Who has tried moving to another state (Fresno, San Luis Obispo: renting, buying)

[Charles]

Originally Posted by Cali4life80

Charles, I don't understand why you asked if we had kids. What did you mean by that?

I'm not sure where in California you are looking to move to but much of California that has jobs also has housing that is many times more expensive that most of the US.

People without kids have more flexibility (than we with kids) in that a) they probably don't care about school districts, b) can (more easily) live near where they work even if it isn't a really nice neighborhood, and c) have more options of places to live (studio apartment for example).

People with kids are in exactly he opposite situation: They do care about school districts (price just went up), they do want a nice neighborhood (price went up some more), and they probably want something other than a studio apartment (price is going up even more). This forces them to make a decision either pay super big bucks to live a convenient distance to work or deal with a killer commute in order to live a little less expensively.

Kids make a big difference. Single people can adapt much better in California than people with kids.

So with that, and considering you are about a year away, where do you envision working and living? Your profile indicates a criminal justice background so I can see you having options in places other than high density, high expense cities. But still, even places outside SoCal and the Bay Area are expensive. (Just for the hell of it, I just looked for homes in a commuting distance to Vandenberg AFB, like if maybe in ten or 15 years when the kids are in college and I was looking to wrap up my career in California; Those homes are about the same price as Ventura County. Not cheap.)

[Cali4life80]

Originally Posted by Charles

I'm not sure where in California you are looking to move to but much of California that has jobs also has housing that is many times more expensive that most of the US.

People without kids have more flexibility (than we with kids) in that a) they probably don't care about school districts, b) can (more easily) live near where they work even if it isn't a really nice neighborhood, and c) have more options of places to live (studio apartment for example).

People with kids are in exactly he opposite situation: They do care about school districts (price just went up), they do want a nice neighborhood (price went up some more), and they probably want something other than a studio apartment (price is going up even more). This forces them to make a decision either pay super big bucks to live a convenient distance to work or deal with a killer commute in order to live a little less expensively.

Kids make a big difference. Single people can adapt much better in California than people with kids.

So with that, and considering you are about a year away, where do you envision working and living? Your profile indicates a criminal justice background so I can see you having options in places other than high density, high expense cities. But still, even places outside SoCal and the Bay Area are expensive. (Just for the hell of it, I just looked for homes in a commuting distance to Vandenberg AFB, like if maybe in ten or 15 years when the kids are in college and I was looking to wrap up my career in California; Those homes are about the same price as Ventura County. Not cheap.)

I understand what you're trying to say and I agree there are parts of CA that are too expensive. But it depends on where you look. I live in Tracy, CA and i grew up there. The schools around where i live are nice. I don't see CA as bad as other ppl make it out to be. It depends on WHERE you live. Of course SoCal is going to be different and more expensive than where I grew up. I was looking on Remax.com last night and I found some nice homes in Tracy for $200k or lower. The market may be pretty bad for those trying to sell there house, but its good for those trying to buy because of all the foreclosures and those who keep lowering the price of their home just to get it sold. Plus I'm recieving a generous amount of money in an annuity in a couple years so I'm taken care of for a while

[Charles]

Originally Posted by Cali4life80

I understand what you're trying to say and I agree there are parts of CA that are too expensive. But it depends on where you look. I live in Tracy, CA and i grew up there. The schools around where i live are nice. I don't see CA as bad as other ppl make it out to be. It depends on WHERE you live. Of course SoCal is going to be different and more expensive than where I grew up. I was looking on Remax.com last night and I found some nice homes in Tracy for $200k or lower. The market may be pretty bad for those trying to sell there house, but its good for those trying to buy because of all the foreclosures and those who keep lowering the price of their home just to get it sold. Plus I'm recieving a generous amount of money in an annuity in a couple years so I'm taken care of for a while

You are definitely the exception. Sounds like it will work for you.

[Cali4life80]

Originally Posted by Charles

You are definitely the exception. Sounds like it will work for you.

I think anyone can make it in CA if they really try. CA is a wonderful state for children to be raised. They get to experience and understand diversity and culture. I am very grateful for what CA has given me. I can't imagine living anywhere else and won't live anywhere else. I've tried that already. Having a child of my own, I am very conscious of making sure my daughter is raised in a safe community. I would never put her into any situation where I thought it would harm her emotionally or physically. I just don't see where all this hate comes from towards CA and it's residents. Not all of CA is like SoCal. There are many very beautiful areas in CA which are not only safe to raise kids but pretty affordable. Even if I wasn't going to recieve an annuity, I would still be able to find a comfortable living situation.

[Donna7]

Originally Posted by Cali4life80

I think anyone can make it in CA if they really try. CA is a wonderful state for children to be raised. They get to experience and understand diversity and culture. I am very grateful for what CA has given me. I can't imagine living anywhere else and won't live anywhere else. I've tried that already. Having a child of my own, I am very conscious of making sure my daughter is raised in a safe community. I would never put her into any situation where I thought it would harm her emotionally or physically. I just don't see where all this hate comes from towards CA and it's residents. Not all of CA is like SoCal. There are many very beautiful areas in CA which are not only safe to raise kids but pretty affordable. Even if I wasn't going to recieve an annuity, I would still be able to find a comfortable living situation.

Cali4life80, I've read most of your posts a few weeks ago or so when you were really hating on Idaho (which I understand is your perogative, and I'm sorry that you're living in a place that does not make you happy), however, you stated in one of your posts that you never really wanted to leave CA in the first place. You stated that the only reason you left CA and moved to Idaho is because you were financially dependent on your parents and that your parents decided to leave the state of CA for greener pastures in Idaho. Then when the family home (back at the ranch, in CA) didn't sell after four months on the market, and all of you hated living in Idaho, you decided to move back.

