691,000 people moved out of California last year. Here's where they went.

[Demovictory9]

Last edited Wed Nov 6, 2019, 05:03 AM - Edit history (1)

Here are the most popular destinations for Californians moving out of state, according to the U.S. Census Bureau's annual American Community Survey:

Texas: 86,164 people

Arizona: 68,516 people

Washington: 55,467 people

Nevada: 50,707 people

Oregon: 43,058 people

Colorado: 28,288 people

Florida: 26,888 people

New York: 25,255 people

Virginia: 21,210 people

Idaho: 21,018 people

Even for those hanging on to the California dream, more than half are considering leaving, according to a recent UC Berkeley poll. As for why people keep moving out of the Golden State, there's no real surprise there: The high cost of housing was the number one reason cited.

691,000 people moved out of California last year. Here's where they went.


adding link: https://www.sfgate.com/expensive-san-francisco/article/move-california-where-to-go-cheap-states-best-14811246.php

[jmbar2]

1. Please don't come to Oregon

Don't want to sound mean, but the influx is driving up home prices in an already crowded market. Renters are really struggling to find affordable housing.

[WheelWalker]

3. If you're a member of DU (and not a troll or malicious intruder), I'll welcome you to Oregon.

Please settle south of Eugene and East of the Cascade crest if possible.

[cwydro]

8. We welcome everyone in NC.

It would be great to have a blue influx!

No earthquakes, rare fires, rare natural disasters of any kind.

Come on down!

[Demovictory9]

9. NC would have to get way less red before I could live there.

[cwydro]

16. NC went for Obama back in the day.

It’s pretty purple, and at any rate, it’s got a lot going for it. Dem Governor. Don’t discount NC.

I grew up here, then moved around. Lived up north for awhile. Ugh.

Lived in Florida for 25 years. Loved Florida, but sadly, it’s full of northerners lol!

This is the friendliest state I’ve ever lived in. Happy to be back, but with the country going the way it is, I may be looking across the pond.

[DFW]

41. I already AM across the pond.

Make sure you know EXACTLY what you're doing before making a move like that.

[cwydro]

55. Yes, I'm doing my planning.

All my family lives in Wales, except for one cousin in Ireland and one cousin in Portugal.

I’ve spent a lot of time over there. Now that the regulations on pets have relaxed...it’s more of an option.

Of course, if Brexit goes through, god forbid, that might bugger all that up.

[DFW]

89. Hope you can speak Portuguese. n/t

[cwydro]

91. Nah, I'm not moving to Portugal.

And I only can speak Spanish.

Wales is English speaking, so I’ll be good there lol.

It’s my Irish friends and cousins that I have difficulty understanding!

[mnhtnbb]

44. I left California in 1988

after living there for 23 years.

We first went to Missouri, then Nebraska, and finally North Carolina in 2000 to Chapel Hill.

In 2018 I moved from a house that we built in Chapel Hill to a high rise apartment in downtown Raleigh.

I could move almost anywhere since I am retired and fortunate to be financially comfortable. I've thought about moving out of the country as well as relocating somewhere near water. Never once have I considered going back to California.

Just this week I finally decided to move up to the 17th floor-- from the 5th floor-- to the same corner 2 bedroom apartment floor plan just for the fabulous view. I love living in downtown Raleigh. I walk to the ballet, the symphony, the theatre, the bank, the post office, the library and any number of great restaurants. There is a 4 acre park across the street from my building and a group of old brick buildings called the City Market still divided by cobblestone streets directly across the street.

This Manhattan native has lived in NY, NJ, CA, MO, NE, and NC and now hopes not to have to move again once I'm settled up on 17. All bets are off, though, if 45 wins another term. But I'm now optimistic that won't happen.

There are some very nice blue areas of NC. If anyone is thinking of moving, don't rule out NC. Rents and housing prices are still somewhat reasonable--especially compared to California--and the job market isn't bad, either. NC has beautiful beaches and mountains. This NYC girl never thought she could live in the south, but I am quite content here in my little downtown neighborhood.

[MoonchildCA]

20. My daughter is a California transplant in Asheville.

I have a sister and brother-in-law in Carrboro, and my husband and I are considering retiring there in another 8 years, or so.

[cwydro]

26. Wow, Asheville is fantastic.

What a wonderful part of the state.

Much cheaper to live in other areas in NC, but I lived in the mountains for years. Fantastic!

Your daughter is lucky as hell!

