We're not big fans of Texas, Everything that we like is from cali. but our families leave here. and we grew up here. Never been to cali. yet. We need help to decide were we want to go leave at. Plus, its too hot here. My wife and I are confussed.
130630
I lived in Texas for 18 years (14 in Dallas, 4 in Houston).  For the last 3 years, I've lived in San Francisco.  Here are some contrasts I've noticed:\n\n1) Prices.  Texas is dirt-cheap, especially for real estate and gas.  California will suck money out of you whether you're renting an apartment or buying a house.  I bought gas yesterday for $3.40 / gallon.  \n\n2) Traffic.  The traffic I've experienced in San Fran and LA is worse than anything I've experienced in Dallas or Houston.  \n\n3) Weather.  Here, California beats the pants off Texas.  Mild weather in the Bay Area, great weather along the coasts and such.  I left the 110-degree summers in Texas.\n\n4) Liberal / Conservative balance.  California and Texas, two very opposite states.  'Nuf said.\n\nThis is just a comparison between the big cities in California and those in Texas - both states are large enough to have a lot of variance in living conditions throughout.  I guess it all depends where in California you'd like to live.\n\nBottom line: I'll be here in California for a few more years.  I'll live in a tiny shack and spend half my salary on gas for a small car, but will play outside year-round while my friends in Texas sit inside by the air conditioner this summer.
329078
L.A. is seriously over-crowded. L.A. is too hot. L.A. is too high cost of living. Let's not even get into the poor driving practices there. The L.A. is more heavily populated with gangs than let's say, Oakland. Let's see, bay area, lived in Fremont, CA for awhile. About 320 perfect days a year, good temp, low rainy days, nice people, bike lanes, great beaching, close to many major cites, SanFransico, San Jose, etc...awesome shopping and dining....did I mention the people are nicer?
412934
I am kinda in the same situation.  I am from Michigan and we are in California right now.  I am not happy here and I miss my family.  Our kids are here with us but I think it is going to come down to me leaving him.  I just want to do whats best for our children. They don't like it here either. I don't think he will ever go back there. I am just praying about it so maybe you should do the same.
506469
I have lived in so cal all of my life. Sitting Pretty must be well insulated form the problem or just doesn't open her eyes. I used to live in Santa Ana Ca. I had my house broken into and robbed on 5 different occasions. The last time was in plain view of two of my neighbors as this illegal kicked out my front window to carry out my TV. Yes I know he was illegal because he left fingerprints.\nI had to keep the battery to my pick up in the garage to keep it from being stolen (learned that one the hard way too) This was well over 20 years ago before the first amnesty. I finally had to move. Last time I visited that neighborhood everyone had steel bars on their windows and doors.\nWhere I live now the illegals have taken over a city block. So bad is the problem the Police had to put in a sub-station just to try and keep a lid on things. Cops walk a beat in that neighborhood to try to foster good community relations so that at least some of the residents will report crimes to them. Gangs from LA have been seen there trying to recruit the young kids. I see them everywhere now..especially the moms with their little anchor babies. Katsulove is absolutely correct on the costs. Remember Cali tried to pass prop 187 in 1994 because of the huge drain on our economy.\nI know many Americans with hispanic last names and I count them as close personal friends. Actually I married one and you should hear her talk. They don't like what they see any better than I do.
575497
Your problem is you grew up in a vacuum in Santa Barbara California: you are arrogant, selfish and self-centered, you are a bigot, your view on the world is myopic and most importantly, your sarcasm is juvenile and third-rate. \n\nTruth be told, Texas, while not perfect by any means, has a hell of a lot less problems than The People's Republik of California.
263615
The best thing you can do is learn to speak spanish! You will need a language credit if you plan on going to college anyway. Yes explain it is rude, because it is. Lots of non-americans do this and it is rude. I hope we pass a law that English is the official language of the U.S- I was shocked to hear it wasn't but Spanish as a second language for anglos is a reality we are going to have to live with and is here to stay. As far as Cali turning into Mexico that will never happen. Here is some food for thought..... Most of California was at one time land belonging to Mexico. (along with most of texas, arizona and new mexico) When Santa Ana lost, the land was taken by the U.S.(literally taken, soldiers and rebels going up to houses and farmsteads throwing the occupants  out by force saying this is ours now get out, but hey that is what happens in war) -- along with thousands and thousands of acres that formally belonged to Mexico. The U.S. is a nation of immigrants, and your forefathers immigrated here too. You have to expect that the demographics of our country will continue to change over time. I do think something needs to be done about illegal immigration. I also think Mexico needs to do more to develop it's own economy and corruption problems so that Mexicans would not be derperate to come here. If it weren't for those illegal immigrants, however, you would be paying $18 a pound for tomatoes and lots more for things like hotel rooms, all produce, restaurant meals and so on. If you are not liking the change in the population of where you live, this is America, nobody is making you stay here. You have 50 wonderful states to choose from, as well as any country around the world. This is something you will have to think about as you grow up.
