Gettin' The Heck Outta Dodge (Well, California That Is)

[Rustymuscle]

Well, I can't believe I'm finally able to say this, but I'm leaving So Cal for good and moving South to "Music City" Nashville, Tennessee!

Frankly, California is sinking into hell and my wife and I have been looking to get out of here since we had our first child over two years ago. Besides the B.S. politics, taxes, and insane cost of living, it's the general "dog-eat-dog" mentality of the people that just pushes us out.

My wife is a southern girl, born and raised in Birmingham, AL. I married her because, besides being gorgeous, was one of the most genuinely kind people I had ever met. It turns out, that's just being Southern.

Visiting the South as a Californian is an eye-opening experience; strangers say "Hello" to each other. Drivers are courteous and don't "camp" in the fast lane. Although this is rather archetypical, Southerners are still God-loving Christians who treat their fellow man with more respect and kindness than anywhere else I've seen.

And for those who'll call Southerners racist or backwards, let me remind you that California and New York has worse public schools, higher unemployment, more gang violence, and violent "hate crimes" per year than all of the Southern states combined.

I hope get to meet fellow Charger lovers, enthusiasts and shops around the Nashville area. ...and maybe I'll finally get my stinkin' car up and running.

-Kevin

[Rolling_Thunder]

Good luck bro!  I can't wait until I get my new job...   first request will be a transfer to a state that makes a little more sense.   

[A383Wing]

I hear what you are saying about Southern Hospitality....we went to Birmingham in 1999 for the wing car meet....all of us who went from Seattle area were treated with respect and courtesy down there....they would go out of their way to help us anyway they could.

Good luck on the move....

Bryan

[73rallye440magnum]

Feel free to visit the Midwest sometime. We'll greet you with a warm hello similar to the Southerners.  

[Budnicks]

Sorry to see another good Californian leave, we are going down the shit-er, as you were saying, I'm a California native born & raised, in Northern Calif. 1959-present, S.F. East Bay Area, Concord then East of Sacramento Rancho Murieta, now in Sonora, I'm moving East very slowly... The state is a great place to live, it has the best weather, well most of the time anyway, some parts are much worse than others, for all the problems, politics & anal retentive people, like S.F. & L.A. inner city areas, the rest of the state with a couple of other large urban city areas that are the exceptions, I will not mention, the rest are pretty good still at lest for now, but like you said, all of the taxes are way too high, the state income taxes are too way high, Gas is way too high, cost of electricity & natural gas is way too high, sale taxes are way too high, Property taxes are way too high, our current progressive liberal govt. leaders, if you want to call them "leaders", are ruining our "once fine great state",  I remember when they use to say, "how goes California, how goes the Nation/U.S. Of A.".... I really hope that isn't the case, because if it is, the whole country is in big trouble, Calif. has a larger economy & population {mostly in S.F & LA areas}, than many countries... Tennessee is a great place, I've been there quite a few times over the years, the weather is very much different than Cali. especially than SoCal, it gets cold in the winter & it get very humid in the summer, the people are very nice & much like small towns in Calif., polite & courgale... Music city is a blast, to visit anyway, I don't know anything about living there, I use to go up to Bristol in Johnson County a couple times a year for racing at Thunder Valley, there was a great huge car community there, I'm pretty sure there will be in the Memphis area also, at least your in a town with a NFL Football team again...LOL... Sorry I had to say that... I wish you the best in your new life in Tenn., show them in Memphis, that Californians aren't all bad people... Budnicks still in NorCal. for now...

[Musicman]

Drivers are courteous and don't "camp" in the fast lane.

  What planet are you driving on. I just spent 3-1/2 years in the south, and that's the one lesson I learned real quick. No one south of Virginia can drive... period!!! Why do you think NASCAR is so frigg'n popular down there... It's the only time they ever get to see one car passing another ... or god forbid... change lanes!!!

All of the major highways are 8 lanes across for a reason.... You can have 27 lanes, they'll all be blocked by 37 cars doing 35, with no one in front of them or behind them for 10 miles in either direction. We only have 2 lanes here in New England, because that's all that's required... a travel lane and a passing lane. 

