Considering leaving California....but Where to?

[cali_beemer]

So my wife and I started talking about leaving California. We are a bit tired of this state and the direction on everything from taxes to road conditions, this state is just becoming a mess. So we statrted discussing the idea of leaving the Golden state and moving somewhere else. On top of being unhappy with the state, I have lived here all my life so the thought of something new sounds exciting. Unfortunately I am not really well traveled and there are some things that I think I would miss about this place. So, I am looking for suggestions on where to start looking. I would prefer to stay somewhere on the western half of the country. Here are some of my issues/things that are important to me.

 

Jobs: My wife is a computer programer and I am a mechanical engineer. SO,there is a need to be relatively close to a modern city or source to offer jobs for these fields. In other words a small town aint gonna work.

 

Houses: Looking at cost of houses thats maintainable. Its seems that real estate in most places is less than here in california (although that may have changed with the real estate collapse) so I dont think it will be a problem. However I have a family so a house is mandatory. I currently live in a house that would sell for about 300-330k dollars or so in todays market I am guessing. I would prefer to find a place offers more reasonable prices for homes spread out a bit more than the 10 feet the houses are in our current neigborhood. Our house is 10 feet apart form the neighbors, 1350 sq ft and about 20 feet x 50 feet of backyard. Very small. I have been to the midwest and seen the houses are spaced out alot everywher you go with good size yards for alot less money.

 

Recreation: Obciously good motorcycle riding is a mandatory. California offers some great places to ride despite most of our roads turning to hell. I am afraid I would alos miss the lane splitting that is legal here. I also have a boat so the capacity to go to a nearby lake will be a looked at factor. Currently I am 5 minutes away from a large lake so we can go boating after work and on the weekends

 

Taxes: Its seems lately this state has an appetite to tax the crap out of people. Our sales tax is now at 8.75 percent (raised one percent last year by the governator) and our DMV fees have skyrocketed in the last year or so. Not sure if its normal for other states but I currently pay property taxes for the boat, formerly known as a luxury tax.

 

School system: I have a 5 year old daughter that goes to elementry school so a good school sysytem is important. The class sizes here in california are getting alot bigger due to budget cuts so we have elected to enroll my daughter in a private school that has strict class size limits far below public school.

 

Weather: I am not really into dealing with large amounts of snow but I dont mind the occasional snow. I like the weather here in california and I am acustomed to hot summers of 100 degrees and above (hence the reason for a boat).

 

SO, I am trying to figure out if such a place exhists or if I am living in lala land. Sometimes I think I what i am looking for doesnt exist but when I travel to places like Omaha Nebraska for work, the area sure seems like a better place. Houses are spaced apart, more down home familys and just more relaxed people. I havent researched many places yet but it seems as if my short list is includig places like

 

Boise Idaho

Denver Colorado

San Antonio Texas

Portland Oregon

Omaha Nebraska

 

 

On another note for thsse that have done a long distance move, how did you do it. FOr example di one of you move over first and make some establishment with the spouse tying up loose ends and making the move? My wife and I currently are both employed so it might be a stretch to try and do a long distance move. So this is your chance to throw some suggestions out on where to look.

[Selden]

Georgia. Overbuilt housing market, so there are bargains to be found, strong tech presence in the Atlanta area (which is a pretty big area). Great riding only an hour away.

[cali_beemer]

Georgia. Overbuilt housing market, so there are bargains to be found, strong tech presence in the Atlanta area (which is a pretty big area). Great riding only an hour away.

 

Georgia and North Carolina were 2 areas that popped up when first talking but my wife prefers to stay a bit closer to the west coast. We still have alot of family here in the sacramento area so being on the west half of the country is preffered. I think the humidity there migh kill her as well.....LOL

[Lets_Play_Two]

I have no places to recommend since that becomes a very personal decision. My wife and I decided about two years ago to leave Florida when my son graduated from high school (40 more days). We put together a list of what we wanted in regard to all the variables, including weather, scenery, business opportunity (we are both independent contractors so we make our own work, or not!) taxes, friendliness, etc. The weather really provided the first cut plus we had both lived elsewhere and knew where we didn't want to go (this included midwest, northeast and California). Once narrowed down we made visits to find areas to research. We decided on western Washington and the visits put us on the Olympic peninsula. We then spent about 9 months looking for the house, again with a list of wants--mostly land!! Interestingly enough after 9 months we bought the first house we looked at-albeit at a much lower price. We are now getting it ready since we still have time because of a lease where we now live. We are also working on the business we will be opening.

