To those who have left California......

[Tremor Therapy]

I am 5th generation Californian and remember when my family drove to Carlsbad, "Welcome to the unincorporated town of Carlsbad, Population 2500" and then we settled in Vista (population 3000 at the time). It was the greatest place to grow up! Now I know all things change, but California is no longer the paradise it once was. Homelessness, infrastructure is crumbling, the "woke" bunch, lack of respect everywhere, rampant liberalism, unreal taxation, over-crowding in every facet of life, and now state-run low income housing a block from the beach (WTF).

I have an interview with a great company in Chandler, and it is very likely they are going to offer me the job. So, for those of you that have left California, what do you miss, and would you move back if you had a chance? 4 generations of my family are interned in the soil of this state, I am the only member of the 5th generation still here, and the 6th generation is leaving. I am at a crossroads with Cali, but I don't know if I can stay here another 25 years and continue to watch it decay.

 

[Wmc]

Left in 2016. My business is still running in Ca. When i have to walk projects I turn and burn. Dont miss anything about Ca one bit. Cali is a shithole. hate to say it but its true.

 

[hallett21]

Left in 2016. My business is still running in Ca. When i have to walk projects I turn and burn. Dont miss anything about Ca one bit. Cali is a shithole. hate to say it but its true.

Where’d you move from?

 

[Ziggy]

I had no idea you were in my area TT.

 

[Rajobigguy]

Wife and I both grew up in Ca. Can’t imagine a better place for us to have been at that time. Recently moved to Az. The only thing we miss about Ca. Is the way it used to be 40+ yrs. Ago.

 

[HBCraig]

I am 5th generation Californian and remember when my family drove to Carlsbad, "Welcome to the unincorporated town of Carlsbad, Population 2500" and then we settled in Vista (population 3000 at the time). It was the greatest place to grow up! Now I know all things change, but California is no longer the paradise it once was. Homelessness, infrastructure is crumbling, the "woke" bunch, lack of respect everywhere, rampant liberalism, unreal taxation, over-crowding in every facet of life, and now state-run low income housing a block from the beach (WTF).

I have an interview with a great company in Chandler, and it is very likely they are going to offer me the job. So, for those of you that have left California, what do you miss, and would you move back if you had a chance? 4 generations of my family are interned in the soil of this state, I am the only member of the 5th generation still here, and the 6th generation is leaving. I am at a crossroads with Cali, but I don't know if I can stay here another 25 years and continue to watch it decay.

Funny you ask. I would leave. I really like the St George area. I have family in Vegas but it is turning blue quickly, but I do like the affordable living.

My grandmother , RIP, came from Oklahoma on a covered wagon to get away from the dust bowl days much like in the Grapes of Wrath. Awesome story for a different day. We still have her manual foot pedal sewing machine her family used to sew their own clothes. But to answer your question I have no plans to leave CA anytime soon. My Dad, 80 and a widower is 3 miles from me and my brother is 1 mile. My daughter is in college in norcal and my boy will be attending unlv in 2023. I just can't see it happening now. But I agree with you, this state is beyond fucked up.

 

[DRYHEAT]

 

[HBCraig]

Left in 2016. My business is still running in Ca. When i have to walk projects I turn and burn. Dont miss anything about Ca one bit. Cali is a shithole. hate to say it but its true.

I agree. Many shit hole parts indeed. I am blessed to be able to afford HB. Hard to beat wearing shorts, t shirts and flip flops 50 weeks a year. Never too hot and never too cold. Before everyone chimes in with the "weather is great" blasts, save it. It is.

I am no baller by any stretch, especially compared to those here that are, but walking away from selling my house with well over 1M is a blessing too. I am merely a small fish here

 

[BingerFang]

Anyone that moved out is going to say how happy they are they did. We are human, we adapt and make the best out of where we are, I get it.

I was born and raised in so cal and I lived in Tempe for 5 years. Moved back to SoCal in 2016 and would never move back to Phoenix. I love visiting and will be there next weekend for the waste management open.

Chandler is a cool area. I always said it was the Rancho Cucamonga of Phoenix. There’s a fantastic teppan restaurant down there called Rock Lobster. Christie’s Cabaret is a great place to take the family as well.

This is America. If you don’t like it, move back. I just feel bad for the poor bastards that are paying CA prices for houses in the desert. They’ll never get their money back.

 

[BingerFang]

Wife and I both grew up in Ca. Can’t imagine a better place for us to have been at that time. Recently moved to Az. The only thing we miss about Ca. Is the way it used to be 40+ yrs. Ago.

