Moving to California....

Hey Guys,

After surgery I was thinking about moving to California.  I have always wanted to live on the West Coast and have been going back and forth for about 2 years with this decision.  Can anyone tell me what city is a good place to settle into, that is inexpensive and safe with a lot of opportunity.  My husband and I will be transferring with our job.  I am so excited but a little scared because I know the cost of living is very high in CA.

Thanks for listening and offering advice.

With the economy the way it is California is the last place I would want to move to.  Sorry to bust your bubble but economically we are in tough shape here.  Over 10% are unemployed.  The state has given us all an IOU on or Tax returns and on it goes.

Wow... thanks for telling me this, I will hold off on this move.

Thanks again!!

Yeah, I agree. It is very hard here in CA right now. Not the land of opportunity of the years gone by, that is for sure. In LA county we expect to pay another 1200 or so dollars in taxes alone.

I think they are paying the CA tax refunds now, with the budget, such as it is, passing. But with a 10% unemployment rate, it is not a good time to move here. :(

If your transferring with your job, what are you area's available? that makes a difference. Yes the economy is bad but it is not just CA it's bad in, it's all over, there are tons of jobs for people, but they just have to be willing to settle for something a little less than they are acustomed to for awhile.

I live half way between Fresno and Bakersfield, have both of two worlds, a couple hours from the coast and the Sierra Mountains in my back yard.

But, I think it depends on the areas that you have to choose from. You also need to know if there are surgeons that will take you as a post op from another surgeon, some won't, some will....

Good luck

Hi, I'm up in Sacramento, the state capital.  Unemployment in Sac is running just over 8% with the state at 10% as the other gals said.  I have a granddaughter who moved to Arkansas...she said she couldn't believe the price difference...in everything!  You said your move would be tied to a job transfer....I would be darn sure your company is stable, that the bran*****alif is REALLY stable and that your jobs are really needed here.  Northern Calif is cheaper to live, as far as prices, usually less than Southern Calif...but stay away from the Bay Area and the coastal cities...it's crazy over there!  California gas prices are among the highest, if not THE highest in the nation..and this is because of the state taxes put on fuel sales.  Our sales tax, which has a base but is different in each county, is going up April 1st due to the new budget just passed.

I would certainly do some research before moving...anywhere!  Don't get us wrong...we all LOVE Cali...only other place I would consider moving to is Washington State..but then I love rain LOL  Good luck in making your decision ^_^^
Sunray aka Nancy

You said that your husband and you both would be transferring your job. If that is the case I would check with my employer to see if  you transfer ed would your hour be cut. I don't know the company's name that you both work for but  at my husband job if anyone transfers in they cut there hours.You are the opposite of me. I want to move out of Cali. I have lived here my whole life and hate it. The weather is nice but there is a price to pay for it. Its called cost of living. LOL!!! Now only if I could get my husband to want to move. LOL!! As for what areas are nice and and inexpensive? The farther you live out of the major cities the cheaper but the problem is the commute to  your job?? Do you want to travel for your job? If you don't  this then depends on what area you live in and where your job is located. This equals on how much time are you will spend traveling to and from. Also what are the hours that you work. This makes a difference in the time spent on the freeway (your commute home). Do not travel on a Friday after 4 pm. If you do you could spend a couple of hours or more on the freeway. Any other time it might take 25min, for the commute. My advice to you would be find out where both of your jobs will be located then check out the areas on the Internet and ask on here who lives by that area.  I hope this helps. Good Luck. Cathy

Carolina,

You have been given great advice from other posters.  I was born and raised in Northern California and wouldn't move for a million dollars or more.  I love it here a does my husband who grew up in San Luis Obispo/Morro Bay.  We love our oceans, mountains and weather.  Come check us out but make sure you know the cost of living here.  We live in the East Bay of the San Francisco Bay Area, housing prices have dropped dramatically but, thank goodness we bought our home when we did.

Depending on what line of work you and your husband do, can dictate where the best place for you to relocate is too.  Feel free to ask us, we're here for you.

Barb

Everyone has good advice and I would just like to add that our car registration fees are.... I think... doubling.  I'm glad I paid mine already this year! 

Our beautiful state comes with a price.  If I hadn't been born and raised here, I probably wouldn't live here.

Been here my whole life and HATE it. Not a great place for small biz, a family or anyone who is sane. If you HAVE to move to Cal stay away from all the big cities to get something somewhat affordable. Of course all the jobs will be centered in thos big cities.
If you have school age kids or what to be able to live on one income so you you can stay home and raise your own kids stay out of cali its almost impossible.

We are looking tomake the move OUT of ali as soon as the housing market turns around. We have already been to Colorado and looked at some houses there far cheaper and bigger, not to mention the schools abd better less traffic, crime,polution stress etc.....
I used this site for alot of great info on different cities, counties and states...................

http://www.city-data.com/forum/

its a great resource