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California Exodus: Soaring Home Prices and Congestion Push Californians to Texas for Affordable Housing and Conservative Values

  • Many Californians are moving to Texas for more affordable housing. The median home price in Texas is less than half of California's.

  • Californians feel they get more amenities and quality of life in Texas for less money. One couple went from a cramped apartment to a 5 bedroom house.

  • Some conservative Californians feel more comfortable expressing political views in Texas compared to liberal California cities.

  • Poor air quality and congestion are pushing some away from California cities and to smaller Texas towns.

  • Texas is seen as more retirement friendly given lower taxes and cost of living. One retiring couple bought a large home in Texas for the price of their small California lot.

businessinsider.com
Relevant topic timeline:
### Summary Many people who have left California in search of lower expenses and improved financial stability have encountered unforeseen challenges and costs that have offset the perceived benefits. ### Facts - 💸 Taking a Lower Salary: Some individuals experience a significant decrease in salary when moving to another state, which cancels out any cost of living savings. - 🏠 Overspending on Housing Upgrades: People often think they can afford a bigger and better home in their new state, but the higher price can negate any cost savings. - 🛫 Returning To California Frequently: The strong urge to visit friends and family in California can lead to increased travel expenses. - 📈 Not Accounting for Surprising Cost-of-Living Increases: Some areas, like Austin, Texas, may experience unexpected increases in living costs, which can impact budgeting. - 💰 No Emergency Fund for Unforeseen Expenses: Moving can come with a lot of unexpected financial challenges, such as car accidents or home repairs, which can strain finances. Note: This is a summary of an article and not personal advice.
Many people who leave California in search of a cheaper cost of living end up making costly mistakes, such as taking lower salaries, overspending on housing upgrades, and not accounting for surprising increases in the cost of living in their new state.
A recent study reveals that young and affluent residents are leaving California, New York, and Illinois, with Florida and Texas being the top destinations for relocation among this demographic.
Many young Americans are concerned about the difficulty of purchasing a home due to the high cost of real estate and stagnant salaries, particularly in cities experiencing intense gentrification, with Los Angeles, California seeing the largest increase in housing prices at 23.8% since September 2022, followed by San Diego, California and Richmond, California.
Amid the pandemic, high-income families are leaving high-cost cities for more affordable areas like Florida and Texas, resulting in a significant impact on states' tax bases and finances, with California and New York experiencing the largest outflow of wealthy residents.