 

Our personal circumstances are entirely different than yours, but that is the process we went through to decide where and then how. By the way, our move is 3500 miles-we have already shipped one load of household furniture and accessories.

[yabadabapal]

Sounds exciting! There are many great places to live. I looked at your list of choices. I have traveled and lived in many places.

From what your saying, I think Portland Oregon might be a top choice. Oregon is about as beautiful as it gets and the city of Portland on some level, is one of the most progressive climates in the USA, Idaho is absolutely gorgeous as well and a bit more conservative if thats more comfortable for you. Maybe consider taking a couple months and just do a road trip around the parts of the country that you are considering. Its a great way to see what is really going on. Omaha Nebraska was one of your choices. Warren Buffet thinks its a great place. He has pretty down to earth thinking. Good choices all around.

One place you did not mention but Id like to sugggest checking out is Port Townsend, Washington. That is a great place to live.

[OoPEZoO]

If I could move tomorrow, I would head for the Carolinas. I've visited a lot of places here in the states, and of all the places I've visited, its the only location that has made me actually stop and really contemplate moving.

 

Sorry, not much of a fan of the middle/western part of the country. The scenery is awesome, but the long travel distances from point to point kinda kills it for me.

[Bheckel169]

My wife is a 5th generation Californian and I grew up there as well in the Bay Area (she in Calaveras County). We moved to Utah and lived there for 25 years but grew tired of the long winters. We sat down and did much the same thing you did. We wanted reasonably good weather with obvious seasonal changes, but not much snow. Had to have mountains nearby and excellent healthcare available. We have horses so we looked for acreage and horse trail availability. Finally, we wanted some bang for our buck in the real estate market. we also had to have a good mix of culture, entertainment, etc. Asheville met our needs but it was a little too high up and got more cold weather than we wanted. Went south 30 miles near Lake Lure and found our piece of Heaven. Paid for our house in cash (luckily sold it just before the crash) and have several acres, as well. Just enjoyed a wonderful bike ride (road bike) this morning and then jumped on the motorcycle to finish off the day. It's 78 degrees and gorgeous weather. A nice microbrewery beer on the back deck is now in order. Flowers in bloom like you can't believe and the Blue Ridge Parkway is 20 miles away. We miss parts of the West, like the Red Rock country of southern Utah, and we thought we'd find it difficult to live here and so far from our comfortable surroundings and many family members. That wasn't the case and have numerous new friends who bicycle with us or motorcyle with me and it seems our relatives enjoy coming out here in the Spring or Fall for the various seasonal changes that we experience.

Bruce

[cali_beemer]

Sounds exciting! There are many great places to live. I looked at your list of choices. I have traveled and lived in many places.

From what your saying, I think Portland Oregon might be a top choice. Oregon is about as beautiful as it gets and the city of Portland on some level, is one of the most progressive climates in the USA, Idaho is absolutely gorgeous as well and a bit more conservative if thats more comfortable for you. Maybe consider taking a couple months and just do a road trip around the parts of the country that you are considering. Its a great way to see what is really going on. Omaha Nebraska was one of your choices. Warren Buffet thinks its a great place. He has pretty down to earth thinking. Good choices all around.

One place you did not mention but Id like to sugggest checking out is Port Townsend, Washington. That is a great place to live.

