Study Says California has the ‘Worst Quality of Life’ in the U.S.

Not everything in the Golden State is so golden, according to a recent U.S. state ranking.

In a U.S. News study, California came in dead last among all of the U.S. states in terms of “quality of life.”

Apparently, this has to do with the types of interactions Californians have daily, along with the high cost of living. 

“In addition to a healthy environment, a person’s quality of life is largely a result of their interactions with those around them,” writes U.S. News.  “Studies show that when people feel socially supported, they experience greater happiness, as well as physical and mental health.” 

California falls below New Jersey and Indiana in the “quality of Life” category. But overall, the state lands at No. 32.

In the other categories of education, opportunity, infrastructure, crime & corrections, and fiscal stability, the state is ranked in the lower half of all the states.  

In the economy category, the state lands at No. 4, but this doesn’t mean everyone is prosperous.

California is the home of Silicon Valley, an area known for its “prosperity paradox.” 

“At one end are California’s wealthy and super-wealthy — the 76,000 millionaires and billionaires who call Santa Clara and San Mateo counties home. At the other end are the thousands of people who struggle to feed their families and pay their bills each month. Nearly 30% of Silicon Valley’s residents rely on public or private assistance,” writes Business Insider.  

The success of a segment of population in California leads to extremely high living costs. According to a 2017 Harvard University report, one-third of renters living in LA spend at least half of their income on housing.  

55,000 people can’t even afford a home. Homelessness in LA has spiked by 75 percent in the last six years, according to the LA Times.  

As of right now, California has a balanced budget. However, the Standard & Poor’s rating agency predicts that this won’t last.

“California’s finances are roaring back,” said the agency’s report. “History would suggest, however, that any fiscal renaissance will be temporary.”

“If the stock market shifts from gains to losses, Standard & Poor’s said the budget could be negatively impacted in a major way because about half of the state’s revenue comes from the wealthiest 1% in California,” writes Fox News.

Author’s note: Gov. Jerry Brown’s bad policies are already having a negative impact. California needs major reform and way fewer regulations. Middle class families are struggling to support themselves because of astronomical housing costs. This is only detouring people from staying in the state for long-term.

Editor’s note: Even with all of its advantages, the natural resources, the business base, the trade routes through the Pacific, California has worked hard to screw itself up.