I'm ok with it at this point. For me it's only temporary. I'm at a crossroads and am looking for a career change. I may even go back to school.

Since my wife will be supporting me, I'm in no position to argue for a slightly nicer part of the state. She has a good job in Manteca and we don't need to live any father away than necessary. I've already told her I'm not going to be looking for work (like career type work) in CA and every moment of my days will be spent either looking for work from home or work in a state we both agree to live in (Idaho, Nevada, Colorado, Texas, Arizona, and maybe parts of Montana). So, the deal is she will quit her job and move to one of the compromise states as soon as I find a job that will allow us to get by on a combined income. In most of the places I listed, we can't live on a RN's wage alone.

So, CA is temporary but at this point in my life what I want above all things is to feel settled. I just want to be where I'm going to be for the forseeable future.

Thanks guys! I'm ironing my wool pajamas!

Just wait until you start paying California taxes. Then when the state is still bankrupt the next day, you'll be in the LOL zone.

I'd have to double my salary to move from Texas to California to make up for the taxes and cost of living - and in the end still have the same amount of cash in the end. Absolutely no thanks.

Unless somebody wants to double my salary. SmileWavy

Oh no no... I've already been paying CA state taxes... It's a mutual property state than therefore sees my income as part of my wife's income. Pretty cool huh!

Small price to pay to live in constant fear of the police jacking me up and raiding my house, I say.