Why the Bay Area Sucks so Bad

The Bay Area of California is deteriorating in quality of life and it's shockingly apparent.
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Since I have been living here for almost 27 years in total, I have seen dramatic changes in quality of life. Most of this happened the past few years but it had always been an ongoing degradation for the past 10 years or so. Let me count the ways.
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[@marierogers1865]

San Francisco: where dogs step in human poop

[@WishAtElevenEleven]

The crime is no joke. I’ve lived in the Bay Area my whole life. My brother was killed in Hayward by a man with 30+ parole violations. I am trapped in my mortgage and can’t easily leave, but I also feel I need to stay to support my parents after the loss of my brother. My other siblings are in Austin and they love it there.

[@Klektic]

Sorry for your loss.

[@midnight.amethyst]

I am also sorry for you loss❤

[@CarolinaZ501]

So, so very sorry for your terrible loss. Please leave before you get hurt yourself, take your parents with you!

[@michelleminer2190]

I'm incredibly sorry for your loss :( . Xx

[@pearlperlitavenegas2023]

Sorry for your loss. My brother was murdered in Boyle Heights (LosAngeles) in 1997. I left L.A. in 2002 never looked back.

[@tomm1974]

Sold our house in San Mateo County and moved outside of Nashville. My wife was born in San Francisco, and we left for all the reasons you mentioned here. In California, most everyday interactions with people are terrible. You don't realize how bad they are until you go other places, and with all the other negatives of living in the Bay Area, we decided life was too short to waste in that toxic environment. We've been here a year and couldn't be happier! The people are friendly and engaging, having all four seasons are beautiful, the cost of living is far less, the neighborhoods are immaculate, there are great schools, and ANYTHING you do is so much easier. You can register kids for school, get a license at the DMV and go grocery shopping in the same morning. Heavenly!

[@exitthematrix2072]

Smart guy!!

[@eatlaughandstupid4430]

lived in Orange County my entire life except for college and some world travels...can not believe that I might leave my beloved OC by choice...as a kid, my cousins would visit us back in the 80s from Oklahoma, CA was the place...man, how the might have fallen...makes me so sad....

[@huntersims1966]

Yeah, but in Tennessee and other southern states, you have to deal with MAGA White Christian Nationalists. Many of the public school teachers are also religious zealots and anti-evolutionists. Most of your co-workers will also fit this description as well.

[@J3unG]

You're probably white.

[@johnwhatever8000]

Just please don’t vote like people do in Cali and ruin your new community

[@yuluntsang]

I lived in San Jose for about 17 years, and end up we have decided to move out to Frisco, TX earlier last year. I have since asked myself on week #2, “this place is amazing, why the hell did I live in Bay Area for that long?” Couple of reasons why we moved: (1) Bad policy, bad politics (2) Bad Traffic (3) High tax and the government treats us like 3rd-tiered citizens (4) People are SOOOOOO nice outside of Bay Area, and I cannot imagine how nice people in Texas are. (Worth-noting, I am an Asian and people in the Bay Area we’re telling me Texans are racist, no, they are not - don’t listen to mainstream media) (5) Personal freedom and choice rather than the government mandating this mandating that (6) Material taught in school and the parents have no say about it whatsoever (7) High crime rate (8) Out of control homelessness situation (9) Majority of the people are quite narrow-minded liberals, and there is almost no agree to disagree anymore. If I have more time, I can name possibly another 10 reasons why Bay Area sucks.

[@yuluntsang]

@@johnnylee8194 yeah that’s fine. As I come from a place with more common sense anyways :) enjoy Bay Area.

[@BeatTheBush]

#4... Why are Bay Area people so mean? Lol. I was in Austin and I can also say that people there are much nicer as well.

[@clownpocket]

We see who has been racist to Asians, and it's not who the dishonest media tells us it is.

[@curvyQT1]

"I am an Asian and people in the Bay Area we’re telling me Texans are racist, no, they are not" You would have had a different experience if you were black...smh Asians were never the intended target.

[@JK20239]

Texas property taxes are actually worse than California. Texas isnt friendly for homeowner's

[@markakira8988]

The stress of selling your place and moving (and leaving family friends/comfort zone) is minimal compared to living the rest of your life there. It is absolutely not normal to have that level of concern just to park your car or use public transportation. Imagine moving and your wealth +automatically lasts another 5,7,10 more years just by making one decision.

[@allencoffland1685]

good point. he admits that one can be clueless about the level of toxicity until they travel to some other free and sane state.

[@hzuiel]

10 years is a conservative estimate. A tiny home there is like 500k-1mil, whereas in other parts of the country a much larger and nicer home could be had for like 300k, and all expenses are on average 10% or so below national average, which is like a 25% difference since california's big cities are above national average. It is about twice as expensive, but people don't make twice as much money. Professionals in career fields that have shortages, moving out of california often find themselves making just as much money but have half the living expenses.

[@OtomoTenzi]

Now THIS, is good and sound advice from somebody who KNOWS!!!

[@wolfyklip]

I live here in the SFBA for 65 years! But the last 22 years in Sonoma county, I was born in SF and live in SF for almost 44 years. The late 50's , 60's to the 80's were very different . I am Chinese-American and seen my share of how things changed by living in the Mission District in the mid-1960 to 1990's. I still love the Bay Area and will stay till I die!!

[@RandyReeTV]

lmao nice

[@taoist32]

Nice. I would love to stay, but everything price wise continues to rise. I just paid 77 bucks for a full tank of gas. I’m not rich like you are, and I also grew up in the Bay Area in the 70’s.

[@OtomoTenzi]

Dying really ain't all that hard... Trying to LIVE is! 😱😱😱

[@cornellouis]

I feel you. I started visiting the bay area in 2004 and moved here in 2007 after college and... yeah even though I'm making around $300k, the $1M+ small houses just seem like giant anchors. I could rant about everything else but... bottom line now is the bay area is great if you've got $20M. For anyone who isn't getting paid a dump truck of money to be here, it's a bad deal.

[@silentmajority8365]

You wanted liberalism and diversity at any cost It drove out jobs tax base

[@davidho2977]

$300k sounds like a dump truck of money to me!

[@cornellouis]

@@davidho2977 Yes, it does until you make the houses $2M. Then you have a $10,000 monthly payment for 30 years. Oh, and the local school is rated 3/10, so if you want to educate your kids, enjoy the private school tuition.

[@Aieshoo]

​@@cornellouisYou could always buy a house in the ghetto!

[@cheetobandido546]

@@davidho2977 Not in the Bay Area.

[@proudasiangirl576]

Born and raised in San Francisco. Was just telling my friend that this is not the same City as we once knew it. When we grew up, it felt safe to go around the City. Not anymore. I've since moved out to the suburbs but don't feel particularly safe going to the City. I won't even consider eating dinner there simply for the mere fact that I am putting my car at risk for a break in. What kind of society is this? It's all the politicians and prosecutor that have deteriorated our quality of lives, the tax paying, law abiding citizens.

[@OtomoTenzi]

USofAIDS!!!

[@VictoryXR]

I literally moved out of San Francisco to Long Beach late last year and WHAT A DIFFERENCE! You're so right... the Bay HAS gotten so bad. I never had a car so BART/bus/walking was my mode of transportation. It is so dangerous, I just had to keep my head down... I was so glad when remote work happened because things were getting bad even before covid. But in LB, it's MUCH safer, people are WAY nicer and the cost of living is much cheaper than SF. It's certainly not the cheapest in the country but compared to SF, it feels like such a god send.

