Moving to California: Need Help (San Diego, San Jose: apartment, for rent, insurance)

[Hayezb]

Alright, I'm 20 years old and live in a pretty small city in East Tennessee but absolutely hate it. I am tired of most of the people that live here and all the drama that comes with it. My dream has always been to live in Cali, this is not a spur of the moment idea, and now seems like a good opportunity to give it a shot.

I will be getting a refund check of $4500 from my previous college and want to use that to pay for rent/supplies until I get settled in. My car is paid off and my parents will keep paying my insurance and cell bill because my mom knows what I'm going through.

I have been to several big cities, including Miami (lived there for 2 years), and lived on the out-skirts of NYC for 2 summers. So living in a big city will not bother me at all.

What I'm looking for are some cities that you guys would recomend me looking at. One of my best friend's mom lives in San Diego and could help me out a little. I will be needing a single bedroom apt, a job, and a local community college.

[Capt. Dan]

IMO--a young person who still has to rely on parents to pay some of their bills is NOT ready for LA! Good luck though!

[Charles]

Originally Posted by Hayezb

One of my best friend's mom lives in San Diego and could help me out a little.

This sounds hot.....



Did you graduate? What major?
What line of work are you in?
Where do you think you will work?
Do have any budget ideas for housing?

[EscapeCalifornia]

You realize $4500 will be pretty much gone by the time you pay a month's rent and get some basic furniture, appliances, cookware, etc., right?

[fjtee]

Hi.

Drive out and camp along the way. You could probably rent a room in someone's house rather than rent an apartment. That'll save money. Or, if your friend's mother will let you stay with her, then go to San Diego and do that while you look for a job. You can temp in the interim. Shoot, get a paper route and temp and deliver pizza or something while you find a job you like. Basically, it's not glamourous - just a way to land while you get your bearings. This is how I made my move to Seattle 15 years ago when I graduated college.

As far as cities go, I hear San Diego is quite nice (haven't been). San Francisco rocks. San Jose has wonderful weather. That's all I know. Have only been in the state for a year.

Best of luck! Should be a good adventure, I hope.

[Hayezb]

I graduated from high school in '06 and currently a sophmore in college pursuing a degree in Computer Information Systems but web design has always been my specialty.

I lived on my own for about 8 months until deciding to move back home (last November) because I did not know where I was going to attend school next semester. I already have everything you could need for an apt: furniture (couch, 2 LazyBoy's etc..), appliances, blah blah.

And yes, my friend said I could live with his mom until I found a place and had a steady job. At apartmenthuntez.com I have seen studios/single bedroom apts go for as low at $515 in that area. I know that they will most likely be pretty crappy, but as long as its not falling apart I'm cool with it.

I was planning on going to a career center, like we have in my current city, and let them help me find a good job. To start off I'll most likely keep taking online classes from the same school I am now here in TN.

Plus, Cali is a great place to find a job (once I have the degree) that relates to computers and design.

[Widowmaker]

Originally Posted by Hayezb

I graduated from high school in '06 and currently a sophmore in college pursuing a degree in Computer Information Systems but web design has always been my specialty.

I lived on my own for about 8 months until deciding to move back home (last November) because I did not know where I was going to attend school next semester. I already have everything you could need for an apt: furniture (couch, 2 LazyBoy's etc..), appliances, blah blah.

And yes, my friend said I could live with his mom until I found a place and had a steady job. At apartmenthuntez.com I have seen studios/single bedroom apts go for as low at $515 in that area. I know that they will most likely be pretty crappy, but as long as its not falling apart I'm cool with it.

I was planning on going to a career center, like we have in my current city, and let them help me find a good job. To start off I'll most likely keep taking online classes from the same school I am now here in TN.

Plus, Cali is a great place to find a job (once I have the degree) that relates to computers and design.

San Diego is an awesome area, and if you've already got a foothold there, I say go for it! I used to want to move to San Diego, the beaches are nice, the weather is nice, the people are nice, ect. It's also one of the more expensive areas in California, so, once you get established there, if you want to move to a different part of the state, it should be an easy transition.