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Old 04-03-2013, 09:09 PM
 
2 posts, read 3,564 times
Reputation: 10

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Hi, I am 24 year old freelance graphic designer from Chicago, IL. I have dreamed of moving to California since I graduated high school 6 years ago. After 6 years of dreaming, I finally decided on moving to California before the end of the year (my lease will be up in October 2013). I earn roughly $1800 per month and am looking to spend at least $1000 monthly for rent. I'm looking for at least a one bedroom in a fairly decent neighborhood. I won't be looking to find a job, or attend school either. The purpose of my relocation is a change of scenery and new networking experiences completely different from my current situation. I also want to ESCAPE WINTER at all costs, lol. I have already checked the prices in San Bernadino, and the prices weren't too bad.Any advice or comments will be greatly appreciated. I have already checked the prices in San Bernadino, and the prices weren't too bad. Are there any other areas, cities, or towns of California with similar pricing?

Thanks in advance.....
thatoneguyinil

Last edited by thatoneguyinil; 04-03-2013 at 09:24 PM.. Reason: forgot to add where I have checked already
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Old 04-04-2013, 10:40 AM
 
Location: Bella Vista, Ark
77,771 posts, read 104,756,288 times
Reputation: 49248
Quote:
Originally Posted by thatoneguyinil View Post
Hi, I am 24 year old freelance graphic designer from Chicago, IL. I have dreamed of moving to California since I graduated high school 6 years ago. After 6 years of dreaming, I finally decided on moving to California before the end of the year (my lease will be up in October 2013). I earn roughly $1800 per month and am looking to spend at least $1000 monthly for rent. I'm looking for at least a one bedroom in a fairly decent neighborhood. I won't be looking to find a job, or attend school either. The purpose of my relocation is a change of scenery and new networking experiences completely different from my current situation. I also want to ESCAPE WINTER at all costs, lol. I have already checked the prices in San Bernadino, and the prices weren't too bad.Any advice or comments will be greatly appreciated. I have already checked the prices in San Bernadino, and the prices weren't too bad. Are there any other areas, cities, or towns of California with similar pricing?

Thanks in advance.....
thatoneguyinil
Do you really think you can live on $800 after rent? I don't know what your overall expenses will be, but by the time you pay food, utilities, car and personal insurance, etc it won't lease a lot of extra, but I think you can do it...As for places other than San Bernardino, what are you considering in the way of commute time from place to place, what are your hobbies, and have you ever been to California? I am not knocking SAn Bernardino, it has some nice areas, but it might not be exactly what you are looking for. Another location might be Riverside area.
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Old 04-04-2013, 10:46 AM
 
129 posts, read 164,539 times
Reputation: 164
Quote:
Originally Posted by thatoneguyinil View Post
Hi, I am 24 year old freelance graphic designer from Chicago, IL. I have dreamed of moving to California since I graduated high school 6 years ago. After 6 years of dreaming, I finally decided on moving to California before the end of the year (my lease will be up in October 2013). I earn roughly $1800 per month and am looking to spend at least $1000 monthly for rent. I'm looking for at least a one bedroom in a fairly decent neighborhood. I won't be looking to find a job, or attend school either. The purpose of my relocation is a change of scenery and new networking experiences completely different from my current situation. I also want to ESCAPE WINTER at all costs, lol. I have already checked the prices in San Bernadino, and the prices weren't too bad.Any advice or comments will be greatly appreciated. I have already checked the prices in San Bernadino, and the prices weren't too bad. Are there any other areas, cities, or towns of California with similar pricing?

Thanks in advance.....
thatoneguyinil
Wait a second.... If you're earning $1800 a month, you REALLY don't want to be paying MORE than half of your salary on rent. TRUST ME.

IIRC, your rent to salary ratio is supposed to be about 1:3. So only about 1/3 or approx 30% of your salary should be going to rent if you want to live "comfortably". I'm just saying.... That's what MOST people advise.

If I were you, I would get a roommate (if you can) and split a $1000 rent. That way you'd be paying only $500 in rent and maybe an additional $50 in utilities (if that).

Do you have any friends or family members in the CA area you can stay with for a little bit while you get on your feet? Or, have you already been offered a job out there?
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Old 04-04-2013, 11:00 AM
 
Location: Under the Redwoods
3,751 posts, read 7,674,702 times
Reputation: 6118
What do you want for scenery? What do you want for entertainment? That would determine what part of CA you should be looking into.
I lived in SoCal when I was your age and it was fun, underground clubs and live music, lots of thrift stores full of cheap neat stuff, the occasional 90 minute drive to go camping, but I would not want to live there now.
So what is your past-time preferences? You want city? Town? Country? You want trees? Ocean or desert?
Since you want to get away from Chicago winters, you will not want to live in the Sierras, so places like Lake Tahoe and Shasta are out.
There are lots of college towns that may interest you because of the age group and the activities that cater to this age group. There are also several areas that are full of artists as well.
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Old 04-04-2013, 02:07 PM
 
Location: TOVCCA
8,452 posts, read 15,046,521 times
Reputation: 12532
Check Ventura, CA or the San Fernando Valley, they may be affordable. You will wither for lack culture in San Bernardino compared to Chicago.
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Old 04-04-2013, 06:35 PM
 
Location: in a galaxy far far away
19,218 posts, read 16,701,480 times
Reputation: 33347
I have to agree with those who question the amount. You're thinking of spending over 55% on rent. You're not leaving enough wiggle room for unexpected expenses.
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Old 04-06-2013, 12:19 AM
5X5
 
37 posts, read 109,573 times
Reputation: 28
After food, utilities, transportation you aren't left with much. We also found that a lot of apartments also required that we buy renters insurance...so theres another 25 bucks/mo. We came from Arizona and were also surprised at the high grocery prices--and that's if you eat at home, which is cheaper than restaurants. Our water bill was also a shock. It all adds up. I don't say this to discourage, I just don't want to see anyone move here and be miserably broke. Try looking for a very small guest house rental or roomates. Good luck!
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