California, Here I Come? No, Alas. California, There I Went.
Rising taxes, a crumbling infrastructure, a draconian regulatory regime, schools that fail to educate, and a state government that remains an arm of the unions. You can read a lot of complicated data on the current unhappy state of the Golden State--which, of course, looks all the unhappier by comparison with data on the low-tax, low-regulation Lone Star State--or you can simply look at this:
U-Haul rates for one-way 26 foot truck rentals in May:
From Sacramento to Houston: $2,370
From Houston to Sacramento: $1,007
From San Francisco to San Antonio: $2,214
From San Antonio to San Francisco: $1,069
Thanks to my friend Doug Irwin, an economist at Dartmouth, who claims (he really does) that his aim in directing me to this was not merely to depress me.
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Comments:
Aug '10
Re: California, Here I Come? No, Alas. California, There I Went.
In the course of my research into municipal government finances, I found that the city manager in San Ramon, not one of the larger towns in California only made $ 370,000 a year . Heck no wonder people are moving. When janitors in these towns are only making $110,000 you know the gold rush has changed it's currency.
Hello Stockton !
I heard they were considering moving the state government from Sacramento to the offices of Orrick, Herrington and Sutcliffe in SF.
Now that is planning ahead.
May '10
Re: California, Here I Come? No, Alas. California, There I Went.
Don't you understand, Peter? Once those nasty Republican types are run out of the state it will be a paradise!
By the way, where is your family looking to relocate?
Nov '11
Re: California, Here I Come? No, Alas. California, There I Went.
The worst thing about many of the California transplants is how they go on and on about how much better California is than, in my case, Texas as far as the general atmosphere and how the people look at social issues, etc.
When I ask them why they left, they almost always talk about how bad the housing market is, or how long they were on unemployment looking for a job. The connection just isn't made.
Jul '11
Re: California, Here I Come? No, Alas. California, There I Went.
Nothing to see here Peter, just move along. The old "welcome to California now go home" stickers ought to be replaced by the "please come and bring your check book"
As far as conservatives go, there's a book title on borderline personality that fits how liberals feel about you,"I hate you, don't leave me"
Dec '11
Re: California, Here I Come? No, Alas. California, There I Went.
Austin Murrey:
When I ask them why they left, they almost always talk about how bad the housing market is, or how long they were on unemployment looking for a job. The connection just isn't made. · 3 minutes ago
The connection between personal responsibility and general prosperity? I'm shocked - Shocked! - by their inability to come to such a basic conclusion.
Jun '10
Re: California, Here I Come? No, Alas. California, There I Went.
But at least if you move from California to Texas you get the benefit of tailwinds.
Oct '10
Re: California, Here I Come? No, Alas. California, There I Went.
Back during the Great Depression, the CHP put up roadblocks to deter folks from entry into California. Not that anyone remembers that.
Anyone is free to relocate to Texas, do not expect to change Texas if you are the new kid on the block. Leave some baggage behind and just enjoy the new opportunites offered. Simple.
Edited on April 30, 2012 at 10:59pmJun '10
Re: California, Here I Come? No, Alas. California, There I Went.
It's quite an accomplishment for the Left--turning a beautiful state like California into a prison full of people under house arrest (can't sell the house, so you stay.) A lot of people are just waiting for their parole.
May '10
Re: California, Here I Come? No, Alas. California, There I Went.
If you're moving to Texas, Peter, I hope it is to one of Houston's northern suburbs. Conservatism is far stronger here than I encountered in San Antonio. And while Houston certainly has a more trying climate (sub-tropical), that climate provides for one of the most bountiful ecosystems in the United States. Any plant which can withstand the summer heat can live here. In a single subdivision, you will encounter ferns, palms, cacti, countless varieties of flowers and shrubs, and a plethora of evergreens. For a long time, I didn't realize there were places where even the grass dies in the fall.
Let me know if you head my way.
Oct '10
Re: California, Here I Come? No, Alas. California, There I Went.
California is God’s way of reminding us that Schadenfreude is not a mortal sin.
Oct '10
Re: California, Here I Come? No, Alas. California, There I Went.
Four years ago we moved from Austin to Chicago. Our moving truck cost $100. They were almost willing to pay ME to take a truck up to Chicago. Last year we moved back to San Antonio from Chicago. The truck cost almost $2000. It was worth every penny to be back.
May '10
Re: California, Here I Come? No, Alas. California, There I Went.
Is inflation at work, too? http://ricochet.com/main-feed/When-the-Shine-Comes-Off-the-Golden-State
Oct '10
Re: California, Here I Come? No, Alas. California, There I Went.
The issue of truck rental fees are dependent on expected return traffic which has faded. Rather like paying a fee to have someone retreive a stolen vehicle to local lot inventory.
Free markets.
Edited on May 1, 2012 at 12:49amJul '10
Re: California, Here I Come? No, Alas. California, There I Went.
wilber forge:
Anyone is free to relocate to Texas, do not expect to change Texas if you are the new kid on the block. Leave some baggage behind and just enjoy the new opportunites offered. Simple. · 2 hours ago
Edited 1 hour ago
Oh, but they are changing TEXAS. Talking with all the californians Here in My neck of the woods, it's the market that's the problem, not the government. They still vote dems.
They may have left california, but the left never left them.
Oct '10
Re: California, Here I Come? No, Alas. California, There I Went.
Maybe Charles Schwab and Arthur Brooks can cheer us up and show us how to get those rates moving in the other direction.
Oct '10
Re: California, Here I Come? No, Alas. California, There I Went.
Jimmy Carter
wilber forge:
Anyone is free to relocate to Texas, do not expect to change Texas if you are the new kid on the block. Leave some baggage behind and just enjoy the new opportunites offered. Simple. · 2 hours ago
Edited 1 hour ago
Oh, but theyarechanging TEXAS. Talking with all the californians Here in My neck of the woods, it's the market that's the problem, not the government. Theystillvote dems.
They may have left california, but the left never left them. · 8 minutes ago
Begs the question of what locale and what markets ? In short, most Texans prefer to defend the Republic in a determined manner. Migrating Liberals may bring some value and entertainment of sorts, in the end it is matter of demographics and time.
Cannot see Texans rolling over enmass in future.
Apr '11
Re: California, Here I Come? No, Alas. California, There I Went.
Got to spend a couple of years living near San Diego. Loved it. Good weather, people friendlier than I expected, but living in a nice area is expensive. Job loss was a good time to return to the Sunflower state. A spell of unemployment is easier to afford here.
You can keep Texas. Lived there, done that. Too hot and the traffic is unbearable.
Sep '10
Re: California, Here I Come? No, Alas. California, There I Went.
Can you let the state of Jefferson be born, please? There is no point in having the urban dwellers rule over the farmers hundreds of miles away.
Aug '10
Re: California, Here I Come? No, Alas. California, There I Went.
One thing I do not miss about Texas is the surface of Venus heat from St. Patrick's Day to Halloween. For Californians it is essentially a seven month heat wave, only hotter than they have ever seen before.
You either comes to terms with it or spend your life hiding in the very costly air conditioning. There is no third way on that.
Edited on May 2, 2012 at 7:45am