[@realnapster1522]

Long Beach is worse 😂

[@pacz8114]

Saying Long Beach is "much safer" than San Francisco is like saying Watts is "much safer" than Hunter's Point.

[@cj4life390]

The cost of living might be slightly less but there's no way Long Beach (basically LA) is safer than SF. I'd still watch my back. 😭

[@susanjaneterry1073]

You describe life as normal as I knew it in the Bay Area. I am in NW Florida and those little things really make a difference. In my town, the people who work at the stores live here and are always friendly. So are the shoppers. People smile and really are interested in how you are. Born and raised in CA, I'm still getting over being transactional. No one begins any conversation stating their needs first. If you do, they stare and wonder where your manners went. This is small-town America and it's wonderful. We don't even have any dive bars. People are just that happy.

[@FLORIDAHOODVLOGS]

You will wake up Eventually from Your honeymoon.

[@susanjaneterry1073]

@@FLORIDAHOODVLOGS You're probably right. But I anticipate a long and happy marriage.

[@OtomoTenzi]

Better than moving abroad off to some far-away and 'exotic' country, where you could get hijacked and kidnapped without ANY hope of rescue or amnesty from the USofAIDS...

[@manavichandra7210]

so true! I remember in school I said hi to someone who was already sitting at a table. She was SO RUDE and actually screamed at me! Meanwhile in the rest of the world saying hi to a stranger is considered polite! It's not just the Bay Area - I went down to LA and I was shocked at how mean everyone was, and I mean everyone! California is a crapshoot. I can't wait to get out.

[@SunandSnowGardening]

Why bury the lede? "You come here to make money, mainly as a tech worker, probably, and you probably just want to come in, make money, leave". That is precisely why it sucks so bad and why I had to leave my hometown 27 years ago. You probably have know idea what a beautiful place it was to live before then. The whole California coast was a wonderful place to live in the 70's and early 80's. What kind of culture do you expect when the population of a town is overwhelmed with new people who have no stake in preserving the existing culture and come just to make money?

[@kullanma]

Retired from the military in 2016 and the wife wanted to move back to California because we lived in Monterey for some time years ago. I told her I knew a place with an ocean that was much cheaper and still beautiful. We moved to Florida and have been very happy here ever since. I would say that you shouldn't be afraid to move. :-)

[@jpjp3873]

I've lived in Monterey area my whole life. It's beautiful here and the weather is great. That's just not enough anymore. We're outa here!

[@grailsgg]

@@jpjp3873 haha didn't expect to see Monterey people commiserating here. I'm born and raised on the peninsula and still here after 33 years. REALLY want to escape at some point soon though. Rent goes up the second it's legal to raise it, and the shittiest starter homes are like $800k now. Painful to think I could easily afford a nice house in a ton of other states. Where you gonna go?

[@BeatTheBush]

I hope they do something to make it easier to live in CA. But hmmm, that's unlikely.

[@alejandropalazonurtubi3520]

@@BeatTheBush well probably soon or later they are gonna fix the f***d in the elections, does anybody believes that Newson won fairly? or Biden?

[@jdthompson5778]

@@alejandropalazonurtubi3520 To answer your question NO definitely not! Not many believe that! Haha

[@baskinsmichael]

There is a gloomy depression amongst the people of the Bay Area. I think it it’s partly the long work hours, the impossible housing costs, and the fact that people are very segregated. You have Asian neighborhoods, latino, black neighborhoods, but very little intermixing. It is like two ships passing in the night and is uncomfortable for those involved

[@baskinsmichael]

@@manavichandra7210 People are thinking about race too much these days. It makes people not trust eachother. When you've had so many rude interactions with people of other races, so start to not trust.

[@ONCEINABLUEMOON1993]

I moved from Hong Kong to SF bay area in 2012, and then moved to Florida in 2016. It didn’t take me long to realize California was toxic. People keep saying California is more diverse, liberal, and tolerant, but people mostly only hang out with the same ethnicity, and they are mean and impatient if your English is not good. I visited Florida and immediately saw the difference. Even Florida is not as diverse, people are very nice and patient. Not to mention the much lower cost of living. I was way happier ever since moving out of CA.

[@BeatTheBush]

You ahead of the game. I'm only starting to realize it recently being like a lobster being boiled and never noticing.

[@ericchu796]

What city in Florida you moved ? I also from HK and live in SF bay area for long time and thinking moving to Texas or Florida.

[@ONCEINABLUEMOON1993]

@@ericchu796 I moved to Gainesville cuz I went to UF. I am in Portland Oregon now, which is having similar issue as Cali but way less severe.

@@ONCEINABLUEMOON1993 Really, Portland is less severe?

[@exposedthat]

when is the next bay area meetup

[@daphne7897]

Just moved to FLORIDA from CA for 4 months now and loving this life! Been in CA for 30yrs, and was a bit nervous moving to a completely different state from all my family and friends, but I needed a change! Now I love it! I love the Florida rain!! So much water compared to the drought of CA! It’s like getting the opportunity to live a second life! Thanks for sharing BTB!

[@OtomoTenzi]

Yeargh, I'm thinkin' of movin' down to the Florida Keys myself in a couple more years cuz SFO totally stinks... Which region in Florida are you currently living in right now and do you recommend it?

[@Arminius420]

I grew up in Tampa bay Florida and I knew so many people from Cali and they never looked back. LOL

[@Outofmyshell.]

I wouldn’t pretend that Florida is the best place to live. I’ve been here for 15 years and I’ve hated it the entire time I’ve been here basically. It’s boring, dirty, and the prices are rising for rent at an astronomical pace. Women’s rights are always up in the air here as well. There are pros and cons for every state. This is the worst state my family and I have lived in.

[@bixizapatero8256]

Did you say Florida? Have you ever heard of FL man? It's a real thing. I am from South FL, the crime is worse, rudeness is 10 times worse in FL and the traffic is about the same. Btw, the salary in FL is about 20K less. I am glad I live in Novato, CA now.

[@unhinged9650]

That was what I felt back in 2019. Negative people all around me. Insane prices I had to pay. What really got me was that I had to "donate" $1000 for each kid so that their schools can continue music, art, pe programs....Best decision I ever made was to move out of CA.

[@BeatTheBush]

So cool you moved out, I probably have to figure out a way to do so.

[@yuluntsang]

Likewise! I think the only reason I would go back to the Bay Area temporarily is to sell my house there.

[@StefanUrkel]

@@BeatTheBush Bay Area has lots of positives and lots of beautiful parts to it. Unfortunately, homelessness, crime, graffiti, traffic congestion have all gotten worse over the decades. Yes, it's also gotten more expensive, prohibitively so for many. I hope it is something that gets better over the long term so what makes the Bay Area special can be preserved. I've always appreciated the diversity and less conservative and more open minded bent, and the grass is always greener elsewhere. Some places may be cheaper to live but more humid, less diverse, open minded, and etc. Hopefully those who have lived there all of their lives continue to stay and help make it better and restoring it. Public transportation takes a much longer time to get from A to B, PERIOD. It is not exclusive to the Bay Area. But yeah, a lot of things have gotten worse... one of my favorite noodle houses in Downtown Oakland now has boarded up windows and a bowl of combination noodles cost me $16 now! When I lived in the Bay Area, I took the views for granted after a while. You tend to do that after living somewhere for a while.

