The “Water Cooler” is a feature on Claycord.com where we ask you a question or provide a topic, and you talk about it.
The “Water Cooler” will be up Monday-Friday in the noon hour.
Do you know anyone that has moved out of California due to the high cost of living, high cost of driving/transportation, increased taxes etc.? If so, where did they go, and did they regret their move or are they happy they left the state?
Talk about it….
I know several retired public employees who are laughing all the way to the bank… Earned that great CA pension and moved the heck out to various other lower cost of living states…
Yes, several retired state workers moved to tax free NV and are very happy. My brother moved to NC and is VERY happy. I will be retiring OUTSIDE the state of CA where everything costs more and you get less as the dems keep taxing the crap out of us. I Haven’t determined my final destination, but I can’t wait to leave.
A cousin moved to Connecticut, and after many years of living there he recently moved to Florida. I also have a couple of friends that moved to Oregon and another couple of friends that moved to Nevada and another friend that moved to Idaho. I think most of them are happy living where they are, but one of my friends living in Sparks, Nevada complained about living in the snow.
I also have an uncle that moved to Arizona.
Have relatives that moved to Arizona and Texas.
We are seriously considering it. As a couple in our early 40’s we are some of the lucky few to own a condo here – which has appreciated substantially in value. Even so, we could not even come close to affording a single-family home anywhere that we would desire to live. All of our income is eaten up by the high costs of living, including taxes and gas/car expenses for long commutes. We are saving much less than I want to for retirement, which is actually more than the average of our age group. And, if that’s the case for us, it’s going to be really bad in 20-30 years when people of our generation have to retire, but have no savings. Who do you think will be left holding the bag there? I’d guarantee it’s the taxpayers. Not to mention the fact that since we are not supporters of far left-wing ideology (nor far right-wing ideology. We are registered independents) we vehemently avoid political conversations with anyone lest it turn into a shouting match ending in name calling. Why can there no longer be civil discourse with a respectful exchange of ideas? I have heard great things about places in the south, like Tennessee, Kentucky and North Carolina. Granted, there are compromises everywhere you go. But, we might be taking a look in that direction.
Isn’t it crazy? I bought my condo in 2002 (I’m a similar age to you), and I have almost enough equity to buy a condo in Hawaii if I were to sell. Nice for us, but terrible for anyone younger trying to get a foothold in the real estate market.
I just hope California doesn’t implode before I can reach my pension and leave.
Several friends retired an moved to Arizona, living the dream, lower taxes,
Of courses everyone have friends/families/employees have moved out of state
At some point, some people prefer to move back to California I do not know why though.
My Grandpa did not even moved out of his town after he lived to be 91 years old. he was born on the ranch near Fairfield and died in Fairfield we still have the 180 acres of ranch.
I heard about the moved out California tax free for state workers
Both of my parents are retired from state of California employees and still in California except my dad did lives in Hawaii and moved back to Cali after 4 years.
Son moved to Texas and at least 5 families after retirement moved. Have a co-worker who already has ten acres with a three bedroom house and large shop almost paid off.
Have had many friends and co-workers move to AZ/OR/FL.
More people are working remotely with even more in future. Keep that salary and work from anywhere. Between the high cost, overly taxed and nut jobs running the state, why stay. Besides there is enough illegals to replace us tax payers that leave. Be doing the same in next couple of years.
A happy person can be happy anywhere. No region is perfect, and you make the best of where you live. The people I know who left the state (for whatever reason) are now complaining about rain in Oregon, Arizona is too hot, etc. Just be happy!
@Kentucky Derby – Agree. Don’t just stay positive, be positive! 🙂
People aren’t leaving California because they aren’t happy people. They’re leaving because living in California is becoming damn near impossible
I agree Jennifer. The culture of getting along and inclusiveness has been destroyed by radicals and money pigs. Our local city managers are the perfect example of self serving politicians. We are being ruled/ruined by carpet baggers. Stuffing their bank accounts with MY money.
Love my home state, hate what political science has done to us. Vote them Out.
Life doesn’t work the way a children’s book works.
Happy in a POW camp? Happy as a Chechen wife? Happy getting run out of your farmland by bantus? Happy when a Chinese suicide bus pulls up?
We are finally going to pull the trigger and are currently in the process of planning our move out of California for the end of this month. We have multiple friends and family who have left already and keep asking us why we are still here. They landed in Oregon, Washington, North Carolina, Florida, Nevada, and Arizona.
