Why I Don't RV Or Even Drive in California

[UFO Pilot]

I hate the tax burden and the politics here BUT, I have only been in 41 of the great States so fart and I have yet to find one I would prefer to live in over California. No bugs, no humidity, no tornadoes, no hurricanes and no weather extremes. Just my opinion, yours may vary.

[TimSullivan]

I moved to California back in 1982 from Michigan and never looked back. I absolutely love California and everything about it. In my experience they're two type of people in the U.S. Those that live in California and those that don't but wish they did. Most people who bash my beautiful State are jealous and truly know very little about it. They are jealous of the outstanding, year round tropical climate we have here and the fact that you can experience the most beautiful beaches on the Pacific ocean in the morning and be skiing on the mountain slopes in the afternoon. Yea, it's expensive here but so are a lot of other highly desirable places in the world.

But if you don't like our beautiful State please do us all a favor and stay away. We don't want you or yours here. Moreover, if you do come here and are stupid enough to get a ticket pay the fine or do the time--in any event, stop your whining.

[Theberrys]

We lived in CA from 1965 to 2004 and found that the weather was great, job opportunities were excellent, people at a neighborhood level were friendly, taxes were high to match income and did I mention the weather. When it became time to retire we decided CA was just not a good option on a fixed income so we moved to New Mexico. Here the weather is OK, cost of living is much lower, the people are great because we live in small communities, the biggest city in the state is Albuquerque and the population is only 750K. In general I say "California was very very good to me" but Albuquerque is a great place to retire with money earned in California. We paid our share of taxes but they didn't take it all!
Dick

[CampDaven]

Originally Posted by UFO Pilot

I hate the tax burden and the politics here BUT, I have only been in 41 of the great States so fart and I have yet to find one I would prefer to live in over California. No bugs, no humidity, no tornadoes, no hurricanes and no weather extremes. Just my opinion, yours may vary.

No bugs? No humidity. I found both.
Where there ain't bugs or humidity, it may rumble or burn or mudslide. Pure paradise.

[timetogo]

We didn't know you were here, and didn't know you left. Another non-event..........As the world turns.

[Belgian]

Stay in Delaware

[LarrytheBear]

Originally Posted by Tom N

Easily solved by obeying traffic laws. Works in all states!

I agree... Sometimes things happen, but then you still take care of them as the law requires.
I haven't been to California since 1970's, but hopefully I will make it back this year. (I'll bring my own water )

[BeachDude]

The only reason I ever go back to California is to live there! I go there to purchase more investment apartments, and to collect rent from my great tenants, (which completely fund my RVing habit, will send my kids to any college they desire, and also pay for my beach house). I go there to raise my kids and send them to absolutely excellent public schools. I keep returning to California because I still work there in the aerospace industry as an executive and that work isn't available everywhere. I like California because the weather is fantastic, and I can visit the beaches in the summer, (I live on the beach), and the Alpine mountains in the winter, and the beautiful deserts in Spring. And, California is home to great chefs and cuisine, with cheap domestic wines to wash it down.

Yeah, the smog sucks, so I live at the beach. Yeah, the traffic sucks, so I commute in a Prius and listen to books on Audible. Yeah, the taxes suck, but my tenants pay them for me.

[UFO Pilot]

Some of the fines are outrageous and a few of them are posted for all to see: red light violation $381, HOV lane violation $391, etc. Even with the fines posted numerous people continue to violate the law and then complain about the high fines.

[CampDaven]

Originally Posted by BeachDude

The only reason I ever go back to California is to live there! I go there to purchase more investment apartments, and to collect rent from my great tenants, (which completely fund my RVing habit, will send my kids to any college they desire, and also pay for my beach house). I go there to raise my kids and send them to absolutely excellent public schools. I keep returning to California because I still work there in the aerospace industry as an executive and that work isn't available everywhere. I like California because the weather is fantastic, and I can visit the beaches in the summer, (I live on the beach), and the Alpine mountains in the winter, and the beautiful deserts in Spring. And, California is home to great chefs and cuisine, with cheap domestic wines to wash it down.

Yeah, the smog sucks, so I live at the beach. Yeah, the traffic sucks, so I commute in a Prius and listen to books on Audible. Yeah, the taxes suck, but my tenants pay them for me.

How very humble.
Glad it works for some. We aren't used to smog and traffic, but know ways and byways to avoid them. But then, we are at another time, where there is lots of time, and the Journey is Our Destination. YMMV.
Happy Trails

[lanerd]

If you don't like California......don't go there. If you live there and don't like it....move.

Simple.

Ron

[traveler of california]

Originally Posted by Scarab0088

Thanks So we can agree that CA does not have the HIGHEST tax burden in the nation as was proclaimed earlier.
And, please notice the difference between #25 (Colorado, which is the "median") is only 8 days.

Safe travels

Eighty days of work just to hit the median - wow, impressive. Guess I just don't understand the highest income tax rates in the country along with the highest sales and fuel taxes and the outrageous vehicle license/registration fees.

Has Fantasyland expanded to cover the entire state?

[Gadget Man]

Originally Posted by Pigman1

Yes, I know the high fuel prices, the unbelievable traffic congestion, the lack of common courtesy of CA drivers, and a stack of other reasons, but this one takes the cake......

I didn't before, but now I'm doubly sure I won't.

As you said, the roads are congested enough...so you won't be missed

[Scarab0088]

Originally Posted by traveler of california

Eighty days of work just to hit the median - wow, impressive. Guess I just don't understand the highest income tax rates in the country along with the highest sales and fuel taxes and the outrageous vehicle license/registration fees.

Has Fantasyland expanded to cover the entire state?

I would word it: "Only eight days of work to hit the median - wow! That's how thin is the difference between 47th and 25th."
Demonstrates the use of the term "average"

Fantasyland covering the entire state...? It is beautiful, but don't like brag that much

Would love to understand why the "Traveler of California" (and other locals here) are so down on the old homeland(?). Don't drink the koolaide of unsupported belief that the other 49 are so much better.
Except for amazing places like Alaska or the almost Tax Free Nevada most states are pretty much equal...knowledge is power.

Safe travels