For those wanting to move out of California, or for those that already have (Santa Ana: relocation)

[jdavid93225]

Originally Posted by Honeybee

I thought it was great to hear all your responses Why you want to leave Ca. and where your thinking of moving to .We have lived in Ca. are whole lives and want to relocate also .We have been to Wa. Or. Id. Mt. wanted to live in one of those states . because of the moutains there all beautiful but I think the prices are getting like Ca. there also .Then we went to Tulsa OK. in Sep. and Eurekea Springs Ark. and Branson MO. we had never been to the Mid West We have now deceided to head to Tulsa OK. we loved the Green Rolling Hills and country feel and houses are 1/2 the cost of Ca. we can sale here and pay cash there and retire at 59 to just travel , and still be living well . It is undergoing alot of changes they call it there 2025 project lots of Great things are coming to Tulsa We are looking forward to the move from Ca. Hope you find just what your looking for in your move as well . If we live there and deceide we don't like it then we will go somewhere else .We know we don't want to retire in Ca. to high to live here .

Just so you are not surprised when you get to Tulsa, check into the humidity in the summer, as well as tornadoes, as Oklahoma is pretty much in the middle of "Tornado Alley." Those are the main things that come to mind that may come as a surprise to those not familiar with the area.

Here is the tornado info from the City-data website for Tulsa:

Tulsa-area historical tornado activity is near Oklahoma state average. It is 227% greater than the overall U.S. average.

On 5/5/1960, a category 5 (max. wind speeds 261-318 mph) tornado 10.7 miles away from the Tulsa city center killed 5 people and injured 81 people and caused between $500,000 and $5,000,000 in damages.

On 4/24/1993, a category 4 (max. wind speeds 207-260 mph) tornado 7.5 miles away from the city center killed 7 people and injured 100 people and caused between $5,000,000 and $50,000,000 in damages.

[SandyCo]

Originally Posted by bkeast

SandyCo, I'm glad I could help a bit. One other thing I wanted to mention is, I don't know if you have kids or not, but one of the biggest complaints the residents seemed to have was that once their children get old enuogh, most high-tail it out of there as fast as their legs can take them, because there's so little opportunity there. Since I have two small kids, that was a really big deal to me. And yes, we would've been faced with having to drive 2 hours to Denver anytime we wanted/needed anything the local shopping center didn't offer; not a very convenient life Good luck to in wherever you decide. Also, I found this book very helpful in my pursuit of a better place to live: "Life 2.0, How People Across America Are Transforming Their Lives by Finding the Where of Their Happiness," by, Rich Karlgaard. In it, he lists 150 great (and cheap) places to live.

Thank you! I have two kids but they're older (21 and 18). I'm not moving until they're both out for good. I'd probably have to go visit them if I end up moving to somewhere like Montana or Wyoming! That's okay with me, though. It would be a good excuse for a road trip.

Originally Posted by jdavid93225

SandyCo, I would suggest that you check it out for yourself when you have the opportunity.

I just might check it out for myself. My company only has one office in Wyoming, which is in Casper. I can't afford to take a drastic cut in wages, so my plan is to transfer. I'm also well aware that the convenience of restaurants open at 11:00 p.m. aren't going to be available everywhere, and that makes me go, "Hmmm." I rarely go out to eat that late, but it's nice to have the option. I'm so spoiled in many ways!

[Kathleenh54]

I'm originally from NY, lived in CT, moved to SoCal in 2001 (husband's job) and now that he's retired we live in Ashland, Oregon. I loved SoCal. We left for one reason; money. It would have meant too many compromises for us on a fixed income.

Ashland is a nice little college town located fifteen miles from the NorCal border. The winters are mild although we just had six inches of snow on Thursday (a whole year's worth at once, I'm told!). It has all but melted at this point. We get about 22 inches of rain a year here. The Oregon Shakespeare Festival runs from February through October and brings in tourists from all over the world. That means our town has lovely restaurants and places to shop. Big Box stores are located in Medford, about fifteen miles north of us on the I-5. Schools in Oregon as a whole are deficient and the daughter who is still at home with us goes to a private school.

Overall we are very happy here. The scenery is beautiful, the people are nice and not overtly hostile to our being from CA. We have a beautiful, brand new house which we purchased with the equity from our house in SoCal. Our cars are paid for, life is simpler here and our daughter is amazed that her friends will brag about 'scoring' a great pair of jeans from Goodwill which only required a button sewn on and voila. Goodwill?! No California Girl we ever met even knew they existed. No five-hundred dollar Coach backpack for these kids.

[cynwldkat]

We will be moving to NC within the next month. The people there are friendly and the prices are affordable. The climate is similar to CA but more humid. Go to the NC site here and you will hear many good things about how the "new arrivals" are welcomed. They also have seasons there and lots of green!! We already have family living there that moved from CA and they said they would never come back to CA. They love it there!!

[VC dreamer]

California has 4 seasons too.....earthquake season, fire season, flood season, and when the Lakers win, riot season!

[Mvn2nc]

Originally Posted by cynwldkat

We will be moving to NC within the next month. The people there are friendly and the prices are affordable. The climate is similar to CA but more humid. Go to the NC site here and you will hear many good things about how the "new arrivals" are welcomed. They also have seasons there and lots of green!! We already have family living there that moved from CA and they said they would never come back to CA. They love it there!!

I am a Calif. transplant and i just love it here in N.C It really reminds me of Calif. back in the 60's 70's before it all changed.Good luck moving!!

[cynwldkat]

That's what I've heard from many who have moved to NC. I was scared of moving at first but the more I read posts like yours the more I get excited. It will all be an adventure and here in CA the adventure is all but gone!!!

[orlsrr]

I moved from Ca about a year ago and I moved to Oklahoma it a very friendly place but there is not much to do. The school system is great .

[leavingcali]

Originally Posted by VC dreamer

How come no one wants to move to Utah??? I know...I know...I didn't want to move here either, but I had no choice. But, it has been good for us. What I can't figure out since I've been here though....why are there so many open jobs here??? I know a lot of big businesses have their corporate headquarters out here....Novell...Amex...Discover...1-800-contacts-Advanta, and I know the wages offered are as good as California...McDonalds pays $10.00 an hour...so why are they having such a hard time getting people to fill the positions??
The scenery is beautiful, the cities are diverse. it has 4 seasons...houses are cheap...taxes are low, insurance is cheaper...they drive out here like they do in Ca (lol)....c'mon people....move to Utah....and if you have a Submarnia franchise, PLEASE bring it!!!!

I think non-mormans fear they will not be accepted into the community. I have spent some time in the Utah forum and that seems to be a common theme. What's your experience regarding this topic?

[imphe]

I remember a friend telling me that Salt Lake had a thriving gay population back in the late 90's. I think the city more diverse then people give it credit for. That actually pretty much goes for most of America.