Need some answers about life in CA. I'm a young woman. (Santa Maria: home, wages)

[gone down south]

Unemployment in CA is still at historic levels. You'd be better off finding a job BEFORE moving out here, because you're going to be competing against a lot of locals once you get here.

BTW, you want beach, city AND safe? That's the expensive trifecta, you're going to have to either compromise heavily, or start making a lot more $$$.

[mysticaltyger]

Originally Posted by gone down south

Unemployment in CA is still at historic levels. You'd be better off finding a job BEFORE moving out here, because you're going to be competing against a lot of locals once you get here.

BTW, you want beach, city AND safe? That's the expensive trifecta, you're going to have to either compromise heavily, or start making a lot more $$$.

^^^This^^^.

[mysticaltyger]

Originally Posted by Wonderwall3

Currently I live in Wisconsin. I've been looking to move for about a few years now. I would like to live close to the beach, yet also close enough to a city to have some fun! Although I'm young, I want to be able to get a somewhat good night sleep each night.

In WI I'm currently renting a 1br apt for $660/mo and work two jobs that, on average, bring in $1,000/mo.
Looking into California rental listings I've noticed the outrageous rent amounts. Is it possible, in your opinion, for a single woman like myself to make it on my own in California?

I'd appreciate any input. Thank you .

I don't mean to sound discouraging, but other than the weather (which is usually fabulous!), life here is generally more difficult than the rest of America because of the high housing costs.

Wages here are higher but don't generally make up for the even higher cost of living. That's especially true on the low end of the wage scale.

You have to understand...a lot of middle class folks who would be homeowners in WI would be renting apartments here. Coastal CA is generally a very tough place for people making $12 an hour or less. A lot of people earning at that income level find they spend more time working to pay the rent than they do enjoying life. They get to 'enjoy' the weather going back and forth to work and that's about it.

It sounds like what you really need is a realistic plan to get some job skills to earn more money before coming here. Otherwise, it's going to be very difficult or impossible for you to make ends meet here.

[Capt. Dan]

Originally Posted by Salty VW

Same with the dumpier parts of Santa Cruz, Live Oak, and Capitola. There's actually less crime per capita in Watsonville than SC or Capitola. But I agree, there are iffy parts of Watsonville that I would avoid (as well as some great areas). Just gotta point out that north county isn't immune to iffyness.

With that said, yes, it's entirely possible for a single woman to make it on the California coast. PLENTY are doing it right now. You'll likely make more money out here, and if needed will learn to sacrifice certain things to make it work. In a lot of the more middle class (income wise) coastal towns, people drive older cars, live in smaller homes, or take up roommates to make things work - it just becomes part of the culture.

We are kinda full though. :-p

CAPITOLA is DUMPY????????????? I must have missed that part of town in my 1,000 visits there!!!

[BayAreaHillbilly]

Originally Posted by gone down south

Unemployment in CA is still at historic levels. You'd be better off finding a job BEFORE moving out here, because you're going to be competing against a lot of locals once you get here.

And CRITICALLY ... relative to other states, CA is near the bottom of a barrel in terms of employment (2nd worst unemployment in the USA). Based on the number of young sunshine and excitement seekers we have been getting on these boards, I must conclude either people don't believe these stats or they have not taken the time to do simple web searches to find them out.

[BayAreaHillbilly]

Originally Posted by mysticaltyger

I don't mean to sound discouraging, but other than the weather (which is usually fabulous!), life here is generally more difficult than the rest of America because of the high housing costs.

Wages here are higher but don't generally make up for the even higher cost of living. That's especially true on the low end of the wage scale.

You have to understand...a lot of middle class folks who would be homeowners in WI would be renting apartments here. Coastal CA is generally a very tough place for people making $12 an hour or less. A lot of people earning at that income level find they spend more time working to pay the rent than they do enjoying life. They get to 'enjoy' the weather going back and forth to work and that's about it.

It sounds like what you really need is a realistic plan to get some job skills to earn more money before coming here. Otherwise, it's going to be very difficult or impossible for you to make ends meet here.

Word.

[jaijai]

Originally Posted by Capt. Dan

CAPITOLA is DUMPY????????????? I must have missed that part of town in my 1,000 visits there!!!

I took him to mean that a part of Capitola is a bit grittier and with some more crime potential.

[Wonderwall3]

Sorry for the very delayed response! I am a certified nursing assistant and I also bartend where I am currently.

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by Wonderwall3

Currently I live in Wisconsin. I've been looking to move for about a few years now. I would like to live close to the beach, yet also close enough to a city to have some fun! Although I'm young, I want to be able to get a somewhat good night sleep each night.

In WI I'm currently renting a 1br apt for $660/mo and work two jobs that, on average, bring in $1,000/mo.
Looking into California rental listings I've noticed the outrageous rent amounts. Is it possible, in your opinion, for a single woman like myself to make it on my own in California?

I'd appreciate any input. Thank you .

Not to be negative and I haven't read the rest of the postings but, your $1000 a month would barely pay rent, much less anything else. I think you better consentrate on some other state that has beaches, not California. I have now read your positngs, you say you are a nursing assistant and a part time bar tender and you only bring home a Thousand a month. Are you a licensed nursing assistant and do you work part time or full time? That seems like a very small salary for full time work.

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by bouncethelight

There are millions of single people who are able to make it on their own in California. It's very possible.

Is it the best thing for you personally? Only you can answer that - but in answer to your post, yes, millions of young single people are able to make it just fine here.

on one grand a month, you must be kidding. ??