Are you interested in leaving California?
Fear not. You’re not the only one.
According to a recent study by UC Berkeley, more than half of California residents are considering moving. In fact, California’s population has been decreasing due to national migration from 2000; however, international migration and natural population increase has kept the population in California growing at a .35% rate as of 2016. With that being said, here is a breakdown of the top 5 states to move to and why.
#1 Texas
One of the biggest reasons many Californian’s are exiting to Texas is that there is no state income tax. When you keep more of your hard-earned money in your pocket, what’s not to love? Additionally, Texas has been awarded the 12th best state economy based on GDP growth by WalletHub. The median house price in and around major cities is under $300,000, making it affordable to own your own home. And with tons of sports teams, food, entertainment and culture, there is so much to do and see.
#2 Arizona
For starters, Arizona has the Grand Canyon. There is so much to explore from the mountains to the deserts. The weather in Arizona is extremely nice. It’s sunny 300 days a year. Additionally, the cost of living is low with a median house price of $350,000. Arizona has embraced the technology of the 21st century with tech giants like Uber and Apple expanding into the state and creating plenty of growth for jobs.
#3 Washington
The No. 1 reason for moving to Washington is Jobs, Jobs, Jobs! Giants like Microsoft, Amazon, Boeing and Starbucks call this green state home. And did I mention green state? There is water and greenery everywhere. It is home to many outdoor activities with three National Parks, skiing in the winter and hiking the 14,410-foot Mt. Rainier. Washington is among the states with no state income tax, which allows you to save your hard-earned money.
#4 Nevada
Nevada is home to… yup, no state income tax. Also, you save on food and medicine with no state sales tax on these items. Entertainment is huge in Nevada with Las Vegas and Reno being two of the biggest cities. But there is no shortage on scenery, with Mt. Charleston being only one hour away from Vegas and Red Rock Canyon for the rock climbers. With legal gambling, Nevada is great place for those who love to roll the dice.
#5 Oregon
If you’re for adventure in the outdoors, Oregon is the place for you. With over 300 miles of coastline to explore, dunes, lakes, mountains, rivers and streams, your possibilities are endless. Oregon is also the home of Crater Lake National Park. Oregon doesn’t have state sales tax. Oh, and you don’t have to pump your own gas!