any Californian's thinking of leaving the state?

Sounds like you need to make more money.....the people that complain about home prices and angry at others usually have a shitty life.

My family and I lived in NorCal for 9 years and just moved back East. We were both East Coasters originally so it was going to happen eventually.

Reasons:

1A) Couldn't afford it with rent and childcare

1B) Any place we could afford had long commutes which negated the whole point of living in California

2) The public schools are very inconsistent from district to district (thanks Prop 13)

3) Parents were getting older and didn't want to be on another coast if they got ill

Where we moved was driven where we found jobs here in the East. I have to admit, I'm jealous of people who can make it in the Bay Area. Its a great place to be. That doesn't mean that there aren't other nice places too.

In terms of undocumented getting licenses, California is very serious about insured vehicles and to that end, people need licenses. I'm all for it. You also don't need a title to register a vehicle in California if you have the registration from another state - the point is to get the vehicle registered and insured.

Needledik wrote:

Aside from being able to run 365 days a year if wanting to do so,

Any of you guys bail out and move somewhere you like more?

Too many things to hate out here. Insane home prices nobody can afford, traffic 24/7, the lovely (lazy)neighbors that come from across the border that speak zero English and are supported by our taxes and expect everything be given to them for free.....

No, but I hope you move out. We could use fewer racist.

California weather has become a litmus test for me. The folks raving about the California weather make it clear who, in my mind, has depth as a human being. When I hear grown adults raving about the great weather in California, I know they are shallow. Weather, especially full four season weather, with the dark grey and cold accentuating, contrasting, the glorious sunny warmth, allows for the full human range of experience. Those who can somehow only manage when the weather is mono, pretty, sunny, they are lesser than. I could never fully trust someone for whom one flavor of the weather is such an important driver.

WeatherGood wrote:

California weather has become a litmus test for me. The folks raving about the California weather make it clear who, in my mind, has depth as a human being. When I hear grown adults raving about the great weather in California, I know they are shallow. Weather, especially full four season weather, with the dark grey and cold accentuating, contrasting, the glorious sunny warmth, allows for the full human range of experience. Those who can somehow only manage when the weather is mono, pretty, sunny, they are lesser than. I could never fully trust someone for whom one flavor of the weather is such an important driver.

Shallowness has nothing to do with it. Everyone's idea of perfect weather is different. You are following typical black-or-white thinking. If someone does not agree with you, then you are just shallow, empty human beings. Lacking depth.

Nothing could be further from the truth. You are completely entitled to use whatever you think is important to justify where you want to live. As can others. For some, weather is important. For other, the beauty of nature. For others, the friendships they've developed. Or family ties. Or just their own personal history.

You don't need to put others down to justify your choices and your preferences.

You must not like weather.

California wages and opportunity are higher than most places in the country. Hence the higher housing costs & taxes than some places, but not significantly higher than many urban hubs with similar job opportunities. Compare to NY, Boston, Chicago, Seattle, etc. Sure house prices are lower in Anytown, USA, but there are no jobs there. Cities are the economic engines of America and the costs are higher where opportunity is higher. Simple economics.

Failing Socialism that is spouted as evil here all the time: CA is running a budget surplus. How is your state doing? How is the Federal Government doing with those corporate tax cuts? Just wait until the individual tax cuts take effect. It is just a reality that taxes must be paid in order to have government programs (Infrastructure, Schools, Police, Fire, Military, Consumer protection, Social Security, etc.). All politicians should be questioned. So ask yourself this: Which is worse 'Tax & Spend' or 'Cut Taxes & Spend'?

I grew up on the East Coast. I lived in the Midwest. I have lived in Southern California for 20 years. I would consider the East Coast again, but not the Midwest. Midwest weather was pretty bad for at least 6mo/yr, it was far from anyplace I wanted to vacation, and the people were generally less educated and intolerant of anything that was not exactly like them. I remember being called "College Boy" many times as if that was an insult (I had already graduated college). There were very few jobs available for a college graduate, so I moved on. Some people love it, that does not make them evil in my book. It just wasn't for me.

Anyway, California has issues as many places do. It has a lot of positives as many places do. For me, there are more positives. I don't understand the frothing at the mouth hate. I can only assume this is a constant talking point on Rush Limbaugh or Fox News or whatever conservative entertainment show people are hearing.

I did 6 months ago... Just woke up and understood that I don't enjoy life here anymore and eventually decided to buy property in Canada through Tranio. I know sounds strange... But I actually enjoy weather here and health system is so much better.

Needledik wrote:

Aside from being able to run 365 days a year if wanting to do so,

Any of you guys bail out and move somewhere you like more?

Too many things to hate out here. Insane home prices nobody can afford, traffic 24/7, the lovely (lazy)neighbors that come from across the border that speak zero English and are supported by our taxes and expect everything be given to them for free.....

I left SOCAL in 89. Regretted it for quite some time, went back in 2001 to visit, was starting to go downhill relative to housing, traffic etc. Still might have moved back had I not been married. Went back out on business a couple months ago, weather was great but took me 90 min to drive 35 miles. Plus all my old haunts were "gentrified". I make a lot of money but not nearly enough to live like I do where I'm at now. Air quality does appear to be better but still sucks. In short, way to many people, traffic, congestion, lousy air quality (still) and a huge cost of living increase since I lived there last. Plus not I'm old and cranky and have no tolerance for such stuff. OHHH forgot. Jerry Brown. As stupid as the day is long....still. Will never return....at least to live.

