Is this a stupid idea? Thanks. (San Jose: to rent, how much, income)

[MetsNY1986]

The idea that I just stated; is that a reasonable idea or..?

[ManOnTheMoon]

Originally Posted by MetsNY1986

I appreciate it. I DO have 5,000 dollars right now in the bank to go, so that's positive.. To be completely honest I wouldn't mind starting off in Nevada or somewhere cheaper and THEN going to California. No I do not work currently. Basically I want to go out there and just.. start anew. My life needs to start and I need to be successful like I know I can be.

I would also caution you to be very careful about romanticizing a place. I was guilty of it because I really hated where I was (and still am.) There are gaps in your knowledge about California (obviously, as you're not a resident) so be wary of projecting ideals into those gaps. It's a really common trap for people. Just be on guard.

Based on your post, I'm guessing you're about 19? I had a similar problem. It's the age at which reality starts to peek through the cracks in your expectations about the world. It took me about 3 years to really cope with it. I still catch myself. (I'm 22, by the way. Just so you don't think I'm some disconnected old guy with fuzzy recollections of the past.) My advice is to try to get to the point where you don't feel you have to move, but rather that you just want to. It won't fix any of the problems that are meaningful enough to want to escape in the first place.

Also, don't wait for your life to start. It's happened already; you're alive right now.

[Snort]

Mets, I looked at your other posts and you're a bit all over the place.
You can make the move out here and have a learning experience, but you'd be better off learning more about yourself by taking an aptitude test or two. Then talk up someone in a field you're interested in and you'll likely have more focus (or at least be able to discard jobs when you've learned what they're really about).

[MetsNY1986]

I've always wanted to be an officer but my deafness in my right ear would hinder me from being able to do so.. but since I was a kid I always wanted to pursue a career in education. Basically I need to get my life started and I feel like I won't be able to do that if I stay where I'm at currently.

[jaijai]

Originally Posted by MetsNY1986

Honestly I haven't been happy in years and that week I spent across that state was the best time of my life. I don't know if this is possible though. I DO have an opportunity to move in with my grandparents in Jacksonville, Florida.. while better, it's not where my heart is.

Most people don't even know where their heart is.
If you do know your heart and you know you know it, follow it.
That's what i say.
Now you need cold hard facts about colleges, finances, etc..
Btw, where in California are you interested in living?

[MetsNY1986]

1. Fly out there
2. Get a cheap hotel or something and live there for a week or two while I find a crappy job that can land me in a studio apartment
3. Do that for a year
4. Get in state tuition

If my finds dip below 500 bucks, fly back to the East Coast and just take the cards I was given. (If my funds dip below 500 bucks and I end up having no job at that point or anything ). It's somewhat a see if I can do it type of thing without much of a risk but I'm unsure.

[ManOnTheMoon]

Originally Posted by MetsNY1986

1. Fly out there
2. Get a cheap hotel or something and live there for a week or two while I find a crappy job that can land me in a studio apartment
3. Do that for a year
4. Get in state tuition

If my finds dip below 500 bucks, fly back to the East Coast and just take the cards I was given. (If my funds dip below 500 bucks and I end up having no job at that point or anything ). It's somewhat a see if I can do it type of thing without much of a risk but I'm unsure.

I'd allow longer than two weeks to get a job, especially if you have no experience. Three or four months, at least. Where you want to live in California would greatly affect how doable this is. (Affording an apartment, that is.)

[MetsNY1986]

I wanted to do NoCal as it's cheaper. And as I move up in life definitely San Diego.

[EscapeCalifornia]

Originally Posted by MetsNY1986

I wanted to do NoCal as it's cheaper. And as I move up in life definitely San Diego.

NorCal (as in the Bay Area) is the most expensive part of the state. Anything north of that is cheap because there's no jobs.

[jaijai]

Originally Posted by MetsNY1986

1. Fly out there
2. Get a cheap hotel or something and live there for a week or two while I find a crappy job that can land me in a studio apartment
3. Do that for a year
4. Get in state tuition

If my finds dip below 500 bucks, fly back to the East Coast and just take the cards I was given. (If my funds dip below 500 bucks and I end up having no job at that point or anything ). It's somewhat a see if I can do it type of thing without much of a risk but I'm unsure.

Fly out to where?
Where do you want to live?
Have you looked at craigslist and seen what the cost of rentals are in the community that you're interested in?
For example, a studio in Santa Cruz county can exceed 1k a month.
I encourage you to go for it but get very real about it so that you don't have to return to the east with your tail between your legs.
If you really want to do this then do it well so that you give yourself the greatest chance of succeeding.
I know it's difficult to be patient when you're young and when you want to get the h*** out of a place that you feel you don't belong but a little patience and really good planning might be worth it.