Californians -- Why live there if you are not wealthy or upper middle class?

[WhipperSnapper]

The thread about California encouraged me to start my own thread about a subject that I always wonder about (which you can also apply to New York City, Boston, Washington DC, and other high-cost of living, high-population density, often high-crime areas and states).

If you are not part of the wealthy or upper middle class, why do you choose to live in California (or New York City, etc.)? Why not relocate elsewhere where the cost of living, housing, population density, and crime are lower?

 

[Bateluer]

If you fled across the border, you get free school, college tuition, welfare checks, a state driver's license, etc, all while having to pay no taxes. Thats a pretty sweet deal.

 

[DucatiMonster696]

The thread about California encouraged me to start my own thread about a subject that I always wonder about (which you can also apply to New York City, Boston, Washington DC, and other high-cost of living, high-population density, often high-crime areas and states).

If you are not part of the wealthy or upper middle class, why do you choose to live in California (or New York City, etc.)? Why not relocate elsewhere where the cost of living, housing, population density, and crime are lower?

The cost of relocating is often greater and more time consuming for those who are not "Rich" or for those who stand to benefit from government hand outs. Furthermore real estate property such as a home often ties people down and prevents them from relocating greater so then those who do not on own real estate. In addition having children tend to have the same effect on people as well. There are also those who do not wish to relocate because they don't want to shovel snow, look out for tornado, etc and feel that CA is THEIR home and that reforms need to be made to save the state from its impending debacle of debt.

So while California is a great place if you are rich and wealthy or on the government dole that does not mean other people have no reasons to stay. The same goes for businesses. Small businesses have a much harder time operating in CA vs large mega corporations due to the heavy regulatory environment in CA however if you're a small time businesses owner who is just making it your more apt to stay until your business goes bust or it becomes evidently clear you cannot compete.

Edit: There is also the issue of jobs and people to folk where there are jobs and stay put until they lose their job.

 

[Lithium381]

I'm getting ready to . . . you forgot to mention restriction of your constitutional rights as a good reason to move, too.

 

[berzerker60]

People follow jobs to some degree, and my work is out here. Even if that weren't the case, I'm young, not broke, and have no family obligations as far as needing to provide for anyone. I'd much rather live in a fun place with lots going on, possibilities to meet more people, beautiful climate, etc., than move to Shithole, Missouri for a lower cost of living.

 

[feralkid]

People follow jobs to some degree, and my work is out here. Even if that weren't the case, I'm young, not broke, and have no family obligations as far as needing to provide for anyone. I'd much rather live in a fun place with lots going on, possibilities to meet more people, beautiful climate, etc., than move to Shithole, Missouri for a lower cost of living.

While Shithole has its rustic charm, the KC area has a lot to offer. Try the lamb ribs at Fiorella's...sublime.

 

[Kadarin]

Because I'm employable with my current skillset where I am. If I moved to Shithole, Missouri, I wouldn't be able to get a decent job.

 

[nehalem256]

The thread about California encouraged me to start my own thread about a subject that I always wonder about (which you can also apply to New York City, Boston, Washington DC, and other high-cost of living, high-population density, often high-crime areas and states).

If you are not part of the wealthy or upper middle class, why do you choose to live in California (or New York City, etc.)? Why not relocate elsewhere where the cost of living, housing, population density, and crime are lower?

Less generous welfare benefits in other places? :sneaky:

 

[DrPizza]

Karain nailed it. People live where their jobs are at. If you and your spouse had a 6 figure combined income, you could live like kings in some parts of the country. However, if you move to those areas, it's likely that you won't find the same availability of jobs.

 

[Screech]

Good jobs, for certain skill sets (obviously exactly what you are looking for is very important).

Good schools, depending on where you are in life and if you are looking for that.

Certain opportunities that you might not have as readily available elsewhere (in my case, for example, hang gliding in various parts of CA is really excellent, probably one of the main reasons I would like to stay here presuming I can maintain the $$ for such things). A lot of things going on in CA as well, especially around the larger cities.

Good weather, generally speaking. Obviously there are exceptions, but california has all sorts of climates for all kinds of people.