Even though I’m a fifth-generation Bay Area native, enough is enough of this nonsense. Main factors of our decision were cost of living, congestion, overall quality of life, and politics. Bittersweet to leave so many family and friends behind, but simply fed up with the direction this area is headed.
I know it still works for many and I’m glad for them, but we’re outta here.
Well put……
Yep!
Agreed
Jack’s Fan – I envy you. Hope to follow in your footsteps and leave this state in a few years. My folks keep asking why I still live here (family ties) but I am ready to leave. The reasons you list are mine as well – congestion, cost of living (taxes), politics, and overall quality of life. Enjoy the exodus and don’t look back!!
Tons of folks I know are moving out of CA for many other states.
My kids had to move to Utah so they could buy a house. You can get a brand spanking new house 5 bedrooms, 4 bath, 3400 sq ft for $588k. To get that here in the East Bay would cost you $2M.
My sister moved out of state in the seventies. We relocated to the Bay Area and she despised it here, having grown up with childhood friends in SoCal. As a conservative Liberal, if you can grasp that concept; she just doesn’t fit in.
Most of my friends left the Bay Area in the 70s and eighties. No.Cal, Alaska, Washington, AZ, CO. From there, who knows.
They were escaping the culture. Cost of living and filth were not a problem back then.
Why did I remain? I was working. Nose to the grindstone type I guess. Also a weekend warrior. There are many things to like. I enjoy the anomyninity.
As a second generation California I love the state. Having said that I’m in the process of relocating to Arizona where we have had a second home for 5 years and have been using both locations to see if we would like living outside of California. I will always love California but I do not agree with the current political policies and the very high cost of living.
I pay around $1.00 a gallon less for gas and have better roads. My Payroll tax with drop from 9.87% to 4.37%. My average water bill is much less in the Desert than the Bay Area. Garbage collect is much less and a trip to the dumps will not set you in the poor house.
The DMV fees on new vehicles is similar but after a few years they are much lower in AZ
Now the good news, my employee pays me the same in ether location so I’m not trading the lower cost of living for a lower wage.
I wanted to retire and live out the rest of my live in CA but it has changed and my vote and voice has not been heard so with a heavy heart I will bid California goodby.
Brother, sister, many neighbors—-Taxes and liberal politics.
Nope.
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The days of hooking up with a great company and working hard for them for 10 or 20 years are over. Technology moves too fast for that now. The new generation of hard workers/high earners will have to be willing to relocate periodically to maintain their high earner condition. As such, more people who can afford a home in the Bay Area will choose to rent because they need the flexibility. Corporate relocations are the reason why places like Blackhawk have a high percentage of renters. That will trickle down to Walnut Creek, Pleasant Hill and Concord.
As for dead lawns and rotting siding, look for new HOA’s to be created as older neighborhoods are rebuilt. And they will have unpleasant monthly dues. They will enforce homogenization of house color, fence design, number of cars in the driveway, and landscaping design/maintenance. Wonder why some folks lament change?
Jackie I bet you are just an absolute hoot to have at parties!
Jackie, I’m sure glad you’re not my neighbor.
I know some smart people who have sold heir overpriced 1950’s ranch houses and moved up to Oregon.
You can find pure air and water and a house on a couple of acres near the coast for under $600K.
Contrary to what you hear, Oregonians accept Californians who just want to blend in and not change the world into something it’s not (California)..
I feel sorry for the people who bought their home because they pay almost $10,000 in property taxes for the “luxury” of living in the once great state of California, now a festering hell hole.
OMG – a “festering hell hole” – yeah ok…
Head out to Florida and let us know how you like the summer….
Or North Dakota and keep us posted in the winter….
Exactly Rob. There’s a reason California is so crowded!
Or 120 degree Arizona summers.
My niece who grew up in the SF Bay Area moved to Arizona 19 years ago and still complains about the heat there. Friends bought a house in the Phoenix area but spend summers on the road northerly in their RV. They’ll stay in AZ from October through March.
Several friends have moved to Texas – I think THAT’S crazy! Why Texas?? Also have friends that have moved to New Mexico, in the northern part of the state – that would be okay for me, too. Most of my departing friends have moved to Oregon and Washington state. I’m still up in the air as to where I’ll land!
Texas has a booming job market and is very affordable. The people are some of the friendliest I’ve found in my travels, but the weather there sucks!
Texas has a booming job market and is very affordable. The people are some of the friendliest I’ve found in my travels, but the weather there sucks!
