A long while back I wouldn't be able to chime in on this. But now that I've done a bit of traveling not just within the U.S. but even outside... I've actually reflected a bit on this very topic in my mind. All as a result of that whole feeling "home sick." (Born and raised in CA)

I lived in TX for two and a half years and definitely get what you're talking about real estate. The house I bought in 2012 was for 248.5k at 3,000sq ft and a half acre lot. It took me the whole time living there to wrap my head around how affordable life is outside of CA. That was one of the FEW reasons it was easy to leave. Although I had one farmers market that hardly sold produce. Shitty grocery options, narrow dining options aside from crappy chains. Lesser options for leisure within reasonable driving distance. Great gun laws though! Can't buy liquor at a normal grocery store and wine 'n spirit stores closed on Sundays?! WTF! Shitty when you don't plan ahead.

Now I'm in the Nashville suburbs. Was able to snag 54 acres of rolling hills, some forest, panoramic valley view, creek and pond, etc. all short of 100k. It's a little more pricey here than TX but it's not that huge of a difference. And this place reminds me more of home than anywhere else I've been to in this country. Same liquor laws and shit. Great gun laws. Better grocery and dining options. It's a nice happy medium between home in CA and TX.

I could be biased. Maybe not. Perhaps me being raised in CA living there majority of my life is why I say all the things I'm about to say. BUT These are what have been my thoughts:

I've come to find that CA has high taxes and everything else all around because if not then a shit load more people would move there. Most people who move to CA never leave nor do they want to.

You have fairly decent weather all year round. You have beaches, hiking trails that I was always able to walk out my door a few blocks and hike, drive a few hours one way to get to snow and forest, camping in the forest or camp on the beach you choose! Wine tasting EVERYWHERE whether it's NorCal, SoCal, Central Coast, now even in Malibu in the canyons LOL.

There's incredible diversity of spot on food. A great variety of organic foods that you feel comfortable and confident in. Farmers Markets everywhere. A lot more opportunity in general in most major cities. It's really even the best place for the most pickiest health or unhealthy eater. Amusement parks galore if you're into that. Entertainment everywhere of everything you can think of. If you're bored in CA then you're out of your fucking mind. There's so much to see and different parts of the state is so different from one another. So are the beaches even the water.

Great hub for cruises or access to a major airport that flies direct to most popular major cities and other countries. It made my life easier when I was able to fly straight from LAX to Germany and then straight into Athens. Instead I had two other stops on top of that when I left from TX.

I've told myself it's no wonder why I get homesick sometimes. It's everything combined. But it's okay. I've always told myself that if I were to go back to CA, the cost of living is definitely worth it to me. Having been away has put things in perspective. It's allowed me to see the worth of CA and the things that I took for granted having lived there my whole life. The things that I don't have here. So I would appreciate and take advantage of it more. I don't think I would have interest in owning anything in CA. Besides, owning wasn't ever a major priority in my life out there anyways. It all depends on what's most important to you. All the things that CA has is part of my lifestyle. It may not be for everyone else.

One last thing... TN may have much lower property tax but it appears it has a food tax and state taxes I think is the same as L.A. Gas is slightly cheaper but that doesn't make a huge difference in finances. At the end of the day it's how you spend your money, how you make it, how much you need to make, what your lifestyle is, and the activities that makes you most happy.
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