Escaping the Tyranny of California

[Senko]

The no state income tax is very attractive. I would look at the overall cost to live in the states considered. Property tax, utilities, cost of goods, and state income tax all vary. If retired or close to it, no state income tax is less important.

[calgns3]

The no state income tax is very attractive. I would look at the overall cost to live in the states considered. Property tax, utilities, cost of goods, and state income tax all vary. If retired or close to it, no state income tax is less important.

While, as you point out, the cost of goods and utilities, and the property taxes, are all important factors to be taken into consideration, the no-state-income-tax criterion is not only important relative to wages earned but also to investment earnings being taxed by the state, so it may still be very relevant to those who are retired or close to retirement.

My main reasons for wanting to move out of California are not to save money but of an ideological, moral and religious nature. Corrupted politicians here have not only fomented social and political degeneration with their constant attacks on morality and traditional values, but also produced a persisting avalanche of immigrants who have diluted what back then used to be the established American way of life (I wonder if we are going to experience that same type of development in those states that are now beginning to see a similar influx of immigration and corruption in politics). Life in California, especially in its large towns, at least in certain contexts, is to me now beginning to resemble biblically-described life in Sodom and Gomorrah, a state of living more and more lacking that essential respect for life, morality and justice, with a social climate which encourages personal and financial gain at the expense of everything else, and with much evildoing going on.

But as we of like minds move out of California in significant numbers, what will it be of this once-great state, with its ever-increasing population and substantial financial resources? How will it ultimately affect US federal policy and legislation, and the American ideals and way of life?

It pains me to see such decadence in this once-great Country and it makes me wonder if there could be a design to this destruction of our American values and, if so, who the principal doers responsible for this state of affairs could actually be.

[oddball]

A couple of questions for Kowalskiii and other expatriates reading this thread: How did you go about selecting the state and town in which you live now? What are the benefits compared to your old life in California? Any negative consequences that you would like to mention, or regrets?

My wife and I visited a number of states and towns for a couple of years- Utah, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Nevada, AZ- before we chose TX. We loved the culture, the people were awesome from the get-go (and still are). My wife has some family here, so that made it even easier. We specifically chose our county due to politics, less humidity, close to larger cities and hospitals (Trauma I & II). And we love our town, the best I ever lived in my entire life, the best house I ever lived in. In almost all aspects of life, moving here was an upgrade- in people, neighbors, restaurants, driving/traffic, shopping, groceries, medical (doctors, hospitals), law enforcement, etc. etc. Only weather was a slight downgrade, but I actually don't mind the hot summers, going thru my 7th one. We have zero regrets moving here, except for not doing it sooner.

Texas is a solid red state, no income tax, but higher property taxes. Many of the citizens (and businesses) here have a very deep pride in all things Texas; they will fly the state flag, hang TX banners, stars, paintings, trinkets, in their homes, TX bumper stickers and T-shirts, etc. This is something I have never seen in CA. My wife and I have Texas stuff all over the house.

We don't talk about CA here, only a few know we moved from CA. As another post stated, we are not ex-Californians, but Texans. We wiped the crap off our shoes before entering the state. As you may have guessed, residents in many other states loathe Californians and their ways. CA is the punchline state of the U.S.

[calgns3]

My wife and I visited a number of states and towns for a couple of years- Utah, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Nevada, AZ- before we chose TX. We loved the culture, the people were awesome from the get-go (and still are). My wife has some family here, so that made it even easier. We specifically chose our county due to politics, less humidity, close to larger cities and hospitals (Trauma I & II). And we love our town, the best I ever lived in my entire life, the best house I ever lived in. In almost all aspects of life, moving here was an upgrade- in people, neighbors, restaurants, driving/traffic, shopping, groceries, medical (doctors, hospitals), law enforcement, etc. etc. Only weather was a slight downgrade, but I actually don't mind the hot summers, going thru my 7th one. We have zero regrets moving here, except for not doing it sooner.

Texas is a solid red state, no income tax, but higher property taxes. Many of the citizens (and businesses) here have a very deep pride in all things Texas; they will fly the state flag, hang TX banners, stars, paintings, trinkets, in their homes, TX bumper stickers and T-shirts, etc. This is something I have never seen in CA. My wife and I have Texas stuff all over the house.