I feel the same way about Havasu and Parker…. And I wasn’t even alive then!

 

[Xtrmwakeboarder]

My guess is you will miss your family and friends. I know I will. I’m hoping I can get my parents and sister to follow me over after they have a few visits and see what TX is really like.

 

[mesquito_creek]

There are homeless people all over Phoenix metro and chandler also. Almost all the fwy off ramps in the east valley have panhandling on them every day of the week. Don't run away from California unless you are enthusiasticly running toward something much better. Relocating for a cheaper house and some marginally less cost of living rarely works out...

 

[cakemoto]

Family,friends,ocean and the good weed
We left in 2012 so my wife could go to ASU.

 

[Sportin' Wood]

I miss hanging out with friends that I had since elementary school. My network is about all I miss.

 

[ChiliPepperGarage]

I don't understand why people want to escape crowded CA then move to another place that is almost just as bad. I understand people need to live in an area where there are employment opportunities but living in another huge city is going to give you many of the same issues you have now. Sometimes simplifying your life and living in a lower cost of living area can improve your quality of life, even if your income is lower.

I miss ocean boating, the geographic beauty and of course the weather but it was worth it to gain peace and happiness.

 

[Tremor Therapy]

We moved down from LA in 1965, moved from south central down to Vista and a few moved to Carlsbad, right off Tamarack. Trust me, I have great memories of north county.......girls riding their horses down to the beach, riding an XR75 from Vista through the country to my favorite hilltop to watch the Carlsbad Grand Prix of Motocross! Hiking down to 3 falls, cruising Escondido on a Friday night, a big swell at Blacks, the smell of the orange blossoms.....those memories are forever etched in my mind. But as a few have stated previously, that is not the Cali of today.

The opportunity is really good, and if they offer the job, it will be really hard to turn down. I guess in the end, I will take the interview, and the rest will be what it will be. I am trying to convince the wife to rent our house here, buy or rent a condo there, and then in 10-15 years when we retire, decide where/what we want to do.

 

[ka0tyk]

I'm one foot out the door, I dont think I'll miss anything as long as we dont move out to the boonies. Pretty much any decent metropolitan area has all the benefits that CA once had. Food, materials, etc. I have a good feeling that my families happiness and my own happiness will explode with the ability to have more space and "get away" from the busy city and constantly being reminded what I'm not allowed to do. I dont think I'll miss the weather, I'm actually looking towards having seasons, some actual rain. Heck maybe a slight dusting of snow, and a decent heat and some humidity.

 

[jetboatperformance]

I live in "Paradise" (central coast) despite the "Cali" issues and will stay here to the end ...

 

[WhatExit?]

We moved down from LA in 1965, moved from south central down to Vista and a few moved to Carlsbad, right off Tamarack. Trust me, I have great memories of north county.......girls riding their horses down to the beach, riding an XR75 from Vista through the country to my favorite hilltop to watch the Carlsbad Grand Prix of Motocross! Hiking down to 3 falls, cruising Escondido on a Friday night, a big swell at Blacks, the smell of the orange blossoms.....those memories are forever etched in my mind. But as a few have stated previously, that is not the Cali of today.

The opportunity is really good, and if they offer the job, it will be really hard to turn down. I guess in the end, I will take the interview, and the rest will be what it will be.

Hey TT been years since we met in the ocean trip to Catalina on your boat (I think you sold it and bought it back if I’m not mistaken). That was a trip that @TITTIES AND BEER joined in.

Making the move to Arizona for us was easy except for packing of course. We left almost 4 years ago and never look back. We go back and visit family there and while the weather is fine, there’s nothing we miss at all. The weather here except for three months of summer heat is quite nice. Unless it’s over 100° here with the low humidity it’s very enjoyable.

Sounds like you have a great job opportunity, a chance to get out of California, and there’s plenty of nice homes and lots to do here in Arizona. Wish you good luck

 

[530RL]

I've lived in metro-phoenix since 1968. I have the same complaints about Arizona that you have about California.

Scottsdale Airport 1968

40 years later in 2008.

 

[Cdog]

I'd say it based on your priorities. Is AZ heaven on earth? For some maybe, for most No. My wife is a native from Tucson, I'm 3rd gen CA native. I've been in and out of AZ since the late 90's for work and we moved from Anaheim Hills in 2007 to Scottsdale. In 2017-18 we rented out our home and moved back to Laguna Hills/Nellie Gail Ranch neighborhood. Loved the area, proximity to the beach, the wife made some really cool friends through the kids parents but the school system was unbearable and the kids grades suffered. We could afford a 1.5M home but not private school too. So we came back to our Scottsdale home and chalked that experience up to a fun experiment.