 

We have some friends that moved to the Vancouver, Washington area. They love it there and my wife spent the week there last summer and fell in love with it. Its a top ranking area for us since we already have friends there, its a day drive away from family, no income taxes I believe, a short travel to Oregon to buy your items with no sales tax and there seems like plenty of areas to satisfy the motorycle and boating habits. I may need to take a motorcycle ride up there. I dont know about jobs but Portland seems to be an uprising city. I know Boeing is somewhere up ther ein Washington and since my history specializes in the arospace engineering field, that may be an option. ALthough, the amount of rainfall and lack of sun may be a deal breaker.

[upflying]

The only reason I am living in Ca is because my daughter attends San Jose State. Once she graduates, starts a career and flies off on her own, I am out of this looney tune state. Traffic, taxes, demographics, crime and politics are out of control. Business is leaving, jobs are leaving, housing tops national foreclosure rates and government continues to spend like always.

Many Ca cops leave the rat race and retire in Idaho, Sandpoint is the city I often hear. Might be a bit too cold in the winter though.

I love anywhere where there is trees, mountains, lakes, sparse population density and no state income tax. Nevada is feeling good right now.

[Selden]

If family is a consideration, there are an awful lot of nice possibilities in Oregon, Washington, Idaho -- the trick is finding a job for a programmer. Economic doldrums is one reason these are such nice places! Good luck in your hunt.

[SageRider]

One advantage of being a programmer is the capability to be a remote employee / workout of a home office!

[hANNAbONE]

cALI -

 

cOME to AahWuh...we've got 2 seasons...wet spring & loooooooooong A$$ winter

 

It's really pretty here...RIGHT NOW..!! =B^)

[motoguy128]

If you're willing to consider Omaha, I'd toss in Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, and Iowa City.

 

Also take a look at Columbia, MO.

 

I had some family move to Columbia, SC and another to the Jacksonville, FL area and they love it.

 

Being a down economy, jobs are always an issue.

[Whip]

San Antonio...hmmmmm????

 

If I can help let me know?????

 

Boise is currently on the top of my list, but I don't have to find a job.

 

Larry

 

 

[Deadboy]

Placerville is #1 but Portland is a close 2nd....it is a nice city but politically you would be so far to the right you may find it hard to fit in (I do know you). Other than that I think it is a good option....I always said it was like Seattle but much more livable in terms of traffic etc. Bend, Oregon would also be a good option.

[cali_beemer]

San Antonio...hmmmmm????

 

If I can help let me know?????

 

Boise is currently on the top of my list, but I don't have to find a job.

 

Larry

 

 

Hey Whip, whats the job outlook down there? There are quite a few lakes down there right? Taxes? school system?

 

I have heard from a few people that moved to Texas and liked it. I spoke with some people down there and they seemed to like it.

[Ken H.]

I’m sure I’m going to get some flack here for bringing it up, but is leaving the U.S. an option for your family? Many areas of BC and southwest Alberta offer everything on your list, along with a better social/political/economic climate.

 

I don’t know your ages, but with two degreed professionals as head of household and about a year's worth of paperwork, immigration approval to Canada should be possible.

 

[markgoodrich]

Whip can be the most helpful with S. A. If the job market is good for you, it meets most of your other criteria. Austin's local political climate is apparently a little more liberal than you desire, but it's just local politics stuff. Austin may have a better job climate for your skills than S. A. does. You need to visit central Texas in August, though, before you decide. Not everyone can take the heat.

[Whip]

San Antonio...hmmmmm????

 

If I can help let me know?????

 

Boise is currently on the top of my list, but I don't have to find a job.

 

Larry

 

 

Hey Whip, whats the job outlook down there? There are quite a few lakes down there right? Taxes? school system?

 

I have heard from a few people that moved to Texas and liked it. I spoke with some people down there and they seemed to like it.

 

 

It all depends on where you are in life. SA lacks some of the metro glamor of Austin, but it doesn't have the traffic nor the high price of home ownership. Schools are hit or miss. Some are considered very good. You could live 40 miles from downtown in a smaller city on the edge of the hill country. It would have very good schools and maybe a couples acres for say $300K. You could have horses or even your own small plane. You could live in one of many golf course/country club neighborhoods.

 

No state income tax, but sales tax is around 8%. Property taxes are about 2.5%.

