how did cities in California become so expensive to live in??

it went from being part of mexico...to the U.S...and now have some of the most expensive cities in the country. how did it become so expensive for normal folks!?

Public Comments

1. Because people are gullible enough to pay the prices.
2. population is the primary reason, the greater the population the more tax dollars that are in some case needed too maintain city services. but the fact the higher tax dollars also equate too higher cost for retailers and manufacturer's, that cost is then passed on too the consumer it is for all purposes a real catch 22, the only bad side of this is the corruption that eventually becomes a part of the system and leads too higher and higher taxes and greater and greater cost. there is also something too be said about the market system in of itself as well, because some retailers just simply want too be rich and they know that there are products that you just cant do with out, so they up the price because they know that you will pay for it. if you want some place cheaper move too a state with less population and smaller cities. but you wont have the services and retailers that you can find in big cities.
3. California is getting filled up with more people and of course who doesn't want to live in California? The Weather is Nice, There's so much Diversity, There's a lot of entertainment, and there's a lot of job opportunties! Now who wouldn't want to come? So the people that want to come live here now is getting more expensive or either this state will be Overpopulated!
4. -Movie industry. Hollywood is the largest movie industry ever in the world -> a lot of stars live there->not enough accommodation->high housing price. -Illegal immigrants. During the 20th century, a lot of immigrants from Mexico and other countries such at Vietnam, China,etc. came and settled there because it's the fastest way through the ocean. -Famous national forests make a lot of money from tourism. -Good educational system->a lot of foreign students have come and found work occasion there then settled there. -And many many other reasons have made California such and expensive place to live.
5. It's just market forces at work. Good weather, too many people...
6. Someone above commented on the weather and that for sure is at least a little part of the story. I particularly noticed last summer in AUGUST that it was mildly cool in the mornings, suitable for a very light jacket....so I don't think it is just the lack of snow for instance, but also at least along the coast it doesn't get Texas hot either (with some obvious exceptions)....kind of balmy...very nice...It's like the 3 little bears porridge....not too hot...not too cold...
7. It's rather simple, really. If you've taken ANY economics, one of the first things you learn is supply and demand. There is a finite supply of real estate on the coast, and demand keeps increasing because more people keep coming year after year. Despite the haters who keep putting LA down, the fact of the matter is that it's a very nice place to live. Besides the weather, you have a diverse population and an incredible economy.