Edhat Staff
By edhat staff
Santa Barbara County Firefighters responded to a large homeless encampment fire burning along Highway 101 in Goleta on Monday evening.
Fire crews arrived around 11:30 p.m. on the southbound lanes of Highway 101 between Los Carneros and Fairview exits. Initially, crews thought the incident was a structure fire but when the first engine company arrived they learned it was a “large homeless encampment fire” burning between Highway 101 and the railroad tracks, said Fire Captain Daniel Bertucelli.
Crews extinguished the fire and mopped up hot spots.
California Highway Patrol monitored traffic in the area. There were no reported injuries or damaged structures.
Cal Trans and The Railroad need to be held liable for any damages and the cost of cleaning this up.
Since the government cannot force people into shelters or stop them from sleeping in public places, Let them live in the Courthouse Sunken Garden or perhaps the Mission Rose garden? Butterfly Beach? Coast Village Rd? They can have warming and cooking fires in those public places…
Can I ask a dumb question ?
Why aren’t any of these people in jail….
I guess they scatter, when a fire breaks out…but all the left behind stuff should give law enforcement clues, id’s, etc…
WINTER – being homeless is not a crime. They can’t just arrest people who live in an encampment. They investigate it, I’m sure, but it is probably pretty hard to pinpoint who started the fire.
Coast Village Road! Can we vote?
Winter. No kidding! Squatting on private property is a crime. Starting a fire is a crime. If they look a little further they will uncover loads of stolen property, illegal drugs and Lord knows what else.
Yes, WINTER and LCP112233. Also, detain each person and do background checks. There are several factors involved in a potential arson charge that can lead to sentencing enhancement that will greatly increase a defendant’s prison sentence. Some examples may include if you have previously been convicted of any felony or misdemeanor arson. In those instances an individual can had an additional 3,4 or 5 years in prison added to their sentence pursuant to California Penal Code Section 451.1(a)(1).
TWOSCOOPS, I agree you. Maybe it’s time to reconsider the way you vote?
Give them all one way tickets to Mar A Lago.
I really like the way you put that 3:14. The solution is combining the best aspects of the “liveral” and “conservative” approaches. Take those who cannot care for themselves into custody (the “conservative” part) and give them the care they need and treat them with compassion (the “liberal” part). If we did that, the “homeless” would be off the streets, and they would get the help and compassion they quite frankly deserve to receive as human beings. Unfortunately, this type of solution will not be implemented until we have a major shift in state and local politics…
3:06 – arson requires intent. You and LCP112233 should look up the definition of that word before you start playing keyboard detectives.
A person acts “recklessly” if he is aware that his actions could present a substantial and unjustifiable risk of causing a fire, he ignores that risk, and doing so is a gross deviation from how a reasonable person would act in the same situation. Penal Code 451 PC – California Arson Laws
3:59 – You just defined negligence, NOT intent. The very PC 451 you cite states, “A person is guilty of arson when he or she WILLFULLY and MALICIOUSLY sets fire to or burns or causes to be burned or who aids, counsels, or procures the burning of, any structure, forest land, or property.” (emphasis added) ________ https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=PEN§ionNum=451. ————– Seriously, read your own cites. Now, if you cited PC 452, as you should have, then I would be wrong…. 😉
WINTER – OK OK, you and your buddies win. You can be charged with arson even if it’s just caused by recklessness. Again, so what? You can’t just convict everyone in an encampment because a fire started there. You have to investigate and prosecute fully. It’s not as easy as simply saying “Oh, I found your ID at an encampment that caught fire, you’re going to jail.” That’s not how it works.
Hang on a second. Have we got this right? In the dark of night a truckload of firemen rush into the bushes to fight a fire. They’re walking over and through heaps of trash, human waste, hypo needles, sleeping bags, and God knows what else. Why on earth isn’t the firefighter’s union calling for an end to fighting all fires within a vagrant encampments. These are hazardous waste site, a danger to firefighters, and outside the scope of normal duties. Park the truck on the RR tracks, spray a hose from there, and hope for the best.
Here’s an idea…Have EVERY local Representative from the ACLU as well as any card-carrying ACLU member(s) respond to the fires, crap infested camps and demand they clean up the mess they have perpetuated up all of US. I would love to see a ACLU lawyer with a pressure washer on State St.
exactly, more people need to be conscious of this and voice their disgust with the how poor a job the government is doing to protect the people, firefighters, business owners, home owners who almost lost their structures, and the homeless that govt ignore and sweep under the carpet.