We will probably own a small home somewhere between Laguna and Carlsbad when the kids are no longer on the payroll but we will never be CA residents again.

Chandler is Meh. Some areas have Mc mansions, some areas are trashy and old, some master planned communities are real nice but have Nazi like HOA's and the water in man made lakes looks like a port potty. But I just described most cities in the greater Phoenix area.

In the SE valley I'm most impressed with Gilbert. It's expensive to have a nice lot and some space but it has a country vibe, lots of retail nearby and the whole area caters to families. I do quite a bit of business in both commercial and residential in Gilbert after those buyers look at Scottsdale/Cave Creek/Carefree and turn their nose to what they get for the money.

At this point in my life. Married 45, two kids in Jr High and High school. I'm in the right place. Here I can afford to do everything the "correct way". Meaning, not be house poor in a home we like, have funds to race cars and vacation, save for retirement, own a rental, drive the Vehicle's we want, low state taxes, awesome gun collection, great 2nd Amendment culture, 3-4 hours from the river with practically no traffic, tons of wilderness for camping and shooting just 2 hours north, 9 months of probably the best weather in the country and sunny days.

If those reasons resonate with you I'd say it's a decent move.

The greatest thing about CA is it's only 5 hours to SD or OC.

If you need any help and would like to discuss areas and housing, I'm a broker and have helped many here. Don't be shy. Corey 480-720-7649

 

[cofooter]

I live in "Paradise" (central coast) despite the "Cali" issues and will stay here to the end ...

If I ever moved back, thats the only place I would go. Have family in SLO and surrounding area.

 

[dave29]

Spent 60 years in Calif. Learned to surf at Malibu when the water looked like Tahiti. Urchin and star fish. Drag racing at Lyons and OCIR. Waterskiing in the kelp beds of Santa Barbara. No Ventura freeway. Tommy's, Bobs, Smokehouse garlic bread. A lot of great memories. Miss the most.........surfing at Calif St at 6am with my buddies.
Am I glad I left......I sure am.

 

[Flyinbowtie]

TT...

We are leaving for many of the same reasons you are. I am 63, my grandparents, uncles, aunts, extended family are buried all over SoCal.
My father is buried in our small town in Nor Cal.
I feel your pain. I get it.
When I left SoCal at 17 for what was then the paradise of the Sierra Foothills, I missed SoCal terribly for about 3 months. It will really hit you hard at first, but, when I returned to SoCal 8 months later to visit I was stunned, what I had really missed was just the memories and friends, not the traffic and the stuff that drove me to leave in the first place. The progressive flatlanders that have infested this area have destroyed it. They are in the process of remaking it to look, feel, and decay just like the mess they left.
The memories you will take with you. The friends will always be friends. If you are like me, within a year of leaving you'll detest the very though of having to return.
People should be where they are happy. Life is far too short to live in a place that grinds at your soul, and your wallet.

 

[25Elmn8r]

Wife and I born and raised in So Cal for the first 45 years. We left Yorba Linda with both of our adult kids in 2016, best thing we did.

The only things we miss are family (everyone in our family is still in So Cal), some of the food (In-n-Out, etc), and the RIVER!

We get back to So Cal a couple times a year to see family, get our fix of the foods we crave, and try to coordinate a trip to the river with the in-laws. Then get out as fast as we can to get back to Idahome.

 

[mesquito_creek]

All of my family lives in Gilbert. My sister just paid 600k for a 1650 sf 3 bed 2 bath. Gilbert to me is more crowded than any area of the east valley but with 50,000 new people a year moving to here I must be wrong...

1. Phoenix earned the first spot as the most popular metro for in-migration, gaining an average of 49,882 residents per year, from exchanges with other metros, between 2015 and 2019. Most of the new residents came from the three largest contributors: Los Angeles, Tucson, and Chicago.

 

[Cdog]

I'm streaming 91X at my home office right now....Funny you can take the best parts of home with you anywhere now. Now if only Tip Top meats would ship. HAHA!

 

[cofooter]

All of my family lives in Gilbert. My sister just paid 600k for a 1650 sf 3 bed 2 bath. Gilbert to me is more crowded than any area of the east valley but with 50,000 new people a year moving to here I must be wrong...