 

In most places you can chop a tree down on your property without having to get a permit.

 

 

Anywhere outside the city your gonna have deer on your property. They like the taste of pretty flowers. Ask Mrs Whip

 

Everything I read about the San Antonio economy says we are doing better than most and our future looks very good.

As far as your job market.......you need to do your own research in your field. I ain't qualified. Your welcome to come stay with us any time and see for yourself. Bring your wife and daughter.....long as they don't mind dogs.

 

 

There are some lakes....only a few are constant level. They go up and down a bunch.

 

Call me anytime

 

210-394-3221

 

Larry

 

 

 

 

[beckyanne19]

I moved to St. Paul Minnesota from Oakland many years ago. Houses are cheaper, great riding, especially in Western Wisconsin, lots of lakes, good schools in many of the Twin Cities burbs. Decent demand for tech workers. Downside, a big 'ol winter, but this year it lasted for only 4 months instead of 6 - it's early April and I've already put on 700 miles. Minnesota used to be a high tax state but it's middle of the road now. Which means we have budget problems like everyone else.

[cali_beemer]

You need to visit central Texas in August, though, before you decide. Not everyone can take the heat.

 

Is it really any warmer than a hot Sacramento summer? Its 100 plus on a regular basis. I have been here my whole life and we have even seen days close to 120.

 

 

[upflying]

The Texas heat includes humidity.

[AviP]

Unfortunately I am not really well traveled

I haven't researched many places yet but it seems as if my short list is including places like

 

Boise Idaho

Denver Colorado

San Antonio Texas

Portland Oregon

Omaha Nebraska

Somehow those 2 sentences don't fit the city list.

 

When I can't make up my mind on something, I use elimination to narrow down my choices. So here's some suggestions:

 

Since you are a mechanical engineer, I'd suggest you make a spreadsheet of all the states in the rows and positive features (Low Taxes, Cheap Housing, Good Schools, Windy roads, Proximity to Family, etc) in the columns. Put a weight on each of the features so that they total to 1. In the last column, sum up the weighted average of your research and you have a winner on paper.

 

Here's an updated site that lists state tax rates.

 

I bet you are staying in CA for a long time just because every state is going to the dogs. And whatever you do, don't move to NJ, NY, CT, RI, MA and VT. They suck on mostly everything you care about.

[Bob Palin]

Is it really any warmer than a hot Sacramento summer? Its 100 plus on a regular basis. I have been here my whole life and we have even seen days close to 120.

 

The numbers on the dial may not be any different but it's a totally different heat. The humidity is absolutely miserable. (I lived in Concord in the SF east bay for 20 years which has similar conditions to Sac)

[John Ranalletta]

Ya...I hear they don't let kids ice skate until the pond ice is two years old, heh?

[Polo]

The Texas heat includes humidity.

 

Not true throughout. Austin and San Antonio are quite tolerable; the farther west yo go gets better. Now in Houston, you both would fare great, but like in the north you need an ice scrapper to see thru your car windshield, in Houston you need a spoon to clean your glasses.

[Deadboy]

I would also investigate New Mexico, I have 2 friends who have moved there in recent years and really like it.

[Bob Palin]

The Texas heat includes humidity.

Not true throughout. Austin and San Antonio are quite tolerable;

Uh, no. Those are the two places I've spent the most time in Texas, I won't be going there in the summer again without a REALLY compelling reason.

[WestTX RT]

I would also investigate New Mexico, I have 2 friends who have moved there in recent years and really like it.

I was thinking Albuquerque the whole time reading the OP.

[rad]

Sometimes happiness is how you choose to look at something.

 

My State, where I walk to from my house with my dog and granddaughter

 

My State again, one of countless number of places I love to ride to and visit

 

I truly love this state.

 

[EffBee]

I'm really learning to like WA. Coming from CA, the weather takes some getting used to. But it really doesn't "rain" as much as people would have you believe. Still, it does sprinkle and drizzle a lot in the winter. But in the end, it's just water. It dries. I've gotten wet more than a few times, and I've not yet cussed out the weather, which for a curmudgeon like me, is a good sign.

