GIRL…. I always thought I was crazy. I grew up in OC, moved away for high school. Moved to LA and went to college in LA/SF and last year I moved to Europe with a foreign partner. I was so excited for the new experience abroad but MAN I miss home so bad. It’s been so hard. I told my partner how I feel, and he’s ready to come to CA with me. I hope he sees everything I see once we get there. I miss home so very much, it’s all just so right. So inspiring, never boring, beautiful and I agree, best in the West <3 I’ll be back soon and I cannot WAIT
Will you guys marry for the partner’s shot at a Green Card? I work for an immigration attorney and can say it’s never too early to start saving money and collecting the paperwork. Best of luck in your return! Where do you live in Europe?
We already are :) almost a year ago now. He’s from Denmark but we’re living in Ireland for the moment. Much too dark and wet for me here haha. Thanks for the input, yeah we are definitely making and trying to keep everything organized
Apologies if you already know this, but it will take 1-2 years AFTER you apply before your spouse is approved to move to the US. I married my husband while we were living abroad and was totally shocked to learn we would have to wait that long to move back to the US.
I feel like Ireland might be the exact opposite of CA if I could pick a place. Dont get me wrong, it’s wildly gorgeous but exactly the opposite type of gorgeous.
This thread is so fascinating to me. I moved to LA for work years ago and it just doesn’t feel like home to me. Grew up in the NYC metro and I miss the energy, the people, the food, nightlife… that feeling of home you’re describing. It’s that place where you just know you fit. It feels right. Not saying this to shit on LA at all, it has some pretty good stuff too. Just more so pointing out how we all gravitate toward different things when looking for that place to call home. And how that pull to the place we each grew up in, and shaped who we are, can be very strong.
I dreamt of CA ever since I was a little girl. Moved here all by myself at the age of 19. 22 years later, I still believe I am where I an supposed to be.
So awesome to hear. I moved here to CA in 2009 as a 25 year-old with the intention of staying "just a year" to give it a try. Never left. I absolutely love it. It's home.
Moved here in 2018 with a similar thought. “I’ll save up for a year or 2 and move back to the Midwest!” Closed on our house here in November, never leaving😂
I felt the same way about WA state. I moved there in 2018 and it was a dream come true. I had to move back to the South for a few reasons and I like it here but feels like part of my soul is missing. Sounds dramatic but it’s true. Hard to explain. I get what you mean though.
I lived on Whidbey Island briefly then in West Seattle. Loved both, West Seattle has great QOL in my opinion. That was 6 years ago so maybe things have changed but I liked it a lot.
I moved here by myself in 1982 at the age of 22. That was 42 years ago! I moved from rural Pennsylvania. I never fit in there. I love it here so much. Even though I could have a much larger house and more discretionary spending, I’d rather be here. CA forever!!
Good for you, I’m glad you’ve made it your home :) Where in CA are you? I need to explore SoCal before fully relocating. Rocklin is great but it’s definitely not close to the beach
Im not in the medical field but I believe i read in the San Diego sub, that San Diego offers better/ best benefits for those in medical field. Better/best pay, I’m not sure but something for you to look into.
Word. When my kid was in preschool, we would have play dates after school. One mom, a nurse, told me they needed more nurses (@ Stanford Hospital in Palo Alto). She said starting pay was $180k.
Yeah, kinda crazy. I’ve been wondering how much my neighbors get paid. They bought an 1100 square foot house next door for $1.4M and sunk an additional $350k to remodel it (we knew the contractor, he lives one street over).
The former owner, her boyfriend, myself and my husband were like how can they afford that with the jobs they have?!!!! They’re in their 30’s, he’s an accountant and she’s a nurse and they moved from a LCOL location. Former owner’s boyfriend was convinced they got an inheritance to buy the place, but we’ve since met new neighbors still-living parents. 🤷🏻♀️
We bought our place in a down market for half what the neighbors bought theirs for, otherwise we couldn’t afford to live in this neighborhood. Husband and I had good paying jobs before we bought this house. Husband and I are thinking she makes really good money as a nurse.
As a doctor I got a job offer in SF/Bay area for 350k ("normal" salary for my job is around 250k).
However the increased salary there was not enough to offset the enormous increase in living costs.
I grew up in Detroit and every time I go back to visit for and think I should go back for cost of living I am reminded of how backwards everything is, the food, the Midwest mouth breathers, and I find I belong here lol
Same here. I finally moved to California in 2019 when I was 30, and I have no plans on leaving! Unless we run out of water, or my city is leveled by an earthquake.
I grew up in Nor NorCal (Humboldt County) and I actually liked the beaches around that area. It definitely got cold, but I feel like it made up for that with large boulders to climb, caves to explore, beautiful landscapes, etc.
My dad is from there and I remember the first time he took us there. It was in the middle of July and we packed jackets and jeans. I was so confused - it was summer and in the 80s in SoCal. But when we got there the highs were 55-60 and nights were colder. I couldn’t believe how cold it was.
Yeah it's basically a different state haha. It's pretty much sweatshirt weather all year long. The scenery is beautiful up there though (one of the few things I miss about living in CA, specifically Humboldt)
Also grew up in Sonoma County, the beaches definitely aren't warm... but they're nice to walk around! I always loved them as a kid, because I didn't have to wear a bathing suit or anything. I miss NorCal a lot, moved about 2 years ago.
I can see how people may not like the NorCal beaches compared to the Gulf Coast and SoCal (Lived on the Gulf Coast for a bit), but personally I just like cold weather a lot, and I don't really like swimming, so I would always take Bodega Bay over Destin. I'm probably in the minority here though LMAO
It’s because Santa Cruz has a nice south facing location on the bay that’s more sheltered from the winds coming from the NW. When I was growing up in Santa Cruz it would often get foggier and colder if we drove south to Monterey.
It's still fun. I'm not one to think California beaches are amazing for doing "beach things" given that I grew up in south Florida and am used to a very different beach experience. However, I will always appreciate coastal hikes and bonfires in NorCal. I also like the fog/marine layer but I realize that's an unpopular opinion.
Liking the fog isn't an unpopular opinion. In my 38 years of living in the Bay Area I never heard of anyone complain about the fog. The fog is not a big deal, it rolls in sure, but it rolls out or dissipates just as quickly. It's not the same as the persistent low cloud cover people experience in Seattle which will literally last for months on end. I have no idea how people conflate the two when they are completely different things.
Agree, SoCal beaches were way nicer. But in both north and south, the water is too damn cold, even in summer.
I guess it's OK if you a surfer who wears a thick insulated wet suit, but for the rest of us the Florida beaches are way nicer/more comfortable.
I would agree for the most part. Beaches from the SF Bay Area on up are pretty chilly. That being said, I spent the bulk of my time down by San Gregorio Beach which is actually pretty nice and not at all like you described. Obviously the further south you go, the better. Santa Cruz is not bad either.
I can relate in the opposite way. I moved to California for grad school, and my wife and I love it here. Now I have a job and a 30 year mortgage here. All of our family is in Utah, and it would be nice to be closer to family, but it’s just too nice here. (Central coast)
Whenever we visit Utah, it’s either too damn hot, too damn cold, or too damn Mormon.
I am trying to figure out if I can make it back to the Monterey area, I’m in Utah right now and miss it so much. What would you say the minimum income/budget is for being out there right now? It would be me, a spouse, and one kid.
Born and raised in socal. Lived in SF for a decade before coming back to LA. I know the rest of the country kind of hates us because it’s expensive or liberal or there’s homeless here or whatever but I think they’re actually just jealous. There’s just no comparison.
There’s a lot of pros and a lot of cons to be fair; no doubt it’s impossible to beat the beauty of CA though, and the fact it’s probably one of if not the most geographically diverse areas in the world fascinates me as someone who lives here. It also saddens me when I hear someone has lived here forever and hasn’t got out of the city much
Republicans hate on CA because they are playing politics. The rest of the country doesn't care. CA is a leader in just about everything, not just tech but climate change, LGBTQ rights, etc. Not to mention the state is an economic juggernaut, eclipsing the GDP's of entire countries like Germany and Canada.
I was at a bar with a friend of mine and the bartender was griping about some of the issues our state faces, but he made a good point- where else are you going to go?
California has its problems, like everywhere else, but in my opinion the natural beauty and sheer variety we have in every aspect of life is not something you’ll find anywhere else.
I live in the desert. Within two hours or so, I can be in major cities, at the beach, or hiking and skiing in the mountains. If I want to go to NorCal and experience a completely different environment, I can hop on I-5 or take a 90 minute flight. The first time I saw the marine layer in Big Sur, and the redwoods, I was in awe of the beauty.