85577
I live in Las cruces which is in the Southern part of New mexico. Here the weather comes in two levels: either really cold in the winter time or really hot in the summer. And Summers over here last the majority of the year. Temperatures usually average in the 90's plus it's very dry. In Las Cruces there is a high hispanic population, so there is a high influence of mexican food. This is definitely the best place to come for a mexican cuisine, best menudo and enchiladas anywhere in the US. And no, it's not a land of all dust and saloons and cowboys or whatever. We actually have normal towns and this is one of the most popular retiurement spots in the US. The traffic is not brutal like in many big cities and the homes are beautiful. The cost of living is low. Many homes are beulit in the adobe style with flat roofs. Yes, New Mexico is mostly desert but it is very beautiful, especially the mountains.
498970
Yes, as a lifetime Californian I can answer that question. I've spent the past 20 years as a Northern Californian. If you seek cool summertime temps, you have to stay on the west side of the Coast Range. Inland valleys really heat up in the summer.\n\nI live in the Wine Country, in an inland county. Our summers cook here, often into the triple digits in July and especially August. The only relief is over the mountains.\n\nThe other thing to know is that "Northern California" is a very big area. Fully a third of the state is north of San Francisco, extending clear to the Oregon border. So you're looking at hundreds of miles that fit the description if you define Northern California as roughly everything from Monterey north.\n\nAlso, with cool coastal temperatures comes fog. I love it as long as I don't have to drive in it.\n\nI could give you more specific recommendations if your question were more specific. What else are you looking for?  Job opportunities? Places with decent transportation? Nightlife? Rural/urban/suburban? Is cost of living a factor?
190480
It's so hard to decide. I think I'd eliminate Oklahoma, it really seems to have nothing to offer, but I guess not eliminate since a lot of Native Americans live ther, but maybe give it to them if that's allowed in this answer? Haha. \n\nMy dad would always tell me this joke: \nWhy do birds fly upside down over Oklahoma? \n--Because there's nothing worth sh*ting on!\n\nMan, Texas rocks. But I'd like for it to stay part of the US. Individually we would just constantly pick the worst worst leaders (haha although we do that anyway, sorry guys! At least Tom Delay's not going back in haha)\n\nHaha, man you guys haven't been to or known people from the right parts of Texas (ie: Panhandle and west Texan people seem to be more conservative and rude, people from the big cities are awesome). Native Texans- ie: the stubborn ones that would probably never leave to go live in an 'inferior' state (haha), are some of the nicest people. I had a friend move up to NY for school and she just shudders at all the rudeness she's faced there. Nevertheless there are tons of liberals here. I'm one, even an atheist too in the buckel of the Bible belt, and there's a huge gay population in many of the major cities and college towns (which usually lends itself to being quite liberal areas). It's hard to get past the screaming republiconservatives from round here, but there are some awesome people born and bred from right here.
165819
You are not one of the Mexicans they are talking about, you sound just as much and maybe a little more American than me. Some times we got to blur the line between right and wrong. My dad came here illegally but became a citizen 6 years ago. You have to take what you want sometimes if you want it that bad. But you sound like you have a great life, why do you what to come here so bad? -Dallas, TX
657210
I live in Mexico, and I wouldn't want to live in the U.S. Why? First of all, because I was born here, this is my country and I love it. My whole family is here, my baby was born here, simply...I have a good and peacful life here. Why would I want to leave and start all over again? Why would I want to live where I'm not wanted? I live an honest life, I work hard to have what I have, even if it's not too much yet, since I'm young and just started working. This is life, I was born here and I'll stay here. \n\nI like Mexico, is the goverment I don't like.\n\nAnd to people that say we don't have running water, bathrooms, etc....WHERE did you go to??? For God sakes, in the city I live at, we have EVERYTHING...and it's a small city. We have all the restaurants with the fatty food, etc...etc...next time go to a civilized place, goodness...
