NOVATO, Calif. (KGO) -- Elon Musk is not the only person threatening to leave California. Dissatisfied residents have left in a minor exodus in recent years.
In 2019, more than half a million Californians moved to Texas, alone. That is hard to believe when standing along Grant Avenue in Novato. It's another iteration of Main Street, USA.
But behind some of the small business storefronts in this picture-perfect scene, the coronavirus has brought pain and doubt to the American dream.
"It is hard to keep up with the bills right now," said Lam, an immigrant from Vietnam. His family arrived with next to nothing, 30 years ago.
Now, their restaurant called Bacon, is much of what they have to show for it. But with his doors still closed, profits have dropped 90 percent.
The family is ready to move to Texas, which is opening up, and already more affordable than California.
"I blame the state. Yes. I do," said Tien.
He's not alone.
Up in the hills, Lauren Prichard prepped, this morning, for a move to Florida, by throwing old furniture into a dumpster.
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