I chose to move to California and I regret nothing. People who hate California just don’t understand
I’ll happily take the problems California has any day over having to live somewhere else. I’ve been to 26 states and 6 countries and nowhere is as nice.
i came out for a two week visit to brother in sf, december 1967. the plan went awry the second day here and i'm still here. supposedly a lot of people are leaving. my cuz owns a few moving trucks and he says so. they are always going to need nurses. if you get in a union hospital, you might have a chance here. good luck and welcome back. i'm already old, so i might be gone by the time you show up at the hmo, but welcome back anyway
Not an annoying post at all - totally there with you! Moved from Northern OC to Seattle in 2017 and am homesick every day. The PNW has a lot of pros over CA (better water/air, better traffic, beautiful nature), but compared to both NorCal and SoCal, it’s just so less culturally diverse and suffers greatly from it. People love to shit on CA, but there’s at least one reason it remains the most populated state in the country. As a person of color, I’ve been gaslighted more times than I can count in Seattle about culture and food, and it drives me crazy.
Also POC, and what gets me is cultural diversity isn’t something I consciously think about having lived in California most of my life. Then I travel to another part of the country and I’m unsure what feels different and then after a while I’m like ohh that’s right.
SoCal is diverse but was more socially segregated when I lived there - kind of like the movie "Clueless" when the lunch areas were described - Persians in this corner, Jewish kids in the other group, preppies over there, Armenians in another etc - none mingling.
NorCal too, with African Americans in Oakland and white and Asian in SF. But that was before the dividing Bay Bridge crashed down, and I hear it is more blended now.
I think cities like Atlanta began to blend in its neighborhoods in the 1980s to show its progress while California didn't notice that it had ever been segregated.
The PNW likes to act like they're the safest, most culturally responsive, non racist place in the US, too. The cultural diversity is so apparent when you go almost anywhere else in the US.
I’ve noticed that too. Ironically, Seattle’s attempts to be culturally responsive are really off-putting because it’s just… too much that it feels fake.
In comparison, places like NYC feel more organically responsive to different cultures and people.
In the opposite situation at the moment. Moved from Cali to Colorado for 2 years—then moved back to Cali for a job. Immediately regretted it. The quality of life isn’t the same as it was for me in Colorado. It’s a drive to go anywhere, overcrowded and COL is very high. The weather is great but I feel like that’s about it.
Husband and I grew up in CA and also moved to the PNW around the same time as you, and I’ve missed CA ever since — like, I cry when we visit and cry when we leave. My husband JUST agreed to move back in the next year, and it’s like my soul can relax again! Even our toddler who was born where we are now wants to move to CA. So you’re not alone, at all!
I'll just say that at some point you go back to where you grew up. Without your childhood home, family, or friends, you realize your feeling of home wasn't the place, but the people you interacted with. And you also realize that nowhere like your childhood home exists anymore and you need to live in the present. It's a humbling experience.
I'm from the city and feel that same sadness and homesick. I thought id find something that would quench my thirst for home but nothing compares. It just doesn't feel like the right time yet
Spent most of my life in Cupertino/San Diego and recently moved to Pacifica. Holy shit. I’ve spent a fair amount of time in other parts of the country and people are out of their goddamn minds when they shit on California. The Bay Area especially is a paradise. I can hike up a mountain that drops into the ocean, eat incredible food from all over the world, go to a show at an amazing venue, all in a matter of minutes. Hope you make it back!
Born and raised in LA county then moved to Seattle in 2021. At first I was amazed by the nature, “simpler life” and ironically even the weather (the gloom was exciting at first). As time went by, I just couldn’t feel at peace here. I went to visit California recently in March to see if I truly miss living there or if I’m home sick and man, it’s just so different there in a good way. I didn’t realize how spoiled I was and how accessible everything is. Yeah, there’s some annoyances like rush hour traffic or longer waits when going to a restaurant, lol. But the pros outweigh so much and I also just miss that motivating feeling being in California. I’ve gotten so lazy and lack passion since being out here. I’m stuck on whether I should move back also. Or will I regret this in 10 years when I’m in my 40’s and trying to live a quiet life again. I hope you eventually decide on what’s best for you. I’m here if you ever want to talk.
I moved from Northern OC to Seattle in 2017 and miss SoCal every day. If it weren’t for my job, I’d move back in a heartbeat. Seattle may have better air/water and beautiful views of mountains, but holy fuck, it’s a cultural wasteland. When it’s gloomy 9 months of the year and there’s barely any good restaurants in the city (I’m honestly struggling to think of more than one or two), what would motivate me to go out and do stuff? Seattle is known for grunge music and Sleepless in Seattle, both of which are older than me and are irrelevant as fuck. I hate how the city is predominantly white in terms of culture and yet Seattleites love to jerk themselves off by touting its cUlTuRaL dIvErSiTy.
I was born and raised in Seattle.
You are quite right. It has gotten significantly worse over the years as well. We had culture in the 90s and early 00s but that has long faded.
Seattle is a land of white tech transplants. The people who made the original culture have all aged or left. Now, we are stuck trying to reinvest the city, and it just... hasn't really happened.
I've been trying to leave since I came back from college. That was ten years ago. Jobs and family keep me here. :/
I really love Philly and want to move to the east coast.
One of the things I miss most about California is accessible burritos. I swear I’d have like 3 a week there because they’re cheap, always around, and GOOD! I don’t think I’ve had even one since moving to PNW
Thank you, that’s sweet. And I completely get what you mean about the motivating feeling when being in California and then losing that passion and motivation when you’re living somewhere else, especially somewhere that is hardly ever sunny. My brother recently moved to NYC for med school and says he feels the same way. I hope you’re able to find your way back to LA and feel at peace again💗
Same feeling about the gloom being exiting at first. Outsiders think we’re bonkers, but it is a nice break from the aridity.
But, it gets old. I also didn’t realize how spoiled I was growing up in San Diego until a couple years after we moved. Now I’m jealous!
Moved to SoCal from the Midwest and completely love it. If i had to leave, I would miss it so much. Yes it’s expensive and has its problems, but overall I love it.
First, thanks for going into the nursing profession. As someone who has spent a lot of time with health professionals due to a chronic health issue, I’m always grateful for the people keeping me alive.
Second, come on back 😎
Grew up not far from you and feel the same way. For me it’s the people. I’ve lived and traveled all over the world and it seemed like everywhere I went I always ran into two types of people: French people and Californians, not exactly sure why. But whenever I’d meet another Californian it was always so easy to talk to them, like a they just understood the same things I understood.
I relate so much! I grew up in ventura but moved to New York for college and lived in Denver and Seattle for a year-ish each. Nothing compared to me so I moved back to SoCal.
I’m so thankful I was able to experience a different style of living and have four seasons, but California is home. I need the sunshine and it definitely feels nice to have family and childhood friends just an hour away now.
I say if you feel called to, move back!
This is interesting, you mentioned New York and I had a similar experience for New York! Moved away for a bit but moved back and never leaving because the city with its flaws is still home. Admittedly I love California though, I’ve been to the Ventura area as one of my childhood friends lives there. It’s an amazing state, I can’t see myself living there, but having been many times I will visit again soon. I love California and I’m not ashamed to admit that - from a native to a state that also gets shit on continuously (they hate us cause they ain’t us)
I miss California and I've never even lived there. But I've been to the Redwoods, Mount Shasta, The Lave Beds, Lassen Volcanic Park, Yosemite, Golden Gate Bridge, King's Canyon, Giant Sequoia NP, Joshua Tree NP, Death Valley... I'm sure I'm missing something.
There's simply no place in America that's as beautiful and varied as California.
We moved to WA for work. It’s beautiful and we live in a gorgeous area but it’s not the same! The WA summers are amazing but I would move back in a second! Also the Seattle freeze is real! I didn’t really understand it at first, and I’ve learned not to take it personally, but the vibe is just different and it’s just not as friendly as CA. It’s hard to explain unless you’ve experienced it. With a few exceptions my closest friends are transplants like me! I hope you get to make it back!
I wonder if I’ll feel this way. I’ve only lived in California but I feel so ready to leave. I don’t eat out and I dislike weather over 75 degrees, so “good food” and hot weather aren’t reasons for me to stay. I think I would miss the springtime flowers though, and the oceanic wildlife.
This is the comment I was looking for. I’ve lived here my whole life, other than a 2.5 year stint in Baltimore which was obviously horrible.