Hold on now, in this part of planet earth, firefighters (firemen? you must be really old) are ready to deal with any type of fire. They are equipped with helmets, heavy boots, jackets, gloves, respirators, ect. I hardly think that they are worried about human feces, needles, or anything else that maybe in those camps.
Yep everything is fine, societal norms and our civilization definitely aren’t declining.
Not sure how you think The Constitution guarantees any of us “quality of life.”
SBLETSGETALONG. I agree. There are people here in Santa Barbara who wear their “I can live in my car/I can live on the streets” life choice like a badge. In their addled brains what they are doing is terrific because they don’t pay taxes, they don’t work for “The Man,” they are beholden to no-one. It’s Freedom, dontcha know? I don’t think shelters will help nearly as much as people would like to think. Stop handing out money to panhandlers and make it punishingly difficult to be here, not easier.
How about the new Randall Rd debris basin in Montecito? (See Noozhawk) Just make sure there’s a good notification system so folks can pack up their stuff before a rainstorm. But otherwise it’s a nice camping spot adjacent to San Ysidro creek, with $20 million worth of county-owned tranquility. Install some toilets, a simple outdoor shower, and a few firepits, and it will be good to go.
This is becoming a weekly event and eventually will coincide with sundowner conditions. Everyone south of 101 will be a risk. I wish I had an answer, but starting with basic enforcement would be good. Just clearing out the undergrowth and debris would be helpful and preventive, but there doesn’t seem to be a unified group or agency to spearhead that. The problem extends from west Goleta down to at least Milpas.
We are living at the mercy of insanity. There is the good, the bad and the ugly but there is no good solution.
E N O U G H of these darn fires all due to the homeless folks. Let’s shut this down SBFD, SBPD, SBSO, SBCF, City Council, S.B. Supes, et al. WTF are you waiting for – the entire city to catch on fire & burn? Really!
And do what exactly? Fill the city jail and county jails with the homeless? Might be cheaper to build and maintain structures caring for the less fortunate among us than housing them in very secure prison like structures. But hey, it’s more fun to get angry and outraged than to think it through for some solutions.
Clean out the camps of course. Btw do you have any idea how much pollution and untreated sewage they create in their encampments? The ones in river beds and creek beds are creating toxic waste that runs into the sea. I personally Think the state should find a place in the desert where they were going to build that absurd railroad for $25…70,80,90 billion And build a huge enclosure and just stick them in there with 3 meals a day- oatmeal, rice and beans for lunch, rice and beans for dinner plus all antipsychotic meds they need. Zero alcohol or drugs. Cheaper in the long run and far less attractive than coastal Santa Barbara with their warming shelters and portable showers and parkland campgrounds and easy drugs.
…… charge them with a crime….. they are released…….
Just like the panhandlers on State St…..they can’t arrest them because there is no room in the County Jail. But someday……the new jail will be open……
In point in time counts in SB County, 40% of the homeless people are locals. Also, percentage wise, California doesn’t have the worst homeless problem.
When will the County & Cities work together to put those without homes into temporary shelters.
Other cities are building tent cities with facilities.
There’s land to build tent cities and get the homeless into beds and out of the bushes where they’re a danger to themselves and everyone around them.
Fortunately no businesses homes were lost, but the last big fire at Bath St was terrifyingly close to homes!
It’s the f****** Santa Cruz Island Wine Mixer.
I agree with temporary shelter idea, but it must be away from the city, having them in town will just create vagrants loitering around our neighborhoods all day. Once we create the temporary shelter, they must go there or go to jail. We cannot allow people to live on the streets. This wouldn’t be unconstitutional because these vagrants are ruining the quality of life for those of us who pay money to live here, which is our constitutional right. As well as the argument that they cannot be removed if they have no where to go. You do not get to live wherever you want just because you want to. That is unfair to the people who work here and have to commute from Ventura, Lompoc or further every day.
10:33 – Not sure you really understand the Constitution. Nothing says we have a right to live in a city free of homeless people. Also, since you’re so concerned about constitutional rights, how do you propose we force the “vagrants” to live in the “temporary shelters” or go to jail? That violates more than just their Constitutional rights, it also violates basic human rights. Take another look at the Constitution and get back to me. Thanks!
