[SE95]

Look at it this way all the homes in my hood are worth north of 1million a pop. In 09 when we moved in we had the only Subaru around the entire area. All the houses had Mercedes GL's and top trim Toyota's and lexus, a couple of Tesla sports cars - lots of Land Cruisers and every other house seems to have a 911. Three years later I've counted about 10 Gen4 Subaru's legacy, OB and even two new Imprezas. I think value for the money speaks louder than the old rainbow sticker on the old clapped out beater OB. LOL

I wondered what kind of neighborhood you lived in when you talk about a few of your neighbors having Teslas, which you NEVER see around here, even in the very nice areas. Then again, the streets of Pittsburgh would chew up and spit out most of the pretty little sports cars. By comparison, the ceiling price for a home in my neighborhood is about $90k. I live in a townhouse though. Neighbor up the street has an '07ish Forester. I think that is the only other Subaru on the street.

 

[SE95]

Bay Area was just listed second for the most wealth in the US. The mow and Blow yard crews around here charge $400 a month for two 15 minute mow and blow's a month. I do my own yard work I ran rough numbers on the guy who does 4 houses on our street his truck parks in one spot and in an hour twice a month he pulls down 4X$400 - I spoke to him the first year we were here and asked how many houses he had a day. He does between 6 and 8 houses a day. Since then I've spoken to him a few more times BSing about pruning etc and turns out he owns two homes in the next town over. He pulls down more than I do and will probably be long retired before I ever start thinking I can retire.

Different world - when you live in one the top largest economies in the World yes CA is one of the largest economic players in the World - if we could succeed from the US we would be one of the wealthiest places on Earth. The Oil fields we have are only just now being looked at estimated numbers are 50yrs worth of oil that would supply CA and exported. So we haven't even tapped that bank account yet.

I honestly would have little interest in moving to CA. I like how quiet and relaxed pace Pennsylvania is. Pittsburgh has repeatedly been on the top of the lists for "America's Most Liveable City" and "Most affordable city". Through the tough economic times in recent years Pittsburgh's economy has remained unchanged for the most part. There is still a pretty strong job market around here, and housing is affordable. A lot of people still picture us as being a dirty "steel city". In actuality most of our economy is based on banking, education, healthcare, and technology industries. We're very clean. There are a few major pharmaceutical companies in the area as well (Glaxo-Smith-Kline and Bayer North America).

My next door neighbors are from Orange County, CA. Moved here about 6 years ago after living in CA all their lives. They said the only thing they really miss about Orange County is being 10 minutes from the beach. And apparently their townhouse here that cost $90k would be about ~$350k in their area (from what she told me).

 

[SE95]

I always laugh at people who comment on pace of life. Socal is more laid back and slower than almost every place I've been. They even write songs about it. Bay Area makes Socal look like a sleepy little town south of the border. However 45 minutes outside of the Bay Area you have one the largest AG producing regions in the US those towns are sleepy. CA is MASSIVE and has every conceivable living situation you can think of.

We have far far too many people here already though so stay where you are glad your happy there. ;-) I have many friends who have left CA for very high paying very good career opportunities on the East Coast - all of them have come back and many of them are from the East Coast to start with and still have family back there even more reason to go back but so far none of them have the slightest interest in doing that.

I guess it takes a certain kind of person. My neighbors are a young family with younger children. Part of their point in moving was the state of public schooling in their area was apparently abysmal. They go back to CA on vacation usually once a year, but have no interest in moving anywhere except to maybe another house in the area (they want more room). I've lived here all my life, but from the little bit I've traveled I always find myself glad to be home and glad to live where I do. Pittsburgh is a unique pace. No other place I've been can compare.