5 Top Reasons People Are Leaving California
- Better Quality of Living
It doesn’t matter how one defines “better quality of living” because most people don’t know what that truly means for their own lives. It is, however, the number one reason we hear. Individuals and families are seeking a better quality of living, even if they can’t describe in detail what that really means.
- Lower Cost of Living
States like California and New York are incredibly expensive to live it. When families leave they are almost always leaving to find a place with a lower cost of living. States that don’t have income taxes, more affordable housing, and overall lower expenses are popular for this reason.
- Job Opportunities
As more large employers leave high-cost states, they are taking their jobs with them. Many key employees get relocated but even those left behind are left without a job. In growing areas like Nashville, large companies need more quality workers and many Californians have been able to keep comparable salaries.
- Values Alignment
We’ve personally seen many of our clients leave and move to a place that supports their conservative viewpoints. As California becomes more “blue” we have seen conservatives leave to other “red” states.
- Following Loved Ones
If you are a grandparent you may be feeling the pull of the “grandkid magnet”, as we call it. Yes, you long to be with the grandkids and your children just took them and moved halfway across the country. Will you follow? Of course, you will! We see this all the time and have watched grandparent after grandparent follow their grandkids.
Why are you considering moving out of state? We’d love to hear your feedback.
Lower Cost of Living
Your dollars will go much farther in Idaho than in California. Idaho has a cost of living 2.8% lower than the national average, while California's is 49.9% higher.
Contributing to this lower cost of living are the lower prices for utilities, health care, and housing. For instance, in Idaho, the cost of utilities is 10.7% lower than the national average, and health care costs 4.9% less.
Homes in Idaho are also lower in price and a wise investment that will likely grow in value over time. The median home price for the state is $263,000, which is slightly higher than the national average. However, over the last 10 years, the state has experienced an appreciation value of 14%, which is much greater than California's 5.2%. Therefore, buying a home today in Idaho likely means that you will sell it at a profit in the future.
Shorter Commutes
While those who live in more remote regions may have to commute a little longer than city dwellers, across the state, Idahoans have an average commute time of only 20.6 minutes, much less than Californians' time of 28.8 minutes. If sitting in traffic has you thinking about leaving the state, moving to Idaho could be the relief that you need.
Cooler Climate
Idaho can offer you the snowy climate that you crave if you love cold winter weather and winter sports. The state has a higher snowfall average than the rest of the country, with 47.7 inches a year. This snow in the winter comes at the sacrifice of sunny days throughout the year, with slightly fewer sunny days than the national average – 197 days versus 205 days.
However, if you don't like the cold, wait until the summer months when the weather can warm up to have average highs between 70- and 85-degrees Fahrenheit.
Get Help with Moving to Idaho
Thinking about moving to Idaho from California? Find out how much you can get for your home in California to help you get started on your move.
- Better Quality of Living
It doesn’t matter how one defines “better quality of living” because most people don’t know what that truly means for their own lives. It is, however, the number one reason we hear. Individuals and families are seeking a better quality of living, even if they can’t describe in detail what that really means.
- Lower Cost of Living
States like California and New York are incredibly expensive to live it. When families leave they are almost always leaving to find a place with a lower cost of living. States that don’t have income taxes, more affordable housing, and overall lower expenses are popular for this reason.
- Job Opportunities
As more large employers leave high-cost states, they are taking their jobs with them. Many key employees get relocated but even those left behind are left without a job. In growing areas like Nashville, large companies need more quality workers and many Californians have been able to keep comparable salaries.
- Values Alignment
We’ve personally seen many of our clients leave and move to a place that supports their conservative viewpoints. As California becomes more “blue” we have seen conservatives leave to other “red” states.
- Following Loved Ones
If you are a grandparent you may be feeling the pull of the “grandkid magnet”, as we call it. Yes, you long to be with the grandkids and your children just took them and moved halfway across the country. Will you follow? Of course, you will! We see this all the time and have watched grandparent after grandparent follow their grandkids.
Why are you considering moving out of state? We’d love to hear your feedback.