Between 2021 and 2022, approximately 818, 000 California residents moved out of state, according to the U. S. Census Bureau. This net loss of 342, 000 people is a significant contributor to the state’s declining population. The number of middle- and lower-classes leaving California has increased dramatically, from less than 150, 000 in 2019 to almost 220, 000 by 2021. California’s population was predicted to reach 45 million by 2020 and almost 60 million by 2040. Many people who have left California say they simply couldn’t afford to stay.
California is still the most populous state, with an estimated 39 million people last year. However, Texas was gaining with 30 million people. In 2024, the ratio of moves to move out for every one to move in dropped to 46:100, making it the state with the highest out-move ratio in the nation.
From 2016 to 2020, 7. 3 more whites left the state than arrived for every 1, 000 white Californians, compared to 6. 5 for African Americans. Latinos left at about half that rate—3. 6. Five of the top ten relocation routes searched with a leading company in 2024 involved leaving California. Between 2022 and 2023, more than 690, 100 people left California, driven by economic and personal reasons, such as the cost of living. Nearly half of California residents are considering leaving the state, with many citing the cost of living as the main reason.
In 2022 alone, more than 343, 000 people left California, the highest exodus of any state in the U. S. The number of Californians planning to leave the state in 2024 has swelled to 17, 824. Consumers have been moving out of California since 2010-2014, with 79, 600 middle-income adults moving out between 2010-2014 and 210, 000 middle-income adults moving out between 2015-2019.
| Article | Description | Site |
|---|---|---|
| How Many People Are Leaving California | From the most recent data available (2022 to 2023), we know that 144,472 people moved from California. The U.S. Census Bureau and the … | rubyhome.com |
| Here’s how many people moved out of California in 2023 | Overall, 75,423 Californians left in 2023. That’s a lot of people, but still, it’s crowded in the big cities and traffic continues to be a … | foxla.com |
| Why Are People Leaving California? | Explore the reasons why people are leaving California in 2024 and find out where they are choosing to settle. | pods.com |
📹 Why Everyone is Leaving California (And Why You Should Too)
For many years now, residents of California have been leaving the state and moving to other parts of the country for better …
Where Did Most People Move Out Of California?
Between 2022 and 2023, over 690, 100 people left California, primarily due to economic and personal reasons such as high living costs. Most of these movers headed to Texas, which has become a popular destination for Californians, attracting around 60, 000 residents from California between 2021 and 2022. In contrast, Texas saw a significant number of people relocating to California as well, though the latter experienced a greater outflow. In total, an estimated 1.
6 million people moved in and out of the three largest U. S. states in 2023, with California seeing the highest net loss at nearly 70, 000 residents. The pandemic led to a surge in relocation, with about 360, 000 Californians moving elsewhere in 2021, a notable increase from previous years. Major cities such as Dallas, Seattle, and Phoenix are popular among those leaving California. Additionally, Florida and Colorado are other favored states for Texas residents looking to relocate. The trend reflects ongoing challenges, including traffic congestion and high housing costs, continuing to impact California's population dynamics.
Will California Eventually Break Off?
California will not fall into the ocean. It is securely positioned on the earth’s crust, straddling two tectonic plates: the North American Plate and the Pacific Plate. There have been persistent rumors suggesting that a large earthquake could cause California to separate from the mainland. However, this scenario is scientifically impossible due to the nature of the San Andreas Fault, which cannot produce such an effect.
While California is home to numerous active faults, including the extensive San Andreas Fault, the movement of these plates does not lend itself to the notion of the state breaking off into the ocean.
The concept of California sinking or breaking away is largely a misconception stemming from misunderstandings about seismic forces. Although a significant earthquake could lead to considerable devastation, it wouldn’t result in California plunging into the ocean. Over the very long term, seismic activity may eventually shift parts of California northward towards Alaska, but this movement occurs over geological timescales, far beyond human comprehension.
In conclusion, despite the potential for significant earthquakes in the future, California remains securely anchored on its tectonic plates. The state's geological stability ensures that it will not physically disengage from the rest of the United States or slide into the sea.
Are People Still Leaving California In 2024?
A significant number of Californians are leaving the state, marking an ongoing trend into 2024. Between 2021 and 2022, California saw an influx of 254, 935 new residents but simultaneously lost 399, 138 who moved out, resulting in a net loss of 143, 554 households. As of mid-2024, about 18, 000 people had already left, with over 690, 100 departing between 2022 and 2023, driven primarily by high housing costs, taxes, and gas prices. California holds the highest out-move ratio in the nation, with Texas emerging as the top relocation destination.
The population has been declining steadily, dropping to approximately 38, 965, 000, which is a decrease of 75, 400 over the past year. The primary motivation for these departures often revolves around economic and personal reasons, including the soaring cost of living. Despite welcoming new residents, the state is experiencing a demographic shift, with many planning to relocate. Recent reports suggest that forecasts for a rising population by 2040 may no longer hold true. The perception of the "California dream" is challenged, as data shows an accelerated exodus, indicating that the trend of residents leaving the state may continue into the near future.
Who Is Deciding To Leave California?
Increasingly, middle-income and lower-income residents are leaving California, a trend that has intensified over the past five years. According to the PPIC Statewide Survey, 34% of Californians have considered relocating due to skyrocketing housing costs. Political perspectives may also influence these decisions, with conservatives more inclined to leave than liberals. U. S. Census Bureau data reveals that the out-migration rate is higher among the middle- and lower-classes compared to the wealthy, with many citing affordability issues as a primary reason for leaving.
Although there has been a noticeable exodus of African Americans and Latinos, non-Hispanic whites represent the highest rates of out-migration. Factors driving this trend include the exorbitant cost of living, increasing state taxes, and a perceived decline in job opportunities. Between 2022 and 2023, more than 690, 100 individuals left California, while an estimated 422, 000 moved in, highlighting a significant demographic shift. Many residents attribute their decision to leave to the strict political climate and high taxes.
As housing becomes the dominant reason for relocation, this trend raises concerns about California's future as a desirable place to live, bringing into question the sustainability of the state's appeal amid these growing challenges.
Why Are Many People Leaving California?
Recent data from the U. S. Census Bureau indicates a significant outflow of residents from California, primarily driven by affordability challenges. The trend shows that middle- and lower-income families are leaving at a higher rate than wealthier individuals, who attribute their departure largely to the high cost of living. For instance, Susanna Cardenas-Lopez and her husband relocated from Salinas to Idaho.
The rising costs encompass housing, taxes, and a range of social and political dissatisfaction. California has witnessed not only a reduction in migration but also increased crime rates, pollution, and congestion, further contributing to its appeal decline.
Celebrity and business departures also signify the state's diminishing allure. Economic experts, like UC San Diego's Tom Vogl, identify housing costs as a crucial factor influencing the state's population loss. Between 2022 and 2023, over 690, 100 people exited California, echoing sentiments driven by the cost of living as indicated by growing dissatisfaction even amid abundant natural beauty. A California Policy Lab study reveals a rising number of residents contemplating leaving, primarily due to financial stresses. The census data unveils that the state's population dwindled by 75, 400 residents within a year, a troubling indicator for California's future political representation.
What Is The Current Population Of California?
