Misery reaches out from California to Missouri

[joe stixpuck]

OA: It's weird that places like DC and SF are so full of transplants, but in one place we're not as (seemingly) welcomed as the other. There is a big difference in mentality between the East and West coasts. None of the people I met out East expressed any desire to ever visit Missouri, while more than a few of my Western friends are genuinely curious and look forward to spending a few days out here soon.

If you go to CA good luck! I know a lot of people who were 'secure' in well-established, good paying jobs who are now on the brink of job-loss and financial disaster. If some of the friends I'd made out there weren't like surrogate family I'd not considered it myself right now. If you have a job offer that pays well and is secure it may be a good move though. TX/CA/MO are great options to have!

[joe stixpuck]

Originally Posted by simplewife&mom

In my little neck of the (CA) woods, the people I know who want to move mostly want to go to Montana, Idaho, or Wyoming. When I've mentioned Missouri, they generally guffaw and ask, "Why?" It would be interesting to find out which state recent newcomers to MO moved from. If anyone knows where to find some stats like that, please put it on here.

Funny...I usually drew the same response. Not only from my California friends, but especially from Missourians. I didn't give it much thought though because in most cases neither has visited the other place.

Unless they're originally from the East Coast, and wanna go back out there, most Californians want to stay out West. Many I knew have an attachment to either the ocean or mountains. I got bit by the same bug kinda, but mainly from being introduced to deep-sea fishing the Pacific and flyfishing the Sierras. We have fish in the Ozarks too though....

Most Californians have a problem giving up that mild weather, and so seek the nearest place that is not too extreme. It seems most folks in SoCal gravitate toward AZ, TX, NM, or NV. In NorCal it's been NV, OR or WA, but now the exodus is certainly expanding into MT, ID, and WY. I've visited those states in the winter and can't wait to see how that experiment works out for many, ha ha.

Missouri isn't seeing much of an influx of people that I'm aware of; just the usual folks either relocating back or for job offers in StL or KC mostly. Arkansas though I hear is drawing plenty of new folks, and many from CA in particular. I'm guess those would be retirees or job offers from around Fayetteville? There was a post somewhere on the AR forum about the topic of CA migration. Will post a link if I come across again.

[DeanMoore]

not a week goes by that I don't see a California license plate in my parking lot. I worked in every part of the state at one time or another, and I can almost always strike up a conversation with them about where they are from, and I hope I can give them good advice about living here. lots of Californians coming to SW Missouri

[DeanMoore]

the reason California is going down the toilet, is partly from criminal aliens coming up (to escape Mexico?) then demanding California change to be like what they are used to... (which was what they were escaping?)

[STLCardsBlues1989]

I think everyone could do well following this advice:

It's really a matter of respect... if you move to a place and show respect to those who live there, and if you respect their customs, it will only help you earn respect in return.

[joe stixpuck]

Originally Posted by STLCardsBlues1989

I think everyone could do well following this advice:

I agree! And that is what really frustrates one of my good friends from CA whose family has been in the Bay Area a few generations...many of the people who migrated there weren't respectful of the value systems of those who were already there, and now the place is lacking identity and the value system is down the proverbial toilet overall.

That won't happen to MO though. This place just isn't a magnet for migratory folk. And those who do move here learn pretty quick they'll need to adopt some of our ways or else they won't fit in so well.

Although I consider myself a pretty open person, and agreeable to some ideas that clash against the mainstream, I'm very appreciative of having grown up in Missouri and proud of the values that most folks hold here. We're 'old school' around these parts, as it seems it's kinda 'new school' to just be a taker these days and be so selfish as to not consider other folks' identities or respect their values. While some things can be a little 'backward' here in the Midwest, the culture of not taking much bs and demanding of some respect for how things are done in these parts serves us all pretty well I think.