[MoonchildCA]

48. That's the place we might retire.

Last edited Wed Nov 6, 2019, 03:50 PM - Edit history (1)

It’s more expensive than other places in NC, sure. But we can buy a house for half of what it costs here. We should have enough equity by then to purchase one straight out. We are considering living outside of the city.

[cwydro]

49. Great place to retire.

It’s a blue city too, I’m pretty sure.

Love the area. All the NC mountains are great. I lived in Boone for 10 years.

[MoonchildCA]

75. Oh Yes. It's very blue.

We wouldn't consider it otherwise...

So is the city where my sister lives, Carrboro, next to Chapel Hill, but that area doesn't speak to us like Asheville.
I need trees and nature and mountains. It also has such a hip, progressive vibe, even more than the area I live now, near Ojai, CA.
It will keep us young...

We are still checking out other areas, but for now, it's at the top of our list.

[ExciteBike66]

81. My parents and grandparents are in Hendersonville...

lots of retirees making second careers in shuffleboard there...

[MoonchildCA]

83. I just mentioned in another reply...

...Hendersonville is a possibility for us. Not particularly for the shuffleboard though...

[ExciteBike66]

85. Pickleball then!

[central scrutinizer]

92. My sister lives in Hendersonville

Fundie, tea party stalwart, MAGAT, and her husband is even worse

[Throck]

76. Asheville is awesome. Possible retirement destination for us.

We work there once a year and vacation there. If you live outside the city proper and don't have to commute you can find some nice affordable housing up in the hills. My wife is an artist, so screw the commute.

Wicked Weed microbrew rocks.

[MoonchildCA]

82. If we do end up there, we will likely live in the surrounding area.

We visited a couple of the little towns outside while we were there. Hendersonville is a possiblity.
It's 15 miles outside, but it's such an easy and quick hop right into Asheville for shopping and other activities.

It's about 8 years away, so you never know. We are keeping an eye on the housing market though.
Ideally, we would rent a place for a bit first, and really take our time finding a house.

[customerserviceguy]

87. Yes, Wicked Weed

is still making great beer, I just had a six-pack of Pernicious IPA this week.

Lots of other good breweries in the area, too. I'm from the Pacific Northwest, and have described Asheville as "Portland plus barbecue"!

[still_one]

51. I would not necessarily assume all those are blue

[skypilot]

72. I lived in Rocky Mount, NC...

...for a couple years when I was a child. I can not remember the address of our house but I was still able to find the block where I lived using Google Street View (the fact that we were near a lake helped me track it down). The house is GONE for some reason but, otherwise, it's almost unsettling how little the area has changed. It was literally 50 years ago when I lived there.

[Demovictory9]

14. but when people in other states want opportunities...they expect California to welcome THEM

[cwydro]

25. I wouldn't move to California for any amount of money.

Washington and Oregon seem like great states, but no on CA.

Anyway, I’m happy where I am.

[Johonny]

50. As a New Yorker I thought the same way,

But actually like living in California. The cost, though, is high. Food, gas, housing ... it's tough. Particularly if you have kids because child care costs are outrageous and not much talked about.

[chia]

77. CA native, couldn't imagine living anywhere else.

[eissa]

61. And we do welcome them

Yet all I hear from Californians who have fled to Idaho, Nevada, Texas, etc. is how much they're hated there.

[marlakay]

21. I moved to Medford two years ago

Too much snow in mountains in WA where we thought we were going to retire, lived there for ten years. Didn’t come here with a ton of money. We bought a simple small house.

This is one of a few conservative towns in the state, we need more democrats here.

We are from bay area 15 years ago but couldn’t afford to retire there.

I hang out in Ashland a lot, ton of people from CA have moved there.

And home prices are down in my neighborhood, having a hard time selling this past summer and fall. And I am in the neighborhood with peoples favorite school so normally sell fast.

[tirebiter]

29. Moved to Oregon in1971 from Hawaii

Last edited Wed Nov 6, 2019, 03:11 AM - Edit history (2)

Then down to California in 1973. Oregon was still red then. The Willamette valley was trending blue but it was still red then. Now I’m in the most expensive place to live in Central California. The only capitalist solution I can see for housing is for the tech corporations to build units for their worker bees. Say condos for Google techys. When I lived in Salem I had a basic 2 rm shack that had been originally built for cannery workers. The cannery no longer existed and my house was the only one left. I bought my own house in California. One of my daughters went to College in Oregon. It was already too crowded for me 20 years ago. Came here homeless. We called it wandering back then. Best of luck. I hear Idaho is the place nowadays but I’ve got to have surf and since it’s all about me in the end here I sit.

