Californians leaving for Oklahoma

[Doug Loudenback]

Here's a long article by Phillip Reese appearing in Golden State losing folks as old dust bowl beckons | Penn State News | Travel - Centre Daily Times, Golden State losing folks as old dust bowl beckons. The source is located in State College, PA of all places ... here's the version in the Sacramento Bee - Golden State losing folks as old Dust Bowl beckons - Sacramento News - Local and Breaking Sacramento News | Sacramento Bee. The article in one form or another seems to be being carried in several papers around the country. It's a nice read.

[hipsterdoofus]

Thanks for the article Doug!

[Doug Loudenback]

I now see that the article originated in the Sacramento Bee. That article contains a great 5-minute video. So, best to use this link: Golden State losing folks as old Dust Bowl beckons - Sacramento News - Local and Breaking Sacramento News | Sacramento Bee

[Millie]

That's a great video- some beautiful shots. Better than some stuff that our tourism/chamber folks have put out recently.

[Dar405301]

that's awesome! because of that article, there will be even more people in california discovering how cheap it is to live in oklahoma and from hearing their fellow californians' testimonials, may want to move to OK. themselves.

[Luke]

Reminds me of the Will Rogers quote: "When the Okies left Oklahoma and moved to California, they raised the average intelligence level in both states."

With that logic, it doesn't bode well if they come back.

[mburlison]

I imagine we will treat them much better than some Okies were treated out there.

[ApplePearBerry]

I've been living in Tulsa, OK for over 15 years, and I've noticed Californians moving to OK since 1996. The # of Californians in Oklahoma just kept growing each year since then. =)

[Pete]

Very cool to see how people from outside the state are starting to view OKC.

But an obvious point is there is almost exactly 10 times the number of people in California than Oklahoma, so there will always be more Californians moving just about anywhere than the other way around. At the same time, the state population is still growing like crazy.

I've never understood the millions that live inland in California; who effectively have all the disadvantages (high cost of living, high crime, bad schools, no rain, etc.) and few of the advantages (recreational opportunities, the coastal weather, the unlimited amount of things to do and see). I often ask them rhetorically: "Why don't you just move to Oklahoma?? At least it's inexpensive there."

I'd rather live in OKC than Sacramento, Fresno, Bakersfield or even the inland areas of SoCal (San Bernardino, Riverside, Palmdale, etc.). And for all the reasons mentioned on that video.

However, there are still many areas of California -- really anything within an hour of the coast -- that are worth every expensive penny and you couldn't blast most people out of there.

[hipsterdoofus]

Reminds me of the Will Rogers quote: "When the Okies left Oklahoma and moved to California, they raised the average intelligence level in both states."

With that logic, it doesn't bode well if they come back.

Maybe we aren't necessarily getting the same people back...

[Kerry]

As a Californian that fled in 1990 I can say it is the best thing I ever did. I look at my kids, who were still 8 years from being born at the time, and my moving out of California is best thing I ever did for them. After watching the video I can give California refugees one word of advice. Stop using the word "like". I know many of them are products of California public schools (as was I) but it is crucial that they learn to use the English language as if it is their primary language.

Pete - you have been living in California too long. There are places as pretty as costal California at a fraction of the price. I grew up at the base of the Sierra Nevada's and on my way to school I could see Mt. Lassen and Mt. Shasta. When I left in 1990 you couldn't even see the foothills 5 miles away. 4 days a week I now enjoy the mountains of North Georgia and 3 days week the beaches of Florida. For what you pay for cost of living expenses in California you can have two homes in the Southeast.

[Platemaker]

Interesting to see this article.

I was having a conversation just yesterday with my brother-in-law. He and My sister just moved here from Reno (which according to him is "grasping onto California for dear life as California sinks") He talked to more than one family moving here at different stops along the way.

[Karried]

I have some friends that moved to Reno a few years ago. Not a pretty picture. Can't find work, losing their home and now don't know what to do or where to go. Horrible timing to have tried to start a new company there.

As much as I miss CA, I have to echo Kerry's thoughts (never thought I'd say it) but moving to OK was one of the best things we've done for our kids, financially and otherwise.

Yes, I missed out on the huge equity increase but most of those same people who were so ecstatic about a few years ago but those same people now are really struggling. It's pretty sad.

[Jesseda]

lol about 25 years ago the sacramento bee followed my family with a group of other californians moving to oklahoma tranfered to GM, a lot of my family now lives out here my oldest sister moved out here 5 years ago, my other sister is visiting and looking at houses right now, and my cousins are visiting in july and talking about moving for a better life for them and there kids.. Oklahoma is looking good right now minus the humidity.

[MadMonk]

My wife is in real estate and she has seen a jump in out of state investors and people moving here. I told her the best way to sell her listings is to advertise them in a California paper.

[okclee]

I found this interesting in USA today, over the weekend. Especially for all of the Californians and Laker fans too.

Traveling with the Stars: Derek Fisher - USATODAY.com

Traveling with the Stars: Derek Fisher

Q: What's the most surprising/unexpected place you've ever visited?

A: Being in the NBA, you are on the road and in a different city every few days. We have traveled to Oklahoma City, and I was very surprised to find such a sense of community, kind people and was extremely touched by the Oklahoma City National Memorial honoring those who were lost in the bombing of the Federal Building.

[Karried]

Great find!

[lasomeday]

I have a friend that just moved back to OKC from Austin. He said that a lot of Californians are moving to Austin. Austin is loosing's weirdness, he said.

[OKCisOK4me]

I have a friend that just moved back to OKC from Austin. He said that a lot of Californians are moving to Austin. Austin is loosing's weirdness, he said.

My friend who has lived in Austin too recently said something along those same lines. I replied to him that it made perfect sense. Austin has that Hollywood B kinda feel, is what I told him.

[bluedogok]

Yep, there have been a bunch of Californians moving here, much to the lament of some of the old Austinites who want it to stay the same smaller town it was when they were in school at UT and smoking dope. EVERY city/town changes over time, that is the only constant.

[Doug Loudenback]

The Oklahoman has now picked up on the story: http://www.newsok.com/article/3378178 and http://www.newsok.com/article/3378182, the latter being a truncated version of the Sacramento Bee article, sans video.

[ultimatesooner]

they used to have bumper stickers in Colorado in the mid 90's because of all of the California transplants that said

Colaroado sucks, go back to Califorinia and tell all of your friends

[Pete]

Seems like every few years there is a new city of choice for those looking to flee Cali's high cost of living...

Seattle was all the rage for a while, then Portland, Boulder and more recently Reno and Las Vegas. Sounds like Austin and OKC may now be joining those ranks.

[mireaux]

ill agree that many californians may be leaving the golden state,.but im not so convinced that the sooner state is recieving a large influx of them.

i know that dallas/ft worth is recieving a large number of them, not to mention that many oklahomans are also relocating to dfw as well. there are many cars with texas plates that have silver metallic OU decals adjacent to the rear license plates.

The city of Lewisville is reknown for having a large Oklahoman transplant populous.

[mireaux]

Seems like every few years there is a new city of choice for those looking to flee Cali's high cost of living...

Seattle was all the rage for a while, then Portland, Boulder and more recently Reno and Las Vegas. Sounds like Austin and OKC may now be joining those ranks.

whoa sally...check out your avatar. is that a true scale of how large the new devon skyscraper will be compared to the rest of the skyline? if so, that thing is mammoth. i only hope it serves as a beacon for economic renewal to the area as well.