51 years old; thinking of leaving Southern California.

[creeksitter]

NC, especially in the smaller towns and rural areas, is very backwards.

I find it very bizzare you go out of your way to keep harping on this.

Especially when the OP's job opportunity is in an urban area.

[lurtsman]

Leaving because in that particular year there has been a shortage of rain. This is the weakest analysis I have ever seen in my life, and I've had to revise countless papers written by MBA students.

[SandyCo]

If we end up in a rain deficit this summer, we'll effectively be in a fourth year of a devastating drought. That's hardly one year with a shortage of rain. Civilizations have collapsed as a result of droughts.

It looks as if I'd be moving to Florida to be close to my dad and stepmom if I go anywhere. That wouldn't necessarily be my first choice, but sometimes we do what we have to do.

Originally Posted by lurtsman

Leaving because in that particular year there has been a shortage of rain. This is the weakest analysis I have ever seen in my life, and I've had to revise countless papers written by MBA students.

[mysticaltyger]

Originally Posted by stevek64

I think leaving because of the crowds/traffic, expense, and those of us that feel CA is being "managed" into the ground would be better reasons than water alone.

Actually, the lack of water is just one more symptom of being managed into the ground, just like the others you listed.

Originally Posted by stevek64

And if there's concern about water, I assume another concern one might have/that I wouldn't discount is a major earthquake that's long overdue in the historical trend of quakes in your area. Roll the dice!

Yikes! I agree with you on this completely. Both NorCal & SoCal are overdue for large earthquakes.

[BeauCharles]

Only thing that would force me out eventually is air quality. I can't afford to live on the coast. The air quality is good there, but in order to have clean air you spend all your income on housing (rented in Monterey/Salinas for over a decade). I moved inland to be close to family (elderly mom needed help). I easily bought a home here, but even the northern part of the Sacramento Valley is often choking with smoke - summer wildfires, fall agricultural burning, woodstoves/fireplaces polluting all winter. It makes me sick - literally. I wasn't expecting pristine air like living on the ocean, but I had no idea it would be this bad. Anything ever happens to mom (who now lives in my home) I'm selling and moving somewhere I can breathe freely most of the year.