In March, the U. S. Census Bureau reported California's population at approximately 38, 965, 000 as of July, indicating a drop from nearly 40 million in previous years. However, a report from the California Department of Finance noted that the state gained over 67, 000 residents in 2023, raising its estimated population to 39, 128, 162, marking the first increase in three years. The estimated median age in California is 37, with insights into its demographic diversity, including age, sex, race, and ethnicity.
As of January 1, 2024, the state's population was reported at 39, 128, 162, highlighting a continuous trend of growth, albeit with slowed rates—6. 1% compared to 10% in the last decade. Over the twelve years prior to 2022, California witnessed population increases in ten of those years, with notable immigration and natural population growth being contributing factors. Despite recent fluctuations, California remains the most populous state in the U. S., housing about one in eight American residents. The contrasts in population data reflect an evolving demographic landscape across the state.
Are The Rich Leaving California?
California ranks ninth nationally in the exodus of wealthy Gen Z residents, with 899 affluent households relocating out versus 847 entering, yielding a net loss of 52 households from the 2021-2022 tax years. This reflects a broader trend; over the past three years, approximately 750, 000 individuals have departed California, particularly targeting high-earning, educated workers. Despite lawmakers aiming to tax the wealthy, there’s a considerable risk of these individuals resettling elsewhere.
According to new state-to-state migration data, the trend has persisted for years, primarily due to high taxation and regulatory burdens. In the 2020-2021 tax year alone, California saw a staggering 399, 400 tax returns leave, in contrast to merely 241, 200 that relocated to the state, resulting in a net loss of approximately 158, 200. The U. S. Census Bureau data indicates California’s continued population decline for three consecutive years, with a notable flight of young individuals earning over $100, 000.
These demographic shifts are prompting fears of economic ramifications, as businesses also seek more favorable environments. Despite higher earnings—averaging $125, 000 for those departing—the cumulative impact of steep taxes and living costs appears unsustainable. Wealthy millennials and Gen Z residents are increasingly seeking alternative states, particularly in the South, where costs are more manageable.
Why Are People Moving Away From California?
Residents are leaving California primarily due to the high cost of living, escalating crime rates, political issues, and heavy traffic. Since 2020, California's population has decreased by approximately 500, 000, with Texas and Arizona being the top destinations for movers. The state's steep cost of living, especially housing costs, is cited as the main reason for leaving. From 2014 onwards, nearly 700, 000 adults attributed their exodus to housing issues.
In 2021 alone, more than 101, 000 households exited California. In the two years between 2022 and 2023, census data showed over 690, 100 people departed, motivated by both economic factors and personal circumstances. Contributing elements to this trend include homelessness, rising crime rates, and high state taxes alongside a complex business regulatory environment. Overall, the combination of soaring housing prices, inconvenient governmental policies, and market pressure has made California less attractive, prompting significant out-migration and reshaping the state's demographic landscape.
When Did California Start To Decline?
California has experienced a population decline starting in 2020, attributed primarily to pandemic-related deaths, federal immigration restrictions, and reduced birth rates. This marked the first population decrease since the state’s inception in 1850. As of 2022, California remains the most populous state, with over 39 million residents, accounting for 11. 7% of the U. S. total; however, its growth rate has slowed since the early 21st century. The population fell from 39.
53 million in 2020 to approximately 38. 97 million in 2023, declining for three consecutive years for the first time in recorded history. Cumulatively, the population declined by 75, 423 in 2023, showcasing a gradual decrease that raises concerns over California's political influence and fiscal health. The California exodus, driven largely by high living costs and housing prices, has seen a net migration loss of over 400, 000 residents to other states between 2021 and 2022.
Though the decline is slowing, it highlights longer-term trends affecting the state. Historical population growth rates, which averaged 1. 52% from 1959 to 2022, have shifted dramatically, as California faces challenges in maintaining its demographic and economic vitality in an evolving landscape.
What State Is Everyone Moving To In 2024?
In 2024, the states experiencing the most significant population growth from movers are Texas, Florida, North Carolina, Tennessee, South Carolina, and Georgia. An analysis of moveBuddha search data, comparing incoming and outgoing moves, highlights these states as the most sought-after relocation destinations. National surveys by Atlas Van Lines further support these findings, indicating substantial interstate migration trends. The U. S. Census Bureau reported that 8.
2 million people moved between states in 2022, with cities such as Asheville, Billings, Chattanooga, Boulder, and Burlington topping the list for their attractive moving patterns. South Carolina stands out as the most popular state, boasting a 2. 1 in-to-out move ratio, with far more people relocating to it than leaving. On the national scale, the Southern Appalachian region is witnessing notable inbound migration. In contrast, states like California are seeing significant outflow despite their appeal.
In 2024, the top cities attracting movers include Ocala, Florida; Myrtle Beach; and Wilmington, North Carolina. Overall, the Southern U. S. is drawing the largest influx of new residents, while the Northeast appears less popular due to various migration trends.
What State Are Most Californians Moving To?
Texas continues to be the primary destination for Californians relocating, with nearly 94, 000 former residents making the move from California between 2022 and 2023. This marks a decline from over 102, 000 relocations the previous year and 108, 000 between 2020 and 2021. Notably, Texas saw a net migration of approximately 60, 000 people from California from 2021 to 2022, maintaining its position as the most popular state for those leaving California.
During the pandemic, neighboring states like Arizona, Idaho, Nevada, and Oregon also experienced significant migration from California, but Texas remained unparalleled in attracting former residents. Overall, California lost about 818, 000 residents between 2021 and 2022, with roughly 100, 000 moving to Texas alone, followed by Arizona and Florida. The trend has highlighted a marked increase in out-migration from California in recent years, with data indicating that moving decisions tend to favor states with a perceived lower cost of living and better opportunities. Despite a decreasing trend in the number of Californians moving to Texas, it remains the top choice for those seeking new locales.
Where Are Wealthy Californians Moving?
Florida and Texas have emerged as the top destinations for high-earning millennials looking to relocate, driven by the absence of state income tax, according to a SmartAsset report. Wealthy Californians, frustrated by the state's affordability crisis, are increasingly abandoning their expensive homes in Los Angeles for more affordable options in other states. Migration data indicates that California has witnessed a significant outflow of high-earning, well-educated workers, with thousands leaving annually, leading to a net loss of 9, 181 wealthy millennial households—more than any other state.
California also ranks ninth for the loss of wealthy Generation Z residents, with 899 households migrating out. In recent years, Southern states, particularly Texas and Florida, have attracted these affluent movers due to their lower taxes and improved quality of life. Notably, areas like Paradise Valley, Arizona, are seeing an influx of wealthy Californians seeking privacy and luxury. Although some Californians are still arriving from states like Texas, the trend overwhelmingly favors out-migration. These demographic shifts reflect broader patterns of wealthy individuals leaving high-tax states like California and New York, seeking greener pastures and better financial stability.
📹 Why People Are Leaving California
In their conversation, Zuby and Adam Carolla discuss the shifting landscape of California, with many residents leaving due to …
The effects of the downturn are beginning to sink in. People are being impacted by the long-term decline in property prices and the housing market. I recently sold my house in the California area, and I want to invest my lump-sum profit in the stock market before prices start to rise again. Is now the right moment to buy or not?
