Another leaving California thread.

[bocco]

So Wednesday is our last day in California. The house is sold and we are headed to South Carolina. My FIL passed earlier this year, and his house is empty so we will be staying there while we look for a house in North Carolina. Trying to get close to Lake James or Lake Hickory.

The boat is already back there tucked into shop. We are driving with the dog. Stopping in Prescott AZ to visit friends and then he is coming along as copilot for the rest of the trip.

Lotta stress in a move like this when you are older and have a bunch of shit.

 

[Xtrmwakeboarder]

Good luck with your move and drive safe. Sorry for your loss as well.

I think moving in general is super stressful. I feel like I should have been in logistics. We’re heading back to CA after two years this week and packing is a pain in the ass. Definitely some mixed feelings.

 

[Xring01]

Moving sucks…
I tell people I would rather get kicked in the balls than move…

The sad part… CA has made it worth getting kicked in the balls to get the fuck out.

I left Murrieta a few years ago. Zero regrets. I dont get to see some friends as frequently I would like. Miss a restaurant or 2…
But I dont miss it at all.

When I read on RDP of $1200 electricity bills and $750 water bills, combined with national news of major company’s changing their HQs from CA to Texas or ________________. Chevron and a major investment firm… not Morgan Stanley, but one similar just announced a move.

It reenforces all the reasons why I left. Thats has nothing to do with crime/traffic/homeless/taxs…

LOL

 

[beerrun]

Good luck with your move and drive safe. Sorry for your loss as well.

I think moving in general is super stressful. I feel like I should have been in logistics. We’re heading back to CA after two years this week and packing is a pain in the ass. Definitely some mixed feelings.

Can we ask why you are moving back to CA?

 

[bocco]

Lived here all of my life. 68 years. Born in SF. Raised in Daly City. Been in Livermore since 1984. So, a big change in culture.

Water bill will be non existent for a while since this property has a well. I'm sure electricity will be cheaper and of course gas.

Now liquor will not be a bargain due to state run stores. and lately I drink more than I drive.

 

[Dana757]

Can we ask why you are moving back to CA?

Grass isn’t always as green as it looks on Zillow.

 

[Your ad here]

Moving is stressful. While painful upfront and at the moment, just start throwing away stuff now. Don't bother trying to sell it for cash, just toss it. As for packing, the black totes with yellow lids from home depot are the best.

 

[bocco]

Moving is stressful. While painful upfront and at the moment, just start throwing away stuff now. Don't bother trying to sell it for cash, just toss it. As for packing, the black totes with yellow lids from home depot are the best.

I've been tossing stuff for months. Not going to pipe fittings across the country. Gave the neighbor my box of sprinkler repair parts. Several trips to hazardous waste to get rid of paint and weed killers.

Using the black totes for all of my garage stuff.

 

[rivermobster]

So Wednesday is our last day in California. The house is sold and we are headed to South Carolina. My FIL passed earlier this year, and his house is empty so we will be staying there while we look for a house in North Carolina. Trying to get close to Lake James or Lake Hickory.

The boat is already back there tucked into shop. We are driving with the dog. Stopping in Prescott AZ to visit friends and then he is coming along as copilot for the rest of the trip.

Lotta stress in a move like this when you are older and have a bunch of shit.

@YoPengo

 

[Crazyhippy]

Welcome to freedom. I'm on Lake Norman (just north of Charlotte) if youre in the neighborhood, say hi!

 

[Crazyhippy]

Now liquor will not be a bargain due to state run stores. and lately I drink more than I drive.

Its not any more expensive. Common stuff is readily available, but anything fancy get bought up immediately (but for msrp, vs inflated prices elsewhere). For example bacardi, cuervo, jack etc are within a buck or 2 per handle with socal grocery stores.

Beer and wine are sold at grocery stores, and total wine type places, just liquor is at ABC.

 

[bocco]

Welcome to freedom. I'm on Lake Norman (just north of Charlotte) if youre in the neighborhood, say hi!

I know the area. We will definitely chat. My plan is to do some boating on the different lakes before settling on one. Lake Norman looks pretty busy compared to Hickory or James but maybe just because it's also much bigger.

We are starting out in York SC just south of Charlotte while we house shop. probably looking for something just off the water but with a deeded boat slip.

 

[foxfam312]

Welcome to the GREAT Knight FLIGHT out of Communist Cali, Enjoy your somewhat freedoms again.

 

[Cdog]

Congrats!

In before the “U can surf & ski in the same day” - butt hurt crowd.

