11 Reasons to Stay in California Instead of Moving Out of the State

Many people from near and far dream of calling the Golden State their home—who can blame them? With every type of food, every type of ecosystem, and every type of entertainment imaginable, California is the state that does it all and does it well.

But moving out of state is a thought that has admittedly crossed all of our minds. We love to hate and hate to love California, yet at the end of the day, we know that no state is better than the Golden State. 

What You'd Miss If You Weren't Living in California  

We can list a hundred reasons why living in California is actually the best, but here are our top 11.

1. The Natural Beauty

From Lake Tahoe and Yosemite to Big Sur and Big Bear, California’s distinct landscapes boast some of the most beautiful natural wonders in the nation. Depending on the route you choose to take, embarking on a weekend road trip in California can expose you to sandy beaches, majestic mountains, beautiful valleys, or a combination of all three (and more!). The rarity of this phenomenon is something we take for granted while living in California and something we remember fondly if we ever leave.

2. The Amazing Climate

Do sunny skies throughout the year sound appealing to you? How about warm, breezy summers and chilly winters? Move to California. The temperate year-round climate alone is enough to remove the idea of moving out of state from our minds. We’ll take waking up to (albeit sometimes rainy) crisp morning air over shoveling snow from our driveway any day—especially when we’re already prone to be running late for work.

3. The Diverse Communities

From its earliest days in history, the Golden State’s residents have come from a wide array of cultural, racial, linguistic, political, and economic backgrounds. As varied as our upbringing and beliefs may be, our common respect and appreciation for diversity and acceptance cannot be felt as distinctly anywhere else. Whether it’s Chinese New Year, Kwanzaa, Hanukkah, or Pride Week, we celebrate it all—and well. And when it comes to sticking up for each other against injustice, you can be sure you’ll have an army of people behind you who are ready to do what’s right.

4. The Unbeatable Food Scene

Whether enjoyed at hole-in-the-wall, family-operated eateries or Michelin-starred, world-class fine dining restaurants, California’s iconic food is famous all over the world. The Golden State’s affinity to embrace and reward innovation, along with its diverse cultural scene, makes its culinary world one of the most varied and delicious in the country. Living in California means being within a few steps of good food wherever you are.

5. The Entertainment Industry

The Golden State is a magnet for some of the most inspiring and creative people from around the world. Between the numerous Hollywood stars revolutionizing the film industry and the prominent musicians who come out of the state, there’s no shortage of famous Californians who’ve been setting the tone for the rest of the entertainment industry for decades. If you feel like working in the creative world is your calling, moving to California is a step in the right direction (as the biographies of many of the world’s most influential modern-day entertainment figures might suggest).

6. The Rich Cultural scene

Many of the world’s hottest cultural events take place in California. Whether you’re a music nerd who loves frequenting festivals, an art aficionado who thrives off of visiting art galleries, or a history buff who loves discovering new museums—it’s easy to expand your cultural horizons while living in California. If you haven’t taken advantage of California’s exciting cultural scene yet, plan an excursion now, and you’ll fall back in love with the state.

7. The Thrilling Adventures

Mesmerizing lakes, lush forests, snow-capped mountains, and white sandy beaches are the perfect backdrop for thrilling adventures of any kind. It is almost impossible to get bored while living in California, and if you do, it is entirely your fault. Whether you want to paraglide over Shasta Trinity National Forest or take a drive through architecturally appealing Palm Springs neighborhoods, opportunities to have an adventure and explore someplace new in California are aplenty.

8. The Top-Notch Education system

It is no secret that the Golden State boasts some of the best educational institutions in the world. Whether you’re looking to pursue a bachelor’s degree or higher, moving to California to enroll in a well-regarded university is not only a good idea, but also a worthwhile investment in your future. Plus, you’ll definitely have a great time and make lifetime memories while living in California’s best college towns. 

9. The Easy Healthy Living

From the fresh, locally grown produce to the thousands of prime destinations for outdoor workouts, California provides plenty of resources that make it easy to follow a healthy lifestyle. We often get made fun of for following new fitness trends and constantly trying to improve our diets, but it is only by living in California that you realize how motivating it is to be surrounded by beautiful places and health-conscious communities that keep you committed to living a healthy lifestyle.

10. The Abundance of Opportunities

The Golden State provides plenty of golden opportunities. From up-and-coming actors trying to break into the Hollywood scene to ambitious techies dreaming of making it big with their own start-ups, California has always welcomed those who dare to think outside the box. Are you familiar with the phrase “to be in the right place at the right time”? Living in California means you are in the right place, all the time.

11. The Fact That It’s California

Well, it’s the Golden State, after all. There are so many appealing factors about staying in California; some explainable, some not so much. In the words of American author Edward Abbey: “There is science, logic, reason; there is thought verified by experience. And then there is California.”

Whether you’re coming anew or returning home—California is here to welcome you with open arms.