California is often portrayed as a great place to visit. And certainly, there are many tourist attractions to see and participate in. The weather is great and you can see Mickey Mouse do his thing at Disneyland. However, it’s best to have fun during a short stay and then be on your way. Why? Simply, California has to be perhaps one of the most hazardous places to live. If one were to measure the odds, it would be very easy to conclude that chance of some disaster befalling you is fairly high (increasing in direct proportion to the duration of your stay). Don’t believe me? Consider these top 10 reasons NOT to live in California:
10. The Governor of the State is the Terminator
The man who has warned guys not to be a “girly man” is the chief executive of the state of California- none other than Arnold Schwarzenegger. Actors turned politicians have mixed results (depending on who you talk to). Under Governor Schwarzenegger’s reign, the state of California has suffered through a number of trying issues. Perhaps the most serious, and the ones that have caused the most rancor among voters, are the economic issues. With shrinking state revenues, budget tightening has resulted in social programs being chopped, state jobs being eliminated, and a need to increase state revenue (higher taxes). All of this has many Californians lamenting that the Governor has reverted to his “Terminator” alter ego and is determined to extinguish all life (or at least a comfortable life) in the state. (Note from editor: Yes I am aware the video I included was taken from Predator, not Terminator, but it was so good!)
9. Seasonal Disasters
Natural disasters seem to find consistent and continual life in Cali. There are of course earthquakes. The occasional shake is common enough that many Californians don’t think much of it, aside from having to replace the odd broken dish. Then of course, there are ever-present brush fires. While there is not a high loss of life with this particular disaster, there is a tremendous toll in terms of property damage, not to mention severe ecological damage. If an earthquake or a fire doesn’t get you, then a mudslide might. There are a lot of hills and elevated areas in California; when the seasonal rains come, so does erosion. The result is the earth giving way, with people and property being in the path when it does. The results are devastating in terms of loss of life and property damage. These are just some of the common disasters that Californians have to deal with on a regular basis.
8. Impending Horrific Earthquake
Keeping with the natural disaster theme: there is of course the expected “big one” that many believe will eventually hit California. The state of California has the misfortune to lie over a major fault line (the San Andreas). Experts predict that at some point in the future there will be a major shift of tectonic plates resulting in a catastrophic level earthquake. Along the lines of the earthquake that leveled San Francisco in 1906, the next “big one” is expected to be even more devastating due to population and urban growth. If the recent earthquakes in Haiti and Chile are any indication, then a major shake hitting such populated areas as LA, San Diego and San Francisco would have horrific consequences. What’s scary about this is that scientists and experts warn that it isn’t a matter of “if” this will happen, but rather “when.”
7. Will Eventually Fall Into the Ocean
This is more of a theory than an actual scientifically proven fact, but this particular idea is so widespread and believed that one has to take it into consideration. Some have predicted that, as a result of the likely catastrophic events in #8 above, California will somehow break off from the mainland and sink into the ocean. Fortunately for Californians, there doesn’t seem to be any hard data to support this particular theory outside of Hollywood. Even considering the very real tectonic activity, the motion that these plates generate is horizontal (as opposed to lateral, which could indicate a potential ‘dropping’ of land mass). In fact, the constant shifting of the earth in the California area is along a north/south axis – meaning that LA is slowly creeping towards San Francisco at a whopping few millimeters a year. While this bit of news may be problematic for Southern Californians (in about a million years at the current rate of speed), it certainly falls short of an apocalyptic event. Assuming, of course, that the ‘experts’ are to be believed (and they, naturally, are always right!)
6. High Taxes Make Life Unbearable
California Tax Carol from Larry Meador on Vimeo.
The state of California is suffering through a fiscal nightmare. Simply, the state has more expenses than it does revenue. For any able minded politician, one quickfire solution (albeit an unpopular one) is to either raise taxes, install new taxes, or a combination of both. While voters have continually voted down higher tax proposals that have made it to the ballot, California is still leading the nation in a number of tax categories: income taxes (2nd), corporate taxes (8th), and sales tax (13th), to name a few. All total, the full tax load ranks 6th in the nation. California’s heavy tax burden has caused concerns among many about the financial ability of many families to realistically reside in the state. Further, even with the various taxes in place, the state’s budget has still ballooned – outpacing revenues by a large margin. The resulting disparity has crippled any number of programs, especially those aimed at helping the poor – placing even more people in potentially dire circumstances.
