For Those Thinking of Leaving, Where are You Looking to Go? (Huntington Beach: crime, place to live)

[Ludachris]

Originally Posted by markfromCA

Denver Colorado. Lot's of family, clean air, water and a good place to raise kids.

And you're unhappy in San Ramon? If we could afford San Ramon, I'm not sure we'd leave the area. Not to say we don't enjoy Denver.

[EscapeCalifornia]

Originally Posted by Ludachris

Yeah, it's gotten a LOT better over the past decade due to air quality restrictions, but it's still not all that great in the city, mostly due to the fact that the city sits right at the base of the Rockies. If there isn't any wind, the smog just sits there. I only notice it every so often though - mostly in the middle of summer when there aren't afternoon thunderstorms.

Yeah anyone calling Denver's air terrible hasn't spent much time anywhere near SoCal. Denver looks almost pristine in comparison. A quick check of pollution statistics shows Denver pretty far down the list of dirtiest cities while SoCal dominates the top 5.

[shannonM]

Originally Posted by gypsy77

Some posts on here are from people who left CA, but miss it so much, they want to come back. So before I move, I am making myself a "reminder list" of all the things that are reasons why I want to leave. When I'm feeling homesick, or cursing the winter weather in the midwest, I will take out my handy dandy "note to self" and try remember what is important in life and why we made the decision we did. I will not miss the smog, traffic, crowds, and chaos that IS California. I will only miss the 70 degree days in January. But these sunny days have not made me any happier, I'm stuck indoors at work all day and it's dark by the time I get home anyway. Mild weather is overrated. Unless you are independently wealthy and can lie out on the beach all day. But if you are a middle class working family like we are, warm weather doesn't really benefit me that much, other than during my 10 break at work.

that's the best thing you can do......we moved away to the mid west and came back worst thing we ever did!!! and when it came down to the reason it was all because of the weather..what an idiot. i wish with all my heart we would've stuck it out!!! now we aren't sure if we can ever leave again. and i have to say, I can't stand CA it's definitely not the CA i grew up in.....you are going to love the mid west. when we lived there our kids could be kids. and we didn't worry about them like we do here. I envy you but i'm happy for you.....just get a tanning membership in the winter for some light therapy and you will be fine :0) best of luck to you and yours!!

[Curmudgeon]

My wife and I are both California natives, early 60s and retired. We're pulling up stakes and moving to the Ozarks lake country of SW Missouri in the next few months. California has changed drastically over the past six decades and in our estimation, not for the better. We welcome the prospect of four distinct seasons, and slower pace of life, lack of crowds, small town atmospheres and far lower costs across the board.

[bmd69]

Originally Posted by Cityadventurer

you should look into Memphis Tennesse, or Dayton Ohio, or Scranton PA. Why? i don't know.

Dayton is a hole.

[bmd69]

Don't do it, I moved there in 2005. Horrible move.

[markfromCA]

I can afford San Ramon and own a nice home in a quiet court. I have a good job paying me very well and not to much to complain about on that end. My problem wit staying here is that outside of the bubble I live in is the greater Bay Area and California has turned into a crappy state with a few nice areas. So while I have it good wher i am, I have to deal with all the crap, crime, illigals, punks and general trash when I go out of my neighborhood. I know BOO HOO. I have this feeling of flight mostly for my kids and wanting to give them something more than the stress of "if you are not making 200K a year life is hard in the Bay Area". I do not have an Ego, I would be a janator at the local school ar hospital if I could give my kids a chance at working and living next to us when they grow up. I grew up in Stanford Palo Alto, Stanford college and If I wanted to live next to my mom and family the average home costs about 1.5 Mill for a fixer upper. The house I am in now even in the down turn is still worth 750 K. So to answer the question. I can afford where I am now and have a good future here work wise but I would move to be close to my wives family in Parker if I could find a job that gave my family a comfortable life.

[Ludachris]

Originally Posted by markfromCA

I can afford San Ramon and own a nice home in a quiet court. I have a good job paying me very well and not to much to complain about on that end. My problem wit staying here is that outside of the bubble I live in is the greater Bay Area and California has turned into a crappy state with a few nice areas. So while I have it good wher i am, I have to deal with all the crap, crime, illigals, punks and general trash when I go out of my neighborhood. I know BOO HOO. I have this feeling of flight mostly for my kids and wanting to give them something more than the stress of "if you are not making 200K a year life is hard in the Bay Area". I do not have an Ego, I would be a janator at the local school ar hospital if I could give my kids a chance at working and living next to us when they grow up. I grew up in Stanford Palo Alto, Stanford college and If I wanted to live next to my mom and family the average home costs about 1.5 Mill for a fixer upper. The house I am in now even in the down turn is still worth 750 K. So to answer the question. I can afford where I am now and have a good future here work wise but I would move to be close to my wives family in Parker if I could find a job that gave my family a comfortable life.

