Hacker News Reader

because they can't afford to live there

California is huge with many inexpensive places to live. However the coast and some of the more desirable interior are very expensive.

Pretty much anywhere in California that's a desirable place to live with reasonable job prospects has a high cost of living.

Those inexpensive places to live are inexpensive for a very good reason. They are often very unsafe and undesirable.

Everywhere good in California has been claimed :-(

Depends on your definition of undesirable. There are many remote, hilly towns if you enjoy nature and potentially living off-grid.

But yeah, if you're looking for sun, water sports & nightlife in CA, it's going to be very expensive.