5. Hundreds of Prisoners Are Being Released Because of Budget Constraints
Faced with shrinking funds, state legislators (and apparently supported by the Terminator – we mean the Governor) determined that the state could realize tremendous savings by releasing thousands of prisoners from state penal institutions early. The move is estimated to save the state about $1.2 billion – not an insignificant amount of money considering the prevalent financial woes. California has the largest population of prisoners among states, boasting well over 170,000 inmates. The proposal aims to release non-violent offenders, including those that are sick and elderly. Naturally, the best of plans tend to go awry when a government entity is involved and dangerous prisoners have been released – some of whom have committed new crimes. Laws that were held as progressive in previous years, such as the states so-called “three strikes” have resulted in the vast overcrowding. Now, faced with the inability to actually pay for these policies, lawmakers are in a tough bind – a real “damned if you do, damned if you don’t” situation.
4. Serious Gang Violence
Criminal gang activity is a very serious problem in California: many neighborhoods are literally terrorized by gang activity. Residents are victims of random drive-by shootings, physical assaults and other criminal activities perpetrated by gang members. Drug-related crime has also proportionally increased as well. Families who manage navigate these dangerous war zones face the prospect of their children being recruited to join local gangs. Aside from the more traditional gangs such as the Bloods and Crips, new (and some believe deadlier) Hispanic gangs have entered into the fray. Fueled by poor economic conditions, the increase in gang participation is on the rise. As gang membership increases, inter-gang violence has also become deadlier. Reacting to the dangers that gang violence poses, law enforcement and government officials have proposed and enacted numerous programs to stem the tide. Only time well tell if these measures are effective.
3. Liberal Culture is Harbinger of the Apocalypse
The end of times may be a bit of a reach, but those of the conservative establishment do hearken to liberal culture as the precursor of many of the social ills within our communities. For its part, California has long been a bastion of liberal (some would say progressive) thought and action. Consider that California is very accepting of alternative lifestyles, is environmentally conscious, and not particularly religious (at least in terms of a dominant block of religiosity)- and you have the makings of a counter-culture stronghold. Indeed, many of the universities in California (UCLA, UC Berkley and others) were home to many of the social protests that highlighted the social movements of the sixties. All of this is dire evidence for those who tend to lean toward the more so-called “traditional values” lifestyle. Many of this perspective hold California up as the example of all that is wrong in America – from ineffective government to high crime – the state (from a conservative viewpoint) is on the verge of collapse as result.
2. Police Brutality
While the saying “crime doesn’t pay” may hold true in many places, in California it doesn’t pay to land in the hands of the cops whether a crime has been committed or not. California has a number of high profile incidents involving police misconduct – from the Rampart scandal in the 90’s to numerous police beatings caught on film (i.e. Rodney King and others). And these are the incidents that are known. Residents of economically depressed neighborhoods have long complained of draconian police activity, complaints that have largely fell on deaf ears. With the advent of camera phones and other convenient recording devices, however, citizens are now capturing clear evidence of police officers engaged in nefarious activities. Crimes such as murder, rape, drug trafficking, robbery and much more are among the violations for which cops in California have been convicted. In short, the residents of California often need protection from the protectors.
1. Pending War With Mexico
There is a brewing war zone festering on the southern border of the U.S. that threatens to spill over and engulf California in the ensuing blood bath. Not since the Mexican-American War (1846 – 1848) have the citizens of the U.S. had to be concerned about armed conflict arising from beyond the southern border. This is no longer the case with the brewing drug war that is taking place in Tijuana – a Mexican town just south of the California border with Mexico. In the last 1 ½ years, the death toll has exceeded over 1500 and the body count continues to rise. Well over a third of these deaths are police officers and government officials. The drug cartels, reacting to Mexico’s declaration of war against drugs, have sought to establish their own authority. The Mexican government, for its part, has deployed well over 250,000 troops along its border with the U.S. to stem the tide of violence. The Mexican government has called on the U.S .to assist with narcotic interdiction on the American side of the border. What many fear is that the Mexican drug cartels will react just as violently on this side of the border if the U.S. decides to interfere. Considering that the drug cartels have no inhibition to killing anyone – women, children, whomever – Californians are correct in being concerned that the violence may soon touch them.
by Lee Standberry
86 Comments
People who don’t live in California are salty they can’t live there and think that the whole state is Los Angeles. The only good reason on this list was earthquakes but the east coast has hurricanes all the time which is much worse
The only positive reason to move there is the beauty of scenery and legalized marijuana. Only issues with that are the wildfires, earthquakes, and mudslides destroying the scenery and everything you own. I can live without pot, although it’s a damn good alternative to the feel good pills the doctor prescribes people lol. I guess I’ll move to Florida, I’ve lived there and had no complaints, anywhere is better than Texas lol.
