moved from east coast to CA who has this knowledge? (Thousand Oaks: middle-class, crime)

[wonderfuloutfit]

i am contemplating leaving Maryland where i have lived all my life 31 years to move to CA to pursue my dream in the fashion industry. I know nothing about California other than it's opportunity there. I have a 9 year old son and feel like this is the next move i need to make to better my life. i need all info about schools, jobs, middleclass areas to live etc. Please share your knowledge...

[humboldtrat]

Can you be a little more specific about where in California you want to go to? It's a big state!

[wonderfuloutfit]

i am trying to go where ever fashion/ clothing is relevant or close to it.

[Sassberto]

Originally Posted by wonderfuloutfit

i am trying to go where ever fashion/ clothing is relevant or close to it.

Fashion biz exists in only 2 places in the country: LA or NYC

[wonderfuloutfit]

can you tell me some things about LA?

[Sassberto]

Originally Posted by wonderfuloutfit

can you tell me some things about LA?

LA?

It's gorgeous, exciting, cutting edge.
It's also massive, spread out, insanely expensive, and has terrible traffic.

It's simultaneously heaven and hell, depending on who and where you are.

Do some homework, then come back and ask us questions.

[goodbyehollywood]

Not to belittle your dream, but I would check and make sure opportunity really is here before you move 3,000 miles to chase something that might not exist. L.A. is hideously expensive... and equally competitive... and the people who have the best shot of making it are those that come prepped and prepared. It's difficult for a family, so try and make some fashion contacts, make some exploratory trips to get to know the city and get your foot in the door before you commit to a move.

Middle-class areas here are not normal middle-class areas, most public schools are iffy, at best, crime and safety are real issues and rents are expensive. There are many benefits-- the weather, the culture, the beach, the jobs. This isn't meant to deter you, just to help you objectively figure out a plan, if this truly is the place for you.

That said, NYC really is the fashion hub. Good luck!

[notmeofficer]

I left my police job in Maryland (MSP) to work for LA Co Sheriff and pursue the California dream more than 30 years ago....

LA was overwhelmingly different than Maryland... you'd better come for a visit for a couple of weeks and get your eyes opened... wide...

there are numerous posts about L.A. on here... use the search feature and you will learn anything and everything about it...

[wonderfuloutfit]

Thanks for alll the tips, i am researching....please keep the info coming in

[dodomaster]

I grew up in SoCal (Ventura County), went to college there (UC Santa Barbara) and lived there for about 26 years. We moved to Maryland (Potomac) 4 years ago due to a job opportunity (cushy govt job) and we haven't looked back.

We love Maryland, especially where we live in Montgomery County. It has a lot of green countryside, lots of trees, lots of lakes and hills, close enough to big cities (DC, Philly, NYC, VA, PA) and the bay (Chesapeake) and the ocean (Ocean City), okay weather and mild winters, great family-oriented neighborhoods, great schools, etc. I'm sure you all know this already.

SoCal is expensive, loud, polluted, illegal-infested, high-rents, high-mortgage, and definitely not a place to raise your son. The weather is great (we used to live next to the beach in Ventura County), but that's about all you are going to get. SoCal schools are absolutely the pits...they cater to illegal immigrants who can't speak English. Here in MD, my son goes to a nice Catholic school, where the education system is top-notch and where actual learning takes place.

Traffic is about the same for CA and MD - BAD, but if you ever wander around the 405 on rush hours, forget it...its a mess.

Now, I don't know what you have waiting for you in CA, but please reconsider and weigh all your options...If you really need to go there, check out Ventura County (Camarillo, Thousand Oaks, Westlake, Ventura, etc) - its a fairly nice place, with great jobs, close to water, and away from the polluted mess that is LA...Good luck!

Originally Posted by wonderfuloutfit

i am contemplating leaving Maryland where i have lived all my life 31 years to move to CA to pursue my dream in the fashion industry. I know nothing about California other than it's opportunity there. I have a 9 year old son and feel like this is the next move i need to make to better my life. i need all info about schools, jobs, middleclass areas to live etc. Please share your knowledge...