I can't speak for Tennessee however... hopefully it will be better.

Sorry to all my friends and relatives from the south, but I just had to vent one last time 

As far as the rest of it goes... You bet! The greater majority of the Southern's sure are one friendly group. Complete strangers will wave to you as you drive by.... and the food... oh my god! You could live there your entire life and never have to eat in the same place twice. And talk about resources for the guy restoring a car... there's a shop on every corner that's producing something auto related. There are a number of things that I miss about the south, but driving definitely isn't one of them.

[1974dodgecharger]

I love Cali.....wish you best of luck in your new place and always have a charger in hand 

[stripedelete]

Don't look forward to the " no camping in the left lane" thing.  It's a pandemic.

Every region has it's good and bad but I will help you out a little:

1.  Bless your heart = you're a moron

2.  God bless you =  better lube it up, 'cause I'm about to stick it to you (hard).

3.  If it's not nailed down - it will be stolen.


Good luck with your move.

[skip68]

We're from.



We're native Californians and went to Tennessee and lasted 9 months.  I don't do tornados, cold weather, humidity and muddy lakes with my boat.        
I worked in Nashville and it seemed semi normal like Sacramento but the rest of the people I met for the most part were just toooooooooo simple for me.   We just couldn't take the weather.    We are an outdoors kind of family and it just wasn't for us at all.   Good luck to you though.    

[bakerhillpins]

Drivers are courteous and don't "camp" in the fast lane.

  What planet are you driving on. I just spent 3-1/2 years in the south, and that's the one lesson I learned real quick. No one south of Virginia can drive... period!!! Why do you think NASCAR is so frigg'n popular down there... It's the only time they ever get to see one car passing another ... or god forbid... change lanes!!!

All of the major highways are 8 lanes across for a reason.... You can have 27 lanes, they'll all be blocked by 37 cars doing 35, with no one in front of them or behind them for 10 miles in either direction. We only have 2 lanes here in New England, because that's all that's required... a travel lane and a passing lane. 

    I couldn't have said it better myself. Lived in VA for 5yrs and you hit the nail on the head.   

3.  If it's not nailed down - it will be stolen.

Sad, but I have heard the same from others.

[BigBlackDodge]

Yes, we're all friendly in the south.

But we talk about you after you've gone home!




BBD

[Musicman]

If it's not nailed down - it will be stolen.

Unfortunately, I saw a lot of that down there as well... but only in and around certain areas if you catch my drift... I'll just leave it at that.

[Rustymuscle]

Thanks for the wellwishes, guys. As for weather, I actually like rain, a little bit of cold, and just general seasons. Oh, and I can take humidity. I lived in Florida for 3 years. That was like living in a fat lady's crotch. Ugh. No wonder God keeps trying to wipe it clean with hurricane after hurricane...

I can live with crappy drivers. Heck, I used to work in "Little Saigon" during college, and I made it through that without an accident!

My parents grew up in the height of hot rodding in SoCal, and my father pulled me aside when I told him that I was considering moving to TN and said, "Run. This place ain't what it used to be. This isn't the same state that elected Ronald Reagan as Governor, or President. Run when you get the opportunity."

[Putman]

Come on down to the South, I live bout 30 mins South of B'Ham. If you ever need any Charger parts or work done on your car give me a shout! Be safe on your trip.

[nh_mopar_fan]

Leaving for Tenn huh?

You'll appreciate a song by Will Hoge, "God Damn California"....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qfZ_jlyXTh4

[69finder]

I DREAM of moving to California.  Only because there's still snow on the ground here  

[gonzoe]

been to other states in the midwest and eastcoast nothing beats so cal weather. where else can you wrench on the charger in the middle of winter . yeah everything is more expensive in the C.A but atleast i dont have to worry about 10 15 feet of snow and tornados   

[Rustymuscle]

Come on down to the South, I live bout 30 mins South of B'Ham. If you ever need any Charger parts or work done on your car give me a shout! Be safe on your trip.

Careful, Putman. You might end up being my new best friend! 

