RE: [californiadisasters] Re: New member

Moved to the discussion group because I have a feeling this might extend.

 

Kylie,

 

I’m not trying to shoot down your dreams.  This may sound harsh, but so is life at times and this can be part of your education.

 

Let’s use another state as an example.  In Hawaii, there are very limited natural resources.  Everything must be shipped in (fuel, food, clothing, everything).  Since there is finite space, much tighter than in CA, there are only so many people that it can bear.  They have wisely locked it down for future growth to protect what is still there having learned that once it’s gone, it’s gone forever.  The thought is that “If you want to come into our group, you must provide something that the group needs. What is it that you bring?”

 

You can get your education (same value, MUCH cheaper to obtain) outside CA.  The cost of living here is VERY high, though not as high as Hawaii.  I’ve been many places and the one thing that drives the local economy is the housing.  When the housing is cheap, the other items can be too (fuel, food, the ‘necessities of life’).  When housing costs are high (and everything is taxed up the wazoo, with little or no thought to keeping or building the infrastructure) then even a loaf of bread costs more.  When the population density is high (SoCal), the costs are even higher because the pressure is higher (market driven).

 

The short version is that you cannot survive on a minimum wage job in CA.  You might elsewhere, but not here.  You will need gainful employment (double minimum wage at least) lined up (and a place to live) BEFORE you get here and only AFTER you understand the true costs of living here (crowded, limited privacy, a LOT of DO and DON’T rules).  There are limited resources here too (part of the reasons for the rules) and we’re well above capacity already if we want to be self-sustaining.  If we keep building, we won’t be able to keep what makes CA special.  Once gone, it’s forever gone.

 

With all the immigration into CA (legal or not), there is not currently enough job market to support the need.  Which means instead of being a useful member of society, one could become a leech, further draining the state.  After a career of dealing with 3rd, 4th and 5th GENERATION of professional welfare recipients I can safely say that you do NOT want to be involved in that sub-culture (it isn’t a happy fruitful society).  You would not be able to escape without a considerable amount of work.

 

By the time you have gotten your education (well, at least schooling) the situation may change, but it will be some time (years unless we go to war again) before it gets better.  I’ve watched the state go through this before.  It really is not pretty but since I was established here, I’ve been able to survive, even thrive.

 

One of the reasons I watch the local economies when I travel is that I’ve long thought about bailing out of CA.  I’ve lived here all my life (am a native), still have a couple family members here (though most has bailed already, others have passed on) and think it’s a great place to live (if you’re selective about where to land).  If you love the outdoors, there are few places that can beat it (mountains, forests, seashores and deserts).  But it has far too many grumpy people (a sign of over-crowding), too much BS to deal with and the quality of life is slipping more each year.  I also understand that even with my decent fixed income (retired), once I leave CA I will NEVER be able to afford buying back in.  And that my standard of living (house for example) can be MUCH higher for the same amount of money elsewhere.  I haven’t found my perfect place, but many are close to what I want.

 

By all means, follow your dreams.  But do not get starry eyed about any one place, including CA.  Follow them intelligently.  Do your research (homework), then dip your toe to test the water (a short term visit) before you dive in.  No place wants another leech and CA can’t afford it.  And figure out what it is that you can bring with you for the group.  I wish you all the best and good luck.

 

Rick

www.HappyMoosePhoto.com

Wildlife and scenic images

 

---

From: californiadisasters@yahoogroups.com [mailto:californiadisasters@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of newnethboy
Sent: Thursday, July 08, 2010 11:51 AM
To: californiadisasters@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [californiadisasters] Re: New member

 

 

That's how things got as Rick describes them; people coming out here for
"the dream". Started during the Dust Bowl. Read the book or watch the movie
of Grapes of Wrath.

During WWII, those coming had jobs awaiting. They were the ones who built
modern SoCal, and it was great while they controlled it.

Rick gave you good advice; take it.

----- Original Message -----
From: "Kylie Mckee" <kyliemckee73@yahoo.com>
To: <californiadisasters@yahoogroups.com>
Cc: <kyliemckee73@yahoo.com>
Sent: Thursday, July 08, 2010 11:24 AM
Subject: Re: [californiadisasters] Re: New member

Things may look 'bad', but that doesn't stop me. I don't have to be rich to
move
out there. Somehow I know it will work out for me as bad as I want it.

________________________________
From: Rick Bates <HappyMoosePhoto@gmail.com>
To: californiadisasters@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Thu, July 8, 2010 12:40:04 PM
Subject: RE: [californiadisasters] Re: New member

While I haven’t been to Fla yet (close but not yet), I’m reminded of the
phrase
“All that glitters…” I’ve been many places in the country, my eyes are
always
open, looking for another place to live.
If you’re just starting out, CA is WAY expensive (mostly housing and energy
costs) and the job market is MUCH tighter than the rest of the country. I’m
not
saying don’t come on in, but do your research about CA, get your education
elsewhere (and a job before you arrive) and you’ll be ahead of the game
(upper
level schools are in the tens of thousands of dollars here, lower level
schools
are broke). Many of us are thinking about leaving CA. It’s too crowded,
too
broken and the AI (arse vent index) is too high (more so in SoCal, but it’s
spread north into OR and WA too). Of course if you’re independently
wealthy…
Rick
www.HappyMoosePhoto .com
Wildlife and scenic images

________________________________

From:californiadisasters @yahoogroups. com [mailto: californiadisasters
@yahoogroups. com ] On Behalf Of Kylie Mckee
Sent: Thursday, July 08, 2010 9:06 AM
To: californiadisasters @yahoogroups. com
Cc: kyliemckee73@ yahoo.com
Subject: Re: [californiadisaster s] Re: New member

I know there are interesting rocks around here. I did not mean that
everything
was literally only sand and seashells. I just want to feel earthquakes. I've
been to So Cal once and next time, I will be there for good. I appreciate
your
message and I am interested in the study of rocks and plate tectonics in
general. I appreciate the whole Earth. Please understand that I have a
certain
place I belong. I collected rocks I found here in Florida for a while. My
parents even found a massive fossilized coral chunk 2 summers ago. I didn't
mean
to complain about where I am so much. I'm just itching to move to southern
California . I especially felt restless after learning about the recent
temblor
in southern Cali and reading people describing what they felt. It made me
crazy!!!

__._,_.___

Be sure to check out our Links Section at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/californiadisasters/links
Please join our Discussion Group at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/californiadisasters_discussion/ for topical but extended discussions started here or for less topical but nonetheless relevant messages.

Your email settings: Individual Email|Traditional
Change settings via the Web (Yahoo! ID required)
Change settings via email: Switch delivery to Daily Digest | Switch to Fully Featured
Visit Your Group | Yahoo! Groups Terms of Use | Unsubscribe

__,_._,___