Going to move to California in 4 years. Any tips? (San Diego: apartment, lease)

[diggity801]

I just moved from Wisconsin to Philadelphia for a job promotion a few months ago. I have decided that I want to move to California with my friend, who lives in Illinois, in about 4 and a half years. I want to live by the coast and have the warmest possible climate, so would San Diego be the best choice?

I'm planning on saving about 90k in these 4 and a half years and just quitting and moving there. I've tried to get a job there in a past long distance and it just doesn't work, so I think maybe I'll just find a recruiter and get a temp job first and move there and once I am there find a permanent job.

Also, there is no way I am going to be talked out of moving so it isn't worth bothering. The climate is the worth all of the extra expenses, in my opinion. I know a lot of California natives don't think it is that bad, but it does suck. Thats why you hear of so many people moving out of California, but moving right back like a year later.

I'm going to have a Master's degree in IT security by then and hopefully some Cisco certifications. Which city has the best job prospects for IT?

Thanks in advance!
David

[Charles]

Yes. Re-post this three years from now.

That IT security is in huge demand by the way. Big aerospace companies like Boeing and Northrop Grumman are getting into cybersecurity.

Seriously big tip: Make sure you can get a security clearance.

[Cyanna]

Yep, you're right. People move away from California, but within a few years many of them come back. I'm a good example...moved from CA to AZ in 1992, moved to England (UK) in 2000 and in 2008 I returned to CA, where I now intend to stay. California isn't perfect and the cost of living is a bit high for some, but it is far from the worst place and has many opportunities. The weather is great, most people are firendly and many smaller cities offer fantastic quality of life.

[1200RT]

SD isnt really the "warmest possible climate".

But yeah ... a lot can happen in 4 years.

[Curmudgeon]

Just stick to your plan and have both the savings and a job before you move and you should do fine. Everyone should experience California at least once!

[BacktoBlue]

Originally Posted by 1200RT

"warmest possible climate".

But yeah ... a lot can happen in 4 years.

no that would be Death Valley LOL

[BVitamin]

I had made plans with friends before and um, they never work out, for me at least. Just make sure you can survive on your own with or without your friend. And yes, four years is quite some time, things change like um, friends getting married after you signed a lease. I'll stop there, still a little bitter from it, hahaha.

[Cyanna]

I think one of the major mistakes people make when moving to California is that they want it ALL and they want it NOW! However, most people don't come here with enough money to aquire that immediate dream, they become discouraged and they end up hating the place.

Keep your focus on the MAIN desire...just getting here and having a decent place to live. You might desire to live in a 4 bedroom, 3 bath house with a two car garage and a swimming pool. If you are happy to downsize that dream for a while settle instead for a two or three bedroom apartment with a swimming pool and save money for that house in the future. Anything can be accomplished with a bit of temporary sacrifice.

[Ceece]

Way too early buddy.

[Curmudgeon]

Originally Posted by Ceece

Way too early buddy.

Ah, come on, Ceece. It's never to early to start planning. As soon as the law was changed in 1996 regarding California's source tax (over-ruled by the SCOTUS) I started making my plans to retire elsewhere which I implimented last year. Would have done so a year earlier but my wife needed four surgeries in the year after my retirement so we stayed put.