As for me, parents moved to AZ yr ago, oldest kid to TX and we will follow in the Spring. Sad, as I love CA been here all my life as my wife but we’ll never be able to help our kids when they want to buy homes staying here.
Not yet unless you count the neighbor whose work moved her to Texas. I know my sis-in-law plans to move her family & my bro out of California she hopes in the next 5 years. She plans for them to live in an RV and move around a lot.
I think about it from time to time but I have a lot of family here (still) and all my friends. If I seriously thought I should move, I would go to New Mexico.
New Mexico ranks #2 of the poorest state in the U.S. with Mississippi in the lead as #!.
Albuquerque has a poverty rate of 73.6%.
Yes, Moved from Stockton, CA to Salem, OR. His whole family Loves it there. Cost of living is nothing compared to CA.
We moved primarily to be near my Dad while he was still alive and still knew who we were. There are a lot of things we miss about California, including family (our grand-babies with their mommy and daddy), friends, and the weather. However there are a lot of things we don’t miss, primarily taxes and the cost of living.
I know a number of people who have left over the years and are much happier and better off. After 35/years in CA, we will be joining that group soon. There are much better places to live with much friendlier people out there. CA has become so self-centered and ridiculously crowded and expensive, it’s not worth it anymore. It doesn’t help that the State is run by self-serving morons either…
As a human being who has been alive for over 40 years, what I’ve learned is that wherever you currently are located, that the grass is always greener on the other side.
We know several that have moved out. The wife and I would but we don’t want to be far from our beloved grand-babies.
Some left to attend college and came back in the 60s. Lots moved to Oregon in the 70s and stayed. One, a California Native, seems to be very happy there. One retired from SoCal to Idaho and loves it, also a California Native. One moved to Hawaii for a few years, then to Connecticut for a few more years, then came back and stayed, also a California Native.
I seriously thought about it at one time considering Arizona and Oregon. I ruled out Arizona, because I need to be at most an hours drive to an ocean. I settled on Tiburon or Belvedere in Marin County and, as soon as I win the lottery, I’m outta here.
My wife and I moved to Colorado in January after living our entire life ( 65 years) in Contra Cost County. Many factors came into play. We figured we paid about $ 50,000 a year in State and Local taxes (including property , income, and sales) and did not feet we were getting much for our money. The final straw was the night I was driving home from work at 6 pm and the urban campers were setting up tents for the night on the lawn of the Original Pancake House in Pleasant Hill. I know most California residents could never think of leaving the state but for us it was an easy decision.
Cali is all I know but we are so much happier living in a new state..I have a house with a pool,something I would never have if I stayed in California my entire life.
Yes, my late father’s nurse. She told me that she was leaving because of taxes The more the state takes that leaves her little to live here. She is right. It seems many Californians enjpy being taxed to death until they can not tolerate. So they leave to another state and vote for the same crap that is responsible for bringing on the collapse of California. There is no doubt these liberals and their political agenda have destroyed California. Yes we are on the path of collapse of this once great state.
Our tax guy moved to TX a few years back for his wife’s job. It was supposed to be temporary for 2 years but they decided to stay because they love it so much. He was born and raised in this area like I was. Last tax season he spent almost 2 hrs on the phone with me discussing how much better TX was for raising a family. Another friend moved to NC a couple of years ago and she seems to love it as well. We have to much deeply rooted family here to feel comfortable with moving.
I have several friends who have moved out of California, and a bunch more who are in the process. I can’t wait for retirement so I can join them. Honestly, I can’t imagine why anybody would spend their retirement in California, when their money will go so much farther almost anyplace else.
We have already sold our house and are building a very large new one on the East Coast. The builder we’re working with also builds here in California. To build a similar home here in California would have cost me about $2.5 Million. I’m paying less than a quarter of that for the home out there.
I loved growing up in California – and in Concord specifically. I never thought I’d leave. However, now that I have kids, and I can see how much better of a life I can give them there, I can’t justify staying.
However, we’ve met some of our future neighbors and one of them just moved there 8 months ago from a place near Treat Blvd. They regret moving because of the spiders, racism, sexism and other local challenges. However, I’ll take those challenges on to give my kids a better education, safety and an environment that encourages them that respect for others matters (even if it falls down on saying that respect for ALL others matters).
By 2014 most of the people I was working with left for jobs in other states. Even in tech. Since then I would say over three dozen have moved out due to cost of living, taxes, laws giving rights to the criminals. One moved last week.