[@thefray123]

@@BeatTheBush where would you consider moving once you get out of the Bay Area? I moved to TX last year (Austin) and everyone here is so much more polite than most I’ve met in the bay (you are truly the exception, Francis! :D )

[@shady12333]

@@BeatTheBush figure out? You are retired with no kids. You sell your property at high price and become unattached from california, except for visiting your family. That's how easy it is

[@roddunham8887]

I've lived here all my 56 years . I agree with so much of what you've said. It's clear when I travel down south , San Diego and or beach cities there's a differnce in how people interact, But , when I get back home I try to still be nice and hospitable despite the negative energy that has crept it's way in . I try to be cheerful with store and restaurant workers as well as in general being courteous on the highways, but I know I'm in the minority. This does not stop or discourage me though. I'm trying in my small way to keep at least some of the values I grew up with here when it wasn't a boarding on negative stressful environment. I can only hope there's others out there like me that try at least to make living here bearable. :) Peace to all - I really mean that.

[@cheetobandido546]

Unfortunately, it's getting to the point for me where just managing my attitude is no longer enough. The barrage of negativity whenever I go out is too much. I'm glad to hear it works for you though. I admire you and wish you all the best. If only there were more people like you in the Bay Area.

[@hjdhbcfjjb]

People in the bay area are actually really nice. I'm confused by all these comments about rude people here. Yes, there are many people here who think they're gangsters and yes, there are some seriously entitled snobs. But that's also in any major city. But as someone who has lived in multiple major cities throughout the country, I find the people here to be very nice overall, the same as any other city at worst.

[@So.avant.garde1]

I’m In the Bay also, and yeah… It’s bad! 😭 Every year it gets worst. Utility companies are out of line with all of their price gauging increases and gas prices are outrageous. The natural parks are about the only beauty to be found here.

[@BeatTheBush]

Natural gas price increased from 1.40/therm to 2.1/therm. But I think it's not their doing since the cost has gone up. Electric prices are 7c/kWh in Florida while it's 4x here in California! Nuts!

[@jOeLwAlBy]

@@BeatTheBush 28¢ per kWh is fine. Go look what we pay in Europe without California salary, I think Germany has the worst on average if I can remember.

[@joeswanson733]

move to utah

[@JustMe-fg6mr]

@@BeatTheBush I got a project with UCI and stayed in Costa Mesa for a year back in 2002. Could not explain, but my instinct told me Cali was not my place.

[@tuckerbugeater]

@@jOeLwAlBy who gives a f#@$ what eurotrash are paying. They can enjoy solar heating in the winter time thanks to Putin. LOL!! Go Green!

[@imranchaudhry4321]

When one of the most polite vloggers struggles to say something nice about his experience in CA , its time to GTFO

[@BoCaine]

all of this is made up nonsense for people who have complexes of some sort lol if you have issues in most of california, you are the problem...

[@terryevans1976]

I'm a fifth gen Californian. That being said I grew up all over the world as a Navy brat and then I joined the Marines and did the same thing. I returned to CA for college and lived in the Bay Area for the last 30+ years. It is incredibly depressing to see what the destruction of our once beautiful state. Last year I had enough and moved to North Idaho. It reminds me of what CA was like 40 years ago; no homeless to be seen, almost no crime, and wonderful people. With all the sane people moving here it's likely to stay that way, at least for awhile. The amount of stress that disappears from your life is amazing. Don't wait, make the move.

[@grumpyschnauzer]

I’m moving back. Anywhere else is boring.

[@JLarky]

I used to live in Fairfield, CA. My stuff was stolen, it had AirTag in it, I drove there and in that apartment complex dumpster there I see half of the stuff that was stolen. Car matched the description that my neighbor saw. Police got there, said to me that it's too dangerous to talk to the guy who stole my things and drove away. My friend in Oakland had security camera footage of the guy breaking into the house and hauling his stuff out. Police didn't even come to write a report.

[@johnnylee8194]

LA cops would have jacked up the suspect. SF and specially Oakland cops have relatives doing the deed.

[@allencoffland1685]

time to vote with your feet

[@JLarky]

@@allencoffland1685 pretty much :) I moved to Utah :) amount of bikes that are stored on ground floor patios is staggering :)

[@bricaaron3978]

*"Police got there, said to me that it's too dangerous to talk to the guy who stole my things and drove away."* Were they female "police"? I'm trying to wrap my head around this.

[@JLarky]

@@bricaaron3978 no, there were like 5 grown ass men in two police cars

[@trigganometry168]

The commute is the killer. I took a new job for less money but now I work 2 miles from the house and I have to say my life has improved drastically. I don’t leave anything visible in my car and make sure the privacy cover is open to see that nothing is in the trunk of my hatchback. Also installed a cat shield for my car catalytic converter (it was stolen once and won’t happen again) it costed me $2500 to replace.

[@BeatTheBush]

Wow... I didn't know they have things called 'catclamps' from looking up what this cat shield is. It's a costly repair and I have heard it happen to others before. Thanks for the tip.

[@averagejoe9249]

My parents met and lived in California years ago. One of the main reasons why they said they've moved out was because of high taxes, housing and crime. A few years ago I was visiting California with them, and remember they both said let's hurry and get out of here before they start taxing us again. Haha

[@BeatTheBush]

HA HAH A! The longer you stay the more they tax you! Get out before you're left with nothing! Lol.

[@victorbetton9198]

Lol lmbo

[@ni12907]

Lmao 😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@happyb6443]

Move to a nice area in Florida, if you don’t mind hot weather in the summertime. It’ll be significantly better overall.

[@Otani_Garage]

BART is just ridiculous. Walking through Civic Center station feels like going through a haunted maze. It is the closest thing to hell on earth I have ever experienced. I cannot believe people really just accept that’s the best we can do in terms of public transportation

[@TheSunGoethDown]

I lived in Mountain View and Sunnyvale in the early 90’s but I am from NJ. I worked in tech. I never felt like I was putting down roots. It was so crowded and expensive even back then.

[@trentc1098]

i grew up in milpitas, my family still lives there but everytime i visit youre right the people mainly are rude and the drivers are horrible

[@DeborahE7]

My husband and myself own and drive two 19 year-old cars on purpose because of the chance of theft or accidents. We won’t buy anything newer than 12 years old for this reason alone. Seattle is pretty crazy like San Francisco.

[@grantguy8933]

DemcRATs

[@BeatTheBush]

You just cant own nice things anymore. Well... have to go to a safer area to own nice things.

[@grantguy8933]

@@BeatTheBush you are not bond by jobs or wife and kids. You can do it.

[@grassyshock]

I honestly can't wait to leave the Bay area. I was born here and I thought everywhere in the world was just as chaotic as here, My husband lived in a lot of different states and we really want to move. I didn't think there could be places without so much chaos. I'm ready for the change!

[@OtomoTenzi]

MOVE NOW before it's too late!

[@unknownsaiyan2.027]

Leave. I moved here from NJ and I hate it I’m moving to Houston. These tech boy softies are extremely passive aggressive they think they’re tough because they hide in crowds and their soy boys have their backs 😂 what’s even funnier is they hate cops and give us such a hard time yet who they call when they get robbed by a homeless person?!?’ US

[@cheetobandido546]

@@OtomoTenzi When will it be too late?

[@POORANDBROKECITIZEN]

I lived in the Bay Area but had to move out due to work. I'm hesitant to move back. Most people that live there barely can afford to keep up with the rat race or keep up with the Jones. The stress level is unbearable as everyone is working mad hours and on weekends to stay relevant in the tech industry. There is no time for fun.

