In recent years, California has witnessed a remarkable exodus as industries, businesses, and even celebrities abandon the Golden State in favor of greener pastures in red states. The question on everyone’s mind is simple: why are they leaving? States like Nevada, Tennessee, and Florida offer a compelling answer with lower taxes, increased personal freedom, reduced crime rates, minimal vagrancy and drug-related issues, and, in the case of Florida, a flourishing economy.
Renowned figures like Elon Musk, Rod Stewart, Katy Perry, Mark Wahlberg, and many others have bid farewell to California, seeking refuge in more welcoming conservative states. Alas, official records confirm that California, once again, holds the dubious honor of losing the most residents in 2023. It’s a distinction Governor Gavin Newsom, potentially eyeing a presidential run, would prefer not to acknowledge. However, given the state’s ongoing decline, it’s hardly surprising. California has now held this unenviable title for four consecutive years.
U-Haul’s annual Growth Index Report highlights the disparity between one-way U-Haul rentals entering and departing a state or city. If it’s a one-way rental, the destination state gains population, and for the fourth year running, California is not that destination. John Taylor, President of U-Haul International, tactfully stated, “While one-way transactions in 2023 remained below the record-breaking levels we witnessed immediately following the pandemic, we continued to see many of the same geographical trends from U-Haul customers moving between states.” In simpler terms, people are fleeing California.
This prompts the question: who are the winners in terms of population growth? For the past three years, Texas has emerged as the clear victor, drawing in a substantial influx of former Californians who’ve realized that life is better in the Lone Star State. Terry Gilliam, founder of a Facebook group dedicated to California’s exodus, shared his insights. Gilliam, a former California resident of over two decades, decided to pursue a brighter future in Ron DeSantis’ Florida two years ago. His Facebook group has since burgeoned, offering invaluable resources to Californians planning their migration to The Sunshine State.
Gilliam explained, “All you have to do is look at the continuing move left by California, and you can see why middle-class and upper-class taxpayers — the producers — are leaving.” Indeed, the Golden State’s gas tax, already the nation’s highest, rises every July 1st. Recent approvals for double-digit utility rate hikes, already well above the national average, have further burdened residents. Coupled with escalating regulations, ongoing pandemic mandates, and controversial discussions regarding transgender education in schools, Californians face a grim financial outlook.
It’s evident that California is grappling with a myriad of issues. Governor Newsom, who inherited a state with a budget surplus, has allowed it to spiral into a liberal bastion plagued by crime, drugs, high taxes, homelessness, and despair. The state faces dire financial straits, with Newsom harboring presidential ambitions. Those who choose to remain are realizing the consequences of their votes, while those who depart are discovering the advantages of life in red states.
In conclusion, California’s ongoing exodus underscores the perils of unchecked liberal policies and excessive government intervention. As the state’s allure continues to fade, conservative states like Texas and Florida are poised to thrive, welcoming those who seek a better life outside the Golden State’s troubled confines.
