NPR: Not So Dreamy

Not So Dreamy

A heads-up to people thinking of moving to the Golden State: don't pack your bags yet. This just in from The Field Poll:

"RECORD NUMBER OF CALIFORNIANS REPORT BEING FINANCIALLY WORSE OFF. MOST DO NOT EXPECT IMPROVEMENT NEXT YEAR."

According to the poll, 63% of Californians say they're financially worse off this year than last. That percentage is higher for low income (73%) and middle class (66%) Californians. The poll surveyed 422 registered California voters in both English and Spanish between July 8th and 14th of this year.

Here's the central question from the survey:

Would you say that you and your family are financially better off or worse off today than you were a year ago?

Daydreaming reader, WHEREVER YOU LIVE, how would YOU answer that question? Please submit those answers in the comment selection below and don't forget to tell us where you're writing in from. Your stories may be featured in our California Dreaming radio series

--Shereen Marisol Meraji

9:30 AM ET | 07-25-2008 | permalink

comments | | e-mail

Comments

View all comments »

Add a Comment

Please note that all comments must adhere to the NPR.org discussion rules and terms of use. See also the Community FAQ.

My favorite California song is "It never rains in Southern California" by Tony!Toni!Tone'!

Sent by Carol Hampton | 6:58 PM ET | 07-26-2008

Barely keeping up with last year. But if the question were expanded to include a 10 year timeframe, which is much more meaningful, I would say, without any reservations, I am worse off.

Sent by Eric Mu??iz | 9:24 AM ET | 07-27-2008

I'm in Orange County. Gas is up, rent is up and income is totally static. Definitely worse off. And I'm a fourth-generation Californian. My grandparents have already left, my mother is planning on leaving soon. I still (mostly) love it here, but I might have to move soon. I'm sick of paying half my income just to live in a crappy apartment in a bad neighborhood.

Sent by Arasaig | 6:54 PM ET | 07-29-2008

E-mail this Page

Recipient's e-mail address:	» Up to twelve addresses, separated by commas.
Your e-mail address:
Your name:
Personal message (optional, 600 characters max):
Your NPR member station:
Are you a member of your local NPR station?	Yes No
Would you like to receive information from your local NPR member station? (see NPR's privacy policy)	Yes No
Please send me updates from NPR.	Yes No

(Information collected by NPR will be used solely for internal NPR or NPR member station purposes and only if you selected 'yes' above. See NPR's privacy policy for more information.)