A family moved to the Bay Area from Georgia for a better quality of life. They pay more than double for housing but they're happier.
Courtesy of Xyndi Lomboy
- Xyndi Lomboy and her family moved to the Bay Area from Atlanta for a better quality of life.
- Lomboy said most things are more expensive in California, but it's worth it for the lifestyle.
- They rent in Millbrae, near San Francisco, and hope to own a home in the state eventually.
Xyndi Lomboy and her family moved to California from Georgia in 2023. She said they couldn't be happier with the decision, despite the increased costs.
Lomboy and her husband Eric briefly lived in the Bay Area from 2014 to 2017, before relocating to Roswell, Georgia, a suburb of Atlanta. While in Roswell, they bought a home and had a son, but something didn't feel right, Lomboy said.
"We were not really happy," Lomboy said. "We just felt like we were stuck."
When they made the decision to move back to California, they sold their Roswell home and drove across the country to start anew on the West Coast. Now, the family resides in Millbrae, a city near San Francisco. And while things like groceries to housing are less affordable, the family feels much happier than they did in Georgia.
While the Lomboys moved last year, California has seen an influx of new residents between 2021 and 2022 — 475,803 people moved into the state during this time, including 11,002 people making the journey from Georgia, according to the most recent available data from the US Census Bureau. California had the third-largest influx of residents behind Florida and Texas during that time.
To be sure, 817,669 people left California between 2021 and 2022, according to Census data.
The Lomboys moved to California because they said they enjoyed the Bay Area's tame weather, diversity of cuisines, and access to state forests and parks.
Furthermore, as they raise a family, Lomboy said she prefers California's policies toward maternity leave and healthcare to Georgia.
Real estate in California is more expensive than in Georgia
The Lomboys bought their home in Georgia for about $455,000 in 2018. It was a 4,200-square-foot house with five bedrooms and three-and-a-half bathrooms. They paid a monthly mortgage of about $2,300.
Lomboy said they enjoyed living in Roswell because of the school system and pleasant neighborhood. However, she said the family felt stuck and were uncertain about their long-term careers in Georgia. In 2021, they began conversations about moving.
While they love Georgia, she said they frequently reminisced on life in California and wanted their son to experience the West Coast. Lomboy is from the Philippines and said the diversity in the Bay Area is more reflective of home.
In 2023, they sold their house in Roswell for $655,000. Lomboy said they sold for $15,000 less than their asking price but were able to sell the home in just a week.
"We were just kind of ready to go, so we were OK with it," Lomboy said.
Eric is from Georgia, and his family lives throughout the state. Lomboy also has family in Georgia, and living further away from them was the most difficult aspect of moving, she said.
Life in California is costly but worth it
In Millbrae, the Lomboys rent a 1,380-square-foot townhouse with three beds and two bathrooms. They pay $4,700 monthly, more than double their mortgage in Georgia.
Groceries are more expensive, too. For example, their son drinks soy milk, which costs about $5.49 in California compared to about $4.39 in Georgia, Lomboy said. Gas in California is also more expensive than in Georgia, she said.
What's more, California has the highest state-level sales tax at 7.25%, compared to Georgia's 4%, according to the Tax Foundation, a policy institute.
Courtesy of Xyndi Lomboy
Lomboy and her husband both work at Sutter Health, a healthcare company that operates clinics throughout Northern California. Lomboy is an occupational therapist who treats hand injuries, while Eric is a gastrointestinal nurse.
She makes 50% an hour more in California than in Georgia, and Eric makes 76% an hour more, which slightly eases their concerns about the cost of living.
However, to adjust to higher expenses, the Lomboys have also learned to scale back. She said they love to eat out but have cut back on restaurant dining since moving to California.
The influence of state politics
Lomboy said one of the most unexpected parts of moving states was the practical cost of the move, from boxing up the house to transferring their belongings to California from Georgia.
Nonetheless, Lomboy said they feel they made the right decision as they feel happier and more fulfilled in California.
While they'd like to eventually own a home, they are set on renting for the foreseeable future. And Lomboy said there are positive surprises to renting.
As homeowners, repairs and maintenance were much more of a headache, she said. Having a landlord in Millbrae has helped simplify things as they adjust to new jobs.
In California, the Lomboys are active and spend time outdoors, which has improved their quality of life. The year-round weather is more tame in California than in Georgia, and they enjoy camping, hiking, and snowboarding.
One of the biggest benefits of California is the state policy toward paid maternity leave, Lomboy said, especially since Georgia does not have a mandated state-wide paid parental leave law.
She also said she felt her family had better healthcare insurance options in California than in Georgia. As she and Eric raise a family, she said state policies toward employees were paramount.
Are you a new parent managing maternity leave? Is it paid or unpaid?This reporter wants to hear about your experience. Please reach out at jtowfighi@businessinsider.com