moving to california, help me! (Riverside, Santa Clarita: sale, rent, house)

[misplaced1]

Originally Posted by andreita30

i don't understand why some of you guys are so negative. i meant doesn't san fran have alot of homeless people and crime, i don't want to live there but there must be a town in california that would be a good fit for my family, and jobs here are very hard to come by too the economy is bad everywhere but if my boyfriend can get a job there why would it be bad for us to move. and does any one who lives in california have any good tips and advice of good areas, please! thinking thousand oaks,santa clarita,simi valley,diamond bar,san diego,any info about these towns from people who live there would be great thanks

I think the best thing for you to do is to come to Ca. and get a realistic look around. See the cities, neighborhoods. Take a look at rentals and areas in your price range and make decisions from there. See the neighborhoods in the day and when it gets dark. Fly on over and rent a car and take a road trip.

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by misplaced1

I think the best thing for you to do is to come to Ca. and get a realistic look around. See the cities, neighborhoods. Take a look at rentals and areas in your price range and make decisions from there. See the neighborhoods in the day and when it gets dark. Fly on over and rent a car and take a road trip.

great advise!! It is better to spend a couple thousand on a visit than to move without checking the place out. I know people do re-locate without first testing the waters, but those are usually either young singles without a family to consider or job transfer related. Those are totally different circumstances.

Nita

[AlwaysSmiling]

I'm going to take a stab at something that others have commented on already.
DON'T move to Californinia. DON'T call it Cali. You are a mother. Your first priority is your son. You are shacking up with a man who will not have a job if you move out here. The likelyhood of Californinia being the paradise you imagine right now, is not going to happen. We are in TERRIBLE financial trouble. The state wants to now take money from the individual counties to help with the budget. There are going to be HUGE loses in schools, free healthcare, libraries. Everything that your son needs will be affected.
Please type in complete sentences. Use periods, commas, etc. You need to type like you want your son to type.
This might sound negative, but it is the truth. Your son needs a village to help support him and raise him. You will leave family, friends, a job, to come to the unknown. What until he is 18 and you and the live-in can come explore California. And by that time, we will be in better financial control. Hopefully.
Your priority is your son. Do what is best for him. You don't want him sitting where you are right now.
Please take this with an open heart.

[SOON2BNSURPRISE]

Something that you may want to check out is the Union situation. Out here in California being apart of a union doesn't guarentee anything. We have plenty of non union builders around here. The climate is differant in California than in New York. Unions don't have the pull hear that they do in other areas. In many areas if a developer wants to build something they may have to hire union contractors to get the permit process going. Not so in California. In some parts of the nation it is a you scratch my back, I scratch your back kind of thing. That is not how it works here. Also most Construction laborers around here are of Mexican, Central American, South American descent. And chances are they are not making the kind of money you will need to make it here. Does the BF have any skills other than laborer? Not that he will find work or anything. I have a crew working on a project right now. The only job that they have going on is this one. Not a lot of work going on now. Chances are major construction projects in Southern California won't happen for another five years. Of the ones that are in progress the jobs have plenty of people to do the work.

[andreita30]

Well I came on this forum hoping that families from California would help me narrow down my chosen areas,to the people who were helpful,thank you. Now to the rest of you,why people who don't live in CALI would answer I have no idea except to think that they are jealous that there state isn't somewhere many people want to go and they are tired of hearing about people wanting to move to CALI.The people who do live in CALI obviously don't know why they live there since they are bashing there own state or maybe it's that they don't want anyone moving there and they're tired of people who think that CALI is paradise. I know CALI isn't paradise, I don't want to move there because of the celebrities or what you see on tv, I want to move there because I've researched many places, on many websites, and CALI came out as a good fit. We like being outdoors all year round, we don't like this awful cold weather and we like culture and diversity. Which we have none of right now, and although a lot of people think a small town with almost all people of one race is paradise I want my son to see and be part of the real world not hide him from it. I know I am a mother, and a great one at that, but I guess you felt like you needed to remind me just because my family wants to move. My son is my first priority, but he'll be fine no matter where we go as long as he has his parents love and support. I don't have any family or friends that I am close to here or otherwise I might not move, but you wouldn't know that would you, I guess people like to make assumptions,of course I'm not suprised since that's the way a lot of people are. I am not shacking up with a man nor do i need to marry him for my son's sake, those are your rules,not mine. I've been happily with the same man, the father of my child for 12 years, longer then most of your marriages. If I don't write in complete sentences it's not because I can't but because I want to make it short and quick, I have things to do and I thought most adults would understand. Oh and maybe I shouldn't call it CALI maybe I should call it californinia, thanks for the grammar lesson alwayssmiling.