Calif. is a cesspool. The lefitist/commie money grabbing politicians have created this mess. Until a real leader comes in and fixes this mess it will continue to decline. Tax payer money is stolen by the crooked politicians and it will never change unless…..It’s sickening to see the City of L.A. especially being filthified by the homeless crapping all over the city streets and freeways. What a disgrace to see this. It’s like a horror movie “in real.” Just wonder what tourists think? Mind boggling.
Yeah ! California grapes are Very SOUR !!!
Nice comment. I like it.
NO.1 for me is the people.
Arrogant, rude, ignorant, mouthy people that think far too highly of themselves.
WHY I NEVER WILL LIVE IN SOUTH CALIF.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
SOUTH CALIF. Is Full of Douche’s, Butt-Holes, Mother-F’ers And LOW-LIFES.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Why would you be worried about an impending war with Mexico if your governor is the Terminator?
Oh, rubbish! There’s a guy in California that I love and want to meet and I want to marry him as so he can help me build my dreams, why, I’m planning to live in Los Angeles to stay on the safe side!
Thanks for summing up all of the reasons I will never go to California.
I am currently living in CALIFORNIA and I can tell you that some of this is exaggerated but most simply is not true, I have lived in New York, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, and Miami, all of those cities have some crime, and more expensive places, but I have met some of the kindest people in CA. My only conclusion is that this sub-par journalist is a well misinformed person. That or somebody who is jaded due to a random event, or he is just a moron. Probably the latter.
California always gets a bad rep for LOS ANGELES’s problems….L.A is full of dumb fat gangsters and earthquakes….I’m from San Luis Obispo, California and having traveled the world i can say there is no place i would rather be. California is like a country so making one statement about it is pretty stupid. Steer clear of beaner infested L.A and you should be good.
I am in Illinois (possibly the worst state of all) taking care of my elderly grandmother, and I miss CA more than anything. I’ve been here maybe 4 months and everyday just seems to be more miserable than the last. The people here are still stuck in the worst part of the ’90’s, have terrible hygiene, are incredibly stupid, have the worst food, and for some reason love to stare. So for someone to have made this complete b.s. list about the state that I love and long for everyday, really chaps my cheeks. But, if It helps to keep dumbasses who believe this ish out, then I’m all for It. I wanna come back to CA and see that nothing has changed. I love my fellow Californians, thanks for keeping it real.
Whoever wrote this article has no idea what they are talking about. There are natural disasters everywhere in this country. There are gangs in every major city in this country. The state is not falling into the ocean. Whoever wrote this is ignorant and watches too much television.
Ive lived here all my life and only felt two earthquakes that did no damage. people think of Cali as a scary place due to the earthquakes when you never feel them. go to other states and you have tsunamis, tornados, blizzards, floods, hurricanes. here we have none of that. just awsome weather.
although an expensive state to live in
i rate this article a #2 out of 10.
yes every summer there is a wild fire, but its usual. never a big deal unless you live where the wildfires take place. there’s gangs everywhere in every state no matter what. it just depends if you get yourself in situations involving gangs. other than that no problem.
you can drive two hours to the west and be at super nice beaches, drive two or three hours east and be in the mountains ans snow. or drive two hours to some of the most beautiful national parks in the US. go to some of the highest ranking colleges. we have everything here in cali. not to mention Hollywood. Famous people, and awsome amusement parks like six flags magic mountain and disneyland. university studios.
why does everyone get scary around the police?……. you can beat an ordinary guy up on the street that gets in your face and touches you but as soon as a police officer gets in your face and touches you, you dont fight back. who does that?……. Im not going to let anyone touch me i dont care if its a police officer or not.
The problem no one fights back is cause they have a thing in their belts called “gun”, idk if you knew that.
And that’s why people get shot by cops, because of an attitude like that.. smh. Go ahead and fight back, one less dumbass to worry about lol.
I visited San Diego and Costa Mesa and now I’m in love with the state, I trying to move to Cali, trying to find efficiencies or roommates. Im from Florida btw, what do you guys recommend???
Stay in FL please.. California sucks beyond belief.. worst mistake I ever made and I came from FL too.. its more than likely better where you are. I used CA as a pitstop to move to Oregon, had no desire staying at all but now I’m stuck until I can get back east again. Its a long story but I am not even in Los Angeles and this place is hell on earth. Some of the biggest morons I encountered have been out west. I think theres many domesticated outlaws who vote republican along with the immigration problems.. In this state though it doesn’t matter what your color is or race is.. no wonder interracial marriage is at all time highs here.