 

From late Spring to mid-Fall, it's glorious. Sunny most of the time and between 76 and 82 degrees. And the sky is a blue I never saw in CA. Winters are usually in the mid-30's to low 40's during the day, with some nights as low as 25. Perfectly livable stuff. However, if you don't have nice feet, go somewhere else. You MUST wear sandals when it gets above 55. I think it's a state law.

 

I try to ignore most of the politics, or it would drive me crazy. And you have to get over the fact that Green is a religion up here. God doesn't exist, but global warming does. Oy!

 

Still, everyone feels that because it's so pretty, that it's OK for things to cost more. Housing isn't far behind CA in pricing, and you'll pay the same for gasoline, and even more for natural gas and electricity. No state income tax is a good thing, but it's only a matter of time.

 

You'll be well-served with Boeing being up here, but I don't know about programmers. I imagine Microsoft has shed more than their fair share of capable ones who weren't leading-edge enough, so you'll have to check to see if the market's saturated or not.

 

Penny and I are still retiring to Colorado, where we've been buying property for a while. We just love the Rockies. But if it wasn't for that, I could finish my years up here.

[Polo]

The Texas heat includes humidity.

Not true throughout. Austin and San Antonio are quite tolerable;

Uh, no. Those are the two places I've spent the most time in Texas, I won't be going there in the summer again without a REALLY compelling reason.

 

How compelling is an endless supply of these?

 

 

Homebrewed!

[Bheckel169]

Go to http://www.findyourspot.com/ and take their test. It will tell you where you should look based on your cumulative requirements. We took this test and narrowed it to Fredericksburg in the Texas Hill Country and Asheville, North Carolina. Came down to amount of open trails for horses and North Carolina surprisingly won out.

Bruce

[Deadboy]

The reason the sky seems so blue it because it is such a rare event....it is the same sky after all....

[jmseattle]

Poor Perry would be rolling over in his grave...

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tTkDE_AkZ5Y

 

[EffBee]

The reason the sky seems so blue it because it is such a rare event....it is the same sky after all....

 

No, it actually has to do with the angle at which the sun's rays pass through the atmosphere, an absence of the natural inversion layers that occur in some California valleys, and other factors. The sky is the same blue in Montana and northern Idaho. Below that, it's still pretty. It's just not quite this rich shade.

[Deadboy]

You do realize it is said he never actually came to Seattle right?! It is called artistic license I believe!

[Deadboy]

LOL....keep telling yourself that! I lived there for 30 years and that is simply not my experience.

[motoguy128]

I think you have to do whats best for the family. Honestly think hard abotu what you dislike most about CA, then look at another state and decide if you can guarantee that it will be better. Then look at the risks involved and any negatives, and decide if the advantages outweigh the risks.

 

An example of a risk? Do you like your current job, have a boss you don't mind, the work is interesting? Consider that you might hate your next job, work longer hours and find it boring or hate your boss.

 

How about your wife's job?

 

Change can be good, but realize that although you might be unhappy about some elements now, you might end up unhappy about other elements in the future. The net sum, could be a worse situation.

 

I'm young, but including internships I lived, worked or gone to school in 6 cities in the last 12 years. There were positives and negatives to every place I've lived in. I'm completely convinced that there is no perfect place to live... but there are some that are better or worse. Ultimately it was what I made of it, and I always tried to find the best. I was probably the least happy in the Chicago, and happiest where I am now. Actually, my enjoyment of where I'm living has been inversely proportional to the size of the town city or metro area. Bit that probably just my personal preference I've developed for smaller communities.

 

Maybe you have room for career advancement now. Will you at your new job?

[mbelectric]

Excellent points Motoguy!

 

An example of risk:

 

Giving up your job, starting a new job, losing your job, not finding a job...

 

MB>

[Joel]

Nobody has spoken up yet for the place I was born, grew up, and lived ~1/2 my life, so I will. Despite a history of a boom-then-bust economy, Denver’s hasn’t fared as badly as others in the West. Denver’s economy is more diverse than you might guess. Once upon at time it was mainly ag and energy, but there’s more to it now.

