How many are thinking of leaving California? (Los Angeles, San Diego: middle-class, unemployment rate)

[happ]

Originally Posted by BennyPhoenix

Me and my family are leaving next summer.
The continually rising taxes, brain dead politicians, lack of anything remotely resembling political balance, poor schools, poor quality of life, overpopulation(and growing), traffic and obscene cost of living are the big reasons.

California's best feature is it's weather.

If california doesn't shape up it will become the equal of a third world country, which is too bad because it could be the great place it once was. BUt the brain dead politicians are too stupid to turn this train around, even if they wanted to.

It's interesting that some of the most conservative\ against gay marriage posters on this board are the least happy in California & doubt they will be happy anywhere they live.

[happ]

Originally Posted by MtnSurfer

We just moved 'Back' to CA after living in CO for several years. We were there long enough to enjoy the beautiful Rocky Mountains with our three children. And yes there are many advatages to living there over CA. Lets face it, Californians are leaving by the thousands - secondary migration. And many of the nicer states do not appreciate the big influx of Californians. But hey CA was invaded first by the entire world.

The bottom line we have come to realize is that no place is perfect, but rather a separate set of pros/cons. When you move somewhere else you are just trading one set for another. So the main question really is will the pros outweigh the cons for you? If you think the answer is yes then go! Really, life is an adventure. No need to bag excessively on CA though on your way out as you may in fact be back some day.

We lived in CO long enough to realize that although nice we wanted to get back to the West Coast. However we knew that we had no desire to live in SoCal again. It was to us a concrete jungle. Our first choice was Monterey beacuse this was our favorite section of the CA coast. And it worked out for us. Sure the cost of living is high here. But there are so many other pros that its worth it. Remeber that CA is a huge state with a lot of diverse landscape, culture and opportunity.

Lets face it, CA has a lot of the best and worst parts of our nation. If you can enjoy the the best and not become entangled in the worst it really is a great place to live.

Just out of curiosity where do you think you will go? Have you evaluated the new negatives and do you think you will be ok with those over the long haul? Do you mind living far from your family? If your answer is 'this shouldn't be a problem' then why not give it a go. CO has a thriving areospace industry (mainly Denver, Colorado Springs). Getting a clearance is important out there and a value in this economy. There are other software opportunites out there as well. I am still getting contacted by recruiters to come back to CO to work. But we don't plan to return although some of our family has migrated from CA to CO 'they say' for good.

Derek

You raise some good points. If someone is unhappy living in a marginal neighborhood\ commutes over 2 hours a day\ lives in an apartment\ has limited resources, etc. then it is understandable that they might want to move. COL is much better in Nebraska.

I live in Los Angeles & think it is paradise. But my situation allows me both the open countryside\ foothills & being downtown LA or Pasadena in 10 minutes by train or 20 minutes rush hour traffic. So the nightlife of the Disney\ music center\ great restaurants & Old Town is nearby. Yet I live in a woodland of animals & quiet nights. I have been able to keep employment closeby so gas isn't a major factor. I love Los Angeles & all it offers but probably wouldn't feel the same way if I lived in Compton\ El Monte, etc.

Having attended college in Chicago & work & studied in New York City, I know a bit about the rest of the nation. NYC was tough to leave [even though I lived in a rough area of Brooklyn] & I enjoy visits. Chicago had much to offer me as well.

There's a line of thinking in this post that those particularly uncomfortable with "Leftist" politics & liberal "live & let live" mindset are the more likely to be unhappy in California. And proclaim a mass exodus of "brains" & "money" to Arkansas [a state that voted to isolate gay people from any semblance of a life]

The dialog of living in California or living elsewhere is a common discussion on the 'General Topics' forum.

[happ]

Originally Posted by Humanoid

Why is that? I still don't believe you. Your salary isn't very consistent with the comments you've made here. I learned long ago when things don't add up from people over the internet its more often than not because they are full of it.

But really I don't care. Its not relevant. Perhaps you really make $110k or perhaps you are full of it. I have no way of really knowing. $110k/year isn't a lot of money to me.

