Possible CA areas to relocate from Hawaii?

[Lifeshadower]

Originally Posted by CaliHi

Thanks, Lifeshadower, for your insight and well-wishes!!! Just curious, what is your career path if you don't mind me asking of course?

As of right now, I don't necessarily have JUST ONE specialty in mind; I'm a fairly flexible/adaptable person. Just like you, I'm used to living in extremely expensive places (ex: $8 for a gallon of milk in Hawaii...really?) haha. I did actually go as far as to comparing the cost of living index of Honolulu and SLO. Lo and behold, Hawaii is definitely a more expensive place to live. It's just that elusive first step of actually relocating and settling that gets me nervous.

I'm going into law I could always work for JAG and be based out of Monterey or work for any one of the counties (Monterey, SLO, or Santa Barbara), but those jobs are really hard to come by given the massive amount of cuts the state is going through right now. As for now, I'm stuck in LA until I can figure out something more coherent. Though being in your early-mid 20s in LA isn't so bad either, haha.

As for actually relocating, its rough no matter where you go. I remember when I first lived away from home at 17 for college. It wasn't so bad, but it was college. Do you have any friends who go to Cal Poly SLO or any one of the colleges on the Central Coast, or even just random friends or family out that way? If so, consider staying with them for a week and get a general feel for what life is like on the Central Coast.

One thing for certain though: there isn't anything like island fever anywhere in California. Though, compared to the rest of the populated mainland, California can sure feel like an island.

[CaliHi]

Originally Posted by Lifeshadower

As for actually relocating, its rough no matter where you go. I remember when I first lived away from home at 17 for college. It wasn't so bad, but it was college. Do you have any friends who go to Cal Poly SLO or any one of the colleges on the Central Coast, or even just random friends or family out that way? If so, consider staying with them for a week and get a general feel for what life is like on the Central Coast.

Good luck to you in your pursuit of a law career!! Yeah, I'm optimistic (though not getting my expectations overly high) that the economy (even in California) will pick up by the time it's my turn to look for a career. Also hoping that Nursing is a "mobile" enough career that I can find an employer who will take a chance with me haha. It's so frustrating that nursing is such a competitive field in the islands. (They want experienced nurses but aren't willing to HIRE and offer experience ). Don't get me wrong, I'm very fortunate that I will always get to call Hawaii home...it's just that you were spot on with the whole 'island fever' thing.

No, unfortunately, none of my family lives on the central coast anymore (Dad is from Cali and used to live around Monterey when he was about my age), but have family and friends within "reasonable" driving distance. I guess that's another big thing I need to take into consideration. Ah well . I understand I may likely be alone and will be homesick and will do my fair share of crying...but that is the nature of growing up, I guess. Will probably miss the easygoing and friendly nature of the islands, but experienced the same type of people/lifestyle in SLO when I visited. Fingers crossed!