[Putman]

No worries Rusty I have restored bout 9 68-70 Chargers so far, and have 3 more to do for other customers, and tryn to find time to do mine. I admit I am just either lazy or to tired when I get home to post pictures lol.

[68X426]

Hi Kevin.

Goodbye Kevin.




On behalf of the handful of Californians who do say hello, are courteous, respectful, God-loving Christians, kind, employed, and generally rednecks, we will miss you.

A bunch of us live closer to Idaho than SoCal, think and act like it's Ohio, work our balls off like it's North Dakota, and still love our country, so don't forget us. Sorry to see that you didn't get out of La La Land and find the people of California who are still part of the USA. And where it is much less crowded and filled with wilderness, animals and clean air.

I'm depressed. This means one less taxpayer, now my share goes up again. Thanks Kevin. 

[skip68]

Good luck to you rusty.   There is lots of cool old plantations and stuff to see x10

Family is stronger back in the south than California and so are the schools with their corporal punishment.  

[nh_mopar_fan]

Apparently, you're not alone....

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303302504577323353434618474.html?KEYWORDS=WENDELL%2BCOX

[AirborneSilva]

I lived in LA as a young lad, from 64 to 72, when my parents moved us to Oakdale (that's by Modesto), to get us/me out of there before the gangs took over me, I was not a happy camper but now I look back on it and thank them... We bought our dairy and I became a farm boy, learned what good hard work and respect was.  LA is a shit whole, as is SF.  I lived in Gilroy before wising up in 93 and moving out of the state once and for all.  I have lived in a few states in my military career (now a GS civilian), and I will say that while I love Cali (central and northern), I will never live there again.  I will be retiring in Kona on the Big Island of Hawaii...   Good luck to you in Tennesse...  Oh, and I'd have to concur that moronic driving is a Pandemic, I am in San Antonio Texas (moved here from DC area), and people just seem to have CDFS (can't drive for sh!t), disease, they are rude morons!!  Driving in small towns though is much better 

[AirborneSilva]

Apparently, you're not alone....

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303302504577323353434618474.html?KEYWORDS=WENDELL%2BCOX

Californias "leaders" are screwing up what was a beautiful and fun place to live.  I'm glad I grew up on Oakdale when I did, it was a great place to grow up but I wouldn't want to live there now and even with the descent money I make now I don't know that I could afford it either, it's a shame!

[BB1]

Another soul saved! 

I'm a native born SoCali dude and left for the Midwest back in 1995. Never looked back.

Great choice.

Kansas mafia man

[Rustymuscle]

Funny, 68X426, that's almost exactly what my friend (who's a cop) said, ending with, "Who am I going to celebrate Harvey Milk Day with?"

Yeah, the taxes and cost of living are ridiculous. If I was a hardcore surfer, pants-wetting liberal, or a single dude still on the prowl, I'm sure I could convince myself to stay. But I've got a family and want them to grow up in a place that still has the Pledge of Allegiance in schools and 4th of July parades. I would like for teachers to not revise history and tell my kids that our Founding Fathers were "just some old white rich slave owners" instead of inspired, brave and daring men of God who created the Greatest Country on Earth despite the threat of execution.

(Sorry for the political rant.)

[RallyeMike]

There was a wave of Californians coming to the Pacific Northwest and now we are Californicated too. Housing prices shot up 300%, gangsters shooting everything in site, a plague of grafitti, packed roads with a-hole drivers, etc. This was a nice quiet, polite, place until the 80's, and then it just exploded in the 90's. We had always hoped the rain would keep people away....

So just be sure to lock the door behind you. Nashville might be next.

[Musicman]

I would like for teachers to not revise history...

Well, that's another problem you may have there...  History is told a little differently down there. Everyday there's an article somewhere in the local paper referring to the Great War of Northern Aggression. ... and I love all those bumper stickers "My Uncle was not an Monkey", etc...   

[AirborneSilva]

There was a wave of Californians coming to the Pacific Northwest and now we are Californicated too. Housing prices shot up 300%, gangsters shooting everything in site, a plague of grafitti, packed roads with a-hole drivers, etc. This was a nice quiet, polite, place until the 80's, and then it just exploded in the 90's. We had always hoped the rain would keep people away....