[@cgrilley]

I'm a native San Franciscan...grew up there in the 70s and 80s and still live in the greater Bay Area. That era definitely had its problems but the Bay Area was unquestionably much nicer then. The weather, colleges, diversity and economic/job opportunities are still great but you pay an unreasonable premium for those things now. The core problem IMO is the region can only really support 4-5M people yet there are over 7M people packed in here now. There's very little land left to build on and unless you eminent domain private property or incentivize multi-unit upgrades housing scarcity is not changing anytime soon. As a result infrastructure is crumbling and the scarcity of housing has created massive wealth inequality, which is a major cause of property crime and homelessness. People who have been lucky enough to own a home here for at least 15 years are sitting pretty, while everyone else is living hand-to-mouth just based on housing costs. The best thing that could happen to the region, as terrible as it would be short term, would be if most big tech companies left and the local economy went into recession for at least two years. All of the "tech gold rushers" would bail, housing would loosen up and things would start to return to some equilibrium.

[@StefanUrkel]

Couldn’t have said it better.

[@RandyReeTV]

the reasons tech companies are here in the first place is because of silicon. I think. iono. So as awesome as that would be.. :(

[@J3unG]

You know what...SF FEELS like the 1970's to me right now. The buildings are bigger and the streets are 'a little' cleaner (despite what the fucking media says -- KPIX is the worst). The Emporium is gone. The old Transbay Terminal with it's dark, smelly rooms are gone. The jeepneys are gone. But IT'S QUIET and slow paced like the 1970's. I FUCKIN' DIG IT!! The tech industry is leaving SF and is returning to Sta Clara WHERE IT BELONGS. SF was always the arts/political center of the Bay Area and tech was only brought here by Ed Lee who wanted to raise more $$$ for the city and improve Market Street by renting places out to tech companies. It worked but then things got overwhelmed as greedy tech fucks ran in looking for the Ed Lee deal. That era is over and things are wonderfully slower. Personally, I'm taking advantage of it by enjoying places I frequented as a kid without the shitty tourists: Aquatic Park, Embarcadero, Coit Tower, Mission Street on a Sunday afternoon, Mission District between 19th to Army Street and beyond. All is quiet now and I fucking love it.

[@StefanUrkel]

@@J3unG hopefully things get better and all the things that have made SF great over the years is preserved and only gets better. I’m not sure how I feel about that Sales Force monstrosity, and that leaning tower of condos.

[@utubestalker.dotcom]

@@J3unG everything is quiet now because of the pandemic

[@ec296]

Grew up in SF and left the Bay in the late 90’s. Been back a few times and did feel it was “changing” but couldn’t believe that it’s gone south this quickly. 😞

[@stevez5134]

whenever I go from SF to visit Fresno I immediately notice the difference. But, I can notice a positive change even in San Jose, random people enjoying the day, holding the door, and being nice to each other. so San Jose must not be that bad

[@BeatTheBush]

sf to Sj? I can see that. But it gets better going from Sj to ??

[@gabrielcoito2410]

I disagree, I’m a lifelong San Jose resident.

[@jessicah3782]

Hey, thanks! I’m 27 but born here, so we have been in the Bay for the same amount of time! I got to travel here and there, so I know the Bay Area is not as cool or unique as it likes to think it is. (When I was younger, I swear it was chiller and much less road rage. A hell of a lot cheaper too.) But I still find a lot of love for the place I call home. However, these are well-known issues, and I wish people cared enough to change it. Be more creative in addressing issues. I’m also not looking forward to bridge toll which will be $9 in a couple years. Legislated. So I decided to be open-minded and apply throughout the state even though the market wages differ. Now I’m feeling better about San Diego for a potential job offer. I’ll go anywhere at this point

[@minhchu15]

I grew up in the Bay Area as well and still love in the East Bay as well. Taxes, regulations, traffic, high cost of living, crime, homelessness, terrible school ratings, the list goes on. All we have going for us right now is diversity. The middle class is struggling big time in CA. It's not easy to raise a family here anymore. I thought about moving so many times if it wasn't wasn't for my other family members.

[@BeatTheBush]

Diversity in people and in food. I cant complain about the variety but you'll have to pay a lot for it.

[@keemiel4005]

The natural beauty is also a big advantage. Though fire season has just become fire. Unfortunately.

[@i486DX66]

How about diversity of political ideology and thought? How does it rank there? Why do we consider / value diversity only when it relates to skin color or gender?

[@hhwin2198]

Maybe you guys need to be the ones to set the trend and move. They’ll follow if they see how cheap other places are.

[@natetran9987]

TX a lot more diverse than you think, better food too ;D

[@Cosmic_admirer]

I live in the Bay Area and I can totally relate to him. His opinion is honest and accurate !

[@reidyoshida9452]

I'm attending USF and regularly by-passers steal amazon packages, food-service items and break into ppl's cars in broad daylight with ppl walking around. No one does anything and police can't catch anyone because of the horrible SF traffic.

[@Zeegoner]

What race of people?

[@jasonlewis9240]

@@Zeegoner mine unfortunately 😔😔

[@michaelb.8953]

I lived in San Fransisco 30 years ago for many years while I was in the Navy and am originally from Upstate New York born and raised. I liked it and met a lot of really cool people there that were not in the military. I had considered staying after I got out of the service, but the pure expense of everything would have been too much as the Navy wouldn't be paying my way at that point. I haven't stepped foot in that part of the country in 30 years since I left and it's so sad to see what's going on there now. It wasn't terrible back then, but no way in hell would I go back there as I have a feeling I wouldn't even recognize it now anyway. I'll stick to my small town living in rural Pennsylvania.

[@J3unG]

Don't believe the media, bro. They'll put one mugging or a slew of shoplifts on TV and call it a crime wave to get ratings. I've lived here all my life and am now OLD and have lived in NYC and LA and traveled all over the world. SF is my home and is better than any place I've visited. It's not as bad as this moron on this vid says it is. He looks like a tech bro who drives a Tesla and complains about driving in rush-hour even though he works at home. The guy's a serious jackwagon. It's not that bad. You should come have a visit and check it out for yourself. It's not as bad as he says.

[@bricaaron3978]

@@J3unG You've told us that it's not actually that bad, but you haven't told us what you like about it. Why is it that you believe it's better than any place you've visited?

[@grizzleyadams2101]

@@J3unG There is a saying in the media "No news is good news". Bad news sells, good news doesn't.

[@OtomoTenzi]

I just wish MORE big strong-ass roughneck Navy dudes would go ashore, venture into bars/pubs in SF and start FISTFIGHTS with the passive-aggressive tech nerd locals... Teach 'em what REAL MEN are made of! 👊

[@Greg_Chase]

The decline began after the wife and I graduated from UCSF and UC Berkeley in the early 1990s - at the time, she was at UCSF and San Fran was very nice, and the city had won a national award "Cleanest Big City in the U.S." for four (4) years in a row. I realize if you've seen the place now, that's nearly impossible to believe, but it's true. We went to work in tech and finance. The decline was astonishingly fast. We left the state behind about 6 years ago, and we put up with the 'quality of life' decline too long.. IF YOU'RE THINKING OF LEAVING, don't wait. Choose a good spot and GO. The years we were indecisive about leaving should have been spent in a safe place, with reasonable costs, and there are places like that all over the U.S. The leadership in SF and the state level, we believe has 'weaponized' a declining quality of life (1) to flood nearby states with 'blue' voters fleeing the state, (2) to grow their voter base as people become impoverished (companies are leaving too), and as they import indigent 3rd-world people from countries south of our border ('sanctuary state'). Yes we sense that they made living conditions awful, on purpose. GET OUT, life is short, and think rationally, and think of 'outcomes' when you vote. San Francisco has had a HORRIFIC outcome under democrat control, compared to what it used to be. . .

