To make sure you never miss out on your favourite NEW stories, we're happy to send you some reminders

Click 'OK' then 'Allow' to enable notifications

Not now
OK
Advert
Advert
Advert

Woman who left California for Georgia says she's 'never going back' as she explains key differences

Ben Thompson

Published 
| Last updated 

Woman who left California for Georgia says she's 'never going back' as she explains key differences

Featured Image Credit: Calli Edington/Denise Taylor/Getty

A woman who left California behind for Georgia has explained why she would never return to the West Coast state - despite earning less money after the move.

Calli Edington and her family originally lived in a small town called Magalia, which is located 90 miles north of Sacramento.

Edington enjoyed her job working as director of a sober living environment and was surrounded by friends and family.

Advert

So why she did move across the country?

Calli Edington has written about her decision to leave California behind. Credit: Calli Edington
Calli Edington has written about her decision to leave California behind. Credit: Calli Edington

She told Insider: "There were things about California that I enjoyed, but due to the high cost of living and the increase of crime in our local area, we decided it was time to leave for good."

Douglas, Georgia was where she and her family settled down.

Advert

Her new town was around the same size as her home town, but she noticed a huge difference.

Edington explained: "The people here are more welcoming. I lived in Magalia for almost three years and barely knew our neighbors.

"But Douglas has that small town feel: everyone is inviting you to their church or they are stopping by to bring you something they have grown.

"We're now roughly three hours away from Atlanta, and only two hours away from the beaches of Florida."

Advert

Before they made the big move, Edington and her family had to downsize.

This meant donating a lot of their clothes, furniture and kitchen gadgets.

Despite shifting many of their possessions, making the move cross country still proved pricey, with a U-Haul being rented.

Taking that and food, gas and hotels into account, the process cost $8,000.

Advert

So, it's a good thing that Edington is happy with the move and isn't looking to do it again.

Listing the flaws of California, she said: "California is known for being very expensive, and things like insurance, taxes, and gas were all so pricey.

"Before we left California, gas was over $5 a gallon. We obviously have to pay for each of these things in Georgia, too, but it's cheaper and more affordable.

"Right now, the average fuel prices range between $3.15 a gallon and $3.60 a gallon, and it feels like such a big difference."

Advert

Obtaining a house in California was difficult for Edington and her husband, despite the both of them working 9 to 5s.

Calli Edington admits to missing some things about California. Credit: Pixabay
Calli Edington admits to missing some things about California. Credit: Pixabay

Despite earning less money in Georgia, their money was able to go further and they have bought a five bedroom house for $300,000.

Crime is also something that concerned her about California: "The crime was bad, and we were constantly seeing small businesses getting broken into.

"I know that it's easy to get sucked into the wrong crowd, and as a mom of two teenagers, it was my priority to find a city that was safe, yet affordable."

And that famed Southern hospitality? It's apparently the real deal.

Edington wrote: "I was shocked by how nice their manners are. It's unbelievable, really.

"Every child you meet, no matter the age, calls you ma'am, or sir."

Despite her gripes with California, she does miss some things about it - the snow capped mountain ranges and the weather namely.

Topics: Community, US News, Life

Ben Thompson
More like this
Advert
Advert
Advert

Chosen for YouChosen for You

Celebrity

NFL responds to Travis Kelce’s comment that they’re 'overdoing' Taylor Swift coverage

5 hours ago

Most Read StoriesMost Read

Travis Kelce thinks NFL is 'overdoing it' with showing Taylor Swift at his games

7 hours ago