Is over-population the cause of California's woes? (San Jose, London: apartment, high school)

[1979]

I think most people think of California as a very beautiful state, for years it was considered one of the favored places to be. Do you think over population, and/or too many immigrants are the primary reason so many have become negative on CA?

[sav858]

Overpopulation is definitely a big part of it, if not the main reason. BUT CA could have better handled the growth and not have all the crappy quality of life issues if it had better planning and development to handle the growth instead of the Post WWII decentralized auto oriented sprawl that has ruined much of this state over the past 50 years.

Immigrants, and their US born children, are the main reasons this state is overpopulated. Not that I am against immigration but what we have is too much, a little moderation and not so many poor, uneducated illegal immigrants would have a been more sustainable.

[bhcompy]

not necessarily overpopulation as much as too much demand for so small an area. i guess that is overpopulation in a roundabout way

[Future Trooper]

I agree with you SAV858. California could have definetly handeld the growth and sprawl they should have took notes on what The Northeast did. Build infrastructure like Subways,Trains, Bus Lines( i know Cali has bus service but not enough). and LA and all major cities in California could have definetly devoted more land to "Green" the average amount of land donated to "green" in cities in California is around 11%( LA 9.6%)While in cities in England( takes notes-smaller in land area and has greater population) the average amount of land donated to "Green" is just under 47%.( London-almost 46%)


Immigrants do cause a key role in the overpopulation woes that California faces presently and in the future. I to am not against Immigration. but with the Immigrants coming over with out skills and atleast a High School Education.Cause a Heavy Burden on Social Security and other government agencies. which in return burdens the tax payers

[POhdNcrzy]

I think global warming or climate change or extreme drought or whatever you wanna label it, is significant part of California's woes, especially in SoCal.

In a buncha states, global warming/climate change is perhaps providing more pros than cons. I think this is the case in New England, but I'm not a scientist (not officially anyway). Here in New England a few extra degrees of warmth over the last two decades has markedly improved the quality of life here for humans by taking an edge off the viciously cold northern-Atlantic winter. Also, it used to be cloudy about 5 days a week and now that's 3 or 4 days a week. Well, that's fine by me. New England is less gloomy than it used to be.

However, in southern California, you're taking a dry place and making it super-dry. It is so bone dry there in the last 15 years or so. The water is drying up and you get those nasty fires and smoke. It's bad news....

[wisconsin woman]

Im not sure people are so negative of Calif per say because its Calif.....I think its more the type of people that live in an area that make bad impressions. Just like any other state, there will be the good, the bad, but it definitely isnt over populated. In comparison to the east coast, where there might be a 3 million population within a 3 mile stretch (only difference is they mostly spread upwards, in multi-story apts rather than widespread, as in housing), I havent noticed Calif as crowded.

[Capt. Dan]

I think that alot of people look at some of the silly rules and propositions that California imposes and think that state government goes too far into its citizens lives and businesses. People in other places look at the cost of doing business in the state and say No Way! Things like making sure chickens are nice and comfy. Things like saying you cant smoke in your own apartment. Alot of people look at these things and say its not worth it.

[BennyPhoenix]

Overpopulation is the root of all of California's problems. California is overpopulated with idiot politicians who are incapable of running this state.

[Winston Smith]

Originally Posted by 1979

I think most people think of California as a very beautiful state, for years it was considered one of the favored places to be. Do you think over population, and/or too many immigrants are the primary reason so many have become negative on CA?

Immigrants? That's about 98% of CA's population. Seems to me CA has always had a population "problem." Even pre-Columbus CA's part of the continent was the most populous.

But to answer the OP in a word, "no"! Population in CA isn't the problem nearly so much as land-use and resource consumption are. CA needs to develop its cities smarter and become even more efficient with energy and other resources. It seems disingenuous and self-serving for those who have been in CA 1 year, 10 years, 30 years to say to everyone behind them in line, "Enough! Stay out!"

[gsilver]

The thing that I can't stand about where I live (just west of San Jose) is how it's just miles upon miles of strip malls, high density housing, and office buildings. There is absolutely no sense of what the land originally looked like beneath the development. It wouldn't be nearly as bad if they built the city 'up' instead of 'out'

I got here less than one year ago, and I'm getting out as soon as I have the chance. All I can say that it's been one heck of a way to find out that I'm not a 'city person', at all.