How many of you are hoping to leave Southern California (and California itself) for good? Well, I am one of those people.
I would like to move to either Arizona, Nevada, or Colorado. And I would like to accomplish this within the next few years.
You might think I'm really bitter, but actually, here's why I want to leave:
-Prices of housing and property are out-of-control
-Freeway congestion gets worse and worse every year
-Population density in the city is growing and growing
-California politics and income taxation are ridiculous
The other night, at 11:00pm, the 57 freeway in Brea was bumper-to-bumper. An Angels game let out over an hour before, but even so, this is a sign of things to come.
As a graduate student, I cannot imagine buying an *average* home for $700,000. With a 30-year mortgage, I'd probably be driving wherever the money is, so to speak, just to pay the bills every month. I read somewhere that commuting time now will double within the 10-15 years in SoCal. Which means that a 2-hour commute each day will become 4-hours total (that is, round trip to/from work).
Don't get me wrong, I like what California has in the area of mountains and beaches for recreation, but enjoying those things is becoming way too expensive. I figure I can get a house somewhere else for $150,000 and then buy myself a little Cessna airplane and fly out here whenever I want. Even so, the expense of doing just that would easily cost less in the long run.
Finally, I reflect on this move in light of what God desires from me. I want to be a close follower of Him, and I truly think distancing myself from this area would improve that relationship. Face it, the culture here is constantly on the go, we're always driving around, working overtime to pay the bills, thinking about or worrying about our finances, and then cramming in a few minutes here and there for God. I hate how this is, as it frequently affects me personally. I want Godly change in my life.
How do all of you others feel about this? Do you think I'm nuts, or do you half-way understand my thoughts?
Thanks, and God Bless.
I would like to move to either Arizona, Nevada, or Colorado. And I would like to accomplish this within the next few years.
You might think I'm really bitter, but actually, here's why I want to leave:
-Prices of housing and property are out-of-control
-Freeway congestion gets worse and worse every year
-Population density in the city is growing and growing
-California politics and income taxation are ridiculous
The other night, at 11:00pm, the 57 freeway in Brea was bumper-to-bumper. An Angels game let out over an hour before, but even so, this is a sign of things to come.
As a graduate student, I cannot imagine buying an *average* home for $700,000. With a 30-year mortgage, I'd probably be driving wherever the money is, so to speak, just to pay the bills every month. I read somewhere that commuting time now will double within the 10-15 years in SoCal. Which means that a 2-hour commute each day will become 4-hours total (that is, round trip to/from work).
Don't get me wrong, I like what California has in the area of mountains and beaches for recreation, but enjoying those things is becoming way too expensive. I figure I can get a house somewhere else for $150,000 and then buy myself a little Cessna airplane and fly out here whenever I want. Even so, the expense of doing just that would easily cost less in the long run.
Finally, I reflect on this move in light of what God desires from me. I want to be a close follower of Him, and I truly think distancing myself from this area would improve that relationship. Face it, the culture here is constantly on the go, we're always driving around, working overtime to pay the bills, thinking about or worrying about our finances, and then cramming in a few minutes here and there for God. I hate how this is, as it frequently affects me personally. I want Godly change in my life.
How do all of you others feel about this? Do you think I'm nuts, or do you half-way understand my thoughts?
Thanks, and God Bless.
