Welcome to California
Your life in the Golden State begins
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Welcome to California
From the tops of the redwood forests to the bottom of Death Valley, California is a truly majestic place. Ever since the Gold Rush, many have answered the call of destiny to travel here and make California their home. Some seek opportunities and fortunes, while other come to live out their dreams.
California continues to be a powerful magnet for the most talented, creative and brilliant minds, which drive the booming entertainment and tech industries of the state. In fact, California is the fifth largest economy in the world, making it an attractive destination if you are looking to make a move.
Who knows? Perhaps you will be the next California resident to make it big. But whether you are looking to settle down and relax or pursue your next big career move, California has something to offer every lifestyle. It is no surprise then, that so many people are moving here.
California Self-Storage Facts
Whether people are moving in to the state or moving out, many of them will need to rent a self-storage space to facilitate their move. According to our internal research, about 60 percent of self-storage users are in the process of moving. California has a thriving self-storage industry, which benefits from high income households, limited supply of available storage space and high barriers to entry that prevent new competitors from entering the market easily.
Here are some more fast facts about self-storage in California you might now know
Below are some statistics that provide an overview of the self-storage industry in California:
3,500
California is home to more than 3,500 self-storage facilities
213.3
California facilities offer more than 213.3 million square feet of storage space combined.
5.53
California has 5.53 square feet of storage space for every man, woman, and child. That's on par with the national average of 5.4 square feet per person.
Reasons to Move to California
If you are wondering if California is right for you, consider the following points:
1
There is beautiful weather all year-round with a winter average of 63 degrees.
2
Get outdoors. Cali is home to the best national parks including Yosemite, Joshua Tree and the Redwood National Forest.
3
If you work in the technology sector, Silicon Valley is calling you.
4
Property taxes are below the national average!
5
An education. You (or your children) can go to community college for free.
6
With more than 3,400 miles of coastline, you are never too far from the beach.
7
California is considered the most diverse state in the country, so you can enjoy contact with many cultures different from your own.
8
Along with being a multicultural state, California is home to some of the best restaurants in the world representing a variety of global cuisine like no other place in the world.
9
You might live longer: Californians have an average life expectancy of 80.9 years, making it the third ranked state in the nation for longevity.
10
Are you a pro sports fan? California has 16 professional sports teams, more than any other state.
Moving to California
California is the most populous state in the country with an estimated 39.7 million residents in 2019. While the state remains the most populous nation in the country, California’s rate of population growth is at its lowest point in its recorded history. The overall population of California is expected to grow just 0.48 percent from the previous year. There are two primary reasons that population growth in California is slowing down: declining birthrates and residents moving to other states.
Soaring housing costs and rising taxes are the chief drivers behind the continual exodus of Californians to other nearby states like Texas, Arizona and Nevada. While Californians are leaving the state in greater numbers than ever before, the current trend has been ongoing for the last thirty years with the dot-com bust and Great Recession as the primary catalysts.
Due to the large numbers of people leaving the state, net migration is actually negative in California. About 38,000 more people moved out of the state than people that moved in, according to the latest census estimates. That calculation includes immigrants to California from other countries, who continue to move to the state in large numbers. But for the last two years, immigrant arrivals have not outnumbered California-born residents who are moving away. In 2018, California saw net migration of nearly 118,000 immigrants, compared to a net migration of -156,000 native residents departing the state.
While more folks are indeed leaving California than ever before, the state remains an attractive draw for thousands of people from the United States and abroad. Whether it’s the draw of the tech sector, the allure of the entertainment industry or simply the state’s majestic beauty, California still has a lot going for it.
California Economic Outlook
As previously stated, California has the biggest economy of all 50 states. If California was a country, it would be the 5th largest economy in the world with a GDP of $3 trillion. California is home to a healthy job market. As of September 2019, California has an unemployment rate of 4 percent, slightly higher than the United States as a whole at 3.5 percent.
The economic outlook for the future of California is strong. The state created 347,000 jobs in 2018. According to economist Mark Schniepp, some employers may find it challenging to fill open positions, which is expected to lead to increased wages and salaries in the California job market going forward.
While there is a big difference between living in a major city or a small town, the overall cost of living in California is one of the most expensive in the country—second only to Hawaii.
Below is a breakdown of California’s largest sectors by share of GDP:
Who are California's Largest Employers?
Places to live in California
Deserts, mountains, beaches, forests, big cities, small towns and everything in between—The Golden State has got it all. California spans an area of 155,779 square miles, making it the third largest state in the country.
Los Angeles
With more than 13 million people in the metro area, Los Angeles is the second biggest city in the country. The entertainment industry is front and center, but L.A. is so much more–including being a haven for culinary pursuits and a launching pad for high-tech startups.
San Diego
You’ll live your life to the fullest in California’s second biggest city. Packed with universities and colleges, funky neighborhoods, and miles of beaches (with seals!), San Diego is a haven from the spotlights of L.A. and the tech buzz of San Francisco.
San Francisco
San Francisco might grab headlines for being one of the most expensive housing markets in the country, but one visit to the City by the Bay and you’ll see why. A bastion of history, culture and tech, San Francisco is an amazing place to live—if you can find a way to afford it.