kurt213

iTrader: (5)

My fiance and I have been talking about moving to California for quite awhile now, and we are really thinking that it is something we want to do. This area really sucks...no jobs, horrible weather, etc. We both have ok careers now....we just have grown tired of the dull life here and feel we could excel alot further elsewhere. I'm an IT Specialist and she is a Cardiac Sonographer.
I've never really just picked up and moved before, so I guess I'm just looking for some input from some people who live there. Would it be relatively easy to find jobs? How much does housing cost? Any tips, suggestions, etc???
Thanx guys.

jubes

iTrader: (22)

job wise, I think your fiancee will be able to find a job easily, as for your position, it is very competitive in that field over here, but I think if you can prove yourself, you'll be ok...

as for housing cost, I don't know how much housing cost are over there but an avg 3 bedroom house in my area is running about $600k - 800k, but my area is considered upper class. As for daily cost, an example would be gas... right now I believe regular is running @ 2.09... so you can imagine how much more Premium would be... I honestly consider our daily costs pretty high compared to places I've been (Florida, Texas, Arizona and Nevada)... but if you're good at saving a pretty penny, you can make it here in California (I'm in LA). GL with your decision, whatever you choose to take.

m0nkie

iTrader: (3)

I live in 909 area LA... similar to what Jubes says.. Cardiac Sonographer should have no problem finding a job. As for IT, very very competitive... gas price in my area is 2.19$ for 91... housing in my area went from 300k in 2000 to 650k last couple years and down to 500k now..

a few tips... traffic sucks in LA... you pretty much can't survive without a car. weather is nice.. hottest is 110 for a few weeks in summer, probably get down to 45-50 if it rains in winter. people can't drive for **** in the rain but it only rains for 10 days total, we are 30 min. away from the beach and 30 min away from the mountains... but add traffic to that and it's about 1.5hrs... food here is great, you can eat anything anytime. If you are bored at night, definately plenty night life to entertain you and your wifey

Last week I drove down to SD, people were so nice while driving... I screwed up and got stuck in the middle of a turn and people drove around me smiling and stuff.. in LA, you get the finger

julian

there are so many different areas in LA, let alone all of california. you need to be a little more specific.

i think finding a job anywhere is going to be difficult. so best to make sure you have a job secured before making any move. it's also cheaper to take a vacation than move! ha

generally, rent for 1 bdrm place in decent to nice areas are 800-1200. but if you get shared housing (hard for a couple though) it'll be cheaper. i'm renting two bedrooms out in my house to two friends and they pay 600 each.... and i'm 3 miles to the beach.

dunno if you have family or friends in PA but i found that friends play a big part in how much you enjoy where you live. i was in michigan for 5 years and moving there from CA the first 6 months sucked. but after i met more people it became a lot more enjoyable.

Paul350Z

iTrader: (1)

You want to have a job in hand prior to moving out here. The expenses will drain you so fast unless you've got a source of income rolling in the week you hit California. Even if it's not "the job" have something lined up prior to your arrival. Fly out and job hunt in advance if you have to - if you fail you can always retreat back to PA and try again.

M6SXTZ

iTrader: (4)

tip: buy a gun.
welcome to California!

M6SXTZ

iTrader: (4)

ohh another thing... chicks here are HAWT so if the wife leaves you at least your one step ahead

m0nkie

iTrader: (3)

lol... still waiting for the next Tokyo Wako meet

but now I am officially paranoid of DUI... found a permanent DD though. I'm gonna use Tony's gf

RRMikey

iTrader: (32)

m0nkie what's up with the DUI?? you got one?

Cali is fine... IT job are hard to find, depending on your exp and you might need a bit of luck. You girl should be able to land a job at one of the hospitals. Like some else said earlier, get a job in hand before coming here. Any half decent neighborhood is going to cost you $$$...

Welcome to California!

m0nkie

iTrader: (3)

I got my DUI last year Soo last weekend we went out drinking again.. I didn't feel safe driving specially it's end of Jan. My friend took the wheel.. sure enough, he got a DUI

BTW OP, cops are ****'s here

RRMikey

iTrader: (32)

Damn you guys got

So how much is DUI now? I remembered it being like 7k years ago. Maybe we should get together and just chill with no drinking. Been getting lucky all these years and I do not need a DUI now.

OP... remember, don't be drinking & driving in California... you get like m0nkie here...

m0nkie

iTrader: (3)

DUI is:

- 8hr jail
- 1 year license suspension
- 1800$ ticket OR community service
- 6 month of driving school (I swear my smoking/drinking friends doubled after attending)
- 16? AA meetings (creepy as hell)
- 10 year insurance record

That's first offense... second offense, everything pretty much doubles except you are jailed for a month... (but Cali jails are too full so you are out early always)

RRMikey

iTrader: (32)

Damn... i heard my friend spend like 7k after everything is said and done. Think he got a lawyer or something like that. whatevers... dood, drink less! hahaa

m0nkie

iTrader: (3)

sounds about right... I spent about 6k total with an attorney... not including my up the *** insurance for the next 10 years...

worst thing about last weekend's DUI was my friend was arrested, the cop drove my car to a parking lot... in HER 30 seconds of driving, she floored my car to at least 6k... and my ignition **** was gone... (keyless, but has a **** similar to key shape) AND she broke my key cause the dumb *** doesn't know the key is for backup starts..

my friend next day told me the cop said "Damn that car is fast" later..

They wouldn't pay me back so I had to fix everything myself... **** was 12$, im sure another smart key is going to be in the 100$ area..

M6SXTZ

iTrader: (4)

^^
dont listen to them no matter what they say... dont listen to them. they work for the dark one

Cannysage

iTrader: (29)

housing is dirt cheap right now (relatively speaking). I know a great Realtor if you're looking to buy a place.

RRMikey

iTrader: (32)

Damn m0nkie, the popo f'ed yo ride. hahaha. cops was a chick? should have asked her to give you a hummer because you just gave her a ride. lol...

kurt213

iTrader: (5)

Yea, I plan on finding jobs before we go. That seems kind of hard though. The only way I can think to do it is online job sites and alot of those seem to shy away from people applying in other states. Guess I'll just keep trying. Might just have to take what I can get until I get out there and can look for better jobs.

xENo

I moved out here from FL in October of 07, and I absolutely love it out here. The weather is amazing, the women are hot as hell, and the driving... if you like curvy roads, this is your state.

That said, it's pretty pricey... but there are deals to be found. I live in a pretty upscale area (foothill ranch, orange county) and I pay $2100 a month for my 3 bedroom condo on the side of a mountain. It may seem expensive, but even in this market this place goes for about $2800 easily.

It's a good time to move, but definitely have your finances ready for the cost of living impact. Also, there are state taxes here. There aren't in FL, and I'm not sure about PA, but I took a pretty good income hit when I moved.

Good luck! This place is SO worth it.

M6SXTZ

iTrader: (4)

du it jimmy!