1. Phoenix earned the first spot as the most popular metro for in-migration, gaining an average of 49,882 residents per year, from exchanges with other metros, between 2015 and 2019. Most of the new residents came from the three largest contributors: Los Angeles, Tucson, and Chicago.

My daughter and her family live in Mesa. Phoenix metro traffic now equals so cal traffic IMO.

 

[steamin rice]

Alan - Congrats on the potential opportunity. My wife and I are both AZ natives, and our kids are 4th generation AZ natives. We moved to OC in 2000 for a career opportunity, knowing that we would be moving back to AZ at some point. We enjoyed living in CA, access to the beach, ocean boating, etc, but never developed roots there. For me, it seems like it would have been hard to get ahead financially since housing, taxes, etc were so much higher than AZ. That combined with increased traffic and crowds made it an easy choice for us to sell out house pretty close to the real estate peak in 2006 and move back to AZ.

CDOG did a pretty good comparison above - AZ doesn't have everything, and I think a lot of people move here expecting the state to have all of the things that they had in CA or wherever they moved from, and then complain that they want move gov't services which require higher taxes. I have some concern that AZ is not the strong red state it once was, but it is what it is. I live in Cave Creek and don't see myself ever moving out of the area. If you are working in Chandler, I would follow CDOG's advice and look for something in the East valley like Gilbert, etc.

Keep me posted if you make it out here - It has been a long time. Also, I used CDOG to sell my house in OC, and would recommend checking with him if you want to get an idea of the housing market in the PHX area. Good luck

 

[Ballyhoo]

I don't understand why people want to escape crowded CA then move to another place that is almost just as bad. I understand people need to live in an area where there are employment opportunities but living in another huge city is going to give you many of the same issues you have now. Sometimes simplifying your life and living in a lower cost of living area can improve your quality of life, even if your income is lower.

I miss ocean boating, the geographic beauty and of course the weather but it was worth it to gain peace and happiness.

Because most folks are followers

 

[counterpart7]

Grew up in Santa Clarita. Many fond memories of being 40 mins from the beach and plenty of hills and shit to explore on bikes/dirtbikes.

Moved to AZ two years ago. Not much that I miss really. The weather in SCV sucks half the year(still hot, windy as fuck). AZ is warmer but more consistent and you get used to the heat quickly. I miss some of my childhood friends and family, but also enjoy the space from in-laws and some family members. Dirtbike and UTV riding is better in SoCal, but also more crowded.

Other than that there isn't much to miss. We have everything that CA has except the beach(don't care for it anyways) and it doesn't take 3 hours to get everywhere with traffic. With that said, it's getting more crowded and we are looking to move towards the outskirts in a few years.

 

[Ballyhoo]

My daughter and her family live in Mesa. Phoenix metro traffic now equals so cal traffic IMO.

We live in Orange county and visit the Phoenix valley almost monthly. At times the traffic sux in Phoenix BUT it is nowhere near as bad as Orange County.

 

[Cdog]

My daughter and her family live in Mesa. Phoenix metro traffic now equals so cal traffic IMO.

IDK man, when is the last time you've been home? Phoenix has it's fair share of rush hr but it's predictable and easy to avoid. The hours to sneak through SoCal without major traffic are down to a couple hours a day. It's real bad every time I'm there trying to get through town on the way to Willow springs or Buttonwillow. Or from OC to the South Bay.

 

[Tremor Therapy]

Tip Top meats....now there is a place I would miss. And Cdog, I will keep your offer in mind if they offer the position.

 

[Cdog]

Tip Top meats....now there is a place I would miss. And Cdog, I will keep your offer in mind if they offer the position.

It makes going home that much more enjoyable. Tip Top meats and Sonny's Italian in San Clemente are always on our list when we go back home.

 

[manxman]

So cal born and raised. My family moved from Simi Valley to Vista in 1977. Have our business in San Marcos since 1980. This place is all I know. Everything you said earlier (surfing, riding my xr75 to Carlsbad raceway thru the back hills, ect) I have lived. It has created great memories. I always listen to these conversations and wonder if the grass is greener. I think about it allot, but then I realize what this place has given me and afforded my family. All the opportunities!!! I'm kind of jaded!! It would be very difficult to pickup and move what me and my family have created. I do see the bad things happening in California and hope for the best, but sadly, not sure anything will change with the current politics in place. I makes me wonder what my kids are going to have to deal with as they grow. Hopefully I can provide a solid foundation for them to decide on were they want to be in life. I do know many people who have left Cali and are happy, and i know several who left and came back within a few years because the grass wasn't greener!!