Moved out of California last year, never wanted to leave previously, however, i realized that its just a sad place to live, 2 hour + commute to work (to and from) barely making ends meet, extremely high taxes, un attainable assets (houses and even new vehicles), and the homeless problem has gotten more ridiculous than you can articulate with words. I am now in Arizona and enjoy my life 10 fold! Anywhere i need to go is within 30 min of my place of residence (with traffic) and the people are so much nicer and more pleasant. Oh and not to forgot a FLAT 2.7 percent income tax rate. Only gripe is with the drivers, they are far worse. Lol.
Thank you so much for doing this article. The more people that leave CA the happier I am. I am a native here in CA and live 8 miles from the original gold discovery. We have done very very well in this state, we retired in our 50’s and will never leave. You are doing us a real service by encouraging people to leave. Please leave and talk your friends and neighbors into leaving also. Thank you!
I left Hellifornia in ’99. It was bad enough then, but seeing what has been happening over the past couple decades I’m very glad I got out when I did. It’s only a matter of time before the entire economy there completely implodes as anyone with any sense is leaving and taking their capital with them. If you want to see what California’s future is, take a look at places like Venezuela.
We are leaving The People’s Socialist Republic of California. Taxes keep going up, and they are inventing new taxes. Got an SUV? They are trying to put an extra tax (they call it a “fee”) on SUV’s at registration time. In addition to the highest state gas tax, here in San Diego County, SANDAG is trying to impose a mileage tax. The numbers bandied about are 4.5¢ to 6.5¢ per mile. On average, I pay 42¢ per kilowatt/hour for electricity in San Diego because of tax, fees, and expensive regulations. My wife’s relatives in Utah pay about 12¢ per kilowatt/hour. I had some rentals here, but I sold them as there are too many restrictions on what I can do with my own property. Rent control? Yes, but no one has done anything to hold down my expenses on running the property. Water is going up, but it is difficult to pass on the increase to the tenants that are using the water, if not impossible. I was born and raised here, and I love the beach-mountains-desert, but I can’t stand what the Socialists have done here. Oh, by the way, California Senate Bill 553 has passed, and it makes it illegal for business employees to confront and stop shoplifters.
As a single young man with a High School education, I moved to California in 1963 (yes1963). At the time it was the land of freedom and opportunity. I secured a great job that I loved and was a success. My wife and I worked hard and purchased a home on the Pacific Ocean and we both loved the CA laidback lifestyle … we were in every way a middle-class success story. However, then came the Democrats and their guilt trip. They wanted everyone to be a success even though they hadn’t earned it. That mindset is what destroyed California. When we saw that California was destroying itself via more and more taxes and regulations; that commonsense and our vote couldn’t stop it, we sold out and got out and we’ve never looked back or regretted that decision.
We left California in 2022. When we asked the moving company why their price was so high they said “Because no one is coming back and we have to return with empty trucks!” We moved to where there are four seasons and we are so happy. Got a great deal on house with land and woods. We don’t miss our townhouse in the Bay Area at all!!!!😁
I know a lot of people from Hawaii who moved all over California and they said it was for better jobs, affordable food prices, gas and affordable housing. The weather is pretty good too. I’ve always enjoyed visiting my mom, brother, other family and friends in California. But you’re right about many more house-less people on the streets, however I’ve noticed the same thing happening in other states as well, and Hawaii is no exception. It’s bad here too unfortunately, especially on Oahu, the “gathering place,” where Waikiki/Honolulu is and our Metropolis. A block or two away you will see tents lined up on the sidewalks. So if anyone is thinking about it being better in Hawaii, it may not be. Times are hard here too for many reasons.
California is a very big state. Not every city in California have homeless encampments or druggies hanging out as shown. Major big cities always have homeless problems. It’s a beautiful state with diverse cultures. I’ve lived in Florida, been to many cities in the US ( I was a flight attendant years bavk) and I packed and moved back to California.
I dont want to say this but if I can think of it, they can too. You better get out now. What they will do IMO as the decline worsens is levy a huge tax on the sale of property there. I mean massive. Like 20%. 30%. As long as you use the sale proceeds to purchase another property in CA within some specified time you dont have to pay. The proceeds go towards your new home. But if you dont do that… they keep it. This will fleece all property owners who leave.
I moved to San Diego, CA, 8:32 in 1979. It truly was a very beautiful city then. It was a retirement town; however, the 44 years I have lived here, I saw uncontrollable growth. That led to incredible high denisty and traffic. Also, the cost of living has skyrocketed. Taxes, housing food, everything has gone up. My wife used to live in Suburbia. Our combined income was well over $100k, and we couldn’t get out of debt. Cities on the coast such as Carlsbad and other coastal cities are so crowded in the summertime Zonies (people from Arizona) that it’s hard to go to the beach. Also, there are homeless people everywhere. The beauty of San Diego has changed for the worst. San Diego is a great place to live if you are very rich or have a very high salary. People leave because they can’t afford to live here anymore. My wife and I are leaving CA in the next few months for good to state and a city with a much smaller population and density. The people that dont leave are geographically institutionalized. They are so addicted to the great weather that they will overspend in housing and cost of living to stay in CA. They will put up with the high denisty and traffic, believing that they are in paradise. I was very fortunate to live in San Diego when it was so beautiful and not crowded. I believe that CA is overpriced, overcrowded, and overrated.
Here’s the truth from someone who just moved from California. The reason why a majority of people leave is, it’s too expensive to live there. We loved it there. Never would have left but we can get an amazing place where we moved (North Carolina) for half the cost of a much smaller place in California. For most people that’s it. The house we had in California sold before it went on the market for an insane amount. We’ll miss Cali and will go back to visit frequently.
I live in Central CA, whole family here. The people that say “stay here because we created this” have no idea! The Bay Area, SoCal liberals are to blame. Take a drive down HWY 99 and all you see is F newsome signs. We are the heart of this great state and will keep pushing back! Went to sequoia National park last week, going to San Diego this week. I’m good.
Stay in California if you like to: work, live in a sunny state, like fresh fruits and vegetables, like to be free to speak to all kinds of people, like to sun tan in the beach, like progress, like to be green, like to have solar panels, like to drink good wine, like awesome university and college, like Mexican food, like outdoor farmers markets, like to go to the dessert and see stars, like Yosemite National Park, Like Disneyland, Like to cross the border to valle de Guadalupe to wine taste, like to cruise in a low rider car, likes to go to Palm Springs and be warm in the winter, like lakes, like motor cross, like surfing, like Amtrak, like oil, like the whare houses where you buy for wholesale even if you don’t have a business license and yes you can buy your own house if you are a worker if you just want food stamps then you shouldn’t come.
I live near OC and I love it. I own my own house and where I live there are no homeless people. Beach is about 25 min away, moumtain ski is about two hours away. No humid weather, no ice and snow. 70 degree all year round. So many places to go and do. I’ve been all around the world and many different states. If you can afford it then there is no other place like So. Cal.
You would think the teacher’s union and public employees unions would be smart enough to understand that if things keep going as they are, there will not be the funds in their specified benefits plans to pay them anything near what they are expecting in retirement, especially when California declares bankruptcy.
And when we lived outside of Riverside back in the late 90s, we noticed a remarkable difference between the “haves”and the “have Nots”. There were palatial Italian looking villas on one side, and dilapidated trailer parks and shantytowns on the other. That was nearly 30 years ago. I can just imagine how it is now.
