Is Everybody Moving to California?

U.S.A. California

Published

Just an observation but, it seems like there's a flood of posts lately from people inquiring about moving here.

Not too long ago the local news seemed to be filled with stories about people supposedly moving away because of the high cost of living, traffic etc. I guess that in reality, it doesn't always seem to be the case ... at least with RN's.

So what's up posters? What made you decide to check out and/or move to Cali?

:typing

TheCommuter, BSN, RN

102 Articles; 27,612 Posts

Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

Virtually half of the nation dreams of moving to California someday.

I moved away from California last year for a plethora of reasons.

luv2shopp85

609 Posts

I am planning on moving to California next year after I graduate from nursing school. My reason for moving? I'm young.. 21 years old and I want to experience new things. I live in pA right now and I hate it.. i hate the cold weather, snow, roads, ahh i could go on and on! I';ve wanted to live in california ever since i was younger and now its about time I make that happen. I"m supposed to be living on the beach... not in a snow storm!!

The reason I chose California rather than any of the other warm places? Because every where south is soo hot and humid and i hate that. Thats one of the reasons I hate PA 's summers. Its either chilly and raining or its 90 degrees with your clothes sticking to you. Florida is nice but you get paid the same rate as I do in pa.. starting at about 20 dollars an hour but the housing is really expensive. Plus I don't want to move somewhere south where I have the possibility of HURRICANES!! I'd rather deal with an earthquake than a hurricane.

I'm young enough to move arounda little before I figure out where I want to settle down and start a family at.

BeccaznRN, RN

758 Posts

Specializes in NICU, High-Risk L&D, IBCLC.

My SO is serving in the military in CA......good enough reason for me to move there! :kiss

metalmom

41 Posts

Specializes in Psych, DD, SNF, DOU/Tele.

No don't do it!

I'm a native and I've seen my paradise turn to the hell-hole it is now. People are rude, road rage is real, there's too many people, the cost of living is horrendous, crime is on the rise, crazy, inexperienced freeway drivers, polluted filthy beaches etcetera......

I'm thinking of moving to Havasu. Great weather, cool people, reasonable housing, plus I could always work in Cali which is 30 minutes away and I wouldn't have to fight traffic. Maybe it's just time to trade places with people and let us hateful natives take up residency somewhere else.

How's Saint Louis? Go used-to-be LA Rams!!icon11.gif

RN34TX

1,383 Posts

I lived in CA before I was a nurse and always wanted to move back.

I ended up in Texas and fell in love with living here as well and still love it here.

However, the "right to work state" stuff and the nurse unfriendly climate here (and that's putting it mildly) has prompted me to "check out" CA once again.

But I enjoy living in the center of town close to everything wherever I live way too much, and the thought of having to live in the way out boring suburbs of LA or SD, along with a big commute to/from work everyday is just not appealing.

I don't expect to pay Houston prices for a SD, Long Beach, or LA home, but I also believe that an RN salary should be able to purchase a small (say 1200 sq. foot) decent home or condo in a relatively safe neighborhood within the city limits of any city and not have to be 50+ miles from downtown.

So I guess I won't be moving there but I still enjoy visiting from time to time. It's a beautiful state.

BeccaznRN, RN

758 Posts

Specializes in NICU, High-Risk L&D, IBCLC.
No don't do it!

I'm a native and I've seen my paradise turn to the hell-hole it is now. People are rude, road rage is real, there's too many people, the cost of living is horrendous, crime is on the rise, crazy, inexperienced freeway drivers, polluted filthy beaches etcetera......

I'm thinking of moving to Havasu. Great weather, cool people, reasonable housing, plus I could always work in Cali which is 30 minutes away and I wouldn't have to fight traffic. Maybe it's just time to trade places with people and let us hateful natives take up residency somewhere else.

How's Saint Louis? Go used-to-be LA Rams!!https://allnurses.com/forums/images/icons/icon11.gif

I really do like St. Louis. Great city, lots of history, and people are generally laid back and friendly. My SO has 6 years of service left before retirement, and hopefully we'll then be coming back to St. Louis permanently. The hospitals in St. Louis are top-notch as well.

