Who's really considering moving out of California (Sacramento, Santa Barbara: for sale, new home)

[NewToCA]

Interesting set of exchanges, kind of feels like I'm back in P&OC.

I agree that folks don't move due to political climate of a state. There may be some outcomes that folks disagree with, but I would think that other things such as family situation, jobs, cost of living, access to great medical facilities (for some of the more elderly folks) and local atmosphere would actually be the types of things that result in moves.

And, since when was California conservative? Before anyone tosses Gov Reagan out as a response, keep in mind that you also had many prominent liberals such as Senator Cranston during that timeframe.

[off2ID]

We are going to Idaho in July to look around...So tired of CA and not being able to use the land without paying for it!!!

[D-Towner]

Originally Posted by NewToCA

Interesting set of exchanges, kind of feels like I'm back in P&OC.

I agree that folks don't move due to political climate of a state. There may be some outcomes that folks disagree with, but I would think that other things such as family situation, jobs, cost of living, access to great medical facilities (for some of the more elderly folks) and local atmosphere would actually be the types of things that result in moves.

And, since when was California conservative? Before anyone tosses Gov Reagan out as a response, keep in mind that you also had many prominent liberals such as Senator Cranston during that timeframe.

California seems to have become less pleasant to middle class people over the last few years.

[MtnSurfer]

I think part of the problem is ppl are upset about what happened to their state of years gone by. And yes, many things in the name of progress or whatever are not for the better. I am not happy with what happned to my home town of Hermosa Beach. It changed from a sleepy beach town with middle income families to lifestyle of the rich and famous. Greed coupled with opportunity caused over building and lead to polluting the land and sea anoung other things.

But after living in CO I discovered many natives there felt similar about areas they grew up in. Things change everywhere over time. And that change isn't always for the better. It is part of the human condition.

None of the problems ppl continue to cite change the fact California is still a great place. And now I am enjoying another part of this beautiful state in Monterey. Big Sur hasn't changed at all and it is right in our back yard. Tommorrow I am going camping for a week in Yosemite. And I plan to spend more time in the High Sierras this Summer and Fall. So I have learned to enjoy the good parts and make the best of living here 'in spite' of all the changes which have occured over the years.

As I have mentioned before most ppl on this forum are Californians on their way out. So I don't expect them to have many good things to say. But some of it does sound like ranting to those who still very much enjoy CA 'in spite' of what may or may not have occured over the years.

Let me ask you this. If you are planning on moving to Texas and you go to the Texas forum and hear the same ppl constantly complaining about how much Texas has changed over the years because of all those <fill in the blank>, doesn't that begin to sound like whining to you? I guess some ppl like to go out with a staunch bellow.

[BayAreaHillbilly]

This thread is a microcosm of the core issue, in and of itself. We see two vastly conflicting visions. Unfortunately, for those of us holding one of the visions, there is really no place for us here in California. As I stated, we're in no great hurry to leave, house is nearly paid for, decent income, no other debts. But as I also stated, at the point where this really starts to look unmistakeably similar to the rust belt circa late 70s, we're outta here. Of course it's not a perfect analogy, but, there are enough similarities to make the more astute comprehend the risk.

[mysticaltyger]

Originally Posted by 18Montclair

What mess?

California has the lowest bond rating of any of the 50 states. We were tied for last with Louisiana for several years before that.

We are only one major earthquake away from a true catastrophe.

[MtnSurfer]

Originally Posted by BayAreaHillbilly

This thread is a microcosm of the core issue, in and of itself. We see two vastly conflicting visions. Unfortunately, for those of us holding one of the visions, there is really no place for us here in California. As I stated, we're in no great hurry to leave, house is nearly paid for, decent income, no other debts. But as I also stated, at the point where this really starts to look unmistakeably similar to the rust belt circa late 70s, we're outta here. Of course it's not a perfect analogy, but, there are enough similarities to make the more astute comprehend the risk.

California cities such as LA, SD and SF will always be international cities which continue to draw thousands of ppl. The economy is much more diverse from the rust belt where my grandparents moved from to CA. And on top of all the wide variety of businesses here the beautful coast, mild weather and High Sierras haven't gone anywhere last time I checked.

Sure unemployment is high during this recession. But CA has always been a state of extremes. RE swings are another example of this. It rises and falls much more than other states. But it is still California and its not falling into the ocean. Just the geograhical diversity alone will continue to draw hundreds of thousands of ppl from around the world. Of course things expand and contract, thats normal. And ppl will leave for greener pastures while still others move here. Nothing new there.

[mysticaltyger]

Originally Posted by Sassberto

totally agree, although San Diego's particular problems were in place well before the recession and actually were happening all through the boom years.

I think that is true for the state of California as well. The current problems have been building for at least 10 years, probably longer. CA overspent during the late 1990s and has never really adjusted to reality since then.

[mysticaltyger]

Originally Posted by Sassberto

The common thread seems to be people that feel this way are often highly conservative and have some sort of idealogical opposition to the way government is run. That's more of a philosophical discussion than a reason to pick up your life and move, but people honestly do seem to care that much.

To rearrange your your life like that because if some political ideology is insane to me. I mean... what are you going to do... move every time someone you don't like gets elected?

By Bay Area standards I am conservative. But US standards, I'm moderate, mabye even liberal. So I suspect your definition of "highly conservative" would probably be "moderately conservative" in most other places.

I am not averse to the liberalness of CA per se. In some ways, I have benefitted from it. Being gay, I appreciate the tolerance CA has of gay people.

At the same time, it seems to me that it's most often the 'liberal' states that seem to have the most financial problems (CA and the Northeast). They also seem to be 'hostile' to the middle class, as you mention in one of your posts.

So, political ideology and practical realities don't exist in 2 separate universes.

I would love to see an example of where the liberal philosophy actually worked. There are a few limited examples of where the liberal philosophy works well, but in my observation, it usually leads to sky high taxes, a bloated cost of living, and higher political corruption.

[Sassberto]

Originally Posted by MtnSurfer

Of course things expand and contract, thats normal. And ppl will leave for greener pastures while still others move here. Nothing new there.

And I guess some people just make it their business to scream and shout that they're leaving on the way out. I much prefer to focus on where I'm going, not what I'm leaving behind. I certainly have zero interest in convincing a bunch of strangers on the internet that I'm right and they're wrong.