Famed actor and comedian Rob Schneider shared Wednesday why he chose to move to Arizona in 2020 from his home in California, which he once thought would be the place he lived forever, because of the Democratic party.

“I don’t want the Democratic party trying to run my life, and there’s not one aspect of your life they don’t want to interfere with, so I had it with them. I got out of California and moved to the slightly freer state of Arizona,” Schneider said while speaking on Fox & Friends.

Schneider recalled that he used to be a Democrat, mostly because he had to be in Hollywood, but rules and high taxes from California Governor Gavin Newsom (D) and the growing homeless issues in the state pushed him over the edge.

“I just don’t think your life gets better there [California]. It gets worse,” he said.

Moreover, he also mentioned the political climate of living in California. Schneider mentioned having friends in Hollywood who leaned right but were scared to hold those ideas because of the “mob of ideologues” in the state. He described this “mob” thinking as a “religious architecture,” and those who did not align with that “religion” were in fear of being attacked.

Furthermore, Schneider brought some movie business to Arizona when he moved. According to Phoenix City Life, he launched his own production company, Mandalini Films, in Scottsdale, which recently debuted its first film, “Daddy Daughter Trip,” due in theaters on September 27. The film starred Schneider and his daughter Miranda. It was filmed entirely within the state of Arizona, showcasing locations such as Bearizona Wildlife Park, Flagstaff Extreme Adventure Park, and Saguaro Lake Guest Ranch on the Salt River. Schneider said Arizona’s natural beauty makes it an excellent filming location and is one of the many reasons he lives here.

“Why do I love Arizona? Simple: real family values, scorpions, bobcats, terrific schools, stunning nature, and world-class restaurants,” said Schneider.

Nonetheless, Schneider is not the only one making a move to Arizona. According to the 2021 Allied x Zillow Magnet States Report, Arizona was the fifth-most moved-to state in 2021, behind Florida, Tennessee, and the Carolinas. The Phoenix metro area ranked number one for the most net inbound moves in 2021, with most people coming from Chicago, Seattle, and Portland.

Phoenix also ranked high amongst California movers coming to the state seeking a cheaper cost of living, better economic opportunities, and a higher quality of life. Overall, California’s average annual population growth rate is declining. The state has seen a steady exodus of residents since 2019, losing nearly 175,000 people every year.

As reported by The Arizona Sun Times, five of Arizona’s cities – Queen Creek, Buckeye, Casa Grande, Maricopa City, and Goodyear – are among the top 15 fastest-growing cities in the country. For Buckeye, this growth was attributed to the city’s “great quality of life,” high-value housing, and increased retail and services in the area.

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Neil Jones is a reporter for The Arizona Sun Times and The Star News Network. Follow Neil on Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Rob Schneider” by Fox News.