We don't talk about CA here, only a few know we moved from CA. As another post stated, we are not ex-Californians, but Texans. We wiped the crap off our shoes before entering the state. As you may have guessed, residents in many other states loathe Californians and their ways. CA is the punchline state of the U.S.

I love Texans' deep pride in all things Texan!

Thanks so much for your feedback and may I ask you what specific county and town you ultimately chose to live in?
Is weather really only a slight downgrade or is it pretty bad - the only negative comments I've heard so far about Texas are pertinent to too hot general weather conditions.

What would you say, based on your research and experience, are a few good Texan counties and towns worthy of consideration as places of residence for people with mindsets similar to our own?

[olddirtygerm]

My wife and I visited a number of states and towns for a couple of years- Utah, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Nevada, AZ- before we chose TX. We loved the culture, the people were awesome from the get-go (and still are). My wife has some family here, so that made it even easier. We specifically chose our county due to politics, less humidity, close to larger cities and hospitals (Trauma I & II). And we love our town, the best I ever lived in my entire life, the best house I ever lived in. In almost all aspects of life, moving here was an upgrade- in people, neighbors, restaurants, driving/traffic, shopping, groceries, medical (doctors, hospitals), law enforcement, etc. etc. Only weather was a slight downgrade, but I actually don't mind the hot summers, going thru my 7th one. We have zero regrets moving here, except for not doing it sooner.

Texas is a solid red state, no income tax, but higher property taxes. Many of the citizens (and businesses) here have a very deep pride in all things Texas; they will fly the state flag, hang TX banners, stars, paintings, trinkets, in their homes, TX bumper stickers and T-shirts, etc. This is something I have never seen in CA. My wife and I have Texas stuff all over the house.

We don't talk about CA here, only a few know we moved from CA. As another post stated, we are not ex-Californians, but Texans. We wiped the crap off our shoes before entering the state. As you may have guessed, residents in many other states loathe Californians and their ways. CA is the punchline state of the U.S.

Coming to Texas was great, Texans (probably not Austin though) take pride in their state and country. We moved with young kids. Right after they get done pledging allegiance to the flag in school, they pledge allegiance to the Texas flag too. People are generally friendly. I align politically better here than with people from California.

[oddball]

Thanks so much for your feedback and may I ask you what specific county and town you ultimately chose to live in?
Is weather really only a slight downgrade or is it pretty bad - the only negative comments I've heard so far about Texas are pertinent to too hot general weather conditions.

I live in Tarrant County outside of Ft Worth, a conservative county and area. For me personally, Texas weather is just different than CA, a slight "downgrade" if you insist calling it that; it all depends on your tastes and tolerances. As a kid, I grew up in SoCal in Pasadena with 90-100 degree summers with 3rd stage smog alerts, so for me, the 90-100 degree summers here are fine by me. To me, weather is a an extremely small price to pay in gaining liberty and a much, much better quality of life. Winters here are actually more of an annoyance to me, it does get much colder (with a little snow and ice) than when I lived in CA. But nowhere near as horrible as Minnesota or Chicago of course. As far as counties to live in, personally for me, I would NEVER live in the Austin area or Houston. The former is a leftist sh*thole (naturally a destination for Californians), though nowhere near the scope of something like San Francisco or Los Angeles, but for Texans, it is bad enough.

[calgns3]

I live in Tarrant County outside of Ft Worth, a conservative county and area. For me personally, Texas weather is just different than CA, a slight "downgrade" if you insist calling it that; it all depends on your tastes and tolerances. As a kid, I grew up in SoCal in Pasadena with 90-100 degree summers with 3rd stage smog alerts, so for me, the 90-100 degree summers here are fine by me. To me, weather is a an extremely small price to pay in gaining liberty and a much, much better quality of life. Winters here are actually more of an annoyance to me, it does get much colder (with a little snow and ice) than when I lived in CA. But nowhere near as horrible as Minnesota or Chicago of course. As far as counties to live in, personally for me, I would NEVER live in the Austin area or Houston. The former is a leftist sh*thole (naturally a destination for Californians), though nowhere near the scope of something like San Francisco or Los Angeles, but for Texans, it is bad enough.

I knew about the Austin area as being very undesirable and am definitely not going to move to it... Regarding Houston, thanks for the heads up!
We get 80-90 degree summers in LA, so 90-100 degree summer weather in Texas should not be much of a concern - as you say, a very small price to pay for liberty and a better life. I lived in San Francisco for a while and now in LA, also for a few years ... very, very bad, indeed!
Thanks so much for your feedback, it is highly appreciated!

