More recently you might have noticed an uptick in sellers moving out-of-state. 2020 did not start a trend of California out-migration, but perhaps it highlighted it. In fact, an Orange County Register article in October 2019 discusses this citing: “California had 190,122 more residents move out to other states in 2018 than arrived — a 38% jump in a much-discussed outmigration benchmark, new Census Bureau data shows.”* October 2019 was at least 3 months before COVID-19 lockdowns began so this is in n
Where are Californians moving? You could even guess some of the states**:
1. Texas
2. Arizona
3. Washington
4. Nevada
5. Oregon
6. Colorado
7. Florida
8. New York
9. Virginia
10. Idaho
The Pacific Northwest, neighboring states, and the nature filled states of Colorado and Idaho are all popular.
This year new real estate trends are developing because of coronavirus. Suburbia has become more attractive to many home buyers compared to urban living. Big backyards, remodeled kitchens, and home offices are all a part of the 2020 home buyer’s wish lift. The “wide open spaces” states might be gaining in popularity partially because of this shift in buyer preferences. It can difficult to find an attractively priced home in Southern California checking all those boxes.
We care about whether you are making a move. Mapping out whether an out-of-state move makes sense for you can be intimidating. Sometimes going through the exercise of considering it helps you land on your answer. The answer might be that you want to move a couple cities east or west or relocate to a different county. The answer might be moving to Idaho.
4 Things to Consider Before Moving Out of California
Before you call our office, list your house with KALEO and put in an offer on a new build in Montana, think about your reasons for moving. Here are 4 things to consider before moving out of California.
1. Job Opportunities
Maybe one of the reasons coronavirus has made it easier for people to move out-of-state is that they were laid off or furloughed. When you feel like there are not job opportunities where you live, then it is easier to relocate and apply for a new job. It is one less thing to do — resign or give your current employer notice — if you are not currently employed.
What industry do you work in? Can you work remotely? Is your industry centered in a specific geographic area? Silicon Valley, Los Angeles Film & Media centers, and the sheer size of the population in California means that you have a larger job base and number of employers. Colleges exist in California and throughout the country, so academia is a prime example of a field that has opportunities out-of-state. You would look for towns with similar university presence and needs. If you can do your job out-of-state, then that might be strong incentive to move.
2. Affordability
Tired of seeing $$$$ on every restaurant on Yelp? Aside from traffic, cost of living in Southern California is one of the biggest gripes of any resident. Sales tax, the price of brunch, car registration, rent — the list goes on — but the un-affordability of California can make it feel like even your steady paycheck is not enough.
Homes prices in Knoxville, Tennessee or Mesa, Arizona might be more in line with what you can afford than looking in Pasadena or Orange County. To afford a home in Southern California, you might have to commit to a long commute (if you are working in the office). Search through the homes for sale and it can be discouraging when you are priced out of being a homeowner. Affordability not only includes home prices, but the whole cost of living.
3. Friends and Family
“Can we all make a pact to move out-of-state at the same time?” is a common refrain in families and friend groups. The hardest thing aside from leaving beaches, your job, or where you grew up, is arguably leaving your friends and family and starting over. Starting over in a new town is scary and not always filled with picturesque Hallmark moments. It can be intimidating and daunting to be new and build a circle of community from scratch. It is easier to move out-of-state when you already have a family member or friend anchored in a city because you know that you can jump into that community and not feel unknown in a new place.
4. Lifestyle
Do you surf? Then moving to Colorado or Texas might be a lifestyle shock. Do you love your 70 degree fall and spring days and dry, not humid, heat summers? The weather of California is one of the biggest draws to people moving into the state. Year round sun makes outdoor activities thrive. Do you love your California State and National Parks, rugged coastline, and mountains? Then look at the states with National Parks and avid outdoors enthusiasts. The metropolitan events and culture of the big cities of Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego mean that you are close to museums, concerts, and live entertainment. Alternatively, California is home to so many professional sports teams that most residents could not list them all. If you like being within driving distance to a professional baseball game or football stadium, then check out the states that have similar sports arenas.
Please call our office at 626-609-2130 if you have questions about selling your home this year or contact us today via email. We can help you create a timeline so that whether selling and buying locally or out-of-state is your plan, we can accomplish it.
