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Transcript/ScriptUSAGM SHARE
((PLAYBOOK SLUG: US Migration – Bagdasaryan
HEAD: Why Americans Are Leaving California and Moving To Florida & Carolinas
TEASER:
PUBLISHED AT: 01/xx/2024
BYLINE: Angelina Bagdasaryan
CONTRIBUTOR:
DATELINE: Los Angeles
VIDEOGRAPHER: Vazgen Varzhabetian
VIDEO SOURCE (S): VOA Original
SCRIPT EDITORS: KEnochs;
PLATFORMS: TV only
TRT: 2:48
VID APPROVED BY: KE
TYPE: TV/R
((EDS NOTES:
KE notes: nice group of stats on Cali population: https://united-states.reaproject.org/analysis/comparative-trends-analysis/population/tools/60000/0/#:~:text=During%20this%2065%2Dyear%20period,midyear%20(July%201)%20estimates.
PLEASE RETURN TO ANNA RICE AND COPY TO HFR WHEN DONE))
((INTRO))
[[According to the latest U.S. census, in 2022 over 8 million Americans moved within the country. Dozens of thousands have left California, while Florida has become the fastest growing state population-wise, with 22 million residents and counting. Angelina Bagdasaryan took a look at the stories behind the demographics. Anna Rice narrates her story.]]
((NARRATION))
John Gabin ((pronunciation: gah-bun)) moved to California in 2001. Today he owns a tourist agency on Hollywood Boulevard. He organizes tours, takes tourist groups to houses of celebrities and shows them around Los Angeles.
((John Gabin, I Ride Like a Star)
“I’m from the south of France, but I wanted to live the American dream, so I went to California…”
((NARRATION))
But some locals have been relocating, says Gabin. Some of his friends are no exception.
((John Gabin, I Ride Like a Star))
“The cost of living is going through the roof; people can’t take the pressure anymore.”
((NARRATION))
According to the latest U.S. census data, over 800,000 people left California for other states in 2022. The most popular destination was Texas – some 100,000 former California residents found a new home there.
((Diane Rhodes, Texas Resident))
“Come to Texas, but don’t bring your politics with you! “
((NARRATION))
Diane Rhodes lives in Texas. She says he understands why people want to live in the Lone Star State.
((Diane Rhodes, Texas Resident))
“We don’t have a state income tax, our housing is a lot less expensive than California and many other states.”
((NARRATION))
Texans moved to California as well, but in far smaller numbers – about 42,000 in 2022 according to the US Census.
California was not the only state to see a big exodus. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 was the beginning of a lot of internal movement, say experts.
((David Kyle, University of California, Davis)) ((Skype))
“The pandemic had a big impact on how we see our place of residence, how we see our job and how we imagine the job we would want to do for the rest of our lives. It was an existential crisis for most of us. // It wasn’t so much ‘I can’t live here anymore, and I want to go to a different destination’, but rather ‘I want to try something else.”
((NARRATION))
According to the census numbers, in 2022 over 8 million Americans moved and started life anew in a different state.
((David Kyle, University of California, Davis)) ((Skype))
“We’re in a moment where people are trying to decide, ‘Where do I live in a way that would be consistent with my values?’”
((NARRATION))
Seventy-four thousand Californians chose to relocate to Arizona; 50,000 others, to Florida. Scott Storget is getting ready to move to Florida himself.
((Scott Storget, California Resident))
((No time for Chyron, just NAT’s))
“I enjoyed my time, but I’m ready to go.”
((NARRATION))
But while many folks are leaving California, it’s still the state with the highest population. Nearly 39 million people live here.
((For Angelina Bagdasaryan in Los Angeles, California, Anna Rice, VOA News))
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