 

[Tamalewagon]

I am 5th generation Californian and remember when my family drove to Carlsbad, "Welcome to the unincorporated town of Carlsbad, Population 2500" and then we settled in Vista (population 3000 at the time). It was the greatest place to grow up! Now I know all things change, but California is no longer the paradise it once was. Homelessness, infrastructure is crumbling, the "woke" bunch, lack of respect everywhere, rampant liberalism, unreal taxation, over-crowding in every facet of life, and now state-run low income housing a block from the beach (WTF).

I have an interview with a great company in Chandler, and it is very likely they are going to offer me the job. So, for those of you that have left California, what do you miss, and would you move back if you had a chance? 4 generations of my family are interned in the soil of this state, I am the only member of the 5th generation still here, and the 6th generation is leaving. I am at a crossroads with Cali, but I don't know if I can stay here another 25 years and continue to watch it decay.

Strong advice to NOT sell your home in CA. Get some renter to pay your mortgage but at least that way you still have a foot in the proverbial door if you choose to come back.

 

[Tooms22]

At this point in my life. Married 45, two kids in Jr High and High school. I'm in the right place. Here I can afford to do everything the "correct way". Meaning, not be house poor in a home we like, have funds to race cars and vacation, save for retirement, own a rental, drive the Vehicle's we want, low state taxes, awesome gun collection, great 2nd Amendment culture, 3-4 hours from the river with practically no traffic, tons of wilderness for camping and shooting just 2 hours north, 9 months of probably the best weather in the country and sunny days.

This.

I notice a lot of the CA natives that want to stay... aren't able to do these things. And to me, not being house poor (unless it's multiple homes ) and saving for retirement are non-negotiable items for half intelligent people.

Again, some people make big money and the extra cost of CA means nothing.

But for some, living in CA means no chance of retiring early. I guess I can't understand it. But I'm also not a native. Wife is... but she hates paying taxes so she's entertaining the idea. I told her to make less money. She didn't like that idea

 

[Cdog]

This.

I notice a lot of the CA natives that want to stay... aren't able to do these things. And to me, not being house poor (unless it's multiple homes ) and saving for retirement are non-negotiable items for half intelligent people.

Again, some people make big money and the extra cost of CA means nothing.

But for some, living in CA means no chance of retiring early. I guess I can't understand it. But I'm also not a native. Wife is... but she hates paying taxes so she's entertaining the idea. I told her to make less money. She didn't like that idea

If that's her on the bow of your boat I suggest you keep her happy. LOL!

 

[cakemoto]

My daughter and her family live in Mesa. Phoenix metro traffic now equals so cal traffic IMO.

Think your wrong.101 in California doesn’t move …the traffic here moves just slow.it is getting worse…I go to work at 5 AM and drive home at 1:30 so I don’t have to go out and deal with all that bullshit afternoon

 

[Waterjunky]

The wife and I have talked more and more about this lately. Nothing conclusive just yet. My biggest anchor is working for the state. I would need to leave behind 13 years into a pension. On the other hand, the private sector pays so much more that its a wash at worst. If a good opportunity comes up, I think we would do it. We just haven't seen the opportunity. Something of a grand adventure. We have both only lived in northern California our whole lives.

 

[Tooms22]

If that's her on the bow of your boat I suggest you keep her happy. LOL!

Yup that's her... she makes more than great money but wouldn't have to work a day in her life if she just wanted pick up a rich dude at a Newport Coast bar

I plan vacations, provide chauffeur services, and find good deals on house projects/cars/etc. And then I make a little money working in my spare 50+ hours a week. Luckily, that's been enough to keep me around for 9 years.

 

[77charger]

Left in 2020 some reasons were things I liked to do were getting restricted or limited. Taxes and cost of living going up,traffic leaving and coming back from a trip,and pretty much the way the state is ran.

Only thing I miss is jet sking on Sunday mornings in ocean. In az I can do everything I like close to home decent lake 30 min away and I can shoot or ride in same general area.

Glamis ends up 8 more miles but less driving time with less traffic powell is 4.5 hrs and I can also stream fish within 2 hrs.

 

[Tremor Therapy]

Mr. Rice,
If I do take the job, I will definitely look you up...I miss Barry and the good times. What Corey said resonates a lot into what my wife and I have been discussing. If it comes to pass, it was meant to be.

 

[pronstar]

What I miss the most:
Practically unlimited off-roading in the deserts.
Disneyland passes (back when there weren’t any blackout dates).
Good sushi place in every street corner.

There’s zero chance we will ever willingly move back.
Zero.
No fucking way will I ever choose to live in CA again.