115593
Alaska is beautiful. I was born and raised there. I live in San Antonio right now, with my husband who is in the military. As soon as he gets out we are going back home. Summers there are perfect (70-80 degrees)for fishing, hunting, tons of places to go 4-wheeling, but winters can get a little cold. But you have snow machining, snowboarding, and skiing to keep ya warmed up.
26116
What and where is KANSAS ??\n\nARIZONA seems to be one of the fastest-growing places anymore.  Cost of living is less, although not a whole lot less (I'm told) than CALIFORNIA.  Nice weather and LOTS OF JOBS, I think.\n\nIf your family's there, I would go home and take a breather.\nAlso, if your parents are getting older, it would a VERY GOOD IDEA TO SPEND TIME WITH THEM BEFORE THEY GET MUCH OLDER -- you won't EVER REGRET THAT DECISION !!
16143
I have been to California and also lived on the east coast and the mid-west.  From my experience, I found the west coast to be a totally different country.  But there are some pros and cons.  There is a lot of mixing of cultures there, so you will find whites, Hispanics, and people of Indian and Asian descent in  large numbers.  The west coast is also warmer climate-wise due to the proximity to the desert and the sea.  More importantly, for some reason I found the people friendlier than anywhere else in the states.  The food is also inspired by different cultures, but you can find a lot of authentic Mexican food there.  One word of caution, the west coast is pretty expensive to stay!  On the other hand, the percentage of young population (and techies) is very high, so you will find someone for outdoor activites pretty easily.
576262
I live in Springfield and I love it here. I have lived here in the area my whole life and wouldn't trade it for the world. I have traveled all over the country and visited other cities of similar size and I think Springfield is the best. The streets are easy to understand and get around on, the traffic is never that bad. The shopping is pretty decent here and if you want more then Branson is only half an hour away. Or drive to KC, it's only about 2.5 hours away. I don't know if you are familiar with the area but the weather is variable. One day its cold the next its super hot. But its kinda nice that way. We have 4 beautiful seasons and lots of outdoor activities here.  We have several colleges but the population is diverse, its not all kids. Restaurants here are good, lots of choices. Springfield is the birthplace of Cashew Chicken and I think we have like a couple hundred Chinese restaurants. There is one on about every corner.  =)  Springfield is also the home of Brad Pitt and his family if that interests you at all. Though he doesn't visit as much as he used to now that he is with Angelina. =)  If you have any more specific questions or are interested in a certain neighborhood I would be happy to give you my opinion if you send me a message. Hope you get to make the move here to Springfield I think you will like it!
660654
This is something that is possible but requires great effort to make it happen.  There are good reasons for changing our states' boundaries.  Western and eastern Washngton have very different interests and economies, as do northern and southern California.  I grew up in the San Joaquin Valley of California.  I saw over time the millions in southern California having an inordinate influence on the lives and affairs of the rest of California.  All are good people but their interests can be so dramatically different and continuously at odds, leading to unending stalemates and unresolved problems.
643657
It HASN'T affected ME negatively....but I can only speak for me.\n\nbut some comments....because I always have comments\n\n1.   I am undecided on the tax impact.  Believe me taxes are no joke in this house BUT I have often wondered how all the "welfare receipients" in this country pay "good honest to goodness taxes"......oh and then get kickbacks....a check for just being them at the end of the year.  I believe that no HONEST, Hardworking person appreciates that too much.\n\n2.  Education is the key......PERIOD.\n\n3.  A criminal mind is a criminal mind, I would never color code deviant behaviour and personally get offended when people do.\n\n4.  OH someone mentioned gangs.  Well while I haven't lived in CA for quite some time.  I was born and raised and left to join the Army.  When I was there my mom worked for the Riverside County DA for close to 30 years at that time.  She came home with HORROR stories but most of the time BACK THEN it was concerning "bloods" and "crips" and no mention was ever made of the powerful gangs that everyone says has the CURRENT grip on CA.  \n\nTo end we have lived damn near everywhere......and oh wait someone mentioned border states.  Yep.....live in a border state and was raised in a border state.  When stationed in El Paso...I found the community amazing, beautifully painted homes, amazing aromas drifting out of well taken care of diners.  See how perceptions are SO different for people.  We made amazing friends (yes locals) and we would go back in a heartbeat.  \n\nTo end...now......doesn't affect me......then......didn't affect......even BACK then......wouldn't have affected me.  \n\nPeace