Californians feel better about their finances

For the first time in seven years, more Californians than not say they’re better off financially now than they were one year ago.

However, those same residents remain concerned about the state’s economy and say it is still difficult to find a job where they live, according to the results of a Field Poll released Thursday.

Forty-four percent of those questioned say they’re better off now economically than they were in June 2013, a 30 percent increase. Twenty eight percent said their financial situation is worse than it was one year ago and 28 percent said there’s been no change, according to the poll.

The survey, which was conducted among registered voters, was done for a variety of media outlets. It found that financial improvement varied widely depending on household income, and that 52 percent believe unemployment remains a serious problem in California.

Those surveyed are generally optimistic about their immediate financial future: forty percent said they expect to be better off in one year. In 2012 and 2013, only 30 percent felt that way.