Californians fleeing the Golden State for tax breaks and other amenities in Nevada

Thousands of Californians leaving the Golden State looking to escape the rampant homelessness and high cost of living are landing in neighboring Nevada, overrunning the state’s few major cities. 

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Reno area has seen 25,000 new residents according to reports and is expected to be one of the fastest growing cities in the coming years. 

An article published by the Los Angeles Times on Thursday found that the droves of residents are moving to northern Nevada and causing issues with pre-settled residents who are seeing rising prices and traffic troubles. 

The former-Californians are searching for the ‘perfect elixir — a California bender without the hangover.’

The homeless epidemic is so severe, newly elected Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass declared a state of emergency in December 

The exorbitantly high cost of living has caused the homelessness epidemic in the Golden State

Drug users are seen on the street in the middle of San Francisco, California

A woman is pictured injecting herself with drugs close to San Francisco’s Tenderloin Linkage Center in January 2022

California residents and businesses began moving to the northern Nevada region back in 2014 when Tesla started building a battery pack factory outside Reno. 

The Tahoe-Reno Industrial Center has become the world’s largest industrial center and covers 166 square miles. 

The center is so expansive it is roughly the size of New Orleans, Louisiana. 

The biggest appeal for business owners? Massive tax breaks. 

Reno’s facility also offers companies a quick permitting process, according to the Los Angeles Times. 

The business moves and the COVID-19 pandemic spurred a new wave of Californians heading out east and recreating their California lifestyle as a ‘technology hub with comfortable communities, economic growth and mountain views — without California’s problems.’

‘Here, they can retire or work from home or the ski slopes while keeping close ties to the San Francisco Bay Area or Los Angeles,’ the LA Times reported. 

Along with their move, however, has come the development of luxury apartments and homes, as shopping districts and more amenities. 

Traffic is just one issue California residents are bringing with them to Nevada 

The influx of companies opening spaces in the Reno area has also triggered a new wave of residents moving to the state

The Tahoe-Reno Industrial Center has become the world’s largest industrial center and covers 166 square miles

The center is so massive it is roughly the size of Denver or New Orleans

This has resulted in major issues for native Nevadans.  

‘Locals are getting priced out of houses and apartments by Californians who can pay higher rents or drop larger down payments,’ the LA Times shared.

These issues come as Nevada residents are already struggling with their own issues of homelessness and drug addition. 

Additionally, the state continues to see some of the lowest standardized test scores nationwide. 

Despite these issues, businesses seem to be doubling down on the state. 

In January, Tesla announced it would invest more than $3.5 billion to grow the company’s gigafactory. 

The move will add an estimated 3,000 new jobs. 

Tesla was initially granted a $1.3 billion subsidy package to lure the business to Nevada and beat out California offers. Their new factory is ‘likely’ to qualify a similar advantage. 

The industrial center is surrounded by barren land inhabited by animals 

Notable businesses that have opened operations in Nevada in recent years include companies like Tesla, Panasonic, Apple, Nanotech, Google, and Walmart. 

According to a recent Claremont McKenna College Study, aside from New York and Las Vegas, Reno has been the most prominent city to take in the California expats. 

The co-developer of the industrial park, Lance Gilman, told the Los Angeles Times he knew the area would be a success due to major trucking routes and cheap land. 

‘This is the first and only place they can go unless they go clearly hell out in the desert, which is too far,’ Gilman said. 

The co-developer said a grading permit can be obtained in seven days and a building can be obtained in as little as 30. 

‘Where in the United States can you do that?’ Gilman said. 

‘It’s a giant tax haven,’ said Mike Pilcher, president of Northern Nevada Central Labor Council. 

The rising cost of living in Nevada does not seem to be deterring the California residents from making the move. 

Californians are tired of the state’s rampant crime, drug use, and homelessness. 

In San Francisco, one major open air drug market were blasted by the public for becoming a magnet for crime and other issues. 

Residents have also expressed anger over police response times. 

‘I call the cops; no one comes. There’s nothing I can do,’ one San Francisco resident told the San Francisco Chronicle.

Rising homelessness across the state is just one reason Californians are leaving 

Down in Southern California, the high cost of living has created an epidemic of homelessness. 

In December, newly elected Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass officially declared a state of emergency over the city’s homeless crisis. 

Bass had sworn to take action on the issue immediately and kept her promise.   

At the time, she said she was ‘using the emergency order is our ability to fast-track things.’

 ‘I will not accept a homelessness crisis that afflicts more than 40,000 individuals and affects every one of us,’ the progressive former congresswoman said during her swearing-in.

Earlier this week, Bass officially cleared six homeless encampments as she works with city leaders on her ‘Inside Safe’ program. 

Bass had promised repeatedly to work to fix the city’s ongoing homeless crisis