I was actually born and raised in southern California area my entire life. I was almost got stabbed in the heart by a weird, homeless bum that I knew in early 2012. I was actually punched in the mouth by a psychopath weirdo so I had to pepper spray him. I grew up almost my entire life in Hacienda Heights CA. I always hear shootings and other things going on. It actually makes you feel very uncomfortable and also paranoid? Constantly i seen a bunch of karens going places to raise hell almost to everyone.
California has always been the Golden State as far as people in the USA wanting to move to a new state. Why? Money and weather. Then there’s the fantastic geography with a long Pacific Ccastline and several snow capped mountain ranges. Not to mention the redwood trees and Yosemite National Park. Most of us Californians are happy that some people choose to leave.
@3:00 honest question: how can you blame a booming economy for the misfortunes of the drug addicts? How do you make that connection? Maybe I’m missing something but it would make more sense to say that the choices those people made are dragging down everybody as they become a burden on working families.
My wife and I are lining everything up to get the hell out of California and it can’t happen soon enough. And no, I’m not going to be bringing the lunatic policies that the coastal nutjobs in this state always vote for with me! One of the many reasons I want to get out of here is because my vote hasn’t counted for anything for decades; everything has been decided by people in San Francisco and other coastal big cities and they have no idea how the rest of the state lives. I am finding it hilarious that they’re finally getting to see the consequences of their policies in their cities at least… Also, the weather as being a reason to stay only really applies if you live within about 30 miles of the ocean. Further inland from that and winters get chilly and summers get downright brutal. I haven’t seen it in this comments section yet but watch more articles about people leaving California and you’ll see something hilarious. The issues discussed in the article and by most people in the comments section are things like absurd prices for housing, gas (which our nutjob politicians keep promising to raise even further), insurance (which half the drivers don’t carry because they don’t get punished for that), psychotic laws, out of control crime in every big city that’s starting to bleed out into the rest of the state, a total lack of water management which means every time the drought conditions return (this time forever, we totally swear!) they crank up prices and limit supply but don’t do crap to increase retention, businesses leaving, etc, etc.
Love it when people say “You’re not happy in California? It sucks there. Just leave.” You know, because it’s just that easy. It’s so easy and cheap just to pack up everything you own and move to another state where you have no house, no job and no other resources. Leaving behind children, grandchildren and elderly parents. Yep, sure thing. 👍
Relocated to CA 5 years ago. I found a run down house with acres 10 miles from the beach. It’s a bit rural in my immediate area, and republican-dominant. Living just past the summer fog gloom of Carlsbad, I have to say I’m living in, by far, one of the best microclimates on the planet. After spending 40 years shoveling snow in the northeast winters, my arthritis is less painful here. It’s visually ideallic living out here, which contributes to stress reduction. Yes, prices are high, but no different than any other area once you factor in differences in car insurance (250+ monthy car insurance in nyc compared to 90 monthly Carlsbad). Expenses are relative to other areas. In Florida, it’s getting near impossible to insure your house. Car insurance is more expensive in Fl. It’s more congested in Florida than it is in my area of north county San Diego. I don’t care what you guys say, you can have your brain eating amoeba in Florida, your sink holes, alligators, mosquitoes, and hurricane’s. You can have your brick oven desert enclaves everyone’s flocking to. You can have your tornado tundras and blizzard plains. Life is what you make it wherever you go, but socal (within 12 miles of the coast) is one of the best microclimates on the planet.
It’s not just that housing is expensive, per se. If that were the core issue, the exodus would bring costs back down. The deeper problem is that progressive policies systematically carve out the middle classes, leaving only rich and poor. The rich avoid taxes through complex tax shelters & overseas accounts, and the poor don’t pay taxes at all. So when small businesses are driven away, home prices don’t correct downward after middle class exodus to other states, as one would expect, because the rich are there to buy it up. California’s high taxes are creating a neo-feudal economy, with wealthy land barons, and everyone else resembling modern day peasants. The homeless explosion is the visual evidence.
California once the great gold rush, beautiful lakes and flowers, home of the famous plays and rock and roll, dinning at its best… NO matter if anyone leaves California other states will have NEW problems! Citizens are NOT the cause of main problems, it is the political parties that have turned away from good merits!!
I am a California resident and hoping to leave this state when my husband retires . . . But, so MANY Californian’s have left and pushed up home prices in Washington, Oregon, Nevada and Texas BIG TIME . . . We aren’t sure where we will end up? California is DEFINITELY GOING DOWNHILL . . . GETTING WORSE AND WORSE. WE LIVE IN CENTRAL VALLEY–AN HOUR AWAY FROM SAN FRANCISCO. SAN FRANCISCO IS DISGUSTING AND HAS SMELLED LIKE URINE FOR THE LAST 3 DECADES. THIS STATE IS IN TROUBLE AND THEY JUST KEEP MAKING IT WORSE. THERE ARE TONS OF WEALTHY PEOPLE HERE. THE FACT THAT IT IS A “DEMONCRAPTIC” STATE IS UNFATHOMABLE? Something dark is happening EVERYWHERE THOUGH. YOU CAN’T ESCAPE THE EVIL GOING ON IN THIS ENTIRE COUNTRY. PLENTY OF PEOPLE ARE LEAVING UNITED STATES TO LIVE ABROAD BECAUSE IT KEEPS GETTING WORSE. THEY HAVE ALLOWED TOO MANY IMMIGRANTS IN AND WHO WANTS TO WORK TO SUPPORT THEM? THEY SHOULD STAY IN THEIR OWN COUNTRIES; WE CAN’T AND SHOULDN’T HAVE TO SUPPORT THEM SO THAT A CERTAIN POLITICAL PARTY HAS “VOTERS” . . . AS IF VOTING IS REAL?
I went to High School in California in the early 90s. I grew up in Arizona. Never wanted to move out of AZ but what can I do as a teenager? Everything is out of control in that state now. I would never move back there. Now as of 2023, Arizona is also becoming an extension of CA. I hate it and now want to leave this state.
Relocated to TX from CA in 2022. The judicial overturn of Prop 87 in the 90’s was the genesis of decline in the Golden State. CA voters decided to withhold publicly-funded services to illegal immigrants and a federal judge thwarted the will of the people. The leftists seized an opportunity and it’s been downhill ever since. Housing is appreciably cheaper in TX, gasoline is half the price and there is far less traffic, but food, insurance, utilities, property taxes, basic consumer products are the same or higher. I miss CA/Los Angeles, but I miss the way it was 30 or more years ago. CA was literally heaven on Earth, the land of milk and honey and they deliberately turned it into a dystopian hell hole. So very tragic. More scary is it could happen here too.
I grew up here in Orange County, ca.. left after 19 years, lived in Utah for 22 years and moved back 5 years ago. it use to be a beautiful place but hes right, i dont watch the news anymore because there’s so much crime around. You drive through neighborhoods and you’ll see 15 cars per house! Drive to shopping areas, there’s always a homeless waiting for you begging for money, you offer them food, they wont accept it . The system is so corrupt that each city council is probably steal money from our cities just so they can survive themselves. Every year, its just slowly getting worse. I’m here in cali because my parents purchased a home 40 years ago at 150k. Now appraised at 1.2m. They dont want to move away so I had to sell my home and move back to cali and care for them. Hoping one day cali will improve.