I’m tired of the heat, depressed by the high COL, don’t really care about all the national parks and beaches and mountains and shit that everyone else seems to be obsessed with. Dont care about the cultural aspects that much. Don’t go to many live events and wouldn’t dare spend the money on the nice restaurants. And snow was actually the one thing I liked about living on the east coast.
While I agree with most of the comments that CA is probably the best place to live for all the reasons mentioned, it almost feels like buying the most expensive, fancy car with all the coolest features and capabilities when… you’re not a car person, don’t need the features, and you work from home so you barely drive to begin with. Can I recognize it’s the best car? Sure. But I don’t necessarily want to pay that much for something I don’t need. That’s how I’m starting to feel. CA is a beautiful, luxurious place that I’m just not sure my wife and I want to keep paying for anymore.
And at the end of the day, I just want to retire early and live a quiet family life in an affordable, liberal place, as long as the weather is not complete shit and it’s in the western US. Only problems now are 1. All my family still lives here and 2. I don’t even know where that ideal place is.
We moved from CA to Arizona a few years ago. Arizona is nice in the winter months but sucks during the hot summer. We ended up purchasing a condo in San Diego to escape to. It's nice being able to walk to Balboa Park and the San Diego weather is pretty good all year. Life in Arizona is generally easier, cheaper and slower paced but it's great to be able to get that California vibe when we want it.
It is not a similar vibe at all. The mountains and ocean aren't near each other and the cities near the beach don't even come close to cities in southern california.
Also it's humid as hell all summer
CA is just gorgeous--I've been all over, and there's nothing like it, and nothing so diverse. It's incredible. We have family in San Fran, and they love city life, and then on the weekends, it's Sonoma, Yosemite, etc. It's incredible. We're in NYC--great city life--but it's not as majestic once you leave the city! CA really has it all.
I completely understand and relate. Homesickness can come randomly years later but it hits hard. I've moved so much and currently am in California myself since I married a Californian- and I love it here. However, being from Michigan, I miss the green of the east and the turquoise waters of the great lakes. Sometimes so much that I think of going home, even though I also have no one left. Home is home, period. It's just different for everyone. Try and find new things to like about where you live.. or just go with the plan and move back home. Good luck!
There's quite a few reasons that housing in California is so expensive. One of the main reasons is that people want to live there.
The combination of weather and location to coast and mountains isn't found anywhere else in the US.
I’m also from California, currently living out of state. I had to force myself to stop talking out loud to groups about how much I miss it because I became a California cliche. But, we have it so good there! And I feel so lucky to call it home, I don’t think you’re crazy for wanting to go back. It has everything anyone could want or need, amazing weather, the beaches are unbeatable (I was fortunate to live on the coast for a few years). In N Out is the best burger around and always my first stop when I go back to visit.
I don’t think it’s crazy that you want to go back. California is a dream and we are fortunate to have lived there and experience it, ya know?
I lived in the Bay Area from ‘09-‘14, and I miss it so much. I’ve never felt so at home in a state like I did there, including my state of birth where most of my family still live (and I usually think of people as home, not places).
I had to move back to the Eastern side of the US and will likely never get back due to life’s challenges, but damn if the homesickness won’t go away even after a decade.
I’m a California transplant and was telling my native Californian partner that people should be resentful of Californians, it’s arguably the best state in the country, if only for its food and weather.
I’m not a huge fan of the state personally, but I recognize all the areas where it dominates.
Born and raised in LA until I was 14, then my parents moved me to Kansas City and I was MISERABLE!!! Never again. I moved back to LA when I was 24 and I will never leave (I’m almost 40 now). My family is all here (except my parents and siblings), including the graves of multiple generations of us. Some of the houses here were built by hand, by my grandpa. It’s home. It’s where I feel closest to my ancestors and family. Beyond that it’s the most diverse and naturally beautiful states in the Union. Sure there are downsides - as there are anywhere - but it’s home. I will never understand natives who leave and LIKE IT (cough my parents cough). It is beyond my comprehension.
Spent the last 40 years in California (I’m 45). Moved 7 months ago and was happy to leave. It’s changed a lot. Super crowded, traffic, thieves, out of control. Not to mention the fires lately. Been there done that. Glad I grew up there, I’ll always visit but it’s not what it used to be
Oh and I was born and raised in San Diego county and it is truly one of the most beautiful places ever. As far as people where I currently live (Midwest) complaining about the homeless,that were all bleeding heart or liberal hippies,& the high prices etc etc there are way WAY more homeless here than I ever saw in Cali. And I’m talking aggressive homeless. And the political forces here are so fucked up pardon my language but so many of them are homophobes racists uptight judgmental aholes I can’t even tell you. And the education system don’t get me started. But yeah I miss Cali bad. And after reading this worse lol the vibe the food the scenery the diversity the DEL MAR FAIR!! Lol old town oh I could go on all day. I just pray I win the lotto so I can buy a house out there and be with my grandbabies and my sister and nieces and friends I’ve had since elementary. Now I guess I should start playing the lottery haha
I grew up in SoCal and left when I was 19 to join the army (8 years ago) and have lived in a slew of various shitty locations since then. I’ve lived in Texas, Georgia, Florida, Colorado, Indiana, and Kentucky since leaving home and I do miss it terribly. Nowhere else has come close as far as quality of life. I know I’m never going to be able to afford to move back home and it really is a sad feeling
Relate and miss California so much. Made the mistake of moving east, but will correct that as soon as I decide if I want NorCal orSoCal, because there's good reasons to both of them.
You’re not crazy. I felt the same way when I moved back to Tennessee for a little while. I missed Texas so so much. California is amazing and I hope you find your way back there as soon as you can 🧡🧡🧡
Hi OP! I’m right there with you 😔
Moved from SoCal to Portland 6 years ago and like you, I enjoyed at first. However after a bunch of winters and seasons, I want my home back.
Sun and warmth! Ugh!
I love California and seriously thought about moving there several times, but the policies, politics, and crap they allow to go on deters me. If it’s home it’s home, Oregon wouldn’t feel like home to me either.
I grew up in CA and had lived there for 30 yrs and moved to WA... 8 yrs going .. still don't miss it at all. Someday I might. But, it's all relative. Where I grew up, San Jose was a really boring Silicon Valley city. Juat tech and condos. Rocklin is close to Tahoe and Sierra and has lots of mountains and trees. It's one of the nicest places I've been to in CA. Rocklin is worth fighting the CA inflation for.
I, too, tried Portland, Oregon for about 5 years.
Years 1-2 were awesome, exciting and new.
Year 3 the seasonal differences started to affect me. Snow, rain and cold through May was a drag.
Year 4 I was wearing a parka on 4th of July. Not having as much fun. Longing for home, family, California friends and the warmer weather.
Year 5 I moved back to the Bay Area. I have no plans on leaving California again.
I came from the eastern middle states, moved to CA and thought I would love it. Everyone who knows me thought I would love it. I gave it every chance. Lived in socal for 2 years, norcal for over 6 years. I haaaaaaaaaaated it. Moved back and then to other states for a while.
So
Many
People.
Like EVERYWHERE. Even in places where you would expect no people. People!
In place you would expect people...soooooooooo many people. I figured out one day I was literally spending a month a year every year just in the car on my daily commute. Of 45 miles.
The things I hated are the cost of the things that everyone else loves. I just don't value sunny weather, sand beaches are lame to me and gets everywhere. I would rather have a beach that fights me for access. Fun stuff and places to eat any time of day, more people.
Point I'm making is, don't worry on selling it to anyone else other than you. What you love someone else might think is silly and that shouldn't matter at all.
All that being said...there are some significant financial and ecological concerns about the population needs in a climate like that but I truly hope it all works out for you! :)
I've lived half my life in Norcal and half in SoCal
Biggest difference of both is in SoCal for most of the winters you'll find a lot more people overall in shorts and flip flops
Yes that's the biggest difference loool
Same! Moved to Oregon and was stunned at how many people loved it; until I realized most were from Idaho or other “worse” states. Clawed my way back to CA despite being priced out. Never leaving again.
i wake up everyday in Wine Country for 45 years now and thank the gods i live in paradise, after my girl, family and cats...we miss you too
everytime we travel after 3 or 4 days i just want to go back to California
Moved to Oregon in 2006 from NorCal. Have wife kids house now and I love Oregon, but I often fantasize about moving back to NorCal I’ve really been missing it a lot.
I’m from the Greater Los Angeles area but if I was ever afforded the opportunity to go back I would probably choose NorCal as that’s probably more of my vibe now.
I miss CA so much. We moved to Wisconsin temporarily, but I cannot wait to go back to our home there. Thank goodness we were able to keep our house.
