California, a state filled with vibrant people, sunny beaches, and golden dreams, is experiencing a shift, and it is not in the way you might be thinking.
A recent poll that stunned many revealed that almost half of California’s residents are thinking about leaving the Golden State. You might wonder why they feel this way; it all boils down to some factors we delve into below.
California’s Diversity, Strength, And Identity
Part of the allure of California is its diversity. California is widely known for its diverse nature, with 71% of its population embracing its role in bringing people together from different backgrounds, cultures, and races.
Through a combination of cultures, ethnicities, and traditions, these diverse communities have intertwined to form an identity that draws people and makes it an attractive place to live and thrive. Due to this, even with the problems of affordability, people still migrate there.
The Highs and Lows of California Living
Who is the culprit casting a shadow over the Californian dream? The poll shared some insightful details about what is going on in California.
The esteemed research firm Strategies 360 conducted this poll in conjunction with the Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles Urban League, Center for Asian Americans United for Self Empowerment, and the Hispanas Organized for Political Equality were also collaborators in their efforts to shed light on the issue.
Community Perspectives
Conducted between June 6-16, the poll captured the feelings of 1,300 California residents. 29% expressed their contentment with the economy, a significant drop from 41% at the start of 2020.
The consensus is that almost half of residents face financial struggles, with over 22% struggling to meet their needs. Also, people from marginalized communities face additional barriers in terms of employment and wages.
The High Cost of Living and Decreasing Migration
Since 2020, California has faced a population decline, with around 500,000 people leaving the state. Experts believe the cause is the rising cost of living.
As the demand for homes keeps rising, California finds itself unable to meet this demand. This housing crisis and the inability to address the issue make people wonder if California will eventually be able to keep its residents or if the problem will continue.
California’s “High Tax, High Benefit” Model Puts Pressure On Those Who Aren’t Rich
While the problem of affordability stands as the main reason people are leaving the state, there are other issues at play. Most Californians find that the most desirable parts of the state are heavily populated, and the probability of further development is next to impossible due to different reasons, including government regulations.
This means the demand for available goods and services (particularly real estate) consistently surpasses supply, leading to an increase in prices. While the rich can easily get by in this situation, it puts too much pressure on non-affluent individuals.
Housing Crisis Hits Hard
Besides the cost of living problems and the rise in the number of people leaving the state, California is facing an increasing number of homeless people. Shockingly, reports show that over 171,000 people face homelessness in California on a daily basis.
This staggering number is more than double that of the next highest state, New York. There is no doubt that this further highlights why the crisis needs urgent action and a sustainable approach.
The Road To Recovery
As the Golden State continues to face the issue of retaining its residents as well as the economic hardships, it also faces the urgent need to work towards achieving a robust economic recovery.
California’s road to recovery will certainly need innovative policies and collaborative efforts from various sectors. This involves tackling issues relating to income inequality, housing affordability, unemployment, and homelessness which is vital if California is to achieve sustainable economic growth.
Is The California Crisis Only A Matter of Perspective?
One could argue that the number of people leaving California seems high only because of its large population. While that may be true to some extent, it is equally important to highlight that its continued appeal to newcomers makes it less obvious just how many people are exiting the state.
The fact is that California’s growth rate has seen a decline in comparison to what it used to be. Therefore, in the long run, California needs to work toward resolving its current challenges.
Revitalizing California’s Population
As a result of the ongoing housing crisis, there is a call for California lawmakers to remedy this ongoing problem by constructing more homes before the population issue gets worse.
Without more housing, there will be fewer possibilities for more people to own homes which will cause a cycle of a constant rise in the cost of living, a population decline, and generally, an economic battle. Maybe one day, California will earn its rep back as the Hollywood dream.