[USALiberal]

57. Wow! Classy! Nt

[NCLefty]

2. TX Republicans HATE it when CA people come here. Tee heeee :D

[yellowdogintexas]

36. they sure do. You should hear them rant on about it too

so much claptrap, gutter rubbish, hogwash, poppycock and balderdash .....

[DFW]

42. Music to our ears in Dallas

We might even rename Highland Park "Presidio South"

[msongs]

4. good, less competition for available jobs and housing nt

[vercetti2021]

5. Texas will take all!

Whatever tilts Texas blue

[skypilot]

73. Texas has never been on my radar...

...as a place to move to but I was there for the first time, in Austin, a few weeks ago and loved it. I know, I know... Austin is not like the rest of Texas.

[vercetti2021]

90. I never been to Austin for the big state though

There's a lot of places I haven't been. Austin San Antonio and Dallas are extremely beautiful and salt like your traditional places

[Adsos Letter]

6. It's freakin' expensive here.

Over the past decade I've seen neighbors move to New York, Nevada, Oregon, and Texas. All looking for opportunities with more affordable housing. Two were younger professionals, and two were retirees.

[bermudat]

7. Will be retiring from CA dept of Social Services next year.

I hate to be a cliche but plan on moving to Florida.

[cwydro]

10. Think about NC.

Beautiful weather, mountains and beaches, rare natural disasters, only a few poisonous snakes, even the bears are friendly.

I was born in NC, but I lived in Florida for 25 years. Loved it, but really got weary of the hurricanes. Don’t miss the scorpions either.

[Hekate]

18. Florida seems to be sinking, some towns flooding ankle deep at high tide on sunny days.

Their willingness to approve building on drained swampland and right along the coast is legendary.

I hope you find what you love and can afford, and I mean that sincerely. I know too many retired women who are living very poor to judge those who see a way out.

[jcgoldie]

11. Nobody goes there anymore....

Its too crowded.

[lapfog_1]

52. lol - I see what you did there

[Dem2theMax]

12. I actually know a lot of people who moved out of California last year,

as well as others who keep talking about doing so.

Every one of them said they wanted to move to a red state. Good riddance!

[Hekate]

13. Yet people keep flooding in. 40,000,000 million of us, at least the population of all of Canada.

[Demovictory9]

15. yep! and the rest love to vacation in Cali

[lunatica]

17. I moved to New Mexico

And, yes, the reason is it’s just too damn expensive in California. I retired from UC Berkeley who did this study.

[Demovictory9]

22. link

https://www.sfgate.com/expensive-san-francisco/article/move-california-where-to-go-cheap-states-best-14811246.php

[Cartoonist]

19. California for me!

So I die penniless. Sue me.

[roody]

23. Wildfires.

[JCMach1]

24. Lots of CA transplants in DFW. Almost to a person

Because of housing and rent prices

[Beryllinthranox]

27. My power is out.

Fuck this. Im in a hotel visiting family. Hostile environment. No choice.

[OAITW r.2.0]

28. Love to see more data.....

R / D / I
What% of each went where? Not many R's to start, but probably a lot who hate living in a sane, race and gender neutral society....where did they go?

A million people can have a huge impact on rural politics. Every state in the Union has hardcore Republicanism - they live in small towns and distrust outsiders .....fueled on tribal identity. That's the reality. Hannity is their go to reality check.....he makes sense to these folks.

Sorry, wine induced stream of consciousness.....

[ansible]

30. Life in California is turning into a goddamn nightmare

I can barely keep my head afloat with all the bills and rising cost of living here. How can anyone actually enjoy this, are you rich? I'm not, many of us living here aren't. This place is quickly turning into a state only for rich assholes.

[eissa]

31. More Cali-bashing

People who whine about the expense of living here are the same ones who walk into a Mercedes dealership and complain about the prices. Is it more expensive than other states? Yeah. For good reasons. But there are millions of us regular, middle-class people who live here and love it. Newsflash: California is more than just LA and SF. The valley areas may not be as glamorous, but they have great communities with good schools and proximity to a lot of outdoor and cultural activities. I wouldn’t trade my state for any other

[Blue_true]

33. Excellent points. I could not believe some of the posts here.

Also, the OP gave the number of people moving out of California, but left out the number moving in during the same timeframe. People come to a region for Jobs. Once places like Arkansas and Mississippi have plenty of jobs, people will migrate to those places.

