Move from Indiana to California (Woodland, Winters: real estate, crime, how much)

[bagherra]

Hello all,
My wife and I are contemplating a move from Indiana to California. The good news is we don't really have anything outside of selling the home (and the home is paid for) and me getting another job that keeps us in Indiana. No kids or tight family connections.

With that said, we have been concerned about the change in the cost of living between Cali and Indiana. We're seeing between 30-60% increase in cost of living estimates. My wife is getting a +30% increase to move and I still need to find a job, but I'm hoping to get the equivalent or at least the same as where I'm at now.

So...how bad is the cost of living? Is there anyone here who has relocated from the Midwest and got sticker shock? What are the main gotchas besides housing?

I really appreciate any info you can provide. This is proving to be a very difficult decision.

[BayAreaHillbilly]

Gotchas besides housing:
- Unemployment rate 5th highest in US
- Less space - houses are lower square footage, yards smaller than other parts of the country
- In general, housing stock is older and in worse shape than other parts of the country
- Regulatory environment is increasingly like Europe - perhaps the state with the least economic freedom of all 50
- Socially, the middle class / native Californians are being pushed out. The new in groups are, at the top, wealthy whites from back east, and, wealthy (or on the way to being wealthy) Asian immigrants, and, at the opposite end of the spectrum, barely literate immigrants from Latin America. The out groups are generally the middle class ones, especially native born whites, native born Latinos and blacks.

[City Boy]

I wouldn't move here until you find a job and that's going to be hard unless you're a Physician or something. Where in CA do you want to move to.

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by bagherra

Hello all,
My wife and I are contemplating a move from Indiana to California. The good news is we don't really have anything outside of selling the home (and the home is paid for) and me getting another job that keeps us in Indiana. No kids or tight family connections.

With that said, we have been concerned about the change in the cost of living between Cali and Indiana. We're seeing between 30-60% increase in cost of living estimates. My wife is getting a +30% increase to move and I still need to find a job, but I'm hoping to get the equivalent or at least the same as where I'm at now.

So...how bad is the cost of living? Is there anyone here who has relocated from the Midwest and got sticker shock? What are the main gotchas besides housing?

I really appreciate any info you can provide. This is proving to be a very difficult decision.

Actually the main difference you will see probably is housing, but you will see a huge difference, depending on the value of your home and where you will be living in California, the property could be 2 or 3 times more, easily. I don't think you will find much difference in food prices, you may find them even a little lower, utilities will depend on where you live and how much you use heat and air, but again the cost might even be lower. Property taxes will , no doubt be much higher and gas might be a little higher.

Good luck, where in California are you thinking about living?

Nita

[bagherra]

Thanks much for the responses. It would be in or very close to Woodland Hills area.

I'm not a MD, but I'm in IT. I have noticed there seem to be quite a few IT positions open within the LA area. Not sure how easy it will be to get hired at one yet. I've been holding on reaching out and applying until we solidify what were doing.

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by bagherra

Thanks much for the responses. It would be in or very close to Woodland Hills area.

I'm not a MD, but I'm in IT. I have noticed there seem to be quite a few IT positions open within the LA area. Not sure how easy it will be to get hired at one yet. I've been holding on reaching out and applying until we solidify what were doing.

Where are you seeing these jobs openings. I only ask because I have heard, (only heard, I do not have first hand knowledge) just the opposite. IT jobs are not easy to find in So California right now.

Good luck, whatever you decide. Woodland Hills is a nice place and there are a few areas not all that far away that are less expensive but not a horrible commute.

Nita

[bagherra]

Hmmm...Healthnet and Intuit. They are posted on the internet boards - Monster and TheLadders. I don't know how hard it will be to get an interview but I see the positions posted. Probably a lot of people applying so it could be rough getting the job.

Thanks again for all the comments!

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by bagherra

Hmmm...Healthnet and Intuit. They are posted on the internet boards - Monster and TheLadders. I don't know how hard it will be to get an interview but I see the positions posted. Probably a lot of people applying so it could be rough getting the job.

Thanks again for all the comments!

I really don't want to be negative, you need encouragement not discouragement, but what you see posted and what is the truth can often be two different things. I say this because even in good times my husband as well as our daughter and her husband have seen many jobs advertised on these sights are bogus or outdated.

Nita

[olman889]

Originally Posted by bagherra

Hello all,
My wife and I are contemplating a move from Indiana to California. The good news is we don't really have anything outside of selling the home (and the home is paid for) and me getting another job that keeps us in Indiana. No kids or tight family connections.

With that said, we have been concerned about the change in the cost of living between Cali and Indiana. We're seeing between 30-60% increase in cost of living estimates. My wife is getting a +30% increase to move and I still need to find a job, but I'm hoping to get the equivalent or at least the same as where I'm at now.

So...how bad is the cost of living? Is there anyone here who has relocated from the Midwest and got sticker shock? What are the main gotchas besides housing?

I really appreciate any info you can provide. This is proving to be a very difficult decision.

youll love ca.never met a person who didnt thin k it was pretty.
the job market...is pretty tough all over.you might get lucky and find something.
on the move... try santa clarita,traffic and crime not as bad as the valley.

[jc76]

Bagherra, You sound alot like myself


My only real advice on this is to be be prepared for the housing tripling. Here in Indiana you are used to getting a nice house with room, a big yard and tons of space for under 100K. In California (most spots anyways) you won't even come close. That same house in CA will run you triple or more depending where you go. I will say this though, right now if your gonna take the risk and go now is the time to buy out there. Check Yahoo! Real Estate and you can now find decent starter homes for under 150K, if anyone here wants to badmouth that I will find the links and post them. They may be in bad areas though, I don't know for sure but seems there's alot of bank repos you can get for a decent price.
As far as everything else? It's about the same. Actually some things are even cheaper than Indiana like the produce, and the cars are cheaper for some reason. I'm heading back out there too once my mothers estate is settled. Maybe I'll catch ya around! Good Luck!
PS- The whole NO BAD WINTERS fact should motivate you as well