California family moves to Texas for a 'better life'

Fox News was able to talk to one of the thousands of families who have left the state of California over the last few years to get their feelings about the move after it was completed.

Members of the Balek family -- who have six children -- moved from Camarillo, California, to Rockwall, Texas in April 2021, while California was still largely shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In addition to pandemic restrictions that dragged on for well over a year, Chuck and Jennifer Balek cited skyrocketing costs of living and school curriculum battles as reasons for their move.

"We were trying to figure out how to buy a house that was big enough for our big family," Jennifer said. "It was impossible, even with two good-paying jobs."

Housing in Texas is less than half the cost of housing in California at $319,000 on average to buy a home.

"I no longer consider myself a Californian," Chuck said. "I'm a Texan. We moved here to find a better life, and we found it."