 

[shintoooo]

But the weather and you can surf and ski in the same day

 

[bowtiejunkie]

Congrats and safe travels. Unless you have less than a car load of stuff, moving is a PITA. We moved to DFW area 4 years ago. We should have been more aggressive getting rid of stuff. I miss family and a few friends, but otherwise no regrets moving out of CA. Good luck!

 

[rivrrts429]

My good friend just moved to Tennessee. He’s been a lifelong California resident, 43 years.

He’s convinced that he was brainwashed that California was the Mecca all these years

He’s having a great time and new house is now paid for at 43 years old. It has its challenges but he says pace of life is so much better for him.

In all fairness it was his California income/career that got him a great start in Tennessee but he’s super happy today and living the leisure life now.

 

[Gramps]

"
Moving sucks…
I tell people I would rather get kicked in the balls than move…"

if I had to move I think I'd burn most of my stuff, file an insurance claim and start over

 

[Romans9]

"
Moving sucks…
I tell people I would rather get kicked in the balls than move…"

if I had to move I think I'd burn most of my stuff, file an insurance claim and start over

We just finished moving out of our 3500 square foot 6 bedroom, 5 1/2 bathroom house completely furnished and decorated.
Gave away everything except one bedroom set, one couch, one chair.
Second time we have done this. Only way to fly…..

 

[Machally]

Welcome to freedom. I'm on Lake Norman (just north of Charlotte) if youre in the neighborhood, say hi!

Don’t want to hijack this thread but my wife and I visited some friends in Georgia, while there we checked out several lakefront areas and Lake Norman was one of my favorites. It’s a very large lake, we were in the Denver area. Can I ask how long you‘ve lived there and what town you’re in? What other lakes did you look into or consider living on? We also like Tellico and Hartwell.

 

[lake p.a.l.]

So Wednesday is our last day in California. The house is sold and we are headed to South Carolina. My FIL passed earlier this year, and his house is empty so we will be staying there while we look for a house in North Carolina. Trying to get close to Lake James or Lake Hickory.

The boat is already back there tucked into shop. We are driving with the dog. Stopping in Prescott AZ to visit friends and then he is coming along as copilot for the rest of the trip.

Lotta stress in a move like this when you are older and have a bunch of shit.

Got a guest bedroom here @ LOTO if u need a place to crash. We could get out on water for supper

 

[napanutt]

In all fairness it was his California income/career that got him a great start in Tennessee but he’s super happy today and living the leisure life now.

Very true statement. I have no shame admitting that if it wasn't for my gubment job and wifes career as an RN in CA we wouldn't have a paid for house, modest monthly pension and a couple of accounts with enough money so we'll never have to cash in aluminum cans to get by here in New Hampshire.

 

[NIKAL]

Besides Family, friends & jobs. The hardest part about leaving Sol Cal would be the weather. I’ve been all around the Country, and I like many of the places I’ve gone, and would consider some as an alternative place to live if forced out of California. But not a single place in the USA can compare to San Diego’s weather or geographical landscape. Thats the big sacrifice going anywhere else. For me if everything pans out as planned, once I’m retired all my big expenses will be paid for and leaving might not net me much, if anything , and I will sacrifice lots of comfort & convenience going to another state.

 

[PDQH2O]

The work of moving is a pain. But once you make the decision, everything, else is easy. The work will still be a pain, but the excitement of becoming reacquainted with your freedoms more than make up for the work.

Good luck in your new adventure.

 

[Your ad here]

Besides Family, friends & jobs. The hardest part about leaving Sol Cal would be the weather. I’ve been all around the Country, and I like many of the places I’ve gone, and would consider some as an alternative place to live if forced out of California. But not a single place in the USA can compare to San Diego’s weather or geographical landscape. Thats the big sacrifice going anywhere else. For me if everything pans out as planned, once I’m retired all my big expenses will be paid for and leaving might not net me much, if anything , and I will sacrifice lots of comfort & convenience going to another state.

The hardest part about leaving California is getting past all the excuses in your head, when you know you HAVE to make a move.

 

[Crazyhippy]

Don’t want to hijack this thread but my wife and I visited some friends in Georgia, while there we checked out several lakefront areas and Lake Norman was one of my favorites. It’s a very large lake, we were in the Denver area. Can I ask how long you‘ve lived there and what town you’re in? What other lakes did you look into or consider living on? We also like Tellico and Hartwell.

Been here 3 years now. The closer you get to Charlotte, the busier the lake gets. I'm in Sherrills Ford, and it is nice and quiet. My neighbors and I ski M-F at 9am and there is usually no one else out.