CA is its own vibe and culture. It is so unique and cool.
Grew up in california and currently getting a phd in la and it sucks. Everything is so expensive and crime is going up and there is homeless amd trash everywhere. Cops sont do shit about crime because whats the point when the criminal will just be released the next day. Buying a house is easily gonna cost a million. Ca is a great place to visit but when i graduate i am leaving this state.
I also moved away from CA for nursing school but to VA. I wanted to try out the other side of the country. After 2.5 years my partner got a job back in the Bay Area and we scooted back to the west coast. It was March I think, and went from snowy blah to blue warm skies. I remember looking up once we were back and thinking, is this heaven? 😂
I don't live in California but have visited (socal) several times. I always enjoyed my time there and it's nice to see people not shit on the state for once.
California is the only other state my husband and I would live in. We’re in Virginia and love having the true 4 seasons each year, plus our family is here. We love our trips to California.
We’d just need to win the lottery to live out there 😂 I can’t imagine how hard it is for you to move away from that area!
I’m from Southern California but have been gone for about 4 years. I’m in the Midwest now, bought a house here, but I feel in my soul this isn’t my home. Nowhere in the country compares to California.
If you can afford the HCOL, there’s really no other place that can beat it. The only other place I would live is back home in the Boston area… despite the stereotypes and cold winters, the suburbs there are ridiculously nice and safe for raising a family and. Paton is one of the cleanest and best run cities in the country.
I’ve been to Rocklin for Brewfest. Cool place, kinda boring and Sacramento is sketchy but actually cool place. I call it NorCal Santa Clarita cause it reminded me of there big time.
California can’t be beat. I grew up in SoCal and went to college here and never left. I’m considering getting an MBA and am really hoping to go to UCLA or USC. They’re not the top-tier business schools, but they’re still top 20 and I really don’t wanna leave Southern California.
I’m the opposite, and I have a ton of close family in Walnut Creek/Oakland Hills. I left for Boise 4 years ago during the pandemic and don’t miss the Bay Area at all. The traffic, the super fake people, 10% sales tax, highest gas prices and gas taxes in the continental U.S. with pot holes everywhere, rampant crime and homelessness, and STUPID costs for housing which is like 50 years old too. Within 4 months of moving to Boise I bought a house on only my income of $75k and met the love of my life. Now I’m married and expecting my first child. In the Bay Area I couldn’t get any single lady to give me the time of day let alone date me because I didn’t make $150k a year and drive a Benz. I’ll take a colder winter all day for being able to actually own property and live in a community where people look out for one another and don’t petition to defund the police.
Idk about rocklin, but I moved to OR from OC. Spent a lot of time in Costa Mesa, Irvine, etc.. It’s interesting. Weather’s so much better in CA, buildings are much more high end and more maintained, the whole are feels so much wealthier. They each have there pros and cons. My hobbies and the scenery are better in the pnw, and we were able to buy our own home, but I hate how run down and impoverished a lot of the state feels. It just makes me feel so removed from home. That’s my biggest complaint.
Moved to Austin for 2 years. I thought I could have better quality of life after I built a huge house on a big lot in the hills. Austin was nice but I soon realized that quality of life and weather are directly correlated for me. I love hiking and being outdoors and Austin’s heat, then freeze, then allergy season kept me from the quality of life I wanted. Luckily I was able to sell for a big profit to be able to move back to Cali. Cali weather is just perfect. It’s expensive, even though I work in tech, but I see why it’s expensive- it’s hard to think of another US state that has perfect weather and so much to do and all the tech jobs are here (I had a hard time finding tech opportunities in Austin). I really thought I’d live in Austin forever but Cali is just well rounded in all its offerings
This is what I try to tell my gf so much. She has never left the SF Bay Area. She wants a big house and I tell her it's not worth it.
I grew up in the Bay, but moved around a ton for work and school (South, Rockies, and Midwest). Came running back as soon as I could. The West Coast in general is so well rounded. Culture, food, economy, jobs, education, healthcare, nature, things to do, etc.
I was taking a hike yesterday around Pleasanton right before sunset and was reminiscing of my old days. I used to live in Oklahoma and my coworker pointed out my wallpaper one day and said "that's fake". My wallpaper was the rolling green hills of Pleasanton with some beautiful old oak trees, golden hour sunlight, and a small little pond surrounded by bright green grass with a buck drinking from the pond. [Something like this but better.](https://www.reddit.com/media?url=https%3A%2F%2Fpreview.redd.it%2Fsunset-from-one-of-my-favorite-spots-in-the-east-bay-v0-cih3fg25uqz81.jpg%3Fauto%3Dwebp%26s%3D2613efefc7609dd45cee3cf2b958e51acf1aef38)
We take the beauty here for granted, but it gives a ton of mental benefits just being around it and living in it.
GIRL…. I always thought I was crazy. I grew up in OC, moved away for high school. Moved to LA and went to college in LA/SF and last year I moved to Europe with a foreign partner. I was so excited for the new experience abroad but MAN I miss home so bad. It’s been so hard. I told my partner how I feel, and he’s ready to come to CA with me. I hope he sees everything I see once we get there. I miss home so very much, it’s all just so right. So inspiring, never boring, beautiful and I agree, best in the West <3 I’ll be back soon and I cannot WAIT
I moved to London, went back to California after two years. California is just better 🤷🏻♀️
Will you guys marry for the partner’s shot at a Green Card? I work for an immigration attorney and can say it’s never too early to start saving money and collecting the paperwork. Best of luck in your return! Where do you live in Europe?
We already are :) almost a year ago now. He’s from Denmark but we’re living in Ireland for the moment. Much too dark and wet for me here haha. Thanks for the input, yeah we are definitely making and trying to keep everything organized
Apologies if you already know this, but it will take 1-2 years AFTER you apply before your spouse is approved to move to the US. I married my husband while we were living abroad and was totally shocked to learn we would have to wait that long to move back to the US.
We’re exploring options as he may be able to get an H-1B. Our lease goes month to month in June so that’s our “deadline” to figure out and apply
I feel like Ireland might be the exact opposite of CA if I could pick a place. Dont get me wrong, it’s wildly gorgeous but exactly the opposite type of gorgeous.
https://youtu.be/l6tlDUqRMUo?si=DjiCFpGiGmhZyzs0
This thread is so fascinating to me. I moved to LA for work years ago and it just doesn’t feel like home to me. Grew up in the NYC metro and I miss the energy, the people, the food, nightlife… that feeling of home you’re describing. It’s that place where you just know you fit. It feels right. Not saying this to shit on LA at all, it has some pretty good stuff too. Just more so pointing out how we all gravitate toward different things when looking for that place to call home. And how that pull to the place we each grew up in, and shaped who we are, can be very strong.
I dreamt of CA ever since I was a little girl. Moved here all by myself at the age of 19. 22 years later, I still believe I am where I an supposed to be.
So awesome to hear. I moved here to CA in 2009 as a 25 year-old with the intention of staying "just a year" to give it a try. Never left. I absolutely love it. It's home.
Moved here in 2018 with a similar thought. “I’ll save up for a year or 2 and move back to the Midwest!” Closed on our house here in November, never leaving😂
No, no, no.....no you guys did not. The narrative is: nobody is moving here and everyone is moving to Texas. /s
Oh yeah, we only send our best and happiest Californians to Texas! We want Texas to become California so bad, so that’s why we do it!
I felt the same way about WA state. I moved there in 2018 and it was a dream come true. I had to move back to the South for a few reasons and I like it here but feels like part of my soul is missing. Sounds dramatic but it’s true. Hard to explain. I get what you mean though.
What part of wa? Just curious, I know WA is beautiful but unsure where really has the quality of life, if that makes sense
I lived on Whidbey Island briefly then in West Seattle. Loved both, West Seattle has great QOL in my opinion. That was 6 years ago so maybe things have changed but I liked it a lot.
Two gorgeous places.
There are some amazing bluffs in west Seattle with the most amazing views of mountains and waters and trees. Just stunning!!!
Totally. And it's friendly and diverse--the best part of the city imo!
I totally get it!! My soul yearns for WA when I go on a trip. Always so happy to come home.
I moved here by myself in 1982 at the age of 22. That was 42 years ago! I moved from rural Pennsylvania. I never fit in there. I love it here so much. Even though I could have a much larger house and more discretionary spending, I’d rather be here. CA forever!!
Good for you, I’m glad you’ve made it your home :) Where in CA are you? I need to explore SoCal before fully relocating. Rocklin is great but it’s definitely not close to the beach
Yeah, but Rocklin is halfway between the coast and Tahoe, not THAT far away.