I evacuated in 2015 and never looked back and glad I did because the cost of living and constant rule changes were very stressful with warnings to all home owners if you failed to properly follow climate change requirements in your recycling or trash using the wrong receptacle was impossible to maintain for most of us. A fine would be levied and the constant drought restrictions were terrible. Now I would not move back even if I was given a free house to live in. I hope to never experience such stress again.
NO KIDDING about Las Vegas becoming California.. My wife and I moved from San Diego to Las Vegas back in 1994 due MUCH cheaper housing, where we bought a nice 3br 2bath 2 car garage for $86K and a like house in a crappy area in Chula Vista, and a fixer was $275K. Now the house is rated by Zillow at $375K. Due to us taking out some equity to upgrade to solar, we’re still paying on it, with a $675/mo payment. You cannot get ANYTHING in Las Vegas for that monthly payment. Even a studio apartment is around $1000/mo, per a friend who owns several apartment building..
Why did I move out of California and move to Alabama last year? My story, my wife and I ran a small business Downtown in LA, Its are the taxes are so high I had to raise my prices at our store just to make ends meet. When I raised my price I could no longer compete with the big box stores thus losing business and as a result lowering my income. And I could no longer afford my property tax or my business taxes. 2nd California has the highest gas taxes, the highest utility taxes, and the highest Property Taxes in the Nation. 3rd reason crime. I we went to work at our store we drove past countless homeless people living on the street. We would drive by people selling and using drugs in broad daylight with impunity. Also 2 months before we moved, a man came into the store stuck a gun in my face, and told me if I didn’t give him all the money in the cash register he would “BLOW ME AWAY’ so I gave him the money I called the police they to a report and they promptly caught the guy two blocks away shooting up. He was taken to jail. The very next day the same man again robbed my store and took all my money again. On top of that, I have countless people shoplifting daily sealing everything from cigarettes to toilet paper with immunity. My insurance company dropped me, stating I was too high risk. So I had enough and we moved to Alabama where my wife’s mother lives. Now I love California the state is beautiful There are many free parks the beaches are great and recreation in California is second to none.
i live in ca. you hear a lot about homeless camps. but i have seen people with jobs living in. RV, trucks, cars ect. because they cant afford a place to live. i sonetimes see people sleeping in there car. i work for a Hardware store. and i have rescreened a number of rv screens. or other rv parts because people are living in them long term.
I saw a lot of people leave California for Texas and other places, during Covid. The people I know that moved regret it, due to the Freeze, heat, storms, and other things that the infrastructure isn’t handling well. BTW, my gas is $4.05. Every state has problems, but at least CA attempts to address them.
Some of us grew up here and didn’t have a choice because we were not born into money now that we are old enough to function as responsible adults were working hard and saving up for the day we can get a slice of the pie. I’m paying 2500 for a 3bedroom 1bath and 6.15 for gas. 40 bucks of gas per day just to get around. This is crazy
My family and I left Los Angeles County in 2004 BEST DECISION we ever made! We moved to San Antonio Tx. Yes as the lady in your article stated property taxes are higher, but there is NO STATE TAX. It’s definitely a place you need to get used to. I’m a Lakers and Dodger Fan. Texans won’t cut you any slack about our preference in Sports or Food! Texas prides themselves in their culture. “DON’T CALIFORNIA OUR TEXAS” We don’t want to that’s why we left why would we want that here in Texas? They have great schools I went to LAISD and I grew up in a Mexican populated area so if you learned you learn if not to bad! Not here in Texas! The school district wi work with your kids and help them learn. My son graduated from a private University here in San Antonio and has a Bachelor’s Degree. I know if we would have stayed my son probably would have been another statistic. I’m very happy that we made the move. We go back home to the San Fernando Valley 3 times in a year. YES WE CAN AFFORD IT! The house we live in is over 2400 sq ft and we bought it brand new if this house was in California it would easily be worth over 1 million dollars. California (home) is nice to visit but I wouldn’t want to live there. It’s so dirty now and all the homeless people… very very sad.
It’s understandable that people want to leave California, & a lot are moving to Florida because of the lack of taxes. But many of those knuckleheads bring their damn politics with them. I have a number of customers that moved from California, & they think De Santis is the devil. Why don’t they get it?
I’m very fortunate to live in a home in Southern California. I love it, despite the problems. Although I completely sympathize and understand logically why people have to leave California, understand one thing- all the problems Californians face will spread everywhere all over the country eventually. I already see some of the comments as to how these problems are already occurring in different states. Understand these problems in places like California is part of a global agenda to destroy the United States. This is why its imperative to fight globalism/Marxism wherever you might be living at. Because while states like California, New York, Illinois may have the market on being compromised, trust me, its NOT stopping in just those places! We must say NO to every idiotic/tyrannical govt. law or tactic they roll out; do not accept ANYTHING the government forces you to do. Conservative states might have the edge for now, but they must continue to remain free from tyranny. If they cave for whatever reason, its the end of the line for us all. California, New York, Seattle and Portland, these are a part of the United States and to give up on them spells failure to regain our sovereignty.
I’m a native Californian but I’d leave tomorrow if I could! I hate the taxes, the politics (radicals), the constant progress of building homes & apts. and destroying farmland to do so ( environmentalists have a hand in that, too. I outright own my home but the property taxes are outrageous! The only thing I’d miss here is my church family and the wonderful closeness to mountains AND seashore. Weather? Either way to hot or to cold AND lots of wind to go with that cold! Congestion, (people) too, everywhere you go. Traffic ridiculous.
Yeah I recently moved in September, only because I knew job opprutunities were not there for new grad RT. Moved to Kentucky and let me tell you there are jobs everywhere here, you have a chance to actually buy a home here, traffic isn’t bad. And people are great, gas is cheap, and life is more relaxing here I don’t feel stressed here.
I personally do not look up to any actors or actresses in Hollywood they’re just lucky to have the jobs I have if you want to look up to somebody look up to the people that deliver your gas to your gas stations the people deliver your food to grocery stores these are the people that make life possible for all of us!!! These are the real heroes in America that people should be looking up to and being appreciative of not the people in the NFL on the NBA in the pro baseball and the actors in Hollywood you can live without entertainment but we cannot live without fuel to drive our automobiles to get to work to make a living to pay for our things in life and we all need food to live!!! Let’s put the recognition where it belongs remember without these commodities that I have mentioned gas and food life for all of us would collapse as we know it! There are also other jobs that are very important out there they are very important that I didn’t mention and the people that do them! 👍 This gentleman talking mentioned 6 million people have left California yeah that’s residence But we’ve also gained 6 million illegals thanks to the governor and his buddies!!!!
We moved from CA to Texas. Disappointed in CA, the push on the vax, scared that they would push this on our child, and the killing of job opportunities if you didnt have the vax. The school system is crap – all they care about is head count to get their funding. The schools are falling apart. The increase apt. cost. The increase in cost of living increased. And, we will never afford a decent house.
Don’t come to Arizona. We LOVE our guns, it’s hotter than hell, we’re all conservative Republicans, we’re all religious, there are HOAs everywhere, jobs are scarce, water is even more scarce, we abhor crime, and everyone looks out for their neighbors, so we’re all in each other’s business. You’ll hate it here.
