Basic Concerns for CA Move~Need some real-life thoughts (Los Angeles: apartment, for rent)

[fmadsen26]

Boyfriend = Chef, Me + MA Degree and One Year of work experience in contracting/private construction management.

We're not sure if we're just dreaming of it it might be possible to make it. After several years in dreary VA and cold Colorado, we are desperately trying to decide where to settle down. What to do!

~ Is the job market actually hiring in northern california? even as a waitress or part-time helper?

~ Can you really survive off $12/hour? If not, are there opportunities for higher wages?

~Do you really have to expect a long commute for renting around $1000 anywhere in Northern CA?

~How long with $8000 savings last - utility averages expenses/food costs/gas, etc. I can't find clear-cut answers to how much these things are..

~Is there still a high influx of unemployed people moving to the area?

~Are people leaving because its so expensive?

~What exactly IS so expensive in CA that the rest of the country hears about all the time??

Thanks for your help and input... !!!

[Charles]

Originally Posted by fmadsen26

We're not sure if we're just dreaming

Sisters In The Brotherhood: Thousands line up for Construction Industry stadium jobs -California

California: Thousands of unemployed workers line up at San Diego jobs fair

2,000 Line Up to Apply for 250 Wal-Mart Jobs; Bleak Economy Blamed : Oxnard: Applications will be taken through Friday. Employment workers say turnout shows a lowering of standards for wages. - Los Angeles Times

In Oakland, Thousands Apply for Wal-Mart Jobs : NPR

Hundreds line up for Inland Empire job fair | L.A. NOW | Los Angeles Times

Hundreds apply for a few seasonal jobs on Calif. fire crew

[fmadsen26]

Yes, thank you.. Job Opportunities = Bad.

That was great research, very quick. Are you just searching Google? I need to know about Northern California specifically... should have put that in the initial post.

I know job are hard to find... indirectly of course I have done some research. But...what about everything else?

I've been searching for over a year in VA and can't get a hit on a decent job. The same when I was in CO - too much education and not enough experience.

Thanks for the reply.

[humboldtrat]

Originally Posted by fmadsen26

I need to know about Northern California specifically

Northern California is a big place. Will you live in a big city or out in the boonies? Near the coast, inland or in the mountains? Please be more specific.

[jbunniii]

Originally Posted by Charles

2,000 Line Up to Apply for 250 Wal-Mart Jobs; Bleak Economy Blamed : Oxnard: Applications will be taken through Friday. Employment workers say turnout shows a lowering of standards for wages. - Los Angeles Times

Ha, that one is from 1993, which serves as a great reminder that the boom-bust cycle is nothing new in California.

[Charles]

Originally Posted by jbunniii

Ha, that one is from 1993, which serves as a great reminder that the boom-bust cycle is nothing new in California.

Whoops...I saw a link to a very similar story, but recently, on another CD thread and I thought this was it.

[LadyKLO]

My friend has the same degree but she has been out of work for months here in Ventura County....$8,000 will not last long at all..you could blow that in less than 3 to 4 months.

[Clarks]

Northern California is larger than most states, and much much less populated, you need to be more specific as to where you want to be

[Pushing60]

As others have mentioned Northern CA is a very large area. Do you have someplace specific in mind?

The further north you go the cheaper it will be to find an apartment and such. But at the same the there will be fewer jobs to be found.

I think I would narrow my search just a bit so that instead of saying northern CA you say maybe Sonoma county, or the Sacramento area or Humboldt County, or something along those lines.

When you speak of northern Ca you are talking Marin which is rather expensive but you could commute to SF for work. Or you could be talking about Humboldt county which is pretty reasonable cost wise to live but few jobs and no place to commute. Then again you might be looking at Sacramento which has some reasonable places to live and possibly some jobs (note the possibly!)

[fmadsen26]

Sorry, yes...northern california is big, I understand that. I mean the sonoma/napa area or livermoor, san fran... those areas that people typically move to. Maybe not livermoor, but I was curious about this one.