Nebraska was literally giving away land to get people to move to some places there. Why don't we see articles on a state sucking so bad in some parts that it has to pay people to move to those places.

[RandiFan1290]

40. Yep

All of the usual right wing smears against a great state!

[moonscape]

68. Am on the Central Coast and

thought about leaving because of housing price - converting all the equity I have to cash in retirement but in the end wanted to stay right here. Love this state, love the blue sanity, and am at peace with some $$ sacrifices in order to keep enjoying my beloved area and state.

[Blue_true]

32. How many of those people are retirees that are cashing in?

Here in Florida we have older people selling homes to move into smaller homes.

Also, did California have NET migration last year? If so, more people moved in than moved out.

[Celerity]

43. Net positive, but the slowest growth in recorded history.

https://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-population-growth-20190501-story.html

[Blue_true]

93. So more people moved in than moved out.

At some point, California's growth will subside and go to zero net migration. The state already has 40+ million people. The only thing that will change that is if startups and small but growing companies move to unincorporated area, a situation which is happening to a degree now. Those newly developed places don't have the glitch of LA or San Fran, but they all contain the elements for comfortable lives and more economic growth, which if not properly planned, eventually becomes a problem.

[tonedevil]

34. Good. /nt

[Rollo]

35. I'm staying...

House paid for last year. I actually can live (pay for all the basics) on my SS.

But if I ever decide to leave, the sale of my house would probably at least double my retirement income (even after buying another house in another state).

Every place has its highs and lows. Would I want to trade California's traffic, distant wild fires, occasionally bad air, and long dry hot summers, for hurricanes, tornadoes, snowbound winters, mosquito ridden summers...? Probably not voluntarily!

[Jane Austin]

37. Can you give a link to where you found this info, please?

I'd like to share it with someone, but I'd need a citation or link.

Thanks in advance.

[Demovictory9]

38. link

https://www.sfgate.com/expensive-san-francisco/article/move-california-where-to-go-cheap-states-best-14811246.php

[Jane Austin]

39. Thanks so much!

n/t

[raccoon]

45. Vengan, California amigos, to SC. We need you! Nt

[OnionPatch]

46. We moved out of California a year ago

And it wasn’t the politics or the high cost of living. (We didn’t live in one of the most expensive areas.) It was mainly to be closer to family but the second reason was fire. Twice in the last few years we loaded our valuables into our truck and watched a wildfire approach our home. You’ll never know how scary that is until it happens to you.

Note: We live in Virginia now and are happy to add our three blue votes to the state!! 🎉👍🏻

[a la izquierda]

47. I left California for grad school in Oklahoma in 2004.

I now live in WV (grudgingly). I loved CA when I lived there. But you couldn't pay me to move back.

[Act_of_Reparation]

53. Not all Californians are Democrats

Like anywhere else, it is the urban centers keeping California blue.

Looking at where people are going is interesting, but I'd like to see who is relocating. Are we talking about urban and suburban Democrats fleeing to red states, or suburban and rural Republicans fleeing to more hospitable political climes?

[eissa]

63. This is a popular topic in our local paper

They seem to print something related to this subject semi-regularly. It always generates a shit-ton of comments, mainly from republicans who have left or are planning to do so. The most popular destinations seem to be Idaho, followed by Texas and Arizona. And the main reasons are politics and expense.

However, according to the CA Department of Finance, CA still had more people coming in than leaving. Granted, it's lower than in previous years, but those relocating here tend to be better educated. So, yeah, more educated people in, more republicans leaving -- sounds good to me!

[Act_of_Reparation]

70. It has to be a pretty narrow demographic.

One as to be both unhappy enough to want to leave and affluent enough to make it happen. Having very little to go on here besides my gut, I'd figure most of those jumping ship are Republicans. The GOP has been shitting on CA for so long that for Californian Republicans, just living there must be a source of embarrassment for them.

[CrispyQ]

54. Texas is #1 & Arizona is #2?

Nothing against TX or AZ, except for climate change. I would pick a more northern latitude.

[mountain grammy]

56. Welcome to Colorado!

Fastest growing state in the US.. but cost of living is high here too.

It's America! Live where you want. We still have that going for us. All I need is my 24 ft camper and I can live everywhere!!

[librechik]

59. Thank you, grammy--I was just going to say we have a lot of empty space here.

But Wyoming and Montana have more, and it's much cheaper COL up there!, so put us last on the list, but welcome anyway!

