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California middle-class packing up, heading east »
Posted by: moemebe 2 years agoFather Mark Wiesner has grown accustomed to wishing parishioners bon voyage as they flee the San Francisco area's high housing costs for California's Central Valley, where developers are increasingly transforming farms and ranches into a new suburbia.
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Comments: 126
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CommonSense50
Aug. 23, 2006, 10:35 a.m.Not only that, retires are fleeing as well. It takes a minimum of $120,000(so a recently research showed) in order to live decently in this city much less be able to retire. As soon as my husband and I get to retirement age, we are out of here.
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pleaseitmfa
Aug. 23, 2006, 11:18 a.m.We were living in the Bay Area throwing rent money down the toilet. My husband and I finally came to our senses and moved east... to Texas. Now we can afford to own a home in a nice neighborhood, and what's more we are actually saving money for the first time in a long time.
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voice-from-tha-left
Aug. 23, 2006, 11:31 a.m.The prices are astronomical but no way I'd give up Cali for TEXAS??? Ewwww...
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stickpointed
Aug. 23, 2006, 11:42 a.m.As a middle class Californian getting out of this state is at the top of my list. This state is loosing its tax payers and keeping the tax users. It is going to be a viscious circle, cut benifits or raise taxes. Raise taxes and more of us leave. As the middle class leaves the standard of living will only get worse and even more will leave.
Mexico is planning on taking California back and they just might.
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CommonSense50
Aug. 23, 2006, 11:46 a.m.stickpointed, have to agree with you. Problem is now that so many Cals are going other places,prices are rising there too. We looked at a place in Oregon, $87,000, by the time we got back it had gone up to over $300,000 due to migration from CA. However, this was still a lot less than what could be found in San Francisco. Now, we are looking at other countries to retire too-sad state of affairs when you cannot spend the remainder of your years comfortablly in the same place where you spent the majority of your life.
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rrrtx
Aug. 23, 2006, 12:03 p.m.Voices From Tha Left - why ewwww Texas? The economy and job market are great. You can get a huge house for under $150000. Your money goes a lot further there.
As long as you can handle the heat and humidity.
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josh81
Aug. 23, 2006, 12:07 p.m.There is a reason California is so expensive; it's because it's a great place to live. In reference to the comment regarding losing tax payers and keeping people who use California's social services, I am proud to say I leave in a state that does not let low income children go without healthcare, and proud to live in a state where the poor are not left to starve. Trade in all the grear cultural offerings, diversity, and social responsibility for a state like Texas--not in a million years. I'd rather pay higher taxes and rent my whole life than move to a place that executes convicted criminals more loosely than any other western intity, and a place that allows its children to go without healthcare, without day care, and is concerned with protecting only the wealthiest of its citizens. No thank you.
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dittmermark7
Aug. 23, 2006, 12:08 p.m.There must be a lot of people moving to the midwest. I can't believe how many houses they are building around the
southern Kansas City metro area. Most are in the 150-400k
range with 400k getting you a heck of a nice house.
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lord-of-the-rings
Aug. 23, 2006, 12:19 p.m.If you are in CA, better stay in CA
Since the job market is way better here than many east coast places, you have more programs, services and stores to choose from and more opportunities overall.
Texas?, Oklahoma?, Lousiana?, Florida?, no thanks..
Is not about the weather
Jobs here are better and pay more, real estate market maybe expensive in certain areas, but if you are thinking about moving to Texas rather move to Fresno or Modesto in Northern Cal or San Bernardino or Imperial County in So Cal, there is cheaper, way cheaper and you're still in CA
So if people are moving out of CA is not because of high real state market..
A small house or condo in CA, appreciates faster and higher than 5 acres in MO.
The problem is that the high paying jobs aren't here anymore, dotcom bubble bursted a few yrs ago and now many people can't/don't find the same level jobs so they move
Our salaries have not been raised in the last 11 yrs in proportion, less taxpaying money= less 2 afford
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fred-mertz
Aug. 23, 2006, 12:24 p.m.Good for you Josh81! It's all yours! The South Bay of LA used to be a great safe place to be. I went to the same High School the Beach Boys did. Americana at it's best.(And in case your're about to say "lilly-white", a high hispanic population) Now the place has gangs, bars around the school and security guards, you can't walk around at night. I am one of those people who is planning his escape from California. There are some fantastic places to live around this country without all the problems.
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uncleT
Aug. 23, 2006, 12:29 p.m.I'm glad this topic has come up. The whole country needs to step back and take a breath. See what this doing to our kids and their kids. It's like tying a string of tin cans to a dog's tail to see how fast he can run.
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scrambler
Aug. 23, 2006, 12:41 p.m.As an ex Santa Rosa resident, I can say that I am not sorry we moved to AZ. Do we miss California?-- sort of. We miss the very idealized version of California we loved. Its long gone! At least from Arizona, we can still visit and have fun, but our day-to-day quality of live is much improved.
Fresno, Stockton, Modesto, San Bernadino, Riverside, Victorville, etc are all "armpit" areas, and the long commutes, traffic, gang problems, ugly weather patterns- both summer and winter, plus less- than- stellar homes at so-called bargain prices are not for everyone.
There will always be those who cannot conceive of living outside California, but I think they really mean COASTAL CA.
That's the problem. Once you leave coastal areas, you might as well be in Texas or Oklahoma in many respects.