 

Housing prices are generally less than in CA, but higher than you might think, and considerably higher than the midwest. You shouldn’t have too much trouble finding something decent in the mid $300s.

 

You’d get to experience all 4 seasons, sometimes with an extra helping of winter, although most winters are nowhere near as bad as the media hype of an occasional blizzard might make them seem. If you really wanted to, you could ride and play golf each month of the year – not every day from December through March, but many. The sun shines 300+ days a year, humidity is low, summer temperatures are moderate, no earthquakes, some smog, but the sky is usually still blue.

 

Colorado isn’t a boater’s haven, but there are some lakes and reservoirs to enjoy.

 

Taxation is less burdensome than many places. Since the 1990s, the state constitution has required a popular vote to increase taxes. That means taxes haven’t risen much. And, yes, that means the state is under some fiscal pressure at the moment. We’re not unusual in that regard.

 

Even setting aside what goes on in the People’s Republic of Boulder, politics is interesting here, with the traditionally more liberal population centers waging culture war against the traditionally more conservative rural areas. Overall, we’re usually a red state, but things went blue in 2008. I wouldn’t be surprised to see it swing back.

 

I moved away from Denver to Fort Collins in 1994 primarily for a career opportunity, but also because rapid growth was quickly changing the place where I grew up into someplace I hardly recognized. I’m sure it is still tame from a CA perspective. For me, it was a nudge toward the edge: after 14 years in Fort Collins, I now live in the boonies, 28 miles from town, but closer to the real Colorado than ever before, and never more content with the place I call home.

 

You might also consider Colorado Springs, and maybe even Fort Collins. Finding jobs will be the key. Since I haven’t hunted for a job since 1994, I can’t be any help there.

[cali_beemer]

I think you have to do whats best for the family. Honestly think hard abotu what you dislike most about CA, then look at another state and decide if you can guarantee that it will be better. Then look at the risks involved and any negatives, and decide if the advantages outweigh the risks.

 

An example of a risk? Do you like your current job, have a boss you don't mind, the work is interesting? Consider that you might hate your next job, work longer hours and find it boring or hate your boss.

 

How about your wife's job?

 

Change can be good, but realize that although you might be unhappy about some elements now, you might end up unhappy about other elements in the future. The net sum, could be a worse situation.

 

I'm young, but including internships I lived, worked or gone to school in 6 cities in the last 12 years. There were positives and negatives to every place I've lived in. I'm completely convinced that there is no perfect place to live... but there are some that are better or worse. Ultimately it was what I made of it, and I always tried to find the best. I was probably the least happy in the Chicago, and happiest where I am now. Actually, my enjoyment of where I'm living has been inversely proportional to the size of the town city or metro area. Bit that probably just my personal preference I've developed for smaller communities.

 

Maybe you have room for career advancement now. Will you at your new job?

 

 

Yes, I have considered it and its really what has kept me here. As much as I hate the politics, the taxes, the tree hugging hippies, and all the other stupid legislation here, there are many things I do like. We have some great places to ride with a fair amount of historical destinations, lane splitting and lane sharing is legal, there are about a dozen lakes to choose within an hour and a half away and one nice one 5 minutes form the house. We both have good jobs and we own our own house in a very nice neighborhood. I have all of my family within 15-20 minutes. Going back to your comments, I see alot to lose in a possible move. Some of my motivation stems from the desire for change. It seems like there is alot to this country yet, I feel like i have only experienced a small part of it. Sometimes I visit places like Omaha and see the suburbs where houses are spaced out alot further with bigger yards, I think there is still a better way of life than whats here. However, California is the only home i have known and I often think the change some other states bring, may make me home sick.