My ex-wife. 😉
So, tell us, Thraxx, is Scarlett Johannson beating down your door?
We are leaving at the end of the month to move to Florida after spending my entire life in Calif. Moving due to high taxes, gas prices and the “giveaway” politicians who run this state.
Ruin. Not run. I feel your pain and wish you rainbows.
Please! All of you just go. I was transferred to Houston one time and when I experienced the weather I quit that job and stayed here. I’ve been in WC since I was a couple days old and I ain’t leaving now. And if you do leave then just be gone, don’t be back here complaining from your new location. Thank you.
Amen Jojo!
If you don’t like california its all good, please leave and never come back. Thank you.
lol crankypants
As the saying goes, “There’s always room for improvement.” And, if you like California now, you would have loved it back in the day before liberals trashed it.
Yes. My inlaws retired and moved to Hill Country in Texas. They wanted land and low cost of living. I’ve lived in Texas. That is why I moved back to California. They like it there.
It’s about to be much more now that they fast tracked (without any public comments) mandatory vaccinations & ACR130 Reparations. You’re All going to be paying Reparations.
My mom just moved from Concord… she now lives in Jacksonville NC.
She’s loving every minute of it so far, paying $2.12 for gas!
I have lived in California my entire life, and I am 28 years old. While there are many things that I like about living here, there are many more things that I don’t like.
I make “good” money in a good career field, my lifestyle isn’t anywhere close to what I would think it would be. I am currently entertaining an offer from a company in a much lower cost area of the country, for basically the same pay. If they decide to hire me, I will gladly leave California.
My dad (Idaho), sister (Washington state), mom and brother( Florida). Hopefully when I retire in thirteen years, I will have saved up a good amount money to leave this state and either call Pennsylvania or Florida my home. I will miss this place as I was born and raised here and have lived here all my life.
Went to a military reunion in Tennessee and Mississippi and we are considering the move… enjoyed the southern hospitality and the cost of living…
Many of my friends in the Bay Area have a single parent, in his or her (usually her) late 70-80’s, living alone in a 3+ bedroom house. I’ve been to several home estate sales over the past few months, and it was obvious that an older person had been living there alone, as well.
I would gladly purchase a decent-sized home for half the market price, under the condition that the previous homeowner(s) could remain living there, receiving the care and company they needed.
I know, it sounds crazy. But I would rather budget $100-200K towards caring for another human, than for a deposit that benefits realtors and the bank. This was seriously considered in the case of one of my friends, but the homeowner (his grandmother) unfortunately passed on before anything came of it.
If any seasoned citizens out there have a “million dollar”-yet-lonely home, I’ll meet you halfway and make sure the next few decades of your life are happily spent. 🙂
I have heard of rent to own. I don’t know the details, but your creative problem solving is interesting. I have also thought about the huge homes that have enough room to house a companion roommate. Nurses might be a good fit.
@2nd Gen CA Yeah. Like we’ve never heard that one before. You’re gonna be mighty surprised how the vultures begin to circle when you start getting those first gray hairs. And, expect more “boyfriends” than you had in your prime. They’re all out to get your house and whatever else of value you’ve got, only.
I know someone who was born in Texas and spent his entire career there. He recently retired and moved to the Bay Area because he and his wife always loved visiting Northern California. Obviously, money is not an issue for this couple. They could live anywhere and they chose California. They love it here.
I’ve lived in other parts of the country and I live here by choice. I love the climate, the natural beauty, and the abundance of parks. I love being just a few hours from the ocean, the mountains, wine country, and a fantastic city. I love the culture and the diversity. As I get older, I appreciate the excellent medical care available here. Yes, it is expensive to live here, but my salary was significantly higher than it would have been someplace else, giving me the opportunity to build quite a nice retirement fund. Yes, the traffic is bad, but when you retire you can avoid the worst of it.
For those of you who think it’s better someplace else, I suggest you rent a home there for a few months before you commit to moving permanently. Spend the summer in Texas or Arizona. Spend the winter in Vermont. Think about how you will spend your time in the dead of winter or a scorching summer. Check out the availability of good medical care. Price out insurance and you might be surprised how much more expensive it is in other parts of the country. Research property tax rates. Every place has its pros and cons. Do your homework before you move.
That is an excellent response. We also love what the Bay Area has to offer. The grocery stores alone are testimony to our fabulous diversity. Our families remark with bewilderment at our continued refusals to move, but as we look out to our little wild garden we realize it would be dearly missed.
So…….. all we have to do is be rich to live here.