So just be sure to lock the door behind you. Nashville might be next.

When I worked in the DC area Maryland and N. Virginia had that problem, the locust just move in and screw everything up!

[Rustymuscle]

Well, that's another problem you may have there...  History is told a little differently down there. Everyday there's an article somewhere in the local paper referring to the Great War of Northern Aggression. ... and I love all those bumper stickers "My Uncle was not an Monkey", etc...   

OK, that's hilarious. I'll keep that in mind. I've been checking out the Music City Mopar Club and am pretty impressed. The group looks huge.

[twodko]

Funny, 68X426, that's almost exactly what my friend (who's a cop) said, ending with, "Who am I going to celebrate Harvey Milk Day with?"

Yeah, the taxes and cost of living are ridiculous. If I was a hardcore surfer, pants-wetting liberal, or a single dude still on the prowl, I'm sure I could convince myself to stay. But I've got a family and want them to grow up in a place that still has the Pledge of Allegiance in schools and 4th of July parades. I would like for teachers to not revise history and tell my kids that our Founding Fathers were "just some old white rich slave owners" instead of inspired, brave and daring men of God who created the Greatest Country on Earth despite the threat of execution.

(Sorry for the political rant.)

I glad for you and yours and believe your comment above to be spot on. I was born in Portland, Ore. And would love to move back home but with family/friends established, parents-in-law I their 90's and our daughter/grandson happy living close to Bodega Bay I can't see us pulling the pin. Nevada holds some interest for us as does Sonora. I truly despise what NorCal has become and I've thought socal should be turned into a big glass bowl.
Good luck, remember, if you always walk facing the sun you'll never live in shadows.

[Tilar]

I DREAM of moving to California.  Only because there's still snow on the ground here  

That doesnt sound like a dream to me, Sounds more like a nightmare. 

[Vainglory, Esq.]

There was a wave of Californians coming to the Pacific Northwest and now we are Californicated too. Housing prices shot up 300%, gangsters shooting everything in site, a plague of grafitti, packed roads with a-hole drivers, etc. This was a nice quiet, polite, place until the 80's, and then it just exploded in the 90's. We had always hoped the rain would keep people away....

So just be sure to lock the door behind you. Nashville might be next.

Does anyone else see the irony? Everyone in California is complaining about immigration INTO California, and everyone who lives in Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Arizona, etc., is complaining about emigration OUT OF California. Just thought that was a little funny. Of course, I did move out of California myself, but I like to think I didn't take too much craziness with me.

[Plum Crazy 68]

I would miss my pool if I left SoCal.   Since 1971 I have seen people come and go, and then come back again and again.  Rustymuscle is mostly right about this place, but for the last three years I have not seen a traffic jamb, the weather has been mild, and as long as you are poor you can avoid the taxes.  As soon as my house is paid off I may go somewhere and live off the rent money I will collect.  And besides, where else can you drive your Charger all year long?
Brad

[AirborneSilva]

I have a pool and hot tub here in San Antonio so I think they make pools in other areas too    Oh, and I can also drive my Charger year round.  When I lived in Hawaii I could then too, hey, maybe there's other places you can drive a classic year round and have a pool 

[Plum Crazy 68]

AirborneSilva,
I like your way of thinking, but you better be careful or all of us Californians will be in San Anton in a few years.  I already have lots of friends there.
Take Care.

[Ponch ®]

Does anyone else see the irony? Everyone in California is complaining about immigration INTO California, and everyone who lives in Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Arizona, etc., is complaining about emigration OUT OF California. Just thought that was a little funny. Of course, I did move out of California myself, but I like to think I didn't take too much craziness with me.

Are you trying to say that instead of leaving an unfavorable situation in their home state and seeking a better life elsewhere maybe they should just stay where they are, try to fix the problems of their current place of residence, and not run away from them? Preposterous!