My BIL is on Kerr (NC VT border north of Raleigh), my requirements were on the water, and big enough to have restaurants on the water. Norman covers both of those, it is roughly 2x the size of Havasu, has 12 different restaurants on the water... didn't want to shovel snow, and didn't want gators.

 

[clarence]

The hardest part about leaving California is getting past all the excuses in your head, when you know you HAVE to make a move.

The Region-Beta Paradox: Why You’re Better Off When Things Are F*cking Terrible

“When the going gets tough, the tough get going.”

themridulsahu.medium.com

 

[Joe mama]

Good luck with your move and drive safe. Sorry for your loss as well.

I think moving in general is super stressful. I feel like I should have been in logistics. We’re heading back to CA after two years this week and packing is a pain in the ass. Definitely some mixed feelings.

Curious why the move. pretty sure I followed your build.

 

[bocco]

Got a guest bedroom here @ LOTO if u need a place to crash. We could get out on water for supper

Appreciate the offer but once we are on the road I'm on a mission.

 

[DLC]

Good luck in your Life !

That is so Awesome - Huge acknowledgment!

So I’m 56 born and raised in San Diego North County & live in my childhood home - purchased from my parents
Just under 1 acre, pool, RV & trailer parking, Great Neighbors

Never really thought about leaving - Our Home!

But

Once you get a taste of - Not California !

It tastes so Good ….

 

[angiebaby]

So Wednesday is our last day in California. The house is sold and we are headed to South Carolina. My FIL passed earlier this year, and his house is empty so we will be staying there while we look for a house in North Carolina. Trying to get close to Lake James or Lake Hickory.

The boat is already back there tucked into shop. We are driving with the dog. Stopping in Prescott AZ to visit friends and then he is coming along as copilot for the rest of the trip.

Lotta stress in a move like this when you are older and have a bunch of shit.

Best wishes. NC is a beautiful state. Welcome to Free America.

 

[bocco]

Best wishes. NC is a beautiful state. Welcome to Free America.

So my plan is that when someone askes where I'm from, I'm going to say I'm from a foreign country. When they ask which one, I'll say "California".

 

[rush1]

My son just moved back home to Temecula from North Carolina . Him , his wife and family absolutely hated everything about North Carolina . The food was the worst to him next to the rude people. He loves Temecula and is glad to be home. Said the politics were just as liberal in the schools as California so at least in California he gets way better restaurants.

 

[napanutt]

So my plan is that when someone askes where I'm from, I'm going to say I'm from a foreign country. When they ask which one, I'll say "California".

I’ll usually tell people I’m from the west coast.
Sometimes that’s sufficient, sometimes I can tell they’d like a little more specific.

 

[Xtrmwakeboarder]

Can we ask why you are moving back to CA?

First, I will NEVER be a I hate CA or TX person. Pros and cons to each place for different people.

I’m debating on making a thread detailing our journey for some more context but the short answer is…

Moved to TX so my wife could get a promotion, we could save six figures in taxes on an impending sale of my company, build a house to our specs and live in a house that we couldn’t afford in CA, enjoy more freedom, be surrounded by like minded people, and roll the dice on an adventure. Wasn’t a long term move unless we really really liked it. More strategic from a financial perspective.

Moving back to CA because there were changes at my company which led to no sale of the company and being laid off for the first time in my life. My options are worthless unless I want to drop $200k of my own money to exercise and pay taxes. Who knows when a sale would happen, though. We hate the summers here and tornado season. Summer is especially bad because we are outside people. Hiking, biking, etc. We spend all of our vacation time traveling back to CA to see family and friends which leaves no time to travel to new places, which is our passion. My wife can keep her position and work remote in CA. She will be able to use her title for a better job if she wants. I looked for jobs in both CA and TX and the pay is $50-$100k more in CA for my position. I was just offered an SVP, acting CFO, position with a salary and bonus well above my already high expectations. My father is in the final stages of Parkinson's and my wife’s grandma, who raised her, is 89. We’d like to spend some time with them before they pass.

There is no perfect place so we’ll try to save and buy a primary residence outside of CA, probably the mountains of Utah, and spend summers in CA at a smaller vacation place near the beach.

 

[Xring01]

My son just moved back home to Temecula from North Carolina . Him , his wife and family absolutely hated everything about North Carolina . The food was the worst to him next to the rude people. He loves Temecula and is glad to be home. Said the politics were just as liberal in the schools as California so at least in California he gets way better restaurants.

