those who wanted to move to CA (Los Angeles, San Diego: middle-class, rent)

[jc76]

Originally Posted by theh

My fiance got laid-off a year ago, has applied for every single job out here that he might be qualified for, and even though he has an impressive resume, he hasn't so much as gotten an interview (Springfield area Massachusetts, ~15% unemployment rate). In February my bosses informed me that my job is moving to the Bay area in June. We can't afford to both be unemployed, so we decided to follow it and we're making the move in about a month to a new apartment in beautiful Alameda. My fiance applied for Bay area jobs long distance for a mere two weeks before he got an interview and now has a decent-paying job secured for when we move out there.

I hear endless whining on these forums, but California is far from being the worst place in country to live, and there are MANY areas in the country with an even bleaker job outlook. EVERY state has it's problems. We've been to California several times including the Bay area and absolutely love it there. It is so beautiful. There is so much diversity, so much to do, and so laid-back. California really has everything (except reasonably priced maple syrup!). I am excited about the move and greatly looking forward to being able to go outdoors comfortably year-round. There really aren't that many places where you can do that. The cost of living doesn't scare us since for renters it's barely higher than in Massachusetts, and since we'll both be employed, we'll be living off twice as much as what we've lived off the past year. Big improvement. I might be the only one who ever says this, but California is going to be a huge break for us financially. There are plenty of things I will miss about my home state, but I'm pretty positive we'll be better off in California and I'm greatly looking forward to it.

WELL SAID!!!! The CA natives have the right to be pissed off because their state is not the state they used to love, but they need to come live in the rust belt for a few years to see that California is not quite as bad as they think it is. Of course it's not the same as it was 10, 20, 30 years ago, but neither is my state! If the outlook is gloomy for all states then why not be in the one with great weather and lots of free outdoor activities? Trust me, it sucks being stuck indoors from October to May...then from June to Sept stuck indoors because the humidity and the bugs are so bad it's impossible to have a good time.
So to finally answer the question, YES I still plan on moving to CA once the estate is settled. Rather be poor and warm than poor and frozen.

[MtnSurfer]

Originally Posted by jc76

WELL SAID!!!! The CA natives have the right to be pissed off because their state is not the state they used to love, but they need to come live in the rust belt for a few years to see that California is not quite as bad as they think it is. Of course it's not the same as it was 10, 20, 30 years ago, but neither is my state! If the outlook is gloomy for all states then why not be in the one with great weather and lots of free outdoor activities? Trust me, it sucks being stuck indoors from October to May...then from June to Sept stuck indoors because the humidity and the bugs are so bad it's impossible to have a good time.
So to finally answer the question, YES I still plan on moving to CA once the estate is settled. Rather be poor and warm than poor and frozen.

LOL... Come over jc76. Enjoy the warmer weather and ability to go 'outside' all year long doing all kinds of activities without worry about shoveling snow, frostbite or sub freezing, sub zero days.

The majority of my family on my mother's side moved out from the rust belt to CA and never looked back. They had enough snow for one lifetime! Although it is fun to visit on occasion, then come home.

I am glad you have determination and you are not letting a few doomsdayers deter you from your goals and dreams. CA is not perfect, don't get me wrong. But there are alot worse places to spend your Winters, Springs and Summers thats for sure!

My wife and I lived in CO for a while. And I remember the snow starting in Oct. and then the cold, long Winters lasting well into Spring with blizzards on both ends like exclamation points. By the end of Spring we were *really* tired of snow and cold. Summer was great but it was all too short. Everyone took off to finally go hiking in the mountains, kayaking, etc... in the Rockies. It was like a mad dash at work I remember. Of course they said CO weather was mild compared to the true MidWest. For our family it was plenty cold though. Once it gets into the teens it is just plain cold. Below that it is bitter cold unless one is only going to get the mail or the store and back.

Derek

[krock1dk]

Originally Posted by jc76

WELL SAID!!!! The CA natives have the right to be pissed off because their state is not the state they used to love, but they need to come live in the rust belt for a few years to see that California is not quite as bad as they think it is. Of course it's not the same as it was 10, 20, 30 years ago, but neither is my state! If the outlook is gloomy for all states then why not be in the one with great weather and lots of free outdoor activities? Trust me, it sucks being stuck indoors from October to May...then from June to Sept stuck indoors because the humidity and the bugs are so bad it's impossible to have a good time.
So to finally answer the question, YES I still plan on moving to CA once the estate is settled. Rather be poor and warm than poor and frozen.

I'm from Indiana like you, and will say that you are WRONG! The Midwest is not that bad at all. True, there are no mountains. But the people are 'real' and have very good values. Housing is very affordable. The economy, though struggling, is diverse. Although I dont like the Midwest's snow. You will find problems no matter where you live. And I'm sure you will find California's problems to be much more profound than any Midwest state, including MI, i.e. earthquakes that will eventually make CA at the bottom of the ocean, illegal immigrants everywhere, beurocracy run ammock, huge crime crime, massive taxes, and enormous regulations. Why do U think CA has gotten where it is? CA is not what it used to be. Your ignorance is why so many people leave the Midwest and then wish to return. You'll be back.

[JetJockey]

Originally Posted by krock1dk

I'm from Indiana like you, and will say that you are WRONG! The Midwest is not that bad at all. True, there are no mountains. But the people are 'real' and have very good values. Housing is very affordable. The economy, though struggling, is diverse. Although I dont like the Midwest's snow. You will find problems no matter where you live. And I'm sure you will find California's problems to be much more profound than any Midwest state, including MI, i.e. earthquakes that will eventually make CA at the bottom of the ocean, illegal immigrants everywhere, beurocracy run ammock, huge crime crime, massive taxes, and enormous regulations. Why do U think CA has gotten where it is? CA is not what it used to be. Your ignorance is why so many people leave the Midwest and then wish to return. You'll be back.

