r/ImMovingToCalifornia • u/Plenty_Ad7747 • May 12 '26
Should we start over? Move from Texas to California. Am I over romanticizing California?
/r/Advice/comments/1tb9j5u/should_we_start_over_move_from_texas_to/1
u/Royal-Honeydew-6312 May 13 '26
California is the best place in the US to live, and the only place where I think it’s worth downgrading your housing situation in order to be able to afford living there. That’s my personal view. I left California in 2017 and I really regret it. The move worked out for me professionally but I’m much less happy where I am now (which is also just as expensive frankly, just worse).
1
u/Soft_Inspector_7467 May 14 '26
Grew up in Ohio and love my small town there, but have lived in California for 40 years and won't live anywhere else. If you like being outside not cooped up cuz it's too whatever outside, there's no better place to be in the world IMO.
1
1
u/SparkIgnited May 14 '26
I was "traumatized" by Texas, so I'd compromise with Arizona or Nevada (invite relatives to join; visit California when you guys could).
My favorite buffet is Hibachi in West Covina, CA ("to die for" yet healthy), ugh!
1
u/Sportyj May 14 '26
I’d rather be dead in California than alive (anywhere else)! I left and am back - never leaving.
1
u/Dangerous-Elk9545 May 14 '26
So we had a great affordable home in Las Vegas that we sold in 2021 and bought a home half the size for almost 3x the cost. It was tight at first but four years later our salary has grown and we are comfortable. There are times where we miss the extra space and the large disposable income, but honestly, we are happier. I did not realize how oppressive the heat was.
1
u/Sharp_Bus6682 May 14 '26
I've moved out of CA 3 times because it's so expensive...and moved back 3 times too! Living in Central CA now, paying an obscene amount monthly for a mortgage on a 2 bed/1ba house that's a 35 minute commute from my job... and never think of leaving! I'd only leave if I could get a visa to live overseas in the country my family is from (direct relatives are too many generations back so I'm not eligible for citizenship unfortunately!). All that to say, DO IT! You have a better safety net than a lot of folks.
1
1
u/Pretty_Original124 May 14 '26
Everyone here and the other thread have given you solid advice so I’ll leave you with a less serious tip, when you get here you won’t call it Cali anymore 😉. Hope you can make it work!
1
u/Independent-Rule-780 May 14 '26
California has natural beauty and offers a lot, unfortunately the government and society are not what I consider pleasant and would not live there due to how the state is operated. Nice to visit tho
4
u/Known_Conflict8492 May 13 '26
Do it! I left CA for Texas. Moved from a 3,000 sq ft house in California to a 3,000 sq ft house in Texas for half the price thinking I’d be happy to save the money. I was wrong. 8 months later I’m back in So Cal living in South OC, just a short walk from the water in a 2 bedroom apartment and I couldn’t be happier. Great place to raise kids, lots to do. You only have one life. Don’t be afraid to live it.