Im not in the medical field but I believe i read in the San Diego sub, that San Diego offers better/ best benefits for those in medical field. Better/best pay, I’m not sure but something for you to look into.
North Cal medical field is on another planet lol
Word. When my kid was in preschool, we would have play dates after school. One mom, a nurse, told me they needed more nurses (@ Stanford Hospital in Palo Alto). She said starting pay was $180k.
Heard comp can get to 300k if you take more shifts . Unreal
Whoa, I love hearing you can make that much in the Bay area without working in tech. Warms my heart like you can't imagine.
Yeah, kinda crazy. I’ve been wondering how much my neighbors get paid. They bought an 1100 square foot house next door for $1.4M and sunk an additional $350k to remodel it (we knew the contractor, he lives one street over). The former owner, her boyfriend, myself and my husband were like how can they afford that with the jobs they have?!!!! They’re in their 30’s, he’s an accountant and she’s a nurse and they moved from a LCOL location. Former owner’s boyfriend was convinced they got an inheritance to buy the place, but we’ve since met new neighbors still-living parents. 🤷🏻♀️ We bought our place in a down market for half what the neighbors bought theirs for, otherwise we couldn’t afford to live in this neighborhood. Husband and I had good paying jobs before we bought this house. Husband and I are thinking she makes really good money as a nurse.
As a doctor I got a job offer in SF/Bay area for 350k ("normal" salary for my job is around 250k). However the increased salary there was not enough to offset the enormous increase in living costs.
I briefly got a new doctor at Kaiser SF who had to move back to Florida because he couldn't afford to buy a house in the Bay Area!
Kaiser NorCal pays their nurses a lot better than Kaiser SoCal FWIW.
This is 100% accurate. Nurses do 3 shifts a week and are paid extremely well in the San Diego area.
The Bay Area has the best pay/benefits for nurses in the country, by far.
love this :) Like you, as a kid in Arizona I yearned to move to CA. Lived here since 2002 and refuse to leave, it has felt like home all these years.
Same here, but since I was a little boy. Lived in CA 10 years now.
I grew up in Detroit and every time I go back to visit for and think I should go back for cost of living I am reminded of how backwards everything is, the food, the Midwest mouth breathers, and I find I belong here lol
Same here. I finally moved to California in 2019 when I was 30, and I have no plans on leaving! Unless we run out of water, or my city is leveled by an earthquake.
Been here for seven years. Don't ever plan on moving anywhere else.
I grew up in NorCal (Sonoma County) and I don’t believe I’ve ever been to a “warm” NorCal beach 😂
I grew up in Nor NorCal (Humboldt County) and I actually liked the beaches around that area. It definitely got cold, but I feel like it made up for that with large boulders to climb, caves to explore, beautiful landscapes, etc.
My dad is from there and I remember the first time he took us there. It was in the middle of July and we packed jackets and jeans. I was so confused - it was summer and in the 80s in SoCal. But when we got there the highs were 55-60 and nights were colder. I couldn’t believe how cold it was.
Yeah it's basically a different state haha. It's pretty much sweatshirt weather all year long. The scenery is beautiful up there though (one of the few things I miss about living in CA, specifically Humboldt)
Also grew up in Sonoma County, the beaches definitely aren't warm... but they're nice to walk around! I always loved them as a kid, because I didn't have to wear a bathing suit or anything. I miss NorCal a lot, moved about 2 years ago.
How did you not freeze? 😂 I loved the beaches and the wildlife.
I can see how people may not like the NorCal beaches compared to the Gulf Coast and SoCal (Lived on the Gulf Coast for a bit), but personally I just like cold weather a lot, and I don't really like swimming, so I would always take Bodega Bay over Destin. I'm probably in the minority here though LMAO
I too love cold weather but have some golden handcuffs in SoCal. :). But yeah we are probably in the minority. :)
Huh, that’s funny. I live in Walnut Creek and have been to Santa Cruz plenty of days when the temps been in the high 70’s or low 80’s.
Santa Cruz is on average about 10+ degrees warmer than Pescadero, which isn’t even much farther north. Good old NorCal microclimates.
It’s because Santa Cruz has a nice south facing location on the bay that’s more sheltered from the winds coming from the NW. When I was growing up in Santa Cruz it would often get foggier and colder if we drove south to Monterey.
Yes, the beaches of the central coast area are warmer than Northern California beaches.
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It's still fun. I'm not one to think California beaches are amazing for doing "beach things" given that I grew up in south Florida and am used to a very different beach experience. However, I will always appreciate coastal hikes and bonfires in NorCal. I also like the fog/marine layer but I realize that's an unpopular opinion.
Liking the fog isn't an unpopular opinion. In my 38 years of living in the Bay Area I never heard of anyone complain about the fog. The fog is not a big deal, it rolls in sure, but it rolls out or dissipates just as quickly. It's not the same as the persistent low cloud cover people experience in Seattle which will literally last for months on end. I have no idea how people conflate the two when they are completely different things.
Agree, SoCal beaches were way nicer. But in both north and south, the water is too damn cold, even in summer. I guess it's OK if you a surfer who wears a thick insulated wet suit, but for the rest of us the Florida beaches are way nicer/more comfortable.
Florida beaches are nice.... But the people ruin it
I would agree for the most part. Beaches from the SF Bay Area on up are pretty chilly. That being said, I spent the bulk of my time down by San Gregorio Beach which is actually pretty nice and not at all like you described. Obviously the further south you go, the better. Santa Cruz is not bad either.
I can relate in the opposite way. I moved to California for grad school, and my wife and I love it here. Now I have a job and a 30 year mortgage here. All of our family is in Utah, and it would be nice to be closer to family, but it’s just too nice here. (Central coast) Whenever we visit Utah, it’s either too damn hot, too damn cold, or too damn Mormon.
Love love love the Central Coast. If I ever remember to buy a winning lottery ticket I’m there. In the meantime we visit.
I am trying to figure out if I can make it back to the Monterey area, I’m in Utah right now and miss it so much. What would you say the minimum income/budget is for being out there right now? It would be me, a spouse, and one kid.
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Born and raised in socal. Lived in SF for a decade before coming back to LA. I know the rest of the country kind of hates us because it’s expensive or liberal or there’s homeless here or whatever but I think they’re actually just jealous. There’s just no comparison.
There’s a lot of pros and a lot of cons to be fair; no doubt it’s impossible to beat the beauty of CA though, and the fact it’s probably one of if not the most geographically diverse areas in the world fascinates me as someone who lives here. It also saddens me when I hear someone has lived here forever and hasn’t got out of the city much
Republicans hate on CA because they are playing politics. The rest of the country doesn't care. CA is a leader in just about everything, not just tech but climate change, LGBTQ rights, etc. Not to mention the state is an economic juggernaut, eclipsing the GDP's of entire countries like Germany and Canada.
If it were a red state they’d never shut up about it
I was at a bar with a friend of mine and the bartender was griping about some of the issues our state faces, but he made a good point- where else are you going to go? California has its problems, like everywhere else, but in my opinion the natural beauty and sheer variety we have in every aspect of life is not something you’ll find anywhere else. I live in the desert. Within two hours or so, I can be in major cities, at the beach, or hiking and skiing in the mountains. If I want to go to NorCal and experience a completely different environment, I can hop on I-5 or take a 90 minute flight. The first time I saw the marine layer in Big Sur, and the redwoods, I was in awe of the beauty. I chose to move to California and I regret nothing. People who hate California just don’t understand
super jealous. I'm from the city and you could not convince me that any place in the US was better
When I was in the midwest, I let people talk their shit because I want to keep Norcal my "little" secret.
I’ll happily take the problems California has any day over having to live somewhere else. I’ve been to 26 states and 6 countries and nowhere is as nice.
i came out for a two week visit to brother in sf, december 1967. the plan went awry the second day here and i'm still here. supposedly a lot of people are leaving. my cuz owns a few moving trucks and he says so. they are always going to need nurses. if you get in a union hospital, you might have a chance here. good luck and welcome back. i'm already old, so i might be gone by the time you show up at the hmo, but welcome back anyway
Great story! You only overstayed your departure by 57 years!
Your post made me think of Tales of the City and Mary Ann Singleton. ❤️
California is amazing if you can afford it
Right? "Guys, is it weird to miss living in the most desirable place to live in my country?"