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jaxmanjoe
Aug. 23, 2006, 12:49 p.m.You want an ocean view and the knowledge that you are sitting on a huge fault - stay in San Fran. You want racism and egotistical megalomania at a discount price - move to Texas.
You want peace, harmony, excellent food, low rent, great recreational activities, friendly neighbors, and excellent schools? Move to where I live.
Where do I live? Wouldn't you like to know...
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JUSTICODE
Aug. 23, 2006, 12:52 p.m.Bold one; I have to agree! Hit the nail right on the head..Let all those whinners go and there is more room for us to breadth.
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CapnBubba55
Aug. 23, 2006, 12:56 p.m.I think old "Josh81" need to take a chill pill huh?
Man has this person bought into the left wing ideology to the "nth" degree.
I lived in Orange County Cal for many years and finally got fed up with the tax situation etc and supporting an underclass of people that, even when given opportunities for self improvement, decided that living on the dole was preferable.
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Gotitright
Aug. 23, 2006, 1:04 p.m.California has the best weather but SF is not the corner of the state for that. Nobody wants to move from their home but you need to pick the best life for yourself. If you can handle different weather outside of California it is the people that make the town. For those who choose to stay in SF and pay for all the endless social programs, you deserve the stinky panhandlers that tug on your shirt sleeve for drug and money each day. You made them what they are. Now they are your children.
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scott771
Aug. 23, 2006, 1:04 p.m.We own a construction company in Oregon www dot arkconstruction dot com.
We left the Bay Area 15 years ago and moved to Oregon for the exact reasons outlined in this article.
If you're considering a move, please take a look at Oregon. It's a beautiful place to live!
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JUSTICODE
Aug. 23, 2006, 1:04 p.m.California is a state where all other states look up to.Considering we are the 6th economic power in the world says alot about us.
You either like it, love it for what it provides for a better living standard or if you hate it then move out and be gone (quit complaining). I bet you no any other state in the UNION has anything to provide than California and I am talking from experience ....I have visited them all.
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rrrtx
Aug. 23, 2006, 1:10 p.m.Lord of the Rings, josh81 - you clearly have no idea of what Texas is really like. I think you have some seriously wrong perceptions. Where do you get ideas like starving poor people, loose capital punishment rules, and a state that only protects its wealthiest citizens?
Would your misconceptions have anything to do with the political environment of late? Is it what Al Gore said about the state?
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stickpointed
Aug. 23, 2006, 1:12 p.m.I live and work in Modesto, yea it is perfect here. We have some of the highest poverty rates for children in the state. Our roads are one big pot hole, only one new apartment project has been built in this town in the last 15 years. The Mexican and east asian gangs are everywhere. Walk down the street wearing red or blue and you could get shot.
Emergency medical care. We have two hospitals, the wait for emergency care is at a minimum 6 hours. It is faster to drive to San Francisco (90 miles one way)be seen and drive home.
Our one county medical center closed due to lack of funding and the huge patient load.
Josh81, Modesto sounds like the perfect place for you as wear your rose colored glasses.
LOTR, go ahead and move here its perfect. Just don't expect to find a job. But you could work in the bay area and drive it each day. Lets see, leave for work at 4:30 am, get home by 7:30. Go to bed at 9 or 10. What a life.
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Chronoscopist
Aug. 23, 2006, 1:18 p.m.I live in Riverside Co and see that CA is gradually becoming a nation by itself. Those who like to live here do. Others don't. Soon we will sing "The brown bear banner" (and probably in Spanish).
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rrrtx
Aug. 23, 2006, 1:20 p.m.JUSTICODE - I am glad you are proud of your state but people are voting with their feet. There has been a steady flow of both people and businesses out of California for some time now.
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holyshiiite
Aug. 23, 2006, 1:21 p.m.i live in texas and have lived in many parts of tx as well, and i have to say that the common view of tx is misinformed. sure its got its share of racist rednecks as well as ignorant undeducated dips but there are many parts of tx that are filled with very good hearted people too. cali isnt exactly all good either more insanity per square mile that any place ive been too and ive been throughout the us.
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zonkra
Aug. 23, 2006, 1:23 p.m.The Ballad of Ned Clampett
Come and listen to my story 'bout a guy named Ned
Was in Sausalito
Now he's livin' in Merced
Couldn't pay the prices charged for livin' by the Bay
So he loaded up his Volvo and he's drivin' it away
Vacaville...
Sactown...
When he reached Modesto Ned was thinking what a mess
Smelled the smell of cattle
and methamphetamine fumes I guess
Just when Ned was thinking he shouldn't have come East
He spotted a McMansion with an affordable lease
Swimming pool...
Jacuzzi bar...
Now ol' Ned's a member of his new community
changed his registration
and he's votin' GOP
joined his local megachurch and stopped admitting he was gay
he's livin' in the Valley and saving money every day
Strip malls...
Meltin asphalt...
Y'all don't come back now, hear!
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redwriter
Aug. 23, 2006, 1:24 p.m.stickpointed has it right, but the real problem is that the people that screwed up the place are moving out and screwing up America.
By the way is the head shop still across the street from the court house.
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Submitted By:
moemebe
"The true measure of a man is how he treats someone who can do him absolutely no good." Samuel Johnson (1709-1784)