My point again is that California can't function as a state if hard working people with normal jobs can't even afford a house and despite record declines in house prices this is still the case. You can talk about how much people like the coast all you want, but if there are no teachers, firefighters, mechanics, construction workers etc etc it doesn't matter. You have no real community.

California is turning into a place where illegals, who are living multiple families per household, are supporting a sort of aristocracy. That isn't my idea of a nice community.

You do not know the health field. Once a clinician in a psychiatric hospital, I can assure that RN's make a very good salary in unionized California. Why would you doubt Sheri's word

You have a different perspective of California [sort of out of sync

[sheri257]

Originally Posted by happ

You do not know the health field. Once a clinician in a psychiatric hospital, I can assure that RN's make a very good salary in unionized California. Why would you doubt Sheri's word

You have a different perspective of California [sort of out of sync]

Well ... maybe he really is beat and can't make it here. Afterall, if they can't make it here, nobody else can ... right?

I really resent this. If people want to blame the entire state of California for their problems and move out of state then ... fine. Good riddance.

But don't accuse me of lying. Instead of constantly whining and crying about my circumstances ... I started over in my '40s, went back to school and intentionally picked a field that I knew would pay well so I could live the life I wanted in California.

That's what I wanted and I actually did something about it ... I WORKED for it ... instead of constantly whining and complaining so ...

If the only way you can feel better about yourself is to trash this state on the way out and blame it for all of your problems then, by all means ... go.

[happ]

Originally Posted by sheri257

Well ... maybe he really is beat and can't make it here. Afterall, if they can't make it here, nobody else can ... right?

I really resent this. If people want to blame the entire state of California for their problems and move out of state then ... fine. Good riddance.

But don't accuse me of lying. Instead of constantly whining and crying about my circumstances ... I started over in my '40s, went back to school and intentionally picked a field that I knew would pay well so I could live the life I wanted in California.

That's what I wanted and I actually did something about it ... I WORKED for it ... instead of constantly whining and complaining so ...

If the only way you can feel better about yourself is to trash this state on the way out and blame it for all of your problems then, by all means ... go.

We have a lot in common. I also returned to college for a master's degree & can live a comfortable life. The health industry is a fun field. Nurses work long shifts & put in many hours of overtime [they earn every dollar

[sheri257]

Originally Posted by happ

We have a lot in common. I also returned to college for a master's degree & can live a comfortable life.

Yes, we do have a lot in common. My husband put me through school so, now I'm putting him through school so he too can advance his career and salary. He's going back to school at the age of 47 so, I'm really proud of him.

[JetJockey]

Originally Posted by sheri257

Yes, we do have a lot in common. My husband put me through school so, now I'm putting him through school so he too can advance his career and salary. He's going back to school at the age of 47 so, I'm really proud of him.

Congrats to your husband for going back to school!


That's exactly what me and my boyfriend are doing I'm receiving a bachelors in business this May, then he is going to tech school to be kind of involved in the medical field (he is going to be a private contractor to fix all the MRI/Dexa/xray machines.. pretty good money if you can get it) and then I'll go back to get my Bachelors in either Aeronautical Engineering or Aviation, then get we're both getting our pilots license eventually. It's a great way of doing things

[CA central coast]

Originally Posted by sheri257

I make anywhere between 130-150K a year, depending on how much OT I want to work. My base pay is $110K

So, are you single?...........J/K.

My number one reason would be COL, as to why I'd leave. Retiring with a house payment is not an option, and I'm not going to retire to a trailer park. States I'm considering are; MT, WY, the western halves of ND, SD, NE, and KS and SE OK and NW AR

[happ]

Originally Posted by CA central coast

So, are you single?...........J/K.

My number one reason would be COL, as to why I'd leave. Retiring with a house payment is not an option, and I'm not going to retire to a trailer park. States I'm considering are; MT, WY, the western halves of ND, SD, NE, and KS and SE OK and NW AR

Oh my God! hope you visit before you move!

[CA central coast]

Originally Posted by happ

Oh my God! hope you visit before you move!

That bad? I plan on visiting more, I've been to a few. But yes, nothing in depth. I may never move, but I plan on at least tying up a piece of property somewhere out of state in the next five years, just to have.