These fires and their sources are becoming a significant problem. The high fire risks and the eminent threat to the public’s safety, should supersede any and all civil liberty issues that keep these encampments from being removed by authorities. They need to be removed ASAP. Everywhere, along every rail line, under every overpass and in and around every on/off ramp and every creek bed. The fire threat is real, the issues and causes obvious and the remedy easy. Or are we going to wait until 1000’s of homes are destroyed and countless people are dead and the lawyers and lawmakers come crawling forth to blame each other? This is a real threat to the public’s safety and needs to be treated as such. Find and remove every single encampment and clear them and start filing lawsuits against the property owners. Southern Pacific, Caltrans and the county of SB need to be put on notice and act immediately to protect the public from fire risks related to the use of their property.
SBOBSERVER – yes, the encampments must be removed at all costs, there’s plenty of precedent for that. But, these camps that keep getting suggested are something different altogether.
There are laws against using drugs and alcohol in public spaces. Don’t reward this by giving them housing. Their families can’t cope with them anymore, obviously. That’s the thing about drug addiction, no matter how committed you are to helping, the drug addicts always take it further and rob you of your ability to be generous. Because, they always want more. Eventually, it’s more than is reasonable or safe for the family, neighborhood, then city, then county, then state. We’ve reached that in S.B., Goleta. Now…simply enforce the laws we already have. No handouts to make it easy for them…unless __you__ are gaining $$$ from their drug purchases, and the loop of drug sales. How many in S.B. are part of the financial rewards program, directly or indirectly…including doctors.
Enforce the laws as they should be enforced and all this crap will end.
It is shameful to talk about simply disposing of your fellow human beings.
The so-called “homeless” problem and the fire danger in our area will continue to get worse for the foreseeable future. Until we have a fundamental change in our politics at the state and local level, this is going to be a fact of life. However, there are steps we can all take to help protect ourselves and our families. First, I would strongly suggest educating your children. Make sure they know what used needles look like, and make sure they know to avoid them and to alert an adult when they find them. Also, make sure your children know to avoid homeless encampments. The encampments contain hidden dangers such as used needles, toxic waste, and communicable diseases. Finally, make sure your children know to stay away from drug addicts since they can be unstable and dangerous. It is also important to keep an eye on your neighborhood. Identify overgrown areas and keep a lookout for drug addicts. It may be helpful to collaborate with your neighbors on this. If you find any overgrown areas on private property, contact the owner and have the land cleared if possible. Unfortunately, if an overgrown area is on public land the government will ensure nothing is done to mitigate the hazard. The last line of defense is protecting your property. When an overgrown area in your neighborhood catches fire, the primary threat to your property is likely to be embers, or firebrands, carried by the wind. Take a long walk around the perimeter of your house and check for any flammable items. If you allow dry leaves or other flammable material to accumulate near your home, these materials are likely to be ignited by embers and will in turn ignite your home. Imagine a shower of windblown embers falling around your property. You need to do whatever it takes to ensure that nothing will catch fire when this occurs and that no embers can blow into your home through attic vents or any other openings. I would highly recommend doing some research on the ember/firebrand hazard and taking the time to make sure your home and property is appropriately prepared. In addition, make sure your insurance is up to date. The cost to rebuild can be extremely high due to our building codes and permitting process. Make sure your policy will pay the actual cost to rebuild your home and provide temporary housing until your home can be rebuilt. The process could take years and the total cost is likely to exceed $1 million in this area. Finally, I would encourage defensive landscaping. Agaves and cactus with aggressive thorns are a good choice. These plants grow quickly, are easily propagated, and do not require any water once established. In addition, they are not a fire hazard. Defensive landscaping can be an effective way to keep drug addicts from entering your property, and it is much more aesthetically pleasing than razor wire and other defensive measures. You might also consider engaging in some “guerilla landscaping” and planting cactus and agave in strategic locations on public land.
Roger, I agree. COASTWATCH, I’ve been a liberal, and voted that way, for five decades. I know that building housing for drug addicts is a wrong step. Enforce the laws, as Roger says. That’s what I believe, as a liberal. The only way to save addicts’ lives is to make them stop using drugs. Not by providing services to allow them to continue using drugs. Or making camps, where not only they can continue using drugs, but can contract various third world illnesses. “Last October, health officials warned the public about a typhus outbreak after several people in downtown L.A. contracted the disease. Typhus spreads when fleas become infected with bacteria known as Rickettsia typhi or Rickettsia felis. May 29, 2019.”
SBOBSERVER – clap clap clap. Yes. 100% right on. I’ve visited friends and family that fled CA and while their homes are all bigger now, their neighborhoods are bland, their towns are full of Walmarts, Red Robins, and every other boring chain you can think of, there’s no beach within 100s of miles, and churches on every corner. If you like it, go for it. But no thanks for me man, no thanks.
