6 replies to this topic

[The Average Joe]

I know this will be anecdotal, but nearly every business person I talk to talks about leaving California. Many list family as the reason they don't leave. SO I ask you Folsomites, do you have any desire or plans to leave CA? If so, where, when and why (don't get political please).  

 

For me, I could leave pretty easily, but my wife's family is here and mine is just a few hours south. That is the biggest factor. I like Folsom, but I hate the heat, traffic, politics, expense and lack of infrastructure maintenance in CA.  I would have to wait at least a few years until I retire, and would stay west of the rockies.

 

How bout you?

[PeteS]

I know this will be anecdotal, but nearly every business person I talk to talks about leaving California. Many list family as the reason they don't leave. SO I ask you Folsomites, do you have any desire or plans to leave CA? If so, where, when and why (don't get political please).  

 

For me, I could leave pretty easily, but my wife's family is here and mine is just a few hours south. That is the biggest factor. I like Folsom, but I hate the heat, traffic, politics, expense and lack of infrastructure maintenance in CA.  I would have to wait at least a few years until I retire, and would stay west of the rockies.

 

How bout you?

 

This is great!  Your question is the beginnings of an intelligent conversation.  Like the idea of "no politics".  Here's a couple thoughts:

 

People complain the business climate is Calif is too oppressive.  Maybe it is, but Calif is the 5th largest economy which says business thrives here despite the regulations.

 

Leaving Calif looks attractive but the reason business thrives here is because there's lots of customers and they have money.  Pick up your business and move it to Farmington, NM.  No regulations - great!  No customers with money - sucks!  

 

Moving to most fly-over states is the same.  The great economy has passed them by.  They're stuck in a poverty cycle with few jobs and young people addicted to opioids.  Setting up a business would be a struggle, unless you're sellin' dope. 

 

I'm a westerner too.  Couldn't live east of I-25.  But moving to other western states has problems.  Nevada - most permanent residents doing minimum wage jobs at hotels & casinos.  They're poor.  Arizona - hot!  Some other western states - you'll have to change religion to have a successful business.  

 

The grass ain't always greener on the other side.  Yeah, Calif has problems, but for many things it's ahead of wherever's in 2nd place.

[The Average Joe]

I suppose the qualifier to what you mention is that I guess most of the people I talk to are my contemporaries which only have a few years before they retire (if they havent already). That changes the picture dramatically, as work no longer becomes an issue, and your retirement dollars go much further elsewhere.

To further expand, Texas has plenty of people for customers AND a low tax and regulatory climate, AND the 12th lowest cost of living of the states. Which is one reason business flocks there.

As to your glowing thoughts about CA...

If you really wanted to attract a customer base of people with discretionary income, you would go to the north/midwest as the following graphic shows. It is an infographic of income vs cost of living.

I actually like the Vancouver Wa area as you have the mountains, rivers, ocean a stones throw away, Everything is green year round. No state income taxes. Pop across the Columbia and no sales taxes. Plenty of job opportunities and customers in Portland and Vancouver. Plenty of entertainment opportunities. You just have to tolerate the rain, traffic, CA lite liberal policies, bums, and the occasional antifa riot

[PeteS]

Used to travel to TX for work.  Wasn't impressed.  Yeah, TX has low cost of living, few regulations, low taxes and all that.  But they have their own problems - it's hot and humid 24/7, factories and refineries keep blowing up (no regulations), and now TX seems to be mass shooting central.  So much for open-carry laws making people safe.

 

Bottom line - no place is perfect.  To answer your question, no plans to depart Calif, even after retirement.  If, for some crazy reason we did decide to leave, we'd go to Boise, ID.  They have great ratings for retirees.

[Steve Heard]

Although lots of businesses and residents have left California, many more have come here! 

 

Businesses come because they can find talent and customers and it's a beautiful place.

 

Residents come here because of job opportunities and because it's a beautiful place. 

 

I might consider Hawaii, but other than that, am pretty content here. 

 

I've spent time in Texas, Lousiana (my home state), Nevada, Washington, and Hawaii in recent years, and all have something to offer, but none equal California. 

 

A ocean, mountains, great weather, food, entertainment, sports, music. Cali's got it down. 

 

Yes, it's crowded and the politics are goofy, but for now, there's more going for it than against it. 

[ambrno33]

We anticipate making a move when my husband retires. He has a great pension that wouldnt transfer anywhere else, and gets to retire at 55. The same year our youngest child will turn 18. We are hot (except not so much this summer thankfully!), and its expensive to live here. We have never actually been anywhere else- so theres a lot for us to explore in the next 17 years. My husband has eyes on golf and hunting in retirement, Ive got mine set on cooler weather. I imagine if our kids go to college and settle here we will be stuck in CA- but definitely further away from daily traffic.

[2 Aces]

If California attempts a *gun grab*, then you'll see an exodus of law-abiding people... and then Calif be left with what? Even more of the same gun-possessing bad guys and outlaws that are here now... except they will be emboldened because they will know the rest of you are "sitting ducks". But go ahead and keep voting for the *gun grab party*. How's that gonna work out for you and your family?