IMHO a lot of this goes back to the 'live to work vs work to live' discussion -- I'd rather have a little less money but enjoy life more than live somewhere else with more money but have less to do. I suppose for some, simply having money is the end itself and not a means to an end. To each his (/her) own.

 

[Infohawk]

Not only do people go where the jobs are, but the job market has a direct impact on housing prices.

 

[Doppel]

My impression is that CA has nothing going for it but nice weather and hot women, hardly a thing to build a life on. I think people live there in great part for the same reason people live in NYC, the vast majority of whom are comparatively poorly paid sheep living a dream that doesn't exist except for a scant few above the lot in life they will ever have.

The unemployment rate is very high in California and housing still overpriced. I understand the problems in moving but would more question the motivations of one who locates to CA.

 

[Rainsford]

I don't see why the "why stay?" question wouldn't apply to wealthier folks. Their money, like that of everyone else, would go farther in a less expensive state.

And I think the answer to your question is the same for all those people too. A major reason it's so expensive to live in CA (and other places the OP mentioned) is that it's a desirable place to live for a whole variety of reasons. Whether it's jobs, culture, weather, the overall environment, whatever, people want to live there.

Obviously this isn't true of everyone, but is it that hard to believe that some people don't prioritize "cheap" over all other possible values when looking for a place to live? And the same goes for the other things the OP mentioned as well.

The basic idea of this thread seems to be that if you move out of more populated areas, you won't give anything up and you'll find fewer people and less crime and your money will go further. But I don't buy the argument that you're not giving anything up for those benefits...

 

[Rainsford]

My impression is that CA has nothing going for it but nice weather and hot women, hardly a thing to build a life on. I think people live there in great part for the same reason people live in NYC, the vast majority of whom are comparatively poorly paid sheep living a dream that doesn't exist except for a scant few above the lot in life they will ever have.

The unemployment rate is very high in California and housing still overpriced. I understand the problems in moving but would more question the motivations of one who locates to CA.

Is it worth considering the idea that your impression of CA or NYC might be wrong?

 

[theevilsharpie]

If you are not part of the wealthy or upper middle class, why do you choose to live in California (or New York City, etc.)? Why not relocate elsewhere where the cost of living, housing, population density, and crime are lower?

California is a big place. Not every place is an overpopulated, crime-infested, expensive shithole.

 

[glenn1]

Why not relocate elsewhere where the cost of living, housing, population density, and crime are lower?

Because the reason they're poor isn't location, it's their values, choices, and sometimes circumstances (plain old bad luck). Poor folks also don't tend to have the greatest track records for advance planning, delayed gratification, or motivation. You could just as easily ask the meth-using high-school dropout teen mother in Shithole, MO why she doesn't move to California where there's more opportunity.

 

[Steeplerot]

I have lived in NYC and Los Angeles. (also the states of TX, FL, GA, AZ, KY, OH, LA -theres probably more)

I decided finally on SF and have been have been here for almost 20 years.

I wouldn't live anywhere else in the USA. (I do stay in NYC occasionally when work dictates -but poor Gotham has lost its way)

1. Culture - I consider the rest of the USA a giant strip mall/fast food drive-through wasteland. The culture sucks and is isolated, life itself is literally a bunch of bored people who imitate television as culture. It is depressing and wears at my soul/hope for humanity after awhile.

2. People - I like living somewhere I can hear more then a dozen languages daily. Exposing yourself to humanity grows your experience with dealing with others. It's exercise to burn off fatty bigotry and unsubstantiated personal bias. Besides learning creative social problem solving to survive in the City.

3. Money - Face it, the rest of the USA is low population, low density, thus broke. If I am gonna be bored last thing I want is being barely able to afford eating. I can do that at home with the high rent prices on my terms.

4. Beauty - I have one life to live, why not enjoy some of the most beautiful features the planet earth can offer, all packed together. Snowy mountain peaks, to the spread of the bays sheer cliffs and spindly bridges with always perfect year round air conditioning weather.