Where do you live Barstow? Baker? Did you get caught up trying to score some meth or something? Moron.
Hey Lee do you actually do any research on your top ten lists before typing them up? I’m from Texas so please do Texas next.
I live in Los Angeles, and I verify that this article is a great way to keep idiots that believe
this crap out of here.
This is a silly list, really.
MY NUMBER 1 REASON !!!!!!!!
CALIFORNIA LAND OF DOUCHE-BAGS… FREE-LODERS !!!!!
It’s free loaders* at least spell it right if you’re trying to be offensive.
Some of these are not good raesons as in #3, and in #1 it specificly
says that the shooting happened right outside of EL PASO TEXAS not in California
You forgot he fruits and nuts. Don’t Californicate the rest of the nation. If you’re from California, stay there. You can be identified in any other part of the country within 15 minutes of meeting you–really.
Sure is hot though. Mmmmmmmm.
As a fellow Texan,you should probably list strict gun laws as a reason. That would also include those two gun-hating senators: Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein (both democrats).
I’ve lived in cali for 30 years and nothing on this list is true.
10. Yes arnold did a bad job as governor but they all do because they are liberal democrats who can’t manage a budget. But you’ll find democrats in every state so theres no difference in cali.
9. Brush fires only happen in the mountain areas which are far from most major cities. Earthquakes happen a couple times a year but you barely feel them. I’d rather deal with a minor tremble for 10 seconds than a tornado or hurricane. You see what happened to new orleans?
8. I’ve heard about the big one for 30 years and my parents have heard about it for 55 years. Hasn’t happened yet and probably never will. These same scientists that say this believe in global warming which has been proven false. Don’t believe what scientists say.
7. Even if cali does fall into the ocean it will only be the west side about 100 miles from the beach. If you buy your house 150 miles away you will have beach front property if the big one ever does hit and you’ll make millions selling your beach front house.
6. Taxes are everywhere and they are all high. You are taxed from your paycheck, taxed when you buys stuff and taxed in february. Gotta love triple taxation. Yes taxes might be higher in cali than the midwest but so is minimum wage. $8.50 an hour now.
5. Prisoners are released every day in every state.
4. There are gangs in alaska, canada and even on indian reservations. They are everywhere and do violence everywhere. At least in cali where they started the police have practice dealing with them.
3. Yes liberals are killing this country and the world as a whole but they are everywhere including the white house. Can’t escape their policies by staying out of cali.
2. Police brutality is everywhere. The police think their badge gives them unlimited power and abuse that power. You can’t escape it. They can murder someone and get a slap on the wrist or a suspension. You murder someone and you get life in jail.
1. The drug war with mexico isn’t as bad as you think. The border by san diego is the most heavily policed border in the U.S. Most of the drug cartels move their stuff through new mexico and texas now. Its easier for them.
How on earth can #3 be a bad thing???
I live in California, and I can agree with some of the reasons except for #9 and #3, Natural disasters will happen ANYWHERE in the US, no matter where you will go to. Remember the HUGE tornado outbreak in the south and in Missouri? Second, this list goes for southern California, not the entire state. You won’t see most of this stuff on the list in NoCal.
CA’s School system has problems not because of the Unions, but because of like 5 Republican Governors who have worked hard to defund CA’s Education system. I don’t know about you, but I think if we paid Teachers more than poverty wages we might see some better teachers. Also our schools would be able to buy better text books (and possibly help direct the way Text books are written similar to the way Texas does).
BTW all of the reasons listed as to not live in CA are total BS. Written by someone who has never lived in CA.
1) Gang crime is no worse here than about anywhere else in the USA. Our boarder with Mexico is so small we don’t have half the issues that states like Texas have with the Drug Wars.
2) Again Police brutality happens everywhere. The reason you heard about it in CA is because we are doing stuff about it. I would worry more about cities where you don’t hear about the occasional case, those are departments that have something to hide
3) Liberal Culture is the best part about the state. If you need to experience closed minded conservatives one only needs to travel away from the Major metropolitan areas to be in Rush Limbaugh land. Liberal culture gives us a vibrant music scene, forward thinking companies like Google, Facebooks and a gajillion other High Tech Companies. You will see so many different kinds of people in CA and experience many different cultures. It’s a great place to see.
4) Ooooh, Gang Violence. Yeah it’s out there, but most people in the state will never experience it. It’s like many places in the US, in the suburban areas where many poor people live. Crime tends to be higher due to the lack of opportunities for legitimate ways of making money. It’s just a sign of how Conservative thought has screwed America BTW this is the second time that something related to gangs is listed….