[@Royal_G80]

I lived my whole life in the Bay Area and left back in 2012. I can't believe how bad its gotten since I left! I hope you're not exaggerating! Sad what's happened!

[@mida8261]

It's gotten worse since the pandemic and even worse since 2012. I don't even visit the bay anymore unless I have a very good reason to.

[@MrNGTfan123]

You haven’t lived on the east coast, people are way more “rat race” fast paced, road rage etc. than in California. The difference is night and day.

[@BeatTheBush]

Does Florida count as east coast? Or you mean NY I assume. Certainly, people do not take the time to be friendly in NY just like in CA.

[@johnnylee8194]

Your spreading feel good nonsense as smug & soft east coast "warehoused" person living from subway stop to subway stop. Just look at east coast demographics for goodness sake. east coast is new south for decades. They cant possibly be more capable on anything from my experience. akin to saying detroit better than fremont lol

[@MrNGTfan123]

@@johnnylee8194 I had trouble following what you were saying….

[@MrNGTfan123]

@@BeatTheBush not Florida. New York, PA, Delaware people are full blown rat race mode. It’s crazy

[@keemiel4005]

Agreed and I think the people in NYC are way nicer than in San Francisco and the Bay Area. I’ve lived in both places.

[@crand20033]

I visited my relatives in Pasadena recently. I went to a bar and ordered a beer. the bill just for that one can of beer was 9 dollars, plus I left a tip of 2 dollars. You have to rich to live there.

[@jcyiu]

I remember when I was working in San Jose in 2001, I always love to travel to San Francisco on the weekend, sad to hear that everything has been chanced, but Thanks for sharing.

[@BeatTheBush]

I used to go to SF a lot more but cost to visit has skyrocketed from parking to food. And even some healthcare fee on restaurant bills now.

[@jdthompson5778]

@@BeatTheBush What?? Healthcare fee?!? Never even heard of that out here in Real America! Haha

[@karlbe8414]

I live in Redwood City, don't go out to eat, only drive my 1988 Toyota to Costco about every 2 weeks, ride my bike most everywhere else. Don't buy stuff, don't go shopping, do buy online. Reno has very nice store staff and people, always sunny. Lastly, Be the change that you want to see in the world!

[@AccessDEANied]

born and raised in SD, thinking i would never leave. but with the new future of work, i'm slowly seeing my home city turning into the next bay area with home / rental prices getting out of control. it sucks.

[@BeatTheBush]

SD is getting worse? At least it's pretty good when I visited last year.

[@thienthan324]

@@BeatTheBush I agree, I have a Friend living in SD, the houses are nicer and newer, streets are way smoother with less pot holes, the plazas and malls are newer and nicer design.

[@AGhostInTheMachine]

@@thienthan324 I've lived many years in both places. Bay Area is a shit hole with a few glimpses of pleasantness. SD is way better in most areas. Owning 4 homes here, if prices do approach gay area prices, it's Lambos for me.

[@luislozano4251]

@@thienthan324 Indeed. I live in Pacific Beach SD and everything looks good 🤷

[@cheetobandido546]

Totally agree with you about the toxicity. But why are you encouraging more people to come for a temporary stay? As a lifelong Bay Area resident, I feel strongly that a good portion of the toxicity is due to the constant influx of H1N1 tech workers. Many of whom are Asian and therefore very different culturally from Westerners. Consequently, they treat the greater Bay Area as a hotel, not as a community. So how do you expect that to affect Bay Area residents?

[@MB-vt5cw]

The crime rate would be a hard pass for me. High prices and inconvenience can be dealt with…I wouldn’t be able to put up with the rampant theft and lawlessness…if you live in a lawless society…what’s the point?

[@MidCenturyMikey]

I don't need a 12 min video to tell me how bad it is. I live it for 50 years now. CA is going to hell in a handbasket.

[@BeatTheBush]

Maybe a video on how to move the heck out of here fast?

[@StefanUrkel]

@@BeatTheBush maybe a video on solutions to its problems, because it's a state with so much natural beauty and lots of positives going for it. That's not to say that there aren't some real problems right now with it, that have developed over decades, and that it doesn't impact quality of life.

[@ariloves10]

I was born in bay area and finally moved to Mendocino County when Covid hit. Healdsburg is magical.

[@dollarflixfilms5232]

The Anger is real when my wife and I left to Oregon we noticed it once we left 🤣 The Attitudes and Road Rage is real.

[@gu6850]

I left the Bay Area and moved to Vegas, Easy flight to the Bay Area and visit family. Not a problem at all. One hour flight for me. No sales tax in vegas. Bigger space and nice people. Been here since ‘2013 and loving it. The Asian community here is huge. Chinatown here is fun and plenty of restaurants.

[@StefanUrkel]

See Tech Lead’s video on moving to Vegas.

[@OtomoTenzi]

Do the Asian people there speak Cantonese, Mandarin, or Vietnamese? Also, does it get cold there at night?

[@ren1018]

I have friends who moved to SD last year from the bay area and they thought they would be able to buy a nice house cheap. Prices started skyrocketing and they paid 600k more than they thought they would. They also said SD electricity rates are even worst than the bay area. Pricing has gotten out of control in this state.

[@BeatTheBush]

I think SD is not the solution as nice a place that is. Since SD still have high state taxes.

[@mylifethaidiy7045]

Yep. Bozeman, Montana is $800,000 average for a house.

[@realnapster1522]

SD, OC and coastal areas like Newport Beach are as expensive as Bay Area. Problem is those areas don’t have high paying jobs like bay. It’s still better to stay here than there.

[@crarazy]

This is just my opinion, but what seems to be happening in a lot of these tech/liberal enclave cities is they have lost the idea of what America is supposed to be and have turned it into a place where only the wealthiest American's can live. We've made the "Almighty Dollar" the new culture and cities have sold themselves out for it. With extreme inequality in wealth, we've gutted the middle-class, which has in turn destroyed American culture in many of these cities. Politics, money and the creation of idols has and will continue to be the downfall of these liberal cities.

[@BeatTheBush]

Certainly there could be more common wealth planning rather than let wealth get more and more concentrated.

[@harnessmoney]

A few things about SF Bay Area. It is definitely the land of the HAVES and the HAVE NOTS. The housing prices food prices are higher than middle America. Homelessness is a big issue. The weather is better than middle America and the North East. The wages are higher. There are more nature activities than most other areas along with the beach. Overall unless you work in a high income field like technology or finance or want to enjoy more outdoor activities then you would be better off living in a lower cost of living area.

[@kikiriki8742]

Hmmm... the wages are NOT higher than in the Northeast! The Bay Area isn't all that, especially compared to Washington DC, Boston, NYC, etc.

[@realnapster1522]

@@kikiriki8742 wages are higher in tech here. Can’t say the same about other professions. If you work in fiancé probably NYC is better.

[@kikiriki8742]

@@realnapster1522 Wages in tech in NYC are on par or higher than in San Francisco. Boston is quite competitive too. Sorry to burst your bubble.

[@jasminekim4283]

So true. it’s so toxic. Worst service I ever experienced in my whole life. the city has no taste IMO as fashion/ art lover honestly. I risked everything to come here to succeed in life and now hugely regret it.

[@OtomoTenzi]

If you're still relatively young (under 40), you should GET THE FUCK while ya still can...

[@latitudeselongitudes1932]

I love oriental art and San Francisco's Asian Art Museum is one of the two best museums for such art located in the West, the other one is the Guimet in Paris. Having said that, i think the city doesnt offer that much in terms of art in general compared to cities like New York, London, Paris, Rome, Florence, Berlin, Vienna, Madrid. Europe has a much bigger artistic(and fashion) heritage compared to the USA

[@gregp83]

Me and my family are moving out too. The only question is if we should sell the house or rent it out. If everyone moves out then the house prices will plummet.