I find it hilarious that people from CA (of which I’m one) are touting the incredibly beautiful natural and man made amenities (PCH, e.g.) as if their is the time and money and energy to enjoy these things after working. The vast majority of households can’t afford to take advantage of all that CA has to offer..but, even if they could, the sheer number of cars and people ruin it and bring the quality of life to near zero. The true rich class can afford these luxuries but everyone else must work like hell to just to stay in their home, put gas in their cars and eat and clothes themselves. All of the so called “middle class” people out here (of which I’m one) are being groomed to become the serfs for the mega rich. Who wants to live in Lancaster or Riverside just to stay here? The awesome weather is only available to those near the beach otherwise it’s wicked hot 5 months out of the year. Sorry, CA is only paradise for the upperclass.
I am born and raised in California by a single mom (my dad was a deadbeat who refused to pay child support), my mom came here as a legal immigrant and worked low-minimum wage jobs, even with a college degree, she graduated and she was making 40k max and stayed at the same company for 20+ years and even now she’s only making 50k or so…. it was never enough to afford to buy a house *(the average run down shack cost $1million.) Now, I graduated in 09 when you couldn’t find a job ANYWHERE, didn’t have enough money to go to college so we got by on 10k a year, or less…. for a few years… then married and now I’m an adult in my 30’s, with 1 teenager and a baby on the way and I’m realizing that I will never be able to afford a home in California, we’ve been renting and rent is $1500+ (which isn’t bad) but we’ve been renting for about 6 years now, SOMETHING ALWAYS comes up (whether its car issues or health or dental and our savings gets depleted) ! We have not been able to save money, and we are working from paycheck to paycheck, the cost of food is TOO HIGH, even fast food is too high, the cost of clothing, bills, gas, but the thing that has cost us the most is our health and dental. For a cavity filling here in Bay Area,CA ($800+) not including x-rays which cost ($200) insurance doesn’t cover anything… and I need a lot of work done because I’ve been poor most of my life and lived in poverty, even with good oral hygiene I have always been prone to getting cavities. Anyway, Now I’m thinking about my son’s future, my baby’s future and as beautiful as California is, what kind of future do they have if we stay here?
I don’t want to live where the weather is extremely hot or extremely cold. I like museums, traveling exhibits, lectures, opera, plays, classical music venues, and gardening. I like conversations on global topics, history, architecture, and culture. I like authentic Chinese food, Thai food, Indian food and Mexican food. I occasionally like fine dining. Where in the USA can I live that satisfies this?
I love you, California, you’re the greatest state of all. I love you in the winter, summer, spring and in the fall. I love your fertile valleys; your dear mountains I adore. I love your grand old ocean and I love her rugged shore. When the snow crowned Golden Sierras Keep their watch o’er the valleys bloom, It is there I would be in our land by the sea, Every breeze bearing rich perfume. It is here nature gives of her rarest. It is Home Sweet Home to me, And I know when I die I shall breathe my last sigh For my sunny California.
my sister left California for Texas 6 years ago, since then she’s graduated college and bought herself a beautiful home in the suburbs of Houston, many of our friends are planning on moving or have left because it was just too expensive. My brother moved out to Houston but soon realized after 2 years that there was no job growth over there and it was hard to find work so he moved back to California last week. he said he’d missed all of the beautiful weather, nature, and being able to breathe outdoors. Some people stay in California and would rather put up with the cost of living and be renters all their lives than to live anywhere else in CA…
Thanks for sharing, Troy. You hit the nail on the head, the cost of living is much more pleasant in other parts of the country. There is no perfect place to live. Even areas that saw a massive influx of new residents like Texas, Florida, Idaho, NC, Iowa…people will still leave and cite the cost of living and living conditions and homelessness while claiming there is a “better” place to live with none of those issues. Bottom line, it’s more important to find a place that suits one’s own lifestyle, rather than chasing the “best” flavor of the month city/state.
California weather is alright, I lived in SD, OC, and Riverside. I wouldn’t say the weather is the greatest SD is humid as hell, OC is humid, and Riverside is just hot as hell in the summer. The only reason why I thought of staying was living in the IE because of the people and it’s close to SD and LA and OC. And my mom and siblings live there. But honestly people need to realize that what is California doing for them and is it even worth living there. Especially if you don’t already own a home. Basically working to pay rent there. Glad I left.
Couple of things I noticed and found interesting- 1. 500k in a state of 39 million people is ~1% 2. Booming economy and bad for business are contradictory 3. You mention surging gas prices and taxes for- free education and the environment? This is bad? 4. You mention price and unaffordability but not diversity, opportunity, and wealth. I’m an immigrant, I didn’t come to America to see snow and drive a truck. California has around double the percentage of immigrants as any other state, for a helluva lot more than the weather. Around half the people I know make $200k+ and a lot more love the cool jobs and growth potential 5. Education quality in decline – Must be crazy to have a declining education system and still have 5 unis in the world top 25 That said, I agree with the homelessness and shoebox apartments but I feel CA moving from #1 to #50 is a *stretch*. I’d love to discuss
Born and raised in California and still live there. I’m a close-to-coastal resident in San Diego and own my own home. Live within the San Diego city limits — in a single family home suburb. Most of my neighbors are older (as am I), so the area is quiet as can be. Weather is super nice (of course) and the cost of living ain’t bad. I’m not in love with the state’s governance — but moving elsewhere would be ridiculous.
You are a good hearted person. Thanks for sharing this with us, I was wondering which state I should choose and, I think I would go and choose New Jersey? Because I like the name and I like the city, one thing I really don’t like about it is the music sides. As a person who loves the rap music of USA, I strongly love the West side and this is why I am really confused of which state to choose, New Jersey is in the far east whilst Cali is in the west, its a dilemma for me, but if we are talking about quality of life, ofcourse, all of this goes to NJ
Although it is expensive & there is a lot of homeless people in L.A. and S.F. but I don’t live there. I live in Madera, Ca. It’s in the central valley. It’s affordable, I’m 3 hrs from LA, 3 hrs from SF. 2 hrs from the nearest beach. Hour away from Yosemite. Las Vegas is a quick drive away. I live near everything. I don’t think I’ll ever move to another state.
I am from Louisiana originally and I moved to California and it is not as bad as everyone may believe. Yes, it gas gotten expensive but I am an OTR/Long-haul trucker for a living and their is alot of homelessness, crime and tax hikes everywhere, even in the great state of Texas!! With all the malcontents leaving that is great because the cost of living will drop!!
If I had the money I would leave CA asap. Newsom is a huge reason to either leave CA or never come to CA. Some parts of CA get up to 8 feet of snow. Other places get in the 110’s in the summer. Not all of CA has that great of weather. Honestly a huge reason that people can’t move out of CA is the coast to move. When you are being gouged for paying anything it makes it really hard to save up to move out of CA.
It makes me sad after growing up and living in CA all my life. I moved to Las Vegas to be close to immediate family. But the family and friends I left behind, make me sad. CA was a nice place to grow up in the 60’s and beyond. Nothing stays there same; but good jobs are very important. This is why everyone had to move.