5) Noone has ever called Three Strikes Laws as being progressive or Liberal. In fact it’s been Conservative administrations that pushed such laws and talked the voters into voting on the things using scare tactics. This has really only increased the dangers of apprehending offenders on their 3rd strike and enriched the private Prison industry. Tales of mass prisoner releases are also very overstated
6) Funny how many companies make their homes here in CA despite our “high Taxes”. It’s also BS.
7) No one in their right mind actually believes that the state will fall into the ocean. Like someone else pointed out. The plate boundries aren’t the type that would cause subsidence. So the Conservative Wet Dream of LA and SF sinking into the Ocean isn’t going to happen EVER.
8) Been through one “Big” quake and it was devistating, but hell that was 20 years ago. Most quakes in the state are 2.0 or under which means that you don’t feel a think and nothing is damaged. The ones you do feel which happen every other year or so shake the house for 15 seconds and are over. Nothing to really worry about.
9) We do have a lot of forested areas. We haven’t allowed the logging companies to log out all of our trees yet. So yeah, we do get some fires. People lose houses. More people lose houses to Tornados and Hurricanes though. And those happen more often in the states that are prone to those. I have lived here for 40+ years and there have been big fires, but none ever came near to the big population centers. Just up in the hills where the Rich people live and choose to not obey the laws about building construction and brush clearing.
10) Arnold is out of office. He wasn’t a bad governor for a Republican. We have Brown who is working hard to balance our budget and get business back into the state. Oh and he’s a liberal Democrat.
Wow you must be a liberal democrat. Brown is a horrible governor who ruined the economy last time he was in office. Liberals are ruining the economy not republicans. BTW google and all those other companies you attribute to liberals were all funded by republicans. And if liberals had their way these companies would give all their money to the poor (see occupy wall street) so these companies wouldn’t exist. Learn what liberals actually stand for before you come on a forum and cheer for them. Just because your college professor brain washed you into voting on all liberal policies doesn’t mean you can’t change.
And just because you aren’t willing to accept change doesn’t mean it isn’t constantly happening. Sorry to say, Liberals are realists.
ILLEGAL ALIEN INVASION
SOME PARTS OF CALIFORNIA IS A GREAT PLACE TO LIVE BUT I HAVEN’T FOUND IT YET………
MOST OF CA…. SUCKS….. MOSTLY IN SOUTH CALIFORNIA……………. WHERE THE PEOPLE THINK THEY ARE BETTER THAN ANYONE……………..
I’m a Canadian from the Caribbean (Barbados) but I think I’d totally dig Cali. Most solutions to that state’s problems include:
1) ENDING the “bloody” & unjustified War on Drugs (legalize everything…it’s my body; besides, alcohol/tobacco kills waaay more peeps!)
2) Force corrupt Mexico to gets its (fcuked up) house in order. Mexicans are flocking to the US for OPPORTUNITIES…not bcuz they wanna be American.
3) Build an economy around Industrial Hemp
4) Scrap the education system and start over taking ideas from the Waldorf-Steiner school system
5) Graduate to a flat tax and just tax CONSUMPTION
6) Promote the use of monolithic building structures (http://monolithic.com ) so as to better withstand natural disasters when sh!t hits the fan.
7) Force all political leaders to submit resumes that are VETTED for competence and expertise (you wouldn’t have a 747 pilot do heart surgery on you or crooked lawyer developing software for Google or HP, right? So why the fcuk do you have an ACTOR running your state? duh!!)
8) Tax fast/junk food like crazy and promote healthy eating/lifestyles…maybe tax credits? (healthier peeps means LESS fcuking health care co$t$. duh!!)
9) Throw the drug companies out of the state and promote the use of Colloidal Silver, Colloidal Copper, Colloidal Gold, pure Hemp Oil (cures cancer and tons of other ailments! Google it if ya don’t believe me!)
10) Promote the use of radical alternative energy devices like the Tesla Generator, etc. (Google it!). Ya don’t need utility companies providing you with EXPENSIVE energy! See http://www.TeslaCoverUp.com
Good luck Cali citizens. If you follow my 10 ideas above, you’ll experience HEAVEN ON EARTH and be the ENVY of all societies.
You had me up to the conspiracy theory about Tesla.
