I know California is pretty easy to rag on, and based on many government policies, deservedly so. But since you asked despite the confusing punctuation, here goes it:
Highest mountains in the continental 48, lowest elevation in North America, largest and tallest trees in the world, more snow in the mountains than just about anywhere, more biodiversity than just about anywhere with 13 ecoregions across four biomes, over 3000 miles of coastline, ample hunting opportunities with over 1000 harvestable species, more national parks and state parks than anywhere else, endless outdoor recreation opportunities with a high percentage of public land, the list can go on and on.
But yes, leadership is draconian in many regards and property is expensive relative to some areas (though it’s quite common for household income to exceed $200k/year).
I could live anywhere and have thought about it for one reason or another, but as someone who basically lives outside and loves a wide array of recreation and travel, even as someone who is hyper-conservative (old-school conservative, not neoCON) I can’t think of another place that could fulfill everything I love here.
I think most of the people who truly leave, do so for economic reasons more than simply hating the rules. If you can’t afford it, I can see that. If you can afford it, putting up with the nonsense is just something you do to live in a beautiful place. I hope one day the people in LA and SF will decide they are done with bad policies and the state gets some decent leaders.
