On September 9, 1850, California became the 31st state to formally join the United States of America. In addition to “The Grape State,” “The Land of Milk and Honey,” “The El Dorado State,” and “The Golden State,” California is also often referred to as “The Land of Milk and Honey.”
Many things have made California a household name. Our state features a stunning coastline, the glitz and glamor of Hollywood, breathtaking national parks, and, of course, wine country.
However, it seems that for every real strength that California has, there are also a few myths that are never completely dispelled and keep spreading.
This issue is being dealt with right now. Here is a list of the most common and completely false beliefs people have about the Golden State.
Beware the impending “Big One.”
The San Andreas Fault runs the whole length of California, and devastating earthquakes have struck the Golden State. Random movements of the Earth’s tectonic plates can cause rattling and rumbling just below the surface, and these sounds can be heard on a fairly regular basis.
However, a disproportionately large number of people keep predicting that “The Big One” will hit and destroy our entire state. In reality, earthquakes, some of which are fairly powerful, can strike anywhere on Earth.
Missouri experienced a large number of casualties from a single earthquake in 1811, despite the fact that earthquakes are more common in California, Alaska, and Hawaii. It was unexpected and really upsetting at the time.
Several states in the southeastern United States, including Oklahoma, experience earthquakes on a regular basis.
And now, we have much greater safety than we did previously. Many older structures have had retrofits made to increase their ability to withstand even mild shaking, and strict building requirements are enforced for newly constructed buildings. In addition, throughout the past century, we’ve made great strides in seismic monitoring and early warning systems.
While no area is ever completely secure from natural disasters, the widespread belief that California would be wiped out by the “big one” is unfounded, according to experts. Make sure that movers from Boston to California you’ve hired for the job are not superstitious and are focused on getting your things moved safely and in one piece.
Those who live on the “Left Coast” are Liberal Loonies
Despite the state of California’s political leanings to the left, progressive political activists shouldn’t be viewed as any less rational or policy-minded than their conservative counterparts.
It is clear from looking back at California’s past that conservative Republicans have played an important role there, and it seems probable that they will continue to do so.
The truth is that there are many more political parties represented among California’s population than just the Democrats and Republicans. There is a wide spectrum of political beliefs and actions held by residents of the state’s various counties, towns, and cities. This is fundamental to democratic ideals.
The traffic in Southern California makes driving nearly impossible
The Los Angeles area has the potential to have a lot of visitors. In addition, there are often long lines of cars waiting to get through traffic jams on the roads. Dealing with this might be challenging at times. Keep in mind that Los Angeles is a relatively small part of the state and that you are free to choose where in California you would like to live.
You should weigh the time spent in transit against the many positives of settling down in or near one of California’s major urban centers. There are traffic bottlenecks everywhere in the United States, so please plan accordingly.
It takes a lot of money to maintain a comfortable lifestyle in California
Especially when it comes to housing, the cost of living in California can be higher than in other states and countries, but there are factors that can help offset this. Mild weather means less money spent on heating and cooling your home, and a less formal way of life means less money spent on clothes. Easily obtained, fresh vegetables are available.
Generally speaking, job prospects, salary, and living expenses all balance out and are about proportional to one another.
If you’re willing to commute out of the big cities, you’ll find plenty of affordable little towns where you can plant roots and live well on a middle-class salary.
You need to be prepared to weigh the pros and cons of a job and a home’s location, such as the commute time, and the quality of nearby schools, stores, and entertainment options, just as you would in any other state. After that, you should put in the time and energy required to locate a community that is a suitable fit for you. It’s not as hard as you may think.
In contrast to the almost constant overcast in San Francisco, smog permeates every inch of Los Angeles
Although there are times when meteorological conditions and prevailing winds provide for worse-than-ideal air quality in the Los Angeles area, there are also many days when the air quality is rather good. The times when you’d rather be indoors may be balanced out by the ease with which you may escape to the outdoors, whether it is the beach, the mountains, or the desert, whenever the mood strikes.
The mist and fog, together with the cold days, are also characteristic of this area. Are you interested in visiting San Francisco’s Museum of Modern Art, the Golden Gate Bridge, or Fisherman’s Wharf? How about taking a road trip to Half Moon Bay, Napa, or Sonoma? All of them may be fun to accomplish on a wet day, and they offer additional bonuses like photo ops and instructive time spent indoors and out.
The unvarnished truth
California has some of the most stunning redwood forests in the world, in addition to its beautiful beaches, mountains, and valleys.
There is something for everyone to enjoy in California due to the state’s abundance of history, natural beauty, and outdoor activities.
While there are certainly negative and wonderful aspects of California, we feel that these perceptions have been blown out of proportion. Now that you have all the information, you can make an informed decision about whether or not California is the best state for you to settle down.
