Pros and cons of living in California

California is the most populated State in the United States, and that’s not a mistake. There are so many things that make this beautiful and scenic State the place to live in. But it has its issues too. So, what’re the pros and cons of living in California?

Living in California comes with great weather, a great healthcare system, high wages, work opportunities, diversity, vibrant art and culture scene, and great outdoor spots. But you also have to grapple with the high cost of living, high crime rate, high tax burden, and low quality of health care.

Regardless of the negatives, California is still a great place to live in. This article discusses the advantages and disadvantages of living in the State. 

Pros of Living in California

Here are the benefits of living in California

Great Weather

California is famous for its weather that’s not too hot or too cold. The sunshine here is just ideal, and the year temperature is around 68o – 72o F. Humidity is low, and the sunlight is plentiful.

As a big state, the weather isn’t the same all over its areas. So, there are still places that might be too hot for some people.

But there are plenty of areas where the weather is just ideal for a day outdoors. There are even places where you can get spring-like weather all year. Little wonder many believe it has the best weather in the US.

Great Healthcare system 

California ranks number 5 out of 50 States when it comes to States with the best healthcare. Several factors were used in determining this rank. They include the quality of healthcare, access to care, and the health of the population. Thus, if you plan to move to California, the excellent healthcare sector might be an incentive. You should, however, note that it could be expensive at times.

Higher Average Salary

The cost of living in California is high, but that is balanced by the higher wages too. The average salary in the US is $51,168. So, when it comes to states that pay well, California is the highest. The average wage here is $61,290 per annum. This makes it one of the best states to work in.

Several factors will determine how much they earn. These include the profession, education, qualification, experience, cities, etc.

Work Opportunities

Whether you’re looking for a job or want to start your business, California has the potential to meet your needs. The State is home to many industries and sectors. There is no shortage of opportunities from the entertainment sector in Los Angeles to Silicon Valley in San Francisco. Agriculture, tourism, and trade are also booming in the State.

Great Outdoor Spots

If you are an outdoorsy person, you will find that this State is perfect for you. Apart from the great weather, there are several spots to get involved in recreational activities. There are facilities and parks all over the State for the outdoorsy, and you can choose to live near the ocean to enjoy beach days.

Diversity 

California is a very diverse state with several cultures, groups, and ideologies existing together. Unlike most southern states, California is a liberal and tolerant place where everyone is welcome. In addition, it has a vast population of young people, which further increases its open-mindedness.

Vibrant Art and Culture Scene

Museums, art galleries, theatres, concert venues, etc., are numerous in California. This isn’t surprising given that it’s home to the movie capital of the world, Los Angeles. The art and culture scene is quite vibrant, and the city has lots of creative people in it. If you’re someone who enjoys arts and entertainment, you will love this State.

Cons

No matter how great a place is, there will always be negatives to it. So here are the disadvantages of living in California.

Cost Of Living

California is one of the most expensive states to live in the US. This has become a reason for many to move out of the State. Real estate in the State is quite costly at over $500,000, second only to Hawaii. In addition, the average rent is $1,503, and almost everything in the State is expensive in the like manner.

However, this cost of living isn’t surprising when one considers the population and other factors. In addition, of course, the cost of living differs from city to city. Some places are more expensive to live in than others. Places like Bel Air and San Francisco are much more expensive than places like Arnold and Markleeville.

High Crime Rate

The crime rate of California is another problem. Available crime statistics show that California is one of the most dangerous states in the US. It was the 14th most dangerous state in the country in 2018. During that year, it had 447.4 murders per 100,000. The State was responsible for about 14% of the crime in the US.

High Tax Burden

California might be a state of high income, but it also comes with a high tax burden. The State comes with high taxes on income, property, sales, and even retirees.

Salary Tax
Between $31,970 and $44,377 6%
Between $44,378 and $56,085 8%
Between$56,086 and $286,492 9.3%
Between $286,493 and $343,788 10.3%
Between $343,789 and $572,980 11.3%
Between$572,981 and $999,999 12.3%
Over $1 million 13.3%

Accessibility to Healthcare

The cost of healthcare in California is expensive, making it inaccessible, especially for those with low income. For example, despite expanding its Medicaid Program, many beneficiaries of the programs couldn’t access healthcare because doctors refused to see them.

Even now, affordability is still a significant problem for low-income families. Not only does it affect their accessibility, in cases where they got healthcare, paying for it is still difficult.

In Conclusion

Fourteen cities in California were the best places to live in 2021. This shows that it’s a great state to live in. Of course, it isn’t without its negatives too, but all in all, it’s an amazing place to live, and the positives outweigh the negatives.