I love California, but your hippie nonsense is laughable. Colloidal silver is toxic and foolish to ingest. Hemp oil cures cancer? You’re an idiot. Legalize EVERY drug? Why? Aside from marijuana (obviously what fuels your misinformed ideology), there are no benefits to any of them. Do you want you kids to be able to buy meth at the corner store? And I’m sure you sit around washing down hemp seeds with colloidal silver, but tax credits for vegan weirdos like you? That’s a good one. I’m not going to waste my time checking out and no doubt laughing my ass off at whatever conspiracy- driven, unproven or unimplementable ideas you’ve got for education and “radical alternative energy,” but I’m pretty certain they are far from the utopian solutions you’re hallucinating them to be. Leave the promotion of California to people with realistic and rational things to say. Go occupy some public square in a dome made out of hemp and blog about global conspiracies. What a joke.
Let me tell you I've been all over the US and I love living in California.
1. We have the best weather out of any other state.
2.It's easy to avoid gang problems and Detroit has the highest murder rate out of any city in the US. Where I live we had one break in, in the last 10 years.
3. I went to Mexico during the so called height of the drug war and didn't have any problems.
4. Prisoners are NOT being released due to budget constraints.
5. The houses that crumble into the ocean are because some arrogant rich @$$hole decided he wanted to build his house right on the cliff without thinking of the consequences of weather.
6. Yes fires happen because of stupid people and bc of nature. Can't control the freaking weather now can we?
7. Earthquakes… Yes some are big and ruin some peoples lives. I live 15 minutes away from a volcano, I have tons of earthquakes all the time. They are tiny, you barely even notice them.
8. It snows yes (in some places), and it's cold but I have been in -18 degrees Fahrenheit in a jacket and jeans for 20 minutes and been perfectly fine.
If you don't want come to California that's fine with me. But don't knock it just because of your arrogance, and what hear on TV. If you are a smart person and know how to take care of yourself (like you should, you're an adult for heaven's sake) California is a great place.
If you disagree then f*** you and the horse you rode in on.
Thank you very much!
Hawaii has better weather.
Hi,
Good post, I’m thinking of coming to cal for a three month period to look into perhaps longer term relocation with my family ( young) …. From the cold , rainy, negative uk …. Where would you recommend as a good place to base ourselves , I know it is a tough question but I intend to ride my horse that way !
Thanks in advance
What a complete plant , this person is good reason to stay away!
And stay the hell out of Montana too. Especially you Californians.
Wow. This is far from being accurate. You probably have never been to California, so you really have no business saying these things. When you find a place in this world that has no natural disasters, no gang violence, and no crime, why don't you let me know? In the meantime, you should visit California. I'm pretty sure you would like it.
dude, i can tell you are not from california
DON'T FORGET HOW RUDE CALIFORNIA PEOPLE ARE AND THERE DRIVING ( I OWN THE ROAD )
Here's the thing: Crime is EVERYWHERE. And the bigger the city, the more crime you find. These masses of gangs aren't localized directly in California. It's the fact that L.A. is a big city, just like New York City, just like Washington D.C.
Gang violence can happen anywhere. California just happens to get a lot of attention because people tend to contrast the beauty they see in the television's version of California with the stark reality of life and find it upsetting, when it's really just an overreaction.
And, honestly, no one talks more about California than people who have never lived in the state.
This list is a joke, right? Right??
Oh no, the natural disasters are TERRIBLE here!
Earthquakes are very very scary. Watching my chandelier sway just shakes me to my very core.
And the mudslides and wild fires! And the wild fires that cause the mudslides! It's very difficult to not live in an area that might be plagued by these problems. Since it's all over the place. Everywhere.
Oh wait, I can't afford to live in the mudslide areas, since they are usually very expensive. And being in the middle of a very large suburban area saves me from the wildfires.
Thanks urbanization!
Haha wow you are obviously not from California. I've lived here my whole life and none of these things have ever been an issue. Thanks for feeding into stereotypes though, reeeally appreciated -_-
This list is hilarious. It reminds me when people think the Middle East is a war zone and you go to half the countries and there is ZERO crime. This is an outsiders view California based on a CNN report. I've lived in California for more than a decade and it's hard to ever see leaving. I've lived in many, many other states and California is way better in many regards.
The real issues:
1) The state government is entitled and expects to fund massive pensions on the backs of taxpayers
2) Employers are leaving the state in droves due to over-regulation, high taxes, and high cost of living
3) Southern California has no mass transit plan to keep up with growth
4) Public schools are awful for a variety of reasons including: entitled unions, lack of accountability, immigration (*this is hotly debated here but the schools are awful taken as a whole).
