Born and raised in Orange County, CA. Family is what is keeping us here for the time being, but long term I see a better future in a more affordable state with better quality of life for our kids. I'm at a level 5 air carrier facility in SoCal (ONT). To afford a house here we left OC and headed east to the Inland Empire (Lake Elsinore). Bought a 4br 3ba 1900sqft for 325k in 2016. House now worth about 390k. If I ERR to any mid to high level here I'd have a long drive, esp with traffic. It's over an hour to SNA in zero traffic, but 2 hours one way in traffic. LAX is 90 min no traffic. SCT 75 min no traffic. SAN 85 min no traffic. LGB same. CNO (Level 7) is same as ONT, 45 min no traffic, which would both be the closest-- again, with no traffic or construction but both are a constant. Moving back to LA/OC would mean trading our "big" house for a much smaller residence at nearly double the cost. Southern California has been an incredible place to grow up- but it's changed dramatically in my 36 years here. Taxes have skyrocketed, homelessness and crime are way up , and traffic & gridlock is non stop even during non commuting hours. Lack of adequate infrastructure. Will always love the natural beauty and adundance of things to do here in CA, but our only long term solution for the betterment of our kids may be a move east. AZ, ID, NV, TX, UT.