[coyoteskye]

Originally Posted by andreita30

Well I came on this forum hoping that families from California would help me narrow down my chosen areas,to the people who were helpful,thank you. Now to the rest of you,why people who don't live in CALI would answer I have no idea except to think that they are jealous that there state isn't somewhere many people want to go and they are tired of hearing about people wanting to move to CALI.The people who do live in CALI obviously don't know why they live there since they are bashing there own state or maybe it's that they don't want anyone moving there and they're tired of people who think that CALI is paradise. I know CALI isn't paradise, I don't want to move there because of the celebrities or what you see on tv, I want to move there because I've researched many places, on many websites, and CALI came out as a good fit. We like being outdoors all year round, we don't like this awful cold weather and we like culture and diversity. Which we have none of right now, and although a lot of people think a small town with almost all people of one race is paradise I want my son to see and be part of the real world not hide him from it. I know I am a mother, and a great one at that, but I guess you felt like you needed to remind me just because my family wants to move. My son is my first priority, but he'll be fine no matter where we go as long as he has his parents love and support. I don't have any family or friends that I am close to here or otherwise I might not move, but you wouldn't know that would you, I guess people like to make assumptions,of course I'm not suprised since that's the way a lot of people are. I am not shacking up with a man nor do i need to marry him for my son's sake, those are your rules,not mine. I've been happily with the same man, the father of my child for 12 years, longer then most of your marriages. If I don't write in complete sentences it's not because I can't but because I want to make it short and quick, I have things to do and I thought most adults would understand.

You've had some helpful posts and some sarcastic and negative ones.
I recommended the central coast and in particular the Santa Cruz area where it is less frenetic, less populated, still expensive but with areas that are do-able.
If you are hell bent on So. CA. (either the SanDiego area or the L.A. area) why, for gods sake, don't you post your inquiries on those forums where the people are more likely to live in those particular areas?
I've suggested this 3 or 4 times but you don't do it.
You seem to be stubborn about doing that and i dunno why.
I'm just trying to help.
I was your advocate and took issue with someone who told you not to move here.
I gave you a couple of links that you could explore to get a sense of what rents are like on the coast of CA.
You don't have to use Craisgslist to find a place but it is a good way to get a sense of what it costs to live in the communities that you are interested in.
Instead of fighting with people on this forum, why not post your questions up on the appropriate forum, get some answers about kid friendly and safe communities and neighborhoods and then go to Craigslist and check out the prices of rentals in those neighborhoods.
And btw, I think the most of the people who post from out of state have lived here in the past and/or were originally from California. That's my sense anyway.
I'm one who doesn't want to be ruled by the economy and wouldn't move with that as a factor but i think, especially since you have a family, people are just letting you know that it's tough here in California ... real tough economically.
It's easy to be defensive when people seem to be giving you a hard time but i'd avoid going there. It's not personal.
Calling California CALI over and over is kinda juvenile and provocative and silly and reactive.
As a Californian, for some reason (who knows why) that term is rather grating for many. It's a mystery.
Also, when you get a helpful post, it's nice to acknowledge it. There have been a few.
Anyway, good luck and try to soften that edge.
I know the northeast can do that to you but you'll wanna shed that before you relocate to the west coast.
It doesn't fly as well here. (at least up here in central and northern CA .. i dunno about down there )
But i know ... people have given you a hard time. It's not personal.
good luck and you're welcome.

[LQQKOUT]

Originally Posted by andreita30

Well I came on this forum hoping that families from California would help me narrow down my chosen areas,to the people who were helpful,thank you. Now to the rest of you,why people who don't live in CALI would answer I have no idea except to think that they are jealous that there state isn't somewhere many people want to go and they are tired of hearing about people wanting to move to CALI.The people who do live in CALI obviously don't know why they live there since they are bashing there own state or maybe it's that they don't want anyone moving there and they're tired of people who think that CALI is paradise. I know CALI isn't paradise, I don't want to move there because of the celebrities or what you see on tv, I want to move there because I've researched many places, on many websites, and CALI came out as a good fit. We like being outdoors all year round, we don't like this awful cold weather and we like culture and diversity. Which we have none of right now, and although a lot of people think a small town with almost all people of one race is paradise I want my son to see and be part of the real world not hide him from it. I know I am a mother, and a great one at that, but I guess you felt like you needed to remind me just because my family wants to move. My son is my first priority, but he'll be fine no matter where we go as long as he has his parents love and support. I don't have any family or friends that I am close to here or otherwise I might not move, but you wouldn't know that would you, I guess people like to make assumptions,of course I'm not suprised since that's the way a lot of people are. I am not shacking up with a man nor do i need to marry him for my son's sake, those are your rules,not mine. I've been happily with the same man, the father of my child for 12 years, longer then most of your marriages. If I don't write in complete sentences it's not because I can't but because I want to make it short and quick, I have things to do and I thought most adults would understand. Oh and maybe I shouldn't call it CALI maybe I should call it californinia, thanks for the grammar lesson alwayssmiling.

