Moving to California, should I be scared?

[Roccaluma]

To further add onformation about smog in California. You can luck out and live in a rural area like Mendocino county where they do not require smog, but 97% of the people most likely live in an area that requires it. A new car is exempt for six years or so, better look that up though. On an older car at least eight years or so the smog check is required every 2 years. That is in addition to your regular fees. At around 25 years you no longer are required to smog the car. When buying a car make sure the owner has done a smog and it passes, it seems some cheap people will try to sell you the car but you have to pay for the smog, they could be that broke but was does that mean about how well they maintained the car if they can not afford the smog check?

[eureka1]

I've just got to ask:why did you leave my favorite city, Chicago? Let me guess-was it the awful weather?.

[grapico]

Originally Posted by eureka1

I've just got to ask:why did you leave my favorite city, Chicago? Let me guess-was it the awful weather?.

no problems w/ chicago, I went to Africa for awhile...came back to the u.s. for holidays in middle of the recession. have been plotting my escape since march when enough was enough.

[Happy Cells]

California is GREAT!
Move on in and invite all your friends!
The weather is fantastic....and the housing and job markets will rebound...they always do...

California is GREAT!

[lrmcali]

honestly,some of these posts are ridiculous!
If you rely too heavily on stats in life,you don't get anywhere...
yes,CA is not in great shape today,but there are plenty of people not just surviving but actually thriving here today,as well.

Don't forget the media likes to sensationalize....

I also cannot tell you how many times ppl in other states have said 'oh,CA,its so expensive'...[i've lived here for about 10 yrs total,both SFO and currently San Diego,and have lived in MT,CO,and raised in mass.],and honestly,aside from housing cost [which is on par with mass.,NY,DC,etc.],CA is not that different.

MA and VA,for example,are commonwealths-the taxes in those states are crazy! you've got individual taxes for everything....I find CA to be less taxed than those places,but for the taxes that are in place,on par [again,CA being a republic,each city has their own rates]with states like CO,which while cheaper overall than CA,has high sales tax rates.[have family in VA,much experience there].

As well,in cold weather states, you have far higher utility bills overall. And,factor in auto care/wear and tear,as well as clothing for cold weather,and you are just living about the same price-wise in CA. [I'm comparing with the popular places common in migrations....PDX,CO,NY,etc. not the smaller rural or souther/midwest cities]

Produce is fantastic in CA,year round.
Quality of life is high.

Sorry,I'm getting off track.
My husband worked in IT for 10 yrs,including the big pre dot com boom in SFO. Yes,the field is 'tight' these days,but again,it depends upon what type of IT work you do...and,if you're interested in branching out/teaching yourself new niche skills.
IF you have homes in sonoma to live in for free,and nothing beyond basic bills,he*l yes,GO to california!!!! The sonoma area is not completely depressed job wise. In addition to santa rosa, petaluam,napa and sonoma do have jobs-my husband did IT for a short stint at one of the major vineyards. Wineries need IT. There are sites for wine industry jobs. And plenty of job sites specifically for sonoma county.

I would say: don't despair. It may take you awhile,but that is true anywhere,esp right now; few are having jobs thrown in their laps.
anywhere in the country right now!

Look into temp agencies or recruiting firms: you should be able to find temp. contract of 3-6 months to start out...perhaps not the pay you are looking for [don't know about your current job],but it's a start.

For in state tuition: that's easy,if you are going to wait a year: community college will be $13 a unit-the community colleges in CA are perhaps the best in the nation...in terms of cost benefit. Sonoma state's a bit more,but is sitll in state tuition that is on par with most states. UC system is higher,but again,if you are a resident,it's do-able.

I think ppl like to dog CA b/c it's a thorn in many states sides...
But I find that people in CA are too busy enjoying/living their lives to even think about life in other states. I've never heard anyone discuss new yorkers,or make digs at all the 'emigrees' coming to CA,for example. Noone really cares. Live and let live.

Same goes for the economy: It will not stop people who truly want to be here. The state is still functioning,despite 'statistics' and sensationalist political reporting. Is it perfect here? NO. True for anywhere,though...

Gas prices are high,there are alot of ppl [less in sonoma],rent and property is high...BUT,I paid LESS for auto insurance in san francisco,than i did in boulder,co.[b/c CO was a no-fault state] NOT kidding. And less in SD,which is a border town.