And yet, people I know here dread the idea of moving to Texas or some other state. Air pollution is way down so much so that there aren't "smog" days anymore and most days are clear. Traffic is manageable if you live close to work or have a reverse commute. Earthquakes: it's been a very long time, but the infrastructure has been greatly improved. Earthquake might affect you greatly every 30 years compared to to Hurricanes hitting florida/ gulf coast every few years and tornadoes whipping through the Midwest every year. Housing prices are completely out of this world but you don't get hit with tax increases like the Northeast and maintenance is minimal due to no freezing weather.
The big draw in California is the ridiculous weather. When it's 18 degrees in New York and you're sitting on your back porch sipping some freshly squeezed lemonade in 80 degree weather, you'll understand why people come here. And unlike Florida, it doesn't come with 98% humidity. Then there is all the stuff to do. There is no such thing as "running out of things to do" in California. California's worst state park would be the #1 tourist attraction in Illinois or Indiana. It's 75 today and if I want I can take the kids to the beach or head up to the mountains to throw snowballs.
The big thing is the jobs. The state needs to work much harder to keep businesses here especially manufacturers. But which companies does everyone marvel over and are creating tens of thousands of jobs? Apple, Google, Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, HP, Netflix….. where do you think all those companies reside? So be thankful for California, it's the crazies that are the engine for growth in this country.
I used to live in California and did so for over 40 years…from age 3-48. For the most part California is a great place. But like most people who moved it’s to hard to raise a family in California. The cost of living and price of housing is to high for many middle income, working class families and retired persons.
Arni is the right reason not to be in California
THERE IS DRUGLORDS AND GANGSTERS EVERYWHERE SO WHATS NEW THAT YOU PEOPLE DONT KNOW ABOUT ? DONT MESS UP WITH LOVELY PLACE GUYS UNLESS YOU KNOW WHAT YOU TALKING ABOUT …UNDERSTOOD!….GOOD
SOUTH AFRICAN ONCE VISITED CA.
guys i dont think CALIFORNIA is such a bad place , everywhere in this world you will find criminals and drug lords ,so is there something new that happened in California and never happened elsewhere, no , so everyone one out there does f…k ups for whatever reason , dont come with bad stories about this place unless you know what you talking about !!!!!!!!!!!!
South African whose been to CA
I always pictured california a cool place to stay. What a sad world we live in 🙁
U guys must be kidding! Calfornia is the perfect world! Come to
Brazil, and then u will know what poverty, criminals, gangs and …taxes
actually are! Just be thankful for what u got and try to move on…you
#€¥%#%•
to quote Dave Eggers, have you ever f*&#ing BEEN to California?
This list is a complete joke, and whoever put it together must be inbred and not from California. But I am in favor of anything that deters similar minded people from flocking to my beautiful state.
please, get me out! I respect your demand, I will obey you, I will stay the hell out, no if, and, or buts…except I can’t leave until I finish school in 2 months. after that, don’t worry. I will honor the demands of the California natives who don’t want new people to come in. you say stay out. I will reply “yes sir!”. once I’m out, I will never come back to this culturally messed up state. he’ll I even welcome you to follow me to the state line and literally kick me in the a## over the border, then build a great wall so I won’t come back in…but that wouldn’t be necessary because there would be a great wall in my mind…I will never live here again
I'm from Wisconsin so I don't have to worry about this stuff. 🙂
This list is absolutely ridiculous if not offensive. Agree with Keith. Stay out of California or we'll send the big, scary gangs after you during an earthquake. Get real, or get informed.
I absolutely LOVE my fan video!
WOO STEROIDS! YAY!
You're absolutely right. There is no reason for you to live in California, so stay the hell out, and the hell away from us.
Sorry but #1 is just a bunch of exagerated lies, does the author even know what he is talking about.
About 90% of the dead people are drugdealers themselves, plus the fact that mexico desn't have 250,000 men in the army, and the fact that only 50,000 are actually deployed throughout the country not just around the border.
And the Mexican-American War, come one is he just IGNORANT, we all know that from 1910-1925 during the Mexican Revolution things where much more violent around the border.
Please at least get your facts strait.
Do you live in California? California may be in the financial gutter, undermining the flocks of folks who typically migrate to the Sunny State, but the gang infested, convict releasing, overly left picture you paint of California is far from the truth.
I cannot argue with number 10.
Number 9 is a fairly good observation. Yes, California is prone to inimical weather. Wildfires, mudslides, and the atypical snowstorm at higher elevations. Of these, while I do not know the statistical figure (though your task should have delegated you the responsibility of providing one), I am up-to-date well enough on current events to know that more people die fighting fires than those who cross its path. We do not get deadly hurricanes, tornadoes, or freezes, as these tend to be more destructive than any natural disaster we Californians see.
