"Just where would you Go?" Poll (HOA, sex offenders)

[cabolissa]

Originally Posted by nightbird47

I'm speaking as a third generation native. Even before people got so stressed by worry of losing their home or job it had changed drastically. Just because there are plainly too many people. If you asked how long those leaving have lived in cali a great many remember a cali that was very different. It was no longer California. It had a lot to do with finances, but much more to do with feeling like it is now a foreign land.

The "New York Minute" is one of the things that is so wrong with the state. This is primarily from those from elsewhere who came looking for weather. If the first time you saw the state was 1995 then you have no idea what the culture was before. That is what those natives and long long time residents are looking for.

I have to disagree that finances are the primary reason people leave. It certainly does figure in, but if you love the place you live you'll only leave if there is no other option. Its all the other things, especially the way the culture has been hijacked over the last fourty years into something which is no longer California that is the final push.

Not everyone goes to states like Oklahoma. Some want cities and find cheaper ones. But a lot of us are looking for a fundamentally different culture which is not like an almost wannabe of the new york minute. The people who are looking for cheaper urban life will come back if they can. Those who want out of the madness would never return.

I am not bashing California. If you like the way it is thats fine. But as someone who remembers it when it was the image that still prevades, I am very sad that my state has ceased to exist.

Definitely! Well said... I'm a 2nd generation Californian, and it's NOT the same state is once was. The state has the highest population growth in the union. People don't realize that our state has the population of a COUNTRY, not a state. California would rank #36 on the list of countries by population - higher than both Canada and Australia (and 186 other nations). Of course, along with this, comes many of the same problems (budgetary deficits, immigration problems, education, etc).

California Population by Decades
Date - Population
1900 - 1,485,053
1910 - 2,377,549
1920 - 3,426,861
1930 - 5,677,251
1940 - 6,907,387
1950 - 10,586,223
1960 - 15,717,204
1970 - 19,953,134
1980 - 23,667,902
1990 - 29,760,021
2000 - 33,871,648
Source: U.S. Bureau of Census
and List of Countries by population: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_population

[City Boy]

Is there anywhere on Earth that is the same after 40 years? What do you expect it to be like? Things change the world population increases. It's just how it is. People always reminisce about how it was. What good does that do? Things will never be the same from Music to lifestyles. It does no good complaining about that. Every generation somebody complains about how things are "going downhill". I don't buy it.

[cabolissa]

Originally Posted by City Boy

Is there anywhere on Earth that is the same after 40 years? What do you expect it to be like? Things change the world population increases. It's just how it is. People always reminisce about how it was. What good does that do? Things will never be the same from Music to lifestyles. It does no good complaining about that. Every generation somebody complains about how things are "going downhill". I don't buy it.

People aren't complaining. The OP asked where would you go and why... We're simply explaining. There are plenty of places in the US that remain less populated, and that's where I'm headed. Stay, if you wish, that's your perogative. Of course we know all places will grow in time, but some grow much faster than others... Not all of us are "City Boys/Girls".

Los Angeles was once a collection of neighborhoods rather than the sprawl it now is. Kids used to be able to ride their bikes until sundown safely. People used to know eachother. It's not the same place, PERIOD.

[jc76]

Originally Posted by nightbird47

That is the problem. Not to mention that so many of those ten are illegals.

I know these things can be found in the state, especially the northern half. Except for number one. The cost of living here does not exist in cali. A basket of groceries completely filled to overflowing for 200? Doesn't happen in cali.

Right now we have a beautiful coating of glistening white snow/slush with ice underneath. I have taken soooo many people and got to watch snowflakes drift in the wind yesterday for the first time. Thats the other thing, here unless there is a really really really good reason in bad weather, people stay home. It can wait. I'm not sure you can find that in cali.

No offense Nightbird, but how long have you lived there now? I have been dealing w/ ice and snow and spending 6-7 months a year of my life indoors suffering from cabin fever, and it sucks. Plain and simple, it sucks. Once you have had years of total inconvenience due to weather the "beauty" of snowflakes turns into little nightmarish flakes of hell that add up to your car getting stuck and your electronics not working cuz it's too cold and your fingers and feet going numb unless you wear 4 layers. There is no quality of life when you can not simply go for a walk without your face freezing and/or slipping on ice and breaking your hip. These areas are cheap to live FOR A REASON. Maybe in CA you pay astronomical amounts to live. Maybe in CA you can't buy the things you want because it costs too much to live, but at least you can feel the sun and warm breeze across your body. To me, that's TOTAL freedom.
Like I said, I totally respect ones opinion, I just may not quite understand it. 3 more years of college and I'm outta this frozen tundra forever. Guaranteed.

[City Boy]

Originally Posted by cabolissa

People aren't complaining. The OP asked where would you go and why... We're simply explaining. There are plenty of places in the US that remain less populated, and that's where I'm headed. Stay, if you wish, that's your perogative. Of course we know all places will grow in time, but some grow much faster than others... Not all of us are "City Boys/Girls".

Los Angeles was once a collection of neighborhoods rather than the sprawl it now is. Kids used to be able to ride their bikes until sundown safely. People used to know eachother. It's not the same place, PERIOD.

I respect you all's opinion but you guys are saying it has changed for the worse. My point was that I hear the same thing no matter what part of the country I happen to be in. My Aunt say's the same thing about NY. My Grand Parents say the same thing about South Florida, My sister say's the same thing about Atlanta, My other sister say's it about LA.

When I go to the suburbs I see plenty of kids out late night playing in the streets. There seems to be this idea that all of California is a gang infested mini Baghdad. If it were really that bad nobody would live here.

[jeaje8]

I am going to Milwaukee for a change. As long as i have a job. my immediate family. A roof over my head. my health. Any where can be home. What do i do with my big bed and the other crap you acquire over the years is now my dilemma. Please help,send me some idea.

[cabolissa]

Originally Posted by City Boy

I respect you all's opinion but you guys are saying it has changed for the worse. My point was that I hear the same thing no matter what part of the country I happen to be in. My Aunt say's the same thing about NY. My Grand Parents say the same thing about South Florida, My sister say's the same thing about Atlanta, My other sister say's it about LA.

When I go to the suburbs I see plenty of kids out late night playing in the streets. There seems to be this idea that all of California is a gang infested mini Baghdad. If it were really that bad nobody would live here.

I'm not even mentioning gangs... There are myriad other dangers out there. You have kids?

[City Boy]

Originally Posted by cabolissa

I'm not even mentioning gangs... There are myriad other dangers out there. You have kids?

I have a kid on the way. What are these other dangers that don't exist everywhere else?

[nightbird47]

Originally Posted by City Boy

I have a kid on the way. What are these other dangers that don't exist everywhere else?

Air pollution. If you move into an area where it is bad you are condeming your child to lung damage they can't escape by staying out of smokers air. I was raised in the San Fernando Valley. I have 2/3 lung capacity because of the smog. I would never raise a kid there if I had any other option.

Avoid anywhere near the inland empire and LA. I couldn't walk a block without being short of breath. Make sure you make this a major factor in deciding where you live. You don't want to bring your child, or you wife while she is expecting, to where the air is toxic.

[jaynetarzana]

You are so right about that nightbird47. Air quality is one of my top priorities when choosing a place to live. Many people don't think about it.