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I grew up in a rural PNW town where hatred of Californians was a way of life. I ultimately ended up in California for the start of my career which gave me the k
by shartshooter 7y ago
I grew up in a rural PNW town where hatred of Californians was a way of life. I ultimately ended up in California for the start of my career which gave me the kind of upward mobility I’d never have had an opportunity to achieve.
Call it survivorship bias or whatever you want but without a stint in California I would have likely never known it was possible to get a job other than working at the lumber mill or driving a log truck.
I’ve since left the Bay Area due to rising costs and landed in a Boise-like city. Costs in Redwood City at the time I left we’re $1-1.3MM for a starter three bed, two bath home at 2k sq ft.
My home was purchased brand new, 25% larger than the Bay Area starters, 40% cheaper, on the best street in the best neighborhood. Why would I not live here?
Quality of life is through the roof, commutes are 10-15 mins at most and everyone is happy and eager to chat about the fun things they do outdoors.
It’s obvious why non-natives want to live here. What’s infuriating is to see how much the town has grown in great ways that are completely ignore by locals.
Yes, rent and housing costs are way up. But so is infrastructure, tourism, amenities, etc but it’s easier to flip off the dude in CA plates instead(which happened to me shortly after moving here)
- falcolas 7y agoAs a resident of a similarly occupied town (Californians), though for longer. And let me say that given sufficient time, the downsides only get worse. I live in a town of 40,000, and you wouldn’t think a city this small would have any major issues. But 1,600sqft condos are selling for $750,000 in downtown. Restaurants (including fast food joints like Taco Johns) are closing can’t afford to employee staff, because their staff needs $40,000 paychecks just to live in the city. Throw in a car-only commute (a dangerous one some winters), and rising costs in a 30 mile radius of the city, and the influx of cash-flush transplants is causing the city to price itself out of a working class.
- hellisothers 7y agoWhen you inevitably change jobs, how much of a salary hit do you expect to take and does do you still come out ahead or even? I ask because usually when I cost it out it doesn’t make financial sense (which I read as the gist of your post), it often does make cultural/family/life sense, but never financial sense. Also, good for you, I hope more people can make this choice!
- simonsarris 7y ago> Yes, rent and housing costs are way up. But so is infrastructure, tourism, amenities, etc but it’s easier to flip off the dude in CA plates instead(which happened to me shortly after moving here) The way you describe this definitely makes me sympathize with the locals. What good are "amenities" if you're priced out?
- david38 7y agoThis. These are all amenities for the rich.