I don’t even like visiting…but that may change once we get a motorhome and can get to Glamis/Ocotillo once in a while.

 

[Tooms22]

What I miss the most:
Practically unlimited off-roading in the deserts.
Disneyland passes (back when there weren’t any blackout dates).
Good sushi place in every street corner.

There’s zero chance we will ever willingly move back.
Zero.
No fucking way will I ever choose to live in CA again.

I don’t even like visiting…but that may change once we get a motorhome and can get to Glamis/Ocotillo once in a while.

Yeah, the lack of public land in Texas hurts the offroading scene.

If we moved to Texas, we'd have to grab a 100-200 acres real quick.

 

[pronstar]

Yeah, the lack of public land in Texas hurts the offroading scene.

If we moved to Texas, we'd have to grab a 100-200 acres real quick.

There’s some cool places to go, but definitely not the same.

Some of the best Texas off-roading is about a 5-6 hour drive…but there’s some local spots, plus to your point, my buddy has over 400 acres about an hour outside of Dallas. It’s great because they’ve got two cabins, stocked ponds and we’ve got three feeders setup as well, so lots of cool stuff to do there.

 

[Shlbyntro]

I only go back for special events which is not very often. For those who love the place that's great but it was not for me. The only thing I really miss is snowboarding in the winter. I never really cared for the beach even though I have surfed in Surf City and have chased the Catalina express out of Long Beach Harbor on my JS550. I was truly always and still am a lake and river rat. Proximity to Havasu and Parker was a hard pill for me to swallow in the earlier days but I have found some comparable local haunts that mostly satisfy me and I have started making regular trips back out to the river again now that I am a little better off in life than I was when I left.

I've been in TX since 2014 and can say every place in this country can be great or terrible. It all depends on what you make of it. I have embraced the TX life and honestly feel more like a Texan than I ever did a Californian. I own 5 pairs of cowboy boots ranging from beater yard boots to everyday boots and various reptile and ostrich skinned ones as well. There may or may not be a few pew pews that would be felonies in California too. Fuel and registration is also significantly cheaper here which is a huge factor for me seeing as how I can't have just one of anything!

Every native Texan I know considers me a refugee and embraces me as one of their own. In fact, we bag on Californians together!

But seriously, when considering relocating its about picking a place that aligns with your wants and ideals and embracing that place for everything it is even the things where you may initially think you could take it or leave it. Go into it with an open mind and do and try everything the local has to offer. Become one of the community.

Funny story, I didn't know I was allergic to shellfish until I was 25 years old. I never much cared for it but vowed to do everything Texan. After about the 4th consecutive crawfish boil of getting very sick after, I figured it out! lol. The best I can do simulated crab meat.

 

[Activated]

I left SoCal in 2001. It wasn’t to get out of California, I just got a much better opportunity in Reno. I spent a lot of my time commuting, Newbury Park to El Segundo, NP to the SF Valley and it was just the way life worked there, didn’t even think anything of it. A 1 hour commute was nothing…and that was if it was only 1 hour.

I went back to SoCal a lot in the beginning and I just couldn’t wrap my head around sitting in that traffic anymore. Still love TO and NP but the commuting was horrible. Ended up in AZ and when we used to make the occasional trip to SoCal to visit family or Disneyland, I could just feel tension rising as I am navigating the traffic etc.

With how far left (even for CA) that state has become, we won’t go back. Relatives that I used to go back to visit are all gone…the last couple visits were funerals. Had a friend invite us to stay with his family at a house in Mission Bay he rented…we passed. Don’t want to spend our money there if we don’t have to. Ended up going to Florida instead. I think our next state side trip is going to be the Gulf Coast of Alabama.

I remember when we moved from Michigan to Orange, CA in 76, there were still strawberry fields and orange groves. Time flies.

Get off my lawn!!

 

[monkeyswrench]

Ok, the OP's question was mainly, "what do you miss?"

We've been in central AZ for 9ish years. Both of us born and raised in the San Gabriel Valley. So, here it goes: Wife misses the beach (her family would go almost every weekend!) I miss the ability to get anything within 2 hours, or on the drive home from work, we both missed good Mexican food, but recently we got that pretty squared away. Memories of the younger days will always be with me. Most those I shared them with have either passed on, or moved on from my life.

We're about a 100mi NNw of Phoenix, smaller area. Drive to the river is good! We didn't move out here for any type of financial opportunity, we flew blind, and it worked. 3 kids, one in college, one high school and one junior high.