And We are Back!
July 16, 2024
Entrepreneur & Author
JeffCorbett.com
Relocation is never easy. Trying to move both home and business 2,000 miles across the country is an entirely different level of difficulty. Literally like hundreds of thousands of others, we made the difficult decision to leave paradise because it is no longer the promised land. The Golden State (California) was once the place where dreams came true. We moved there from Pittsburgh in 1990 when so many were transplanting from various locations that a bumper sticker – “Welcome to California Now Go Home!” – was popular. Flowers lined freeways, potholes were rare and career opportunities were plentiful. This was prior to the Silicon Valley explosion which literally brought billions of additional dollars into the states’ economy. Everything in the Golden State seemed rosy but it would not last.
Slowly but steadily a political shift occurred which is noteworthy – especially now on a national level – because of similarities. It was no longer enough to offer the opportunity for success, but it must shared with the less fortunate. Of course, on the surface this sounds noble and appeals to the good nature of man, but this forced sharing had its pitfalls. Good intentions often do, and the devil is in the detail which in this case would be who specifically determines the “redistribution” and how much? Ahh – there is the problem. Too often (which quickly became all the time) decisions were made by nameless bureaucrats who answered to no one. Corruption, cottage industries and grifters quickly entered the picture ballooning the California state budget to unimaginable levels. Sound familiar?
Leaving after 34-years was not easy – mostly because of close friends. We explored many locations throughout the United States and even toyed with the idea of moving to Italy. After much thought and research, we decided on North Texas. Others have decided on Florida, Tennessee, South Carolina and Arizona to name a few.
People are leaving California for a variety of reasons, including:
1. High Cost of Living: Housing prices, in particular, are very high in many parts of California, making it difficult for many people to afford a home.
2. Taxes: California has some of the highest state taxes in the country, which can be a significant burden for residents.
3. Quality of Life Issues: Traffic congestion, high crime rates in certain areas, and concerns about homelessness are factors that contribute to some residents deciding to leave.
4. Natural Disasters: Frequent wildfires, earthquakes, and other natural disasters can make living in California more challenging and less desirable for some.
5. Political Climate: Some individuals may feel that the state’s political climate does not align with their personal beliefs or values.
6. Remote Work: The rise of remote work has enabled people to live in less expensive areas while keeping their jobs, leading some to move out of California.
We are now quickly getting settled in our new digs and look forward to offering you unique insights in the coming issues. Hope you enjoy the read.