Show me a town in SoCal, more conservative than Temecula/Murrieta..
They have made the news on Fox News many times…

I am mentioning it, because its the exception to the Ca norm, not the typical Ca area at all.

 

[boatpi]

I can tell you this haven’t left California six years ago and moved to Las Vegas. If you can swing it always keep a real estate footprint in Southern California especially if you’re in Orange County.


Even if you have to downsize a little bit from my house to a decent condo and put it into a rental so don’t cost anything and get some money out. Keep that real estate footprint. It’s a golden.
X 100 it was Orange County or San Diego anywhere within 3 miles of the coastline

 

[Boatymcboatface]

My son just moved back home to Temecula from North Carolina . Him , his wife and family absolutely hated everything about North Carolina . The food was the worst to him next to the rude people. He loves Temecula and is glad to be home. Said the politics were just as liberal in the schools as California so at least in California he gets way better restaurants.

Temecula is closed.

 

[rivermobster]

Show me a town in SoCal, more conservative than Temecula/Murrieta..
They have made the news on Fox News many times…

I am mentioning it, because its the exception to the Ca norm, not the typical Ca area at all.

I'll take...

What is Norco for 800.00 Alex!

The City of Norco, California - Horsetown USA | Business View Magazine

Business View Magazine interviews representatives from the City of Norco, California, as part of our series on best practices of American towns and cities.

businessviewmagazine.com

 

[Your ad here]

Show me a town in SoCal, more conservative than Temecula/Murrieta..
They have made the news on Fox News many times…

I am mentioning it, because its the exception to the Ca norm, not the typical Ca area at all.

Seemed normal California to me every time I drove through there. Crowded, traffic, and over built. It sucked waiting to get off on 79 South and you're sitting stopped on the shoulder on the freeway for that exit and haven't even gotten to Rancho California Rd exit yet.

 

[pcrussell50]

if you can reach a stage and level of success in life, you can have the best of both worlds. after coming to CA from Australia to go to university (SDSU) back in 1988, and having been in CA ever since, fighting the fight to keep my guns (and I'm not even super into shooting, just freedom), finding creative ways to fake smog certificates for modded cars, my two stroke carb Merc V6's, etc... We got a place in Boulder City and call it our residence, and all those worries evaporated. And the amount we DON'T pay in CA taxes pays for the mortgage and property tax in Boulder City. Of course we bought right at the bottom of Obama's real estate/economic collapse, so it was a lot cheaper than it would be now. BUT we didn't sell our CA homes. One is rented out, and the other we can go to any time we like. We fly for free and have cars at the Carlsbad, CA house. Obviously this is not for everyone, especially people just starting out and at the lower rungs of their career earnings ladder. But if you play your cards right, you can work your way into these kinds of situations. It may take time and perseverance of course. We go less and less as decades of the freezing cold ocean water begins to bum us out a bit.

Agree with boatpi in post #37. if liberty is important enough to you, you do what you have to, to protect them... BUT keep a real estate footprint CA if you possibly can.

-Peter

 

[rrrr]

Moving is stressful. While painful upfront and at the moment, just start throwing away stuff now. Don't bother trying to sell it for cash, just toss it. As for packing, the black totes with yellow lids from home depot are the best.

We're almost two years into our move, and last week I filled a 20 yard dumpster trying to get rid of the last of the junk. In late 2023, a 30 yard dumpster was filled too. My wife is finally convinced that all of her banker's boxes full of useless shit need to go.

She needs to go on another cruise with her friends. Back in March I hauled two 16' trailer loads of stuff to the dump while she was in the Caribbean.

When you start realizing it's not worth the trouble to sell 200 things on FB for an average of $6.00 each, it's a lot easier to toss stuff in the trash.

 

[Sportin' Wood]

One of the great things about the USA is we have the freedom to move about and find the place that suits our needs. If consistent mild weather is high on the list of priorities, San Diego is hard to beat. It is also hard to beat the Mexican food options. I think that it is great that people realize they like California and move back, rather than try and make where ever they landed like what they left. You don't get to trade lower cost of living and still get all the convenience in most cases.

Our local eateries are pretty underwhelming, but it helped break our habit of eating out almost every day.

We took our move pretty seriously, and it sucked, but it was good to purge all the crap. I'm with @rrrr Toss it.