That's funny, because one of the reasons we like the San Ramon area is that it's separate enough from the rest of the Bay Area to make it quiet and safe, but it's close enough to duck in and enjoy our favorite things in the Bay Area. You can take in as much or as little of the Bay Area as you want from there.

We live right next door to Parker, CO. One of the problems out here is that there are not nearly as many jobs as there are in the Bay Area - especially in high tech. I'm guessing you're aware of that. I suppose it's all relative though. Fewer jobs, lower pay, and fewer people looking for those jobs. You make less, you buy a cheaper home, and you get used to a slower-paced area that doesn't have some of the negatives, but also doesn't have some of the positives. It all comes down to what you're comfortable with. The pressure of having to sustain such a high income can be overbearing, I'm sure.

I think you've touched on some reasons why we wouldn't want to move back to the Bay Area, but are considering less expensive areas in NorCal. We don't want to have to kill ourselves trying to maintain a higher income in order to live in the expensive areas, and we don't want our kids to have to do that to stay close to us when they get older either. We still love certain aspects of of the Bay Area, and NorCal in general, but I can understand your feelings on wanting to get out of the Bay Area rat race and trade it in for a simpler life. Most of our family friends still live in the Bay Area though, and they are content/happy there, most of them not making close to $200k per year. So I guess it just comes down to your situation, as everyone's is different. The biggest reason for us wanting to move back is to be closer to the people we want our kid(s) to grow up with.

Just remember Mark, the grass always seems greener elsewhere. I know plenty of people who would prefer to be where you're at. And for what it's worth, I've talked with a few people who moved out here from NorCal only to find they'd rather move back. We like it here, and recommend it regularly, but we know it's not for everyone.

[nightbird47]

Originally Posted by shannonM

that's the best thing you can do......we moved away to the mid west and came back worst thing we ever did!!! and when it came down to the reason it was all because of the weather..what an idiot. i wish with all my heart we would've stuck it out!!! now we aren't sure if we can ever leave again. and i have to say, I can't stand CA it's definitely not the CA i grew up in.....you are going to love the mid west. when we lived there our kids could be kids. and we didn't worry about them like we do here. I envy you but i'm happy for you.....just get a tanning membership in the winter for some light therapy and you will be fine :0) best of luck to you and yours!!

I'm still getting used to the culture shock here, but my only returns to California will be visits. The last one I noticed the smog very much, since I hadn't had any shortness of breath and my eyes hadn't itched since I left and it started as soon as I got there. I have some things to work out here, but will stick it out until I do because its so much better in so many other ways. I know I'll never be "from" here, but then I haven't felt that way about California for a long time either. Best advise I can give the OP or anyone is to visit and read what people say, including the negative stuff. Its all point of view but it depends on what really matters to you. And don't give up once you move when the adjustment phase hits. Give yourself time to get used to the place first. And before you move back, visit again, and see if the memories still match the reality. You may be surprised how much you have changed.

There is *no* perfect place. You have to list out the bad and good of anywhere and decide if what you give up is worth what you gain.

And yes, I reccoment Oklahoma. Nice people, lots of space and while the economy here is dragging a bit, it never had a bubble to burst. As far as tornados, adopt the same rational that people do in California for earthquakes, prepare and be ready but go on with life. And remember you have *warning* with them too. Just don't expect to see your favorite show on tv uninterrupted if there is a severe weather alert LOL

[Cassino]

Hey folks...new to the forum here but I see that I am going through the same thing a lot of other Californians are now.

I was born and raised in the Bay Area, went to school for 5 years down in SLO and came back to the Bay Area after graduating to take a job.

Work offered to move me to Houston, TX and my wife and I decided to make the move. We do not have any kids, nor do we own a house so we see this as a chance to etch out our own life together. My job pays well but we don't see being able to realistically afford a good house here and that is a big goal for us.

There are many things I'll miss about CA (SLO especially!) however we see our opportunities elsewhere.