Leaving California (San Diego, San Luis Obispo: buying a house, buying, colleges)

[graffixjones]

I don't know the poll option will allow 49 choices, but it might be worth a try...
I've since shifted gears and instead of Texas, we're now heading out to North Carolina, where the summers are a bit milder, and the small-town atmosphere we're looking for is still intact, without being plagued by gang activity.

I really wish there was a place you could buy a hunting license for gang members... I bet that would wipe them out pretty quick.

[dennismpat]

Originally Posted by fastfilm

Caliguy and ultrarunner, I participate in a great deal of neighborhood activism, and have affected many changes for the better for my area. YET I will be moving in three years because I can't stand the thought of staying in this ridiculously expensive, unfriendly place. Low income Calif., my world, is not the same one you all live in. I would rather complain and work to change things for the better rather than just complain before I leave.

Caliguy, I would love to see you posit your optimism in neighborhood work or even future political office. You could do a lot of good with this attitude.

Yes, I wholeheartedly agree. I think Caliguy2007 should start by being made a moderator for these forums, unless he's already been approached about it and turned it down.

What do you say, my Kern County friend? (Not that I have the power, mind you.)

[Caliguy2007]

I don't really consider myself as being a Moderator,but I will continue posting on here,especially when it comes to defending California against the haters

Originally Posted by dennismpat

Yes, I wholeheartedly agree. I think Caliguy2007 should start by being made a moderator for these forums, unless he's already been approached about it and turned it down.

What do you say, my Kern County friend? (Not that I have the power, mind you.)

[NewToCA]

I think California is great too, and have posted so. But if this thread is supposed to be why folks are or want to leave California, shouldn't we have a separate thread as to why folks want to come or stay (instead of the back and forth)???

[Sassberto]

Yes, as a reminder this thread is about leaving CA, not staying... the rest of the forum is about staying in CA

[Ultrarunner]

Originally Posted by Ultrarunner

I've found the simple secret to being a good neighbor is to keep up your yard and not entertain with loud parties to all hours of the night. It is amazing how welcomed I was when my neighbors saw me out mowing the lawn and picking-up trash from the curb the day after I moved in....

I forgot to add the part about not driving too fast... after all it is your neighborhood. Elderly neighbors and anyone with children will thank you for it!

If you can't get along with your neighbors... then leaving California is probably for the best.

[katrinka]

Best decision we ever made was leaving California! We do go back twice a year since our children still live there, but move back? Never! COL, congestion and rudeness all contributed to our decision to move. We moved to Lancaster County, PA where family values, neighborhood groups and cultural events are prevalent. Two lane roads are the norm and can be stop and go, but it is nothing like stopped traffic on the 405 on a Friday afternoon! Church is an important part of family life, and is attended by entire families. A lot of establishments are closed on Sunday. It is a refreshing way of life after living in California for 40 years! If you are retired, Pennsylvania is the place for you. They treat us retirees great! We took an early retirement from a large California corporation and in Pennsylvania, pensions are not taxed by state! Earned income is the only taxable income for the State of PA. . . . and one of the best parts is the cost of automobile registration! We pay under $50 per car, per year!!! We save a lot of $$ just living here! Look into Pennsylvania for a refreshing change of pace!

[james203]

i am considering moving to colo.ca is no longer the golden state.its very expensive to live here and your taxed left & right.i cant afford to buy a overpriced house in so.ca & my utilities keep going up due to the greedy companies.the weather from may-oct is relentless heat with little or no rain.i live inland & gangs are everywhere & crime is high.illegal mexicans are crawling out of the woodwork.the dmv are crooks & if your auto insurance lapses they suspend your registration & you must get insurance & pay a 14.00 fee to reinstate your auto registration.arnold is a terrible govenor.rude people everywhere & traffic is hell.cost of living has sky rocketed.ca has a waste fee on new tv,s,microwaves,etc.its 6-10 dollars per item.ca is a greedy selfish self centered state & gas is the highest in the nation.i could go on & on but the bottom line is i dont blame ANYONE for leaving ca.

[dodomaster]

Hello, we moved from southern cali 4 years ago after practically growing up and living there (Ventura County) for over 25+ years! I have a great government job in Silver Spring MD and we currently live in a great family-centered neighborhood in Germantown, MD (Montgomery County).

We have been to Lancaster PA few times to see the Amish, shop in their markets, and always admired the nice clean neighborhoods. PA is one well-kept secret especially for retirees...

Anyways, agreed with everything you said...Maryland is also another great little state, where jobs are plenty and you can get the city life (DC and Baltimore), the Chesapeake Bay, the historic battlefields, the nice Ocean City on Eastern Shore, the majestic Western Maryland mountain areas, and its super family-oriented suburbs with top-notch education (Montgomery County).

Originally Posted by katrinka

Best decision we ever made was leaving California! We do go back twice a year since our children still live there, but move back? Never! COL, congestion and rudeness all contributed to our decision to move. We moved to Lancaster County, PA where family values, neighborhood groups and cultural events are prevalent. Two lane roads are the norm and can be stop and go, but it is nothing like stopped traffic on the 405 on a Friday afternoon! Church is an important part of family life, and is attended by entire families. A lot of establishments are closed on Sunday. It is a refreshing way of life after living in California for 40 years! If you are retired, Pennsylvania is the place for you. They treat us retirees great! We took an early retirement from a large California corporation and in Pennsylvania, pensions are not taxed by state! Earned income is the only taxable income for the State of PA. . . . and one of the best parts is the cost of automobile registration! We pay under $50 per car, per year!!! We save a lot of $$ just living here! Look into Pennsylvania for a refreshing change of pace!

[Charles]

Originally Posted by dodomaster

Hello, we moved from southern cali 4 years ago after practically growing up and living there (Ventura County) for over 25+ years! I have a great government job in Silver Spring MD and we currently live in a great family-centered neighborhood in Germantown, MD (Montgomery County).

We have been to Lancaster PA few times to see the Amish, shop in their markets, and always admired the nice clean neighborhoods. PA is one well-kept secret especially for retirees...

Anyways, agreed with everything you said...Maryland is also another great little state, where jobs are plenty and you can get the city life (DC and Baltimore), the Chesapeake Bay, the historic battlefields, the nice Ocean City on Eastern Shore, the majestic Western Maryland mountain areas, and its super family-oriented suburbs with top-notch education (Montgomery County).

I was through Germantown last week (drove from Arlington to Columbus, OH). I'm not so sure I would consider working in DC a good thing. Traffic in/out of there rivals the 405. Humidity is horrible. Now, if the prices were about 1/3 of what they are out there AND I didn't have to commute into DC then I might agree with you, I could deal with the humidity. But that area isn't that much cheaper than LA, it's traffic isn't any better and the weather is horrible comparably. In all fairness, the Metro in/out of the area is pretty good. Took it into DC from Crystal City. Except for dragging three little kids and a double stoller up/down escalators & during rush hour, it wasn't that bad at all.
BTW, I grew up in Canoga Park and Thousand Oaks too.