[@clownpocket]

If you subsidize something you will get more of it. CA subsidizes the homeless, and therefore get more of them. Simple economics.

[@bshatney]

I've spent most my life in a small Kansas town and can't imagine dealing with half the things you describe here. I am contemplating moving, but not there! Texas or Florida are calling my name.

[@theprofessor9304]

Kansas City MO is another option for you. Very metropolitan and still affordable!

[@aonoymousandy7467]

how is kansas? it must be beautiful?

[@bshatney]

@@aonoymousandy7467 there are some beautiful areas, I enjoy the nearby lakes and hiking trails. But there's not much variety. If you like fields and flat land it's great lol

[@EmmanuelHernandez-yz1wy]

San Francisco is a complete dumpster… The fact that you have to worry about muggings and car breakins is wild! My wife and I moved to Austin TX 3 years ago and it was the best decision of our lives. Everybody says hi to each other and I’ve never felt any danger or have worry about any of the things you mentioned in the video. Good luck!

[@ambrsanford3703]

I don't even have to watch it. The answer is that we've been overloaded with transplants decade after decade and now there are way too many people and almost none of them are Californian.

[@johnsanchezz]

Riiiight, so it's got nothing to do with "progressive" polocies?

[@clownpocket]

I thought Californians loved open borders and unchecked immigration.

[@ambrsanford3703]

@@clownpocket California used to be a part of Mexico. Study your history. Also I'm sure the "borders" are just fine back home in Lincoln, Nebraska or whatever podunkia you moved here from.. I'm sure it has nothing to do with the fact that no one wants to go there.

[@ambrsanford3703]

@@johnsanchezz And Swarzenegger?

[@clownpocket]

@@ambrsanford3703 Do you only hate rural Americans, or do you hate rural people from other countries as well?

[@hippocleides7105]

As far as states go, I'd highly recommend the Midwest! We've got low cost of living, and though we do have state income taxes, we more than make up for it with lower sales taxes! Also I just found your channel, and I about flipped out when you mentioned buying VLO stock. I find that stocks like VLO, PSX, and XOM really are a good way to figure out how much a monthy expense is really affecting your effective net worth!! Keep up the great work!

[@LiebCalif]

Have you thought about going towards Sacramento - like Davis (on the more expensive side). Cost of living lower, people are friendlier, less traffic and still close enough to family. Reno isn’t a bad place to live but the weather can dry, and it gets cold, so a harder adjustment.

[@BeatTheBush]

If possible, I really want to avoid CA state tax but there are lots of trade offs.

[@StefanUrkel]

@@BeatTheBush Certain parts of Sacramento County are pretty nice, good roads, schools, parks, trails, food isn't too expensive (compared to Bay Area).. this is changing as more Bay Area folks move there but it's still fairly good. Yes there are parts that are not so good too.

[@tyson1chicken]

Reno is a good suggestion. California in general sucks for the rational person.

[@helenmak5663]

Davis is a gem, hot summer though.

[@ji-inroh495]

Just curious as someone who doesn't live there. If it is so bad, why do the same people keep getting re-elected?

[@norcalchrismeister]

Nice vid. I've from the Bay Area and you're right that many people are mean and inconsiderate to others. The Bay was awesome when I was growing up but it seems to be getting worse every year. The coolest people I've met in the Bay were people from other states/countries lol. Being a mountain biker/cyclist, the thing I like the most here are the awesome trails we have. Someday I'll probably move to another state (most likely Idaho, Oregon, or Texas) because they have decent weather, trails, and nice people.

[@realnapster1522]

Oregon is very nice. But lot of cities there are full of old people. Don’t know why.

[@iansterling9150]

Currently living in East Bay, still commuting via bike/BART to work in SF. Definitely gotta keep my spidey senses on at all times as it feels much more unsafe than about 4-5 years ago.

[@OtomoTenzi]

Do you live in Hayward by any chance? Have you've ever been approached or followed by shady-lookin' thugs who ask you for money when catching BART during the evening or night hours? NOW is the perfect time to apply for a concealed-carry permit, if ya haven't already...

[@mostafaelgamel6415]

I live in Santa Clara, i can count two restaurants nearby where i order from where i enter, say Hello, the cashier doesn't answer, grabs my food, hands me the bill, i pay with tips and leave. Acknowledging customer presence doesn't exist here. Meanwhile, cross the Nevada state line, walk into a gas station, u hear the cashier yelling "Welcooooome" :)

[@BeatTheBush]

Nevada? Maybe not Las Vegas but outside of the strip area will be nicer.

[@Highencast]

Yes, but look around you. There's nothing but desert. All big city people are ruder.

[@thomasjones2067]

Super high property taxes, sales tax fees etc. Yet horrible public transportation. Horrible traffic, crime, congestion,homelessness unless you’re in an ultra expensive gated community. Great place for billionaires, ok for multimillionaires.

[@jgtdragon]

I been in San Jose almost all my life, the weather here is hard to beat. The tax and standard of living has increase so much, I almost planned to move out of state too.

[@joeswanson733]

better get out before you go bust.

[@MisterCee41510]

Im 36 lived here my whole life. The Bay sucks to live in. Traffic, bad customer service EVERYWHERE, disgruntled drivers with road rage anywhere you go, homeless beggers everywhere. Every store asks for donations and tips. Life here sucks!

[@latitudeselongitudes1932]

And what about the romantic, dating scene for a straight guy? San Francisco females are notorious for being rude, unfriendly, standoffish and generally hostile towards males

[@hyoobeezhouse]

This video speaks to me. I was born, raised, and lived in the Yay Area for >40 years, and I feel it's time for me to leave as well because the quality of life isn't what it used to be.

[@joeswanson733]

you just realized that now?

[@hyoobeezhouse]

@@joeswanson733 Always aware--never prepared.

[@GplusGains]

@@hyoobeezhouse When you move to a better place, don't continue in voting for democRATs. Remember why you're leaving the Bay Area and which group caused it to be a shithole.

[@mikebrownbassist802]

I just moved to Vancouver Washington. There is no income tax in Washington but you can drive 15 minutes to the Oregon side to do all your shopping and not pay any sales tax. Plus the Pacific Northwest is gorgeous.

[@Bonanzoo]

The amount of rainy/cloudy days 😬 I need that sunshine

[@mikebrownbassist802]

@@Bonanzoo There is actually a ton of sunshine here despite the rumors, lol

[@modelsmanagement2374]

From London and it’s bloody expensive and not only that the women are miserable! At least you guys have beaches and hot California girls !

[@wewhoareabouttodiesaluteyo9303]

Feminism...Models...feminism. CA is NOT a good place to date or marry. You are sadly mistaken my friend.

[@Starfish6]

I'm moving to the Bay area in December.I currently live in LA and I hate it here,even though I know the bay is very expensive,the pay is much higher than LA and they have better opportunities.

[@hcf797]

Living in the Bay Area all my life, everything you said is 100% factual. I’m sick and tired of it for all the reasons you mentioned. And the reason my wife and I have not pulled the trigger in moving out is for the same reason. Both of our parents are up there in age and although relatively healthy, we have to be close enough in case anything happens to them. I remember in the late 80s early 90s when walking to school at 9/10 years old, I would take the Bart path and I would see older and elderly people on their early morning run/walk, and as we would pass each other, there was always a “good morning”, “hello, how are you?”, “have a good day”. Or at the very least a head nod. Those days seem long gone. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. You’re not complaining, you are stating things that are concerning and unfortunately, nothing is being done about it. I blame this on bad parenting, technology, social media, a lack of love/respect for one another, and democrat’s.