[olddirtygerm]

+1 for Tarrant County. I live in North Fort Worth

[calgns3]

As far as counties to live in, personally for me, I would NEVER live in the Austin area or Houston. The former is a leftist sh*thole (naturally a destination for Californians), though nowhere near the scope of something like San Francisco or Los Angeles, but for Texans, it is bad enough.

Unfortunately, these Californians who move to Austin and bring along their leftist ideas sadly dilute the spirit of Texas because they inevitably affect state legislation and policies with their votes and therefore contribute to ruining, to the extent to which they are allowed, the American Spirit and Way of Life in this great State. It has unfortunately been happening to other US states as well. California used to be a great state. It is now lost to these leftist corrupters who use immigration (from countries and societies that are so far removed in their ideologies from American traditions and values as it can possibly be) to enhance their numbers.
I think that, as true Americans, we need to become more and more aware of the dangers that these leftist corrupters of society who shamelessly call themselves "American" pose to our deeply held beliefs and established way of life and to make it as unappealing as possible for these individuals to move to our own beloved states. Possibly, a way to go about it, while we are still a majority in our home states and still can, would be to enact state laws that repel them, just as a good insect repellant acts on disease-carrying mosquitoes. But it all must necessarily start with an awareness of the urgency inherent in the threats we are actually facing.

[calgns3]

+1 for Tarrant County. I live in North Fort Worth

Thanks!

[glassparman]

I have mostly escaped the state as well. I say mostly because I still have one more load to bring to Oklahoma and then I can sell my house in the Antelope Valley. I moved to the AV when I finished my 4 years in the Army in 1985. Over the last 39 years I have seen it decline rapidly and it is no longer the desert haven it once was.

I am blessed to have been able to transfer with my company to the Oklahoma City area and have one more year to work before I retire at 62. My wife and I absolutely love it here. The prices are much cheaper, the people are much nicer. They actually get rain on a regular interval, so I don't even have to water my grass.

For those of you who are still there, do WHATEVER you can to escape while you can. There is real peace in many of these mid-western states . . . except the Dallas/Ft Worth area of Texas. LOL. My daughter lives there and we visit frequently. It is really just a copy of SOCAL.

Here is what you get in Oklahoma for 300K. 3.2 acres in a peaceful area 30 miles south of OKC:

c80a09f92187a879bdb141ce48d69dd7l-m2341773305od-w1024_h768_x2.webp

[calgns3]

I have mostly escaped the state as well. I say mostly because I still have one more load to bring to Oklahoma and then I can sell my house in the Antelope Valley. I moved to the AV when I finished my 4 years in the Army in 1985. Over the last 39 years I have seen it decline rapidly and it is no longer the desert haven it once was.

I am blessed to have been able to transfer with my company to the Oklahoma City area and have one more year to work before I retire at 62. My wife and I absolutely love it here. The prices are much cheaper, the people are much nicer. They actually get rain on a regular interval, so I don't even have to water my grass.

For those of you who are still there, do WHATEVER you can to escape while you can. There is real peace in many of these mid-western states . . . except the Dallas/Ft Worth area of Texas. LOL. My daughter lives there and we visit frequently. It is really just a copy of SOCAL.

Here is what you get in Oklahoma for 300K. 3.2 acres in a peaceful area 30 miles south of OKC:

c80a09f92187a879bdb141ce48d69dd7l-m2341773305od-w1024_h768_x2.webp

Thank you for your input! And if that's a picture of your new Oklahoma's property, or of something similar to it, congratulations, really, and I sincerely hope you and your wife will enjoy your purchase and your new home state to the fullest of your hearts' contents!

I'm not surprised in regard to your comment about the Dallas/Ft Worth area... Some say it features an apparent convervative majority made up by mostly RINO's, some say otherwise. Based on my research so far, it seems to me they are about 50% conservative, 50% liberal. My ideal place would be at least 80C/20L, but maybe that's realistically hard to find.
Here are a couple of references I've read out of the many available on the web: https://www.bestplaces.net/voting/me...orth-arlington https://www.reddit.com/r/FortWorth/c...is_fort_worth/ which basically sum it up.