How Expensive is California? (Compared to AZ?) (San Diego, Long Beach: apartments, for rent)

[f_m]

Originally Posted by KarmaPhx

Would I have a hard time finding a decent 1bd for around $900?

They are out there, but you probably have to pick and choose to figure out which are decent. However, you will pay less utilities near the coast. If you are within 10-20 miles you probably won't have air conditioning, so electric costs are lower. Not sure what you pay for air conditioning, but it's probably a fair amount. It's possible to do electric and gas for ~$30 month and water/trash/sewer ~$30-40 month.

[mysticaltyger]

Originally Posted by 18Montclair

According to Forbes, San Jose and San Francisco are both among the most affordable places for families. San Jose ranking 1st in fact when weighed against other metros. Who knew?

Sometimes we forget that most expensive and least affordable are two different things.

America's Best And Worst Cities For Families - Forbes.com

Yeah, but it depends what industry you're in. If you're an engineer or computer programmer, then maybe. But if you're in the hotel industry like the OP, the slightly higher pay is not going to make up for the much higher cost of living.

[mysticaltyger]

Originally Posted by KarmaPhx

After a few hours of talking with the fiance, we have decided we want to relocate to somewhere in CA around March 2010. We are a couple in our early 20's and are looking for a place with a good nightlife, not to ghetto, near the beach (30mins), and would be warm enough to go to the beach most of the spring/summer.

We have been doing a lot of research but can't really decide on where to live, the major issue money since we are really unsure of the cost of living compared to Arizona, I know the rent is higher, but does that coincide with the job pay?

I would like to live within a 30 minute drive of the beach, closer is better obviously.

I work in the hotel business and plan on transferring, I make around $12/hr right now so I am not sure if the same position pays more there or not. She makes about the same, we bring in around $2000-$2500 a month. With our current pay, we could afford $800-$1100 a month for rent.

We are considering a few ares such as San Diego, Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz, Ventura Area, and a few others, but we really have no idea where to start.

Honestly, I wouldn't move here on what you make. The extra pay won't make up for the higher cost of living.

People who are happiest here are usually people with college degrees or other professionals whose incomes start at 50k (for a single person). A lot of people at your income level end up feeling trapped here. That's doubly true if they ever have kids.

Sure, moving here and living payday to payday in a mediocre/dumpy apartment might be fun for a few years. But wait until the economy picks up (which it will eventually), and they jack up the rent by 10% on your already overpriced apartment that you could just barely afford (even though your pay won't go up by anything close to that). The fun lifestyle that I think you're envisioning takes a lot more money than you're imagining. Most of the fun stuff you'll want to do on weekends with your friends costs money. As bayareagirl said, the beach loses its allure over time because you find you're often too busy to go as a result of working all the time to pay the bills.

You probably don't want to hear this, but it sounds like you probably need to go back to school to learn to do something that pays more than the hotel industry.

[18Montclair]

Originally Posted by mysticaltyger

You probably don't want to hear this, but it sounds like you probably need to go back to school to learn to do something that pays more than the hotel industry.

Bay Area people are so education minded. Always.

I used to get lectured by complete strangers when I was a kid working summers at SF Center selling sunglasses at a kiosk. It was always "you look young, you want more out of life than this, go to college!" LOL

Anyway, Hotel Management can pay very well too.

[mysticaltyger]

Originally Posted by 18Montclair

Bay Area people are so education minded. Always.

I used to get lectured by complete strangers when I was a kid working summers at SF Center selling sunglasses at a kiosk. It was always "you look young, you want more out of life than this, go to college!" LOL

Anyway, Hotel Management can pay very well too.

I suppose. But hotel managers generally get paid less than managers in other industries and the hours/working conditions s*ck (at least most people think they do).

By the way, I specifically didn't say he should go to college. He might go to a trade school if that's more his bent.

I personally think our whole system of "get a college degree, so you can get a decent job" is totally stupid, wasteful, and counterproductive. But you have to be a certain type of person to buck that system (combination of super frugal, smart, ambitious, hard working, and determined). And the OP, like most of us, doesn't sound like that kind of person, based on his post.