[@Jersey1971]

I hope things get better try to get something out of state with a mother in law suite so your parents can live there be near but have their own space or a 2 family home they can have the downstairs

[@TheRealAudioDidact]

When inequality gets too high, rich people lose their humanity and become $$$. If you want it to be better you have to balance the income in the area.

[@hcf797]

@@Jersey1971 we’ve had that discussion with both our parents and got the same answer - too old to be moving at this stage in their lives.

[@BoCaine]

lies

[@hcf797]

@@BoCaine what/who are you referring to as “lies”?

[@cheetobandido546]

It's "an East Bay resident", not "a East Bay resident".

[@jpjp3873]

It's a mass exodus from California. I just hope all the people leaving do not vote the way that has destroyed this state and ruin their new state. I used to love it here.

[@BeatTheBush]

Net loss of around 277k people in 2021 in CA. 39M population. That's close to 1% loss.

[@jgood005]

Last one out of CA turn off the lights

[@thedopplereffect00]

@@jgood005 the lights tend to turn themselves off there 😂

[@X11CHASE]

@@thedopplereffect00 texas power grid has entered the chat

[@thedopplereffect00]

@@X11CHASE that's what happens when you play with unreliable energy sources such as wind and solar.

[@jessicaknox2266]

I’m 19 I’ve lived in Oakland, California, my entire life we live in my mom‘s childhood home. I love my city. It’s so unique and it’s culture and diversity but I’m not blind to it shortcomings. homelessness is ridiculous. Crime is out of control. Our infrastructure is crumbling. Our schools are struggling. it’s not safe to walk down the street by yourself.

[@jessicaknox2266]

One thing I am going to have to disagree on is when you talked about culture. I think it’s just the circles are running in. i’m African-American and I’m young so I think it’s easier to find places to hang out and when it comes to public transportation I think we have a pretty good yeah Bart can be dirty and unsafe, but so is San Francisco when it comes to Oakland and San Francisco in particular. I’d say AC transit is pretty good for college I moved out of state and the public transportation is horrible. I mean a bus comes every 2 to 3 hours instead of every 20 to 30 minutes.

[@vinnyvangogo]

Bruh, I get the same vibe in Minneapolis with the mean spirited people. I've boiled it down to three things -COVID anxiety -Passive aggressive liberal mentality -Larger cities, less time for everyone else

[@BoCaine]

snowflake

[@carableu]

Everything you are saying is true! But California has one advantage over every state: the weather! Literally better than any other state in the country. I lived in California for four years (two in LA, two in the bay). The weather is superb.

[@helenmak5663]

Best in California: Weather, ethnic food, fresh produce.

[@OtomoTenzi]

Florida ain't so bad either!

[@slten12]

@@OtomoTenzi I hate humidity worse than any other aspect of weather.

[@jtt1928]

Down here in LA, our traffic is from 6:30 am - 8:00pm on weekdays 🙌🏾…I work in IT from home but wife commutes daily 😅. We moved to Orange County just between Huntington Beach & Long Beach after having been raised in Pasadena and it’s much more laid back Beach vibe. We also have plenty of authentic Vietnamese, Indian, & Mexican food. Come check it out.

[@BeatTheBush]

Lol... All day? When I lived there I try to go out 10am-3pm but maybe it's even worse now.

[@jtt1928]

@@BeatTheBush yes but again OC is much more chill & we have lots of things to do…our town Seal Beach has been voted happiest beach town & again we have lots of culture next door in Long Beach…

[@helenmak5663]

There is traffic on Saturday too, and Sunday is much better. I’m used to staying at home.

[@3ofus135]

@@jtt1928 We live in the Bay Area but my wife might have an opportunity to transfer to OC. If she does, we are considering HB, Westminster, Fountain Valley area.

[@slofkosky7641]

I live in Sacramento or as I've been calling it... Sacrafrisco. I know things are bad in the San Francisco and surrounding area (1.5 hours away) when it seems I can't come to a stop light and see license plates "MARIN xxx", "SERAMONTE xxx", "SAN FRACISCO xxx". I pointed it out to my friend and with three cars visible in front, to the left and right... all three were bay area cars on a normal weekday. I can't seem to stop anywhere without seeing a bay area license plate frame on at least one of two vehicles. As such, our traffic is at least double and my co-worker complains so much now. He admits he sees that, what feels like, 50% of the vehicles are bay area transplants since COVID. But I would do the same thing to combat the rising costs of living. So if you guys are moving here, who's moving there to cause the excess amount of traffic there?

[@Aiyahhh]

Gavin has monetized homelessness and people still vote for him it's insane

[@alejandropalazonurtubi3520]

people dont vote for him, same as people dont vote for biden you know what i mean, i cant say certain words here.

[@AlwaysHope_]

@@alejandropalazonurtubi3520 I’m a 100% behind u👍

[@jdthompson5778]

@@alejandropalazonurtubi3520 You are SO right-on Target with your comment. “Installed” is the word! Haha

[@wolverine9079]

People don’t really vote for him, it’s rigged

[@jeffreyzimler7978]

Fact that Garcetti.. Newsom.. London.. that serious disconnect.. CA is a neat place for its natural beauty.

[@earlygail]

The cost of housing always gets the spotlight but for someone who moved out very recently, it’s not even the worst part. It’s the cost of **everything else** that kills your morale. That and the attitude that goes with it from many of those selling it.

[@solidstream13]

I have lived here all my life. 50 years in the East bay and I agree with all you said. I work in Oakland and the crime is off the charts now. You mentioned pepper spray and I have mixed feelings on that. I got a CCW and that’s near impossible for most “average” people. I feel like all the mayors Da’s and the governor are making things even more dangerous. Oh and let’s not talk about the homelessness, open prostitution and drug use. I feel like Oakland and SF are like the game grand theft auto.

[@latitudeselongitudes1932]

How is the dating scene in Oakland for a straight man? I've heard its full of lesbians in Oakland

[@MisfitsFiendClub138]

Riding on BART it's a good idea to keep a can of pepper spray ready

[@prettybullet7728]

My daughter and her fiance are renting a place in Bellflower Cali at the moment until she finishes her degree and then they will be relocating to Palmdale where her fiance works as an engineer. Housing prices are apparently more affordable in that area of the state and they plan on purchasing a home closer to his workplace. The drive from Bellflower to Palmdale and back is quite long but he's willing to do it until she finishes school.

[@BeatTheBush]

Gotta find a way to avoid that California state tax... one can hope.

[@otto7556]

I was born in Santa Clara and have been living here ever since. I wouldn’t leave California since it’s where I’ve grown up. Personally I’ve never had a problem in valley fair cause I always park in the parking structure.

[@BeatTheBush]

Parking structure is where the break-ins happen. Might happen to some cars more than others.

[@michiganman4398]

Well vote for people who govern by emotion rather than acknowledging objective facts, reality, and human nature and that’s the liberal utopia you get.

[@blackdiamondoffthegrid8703]

Total agreed on what you said! We have plan to move to Nevada, since 2018. It’s happening. We live in the East Bay since grade school. Bay Area is getting worst by the days!