Sound advice. I have friends who left for Lake Havasu and Denver. They both want to come back but can no longer afford to. Should we have another recession, the Bay Area will recover faster than other areas and therefore your nest egg will also.
Me, I stay in Walnut Creek for the diversity and the friendly, respectful inhabitants.
My folks,brother, his wife and their two grown children all moved to Colorado from California to Colorado for a better life. My brother is a third time elected mayor of his town. They love Colorado. I like it here because I found a nice snuggly cooperative in ROSSMOOR. Also my medical insurance with Kaiser Senior Advantage is very good. My former employer pays my Medicare monthly fee plus other costs. If I moved they would not cover so many costs.
So far I am able to afford good old California. I was born here and will die here Lord willing. It is expenses are minimal. I just have to be careful and buy what I need. California is a great state and I am thankful I live right here.
Yes I had a friend leave California and was able to purchase a 5 bedroom 3 bath 2 story with a pool and Jacuzzi on an acre of land for $85K. He hasnt looked back.
Just heard a relative who moved out of California in 1980 wants to move back.
Should we make sure there is affordable housing for her so she can move back? She could buy a place near Palm Springs. But she wants to live in Marin.
Many, many friends and family members.
One friend not only left the state, they now live out of the country. This is home, I prefer to stay and I’m happy here.
Lots of friends and family have left. Planning on leaving soon myself as a matter of fact.
I will get an instant raise by moving to another state with lower taxes.
It is truly amazing how far a dollar will go when you’re away for either coast of the USA.
I did. I was a third generation resident of the Bay Area and I moved to Washington about 5 years ago. I didn’t even stay long enough to max out my pension. Had two young kids and my husband and realized we would never get what we wanted out of California for the income we were making and certainly would never be able to buy a house. I paid 1/5 of the price of a house of up than I would have there.
Unfortunately, people born and raised here DO NOT like people from California. And the housing prices have recently taken a significant jump now that the secret is out that it’s not such a bad place to live.
The grass always looks greener on the other side of the fence, but once you move, it may not always be so great.
I’ve lived most of my life in California, and I’ve visited many places in the USA. With all due respect to the rest of the nation, nowhere else compares to the Golden State.
The problem with California is that irregular Americans move in, ruin the living conditions, thus forcing regular Americans to move out. To the regular Americans who live in California and are considering moving to another state, i implore you to stay and fight and defeat the irregular Americans who have ruined this state. To cede this great state would be a tragedy.
I have thought the very same thing.
We will buy a place in Hawaii in the next year or two, to use as rental property. After hubby retires we are going home to New Orleans. I can’t wait to leave the ridiculously expensive cost of living in the Bay Area. Been in Cali for 30 years, and while we enjoy the outdoors, and the activities, it’s crazy how expensive everything is here. Can do better in Hawaii and NOLA for much less money. Bye Liberals!
Hawaii is more expensive than CA. You obviously haven’t spent much time there. Hawaii is beautiful, but the cost of living is higher.
Hawai’i is more expensive – BUT the pace is slower, the people are friendlier. It is a liberal state – but you don’t really see the “in your face’ a$$hole liberals that you see on the mainland. Honolulu may be the exception – but there are plenty of places to live that are much better – Hilo, Kona/Kailua, Wailuku, Kailua, Kahului, Maunawili…
Personal preference is Hilo…. we go there 3-4 times a year and are thinking of selling the CA property and our current out-of-state house and moving there…
I’ve been to Hawaii at least 25 times, Derby. Every Island, multiple times, and have done consulting work on Ohau. Home ownership in Hawaii affords one a very special tax incentive and is much cheaper than Cali.
Fred P is correct, while there are some liberals in Hawaii, there are also many Christian, family-oriented people. Heck, in Hilo, you could sell even a modest home in Cali and live off the profits for years.
NOLA is actually quite expensive in the right places, but it’s the culture and the people that we miss. Counting the days! ⚜️
Yes, my wife and I moved out of California two months ago. We loved our neighbors, our neighborhood, the weather and everything the Bay Area has to offer. It really is a great place to live……today. What about tomorrow? Too many policies and new laws that are not addressing the true problems. Ban straws, sanctuary state, but can’t help the homeless? NRA as a terrorist organization? To what end? Spend time busting on the FED’s but let PGE defer maintenance and watch our neighbor’s homes burn? Too many taxes, too expensive. As in sports, at some point you need to get back to the basics, quit over reaching and get the Golden state back to being Golden.