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I understand the timeframe but the spirit of the article
is still the same that's why it was posted.

Quote:

Originally Posted by brian5 (Post 704624)

Q, unfortunately, that article is from over 4 years ago. There's been a LOT of changes in the U.S. since then.

Just bringing it up because people are talking about what's good thing to do NOW. I'm in CT, after having been in northern CA for 18 years, and always thought I would go back to CA. Now I don't know where I where I'd like to move to (and still earn a decent income). Probably going to stick it out in CT/NY for a few more years...

MrLabGuy

Sounds like you have your mind made up. That's ok but
contrary to popular belief this great state isn't about
to fall into the ocean. (Barring an earthquake that is) :rofl:
The picture you paint isn't as bleak as you would like to make it.

I had some friends who came here from Texas and they honestly
couldn't grasp how to make it. So they went back. So I understand
to some extent.

I don't get emotionally involved with the states problems because
I have seen it change in all sorts of ways and people who live here
know how to work the system and not get fooled by the coffee
house gossip, political rhetoric and all the rest.

We know full well that no matter where you go it's going
to be the same thing in some other form. It will be some
other problem, some other issue. So we just adjust and
ignore the stuff that doesn't matter.

Again I wish you the best.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrLabGuy (Post 704627)

Especially in the housing market. My home was going for about $900K back then and might be worth $600K today if Im lucky. Actually, the housing market is ripe for those who want to relocate or want to come back to California.

Problem is the State of California is bankrupt and the schools already near dead last have more cuts in store for them. I see no improvement in the next decade and California has been on a downward spiral for decades. Crime is on the rise no doubt related to the poor schools, lack of resources, activities and opportunity. The State loves new taxes and the local municipalities pile on their own taxes and fees.

California will spend 16 billion dollars next year on our prisons alone. That equates to about $50,000 per inmate when in comparison California spends $7500 per student per year only to be near the bottom of the pack. Arnold is looking to release 45,000 inmates for so called overcrowding deemed inhumane by the beloved ACLU. What a great idea...

I fully understand the desire to go where the opportunity is, and circumstances seem to support doing it now given your family situation.

I also think Austin would be a good place to consider, from what little I know, and the reading I have done.

My question is, have you considered options outside the US?

International surveys on quality of life, liveability, crime, education, and city infrastructure would put Honolulu in the top of US cities, at around #29 (reference Mercer's report, and the EIU report, both released in 2009). San Francisco rates at around the same, at #30. There are 28 cities ahead of those two, however. Closest to you would be Vancouver (#4), or Calgary (#15). You would have to reset your expectations on taxes, however ;)

There is pretty much no real estate market appreciation in Texas over the last 10 years. But its still a nice place from what I hear.

Northern Va or Maryland. Plenty of jobs being next to the capital as well of plenty of educated diverse cultures makes it much more interesting. Good schools too.

This is a very interesting post to me. I have been relocating for over a year, and Austin has been at the very top of my list in many categories. It seems to be very well rounded in the most important categories to me: education (grad schools specifically), stable economy, culture and arts, recreation, cost of living, weather, friendliness of residents, taxes, relative growth.

The other cities that rank highly in my research:

Salt Lake City
Denver (where I am from)
Minneapolis
Scottsdale (spent a lot of time there)
Seattle

I came across this article today about a school district in Riverside California banning the Merriam Webster dictionary within all schools because it contains a definition of "oral sex" and a parent complained.

So instead of getting children's dictionaries for the lower grades, they're banning the MW everywhere.

Jayne Lyn Stahl: Ban Merriam Webster's Dictionary?

Quote:

Originally Posted by LeMansX5 (Post 704760)

There is pretty much no real estate market appreciation in Texas over the last 10 years. But its still a nice place from what I hear.

LeMans--I'm not sure where you are getting our real estate market info from. And the state of TX and WA are the only 2 markets where the housing bubble hasn't burst (meaning it's stayed flat over the past 3 years).

Why Invest In Dallas Texas Real Estate

I've heard good things about Austin, but I love CA! I'm near Sacramento. Grew up in Redding. Calif. has it all in terms of beauty. This state is amazing. I've traveled a bit and wouldn't want to be anywhere else.