 

[angiebaby]

As a child of 8 years old, my family moved from Riverside, CA to a small town in eastern Oregon. I remember when we crossed over the border into Oregon my dad said, "We'll always be Californians." They were not quite 30 years old, and embarking on an adventure, but there was a hint of fear of the unknown and nostalgia for their "home." I recall hearing some reservation and a little sadness in his voice. They had sold their house in the Arlington area of Riverside and purchased 3 acres of mixed forest/pasture and they were going to build a house on it. We rented a house in the nearby small town for about 4 months and then moved into the framed and sided home (no insulation, drywall, or flooring). It was an adventure, and they built a beautiful home on a beautiful property. BUT . . . they were the folks who always compared where they were to California. Restaurants, medical care, slow people, lower pay, etc. "In California, they do it this way." "The doctor's in California know what they are talking about." "I can't believe the store isn't open on Sunday!" "This town rolls up the sidewalks at 5 pm!" They were those people that long-time residents despise. I remember them telling me that they always had $1500 in their savings (a lot in 1980) to make sure they could move back if they needed to. They never REALLY left California. So, when I was 14, they moved back. No surprise. It was always their backup plan. I'm thankful I got to grow up in that small town on that little farm with cows and sheep, chickens and pigs, a garden and forest to roam around in, and didn't spend my whole life in the city. I would be a very different person, with different values.

In 2014, they moved to Upstate Idaho. There is no more comparison to California except in a positive way. 5 minutes at the DMV, low property tax, income tax, low electric bill (they average about $80/mo), no water bill, they love the two little restaurants and bars in town and frequent them often. "You'd never be able to do this in CA." "We would have had to destroy our garden and fruit trees if we had stayed in CA." "You can't buy a gun at a yard sale in CA." So now they still compare it to SoCal, but not as if it's a better place.

Things happen that change your situation, for sure. We moved back because the greenies shut down the forests for the spotted owl and the lumber mill my dad worked at shut down. He tried to make a go of it doing odd jobs, but eventually, they gave up and went back to SoCal. That's when we moved to Menifee. My dad's brother and sister both lived there. Dad got his old job back where he worked before we moved to Oregon.

Going back to something familiar certainly has some merits.

 

[angiebaby]

Gavin says you're imagining your high energy prices.

This man is the king of gaslighting.

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1822858721128825088

 

[pcrussell50]

If consistent mild weather is high on the list of priorities, San Diego is hard to beat.

If you are a person of the water, you have to divide water climate separate from dry land climate. SoCal does indeed have the best dry land climate overall. A little chilly in the evenings and winters as you see by all the wind breaks and outdoor heaters everywhere, but overall as good for dry land weather as it gets.

BUT

The ocean here is murder if you are a waterman. Biggest wetsuit market on the planet. And for good reason.

Unfortunately there is no place in the world where the dry land climate is perfect for dry land activities, that also has water you can step into without flinching and having to “get used to it”, or worse, needing a wetsuit.

In Hawai’i right now on a layover for work. I fly mostly Hawai’i routes lately. It’s considerably hotter and more humid than SoCal but not murder. You wouldn’t want to ride moto in the middle of the day but you can enjoy a coffee in the shade and be comfy enough. And you can get into the ocean, but it’s cool enough that have to hold your torso and flinch until you get used to it. If you want water you just step into in perfect comfort, you need a dry land climate that is uncomfortably hot. Period. Like the desert reservoirs in the summer. Perfect water, but hot when you’re not.

All of this is to support the idea of keeping a foot in SoCal for its dry land climate. And having someplace else for liberty and/or nicer water.

-Peter

 

[dnewps]

My son just moved back home to Temecula from North Carolina . Him , his wife and family absolutely hated everything about North Carolina . The food was the worst to him next to the rude people. He loves Temecula and is glad to be home. Said the politics were just as liberal in the schools as California so at least in California he gets way better restaurants.

What? Where was he? Ashville?

 

[dezrtracer]

My son just moved back home to Temecula from North Carolina . Him , his wife and family absolutely hated everything about North Carolina . The food was the worst to him next to the rude people. He loves Temecula and is glad to be home. Said the politics were just as liberal in the schools as California so at least in California he gets way better restaurants.

Hope the RDP Cali haters don't see this !!! Might need a bigger bowl of popcorn .

 

[angiebaby]

Hope the RDP Cali haters don't see this !!! Might need a bigger bowl of popcorn .

You'd best get to poppin'!

 

[NIKAL]

Gavin says you're imagining your high energy prices.

This man is the king of gaslighting.

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1822858721128825088

Gavin full of BS. Everything I just looked up shows Texas and the rest the country’s electricity is cheaper than California. Hawaii was the only one higher.