People who move away Calif seem forever morose about their loss. (Yes, Mildred, you really can't just drive to the beach/mountains/park whenever you want, in any season, and in perfect sunny weather, anymore.) Then, after about 5 years (if they can make it that long), real estate prices have once again gone up so much that they're pretty much out of the game.
I have a sister who moved to TX around 7 yrs ago (yeah, the pretty "hill country" around Austin [snicker] - she would like to come back, but she knows she's done. Her house hasn't appreciated anywhere close to where it needs to be to make it back. (That being said, after each of her kids reaches 18, guess where they head?)
Shhhhh!!! Let them leave.
Honest, folks, those other states are paradise. Get out of California while you can.
I was fortunate enough to attend college in another state. It was beautiful and a great experience, but it showed me I am a Californian at heart. In fact, I came running back during an economic downturn in California. Otherwise, I too might have been tempted in recent years to follow the crowd to the newly discovered wonders of living in Nevada, Idaho, Arizona, and so on.
I hope everyone who can be happy in other states heads out and has a great life and leaves more room for those of us who truly love and NEED to be in California.
(It cracks me up. Some of the people I know who have "retired" to other states always seem to be here "visiting." One couple even has rented an apartment here for their frequent "visits.")
They were the only positive ones I read...
..and I have a vested interest, as my son just moved to northern California for a job move...
He's young, single, conservative, and a Christian.
To be honest, he initially wasn't looking forward to the move...it's so far from family and long time friends...
..but the area he relocated to is truly beautiful and a great opportunity for his profession.
Thanks for saying nice things about the state.
Our state, Florida, gets a lot of negative flac too, as you can guess.
But I've lived here 30 years, and love it....don't want to leave it.