I am from CALFORNIA lived there for 20 years and visit there often. You came here asking questions. If you don't like our answer then that is fine. Take it with a grain of salt. Go to California and see for yourself.
If your like the outdoors, go to Colorado. You'll have the winters there but nothing like where your at now.

[coyoteskye]

Here ... my mistake. Below is the post i was referring to.
I posted this reply to someone else who was wondering about coastal ca.
I just gave you a link to the Santa Cruz area in a previous reply but here is the one i thought i gave you.
I listed all the coastal communities in California with a link to CA Craigslist so you can get a sense of the cost of living here particularly regarding rental prices.

The coast of California is expensive until you get quite a bit north and that doesn't seem to be what you're wanting.
I live in Santa Cruz and i love it here and it may or may not suit you.
If you want to live alone you'll be paying anywhere between $800 - $1200 (or more) a month and that often doesn't include utilities.
Here is a link to Craiglist in Santa Cruz so you can get an idea of rental prices.

craigslist: santa cruz classifieds for jobs, apartments, personals, for sale, services, community, and events

And here is a link to Craigslist California and i've listed the coastal counties so you can get an idea of what housing costs if you want to live by the ocean. (That's where you'll experience the expense of CA ... housing [in your case, rentals] and gas!)

craigslist: california classifieds for jobs, apartments, personals, for sale, services, community, and events

Coastal Counties (SF bay area on Craigslist includes Marin county i think)

SF bay area
Humboldt county
Los Angeles
Mendicino county
Monterey bay
Orange county
San diego
San luis obispo
Santa barbara
Ventura county

[nmnita]

why do some of us who do not live there reply? Because we have lived there. I was raised there, lived there (all over the state) more years than you have been on this earth I would guess.

I know you came here asking about where to live but you also mentioned you were a little scared so some of us tried to say, you should be. You didn't want to hear that. So, maybe you would rather here, you can find the very best schools for your son and your boyfriend can get hired the day he comes to California, will make $40 an hour and there are all kinds of rentals for $1500 a month in the best schools?

I know it is hard to accept reality, but facts are facts: they job market is awful in California, the state has lots of construction jobs being given to those other than union workers, housing including rentals are very pricey and those that are not certainly will not be in the good school districts.

Now if you are still bound and determined to make the move and want to get settled before school starts you had better get moving.

Are you both driving cars, have you thought about spending the $2000 or so to come to California before you make a final decision>? Do you realize you will need 2 or 3K just for deposits on a rental and unitilities? Have you considered the insurance on your cars and the registration that you will have to do within 30 days of moving?

If you can answer yes to all these things, think about living closer to the middle of the state, forget L.A. and San Diego for awhile and yes, please do not call it Cali. This is just something people from California do not do. Write CA, CAlif or spell it out with caps for the C, not lower case.
I am sure everyone wishes you good luck, lots of people want to move to California, it has a lot to offer, but when there are families involved it is a little more complicated.

Anyway again, good luck, you will need it.

Nita

[BeautifulSong]

Why in the world would you want to move to SoCal? Warning if you do NOT have a guaranteed JOB signed that you have jobs, you will not find work except in fast food or Walmart type service jobs and those are hard to get. We are in a SEVERE drought: water shortage is terrible and starting to ration more in most cities. My husband was union for 35 years in sanitary can manufacturing: most of those companies went south of the border so his company closed in 1998. Construction jobs are non existant our sons have been looking and out of work for over two years now. The rent rates are horrid and sky high and housing is difficult. The San Gabriel Valley is a nice valley about 31 miles from the ocean but most up against the foothills. There are still quite a few cities that have a small town feel and great schools: Sierra Madre, Monrovia, Duarte, Azusa, La Verne, San Dimas, Rancho Cucamunga, etc. Farther north of LA Oxnard is a nice area. Orange County is nice area too.
The State is in the worst financial shape ever; State services are being cut just now. Again, if you think you can deal with wall to wall people from San Diego to San Francisco then you won't mind. There are hardly any open spaces here. IT's too crowded; people are too aggressive and rude. Anyway, if you think you can live for about 9 to 12 months with limited income and pay over $1200 for a two bedroom apartment, then by all means come join the crowd. If I was you, I'd look for a nicer place to raise my family. I've lived here for 51 years and we're trying to get out. Have fun looking.