We're thinking about abandoning California
 

The once great state has been destroyed by bureaucrats with out of control taxes and job killing laws which have left the state at the bottom of just about every category used to measure quality of life. Our once Nation leading public schools are 46th in the US and worse yet rank 1st in cost per student thanks to the Teachers Unions and Legislature. State taxes also ranks near the top though you would not be able to tell from our crumbling infrastructure. Out of control taxes on businesses have lead to cost of living increases high enough to get the attention of the wealthy let alone those of us who work for a living.

This is no easy task having to up and relocate a household. We own two homes which like most in California have lost half their equity. We are one of the lucky ones though having purchased one 20 years ago and the other 13 years ago when prices were reasonable. Making things easier is the fact that my wife has been out of work for over a year and I'm in medical sales which makes my job transfer seamless. Our son is a little over 3 now and we are getting geared up for his first years in school which also makes this easy. At 3 he is not quite old enough to have developed fiends he will miss in a move of this nature.

So here is where we are considering.

Texas, specifically Austin Texas. The city is modern with low unemployment, low crime and ranks near the top in public schools. The weather is nice which is a must in our quest for a new home. After-all, we are from California and could not imagine having two sets of rims and tires for the seasons.

So...I'm wondering if any of you who live in Texas or those of you from any area in the US which is conducive to raising a family have any ideas or recommendations.

Thanks,

Michael

I can tell you where NOT to live.

NY.

NJ.


carry on.

Yep...They have a lot in common in terms of their legislative agenda. California is just a bit more wacky.

I lived in SF and LA, I'll never live in CA again.

My cousin just moved to Dallas from NYC. Other than the obvious HUGE differences between NY and Texas in terms of cost of living, lifestyle (drive vs. walk/public transport), etc, he likes it a lot.

I don't have much to add other than the fact that I have a good number of friends from Austin who love the city. Its definitely as much of a San Francisco type of city as you are going to find there, in the sense that they describe it as artsy and fairly liberal minded. Get ready for a lot more heat though.

Cost of living should be amazing in comparison.

I live in Dallas and love it. Great economy, great weather, easy to travel to all parts of the country and Mexico, no state income tax and the list goes on. I actually grew up in Chicago where most of my family is but have been in Dallas now for 16 years (since college). You are a little late to the party as a lot of CA transplants (as well as all other parts of the country) have been moving here for years--but better late than never. I have friends in Manhattan Beach and Hermosa Beach and they love Austin and Dallas. Depending on what you are looking for all of the big cities in TX are different--Dallas is more cosmopolitan, Austin more liberal and great live music scene, Houston I've never really been able to figure out. If you are in Medical Sales and are traveling a lot Dallas obviously has a lot more flights than Austin. The reason I like Dallas is Austin is only 3 hours away and great for weekend trips. Dallas has professional sports teams. Austin's professional team is obviously UT. Since you are from the Bay Area I would think Austin would be a great fit but you really have to visit the other cities to compare. As far as weather it is a little more humid in Austin than in Dallas--but nothing like Houston obviously.

Any other questions please feel free to hammer away.

No advice where to live, but don't make the mistake
a lot of people make by not spending enough time
living in the desired location before making the move.

Don't trust me on this. Trust the countless people who
we have seen over the years who for one reason or
another move out thinking this that or the other is going
to be different or better only to find that their new location
doesn't live up to their expectations. Now they find themselves
trying to come back.

California isn't perfect by a long shot and much of what you
describe is a fact. However we have found the positives
outweigh the negatives by a long shot. Especially when you
remove emotions from the equation.....

Wish you the best with your decision..

Regards B&R

I really love Austin. It's a fantastic city, my cousin went to Law School there and it was so fun to visit. Have you considered Denver or Las Vegas? I have a decent number of friends that have relocated from CA to both those cities and really loved the transition

:iagree:

Living in San Diego I always remind myself why I love living here so much every time the plane begins to land and passes over Stunning Balboa Park and Downtown San Diego. I'm reminded of why I live here each time I hike at Torrey Pines state reserve or roller blade at the boardwalk or simply enjoy 85 degree days in December. CA isn't perfect but it's a fantastic place to call home

My first pick would be Texas as well. Because of the politics and the people that live there. Second would be Utah because of the snow. :thumbup: