It’s not a surprise that California is a highly desirable place for many people, inside and outside the US. As a hub for industries such as film and media, and with plenty of beaches, it’s not hard to understand why someone would want to move there. But no place is perfect, and California faces problems much like any other place. Whether it is related to geography, economics, or culture, here are 18 reasons why living in California is overrated.
Pollution & Poor Air Quality
California has some of the worst air quality statistics in the country. This can be attributed to many different factors. Climate change, intense industrialization, wildfires, and a warm climate that traps pollutants contribute to worsening the effects of pollution. Living in a city that has poor air quality can decrease health quality by leading to respiratory illnesses and a lower life expectancy.
High Cost of Living
As an economic and industry hub, the demand to live in California is high. This leads to higher costs of living. When combined with many other factors such as taxes, the housing market, and the desire for outsiders to move to California, this makes living in California an unviable option for many.
Homelessness
Statistics show that California’s level of homelessness is the highest in the US. As of the beginning of 2023, California saw 181,399 people suffering from homelessness. Homelessness is an issue among veterans, people suffering from drug and alcohol addiction, criminals, and more.
Expensive House Market
Homelessness isn’t only attributed to addiction or crime. It can often be attributed to California’s extremely high costs of living. California has the most expensive housing market in the US, with many residents listing it as a reason why they would leave the state.
Economic Disparity
People romanticize the state when they hear California. When they think of the beaches of LA, picturesque valleys in San Francisco, and the Hollywood sign, they are ignoring other areas of low income and crime. California is also home to poorer areas such as Compton and Stockton and has the nation’s highest levels of poverty.
Traffic & Congestion
California has the highest amount of cars for any state in America. As a result, traffic is heavy, particularly in cities such as Los Angeles. Despite attempts to decrease congestion by widening roads and increasing lanes, traffic problems are still prevalent in California.
Superficial People
As the home of Hollywood, California attracts many industry-driven and money-oriented people. Since it attracts many people who are seeking wealth and fame, it can create a community of superficial people. While there are also many kind and selfless people in California, there are many who are ego-centric and self-serving, unwilling to help others.
High Levels of Income Tax
California has a high level of tax when compared to other states. When it comes to income tax, California has the highest. The income tax in California is higher than in other high-tax states such as Hawaii or New York.
Crime
California experiences significant levels of crime, especially when compared to the national average. Not only this, crime levels have been increasing steadily over the past few years. This is particularly the case for violent crime and theft. While violent crime has been decreasing slightly over the past few years in the US, the opposite is true for states such as California.
Drought
Experiencing drought is common for Californian residents. With a distinct dry season and too much rain to counter this, California can experience drought, which depletes its reservoirs and resources. Not only is the environment affected, but also the community economically and socially.
Bad Public Transportation System
Heavy congestion and traffic combined with poor infrastructure mean that California’s transportation system leaves a lot to be desired. If you cannot legally drive a car or do not own a vehicle, getting around Californian cities can be frustrating and time-consuming, to say the least.
Earthquakes
California is one of the most earthquake-prone states in the US. Due to its geological formation, scientists also believe that California is likely to see a large-scale earthquake within the next 30 years. The likelihood of an earthquake with a magnitude of at least 6 hitting California in this timeframe is estimated to be at 99%.
Wildfires
In addition to natural disasters such as earthquakes, California is prone to suffering from wildfires. Due to climate change, California is experiencing wildfires more frequently and in more severe forms. This has profound effects on its air quality, the lives of native species, and agriculture in the state.
Drug Crisis
In the past three years, California’s opioid-related and opioid-specific deaths increased by a whopping 121%. Not only are deaths related to drugs such as Fentanyl increasing, but more money is diverted from other areas to counter drug-related problems in the state. San Francisco, in particular, is experiencing a drug epidemic where overdose deaths reached their highest in 2023.
Unemployment and Job Market Issues
California has one of the highest rates of unemployment in the US. Despite the US’s improving economy, California’s job growth is significantly lower than other states. Reasons for this include the lasting effects of the pandemic, regulatory requirements, higher labor costs, and people leaving the state to live in more affordable locations.
Gasoline
California also suffers from having the highest price of gas per gallon. The price for gas in California was at $5.41 per gallon as of March 2024, despite gas prices falling throughout the nation over the past year.
Oppressive Summer Heat
Although many associated California with its palm trees, sand-clad beaches, and warm temperatures, many fail to anticipate its oppressive summer heat. Not only do you need to look out for excessive sweating and heat cramps, but Californian residents must be wary of heatstrokes during the summertime. This is particularly an issue for manual workers whose jobs take place outdoors.
Public School Problems
If you’re not one of the wealthy celebrities in the state, you are likely to seek education at a public school in California. But because of low curriculum standards, poor education policies, and state budget deficits, not enough attention is placed on improving public schools in California.
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