California is in trouble due to Prop 13 and other big housing issues.

It can be fixed but 'locals' fight it tooth and nail -- no better than Trump IMO.

Build, build, build, and in 20 years things should be much better. Sadly that's 20 years.

California's most dangerous export is liberals looking for lower costs of living. Texans are well aware of this as the state is decidedly purple now.

Also immigration is good

At least there is a nice budget surplus despite being totally hamstrung with property taxes (again prop 13).

Harambe wrote:

California is in trouble due to Prop 13 and other big housing issues.

It can be fixed but 'locals' fight it tooth and nail -- no better than Trump IMO.

Build, build, build, and in 20 years things should be much better. Sadly that's 20 years.

California's most dangerous export is liberals looking for lower costs of living. Texans are well aware of this as the state is decidedly purple now.

Also immigration is good

Are you here in California? Or do you get your news from online or the TV? How are we in trouble due to Prop13?

Also, California liberals are going to rural America and making things good there. Texans should be happy with their purple state. Maybe they will see some improvements in their communities and day-to-day life from the CA immigrants.

I'm from CA by way of OH and FL. Been to most other states in our Union. Despite CA being heavy-handed in many ways, many of us here are prospering.

grew up in PA, moved to NY, lived in Chicago for two years, then Switzerland for two years - finally moved to outside SF. Now, I would never, ever live anywhere else. And realized that pretty damn quick. Weather, food, beauty, nature left in tact - access to a great city and great trails is second to none. Maybe Vancouver is a close rival but too wet up there (plus not as central as SF). It isn't even a close contest. When I go anywhere east of colorado i find it depressing - crap weather, rusting cities, nature that was absolutely destroyed and has only been somewhat rebuilt.

Absolutely. This is like going to 'heaven' and then saying, 'oh you actually like it, how shallow?' weather simply makes everything easy and at times more enjoyable. could i be happy living in the cold - sure -weather isn't only thing, but wow. taking kids to the park and redwoods everyday, running in enjoyable conditions everyday, being outside - hell, even having access to better skiing within 3 hours better than anything the east coast has to offer - these are reasons to be there. I'm not about to choose siberia because it has crap weather and then i could call myself, 'deep' that is completely irrational

Harambean wrote:

Are you here in California? Or do you get your news from online or the TV? How are we in trouble due to Prop13?

Also, California liberals are going to rural America and making things good there. Texans should be happy with their purple state. Maybe they will see some improvements in their communities and day-to-day life from the CA immigrants.

I'm from CA by way of OH and FL. Been to most other states in our Union. Despite CA being heavy-handed in many ways, many of us here are prospering.

I love CA. It's a great state. We do a lot of things really well.

Prop 13 is AWFUL. It's a nightmare for school funding. It's nothing more than a handout to the wealthy old folks that they voted in themselves. Crony capitalism, etc, whatever you want to call it. It's nuked the housing market and transferred tax burdens to non-homeowners who are almost always less wealthy.

You didn't get my humor about 'dangerous exports' but I'm assuming you're a sensible, centre to center-left leaning person. Prop 13 is the antitheses off liberal economic policy. (Both small and large L)

it's the same everywhere except in the middle wrote:

Beast Coast vs Left Coast - it's all the same. Housing prices and taxes are killing everyone. Only places that are affordable are the crapholes in the middle of the country. Add the immigrants and it's almost not worth staying in the US any more. I've considered moving to Canada but they're all kinda dumb and Mexico doesn't speak englush. Maybe some place like New Zealond where it's peaceful and affordable. Heck can work remote like most of the US does and just rake in the cashola.

The ignorance of people talking about the 'tax burden' that is keeping them down is hilarious. Taxes are near historic lows, and just got lower. If you are b!tching about your income, look no further than your phone and carrier bill, your internet bill, health insurance costs, student loan payments, and your monthly payment for that douchy F150 that costs you a ton in gas money (and self respect)... not to mention how much you spend on sh!tty coffee and Chick-fil-A. California state taxes may suck.... I live in a flat tax state. But let's not act like the government is keeping you down. Your crappy life choices are more likely the culprit.

Harambe wrote:

Prop 13 is AWFUL. It's a nightmare for school funding. It's nothing more than a handout to the wealthy old folks that they voted in themselves. Crony capitalism, etc, whatever you want to call it. It's nuked the housing market and transferred tax burdens to non-homeowners who are almost always less wealthy.

You didn't get my humor about 'dangerous exports' but I'm assuming you're a sensible, centre to center-left leaning person. Prop 13 is the antitheses off liberal economic policy. (Both small and large L)

Ahh, so I was in the dark about Prop 13. On the surface it sounds great, but I get what you're saying about everyone else picking up the tax slack because old homeowners don't want to pay. Seems like CA homeowners have a bit too much power here. They certainly made Prop 10 look like the end of the world on the commercials.

But, but... taxes! wrote:

Garbage argument based on a strawman

So tell me how to lower my 20k a year tax burden.....

Oh wait, I do what our fearless leader does. I pay my accountant/CPA to shelter my money!

But for those who don't have the money and resources for that, how to they lower their tax burden?

We're talking about state tax, not sales/gas tax.

joedirt wrote:

The greatest threats to CA aren’t fires or earthquakes. The greatest threats are rising interest rates and the change in the federal tax code. All those heavily leveraged $1.2 million dollar homes are going to be upside down ( if they aren’t already). The bubble is about to pop once again.

+1

Spot on