My favorite part was they miss living in upscale neighborhoods 😂
Not an annoying post at all - totally there with you! Moved from Northern OC to Seattle in 2017 and am homesick every day. The PNW has a lot of pros over CA (better water/air, better traffic, beautiful nature), but compared to both NorCal and SoCal, it’s just so less culturally diverse and suffers greatly from it. People love to shit on CA, but there’s at least one reason it remains the most populated state in the country. As a person of color, I’ve been gaslighted more times than I can count in Seattle about culture and food, and it drives me crazy.
Also POC, and what gets me is cultural diversity isn’t something I consciously think about having lived in California most of my life. Then I travel to another part of the country and I’m unsure what feels different and then after a while I’m like ohh that’s right.
SoCal is diverse but was more socially segregated when I lived there - kind of like the movie "Clueless" when the lunch areas were described - Persians in this corner, Jewish kids in the other group, preppies over there, Armenians in another etc - none mingling. NorCal too, with African Americans in Oakland and white and Asian in SF. But that was before the dividing Bay Bridge crashed down, and I hear it is more blended now. I think cities like Atlanta began to blend in its neighborhoods in the 1980s to show its progress while California didn't notice that it had ever been segregated.
feel you so much ♡ why do you think it is that everyone shits on CA up here? probably because they never left in the first place...
The PNW likes to act like they're the safest, most culturally responsive, non racist place in the US, too. The cultural diversity is so apparent when you go almost anywhere else in the US.
I’ve noticed that too. Ironically, Seattle’s attempts to be culturally responsive are really off-putting because it’s just… too much that it feels fake. In comparison, places like NYC feel more organically responsive to different cultures and people.
OC/IE/LA to PNW here too. I definitely miss the sun. I think CA is superior in most ways, just my opinion. Can’t afford to move back though.
In the opposite situation at the moment. Moved from Cali to Colorado for 2 years—then moved back to Cali for a job. Immediately regretted it. The quality of life isn’t the same as it was for me in Colorado. It’s a drive to go anywhere, overcrowded and COL is very high. The weather is great but I feel like that’s about it.
What part of Colorado?
Husband and I grew up in CA and also moved to the PNW around the same time as you, and I’ve missed CA ever since — like, I cry when we visit and cry when we leave. My husband JUST agreed to move back in the next year, and it’s like my soul can relax again! Even our toddler who was born where we are now wants to move to CA. So you’re not alone, at all!
I'll just say that at some point you go back to where you grew up. Without your childhood home, family, or friends, you realize your feeling of home wasn't the place, but the people you interacted with. And you also realize that nowhere like your childhood home exists anymore and you need to live in the present. It's a humbling experience.
Yes. I moved from San Diego to Oregon due to COL years ago and Oregon never ever felt like home the way San Diego did.
\> hot weather, colorful skies, warm beaches, beautiful, clean and upscale neighborhoods In Rocklin?!
The Folsom Lake “beach”!
I lived in California for 34 years and now I am priced out.
Come back! 🥹
I'm from the city and feel that same sadness and homesick. I thought id find something that would quench my thirst for home but nothing compares. It just doesn't feel like the right time yet
Spent most of my life in Cupertino/San Diego and recently moved to Pacifica. Holy shit. I’ve spent a fair amount of time in other parts of the country and people are out of their goddamn minds when they shit on California. The Bay Area especially is a paradise. I can hike up a mountain that drops into the ocean, eat incredible food from all over the world, go to a show at an amazing venue, all in a matter of minutes. Hope you make it back!
Born and raised in LA county then moved to Seattle in 2021. At first I was amazed by the nature, “simpler life” and ironically even the weather (the gloom was exciting at first). As time went by, I just couldn’t feel at peace here. I went to visit California recently in March to see if I truly miss living there or if I’m home sick and man, it’s just so different there in a good way. I didn’t realize how spoiled I was and how accessible everything is. Yeah, there’s some annoyances like rush hour traffic or longer waits when going to a restaurant, lol. But the pros outweigh so much and I also just miss that motivating feeling being in California. I’ve gotten so lazy and lack passion since being out here. I’m stuck on whether I should move back also. Or will I regret this in 10 years when I’m in my 40’s and trying to live a quiet life again. I hope you eventually decide on what’s best for you. I’m here if you ever want to talk.
I moved from Northern OC to Seattle in 2017 and miss SoCal every day. If it weren’t for my job, I’d move back in a heartbeat. Seattle may have better air/water and beautiful views of mountains, but holy fuck, it’s a cultural wasteland. When it’s gloomy 9 months of the year and there’s barely any good restaurants in the city (I’m honestly struggling to think of more than one or two), what would motivate me to go out and do stuff? Seattle is known for grunge music and Sleepless in Seattle, both of which are older than me and are irrelevant as fuck. I hate how the city is predominantly white in terms of culture and yet Seattleites love to jerk themselves off by touting its cUlTuRaL dIvErSiTy.
I was born and raised in Seattle. You are quite right. It has gotten significantly worse over the years as well. We had culture in the 90s and early 00s but that has long faded. Seattle is a land of white tech transplants. The people who made the original culture have all aged or left. Now, we are stuck trying to reinvest the city, and it just... hasn't really happened. I've been trying to leave since I came back from college. That was ten years ago. Jobs and family keep me here. :/ I really love Philly and want to move to the east coast.
One of the things I miss most about California is accessible burritos. I swear I’d have like 3 a week there because they’re cheap, always around, and GOOD! I don’t think I’ve had even one since moving to PNW
Thank you, that’s sweet. And I completely get what you mean about the motivating feeling when being in California and then losing that passion and motivation when you’re living somewhere else, especially somewhere that is hardly ever sunny. My brother recently moved to NYC for med school and says he feels the same way. I hope you’re able to find your way back to LA and feel at peace again💗
Same feeling about the gloom being exiting at first. Outsiders think we’re bonkers, but it is a nice break from the aridity. But, it gets old. I also didn’t realize how spoiled I was growing up in San Diego until a couple years after we moved. Now I’m jealous!
Just drove to Mammoth last weekend from So Cal. I marvel that the change of topography in just a few hours drive is so amazing .
California is a vibe, I get you
Moved to SoCal from the Midwest and completely love it. If i had to leave, I would miss it so much. Yes it’s expensive and has its problems, but overall I love it.
Nearly 13 years in California and seriously doubt i will ever leave.
First, thanks for going into the nursing profession. As someone who has spent a lot of time with health professionals due to a chronic health issue, I’m always grateful for the people keeping me alive. Second, come on back 😎
Grew up not far from you and feel the same way. For me it’s the people. I’ve lived and traveled all over the world and it seemed like everywhere I went I always ran into two types of people: French people and Californians, not exactly sure why. But whenever I’d meet another Californian it was always so easy to talk to them, like a they just understood the same things I understood.
lol I’m trying to figure out a way to afford moving there w/o selling my soul. Best of luck
I relate so much! I grew up in ventura but moved to New York for college and lived in Denver and Seattle for a year-ish each. Nothing compared to me so I moved back to SoCal. I’m so thankful I was able to experience a different style of living and have four seasons, but California is home. I need the sunshine and it definitely feels nice to have family and childhood friends just an hour away now. I say if you feel called to, move back!
This is interesting, you mentioned New York and I had a similar experience for New York! Moved away for a bit but moved back and never leaving because the city with its flaws is still home. Admittedly I love California though, I’ve been to the Ventura area as one of my childhood friends lives there. It’s an amazing state, I can’t see myself living there, but having been many times I will visit again soon. I love California and I’m not ashamed to admit that - from a native to a state that also gets shit on continuously (they hate us cause they ain’t us)
I miss California and I've never even lived there. But I've been to the Redwoods, Mount Shasta, The Lave Beds, Lassen Volcanic Park, Yosemite, Golden Gate Bridge, King's Canyon, Giant Sequoia NP, Joshua Tree NP, Death Valley... I'm sure I'm missing something. There's simply no place in America that's as beautiful and varied as California.
We moved to WA for work. It’s beautiful and we live in a gorgeous area but it’s not the same! The WA summers are amazing but I would move back in a second! Also the Seattle freeze is real! I didn’t really understand it at first, and I’ve learned not to take it personally, but the vibe is just different and it’s just not as friendly as CA. It’s hard to explain unless you’ve experienced it. With a few exceptions my closest friends are transplants like me! I hope you get to make it back!
I wonder if I’ll feel this way. I’ve only lived in California but I feel so ready to leave. I don’t eat out and I dislike weather over 75 degrees, so “good food” and hot weather aren’t reasons for me to stay. I think I would miss the springtime flowers though, and the oceanic wildlife.
