Posted on 11/04/2004 5:37:45 PM PST by BurbankKarl
An exodus of California residents this summer, strong enough that one company temporarily suspended truck and trailer rentals for one-way moves out of state, is continuing deep into autumn.
Some of those running for the border are cashing out equity in their homes, others are fleeing high housing prices and apartment rents, while others are seeking a place where the living is cheaper, indicate interviews with rental company officials, economists and analysts.
Demand in California peaked in late summer, prompting Phoenix-based U-Haul International to restrict rentals for out-of-state destinations from Aug. 2 though Sept. 7, though they were modified somewhat in late August.
Demand remains strong, though, and U-Haul still has cities that are only taking reservations if they are based on incoming equipment arrivals, and the customers may have to travel to pick up the equipment or just wait, said company spokeswoman Joanne Fried.
It's made for a 7-day, 70-hour workweek for Mike Jubrail, who runs a U-Haul store at his MJ's Auto Care and Fast Lube business at 8659 Corbin Ave. in Canoga Park.
"We've seen a lot of people move to the closer cities -- Phoenix and Las Vegas -- and we've seen them go up north to Spokane, Wash., and Boise, Idaho," Jubrail said.
And lots of his customers talked about housing prices as they signed the rental forms.
"The main thing is the cost of living and the price of housing. A person can sell their house here for half a million and go to Boise and buy a house for $100,000 and have a couple of bucks to live on. The other reason is jobs," he said.
U-Haul said that a check of its customer database showed that between Jan. 1 and mid October:
3.5 percent more families moved out of Los Angeles County than moved in. San Diego was the top destination followed by Las Vegas, San Bernardino, Riverside and Phoenix.
5.7 percent more families moved out of Ventura County than moved in. The migration pattern was slightly different, though San Diego was also the top destination. It was followed by Las Vegas, Lancaster and Bakersfield. Phoenix and Mesa, Ariz., were also top ten destinations.
Jim Webber, national lease and rental product marketing manager for Penske Truck Leasing Co. LP, tells a similar story, though he doesn't share migration data.
"There has been an extensive demand for rental equipment out of California this year. I've heard a lot of people are selling out and getting-out-of-Dodge type of things," he said.
Most of the outward migration is coming from the state's major cities, Webber said.
California is still expected to gain in population, but it will be driven by people coming here from other countries rather than other states.
This doesn't surprise William H. Frey, a senior fellow at the Milken Institute who specializes in demographic trends.
Foreign-born Californians assimilate after several years then look elsewhere, where housing and other costs are cheaper, allowing them to keep improving their economic lot.
"I think it's consistent with the longer-term trend. It's more the people who are squeezed by high housing costs," he said.
Important stuff. We need to retake California.
Soon California will be populated by nothing but unemployed Mexicans.
The entire left coast should be put under martial law.
Keep em' out of Phoenix. Our housing costs are skyrocketing.
My husband and I live in Pasadena. We went to an open house a couple of doors down from us. The house was less than 1600 sq feet and they wanted $740,000!! The master bedroom didn't even have a closet!!! Unbelieveable. My husband says that mortgage payments would be $7000-$9000 a month including taxes. That's just nuts! I mean, if it was a mansion, it would be worth it...but a dinky tuna can?
Same with Boise! Idaho is full, turn around!
Does that mean libs from the blue state are going to turn red into blue with their migration.
$740K would buy you over 10,000 square feet here in Boise.
Hardly the case, all you have to look at are the median home prices in California, particularly in the metropolitain areas. Many native Californians decided to take the money and run when they saw the equity in their homes rise hundreds of thousands of dollars in the past few years. Unemployed mexicans can hardly afford $500,000.00+ homes. There are several factors involved here, but the exodus the article cites is merely attrition in the most populous state in the union.
California = Liberalism run-amuck
Same here in Reno, Nevada, which we moved to from California just a little over a year ago. Tell everyone in California that Reno really sucks and if they're smart they'll stay away from here. We hear its really nice up in Montana...
I was in/near Reno this summer hiking. Actually, it was South Tahoe.
Tell me about the Sandpoint area. It looks beautiful.
Hey man, don't rub it in! HA...
I agree completely.
Furthermore, here in the Sacramento region, housing prices have risen dramatically in the last few years as people move from the LA or SF areas and come here buying for cash or with huge down payments.
My only concern is a crash, ala 1990 but I feel if it comes, it will be those two large population centers that will take the biggest hit.
Wishful thinking on my part perhaps.
Cheers,
knews hound
(ECV Chapter 3)
I don't really know much, haven't been there yet. I'm new to Idaho, 18 months, and haven't made it up yet. It's about 8 hours from here. There is a bike trail which runs from Montana to Oregon I want to ride up there.
washington state doesnt want any more liberals as well. Stay out unless you are not a democrat
I had a friend who moved to the Santa Cruz area back then and bought a house for $450K only to have it worth $350 within a few months.
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