Now you say you're receiving an annuity in the future. No offense to you, but this is seriously one of those situations that puts meaning to the old "it's a good job if you can get it" adage. For many others who have been forced to leave CA because there was no sugardaddy/mommy for them nor a sugardaddy financial situation (like your annuity for example), your situation defies their reality. Many have been displaced from family and friends (and a state that they grew up in and love) for no other reason than economics.

It's really tough reading your posts telling people how anyone can make it in CA if they really try...when you yourself haven't REALLY done it yet, independently on your own. I don't wish to offend you, but I hope that you realize that there are many people who aren't living with mom and dad, who don't have annuities, inheritances, trusts, or other financial vehicles coming their way. I just hope that you take that into consideration and be thankful for your opportunities while being understanding of those who haven't had all the same "opportunities". I still wish you all the best as you move back to CA.

[Niners fan]

Nicely put Donna7. Also, I think that Cali4life80 mentioned that she was from Central Cal. Having living in both Central Cal and So Cal I can say that there is a world of difference between them. There are some similarities but I would bet that most of the "refugees" from CA to other states are leaving from So Cal and the Bay Area and not Central Cal.

[Donna7]

Originally Posted by Niners fan

Nicely put Donna7. Also, I think that Cali4life80 mentioned that she was from Central Cal. Having living in both Central Cal and So Cal I can say that there is a world of difference between them. There are some similarities but I would bet that most of the "refugees" from CA to other states are leaving from So Cal and the Bay Area and not Central Cal.

That is interesting, Ninersfan; I'm sure it makes a difference (cost of living/housing). I hope that I have not offended Cali4life80, as I wish her nothing but the best for her and her little one and her family. Take care.

[Niners fan]

Originally Posted by Donna7

That is interesting, Ninersfan; I'm sure it makes a difference (cost of living/housing). I hope that I have not offended Cali4life80, as I wish her nothing but the best for her and her little one and her family. Take care.

I'm sure she is fine. Different strokes for different folks, I guess. I suspect we are leaving California for many of the reasons she is coming back. We are not leaving for financial reasons, per se, but because the business climate is so poor that I don't want to make an major investment that would tie us here for decades.

I actually enjoy Cali4life80's Pollyanna-like posts about California. They add flavor to the forums.

[Cali4life80]

Originally Posted by Donna7

Cali4life80, I've read most of your posts a few weeks ago or so when you were really hating on Idaho (which I understand is your perogative, and I'm sorry that you're living in a place that does not make you happy), however, you stated in one of your posts that you never really wanted to leave CA in the first place. You stated that the only reason you left CA and moved to Idaho is because you were financially dependent on your parents and that your parents decided to leave the state of CA for greener pastures in Idaho. Then when the family home (back at the ranch, in CA) didn't sell after four months on the market, and all of you hated living in Idaho, you decided to move back.

Now you say you're receiving an annuity in the future. No offense to you, but this is seriously one of those situations that puts meaning to the old "it's a good job if you can get it" adage. For many others who have been forced to leave CA because there was no sugardaddy/mommy for them nor a sugardaddy financial situation (like your annuity for example), your situation defies their reality. Many have been displaced from family and friends (and a state that they grew up in and love) for no other reason than economics.

It's really tough reading your posts telling people how anyone can make it in CA if they really try...when you yourself haven't REALLY done it yet, independently on your own. I don't wish to offend you, but I hope that you realize that there are many people who aren't living with mom and dad, who don't have annuities, inheritances, trusts, or other financial vehicles coming their way. I just hope that you take that into consideration and be thankful for your opportunities while being understanding of those who haven't had all the same "opportunities". I still wish you all the best as you move back to CA.

I just want to say that I agree with some of what you are saying Donna7. I believe that to live in CA you have to sacrafice some things. A lot of those who move out of CA and find a cheaper state, feel like they won the lottery because now they can afford their huge 6 bedroom house on a 5 acre piece of land. If thats what makes some ppl happy, then more power to them. In contrast, I am the type of person who feels like they've won the lottery not based on how big my house is but how happy I am with WHERE I live and liking the people, the culture, diversity, living close to the coast AND the redwoods both at the same time and having a ton of things to do on my days off of working. Yes, I may have to sacrafice my huge house ( which nowadays makes everyone feel like they have it all) for a smaller house or even having to rent. To ME, thats a fair trade-off. A lot of my friends live in S.F. and yes they may have a crappy, small apartment but they are just happy to be able to experience S.F. everyday.

So I have to stick to my guns in saying that anyone could live in CA IF they truly tried to make it work and probably made sacrafices at the same time. Also, I actually have lived on my own and I made it. I moved back in with my parents so I could go to college and I just finished my degrees in June '07. My move to Idaho kinda put my intention to move out again on hold. I believe that Central CA (where I live) has very affordable homes and thats where I plan to buy mine. Even with my annuity, I still plan on sacraficing a lot in my home just so I can live in CA. I'm not out to live in a mansion, I'm out to live in CA where I am truly happy.

[EscapeCalifornia]

Originally Posted by Cali4life80

So I have to stick to my guns in saying that anyone could live in CA IF they truly tried to make it work and probably made sacrafices at the same time.

Well of course you can live almost anywhere on almost any income if you make enough sacrifices. But at what point does it become ridiculous? How many people are willing to live 10 to an apartment, drive 20 year old clunkers, buy their clothes only from the $1 stain and tear rack, eat ramen every night, and never save a dime just to be in California?