Recently I retired from a community college district job. I can’t leave California as I planned to because the cost of buying a house has risen too high everywhere because of the 7% home loan rates. The year before I retired, the loan rate range was 2.75% to 4%. I have not left California because I do not want to live my retirement years in an apartment. But when the home loan rates enters the low 4% level, for me it is adios California!
Honestly, Californians moving is negatively effecting neighboring states. Washington, Oregon, and Idaho citizens absolutely HATE those people because they didn’t learn anything. The Californians bring their culture with them. Living in Washington myself, since mass Cali people have started moving here, homelessness, crime and drugs have skyrocketed. So has housing prices.
Farming is an activity, while agriculture can take on many more products. like the fertilizers, storage, and transportation of the products we mentioned. It is a blessing and ways As California feeds the country, Agricultural accounts for $55 billion of California GDP of just under 4 trillion. California employs more people than any other state. By the way, we have more people than other state moving into California. What we need is more transparency by u tubers about California. And other fact is California has 10 million more people than the next closest state.
I left CA in 2010. It was exactly that housing is too expensive and the commute times are awful not to mention boring. I also thought the culture had taken a big nose dive..the mellow “dude” culture was steadily replaced by this nipster thug stalker culture and I didn’t know the place anymore. I always have a good time when I visit and the weather there is way better than where I live now but the economy is too stratified and cold-hearted for me. It’s only a bit better where I am now but sometimes a bit better feels like a fighting chance.
My home was purchased 40 years ago when homes were much cheaper. Property taxes are lower here. Gas is priced higher, but I don’t drive much. The area I live in has a low crime rate. My children and grandchildren live close by. And yes, the weather is great. California has a coast, deserts, high mountain, fertile valleys, sequoias, and redwood forests… So okay, leave. Yeah, you’re right. I don’t know why I stay…
We can not feel it in Sacramento, there are many jobs, and so many new cars, yes we have homeless but there is so much wealth here we do not see what other people in the rest of the state are going through however would not travel to the bay area unless it was to work. It is super inconvenient for recreation.
2:32 – reasons peopl r leavin California: 1. Cost of livin 2. Runnin out of watr 3. Environmental concerns 4. Homes 2 expensiv 5:27 – peopl left California since 2010 – 2020 ? 6 mil. 5:54 – 2 reason homes r expensiv due 2 environmental codes, regulations. 6:09 – 200,000 homeless, so peopl r leavin. 6:48 – leavin because of cost of housin, not safe, ed. system’s not as good as b4. 7:00 – 7:08 – reasons peopl r stayin: 1. weather
The biggest reason for the CA Exodus is simple…Uber liberal/leftist/communist politics. There’s more & it’s complicated, but that’s #1. I lived in LA/SoCal for 23 years & in the 80s/90s, it was the greatest place on earth. However, after 9/11, I saw the state heading for disaster 🔮 And by 2008, I had enough & left. Back then, everyone thought I was crazy & simply couldn’t grasp my predictions of where it was heading. I was mocked, ridiculed & more or less ignored. They’re not laughing anymore. And ironically, many of those same people call me asking where they should go. CA was essentially Game Over about 15 years ago & has simply been living on borrowed time. The only people keeping it afloat are Big Tech, foreign investors, Hollywood & the Fed. Otherwise, it’s a shit show. Seriously, I wouldn’t move back if someone gave me a house. CA is literally past the point of no return & desperately trying to live off its reputation of decades ago. Anyone with any sense has left or is in process. It’s incredibly sad to see what has happened to what was once such a great place. The CA I loved no longer exists. And btw, if you’re planning to leave & move to a red state, leave your bullshit politics behind. I promise, you will not be welcomed.
I live in the central coast of cali, santa maria to be exact and its growing here like non stop. Yes the middle class is moving, small business’s closing and owners leaving but there are millions coming in. They cant build places fast enough to keep up with the growth here and boy are they abuilding. 3bedroom 1 or 2 bath that were low 200k are now 600k plus. People are doing add-ons to their homes and clogging up our neighborhoods with people and vehicles but the city is giving permits like handing out 10 dollar bills on christmas eve. Our schools are over crowded, social services are being drained sucked dry by 20 year olds with 2 and 3 kids, dudes that dont want to work they are all there at our local county building with their hands out daily. I aint leaving though, i love being close to our beach and close to my hunting spots each about 20 minutes away. Nope, aint leaving i’ll go down the drain too like my city and state.
Grass is not greener on the other side of the fence, I was born and raised here in the north end of the Sacramento Valley. Spent 8+ years in the Air Force and stationed all over the in U.S. go to the Midwest, tornado alley and the San Madrid fault that runs up the west side of the Mississippi River from Texas to Illinois. Gulf Coast, Texas through Florida, hurricane alley, high humidity. I was stationed at San Antonio, humidity could be near 100% and not a cloud in the sky. I was TDY to Wichita Falls TX one week after the city was cut in half by a real bad tornado. East coast, blazing hot and high humidity in the summer and snow and ice storms in winter with some tornadoes and a hurricane or two in the lower southern states. I was stationed in South Carolina almost four years and survived 3 tornadoes and 2 hurricanes. Tennessee and Kentucky are also prone to tornadoes and heavy snows. I suggest perusal World According to Briggs YouTube website. He tours all over the U.S . and show s you the good, the bad and the ugly of each state. Why it is touted so cheap back there.
Im from San Diego and moved away at 19 years old in 2004 for the military. Im now set to retire from the military in 3 months and have no clue where I wanna live. It’s a weird feeling to have lived all over the world and nowhere feels like home. Then when I have the choice finally to move home, the negatives far outweigh the positives. Being from California, I stick out like a swore thumb in Florida hahaha. I like Florida, but California is far more beautiful. It’s unfortunate the California government sold out its people. I got a brand new house in 2014 in Florida for $170k. Cali is not worth the prices. You can live like a king elsewhere.
I live in Anaheim owning a home worth $656K 2017 with mortgage of $4700 but when I refinance it last 2022 my mortgage went down to $2500 with 2.99% and my house went up value to $1.1M. And maybe me and my 2 children prepared oforn what would happen this day, and blessed enough that all of us have decent jobs. My daughter graduated at LA Ca state as Electrical Engineer with 2 Masters and my son graduated as Social Worker and became Mental Health Therapist. His vlogs was not true for all California residents and like us live in Orange County. I love California I have been all around Southern CA for 20 years with a comfortable life. In case if you still living in California and need help there are a lot of California programs around that can help you. And still a lot of jobs around just seek your local government officials and reach out to them.
It is sad to see how bad California has gotten. Despite how bad it has gotten, there are worse states. Where California has ranked (compared to the other 49 states) is actually in the middle of the road. I left California in 2020, and moved to Northern Nevada. The only upsides Cali has are weather, scenery, theme parks, wineries, and job opportunity (granted it can be very competitive). I’m very conservative but having lived in Nevada, I’m not all that impressed with it either. I feel 50/50 about Nevada. For me, the biggest gripe is job opportunity, and pay grade suck in Nevada. I knew what risks I was going to take when I moved but I do enjoy having a lot more freedom, and being a gun collector here. However, I may consider moving back to California to find better work. I’d love to try Boise, or Salt Lake City but (owning a hot air balloon) there isn’t much open space to fly there. Plus, I don’t have any family or friends in those areas. I miss California. It is my home. I grew up in South Lake Tahoe but I always loved Lincoln, and Sonoma areas the best. Plus, I did a price comparison between homes in Lincoln, California and where I live. I found the prices are not that much different anymore. I found some nice homes there almost as big as mine for the same price (if not, less). One more point is I even did a comparison on gun laws between Nevada and California. California of course ranked 1st for most strict, but Nevada ranked 18th. Nevada ain’t that much better.