I cannot recall, maybe FACTOTUM? But some Edhatter has posted the have not, etc thing twice (at least), when addressing this type of thread.
Zenyatta19, you just inspired me to pull the Blancmange LP out and start spinning the vinyl. Funny how some songs, movies, and ideas are more relevant today than when they came out. Cheers!
I get frustrated, too. Ignore down votes. Venting is heathful! It’s the people who can’t and keep it inside who are the ones most likely to something reprehensible. Those who can use a sense of humor make them more comprehensible. Professional comedians, writers and cartoonists dealing with serious issues are a pressure release that can help solve dire issues non-violently.
Can’t cook meth at a warming center. Someone else put it well: Need to separate the can nots, and do nots from the will nots. The first two benefit from a hand up; the second is a danger.
@BIGONE- Out of the 16 homes on our street, 4 have sold and left the once “Golden State”… Three went to Southern Oregon and One to AZ…. They said they were leaving for all the SAME reasons you listed. With the money they saved leaving , they can afford multiple vacations to Europe, Hawaii and visiting relatives in CA… Makes sense to me! One friend left for an area just north of Seattle and it was as bad as CA, so he moved to Northern Idaho….!
Yea. Hey kids…your job today is to go interact with drug addicts, paedophiles, and violent drunks. We need you to teach them basic safety which they regularly ignore 24/7 because they are broken people. Sound good kids?
SBOBSERVER And others telling BEGONE how sorry he’ll be after he’s moved away—–PLEASE KNOCK IT OFF. Just say your good-byes. You don’t have to wax rhapsodic over how nice and special it is here. There may be out-of-towners reading this thread. DO NOT encourage people to move here.
Why hasn’t there been a response from the City Leaders? Is it not important enough? Too tough of a problem to tackle or get their brains wrapped around? All the while we are having to purchase generators to keep our power going to our homes & businesses during a wind storm likes some 3rd world country. CA is the laughing stock around the rest of the country.
Because our Mayor is incapable of mustering the courage let alone the words to tackle anything. She is a wet noodle who has proven completely inept in leadership and management. By far the worst mayor in our towns history. Sadly, she was elected at a time when this town needs strong, capable, experienced leadership. Yet she has proven completely incapable of delivering those traits and, ironically, thinks she is due a promotion! Who is whispering these ideas into her head? Who is her puppet master? Or is her ego so big that she actually thinks she is effective? Pfff. She wanted the job, so she either takes the heat or gets out of the kitchen. Most of the city’s voters would prefer the latter as she has truly failed to move the city closer to anything but insolvency and distrust… A good mayor, a strong leader would have been out in front of these issues, loudly and effectively marshaling resources to solve problems and reassuring the city’s residents. Not Cathy Murillo. Nope. For her it’s luncheons, photo-ops and some of the least effective management possible. She really needs to go, quickly.
09:54 – that doesn’t appear to be correct according to a January, 2019 survey done by the U.S. government and published in MarketWatch:
“More than half a million people are homeless each night in the United States, a new White House report has found. And nearly half of them are concentrated in one state: California. All told, 47% of all unsheltered homeless people nationwide — meaning those who sleep in areas not meant for habitation, such as sidewalks, parks, cars and abandoned buildings, rather than in shelters — live in the Golden State.
At the city level, four of the five cities with the highest rate of unsheltered homelessness are in California: San Francisco, Los Angeles, Santa Rosa and San Jose. Seattle joins the California municipalities in the top five.”
Where else can a person live for free that wants to drink alcohol and do drugs all day everyday?
SBO; and let’s not forget the disturbing thought Murillo will be running for the vacancy created by Limon’s departure as she runs for the Senate. Reminds me of some of the lyrics in a Blamcmange song:
“Blind hope, blind visions
Blind centre, one centre
Blind living and seeing
Blind hell, blind hell
Blind visions and no reasons
For action blind words”.
I remember when there were more republicans on the Silly council then Demonrats and those noodles were not just wet they were soaked…Nothing much got done then either.
And yet you still live here. What does that say about you?
PITMIX – I am leaving and am currently looking in other states. Hope you enjoy your future here.
9:05 wants a concentration camp. It’s becoming pretty clear how the Nazis got their start.
