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I'll lay odds that few here can trace their CA roots back further than mine (I'm 3rd generation San Diegan, my son is 4th generation SoCal). My rose colored glasses broke many years ago but I chuckle a bit when I read about how it "used to be". Most of you have no clue what it used to be like to live here, nor do you know what it is like to currently live here. Not only that, "here" in CA can be anything from dense urban blight to the most pristine backcountry in the world.
I've seen SoCal change over the last 40 years. Some for better, some for worse. Could I live more cheaply in another part of the country? Of course. Do I want to? Umm...I'm looking at a rental house tomorrow that is $4K/mo. And if it is nice, I'll pay it.
Is SoCal, or other parts of CA for everyone? Clearly not - for a variety of reasons. But the "lack of freedom" nonsense is, at least to me, nonsense. None of the horrific violations of my personal rights impacts me on a daily basis. I have 10 firearms in my apartment and thousands of rounds of ammo. Legally. I get up, go to work, go home, play music, study tai chi, ride my motorcycle, eat great food, all without serious incident. If your lifestyle has some particular aspect that isn't served by CA then this isn't the place to be...but for typical people it isn't an issue.
I'll stay here until I don't. I earn enough money to live well and enjoy myself and provide for my family. And my family is able to do things they enjoy. I can surf in Jan, ride my motorcycle year round, gig regularly in multiple music venues, and pick from world-class international cuisine on any budget. In return I have to deal with traffic (which exists elsewhere - I've driven in Boston) and high housing prices. The rest of the "horrific problems" don't impact me on a daily basis. And haven't for decades. Maybe my luck will run out. Or maybe people like to find things to complain about for the sake of complaining, and want to justify their living elsewhere in the country. No big whoop. People should live where they want. I've traveled to a number of states and some of them are great to visit. But when I get back to CA it feels like home. So that's where I stay. ymmv.
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