds....jbut you may need to leave your comfort zone in CA to experience it.

I mean, I'm senior in my career and salary expectations. 20 years from now I may even need to retire. Maybe my kids will want to go to college, so I will need lots of savings. Maybe I even want to upgrade and buy a newer home. Maybe I just want to experience something new in my life and share that experience with my family.

I've worked all the 50-60k jobs in CA in 3 different careers and every time there (after climbing 3 rungs of the ladder and maxing out on salary) were limitations....simply because it's CA and people just don't ask for much more. This breeds a disease called complacency that made me nuts. It's the attitude "shut up and keep your mouth shut, at least you have a job and can say you live in San Diego". This creates the stress the previous poster spoke of because your options are now limited.

So now once you pass through the illusion of endless prosperity....you begin thinking. Is this it ? In in my mid thirties and done growing ? You then start thinking about all the opportunities you've passed up in other parts of the country just because you'd never dream of living anywhere other than CA....it's the Panacea of all that is encapsulated in life right ? You believe people who live anywhere else are less fortunate and would live in CA at the drop of the hat if they could afford to right ?

Then you decide to follow up on one of these opportunities outside the pearly gates of CA, you find that there are lots of other places to live where the weather is not as nice, but the people are even more happy, not just because they are not strapped with 4k a month mortgages, but for the multitude of other things you never even thought of (i.e. how many people in CA own 100 acres of land in the country). The defense mechanism you've created centered around weather being the pinnacle of all that life is based on - suddenly get holes shot in it from all sides. You now see how you can progress both your life and the lives of your family, maybe even retire some day and send your kids to college. Suddenly, your force field has collapsed.....common sense kicks in....your a Dad, a husband, people are counting on you to not allow emotions to drive your decision. Suddenly, everything changes. You move, take a MUCH better job with MUCH better salary/future and live in a MUCH nicer home with MUCH better schools. You learn about exploring things in life outside work that you had never dreamed of. You start realizing again, that maybe all this is just a rite of passage and yet another chapter in your life. You have options again.

You've now become me.

[bkeast]

California is full of promise, which is very appealing to younger people with huge aspirations and a drive to conquer the world. There are many means for higher education in California, considering the abundance of trade schools, colleges and universities here. California is thought of as a place of hope and opportunity; young people flock here by the hundreds to try and capture a bit of it for themselves.

There is also the lure of stardom that draws people in. For some, there is the assumption that if they are able to become part of Hollywood, they will undoubtedly make it big. Sadly, very few ever do. Hollywood (Tinsel Town) is portrayed as this magical place where stars walk the streets in abundance and producers are just waiting for the next pretty face. The truth is, even though much of Hollywood is like a movie set, only a very small percentage of it is the "rich and famous" everyone dreams of; and most of us will never get close enough to experience this part of its glamour.

Whether California is all it is said to be- whether it offers a miriad of endless possibilities to those who seek it- is a matter of opinion. However, I think many who are born and raised in a small town tend to crave the excitement and promise of a place like California; on the other hand, those of us born and raised here are seeming to crave the tranquility of the ever-elusive small town life more and more every year.

[Mvn2nc]

Originally Posted by socketz

"Why do so many young people move to CA?"

So let's finish the sentence....

Why do so many young people move to CA, and so many people in their 30s through 60s moving out ?

In my opinion (i.e. there are hot girls everywhere, and I love CA, so not jaded)...

The incredible weather/topography breeds an unparalled sense of optimism. Optimism that since being younger, has become jaded by the harsh world of reality. When I first arrived in San Diego when I was 20, I felt like life had no bounds and was angry at myself for not finding the place sooner.

Now, fast forward 15 years later, I still feel life has no bounds....jbut you may need to leave your comfort zone in CA to experience it.

I mean, I'm senior in my career and salary expectations. 20 years from now I may even need to retire. Maybe my kids will want to go to college, so I will need lots of savings. Maybe I even want to upgrade and buy a newer home. Maybe I just want to experience something new in my life and share that experience with my family.

I've worked all the 50-60k jobs in CA in 3 different careers and every time there (after climbing 3 rungs of the ladder and maxing out on salary) were limitations....simply because it's CA and people just don't ask for much more. This breeds a disease called complacency that made me nuts. It's the attitude "shut up and keep your mouth shut, at least you have a job and can say you live in San Diego". This creates the stress the previous poster spoke of because your options are now limited.

So now once you pass through the illusion of endless prosperity....you begin thinking. Is this it ? In in my mid thirties and done growing ? You then start thinking about all the opportunities you've passed up in other parts of the country just because you'd never dream of living anywhere other than CA....it's the Panacea of all that is encapsulated in life right ? You believe people who live anywhere else are less fortunate and would live in CA at the drop of the hat if they could afford to right ?

Then you decide to follow up on one of these opportunities outside the pearly gates of CA, you find that there are lots of other places to live where the weather is not as nice, but the people are even more happy, not just because they are not strapped with 4k a month mortgages, but for the multitude of other things you never even thought of (i.e. how many people in CA own 100 acres of land in the country). The defense mechanism you've created centered around weather being the pinnacle of all that life is based on - suddenly get holes shot in it from all sides. You now see how you can progress both your life and the lives of your family, maybe even retire some day and send your kids to college. Suddenly, your force field has collapsed.....common sense kicks in....your a Dad, a husband, people are counting on you to not allow emotions to drive your decision. Suddenly, everything changes. You move, take a MUCH better job with MUCH better salary/future and live in a MUCH nicer home with MUCH better schools. You learn about exploring things in life outside work that you had never dreamed of. You start realizing again, that maybe all this is just a rite of passage and yet another chapter in your life. You have options again.

You've now become me.