I believe in making lists. Let’s make a list of suggestions for our city/county leaders, who are paid to protect us. (1) Put signs up that say, “no fires here” and “no camping here” “no drugs here” “no defecation here” (2) Put up live webcams in those areas (it’s not that expensive). (3) Arrest and charge anyone who is viewed lighting a fire in an encampment. (4) Declare a local State of Emergency, with penalties, for these ARSON fire starters encampments, especially during Red Flag Warnings, or Sundowners. (5) Put teeth into charges with goal of keeping these EAs (Encampment Arsonists) away. What of your suggestions can County Supervisors get behind? Once we have a good list, send it to all supervisors, city councils, police chiefs, sheriff, city managers, etc. TODAY BE HEARD.
PITMIX – the scariest part is how many upvotes 9:05, and other comments like this, have received. Sad how so many in our community are so filled with hate.
What does it take for DCC Politicos to do what needs to be done?
BIGONE – you fleeing CA for more conservative pastures? I’ve had a few family members and friends do that. Leave everything they love behind just so they don’t have to be around “liberals” anymore. It’s sad.
No one is listening. Wake UP! Homelessness is BIG BUSINESS. Each local must act to end invasion. Photo, shout out every enabler.
@9:38. Actually leaving California is about raising your standard of living. Better houses, cheaper gas, less taxes. Not to mention safety to get the heck away from all the miss managed forests that are burning down houses each and every year. Power outages galore. And bums living in and around your parks and neighborhoods. I have been here for 50 years and never have seen it as bad as it is these days. If not for my loved ones, I would get the heck out too.
How about 2 countywide remote permanent 24/7 County and City financed campgrounds with Toilet , shower, storage, and safe vehicle parking facilities for those not in need of short or long term institutionalized supervised medical care? MTD 6a and 6p transport to few day labor pick up zones for those willing to work. We spent $5Million talking. Time to act.
If you had kids, you are responsible. If you are an immigrant to the state, you are responsible. Remember CA had Republican governors for many years, all during a time when we should have been planning and building for the future, they were cutting spending and privatizing public services. While I am not assigning blame to them per se, the cause of most of your concerns have more to do with the population boom of the last 40 years (especially unfettered illegal immigration) than the party or the color of their tie… Too many people, that is our problem. Think how nice CA would be with today’s technology and 20 million people instead of 40million. Yes, illegal immigration has played a HUGE part in this decline. At the heart of every one of our problems is over-population for a limited amount of room and resources.
Good luck with leaving. Once you leave the coast, you are subject to really hot summer days and intense winter weather due to climate change. Maybe some of the problems you see as overwhelming here will start to look less significant after a few years in Idaho/Vegas/Utah/Bend/Spokane. By the way, those places aren’t too happy about Califas coming and driving up their cost of living.
And Pitmix wins the Godwin’s law award! Took a little longer than usual, but its here. Thanks Pitmix!
SBWOMAN (10:01) – great idea! Having campgrounds with basic facilities available for those who want help and are willing to try is wonderful. The problem is, many in the homeless population do not want any help. Either they are mentally incapable of taking it, or they flat out prefer life on the streets. The other problem with the camps is, many people here are touting them as a mandatory solution for homeless people, meaning you go to the camp or you go to jail. That is just illegal and immoral. We need to find a balance between the two options.
Another main problem with a remote campground is that it is remote…access to grocery stores, etc., is an actual need.
BIGONE- I think I love you! Blind Vision is one of my all time favorite songs. You are correct about Murillo..
And yet people still want to live in California. Maybe because we have the sixth largest economy in the world, despite our many failings? It’s not just the weather that keeps people here. Yes, we have too many moochers, but we also have scads of attractive employment.
Well, folks, lot’s of thoughts and comments here from many of you regarding my plans to leave this state behind. Being born in Los Angeles and living here all my life is going to be a sacrifice in terms of unparalleled weather. But, like many leaving, the state’s condition is the worst it’s ever been and I just can’t take what’s going on here any longer and it’s only going to get worse in terms of the main topic here, homelessness, along with increasing crime, taxes, gangs, COL, unchecked immigration, traffic, highest gasoline price in the United States, etc, etc – and that all adds up to a very poor quality of life. So I am willing to sacrifice the climate for a more sane, less costly, and overall pleasurable lifestyle elsewhere. I wonder what the state will do for tax revenue when the middle class keeps departing along with many of the tech companies? All of my best friends have left – a Public Defender, a Superior Court judge, a well-known mathematician and software designer, and a CFO for a large company – all of them have never looked back and they unanimously say it was the best decision they ever made. But I do wish everyone who decides to stay here among the chaos and degradation the very best. In Arnie’s voice, “Hasta la Vista, baby!”