[rocks]

It would have very good schools and maybe a couples acres for say $300K/quote]

 

Hey Whip,

Couple of Texas acres? Is that 200 or 300 acres

[Husker Red]

I like that Omaha made your short list, but it probably doesn't meet enough of your criteria to move there. The main draw of Omaha for me is family. I love Omaha and would be happy to move back there tomorrow, but there are some significant problems: the winter is long and evil, summer is hotter than hell (and you'll probably see both of them on the same day.) There are not many good riding roads, and boating is quite limited. Personally, I would be willing to give those things up in order to be closer to family and the other perks of the Midwest.

 

In other respects Omaha is great. The economy has not been hit as hard there, housing is reasonable, and common sense is actually common! Property taxes are high but you get really good schools for the money. I find the people to be intelligent, hard working and sturdy. If the USA goes to hell in a handbasket I think the Midwest will survive.

 

I like to play the "where would I move" game too and my current favorites are Omaha, the Pacific Northwest, Colorado, or the Ashville area. One of the most important factors on my list would be "less humans." The Atlanta area (where I live now) is just too damned crowded and I think we start to see each other as competitors. I want to live somewhere with neighbors looking out for each other instead of strangers fighting for their piece of the pie.

[motoguy128]

One of the most important factors on my list would be "less humans." The Atlanta area (where I live now) is just too damned crowded and I think we start to see each other as competitors. I want to live somewhere with neighbors looking out for each other instead of strangers fighting for their piece of the pie.

 

+1

 

Although you'll fidn some of those same behaviors even in small communities. But it's not as common or widespread.

[tallman]

Both my wife and I took the Spot test linked above.

Where should you live?

Both of us ended up with where we are currently living high on the list.

Go figure.

[EffBee]

LOL....keep telling yourself that! I lived there for 30 years and that is simply not my experience.

 

I have to believe it. In SoCal where I came from, the sky is brown and has been since the Indians built the missions.

 

"Hey, Running Bear. Shall we have the old priest over for dinner?"

 

"Naw. Old meat's too tough. Let's build him his "shappel" before Poitier does it for a bunch of German nuns and steals all the limelight."

[JohnnyJ]

we own our own house in a very nice neighborhood.

 

If you have a lot of equity and a low property tax base (Prop 13) you might consider renting your place and using the proceeds to rent elsewhere. This way you can explore other options and have a fall-back plan if things don't work out.

 

I pay very little property tax on a home I bought 25 years ago. I now use it as a rental and the tax write-offs and rent make the income from the rental more than what my monthly PG&E retirement check is.

 

When I retire from my current job I am considering renting the place I am living in now. The two rental incomes will allow me to rent outside of CA and explore other areas of the country, but still have a way back if I get home sick.

 

 

 

JohnnyJ

[Dennis Andress]

Ten years in the Air Force taught me quite a lot. Relocating is not an easy thing. You have to willing to like where you end up, even if it's 30 miles south of Fairbanks, otherwise you will never be happy there. Yeah, real life isn't the military, you get to make your own choices. But, a couple of years ago I worked with somebody from upstate New York who moved to Simi for the weather. He was unable to take things the way they are and could only compare California to what he knew from his past. He hated it here because it wasn't like home, and left as soon as he saved enough money.

 

California is expensive, no doubt. But, lots of states have budget problems now. In some places, raising taxes is not as difficult as it is here. Prop 13 has been good to us; I once spoke to somebody in Chicago who described having to wait on buying a car until the county tax accessor published the property tax increase for that year. (Prop 13 is also one of the reasons we have a budget problem...)

 

Take some time to study the places you are interested. Learn everything you can about the cost of living there, about their taxes, about how schools are funded, about utility costs, home heating and cooling costs (How much does it cost to fill the heating oil tank, and how often does it need to be done?) Learn how many employers would need the skills you and your wife offer. (If there is only a few, be careful who you tick off.)

 

If you go, plan for your return to California. Not that you'll have to do that, but because you might find the greener grass over the horizon has a few bugs in it. If living in California is expensive, moving here is very expensive. Most people find they are not able to come back. Put some money aside if you think you might want that option.

[Deadboy]

SoCal perhaps....I live in NorCal and was blown away by the blue skies when I first moved here. Honestly the wife and I agreed to stop commenting on it after a few months as people were starting to look at us funny.