Moving to California was my life dream. My husband and I both grew up on the East Coast and lived in New York City before moving to the suburbs and starting a family. Our plan was to one day retire and move to California, where the sun shines year-round, and life is good.

That was six years ago, and while I still contend that California is the most beautiful place to live, with access to the best lifestyle imaginable for many (free beaches, hiking trails, and perma-sun), I also now see in vivid detail the cracks in our “nation-state’s” veneer.