Why don't people think that people in CA are 'real'?? What does that mean exactly? I live in an agricultural area on the coast of CA and the people around here are plenty 'real'. I participated in Rodeo, 4H and FFA all while living in California. Not all of California is LA and San Francisco.... we do still produce most of the nations food ya know.

We have practically zero crime in my area, and me and my boyfriend make under 50,000 together and we can afford a 3 bedroom house on the coast. Our COL is quite low because we want it to be low. We don't require a giant house and 3 SUVs, and we get most of our food from a local farmers market and make our food from scratch.

Sorry, but you could offer me the biggest McMansion and a high paying job in the midwest and I still wouldn't live there. It's just not my cup of tea.

[BlueSkyGal]

Thanks MtnSurfer ! I will be relocating by myself & am trying to decide best options financially -- to me, nearness to ocean is most important -- and 'sunny days,' for walking ! Any clean/safe area is okay w/me -- I found the people in SD incredibly friendly, but since I've never really 'been anywere,' I'm open to any ideas ! (In California please) -- Thanks so much for your input !!

[BayAreaHillbilly]

Originally Posted by krock1dk

earthquakes that will eventually make CA at the bottom of the ocean

Others here can attest that I am one of the "doomers" regarding California, but this statement is plain wrong. Clearly you lack a proper scientific education and know little to nothing about plate tectonics. This is IMPOSSIBLE. (At least it is in this Universe / dimension). Get a book on plate tectonics or beginning geophysics.

[Mach50]

If you an experienced engineer or IT specialist with a Masters Degree or higher, then there is no other place like California. This is still the big leagues, and jobs are plentiful, but very competitive.

There are problems like: political dysfunction, traffic and natural disasters, no matter where you go.

The people who post with a gloomy disposition here in the CA forum, much of the time have already moved on to another state, but their resentment still burns so much they feel the need to turn people away.

California is still a great place to live. Especially if you are an outdoor lover. There is no other place in the US with these type of outdoor possibilities in such close proximity to each other.

[jc76]

Originally Posted by MtnSurfer

LOL... Come over jc76. Enjoy the warmer weather and ability to go 'outside' all year long doing all kinds of activities without worry about shoveling snow, frostbite or sub freezing, sub zero days.

The majority of my family on my mother's side moved out from the rust belt to CA and never looked back. They had enough snow for one lifetime! Although it is fun to visit on occasion, then come home.

I am glad you have determination and you are not letting a few doomsdayers deter you from your goals and dreams. CA is not perfect, don't get me wrong. But there are alot worse places to spend your Winters, Springs and Summers thats for sure!

My wife and I lived in CO for a while. And I remember the snow starting in Oct. and then the cold, long Winters lasting well into Spring with blizzards on both ends like exclamation points. By the end of Spring we were *really* tired of snow and cold. Summer was great but it was all too short. Everyone took off to finally go hiking in the mountains, kayaking, etc... in the Rockies. It was like a mad dash at work I remember. Of course they said CO weather was mild compared to the true MidWest. For our family it was plenty cold though. Once it gets into the teens it is just plain cold. Below that it is bitter cold unless one is only going to get the mail or the store and back.

Derek

"MAD DASH", I know just what you mean! The 3 months we have of not too rainy or cold weather (June, July, August) is impossible to enjoy because aside from TONS of bugs and major humidity, every inch of every park is inhabited with families of screaming kids who are still in shock that they can actually go outdoors. Some quality of life we have here in the midwest, but hey, it's cheap!

[jc76]

Originally Posted by krock1dk

I'm from Indiana like you, and will say that you are WRONG! The Midwest is not that bad at all. True, there are no mountains. But the people are 'real' and have very good values. Housing is very affordable. The economy, though struggling, is diverse. Although I dont like the Midwest's snow. You will find problems no matter where you live. And I'm sure you will find California's problems to be much more profound than any Midwest state, including MI, i.e. earthquakes that will eventually make CA at the bottom of the ocean, illegal immigrants everywhere, beurocracy run ammock, huge crime crime, massive taxes, and enormous regulations. Why do U think CA has gotten where it is? CA is not what it used to be. Your ignorance is why so many people leave the Midwest and then wish to return. You'll be back.

Gee, thanks for the kind words Mr. KnowItAll You got the world all figured out, I'll start coming to you for all my future advice.

[Donna7]

Originally Posted by krock1dk

I'm from Indiana like you, and will say that you are WRONG! The Midwest is not that bad at all. True, there are no mountains. But the people are 'real' and have very good values. Housing is very affordable. The economy, though struggling, is diverse. Although I dont like the Midwest's snow. You will find problems no matter where you live. And I'm sure you will find California's problems to be much more profound than any Midwest state, including MI, i.e. earthquakes that will eventually make CA at the bottom of the ocean, illegal immigrants everywhere, beurocracy run ammock, huge crime crime, massive taxes, and enormous regulations. Why do U think CA has gotten where it is? CA is not what it used to be. Your ignorance is why so many people leave the Midwest and then wish to return. You'll be back.

At least he/she will get to find out for himself/herself whether CA is right or not (and people's needs and wants change over time). God forbid that anyone take flight without getting "clearance" from some all-knowing folks on CD forum.