I lived in Beverly Hills and it was a complete dump and my street was infested with giant cock roaches. I moved to Vegas 2 weeks ago and couldn’t be happier. I went from paying $3k for a tiny apt with crap closets to $1600 a month for 1300 square foot 2 bedroom 2 bath place with a deck and unlimited free parking. My car ins also went down $100 a month. Vegas isn’t perfect but I’ll take it over LA any day. Also this summer was brutal. It was nearly 90 degrees everyday and extremely humid.
we left in 2015 so we could actually…uhh, you know…RETIRE ie, not work anymore…relax…? If we had stayed in Berkeley where we had lived the last 20 or so years of our lives raising our kids, we’d still need to work. So since my wife is from the Philippines, we sold it all off and moved ere 9 years ago. Built our retirement home, gated community, massages twice a week, travel a couple of times a year around SE Asia and elsewhere—wouldn’t have been possible if we had stayed.
I joined the Navy in 93, went from a backwoods school in Mississippi to San Diego and had the time of my life for the first four years. Im old enough to remember California before the Liberals ran it into the ground. I find it ironic that the only reason I would ever go back to CA is to do one of my items on my bucket list spend a night in a prison, Alcatraz. Sad to see what CA has become.
I was born in California my parents immigrated from Texas in the 50’s my dad bought his first home in the bay area for 9k the 2nd for 60k they are both worth over a million dollars I bought a home in the mid 90’s for 190k sold it for 500k in 2015 it is probably worth a million now I retired to Baja Cal. My mom and sister are still there they love it I love the bay area I have a lot of relatives in Texas you couldn’t pay me to live there the humidity energy price’s property taxes don’t believe the hype . The small town in Texas outside of San Antonio where my family is from it’s nasty flat nothing there it’s poor I hope 5 million more leave ease up the traffic. Bring down home price’s for people . One more everything you said there is another person who say’s the same thing about Florida people are being priced out insurance out of control.
Another big reason people are leaving is the illegal immigration problem. Another reason why people don’t leave is because they are attached to a public sector job and cannot find a job that pays that well in a lower tax state. High taxes also pay for higher wages for many public employee jobs. Also, some people are the working poor who have jobs that only require minimum skills, sometimes not even a high school diploma or GED. So they can’t leave California and find a job in most other states because they don’t pay the same level of pay for minimally skilled with no high school diploma that well. Finally, some people are trapped in bad neighborhoods where they cannot sell their house for a fair price. But you are right, many people stay because of the great weather, that allows them to take advantage of all the outdoor things you can do and all of the places and events you can visit because of the great weather.
Why I left California: way too expensive, way too crowded, way too many homeless, way too much crime, way too dirty, way too many fires, way too many droughts, way too much wokeness, way too much corruption, and way too much closed-mindedness. Every time I visit California now, I’m filled with so much disgust and can’t wait to get the hell out of there.
Born raised and currently still here! My family has been here in “Gods🎉Country!” Over 120 yrs. Every point you made to leave California, is the same, wherever you go! Why the big hype on leaving California? Most of the folks,, I know who left the state? Regret it! I have traveled and worked all over the Country. No place like home! 😊
it is not important to know WHY caifornia is falling, BUT only that it is. I lived there from 1947, to 2014, and moved 270 milies away, and Have never been so happy. I have many wealthy friends still there, in little bubbles of saftey, and will soon see the light,,but a long delay will mean they leave with very little of their present wealth……you have to know when to Hold em, and when to fold em, and it is time to foldem…
After 35 years I abandoned ship. The cost of living, the cost of property and housing. The cost of food, the taxes, the atrocious policies, the awful politics, the government, the anti-Constitutional tyrannical laws and public servants, all while feeling like my vote did absolutely nothing to enact change. Six months later I own my house, there’s trees all over the place instead of endless concrete and cities on top of cities, and I couldn’t be happier.
It all comes down to housing prices, and too many people. Unless you are rich, you can’t buy or even rent a home. So where do you go? Politicians get blamed for this, but what can they do? You can’t control housing prices by fiat, and people need a place to live. Plus, CA attracts a lot of homeless people because of its climate, so there is this huge population of people living on the street. This is similar to some developing countries, where there are massive slums where poor people live in cardboard shacks in total squalor. Income inequality in the US keeps getting worse, and the homeless problem will continue to get worse, especially in larger cities.
We must be crazy. We are planning on moving back to Cali. Lived there 18 yrs and have been gone for 10. No other state compares. Drive to work? Why? We work remote. Own a home? Why? Being a homeowner is a headache and a hassle. Rent and live where you want. Who’s moving out? Mostly mid class fams w/kids. Entirely diff story than us who don’t have families are free to live anywhere. Skid row and homeless population? Don’t go there. There are plenty of beautiful areas to be in, why focus on the gnarly ones? Taxes and cost of living? Depends on your income. Gotta pay to play and we’re good with that. Oh, and it’s “Silicon” Valley, not “Silicone” Dude…
I hope they all leave so I can go back home to San Diego, California. I remember San Diego when I was a teenager, now 69 years old. It was a moderate size city. Then as the years went by more and more people kept moving in from other states making San Diego miserable, crowded and expensive. It became unbearable with all those people, traffic and expensive because businesses raised their prices to milk people for as much money as they could get. I moved to Arizona seven years ago. I’m just waiting until articles like this encourage everyone to leave California, so I can go back to my home in San Diego.
California has the most beautiful and diverse climate in the world, mountians, forest, Beachs, snowy places, no matter what you enjoy it’s here….. would be the best place on earrh awesome fishing and hunting…so many outdoor activities….but I’m leaving asap, gotta stay for my dad, I would love to stay forever because of the beautiful land itself…..but the people, the current politics, i refuse to stay… please somebody fix California so I can stay in the most beautiful land in the world.
Born and raised in California and I will be here until I can retire and then I am OUT OF HERE! Place is a Sh!t hole! Crime, Taxes and homelessness are OUT OF CONTROL and the politicians here are doubling down and making it 10X worse! I will not be able to afford to retire here. I am in my mid 50ies and my house is my nest egg. Half of my kids have already moved out of state because they had NO FUTURE HERE! They were priced OUT! I will sell my home when I hit 67 and I’m going to move to a state that doesn’t punish its taxpayers.
I Moved out of California las years, reason Tax expenses house, gasoline, Dmv, food working hard and the democratic government making good money from us, I Moved to Texas I buy house cheaper, gasoline is cheap, I live better than in California, less stress what’s more important El paso tx is one of the safest cities in the United States no graffiti, and the schools much better I enjoy mi house very big and new,.
Terrible places are alway the the most expensive. With market capitalism people are willing to pay the most for awful places to live and that drives up the cost of housing in the places that are the most undesirable. People are not willing to pay a lot to live in great places, that is why they are so cheap. Thank you this lesson you genius!