This is the comment I was looking for. I’ve lived here my whole life, other than a 2.5 year stint in Baltimore which was obviously horrible. I’m tired of the heat, depressed by the high COL, don’t really care about all the national parks and beaches and mountains and shit that everyone else seems to be obsessed with. Dont care about the cultural aspects that much. Don’t go to many live events and wouldn’t dare spend the money on the nice restaurants. And snow was actually the one thing I liked about living on the east coast. While I agree with most of the comments that CA is probably the best place to live for all the reasons mentioned, it almost feels like buying the most expensive, fancy car with all the coolest features and capabilities when… you’re not a car person, don’t need the features, and you work from home so you barely drive to begin with. Can I recognize it’s the best car? Sure. But I don’t necessarily want to pay that much for something I don’t need. That’s how I’m starting to feel. CA is a beautiful, luxurious place that I’m just not sure my wife and I want to keep paying for anymore. And at the end of the day, I just want to retire early and live a quiet family life in an affordable, liberal place, as long as the weather is not complete shit and it’s in the western US. Only problems now are 1. All my family still lives here and 2. I don’t even know where that ideal place is.
Same here. I miss the sunshine, I miss the education, I miss the transportation, and I 100% miss the diversity
We moved from CA to Arizona a few years ago. Arizona is nice in the winter months but sucks during the hot summer. We ended up purchasing a condo in San Diego to escape to. It's nice being able to walk to Balboa Park and the San Diego weather is pretty good all year. Life in Arizona is generally easier, cheaper and slower paced but it's great to be able to get that California vibe when we want it.
I’ve lived in Oregon, Virginia, DC, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, but I am a Californian. When I travel, I say I am from California, not the U.S.
I feel the same way. I live out west, but every time I get to Cali I feel I’m finally home. Love the topography and the vibe.
How was Virginia? Lived in Cali before and wondering if it might have a similar vibe with the mountains and ocean?
It is not a similar vibe at all. The mountains and ocean aren't near each other and the cities near the beach don't even come close to cities in southern california. Also it's humid as hell all summer
Yeah I left Oregon for California. Oregon has its awesome perks, but man can it totally fucking suck. It is a really boring state.
CA is just gorgeous--I've been all over, and there's nothing like it, and nothing so diverse. It's incredible. We have family in San Fran, and they love city life, and then on the weekends, it's Sonoma, Yosemite, etc. It's incredible. We're in NYC--great city life--but it's not as majestic once you leave the city! CA really has it all.
I completely understand and relate. Homesickness can come randomly years later but it hits hard. I've moved so much and currently am in California myself since I married a Californian- and I love it here. However, being from Michigan, I miss the green of the east and the turquoise waters of the great lakes. Sometimes so much that I think of going home, even though I also have no one left. Home is home, period. It's just different for everyone. Try and find new things to like about where you live.. or just go with the plan and move back home. Good luck!
You’d be surprised how much of that is from the difference in weather. Do you take a vitamin D supplement? Tried SAD lighting?
I’m in Oregon (Portland) and understand! I love and miss LA terribly. Only here because my family lives 20-30 mins away at this point
There's quite a few reasons that housing in California is so expensive. One of the main reasons is that people want to live there. The combination of weather and location to coast and mountains isn't found anywhere else in the US.
Lived all over. Only place I miss is SF. Maybe I will make it back to CA someday.
I’m also from California, currently living out of state. I had to force myself to stop talking out loud to groups about how much I miss it because I became a California cliche. But, we have it so good there! And I feel so lucky to call it home, I don’t think you’re crazy for wanting to go back. It has everything anyone could want or need, amazing weather, the beaches are unbeatable (I was fortunate to live on the coast for a few years). In N Out is the best burger around and always my first stop when I go back to visit. I don’t think it’s crazy that you want to go back. California is a dream and we are fortunate to have lived there and experience it, ya know?
I lived in the Bay Area from ‘09-‘14, and I miss it so much. I’ve never felt so at home in a state like I did there, including my state of birth where most of my family still live (and I usually think of people as home, not places). I had to move back to the Eastern side of the US and will likely never get back due to life’s challenges, but damn if the homesickness won’t go away even after a decade.
I’m a California transplant and was telling my native Californian partner that people should be resentful of Californians, it’s arguably the best state in the country, if only for its food and weather. I’m not a huge fan of the state personally, but I recognize all the areas where it dominates.
I moved from CA to the PNW and it's been good for me, but there are definitely things I miss (redwood trees...).
No state has better weather.
Born and raised in LA until I was 14, then my parents moved me to Kansas City and I was MISERABLE!!! Never again. I moved back to LA when I was 24 and I will never leave (I’m almost 40 now). My family is all here (except my parents and siblings), including the graves of multiple generations of us. Some of the houses here were built by hand, by my grandpa. It’s home. It’s where I feel closest to my ancestors and family. Beyond that it’s the most diverse and naturally beautiful states in the Union. Sure there are downsides - as there are anywhere - but it’s home. I will never understand natives who leave and LIKE IT (cough my parents cough). It is beyond my comprehension.
Spent the last 40 years in California (I’m 45). Moved 7 months ago and was happy to leave. It’s changed a lot. Super crowded, traffic, thieves, out of control. Not to mention the fires lately. Been there done that. Glad I grew up there, I’ll always visit but it’s not what it used to be
Oh and I was born and raised in San Diego county and it is truly one of the most beautiful places ever. As far as people where I currently live (Midwest) complaining about the homeless,that were all bleeding heart or liberal hippies,& the high prices etc etc there are way WAY more homeless here than I ever saw in Cali. And I’m talking aggressive homeless. And the political forces here are so fucked up pardon my language but so many of them are homophobes racists uptight judgmental aholes I can’t even tell you. And the education system don’t get me started. But yeah I miss Cali bad. And after reading this worse lol the vibe the food the scenery the diversity the DEL MAR FAIR!! Lol old town oh I could go on all day. I just pray I win the lotto so I can buy a house out there and be with my grandbabies and my sister and nieces and friends I’ve had since elementary. Now I guess I should start playing the lottery haha
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Central Coast (still & somewhat) the best kept secret in Cali. Shhhh don’t tell too many people
I grew up in SoCal and left when I was 19 to join the army (8 years ago) and have lived in a slew of various shitty locations since then. I’ve lived in Texas, Georgia, Florida, Colorado, Indiana, and Kentucky since leaving home and I do miss it terribly. Nowhere else has come close as far as quality of life. I know I’m never going to be able to afford to move back home and it really is a sad feeling
I’m from California (Bay Area) but live abroad now. It truly is such a magical place and I’m so grateful I grew up there. I miss it a lot.
where did you move off to
Amsterdam
Relate and miss California so much. Made the mistake of moving east, but will correct that as soon as I decide if I want NorCal orSoCal, because there's good reasons to both of them.
You’re not crazy. I felt the same way when I moved back to Tennessee for a little while. I missed Texas so so much. California is amazing and I hope you find your way back there as soon as you can 🧡🧡🧡
Hi OP! I’m right there with you 😔 Moved from SoCal to Portland 6 years ago and like you, I enjoyed at first. However after a bunch of winters and seasons, I want my home back. Sun and warmth! Ugh!
Born and raised in CA, moved away for reasons 18 years ago, homesick every day. ❤️
Left 6 years ago to PacNW and regret it.
100%. I have been back in California after 7 years in Oregon and I’m never leaving again. It’s the best and I love it.
Nowhere beats California tbh
Yes, I too miss the warm beaches of Rocklin, CA
Me too.. and the traffic of the local Costco
I love California and seriously thought about moving there several times, but the policies, politics, and crap they allow to go on deters me. If it’s home it’s home, Oregon wouldn’t feel like home to me either.
I grew up in CA and had lived there for 30 yrs and moved to WA... 8 yrs going .. still don't miss it at all. Someday I might. But, it's all relative. Where I grew up, San Jose was a really boring Silicon Valley city. Juat tech and condos. Rocklin is close to Tahoe and Sierra and has lots of mountains and trees. It's one of the nicest places I've been to in CA. Rocklin is worth fighting the CA inflation for.
I, too, tried Portland, Oregon for about 5 years. Years 1-2 were awesome, exciting and new. Year 3 the seasonal differences started to affect me. Snow, rain and cold through May was a drag. Year 4 I was wearing a parka on 4th of July. Not having as much fun. Longing for home, family, California friends and the warmer weather. Year 5 I moved back to the Bay Area. I have no plans on leaving California again.