[Rustymuscle]

Yeah, we tried that, Ponch. Unfortunately, a biased legal system and corrupt political system fed by special interest money vetoes majority vote and majority needs.

[Budnicks]

I DREAM of moving to California.  Only because there's still snow on the ground here  

That doesnt sound like a dream to me, Sounds more like a nightmare. 

Hey It's snowing here at my house right now, not all of Cailf. is "sunshine & lolly pops" all the time...LOL... The storm is coming east watch out guys...

[twodko]

Yeah, we tried that, Ponch. Unfortunately, a biased legal system and corrupt political system fed by special interest money vetoes majority vote and majority needs.

Word!

[Ponch ®]

Yeah, we tried that, Ponch. Unfortunately, a biased legal system and corrupt political system fed by special interest money vetoes majority vote and majority needs.

Word!

you guys                                  the point
     |                                             |
     V                                             V

                                            .

[Rustymuscle]

No, I get your point and you're missing mine. The embedded cronies in California's system won't allow the agenda to be deterred. We voted in an uber-capitalist Austrian and by the end of his term, he was more sapping liberal than Moonbeam's first term. The ground water is poisoned, Ponch. Time to pull up stakes and move on.

[Ponch ®]

No, I get your point and you're missing mine. The embedded cronies in California's system won't allow the agenda to be deterred. We voted in an uber-capitalist Austrian and by the end of his term, he was more sapping liberal than Moonbeam's first term. The ground water is poisoned, Ponch. Time to pull up stakes and move on.

I respect your desire to just go elsewhere. I'm staying here. Somebody's gotta do something to fix the corrupt legal system and all that. Probably won't be me, but if everyone who doesn't like whats going on just leaves, then certainly NO ONE will.

Good luck in Tenn...but if you're trying to get away from corruption, cronism, and all that stuff, you're gonna be on the move for a long time. It's every where, it just wears a different color suit.

[Rustymuscle]

"You can't run away from trouble. There ain't no place that far."
-Uncle Remus

[BB1]

California can kiss my ass's, so much better in the Midwest, 17 years a counting.  

I live in bliss, it's comiforna can stay red for all I care.    

Whoooooo Hooooooooo  

[73rallye440magnum]

I would like for teachers to not revise history...

Well, that's another problem you may have there...  History is told a little differently down there. Everyday there's an article somewhere in the local paper referring to the Great War of Northern Aggression. ... and I love all those bumper stickers "My Uncle was not an Monkey", etc...   

You know the war ended on a cease fire, right? Tensions are still high, and the war could resume at any moment.

[Silver R/T]

I've been to TN and liked it except for the fact that is gets so humid during summer that I could bathe in my own sweat

[TK73]

I hope your experience is better than mine.   Good luck 


17 years there (AR TN KY MO) and I HATE the South.

[RallyeMike]

California can kiss my ass's,

If you're not talking about your pack of donkeys, .... can you tell me.... do you have a twin sister who is single?

[HDCharger]

Welcome, I am about 2 hours south of Nashville in NW Alabama.  Nashville is a little large for my liking.  Dave

[AirborneSilva]

AirborneSilva,
I like your way of thinking, but you better be careful or all of us Californians will be in San Anton in a few years.  I already have lots of friends there.
Take Care.

that's ok, in about 15 years (or less hopefully), I/we will be moving to Kona - for good!

[Lennard]

Good luck in the South Kevin.

[J-440]

 Just remember east of Tennessee is North Carolina and right outside of Asheville is entrance to the Blue Ridge Parkway.  Man what a blast.  It's like Hwy 1 but greener and more mountains. People should not be leaving California because that's lost revenue for the government.  Remember, you taxpayers have to foot the bill for illegals, crooked politicians, and vunables.  A vunable (vulnerable) is what we Texans call a leech on society.  Wish we could transport ours to LA and SF since the libs love em so much.

[Ponch ®]

But at least I can buy a bottle of Jack any day of the week.

LOL @ nanny states.

[Troy]

But at least I can buy a bottle of Jack any day of the week.

LOL @ nanny states.

Some of us know to be prepared - we have the stuff stockpiled (or we just make our own).

Troy