“chaos and degradation” hahaha, yeah it’s awful here! Funny how all my conservative family and friends are constantly telling me how terrible my quality of life is. Yeah, living comfortably in a house with my wife and kids within walking distance to the beach, 1/2 day drive from skiing/snowboarding, 10 minutes from concerts, fine dining, and museums, while still enjoying the quiet solitude of rural Goleta is just horrible…. it is total chaos I tell you! HAhahahahaHA!
Cristinas, I’m looking at towns in AZ, Texas, and a few others. And those local folks in any Red state I decide to move to don’t have to worry about me taking the radical California ideas with me 🙂 I was in two other states recently; regular grade of gasoline was $2.12 in one and $2.39 in the other and did not see any homeless camps in either. Initial investigations into nice, modern, well appointed homes 2000-3000 sf in pleasant surroundings on moderate acreage display a lot of choices for less then $450k. Sure makes one wonder why the heck sane people are staying here, unless you are multi-millionaire Hollywood, Tech, Newson, Pelosi, or Feinstein types living with armed guards, chauffeurs, and in those 8000 sf “compounds” behind locked gates.
The problem isn’t as much ‘housing’ as it is addiction. As someone with several loved ones with addiction issues, you cannot ‘drive’ people to rehab. THEY have to want it for themselves. You cannot reason with, plead, cajole, or otherwise get an addict into effective rehab until THEY decide enough is enough. I have one relative who has totaled multiple vehicles, been in jail, been forced into residential rehab, etc. Guess what…he still uses because HE doesn’t see the problem. The addict doesn’t care that he’s homeless, filthy, hungry, etc. ALL he cares about is the next fix and nothing society has to offer such as food, clothing, shelter, relationships, productive work, etc., matter at all to him/her. Until the addict reaches the bottom, until the addict decides he/she needs help, you can offer all the ‘services’ in the world and it will do NO GOOD. I’ve been through this rodeo multiple times with family & friends. Until you have seen & been up close & personal with real addiction, you can’t even fathom how deep it goes. Those who lost a job & trying to get back on their feet? YES, absolutely extend the help. I honestly don’t know what the answer is. The black hole of addiction is so deep I’m not sure of any agency, Fed or State, who can address it. Additionally, it should not be as hard as it currently is to get someone who is clearly a danger to themselves & others, committed to a facility and kept there. Rant over.
OK, since no one knows what to do to get the homeless into safe housing, and the camps keep proliferating, here’s a crazy idea; organize boy and girl scouts to go out and teach the homeless how to camp safely. Here’s an eagle project, or gold award for the kids. I know this is not easy – what parent wants their kid interacting with sketchy bums? But scouting procedures do make for safe use of fire in any environment.
Why the need to sing your swan song BigOne? Just leave. No one really cares what your reasons are or where you’re going. If you’re not happy here, leave. ———————————— There are many nice places in the USA to live. Some offer better lifestyle, some offer cheaper living, some offer a more limited demographic that suits your particular feather. But none, not a single place in the USA is as nice as Santa Barbara, CA. None have the beauty and the weather and the limited population. None have the access to the culture and variety paired with the low population. After you go you will miss the beach, the views, the mountains, the warm winter weather the perfect summers along with the great mix of food and culture. You will miss the beauty of State St (even though it has its issues) and the way the sun lights up the mountains. You will want to come back after you realize mini malls, lukewarm muddy lakes and insular communities based around churches are not that inviting… But maybe you drive a giant truck, prefer to eat fast food, shop at Walmart and watch a lot of TV instead of being active outdoors or interested in other flavors. If that’s your thing, AZ and TX are perfect for what you like. But they’re really hot. Really, really hot in the summer so be ready to live inside. ——————————————– The funny thing about the CA haters, they seem to have no idea that CA is a microcosm of the USA. We have every climate. Every culture. Every business and every opportunity. The largest, most influential and powerful companies and universities are here. The future has been invented here time and time again. All this is paired with the best weather and natural beauty of anywhere on earth. That is the reason its so expensive by the way… supply and demand. ——————————————— P.S. CA is fading, but its not due to what you cite. Its due to too many people and a generation of selfish, greedy people (Boomer’s) who stole the future from from their grand-kids. The Boomers destroyed CA. They were gifted the greatest economy, the greatest opportunities in human history and boy did they stick it to the future gens. They are the first and only generation in American history to leave their kids worse off then they. So if you want to blame someone, blame the Hippies who became Yuppies and ate the world. They took the best for themselves and pulled up the ladder leaving everyone forthcoming to fight for the scraps….