[@joanneb3524]

I've been a Bay Area resident since 1966. I can verify all that you say. However, some freeways now start "commute" at 1:30 PM. You didn't touch on the high property taxes here, very high. And, the cost of having contractors do work is outrageous. Most won't do a job that brings them less than $1,500...period....they won't touch it. Having a lot of contacts in Kern County (southern part of the state), I often bounce prices I'm quoted off of them; usually what I'm quoted for similar work is about 3 to 4 times what they get charged for the same job. Also, you didn't say anything about it, but there is increasing racial tension here (perhaps that's occurring everywhere). I don't live in a great neighborhood right now (it's a long story) and I've been robbed 3 times in 18 months...if I'm lucky enough to be able to file a police report...it never goes further, even with video and license plate numbers. I will confirm the road rage...it's awful....along with people's driving habits are horrendous...lots of speeders that weave in and out of traffic; they become a danger because they are so wreckless. I've driven in LA, a lot more cars, but less dangerous driver habits. Oh, also, most people I worked with didn't actually live in one of the seven Bay Area counties (even though the workplace was located here), most commuted about 50 miles...living in towns such as Manteca, Tracy, Salida. Neither of my children could make it on their own here, both have move to other states (one in Tennessee, one in Oregon). They are much happier there for a multitude of reasons. It's very hard for a single person to make it on their own, unless they have a very high paying job.

[@OtomoTenzi]

All the crackheads and methheads around here do a ton of drugs and drink a whole lot of whiskey, like first thing morning right before getting behind the wheel for the rush hour commute... Need I say more?

[@kauigirl808]

I have a desk like that. I love it. Never been up north. I live in OC. I like it. Don't need to fight traffic to eat or shop. Everything is so close by.

[@thedopplereffect00]

I left California last year. Couldn't be more happy. Lower traffic, lower taxes, lower crime, cheaper housing, cheap electricity. Sell your condo for $1,000,000+ and enjoy FIRE. Just don't vote like a Californian when you leave.

[@hongyang3620]

California is a victim of our own success. I visited 49 states in the US and there is nowhere else I would rather live than California. Best restaurants and nightlife but yes, expensive. I mean it is a lot cheaper in Tulsa but what will you do 365 days of the year? Nothing against Tulsa by the way.

[@MattSolnick]

Was literally just on the phone with my parents telling them about that desk lol, perfect sponsorship timing!

[@dennisduran8500]

I remember in Concord,CA in 1980s An excellent Lunch special at a Chinese restaurant was $2.50. My parents first new house in 1955 in Concord, CA was $13,000. Dairy Belle burgers were 5 for $1.00

[@BeatTheBush]

Gotta put those in todays numbers with inflation. For example. 1980s $2.50 = 2022 $8.99. In Concord, I think that would be normal price?

[@_w_w_]

Good video! Super accurate! I travel a lot for work, all world the country and world. California, especially Bay Area, is miserable. I agree there is a factor here that you get bored of your area after awhile, but I travel equally to several other cities/countries, and I never get bored. I get depressed when I am back in the Bay Area. SF is so unsafe now, it's just not worth the risk. With SF out of the consideration, there isn't much else to do on weekends. The pandemic put a lot of small shops and restaurants out of business, so besides the handful of big box stores, even shopping and eating choices are very limited. Bay Area is uniquely boring and insanely expensive. We recently had catered lunch meetings at work, and the restaurant cost doubled! Your experience of 25% increase is actually not bad. The "excellent food scene" in the Bay Area is a myth - a lot of wananbe restaurants with insanely high prices but not the goods to back it up.

[@underated17]

Palo Alo had one one of the best pizza and olive antipasti I have ever had! I am from Canada but my brother married in SF.

[@Johnny444]

Whenever I come back from vacation from a small town outside of CA, I feel the dread of city life. I live in the better western part of SF and even there it feels cramped and restricted. Crime is much worse than say about 10 years ago no matter what the local newspapers try to say. People in general are always in a rush or got shitty attitudes.

[@OtomoTenzi]

Are you talking about the Western Addition or the Sunset/Richmond districts? 🤔

[@CR-hq1uz]

I lived in the bay for nearly 2 decades, but also in a lot of other regions. Basically everywhere in America sucks for some of the same or different reasons. Currently in Atl...abysmal traffic, shit weather, mean people, terrible customer service everywhere, crazy bugs, low wages, etc. Pick your poison.

[@davidboeger6766]

That's the thing, most of the job creation of the last few decades has been concentrated in major urban population centers, forcing everybody into these dense, overpriced living conditions for work. Jobs used to be more geographically distributed, but with the fall of American manufacturing, most rural areas have died out or reverted to low-wage agriculture or service industry jobs. The Bay Area sucks, but at the end of the day, there are very few places with this level of high-paying jobs and great weather. For all the talk of increasing crime rates in the Bay Area, crimes have actually been lower than most American cities for many years. American cities just generally aren't great places to live when compared to cities in many other countries around the world. I'd much rather live in a European or Asian city, whereas in the US, I think wealthier suburbs of major cities are arguably the nicest places to live. But they are increasingly out of reach for most people.

[@kikyoass]

Move to Las Vegas! Chinatown is huge. Living expenses are so cheap. So much food options. I even convinced my parents to move here. They are surprised that they really like vegas compared to socal. They aren’t gamblers either. You can have a high quality of life and never gamble. Hopefully you can move here and we can have some meetups

[@BeatTheBush]

I visited for some time but I might need a nicer area to live around. I stayed at a not so good area last time.

[@jonsl2000]

Highest teen suicide rate including zappo ceo for a reason

[@kikyoass]

@@BeatTheBush where did you stay last time? I would recommend Henderson, Summerlin, or the Southwest. I would be happy to give you a tour though I’m not a real estate agent. Las Vegas has a lot of very nice and clean communities. We can end it off with a nice meal in Chinatown. Flights to and from california are less than $100 round trip. I drove to california every other month to visit. Now with my parents here, I won’t have to visit california as often hehe

[@kikyoass]

@@BeatTheBush electricity is $0.10 kWh. With my solar panels and there is plenty of sunshine…it’s only $0.04 kWh. Property taxes are not as high as Texas. All utilities don’t add up to over $200 for a 3000 sq ft house. With affordable housing, me and my family were able to buy 4 properties for rent on Airbnb and make 100k+ annually. We love it here….and it’s close to California where we can go stock up on dried Asian food and drive back home to vegas. Vegas has all the asian food you want but it’ll be like 10% higher cost than California

[@mikewallin6049]

Bought a 1200 sf 2br 1 ba house with a basement outside of Pittsburgh, PA $20k 😁

[@freedomdividendnews5042]

population density increases anxiety which is why everyone is on edge you are not constrained by time so I think you should be more calm than the average person

[@BeatTheBush]

I avoid traffic like the plague. But I get caught in busy hours where people are fighting for their lives.

[@batwood]

Francis, dude, I tried to tell you a few years ago. There is life outside the Bay Area. Now you know. People are friendly elsewhere in the USA.

[@OtomoTenzi]

Har, I'm afraid yer good buddy Francis is DEAD... He died on the streets in the Tenderloin, all glassy-eyed with his mouth wide-open and a needle still stuck in his arm. Junkies like that can't ever call it quits. You tried to warn him, but yer 10 years too late! ☠☠🪦☠☠

[@josiahhsu7038]

Come to Richmond, TX, a nice suburb of Houston you could consider.

[@EconomicCockroach]

Consider Nashville! No income tax in Tennessee either!

[@accidentalgardenerandcheap433]

I was also going to mention Tennessee, but decided against it as I like our state to stay the way it is without too many people.😀

[@EconomicCockroach]

@@accidentalgardenerandcheap433 oops I'm moving in too from Buffalo 😂