For Those Thinking of Leaving, Where are You Looking to Go? (Bakersfield: best cities, homes)

[albinoazian]

I am in my 3rd year teaching in Huntington Beach and have over 7 years of college, yet I have to live like I ask, "Paper or plastic?" for my job. Other teachers are 30+ years old, also with Masters degrees, and have to have roommates.

Anyhow, I have been searching for other places. I checked Oregon this past summer and really liked Eugene, but still pricey and no jobs. My dad moved to Austin, TX after being in CA 40 years, but hates it. I visited and Texas sucks.

So, what places are on people's lists?

[CA central coast]

MT, NV, SD, NE. Maybe KS, OK, AR and ND

[CA central coast]

Omaha, NE. look into it. affordable homes and pay comparable (not sure on teaching salary, but other jobs pay close to what CA does)

[EscapeCalifornia]

Denver, Colorado.

[Huckleberry3911948]

you can make it anywhere but we tend to take our hell with us.

[TimC2462]

Oklahoma, Texas, and Colorado -- in that order. So far, I like Oklahoma. I've only been there once last month, and I plan to visit again.

I've never been to Austin, TX but I have been to Dallas area several times. Irving is actually a very nice place worth checking out.

Tim C.

[Charles]

Originally Posted by albinoazian

I am in my 3rd year teaching in Huntington Beach and have over 7 years of college

In most cases it isn't how many years of college that you have attended, it is what you learned or earned in seven years. Did you earn any degrees? In what? Any special skill sets that set you apart? Teaching credential? Is the teaching credential easily transferable to other states? Do you intend on remaining a teacher?

[albinoazian]

I finished my undergrad in Business in 4 years. Plus, I have a teaching credential, Master's in Educational Technology, and 30 units in Digital Arts, Graphic Design, and Web Design including two certificates. Not to mention a 3.8 overall GPA in over 200 units. You'd think that could lead to being able to live in something more than a shoebox.

Beyond that, the never ending concrete, lack of trees/green, extreme overcrowding, etc., are contributing factors.

I know a lot people are looking at other areas and have scouted some already. I am just trying to get a sense of places that other Californians like. I am having trouble coming up with places. Not to go against anybody's beliefs, but I don't want to go to a "bible belt area." That eliminates a lot of places. Some places where they don't hate browns, blacks, muslims, *****s, books, or whatever the hate of the moment is.

[CA central coast]

Originally Posted by albinoazian

. Not to go against anybody's beliefs, but I don't want to go to a "bible belt area." .

C'mon. You can find the "bible belt" in Bakersfield, CA. Your premise is silly. If that's the attitude, then don't leave CA. I've never been to the east coast, but everywhere in between is more religious then CA. That's the way it is. You have to expect that.
25 best cities to find a job - CNN.com

This link might help

[albinoazian]

That is why I said that I was having trouble coming up with places. My dad gets church folks bugging him 3-4 times a week in Texas. He bought a sheik looking outfit with the head piece that he keeps by the door now. So, when the people he has told countless times to stop bugging him, keep coming by, he puts on the sheik head piece to mess with them.

Some of his neighbors in Texas spray painted his Obama-Biden sign and threw stuff at the house. He said that it was cool when on Halloween a group of black kids (~12-13) knocked on the door and said they didn't want candy, but to only shake his hand.

Or like in Kansas where they were burning Harry Potter books. I just don't want to be in an environment like that. It is like Colin Powell said, "And so what if Obama is Muslim." I would prefer to investigate a place where the predominant belief isn't to hate something different, like Muslims. It is like the McCarthy era except Communist has just been swapped with Muslim.