He can correct me if Im wrong but Id surmise nearly all of his net worth and retirement income was from real estate, Many of the folks I see leaving fit that profile. They have not properly planned for a retirement income to allow them to live here comfortably. They cash out, buy a nice big house (nicer than what they had here), bank the rest and try to convince themselves they are better off and its CA fault for being so darn expensive.
Many if not most of the CA refugees I see that left complain they got priced out here. But they lived here when it was exceedingly inexpensive. Had they stayed put and not given in to the temptation of refis and living beyond their means they would have been fine. Most are self styled conservatives that blame liberal CA without taking personal responsibility for their own failings. How ironic! The secret to living in CA long term is live the life you can afford and stay put.
I consistently saved and invested for many years, paid down my primary and kept expenses low. I am enjoying a very modest cost structure as I head toward retirement. I’m living where I have always dreamed of being and at no risk of having to leave.
