Why We Left California
In 2021, we made the difficult decision to leave California. It wasn’t an easy choice as our
entire family and support system were there, and walking away from that felt heavy. But we
knew that in just a few short years, we would be navigating adulthood with a son on the
autism spectrum who deeply wanted independence. When we looked honestly at what
that would mean in California, both financially and logistically, we realized we needed to
start planning for a different future.
The cost of living in California made long-term independence incredibly challenging. We
know we will be financially responsible for our son for the rest of his life, and we wanted to
be sure we could one day provide him with a home of his own when he was ready. In 2021,
average home prices in California hovered around $925,000, while in South Carolina, they
were closer to $250,000. That difference alone opened doors that simply didn’t exist for us
on the West Coast.
Like many families leaving California, we initially explored the usual destinations, Texas,
Colorado, Idaho, and Utah. But after living near the coast for so many years, we realized
how much the ocean lifestyle meant to us. Rather than move inland, we decided to shift
our search to the other side of the country and explore the East Coast.
Knowing that a jump from Southern California to the Northeast would be a drastic change
(hello, snow), we focused our search on the Southeast, specifically North Carolina, and
South Carolina. We had friends who had already relocated to both states and could give us
honest insight into what daily life was really like.
We narrowed our search to Charlotte, North Carolina, and Columbia, South Carolina,
mainly because we knew at least one person in each location. Over the long Veterans Day
weekend, my husband and I boarded a red-eye flight across the country and landed in
Columbia early that morning. We met our realtor right after landing, and she showed us ten
homes that day throughout the Midlands, along with a crash course on the surrounding
areas and what they had to offer. That night we slept at a hotel, and the next morning drove
into Charlotte, where we viewed ten more homes in that area.
Almost immediately, Columbia stood out to us. It felt like a small “big” city. Clean,
welcoming, and far less overwhelming than what we were used to in Los Angeles. The
downtown area felt vibrant but manageable, and the suburban neighborhoods offered
everything we needed at a slower, more intentional pace.
Charlotte had a lot to love as well, but its downtown felt very similar to Orange County,
California. While familiar, it didn’t feel like the fresh start we'd hoped for. Still, we put
offers on homes in both locations. Columbia’s seller accepted our offer, while in Charlotte,
we were competing with another buyer.
That decision ultimately made things clear. If we were truly going to embrace Southeast
culture, Columbia felt like the better fit. It offered a more rural, grounded lifestyle while still
providing easy access to everything we wanted. Charlotte felt like a “junior Orange County,”
And we were ready for something different.
Another bonus was Columbia’s central location. From here, the coast is just a two-hour
drive. The mountains? Also, about two hours away. A trip to Charlotte, if needed? Around 75
minutes. It gave us flexibility without the chaos.
This January, we celebrate four years of living in Columbia, South Carolina. Our son just
turned 20 in December, and the transition has been a positive one for our entire family.
We’re grateful for the opportunities this move has provided and excited to see what the
years ahead in South Carolina continue to bring.