That was certainly interesting and i think more common than just myself with the same attitude,thoughts and then just doing it!Although i have not found the 'better job" but i have found the much nicer home with half the house payment!
But the ones that are born and raised in Calif. then leave it mid life,it does indeed become a rite of passage and another chaper in your life, that is for sure.There is more to life than Calif.I will always love "my state", but when it's time to go and grow, its just time.

[Need_affordable_home]

Others have said it well. I have friends in CA that like the weather, shopping, parties and theres lots of other young people for them to make friends.

I am not a party guy and would find north CA appealing for a laid back style. Theres cheap land in the mountains, very beautiful views and I can hike to play in the snow.

[newportbeachsmostwanted]

At the age of 18(fresh out of high school) I moved to Southern California. I aspired to live the life of a "Pacific Sunwear Commercial." Surf in the morning, skate, and hit the slopes in the afternoon. I fell in love with the beauty of the area and the "coolness" of all the was attributed. The people were wacky, cool, good looking, rich, poor, black, white... It was all here.

The rich definitly have a large presence in California. Getting rich is a dream for most that seems easier to chase when living beside those living "the dream life." Personally-Yeah, there's a nice feeling when million-dollar cars pass you. It's something inspiring. It's a feeling you can't get anywhere else.

SoCal has an excellent image. It is one of the few places in the United States which can bare the name, "paradise." (Perhaps Florida too) The palm trees, pristine beaches, 70-degree weather... It's picturesque.


Fresh off the bus I considered myself "ready to party." I had this vision that LA was going to give me "the perfect life." I thought it was soo cool, hip, attractive, and ready to party with the big crowds(everything that I was)... Well, I found out me and LA were best friends!! I lived an absolute dream! I had more friends than ever in my life. Everyday was exciting.. and simply life could have No way been any better. It was perfect. I surrounded myself 24/7 by amazing people and we "tore up" the clubs, the streets, the high-end malls, the places I only saw on TV. It was seriously nuts. Growing up-I didn't even have dreams this good.. I figured, if life was this good here, I would probably live forever. .. (I was too happy to become unhealthy)

I was so consumed in my life to notice that I lived in a toilet. No matter how bad it was.. it added to "the experience."

I had to file a few crime reports before I woke up and got out. I had to stay "sane." I realized that LA was too extreme. The high's are so high, but the low's are in the pits! I have never seen an American city with such resemblence of Mexico. ...I realized that for anyone to survive here: you need 1. money, 2. "wear blinders", 3. adopt some crazy beliefs, 4. be in a gang, 5. be an illegal, or 6. surround yourself with excellent people to distract you from how bad LA is...

[bkeast]

Originally Posted by newportbeachsmostwanted

At the age of 18(fresh out of high school) I moved to Southern California. I aspired to live the life of a "Pacific Sunwear Commercial." Surf in the morning, skate, and hit the slopes in the afternoon. I fell in love with the beauty of the area and the "coolness" of all the was attributed. The people were wacky, cool, good looking, rich, poor, black, white... It was all here.

The rich definitly have a large presence in California. Getting rich is a dream for most that seems easier to chase when living beside those living "the dream life." Personally-Yeah, there's a nice feeling when million-dollar cars pass you. It's something inspiring. It's a feeling you can't get anywhere else.

SoCal has an excellent image. It is one of the few places in the United States which can bare the name, "paradise." (Perhaps Florida too) The palm trees, pristine beaches, 70-degree weather... It's picturesque.


Fresh off the bus I considered myself "ready to party." I had this vision that LA was going to give me "the perfect life." I thought it was soo cool, hip, attractive, and ready to party with the big crowds(everything that I was)... Well, I found out me and LA were best friends!! I lived an absolute dream! I had more friends than ever in my life. Everyday was exciting.. and simply life could have No way been any better. It was perfect. I surrounded myself 24/7 by amazing people and we "tore up" the clubs, the streets, the high-end malls, the places I only saw on TV. It was seriously nuts. Growing up-I didn't even have dreams this good.. I figured, if life was this good here, I would probably live forever. .. (I was too happy to become unhealthy)

I was so consumed in my life to notice that I lived in a toilet. No matter how bad it was.. it added to "the experience."

I had to file a few crime reports before I woke up and got out. I had to stay "sane." I realized that LA was too extreme. The high's are so high, but the low's are in the pits! I have never seen an American city with such resemblence of Mexico. ...I realized that for anyone to survive here: you need 1. money, 2. "wear blinders", 3. adopt some crazy beliefs, 4. be in a gang, 5. be an illegal, or 6. surround yourself with excellent people to distract you from how bad LA is...

Dude, you may not have been born and raised here, but you were definitely here long enough to know what you're talking about! I couldn't have said it better, and I've lived here all my life. One of the most interesting things I've learned about this place in my 28 years of being here is that, you can successfully live a fairly normal life, surrounded by paradise. But DON'T step outside of your suburb or the reality of what's behind your rose colored glasses will overwhelm you.

[shannon94]

Wow Sockets!!! Great post! That's exactly how my husband and I looked at leaving CA. When I was younger?? Oh ...no other place to be than SD!!! I feel fortunate that I spent my young life there. But, having a child changed my perspective. My husband also saw limits to his career in SD and is making alot more here in Texas and gets to work from home now. It's amazing what the grind of commuting can do to your psyche.....he is so much happier now. The first couple of years we lived in TX ...we thought we wanted to return to Cali (it is hard to get SD out of your system)but not anymore. Might have a retirement home there for long visits....(we will inherit a home on Mt.Helix) but that's about it.

[dusesean1986]

Congratulations, Shannon! It sometimes takes a while to adjust, but I'm glad you folks have enjoyed your new location. I'm happy for you.