Here's a thread that was started in the Missouri forum.....one of the posters is from SoCal and she gives some really good info on St. Louis and why she would never go back to Cali.... https://allnurses.com/forums/f157/how-mo-167154.html

It seems like everyone who is already living in California wants out!

Sheri257

3,905 Posts

It seems like everyone who is already living in California wants out!

Not me. I'm not going anywhere.

Yes, a couple of weeks ago, I did get stuck in a horrendous traffic accident that took me three hours to get home. But most of the time, traffic is no problem, at least where I live. My average commute time? 40-45 minutes ... not bad. My commute could be a lot shorter if I wanted it to be but, I drive for better pay and benefits.

And people are wrong about the crime rate. Violent crimes are actually down substantially in California, probably because of the three strikes law:

In 1992, there were 345,000 violent crimes in the state.

In 2005 ... 13 years later ... there were only 190,000 violent crimes.

That's 155,000 or 45 percent less violent crimes per year ... despite the fact that the population has increased by 6 million people in that same time period.

I won't even think about leaving unless other states increase their pay and pass ratio laws ... which isn't likely to happen anytime soon.

:typing

TheCommuter, BSN, RN

102 Articles; 27,612 Posts

Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
No don't do it!

I'm a native and I've seen my paradise turn to the hell-hole it is now. People are rude, road rage is real, there's too many people, the cost of living is horrendous, crime is on the rise, crazy, inexperienced freeway drivers, polluted filthy beaches etcetera......

I'm thinking of moving to Havasu. Great weather, cool people, reasonable housing, plus I could always work in Cali which is 30 minutes away and I wouldn't have to fight traffic. Maybe it's just time to trade places with people and let us hateful natives take up residency somewhere else.

How's Saint Louis? Go used-to-be LA Rams!!icon11.gif

Hello. I'm another native Californian who left the state after 24 years with no plans to ever return.

LydiaNN

2,756 Posts

Specializes in Public Health, DEI.
I am planning on moving to California next year after I graduate from nursing school. My reason for moving? I'm young.. 21 years old and I want to experience new things. I live in pA right now and I hate it.. i hate the cold weather, snow, roads, ahh i could go on and on! I';ve wanted to live in california ever since i was younger and now its about time I make that happen. I"m supposed to be living on the beach... not in a snow storm!!

The reason I chose California rather than any of the other warm places? Because every where south is soo hot and humid and i hate that. Thats one of the reasons I hate PA 's summers. Its either chilly and raining or its 90 degrees with your clothes sticking to you. Florida is nice but you get paid the same rate as I do in pa.. starting at about 20 dollars an hour but the housing is really expensive. Plus I don't want to move somewhere south where I have the possibility of HURRICANES!! I'd rather deal with an earthquake than a hurricane.

I'm young enough to move arounda little before I figure out where I want to settle down and start a family at.

I moved to CA after leaving PA for the same reasons as you (I still can't decide if I hated summer or winter weather more!), figuring I'd try it and if I didn't like it, I'd try something else. That was over 20 years ago, and I'm still here!

shodobe

1,260 Posts

Specializes in O.R., ED, M/S.

The good things out weigh the bad in California. As posted above the crime rate is down but commuter headaches are up. I have been in many other states, like Texas, and I could see myself living there. I have lived in Cal for over 40 years and wouldn't live anywhere else because of where I live. I live in the Sierras away from traffic and urban problems. The rural atmosphere is what I want and really have no plans to move back to larger town, at least not in the near future. As long as real estate stays high, California will be off limits to many, unless your illegal.

777RNThatsMe

156 Posts

Yep, the homeownerhip costs are keeping many out. I grew up there. I left a decade ago due to the "high" prices of rent...and the crowds and rude folks . But, guess what. I have been a few other places in the nation and depending on where you live..if you want any culture/decent med care....you have crowds. Crowds lead to a little expense... (though not the crazy turn that cali took )... etc etc...and folks are RUDE all OVER....if you talk to enough folks. People are people.

No place is perfect..... I miss decent medical care and culture... but mostly warm decent weather. No humidity.... just decent weather. I am sick to death of snow and cold. I hate humidity and I don't like 120 degree heat of AZ so that pretty much leads me to just a FEW places!

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