[Bayard]

58. After 12 years in Calif.,

I moved back home to Kentucky in 2014. It was definitely way past time.

Would love to see more Dem transplants here! Hey--we have a new blue governor, and it looks like we could ditch McConnell next year. Low cost of living.

[book_worm]

60. Honestly I couldn't live in California again it's way too expensive.

[Takket]

62. I hope that 86k going to Texas are all Dems lol

[eissa]

65. Let me tell you about my state

I live in a pretty boring suburban city in CA's Central Valley. However, two hours in any direction and I can be in a completely different world:

West: the gorgeous CA coast, beautiful beaches, the exciting and culturally-rich city of SF, stunning coastal hiking trails in Big Sur, and the charming beach towns dotting the Pacific Coast Highway.

South: Yosemite National Park, the country's national treasure with its majestic beauty.

East: the vast Sierra range, filled with glorious snow-peaked mountains, alpine lakes, rustic towns and fabulous ski resorts.

North: the Napa region, with its culinary delights, and lovely hillside vineyards featuring world renowned wines.

Do we have problems? No doubt. Do the pros outweigh the cons? For me, no question.

[Polly Hennessey]

86. I'm with you, Eissa.

I live in the Sierra Foothills. To the east, I have Lake Tahoe, just a way up the road is Sonoma, to the west San Francisco and the ocean, heading down the other way, Yosemite National Park and Mammoth Lake. I live on five acres. We have a huge pond and a stunning view of the Sierras. Would not trade it for any other place in the world. Yes, we have problems but they will be solved. Kinda like that the undereducated are leaving the state.
Fewer of the less informed is always a plus.

[Demovictory9]

94. sounds beautiful

[pecosbob]

66. Too many humans

[BSdetect]

67. CA needs to drop income tax for retired folks over 65 or so.

Currently we pay 10% or more if your income is above a certain amount.

We do not intend to retire and keep paying ever rising property taxes and high income tax on hard won pensions.

House prices are farcical here.

[SoCalNative]

80. California has one of the lowest property tax rates in the nation

with a 2% annual cap and limited to 1% of the value of the property.

[spinbaby]

69. I used to have three siblings in California

Two of the three moved out because they couldn’t afford it.

[eissa]

71. For those interested in facts and context

Here is a study done by the state:

All states experience shifts in population. California’s numbers are large because the state’s population in general is large. When departures are put into the context of the overall number of households, California ranks 50th in the nation. And if you look at net migration (people leaving compared to people entering), California ranks squarely in the middle of the pack at 27th. Nothing to boast about, but hardly a mass exodus.

“This interstate migration pattern — gaining large numbers of college graduates while losing large numbers of less educated adults — doesn’t happen anywhere else in the country,” the report states.

https://calmatters.org/explainers/california-population-migration-census-demographics-immigration/

[haele]

84. Young people moving in, old people selling and moving out.

Due to the development booms in the early 80's, late 90's there are very few family homesteads left in the state, so there's little reason for a typical nuclear family to stay once the kids are grown and have moved out.
Most of the people leaving are retired working class or middle aged high school grads, who can't compete in a business climate where the cost of labor directs how light manufacturing and service/retail is going to hire and pay.
Used to be one could make a comfortable living as a department manager at a union grocery store, or a cashier's wages were enough to raise a family on, even if you had to scrimp some.
Now... business doesn't want to pay. And Gramps needs to cash in while the housing market is still good to supplement a dwindling pension fund plus the rising cost of health care

Oh, and those kids with their tattoos, free thinking, casual manners, and rap music...not a single modest and polite church-goer amongst them, like they all were in our day, when Reagan was God's anointed...

Haele

[WilmywoodNCparalegal]

74. Here in Las Vegas

there are plenty of Southern Cal expats. The cost of housing has risen greatly, while salaries in Vegas have not. This has made it hard for Vegas residents to be able to buy homes. For someone in So Cal where a closet costs $300K it has been very easy to sell in So Cal and buy a nice home with the proceeds, even while adapting to lower salaries in Vegas.

O joy, the Raiders are coming too

[cagefreesoylentgreen]

88. The infrastructure is totally not there

Have you seen the neighborhood around the new stadium? It should be named Gridlock Stadium.

[Blue_Tires]

78. I presume most of the Virginia folks are Navy?

Or took some other Fed job??

[wryter2000]

79. I hope to never leave Oaktown

Even in death, my ashes will be in the columbarium at my church near Lake Merritt.

I love other places, too. I'm sure there are many where I could be happy. But Oakland is my soul mate.