7 is simply ludicrous. The legitimacy of this is as arguable as the evidence The Day After Tomorrow presents for New York being the first city overwhelmed by a great freeze.
5 was questionable until a sex offender was released on the terms of this program, only to commit an even more heinous crime and murder a teenage girl. I believe the program has been suspended.
4 is the perpetuation of LA life, through Hollywood, that is unfortunate, but not because it has perturbed LA's reputation. Gang culture is an outlier of the poverty stricken sections of Los Angeles, parts that anybody not living in that area seldom sees, and therefore completely unrelatable to most of LAs citizens. Unless you live in South Central, Compton, Watts, Hawthorn, Long Beach, you will rarely ever find yourself with a 'gang member' threatening your life for the sake of his street.
Your number one is outrageous. These Mexican gangsters have no interest in testing the military strength of California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texan rangers. Quantifying the evidence is not necessary.
For these reasons, and the lack of any insightful critique of the real reason why California is particularly repugnant to the other 47 states, the economic tribulations, I believe your list should be revised or taken down.
I live in Northern California and can say beyond a doubt all of these are 100% true. Please never ever come to California. You should really visit Janesville, WI. They have a Dunkin' Donuts!
You damn Northern Californians! always want to keep everyone out. I live in SoCal and.., wait you’re right. Never come to California, its all true, no lies, matter of fact, I feel some shaking right now.
wow. #3. Really?
The #1 reason to live in California that trumps all 10 b.s. reasons on this website… they’re legalizing marijuana.
Yeah, because smoking dope will kill the pain of being homeless, raped by Mexican gangs and buried under a mudslide. Go, you.
Lol, you’re funny.
Will never happen. Voters won’t allow it.
it seems as if the voters did allow it my good sir
ive lived in california for 35 years and I have also lived in Oklahoma / Nebraska / Arkansas / Arizona , and trust me California wins hands down , theres a reason why more people come from all over the world to see all the things California has to offer, and hey tell me a state that has 300 sunny days a year besides Arizona I mean, from the time ive spent in the Midwest all ive seen is screwed up weather from hell , even lost a beautiful car dues to a hail storm / tornado , trust me if you’ve never been in 80% humidity go ahead and try it in the Midwest ,LOL, I dare you, and don’t for et California doesent have the right to work laws witch are for the companys not us the workers , and they have no retirnment to speak of , when I lived in faytteville Arkansas I started getting cronic bronchitis due to the high mold count and thought I was gona die then I said to myself im going back home, I was sick of losing jobs due to being sick and even dockters notes didn’t save my ass, let me tell you calli has the best jobs and health care I know ive recently been diagnosed with terminal liver and cirrhosis last stage, if I wasent in calli id be fkd no kidding, so due all the research before you run your mouth about calli it it the best state to live in ive also doon all the research online ….and yes growing pot is legal here I know …lol…
come live in Canada it will be legalized in less than a year across the land! But you won’t have 300days of sunshine but a bit less of skin cancer too!
first of all trump does not have anything to do with this situation not being mean kinda but, If you read the title it is the top tenz which mean why california is a bad place to live in most likely because of earthquakes and from my opinion I do not like trump at all he is crazzy and he will never make America Great Again and who knows something might happen to him while in the WHITE HOUSE just speaking my opinion about a couple of things and trust me i do not me no hurt harm or danger by saying this thanks have a nice day
I mean come on for the mature people on this cite how in the world do u know if california is a bad place if you never lived or stayed there gotta think before u say things # Catch me outside how bout dat !!!!!!!!!!!! @ twittercupcakecutie589
These are all dumb reasons . I live in California and none of that is to the extent you make it seem and some aren’t true !
what about street gangs?
It’s a huge hype. Sure there’s some but I have known a few ahd they don’t bother me. I don’t bother them they don’t bother me.
Now the cops on the other hand. Here’s what I know because I’ve lived it and witnessed it first hand with other people. Ventura County and Riverside county full of criminals looking to set people up in order to get their sentences reduced. California has the most corrupt court system I’ve ever seen. From the cops to the jails the judges and attorneys. If you are suffering a mental illness you are a easy target for DA who is a greedy MFer and of course wants to show he is tough on crime when he in truth creates criminals out of sick people in crisis. It’s a shame. Corruption in government is all throughout it. Nothings sacred. I’ve lived in california 60 yrs. so you better be more afraid of the cops and courts than so called gangs.