Remember: California's economy is the 6th largest in the world! It's like a small country,30 million people. It's really it's own thing,IMO. And,it's still a great place,for entrepreneurial minded people. There is a can do attitude-perhaps b/c of the weather,perhaps the gold rush mindset,perhaps b/c it's not as steeped in tradition as other places. There is a creative atmosphere here,as corny as it sounds.

Be open minded and be willing to do what it takes to make it work,and you will be fine. Yes,even in Summer of 2009.
If you find it's truly not working/falling into place after a year or two,you will have tried. Most great success stories in history required much failing for just one success.
And,willingness to work hard will get you far.
Just wanted to add something postive to the ridiculously long line of downer replies. [there's realistic pragmatism,and then there's reactionary statistic spouting type of replies. Honestly...]
ps-I lived in Africa for awhile myself,5 months,prior to my move to CA.

[lrmcali]

really NOt a big deal. Something to consider: Just buy a car already registered in state,as has been said. But don't panic.It's an extra hassle,but not that expensive...$50 every two years. It's a benefit overall when you don't have horrid air pollution relative to the population. Look,I recently spent a few months in eugene,or,and I could not believe the polultion! some of it was agricultural,i know,and some of it b/c it was a valley,but some was def b/c of the large # of older cars on the road with serious exhaust issues.
I drive an old honda,and it passes smog here every time.
I honestly hate the fact that b/c you cannot afford a new car,you have to pay...it's pretty lame. But lamer still is going to areas with far fewer ppl,or cities that do not require smog in other states and find the yourself sick....the health costs and quality of life issues make a difference.and,of course,the old environmental factor.

Oh,and my husband drives a very old toyota-just to mention,he qualified for aid from the state to fix his car,and they give you several months to do so...so do not worry,there are resources if you know to look for them.

and,your car would need to be pretty old or pretty broken to not pass smog. the toyota has over 200k on it,for ex.

CA is a weird mix of libertarian and socialist government,IMO. [if i have to put a label on it]Again,it depends on the city...or town...how business friendly they are,how much they emphasize environment or growth planning,infrastructure,etc.

I prefer that,b/c you theoretically have more influence,esp in such a large state-i wouldn't want sacramento determining everything. No its not perfect,but again,these things like smog tests are not a major deal.

Besides,why buy a car that was,say,in chicago winters,when yo ucould get one used for commutes in CA only? You can always sell your car before you get here,and pick up one here. problem solved.

[lrmcali]

80 dollars for smog and then thousands to repair? do you even live in ca or know what you are talking about?
there are repair shops that cater just to smog and smog repairs;they would not stay in biz if this were the case! Like I said before,my husband received funding to get his repairs,and they were not unreasonable rates. Just getting the particles down to the right level for minimum air quality. That's it. Not revamping the vehicle.

OP has travelled extensively-i'm sure he's been in 3rd world cities with horrific air pollution. it ain't fun to visit,let along live. I consider it a necessary evil to keep CA liveable in it's urban areas. And by all accounts,the urban areas here rock: High quality of life is cited every time,for those who are all about spouting the 'news and world reports'....

[bmd69]

Originally Posted by grapico

Well...moving out there in 3 weeks, all the economic news makes me worried though. No I don't have a job lined up yet, but I have plenty of money saved up I can probably live off of a year...

I am wondering how much tuition is going to go up as I plan to take classes there in the SF bay area.
Is education going to be cut drastically?
How bad can unemployment get?

That being said, the state looks bad as a whole... but county I am moving to is actually lower unemployment than where I am at now.

Honestly I don't think it is that big of deal, especially if you hate where you are currently and job isn't that good to begin with currently.

Be afraid of the Highways,Their crowded! Joking

[ryanst530]

Originally Posted by lrmcali

honestly,some of these posts are ridiculous!
If you rely too heavily on stats in life,you don't get anywhere...
yes,CA is not in great shape today,but there are plenty of people not just surviving but actually thriving here today,as well.

Don't forget the media likes to sensationalize....

....

Thank you! You are spot on correct!

I hate when people just spout out statewide unemployment numbers giving the notion that EVERYone in the state is having trouble finding a job. It is ALL area dependent, like down to town detail. Some towns, like mine are thriving! The unemployment rate is around 4.4%, there is a lot of hiring for engineers right now and the cost of living is below the national average! Heck, I can buy a 3bd/2bath house for under $150k around here.

Bottom line, move to california. Do some research to find out where most of the jobs are in your field, and move! You'll stand a much better chance getting the job you want if you live in the area you are applying to. Most businesses right now are hesitant about hiring people far away.

You've got money saved up, you'll be fine. Welcome and enjoy your new home!