patrick.net

Without having to build more houses, here are a couple of things that could start to improve CA's housing "supply issue":
- Eliminate Prop 13. Replace the property tax with a dollar fee based on the type and size of the parcel of land, not on the assessed value. This will make it more fair and won't price people out of their homes if prices skyrocket.
- Eliminate any and all tax breaks for 2nd homes.
- Prohibit foreign investment.

"Between 2007 and 2016, a million more people have left the state than have moved in from other states."

Why this is bad? Anyone who drove through LA anytime outside of short window betwee 1am and 3am can attest to LA being horribly overcrowded. SFBA is not as horrible but getting there. Less people is GOOD, people!

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2018/03/01/california-has-worst-quality-life-in-us-study-says.html\

PrivilegedtobeWhite says

Without having to build more houses, here are a couple of things that could start to improve CA's housing "supply issue":

Deport, or execute all illegal aliens immediately. should be #1 on the list.

PrivilegedtobeWhite says

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2018/03/01/california-has-worst-quality-life-in-us-study-says.html\

I normally read before I comment, but I can use my own observations.

Restaurants seem more desperate than ever to get us in. Some of the promotions are ridiculously generous. Often, movie theaters are completely empty, it is eerie. Entire neighborhoods have a different character as established homeowners are selling to foolish buyers, often minorities using government grants to buy an inflated house.

Insurance cripples people, and if they actually need it, well, go check out that thread on Patrick.net. Almost everyone I know who moved to California eventually leaves. It is pretty depressing.

Other states don't bray about their quality of life, they just live it. Beaches? How often do you actually get there, and are there phalanxes of RichFuck homes in the way and crowds? Traffic? How much time do you spend sucking fumes on crappy roads? Weather? If you're working like a dog to afford a crap shack, how often do you notice it? Positive social life? Your neighbors would cut your throat for a dime, even nice areas have homeless hanging around, crime is going up and up without anybody paying attention, public areas are becoming open air asylums; if your social life is your work, it seems everybody who HAS a job wakes up and starts sharpening their knives to compete; cities, counties, the state are corrupt fiefdoms soaking the fly by night citizens without mercy or regard. Health care? Great, if your net worth is north of ten million dollars. Legal system? Even just existing makes you a target. People judge their lives by how much frenzy and multi tasking mania they can absorb, while spending their time standing in lines and stacked up in traffic. You're also competing with the dump truck masses of bizarre third worlders who claw and scrape to find the tiniest foothold. Liberal outlook? It's like a true mass insanity, ignoring every conceivable reality to create a wonder world of political denial, assuming you have the money to escape from it into a gated neighborhood. The crooked pols LOVE it and exploit it. Just cook up some kale, and peace, love and health reign supreme. Five million net worth to live a lifestyle that middle class Californians USED to take for granted in more open, less crowded times.

I am always amazed by relatives from elsewhere who are relaxed, have beautiful homes, and spend time in Cali in nice hotels in Tahoe, Palm Springs, SF with lots of spare income to do so. Did I mention they were relaxed, friendly and nice, too?

Patrick says

If California’s the future, why are so many leaving?

I agree California is the future, but not the one this article alludes to. I think California cities will be the first to collapse in the decentralization movement that has already started. People are tired of crowds, corruption, and the expense of cities out here. Doesn't mean you have to leave California altogether. There are plenty of houses east and north, but the California experience gets squeezed into a few hundred miles of coastline known as SoCal.

Or be like me, and move into a townhome, or housing situation you can afford.

The people leaving are the "makers" (net contributors to the tax system), the people staying/breeding are the takers. I believe California's maker/taker ratio is now 100/114. You have 114 people sucking out of the system for every 100 contributing to the system.

That ratio was nearly the opposite 30 years ago.

PrivilegedtobeWhite says

- Eliminate Prop 13. Replace the property tax with a dollar fee based on the type and size of the parcel of land, not on the assessed value. This will make it more fair and won't price people out of their homes if prices skyrocket.
- Eliminate any and all tax breaks for 2nd homes.
- Prohibit foreign investment.

This does not build more houses, this just simply makes it more expensive for those who do own houses. And like most liberal solutions, will only make the problem worse. Because when it gets more expensive, it gets bought up by land lords, who tear it down, build apartment units, and own everything. Again what you suggested would make problem worse.

The problem is lack of supply. And solution is to build more houses, remove building restrictions. There are vast empty areas, where government won't let people build houses. This needs to change. But all I hear from liberals... tax home owners more so even they are priced out... that's just usual beat everyone down into same situation. Not a solution.