California’s problems all come from one place - your legislature.
You’ve legislated so that high buildings can’t be built and sprawl can’t happen more than it has. Which causes your housing prices to sky rocket.
You’ve enacted ridiculously high taxes and engaged in making stupid things like owning a plastic box, offering straws, and calling someone by the incorrect pronoun a criminal offense.
You’re homeless population exists due to the climate, the fact there are numerous services to “help” them, and assist them. Without even considering a root cause analysis to resolve it. I.e. you feed and cloth your homeless without finding out why they’re homeless and fixing that.
Your crime is ridiculous due to your proximity with the border, you’re failing school systems and unions that keep bad teachers in place. In addition to your massive residual crime due to the fact people can make more money selling drugs on the corner than they can working a 9-5. Not to mention your police departments basically exist to have their budgets increased and corruption there is ridiculous.
In addition to this you have California alienating entire classes of people; Like Gun Owners; because of ridiculous none-sense feel good laws that lock honest people up in prison; while those who are in gangs are let go.
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California per the most recent numbers is growing population wise. And if you just looked at those numbers you’d be fine.
The truth is California has a massive immigrant population influx. This is why they’re so pro-immigrant. (Which isn’t bad) - The Majority of Americans are moving elsewhere. Texas and Nevada are growing at ridiculous levels due to Californians. Las Vegas housing prices have skyrocketed and the sprawl of Las Vegas is now becoming on par with places such as LA.
The difference? By moving to Vegas/Texas your dollar goes much further and you automatically get a pay raise due to no state income tax. Really the only reason to live in California is for the beach, the climate, perhaps job market (although tech is going elsewhere), and perhaps opportunity to mingle with the likes of the famous.
Even people who have family there or jobs have a hard time. I mapped it out - if I lived in Vegas and had a job in SF. I could commute via Plane twice a week and save money as opposed to actually buying a house or condo.
The same is true for those with families. 60$ Southwest ticket and an hour long flight. No problem.