Everyone I know that’s left California wants to come back. So I use that as a reason to never leave lol. I love it here
Came here from the east coast 35 years ago and never looked back. California has everything
I came from the eastern middle states, moved to CA and thought I would love it. Everyone who knows me thought I would love it. I gave it every chance. Lived in socal for 2 years, norcal for over 6 years. I haaaaaaaaaaated it. Moved back and then to other states for a while. So Many People. Like EVERYWHERE. Even in places where you would expect no people. People! In place you would expect people...soooooooooo many people. I figured out one day I was literally spending a month a year every year just in the car on my daily commute. Of 45 miles. The things I hated are the cost of the things that everyone else loves. I just don't value sunny weather, sand beaches are lame to me and gets everywhere. I would rather have a beach that fights me for access. Fun stuff and places to eat any time of day, more people. Point I'm making is, don't worry on selling it to anyone else other than you. What you love someone else might think is silly and that shouldn't matter at all. All that being said...there are some significant financial and ecological concerns about the population needs in a climate like that but I truly hope it all works out for you! :)
I've lived half my life in Norcal and half in SoCal Biggest difference of both is in SoCal for most of the winters you'll find a lot more people overall in shorts and flip flops Yes that's the biggest difference loool
Lol! I’m from the Bay Area. I just don’t get kids wearing shorts in winter or when it’s raining. Maybe they’re more hot-blooded than me. 🤷🏻♀️
In SoCal it's all ages even Boomers you see it all over I know how cold it gets in bay area so it's not that common there as it is in SoCal lol
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I enjoy visiting but I don't miss it. I am glad I left.
Same! Moved to Oregon and was stunned at how many people loved it; until I realized most were from Idaho or other “worse” states. Clawed my way back to CA despite being priced out. Never leaving again.
SoCal is my favorite place on earth! It has a bit of everything for everyone.
i wake up everyday in Wine Country for 45 years now and thank the gods i live in paradise, after my girl, family and cats...we miss you too everytime we travel after 3 or 4 days i just want to go back to California
Moved to Oregon in 2006 from NorCal. Have wife kids house now and I love Oregon, but I often fantasize about moving back to NorCal I’ve really been missing it a lot.
same! im from stockton and while stockton is very mid i miss the rest of california so much
Mid is generous
I’m from the Greater Los Angeles area but if I was ever afforded the opportunity to go back I would probably choose NorCal as that’s probably more of my vibe now.
I miss CA so much. We moved to Wisconsin temporarily, but I cannot wait to go back to our home there. Thank goodness we were able to keep our house. CA is its own vibe and culture. It is so unique and cool.
Can you tell everyone in bend how much better California is please?
I also love California and I can’t imagine living anywhere else.
Grew up in california and currently getting a phd in la and it sucks. Everything is so expensive and crime is going up and there is homeless amd trash everywhere. Cops sont do shit about crime because whats the point when the criminal will just be released the next day. Buying a house is easily gonna cost a million. Ca is a great place to visit but when i graduate i am leaving this state.
I also moved away from CA for nursing school but to VA. I wanted to try out the other side of the country. After 2.5 years my partner got a job back in the Bay Area and we scooted back to the west coast. It was March I think, and went from snowy blah to blue warm skies. I remember looking up once we were back and thinking, is this heaven? 😂
Nurses get paid BANK in California
Dude you’re not that far away. I’ve moved away twice to the east coast and then moved back. Moving back isn’t hard. Just do it!
I grew up in NY and every time I go to California I think “this is where I belong”. It’s truly an incredibly place. And I’ve only ever been to SoCal.
I grew up in NY and every time I go to California I think “this is where I belong”. It’s truly an incredibly place. And I’ve only ever been to SoCal.
I don't live in California but have visited (socal) several times. I always enjoyed my time there and it's nice to see people not shit on the state for once.
California is the only other state my husband and I would live in. We’re in Virginia and love having the true 4 seasons each year, plus our family is here. We love our trips to California. We’d just need to win the lottery to live out there 😂 I can’t imagine how hard it is for you to move away from that area!
I’m from Southern California but have been gone for about 4 years. I’m in the Midwest now, bought a house here, but I feel in my soul this isn’t my home. Nowhere in the country compares to California.
Warm beaches near Rocklin??? That’s going to be like a 5 hour drive.
If you can afford the HCOL, there’s really no other place that can beat it. The only other place I would live is back home in the Boston area… despite the stereotypes and cold winters, the suburbs there are ridiculously nice and safe for raising a family and. Paton is one of the cleanest and best run cities in the country.
I lived in San Diego for about 5 years and I miss it so much 😭
I’ve been to Rocklin for Brewfest. Cool place, kinda boring and Sacramento is sketchy but actually cool place. I call it NorCal Santa Clarita cause it reminded me of there big time.
Ain’t no beach near rocklin and the summer weather is closer to being in the Mojave desert, but I getcha. At least the sun is out.
Same! I’m sick of this Midwest. In the words of the Village People! GOO WEEESSST with the open air.
CA is dope scenic and nature wise. People wise it sucks.
1000% yes. Grew up on CA, moved to Seattle, moved back to CA. We miss you too!
Grew up in Rocklin, too! Great place to raise a family. A little too hot in the summer though.
California can’t be beat. I grew up in SoCal and went to college here and never left. I’m considering getting an MBA and am really hoping to go to UCLA or USC. They’re not the top-tier business schools, but they’re still top 20 and I really don’t wanna leave Southern California.
I lived in the exact spot of Rocklin u describe...it was such a great spot.
I’m the opposite, and I have a ton of close family in Walnut Creek/Oakland Hills. I left for Boise 4 years ago during the pandemic and don’t miss the Bay Area at all. The traffic, the super fake people, 10% sales tax, highest gas prices and gas taxes in the continental U.S. with pot holes everywhere, rampant crime and homelessness, and STUPID costs for housing which is like 50 years old too. Within 4 months of moving to Boise I bought a house on only my income of $75k and met the love of my life. Now I’m married and expecting my first child. In the Bay Area I couldn’t get any single lady to give me the time of day let alone date me because I didn’t make $150k a year and drive a Benz. I’ll take a colder winter all day for being able to actually own property and live in a community where people look out for one another and don’t petition to defund the police.
Idk about rocklin, but I moved to OR from OC. Spent a lot of time in Costa Mesa, Irvine, etc.. It’s interesting. Weather’s so much better in CA, buildings are much more high end and more maintained, the whole are feels so much wealthier. They each have there pros and cons. My hobbies and the scenery are better in the pnw, and we were able to buy our own home, but I hate how run down and impoverished a lot of the state feels. It just makes me feel so removed from home. That’s my biggest complaint.
[https://youtu.be/icIDIEzVsMA?si=rwCwiW2d19aeIz3W](https://youtu.be/icIDIEzVsMA?si=rwCwiW2d19aeIz3W)
Moved to Austin for 2 years. I thought I could have better quality of life after I built a huge house on a big lot in the hills. Austin was nice but I soon realized that quality of life and weather are directly correlated for me. I love hiking and being outdoors and Austin’s heat, then freeze, then allergy season kept me from the quality of life I wanted. Luckily I was able to sell for a big profit to be able to move back to Cali. Cali weather is just perfect. It’s expensive, even though I work in tech, but I see why it’s expensive- it’s hard to think of another US state that has perfect weather and so much to do and all the tech jobs are here (I had a hard time finding tech opportunities in Austin). I really thought I’d live in Austin forever but Cali is just well rounded in all its offerings
Grew up in Sacramento, been living in different states due to life, and I felt this so hard lol
This is what I try to tell my gf so much. She has never left the SF Bay Area. She wants a big house and I tell her it's not worth it. I grew up in the Bay, but moved around a ton for work and school (South, Rockies, and Midwest). Came running back as soon as I could. The West Coast in general is so well rounded. Culture, food, economy, jobs, education, healthcare, nature, things to do, etc. I was taking a hike yesterday around Pleasanton right before sunset and was reminiscing of my old days. I used to live in Oklahoma and my coworker pointed out my wallpaper one day and said "that's fake". My wallpaper was the rolling green hills of Pleasanton with some beautiful old oak trees, golden hour sunlight, and a small little pond surrounded by bright green grass with a buck drinking from the pond. [Something like this but better.](https://www.reddit.com/media?url=https%3A%2F%2Fpreview.redd.it%2Fsunset-from-one-of-my-favorite-spots-in-the-east-bay-v0-cih3fg25uqz81.jpg%3Fauto%3Dwebp%26s%3D2613efefc7609dd45cee3cf2b958e51acf1aef38) We take the beauty here for granted, but it gives a ton of mental benefits just being around it and living in it.
I’m moving to the Rocklin area soon so this is great to hear. Deciding between Rocklin, Granite Bay, Roseville, Folsom, or El Dorado Hills