[JetJockey]

If you're in the hotel management business you could try the Atascadero area. It's about 20 minutes to Morro Bay, you can find a 1 bedroom apartment for under $1000, but it won't be all that nice. There is a good hotel industry in Paso Robles due to the wineries, but I hear that Paso may stop letting the wineries have wine tasting on their properties...

Anyway, look into north San Luis Obispo county. I lived in Atascadero making $12 an hour when I turned 18, but I also had 3 roommates, which is something you may consider. My sister lives in a studio in Atascadero and she pays $675 and that includes all utilities with internet, and she's doing okay on $13 an hour.

[christopherderek80]

Originally Posted by bayarea-girl

Hopefully, the market will turn by the time you move. I think rents will continue to be down by that time. But listen, there are some people that live off of that kind of money in CA I'm not sure who they may be but that is NOT enough money. You will be living in a dump and or no where close to the beach for your desired rental amount. Landlords do want to see at least 3x's as much of $$ that you make it is a rule of thumb. When people say that it costs a lot to live here it does, the sales tax is 9.5%, gas is sky high (at least not as high as it was last year but I won't hold my breath that it won't go up), and food is so expensive if you don't know where to shop. You should also have a lot of money saved up as well. I really don't mean to sound so negative but if I were you I'd stay in AZ you guys have it good there right now. Most people that move here start off going to the beach often but when reality sets in and they have to work more just to pay the bills the water is less visited and then you begin to think the water is overrated you could have just made a visit to CA to get your ocean and CA fix. CA is a mess at this time I wouldn't move here at this time.

You can give really good advice.

[KarmaPhx]

Originally Posted by mysticaltyger

Honestly, I wouldn't move here on what you make. The extra pay won't make up for the higher cost of living.

People who are happiest here are usually people with college degrees or other professionals whose incomes start at 50k (for a single person). A lot of people at your income level end up feeling trapped here. That's doubly true if they ever have kids.

Sure, moving here and living payday to payday in a mediocre/dumpy apartment might be fun for a few years. But wait until the economy picks up (which it will eventually), and they jack up the rent by 10% on your already overpriced apartment that you could just barely afford (even though your pay won't go up by anything close to that). The fun lifestyle that I think you're envisioning takes a lot more money than you're imagining. Most of the fun stuff you'll want to do on weekends with your friends costs money. As bayareagirl said, the beach loses its allure over time because you find you're often too busy to go as a result of working all the time to pay the bills.

You probably don't want to hear this, but it sounds like you probably need to go back to school to learn to do something that pays more than the hotel industry.

I will have my degree finished within a few months after moving, so I am hoping living paycheck to paycheck will only last for a year tops.

I don't need to live very close to the beach, I just want to be able to go there. If I need to move an hour away from the coast to save money it's what I will do.

I don't want to live in AZ anymore, I want to live near the ocean, even if I have to live in poverty to do so.

[mysticaltyger]

Originally Posted by KarmaPhx

I will have my degree finished within a few months after moving, so I am hoping living paycheck to paycheck will only last for a year tops.

I don't need to live very close to the beach, I just want to be able to go there. If I need to move an hour away from the coast to save money it's what I will do.

I don't want to live in AZ anymore, I want to live near the ocean, even if I have to live in poverty to do so.

Ok, that changes the story somewhat. I still think the allure of the beach will wear off over time. And my comment about having kids in CA still stands. A lot of people here stress about paying gobs of money for a house in a decent school district 'cause the schools aren't so hot. Maybe you'll be one of those people who never has kids, but most people do. CA is not very kid friendly unless you have a high income.

[KarmaPhx]

I doubt it will wear off anytime soon, and we are not planning on having kids anytime soon, at least 5-10 years.

The hotel industry actually pays very well in comparison to other customer service places, I make a lot more than anyone I know my age actually.

I don't plan on living there forever, I like to move around every few years.