('nuff said)

5. Food - I love Mission Style Carne Asada Burritos so big they cause a 6.0 Richter scale quake when they thump it down on the counter.

California is the embodiment of the American dream, if you want to make something of yourself -go west son!

 

[IGBT]

AB-32 kicks in next year in Calif. That will chase lots of business/tax payers/middles class out of town.

 

[Sonikku]

Why do people live in a shit hole like Detroit for that matter? I was devastated to learn that you can't even really meet Robocop and get his autograph if you live there. So why do it? I have no clue, but people persist living there just the same.

There are some real crazy people living in America.

 

[Steeplerot]

AB-32 kicks in next year in Calif. That will chase lots of business/tax payers/middles class out of town.

For people that already live in the most expensive place in the country moving to somewhere with less money is foolish. This whole exodus of the rich is a straw man. It would be nice getting rid of all the social parasite dot-com yuppies that get working class housing knocked down and live in bubble condos that do not interact with the local economy..

But reality (unfortunately for us) is not on your side.

From a small business owner POV, CA is going nowhere but up. Haters be damned this is where the money/action and thus oppurtunity is. Period. Nowhere else offers so much to someone with a plan and the self determination to carry through with "getting shit done". (maybe NYC but the weather suxxxx)

BTW.. shutouts to Socal and OC, they are rad too, although desert is not my thing.

 

[Steeplerot]

If you fled across the border, you get free school, college tuition, welfare checks, a state driver's license, etc, all while having to pay no taxes. Thats a pretty sweet deal.

Yet, none of this is true in reality, sorry! (I am a long time caseworker volunteer for the county of SF)

Real talk: You can be arrested here for sitting on the street, and there is NO HANDOUTS unless you work cleaning graffiti off our bus system or sweeping streets. Not a cent.

You will never get past step 1 of your application in the welfare office without birth certificate, DL, and SS card and fingerprints. Granted, if you are in trouble we will help you get all these, free of charge. But you would have to be legit.

The SF county fraud rate for welfare clients is around .05% yearly, this is why so many laugh at you guys about this "cadillac welfare queen/anchor baby" BS. It's a racist lie. Nothing else.

Personally I would like to see red states get off their ass and get their own economies into gear instead of wasting time worrying about what successful places are up to. We are supporting you all while you lie and spit on us. Amazing how unjustifiably indignant jealousy can make folks.

 

[Throckmorton]

The thread about California encouraged me to start my own thread about a subject that I always wonder about (which you can also apply to New York City, Boston, Washington DC, and other high-cost of living, high-population density, often high-crime areas and states).

If you are not part of the wealthy or upper middle class, why do you choose to live in California (or New York City, etc.)? Why not relocate elsewhere where the cost of living, housing, population density, and crime are lower?

Because relocating to a place where you have no job makes no sense, no matter how low the cost of living is.

 

[IGBT]

The California Manufacturing and Technology Association found in a recent study that 82 percent of companies surveyed did not consider California when expanding or opening a new facility.



http://dailycaller.com/2012/07/27/millions-flee-california-because-of-progressive-tax-system/

 

[theevilsharpie]

The California Manufacturing and Technology Association found in a recent study that 82 percent of companies surveyed did not consider California when expanding or opening a new facility.



http://dailycaller.com/2012/07/27/millions-flee-california-because-of-progressive-tax-system/

The Daily Caller. LOL.

http://www.sfgate.com/business/article/California-added-38-000-jobs-in-June-3724121.php

California provided a ray of light in an otherwise gloomy monthly jobs report Friday, reporting an increase of more than 38,000 jobs in June - accounting for nearly half the growth in payrolls across the nation.​

 

[IGBT]

The Daily Caller. LOL.

http://www.sfgate.com/business/article/California-added-38-000-jobs-in-June-3724121.php

California provided a ray of light in an otherwise gloomy monthly jobs report Friday, reporting an increase of more than 38,000 jobs in June - accounting for nearly half the growth in payrolls across the nation.​

the usual voodoo math notorious in calif. The silver lining here is that more of you liberal scum bags need to move to calif. if you think it's that great. And that will have a cleansing effect on the rest of the country.