Moving from Maine to California (live, best, cost, better) - City-Data Forum

ryan_jen_wilson · 10-20-2011, 06:31 PM

My husband and I, along with our 3 year old son, 5 year old daughter, and dog, are looking to relocate to California from Maine in summer of 2012. We need advice on where to go. I am originally from Southern California (lived in Whittier, Hacienda Heights, Inland Empire, and OC) and want to get back to better weather and closer to family. I am leaning toward San Diego or Santa Clarita (where I have some relatives). I was not fond of the previous places I lived so I was looking for something new. We also have a tattoo shop here and are looking to start one in CA. I need advice on places that would be safe, with good schools, somewhat reasonable rents (I know how expensive it is out west). I would also want a place where we would "fit" and a business such as a tattoo shop would do well, i.e. artsy, liberal, modified people would be best. My husband is the tattoo artist and I do piercings. However, I have my degree in Media Studies (photojournalism) and have 4 years experience doing bookkeeping and would be fine doing that for a while. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

philynyallday · 10-21-2011, 05:31 PM

Bring a job with you, because there is an 11.9% unemployment rate.

ryan_jen_wilson · 11-02-2011, 09:40 PM

Does no one at all have actual useful information? I understand the unemployment rate is high, which is the reason I want to narrow down on an area so I can get a job before hand. Again, I will also add that we plan to open a business. Also, the unemployment rate is high here (and everywhere) and would be higher here but people run out of benefits and the rate drops. There are no jobs here and it isn't just recently!

Lifeshadower · 11-02-2011, 09:53 PM

You should re-ask in the California forum, but I can be of some assistance.

How much are you planning to spend on housing?
Are you planning to send your kid to the local schools?
How far are you willing to commute before your business starts up?

If you're planning to live in Santa Clarita, it's actually in a great location being adjacent to the SFV but without the hassles of being part of the City of LA, but the commute will be a pain.

San Diego is a stand-alone city, but depending on your industry, it could be hit or miss.

Good luck!

415_s2k · 11-02-2011, 09:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ryan_jen_wilson

Does no one at all have actual useful information? I understand the unemployment rate is high, which is the reason I want to narrow down on an area so I can get a job before hand. Again, I will also add that we plan to open a business. Also, the unemployment rate is high here (and everywhere) and would be higher here but people run out of benefits and the rate drops. There are no jobs here and it isn't just recently!

Don't pay attention to him. He has no useful or helpful input about CA.

Santa Clarita is a nice, quiet suburb in the high desert (I have a friend with a house out there and visit often). It's sleepy, and while the big box stores and national chains have a more visible presence, there are definitely locally-owned restaurants, shops, etc. there that do well enough that their owners can support themselves.

As far as a tattoo shop goes... tattoos are about as mainstream in Socal as anything else. There are tons of people all over the region who get tattoos, and the Valley on out towards Riverside probably has an even higher proportion of this. You guys already know what goes into the business, have a portfolio, and I imagine will retain at least some of the equipment, so I think you'll be fine. Rents in that area - both for businesses and for homes - are lower than LA proper.

You'll definitely want to make sure you get a store somewhere on a main road, probably in a strip mall.

I don't know as much about the San Diego area in terms of constructive knowledge about businesses, but have visited a lot and it's certainly nice. I don't imagine you'd have an issue finding clientele.

Have you thought about Long Beach?

ryan_jen_wilson · 11-02-2011, 10:22 PM

Thanks for the replies. I have been planning on around $2000/month on a place Sadly that is not much more than I pay here after high heating costs, which is funny because the reason I moved to Maine was to buy a house. I am planning on sending my kids to public schools and commuting is ok. It would be ideal to be closer but we commute an hour now (it can be twice that if the snow is falling) and we have a Prius.

I haven't thought about Long Beach as I don't know much about the area. I only ever went there to go to Rocky Horror and the area didn't seem that nice but it was at midnight on Saturday.

I think I was leaning toward Santa Clarita because it is close to family and San Diego because I used to go there when I lived in OC but am def open to other areas.

I will also try to re-post in the California forum but am grateful for any help!