The Great California Exodus: More People Leaving Than Awards Leo DiCaprio Has Won?
Ah, California. The land of sunshine, celebrities, and...a mass exodus? That's right, folks. More people have been packing their bags and hitting the road than tourists fleeing a Justin Bieber concert lately. But why the sudden urge to ditch the dreamin'? Let's unpack this whole situation, with slightly less seriousness than a Kardashian Instagram caption.
So, How Many People Are We Talking About Here?
Hold onto your avocados (because let's face it, those are probably coming with you), the numbers are pretty staggering. According to the latest census data, in both 2021 and 2022, over 800,000 Californians decided they'd seen enough and peaced out. That's more people than could fit into the entire state of Rhode Island... twice!
Imagine the farewell parties! Sunset bonfires fueled by burning U-Haul boxes, tearful goodbyes exchanged over overpriced lattes, and enough "Don't Tread on Me" bumper stickers peeling off cars to wallpaper a Tesla factory.
But Seriously, Why the Mass Exodus?
Well, buckle up, because it's a California-sized list. The usual suspects like the high cost of living (because let's be honest, a studio apartment shouldn't cost more than your therapist) are definitely at play. Then there's the legendary California traffic. We're talking commutes that could rival the Oregon Trail in terms of sheer tedium.
Don't forget the taxes! Enough said.
But hey, some folks might be fleeing the ever-present threat of earthquakes (because Mother Nature wasn't a fan of the last season of "Emily in Paris"). There's also the possibility that Californians are just tired of being stereotyped for saying "like" a lot and having an unhealthy obsession with avocado toast.
Where Are They All Going?
Texas seems to be the new hot spot, followed by Arizona, Florida, and Nevada. Basically, anywhere with a lower cost of living, less traffic, and a higher chance of spotting a tumbleweed.
Maybe they're all on a quest to find a house with a backyard they can actually afford? Or perhaps they're on a mission to prove that Californians can thrive outside their natural habitat (spoiler alert: they probably will, because Californians are pretty darn adaptable...except when it comes to finding decent Mexican food outside the state).
The Final Farewell (For Now)
So, there you have it folks. The Great California Exodus is a real thing, and it's showing no signs of slowing down (unless gas prices hit $10 a gallon, then maybe people will reconsider that road trip to Texas). But hey, who knows? Maybe this is just a temporary trend, and Californians will come crawling back in a few years, begging for overpriced lattes and earthquake drills. Only time will tell, but one thing's for sure: this story is far from over. Stay tuned for the next episode of "Keeping Up With the Californians Who Left."
