The California dream is at risk
Newcomers without angels in the family haven’t a prayer
Attaining the California dream now requires angels. Only those with access to these heavenly beings — parents, grandparents and other relations willing to underwrite their future — can realize all that our state purports to offer. Absent policymakers expanding access to the supports these angels provide — including rent assistance, loan co-signing and career guidance — the California dream is at risk of becoming a fairy tale.
The difference between my pursuit of the California dream and my grandfather’s highlights how even chasing, let alone attaining, the dream has become elusive for many. In the mid-1940s, my grandfather looked west from Nebraska and saw opportunity worth risking everything. He left his job as a car dealer, his support network (my grandma’s family was all nearby) and his community, where he was engaged in local politics, and replanted his growing family in California.
Despite leaving so much behind, my grandpa attained much of what he hoped California could provide for his family. He changed professions and found stable employment. He sent his kids to excellent public schools. And he built a reputation in the community that allowed his family to feel engaged and welcome.
When I contemplated leaving Oregon for California, I similarly saw a state full of unrivaled educational and employment opportunities. But instead of leaving everything behind, I leaned on my angels to help pave my way to California. My parents co-signed on my lease; my aunt, who lives in San Francisco, offered to temporarily house me; and I pursued relatively risk-averse career and educational paths.
For those without such a smooth ride, pursuit of the California dream is simply too risky.
Financially, the move is nearly impossible. From moving costs to coming up with rent for the first and last months, there’s a high economic barrier to newcomers leaving their own version of Nebraska or Oregon behind.
Professionally, the stratification of job opportunities means that a move to California only makes sense if you’re among the few with a good chance of earning a high wage in extremely competitive professions.
Similarly, the educational opportunities readily available to my aunts, uncles and father (and made possible for me thanks, in part, to familial support) are arguably no longer worth a cross-country move. The alternative — staying put and pursuing a comparable education at a lower cost — frequently makes more sense.
And for young Americans without social networks in California, the thought of leaving family behind can end another dream — of having kids. Without a social network to assist you through parenthood, you’ll be burdened by unbelievable rent, costs of living and child care.
Policymakers can restore access to and the likelihood of achieving the California dream by doing their best to emulate and offer the supports provided by angels.
California can help young Americans move to opportunity. A tax credit should be offered to housing providers that accommodate young Americans demonstrating financial need moving within or to California. Providers would be expected to use this credit to end the practice of requesting the last month’s rent up front. This tax credit should only go to housing providers who have consulted with local community stakeholders to ensure the influx of new residents does not upend the neighborhood, but rather stimulates what makes it a great place to live.
California should help more young Americans pay for opportunity such as that afforded by higher education. Leaders such as Assemblyman Phil Ting have the right approach in mind — work to ensure public higher education institutions receive sufficient, stable funding and have the financial ability to offer meaningful scholarships to more students.
California should require employers to give employees paid time to build their professional and social networks, as the sort of career development that makes the California dream possible is difficult to attain in one’s limited free time. Employees can use this time to meet other professionals, volunteer and receive training. A push from the state will force employers into this win-win situation: Employees with stronger social networks and more skills are likely to be more productive and may even assist with recruiting.
The California dream is in danger; the opportunities it promises shouldn’t require heavenly assistance.