SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) – Nearly half of all Californians choose not to be listed in the phone book, putting the state third behind Nevada and Arizona in numbers of people who are intentionally difficult to reach.

New England residents, by contrast, are an open book: 93 percent in Vermont are listed, 89 percent in Maine and 85 percent in New Hampshire. Nationwide, slightly more than a third of Americans are unlisted.

According to pollsters, there’s no single explanation for California’s high numbers. One factor may be the cheaper cost of being unlisted: only 14 cents a month in California. But price can’t explain everything: Nevada charges about $2 a month and has a higher unlisted rate than California.

“California is really the start-over state,” said Beth Givens, of the Privacy Rights Clearinghouse in San Diego. “Maybe it’s people coming here to start life anew and not wanting to be found.”

For Fremont resident Christianna Murfalen, it’s all about safety, a sentiment shared by many Californians.

“I’m hoping no one would ever stalk me, but just in case, I don’t want my numbers listed,” Murfalen said.

AP-ES-06-14-04 0957EDT