Former California residents share their experiences of leaving the state due to soaring costs of living, homelessness, and declining infrastructure.
Former President Donald Trump recently criticized California Governor Gavin Newsom and Vice President Kamala Harris for their handling of the state, describing it as "paradise lost." Former residents of California are now sharing their experiences, echoing Trump's sentiments and detailing the reasons they left the once-prized Golden State.
Soaring costs of living, particularly housing prices, have forced many to consider leaving the Bay Area, the most expensive metro area in the United States. According to a recent poll, nearly half of Bay Area residents are considering relocating in the next few years.
Paradise Lost: Ex-Residents Describe California as a 'Third-World Country'
"It's a challenging place to live," said Ken Freeze, a former resident of Martinez. "Homelessness is out of control, and housing prices are skyrocketing."
Freeze and his wife bought land in Placerville in 2005, planning to retire there. However, by the time they were ready to retire, the state had changed too dramatically for their liking. They relocated to Meridian, Idaho, where they found more affordable homes and better roads.
Paradise Lost: Ex-Residents Describe California as a 'Third-World Country'
Another Bay Area couple, Jared and Ashley Troutman, moved to Phoenix, Arizona, after finding a house with a pool, palm trees, and mountain views, all for less than their one-bedroom apartment in San Bruno. "You can't get all that in California anymore, unless you're Elon Musk," Troutman joked.
Mary Ezell-Wallas, a resident of Oakland for nearly four decades, moved to the South out of concern for the city's declining conditions. "Living in Oakland was stressful every day and night," she said. "It felt like a third-world country."
Paradise Lost: Ex-Residents Describe California as a 'Third-World Country'
Ezell-Wallas recalled a time when Oakland had vibrant shopping and a strong downtown community. "Now, it's all boarded up," she said.
Former residents of California blame the state's leadership for failing to address homelessness, which has become a major problem, and for not investing in infrastructure. Governor Newsom has promised to crack down on homelessness and clean up trash, but many believe that these efforts are not enough.
Paradise Lost: Ex-Residents Describe California as a 'Third-World Country'
As a result of these issues, California is losing residents at an alarming rate. In 2021, the state lost more people than any other state in the nation. This trend is expected to continue as more and more Californians seek a better quality of life elsewhere.
The challenges facing California are not limited to the Bay Area. Other major cities in the state, such as Los Angeles and San Diego, are also grappling with homelessness, high housing costs, and traffic congestion. The state's once-bright future now seems uncertain as residents question its ability to address these pressing issues.
