I visited the Thousand Oaks, Santa Barbara, and LA area (Los Angeles: apartment, renting)

[trablus]

Hello everyone:

I have asked this question before, and I am currently in the LA area looking around and scoping out the area.

I have been offered a job thankfully for $70,000 plus $4,800 in health benefits. I was looking at the Camarillo, Westlake, TO, Moorpark, and other areas and really liked what I saw.

LA is very metropolitan, and enjoyed the feel, and it really is not far from the Thousand Oaks area.

I currently live in Dallas, Texas and am managing well at $60K.

Will I survive if renting a 2 bd room, possibly at 1400 to 2000 a month?

I will then have Cali state income tax, utilities, gas, insurance, etc. to add on top of my other expenses.

The great thing is that from what I have heard in TO and in the overall LA area the need for A/C is not much.

It seems like a tough sell, but the quality of life is very enticing in Thousand Oaks and LA area.

What do you think?

Thanks,

Trablus

[EscapeCalifornia]

Remember that $60k in Dallas is about $120k in SoCal.

Sure you can survive on $60k renting an apartment, but what's the next step? Will that $70k soon turn into $100k+?

The need for AC here is nothing like Dallas, but it still gets hot for a good 3 months and our electricity rates are high. I spent $100 last month on electricity for a 2 bedroom apartment running the AC in the afternoons maybe 4x a week and its a lot cooler where I am than Thousand Oaks. I'd hate to try to cool an entire house.

Thousand Oaks maybe be geographically close to LA but have fun making that drive during the 1/2 of the day known as rush hour.

[Charles]

Originally Posted by trablus

Hello everyone:

I have asked this question before, and I am currently in the LA area looking around and scoping out the area.

I have been offered a job thankfully for $70,000 plus $4,800 in health benefits. I was looking at the Camarillo, Westlake, TO, Moorpark, and other areas and really liked what I saw.

LA is very metropolitan, and enjoyed the feel, and it really is not far from the Thousand Oaks area.

I currently live in Dallas, Texas and am managing well at $60K.

Will I survive if renting a 2 bd room, possibly at 1400 to 2000 a month?

I will then have Cali state income tax, utilities, gas, insurance, etc. to add on top of my other expenses.

The great thing is that from what I have heard in TO and in the overall LA area the need for A/C is not much.

It seems like a tough sell, but the quality of life is very enticing in Thousand Oaks and LA area.

What do you think?

Thanks,

Trablus

Your numbers don't sound that bad, $2K/month.

Your drive could be bad depending on where in LA and what time you commute - Technically, Woodland Hills is Los Angeles; Is that where the job is? Where is the job?

Also, realize TO, Camarillo, Moorpark are very suitable for the family demographic but for singles (not sure what your situation is) it could be boring.

[trablus]

Originally Posted by Charles

Your numbers don't sound that bad, $2K/month.

Your drive could be bad depending on where in LA and what time you commute - Technically, Woodland Hills is Los Angeles; Is that where the job is? Where is the job?

Also, realize TO, Camarillo, Moorpark are very suitable for the family demographic but for singles (not sure what your situation is) it could be boring.

Dear Charles:

(1) Thank you for your reply. I figure that a budget of $2000 or less is doable in the area. A condo or apartment is possible at that rate.

(2) My job would be in TO, and I hope to live in the area.

(3) My wife would also need to take classes in the evening at the local college, which I believe the closest would be Moorpark College, and the closest public universities would be CSU Channel Islands, Cal Northridge, any others?

(4) As a single family the area is a great match, and although it can be boring, LA and other attractions are too far away.

[Charles]

Originally Posted by trablus

Dear Charles:

(1) Thank you for your reply. I figure that a budget of $2000 or less is doable in the area. A condo or apartment is possible at that rate.

(2) My job would be in TO, and I hope to live in the area.

(3) My wife would also need to take classes in the evening at the local college, which I believe the closest would be Moorpark College, and the closest public universities would be CSU Channel Islands, Cal Northridge, any others?

(4) As a single family the area is a great match, and although it can be boring, LA and other attractions are too far away.

More clear now.

Sounds like you'll be fine.

Moorpark College is great. There is also Pierce College near Victory and Winnetka.

There is also California Lutheran University in TO too.

UCSB has a satellite campus in Ventura for Comp Sci and Computer Engineering.

[BRinSM]

if you end up in TO or nearby, you will definitely be using your a/c during the summer. it is not uncommon for temps in that area to push 100 degrees. other than that, you should be fine, the beach is less than 30 minutes away.

[KnoxTown]

As far as utilities go, my bill was 18.00 bucks last month.

[EscapeCalifornia]

Originally Posted by KnoxTown

As far as utilities go, my bill was 18.00 bucks last month.

How do you have a bill that low unless you're never home and don't own a refrigerator.

[KnoxTown]

Originally Posted by EscapeCalifornia

How do you have a bill that low unless you're never home and don't own a refrigerator.

Resourceful? All my lights are low wattage GE bulbs. I never have more then 1 room with lights left on. No AC usage; open windows and fans. Quick showers. And yea, I have a fridge.

[trablus]

Originally Posted by Charles

Your numbers don't sound that bad, $2K/month.

Your drive could be bad depending on where in LA and what time you commute - Technically, Woodland Hills is Los Angeles; Is that where the job is? Where is the job?

Also, realize TO, Camarillo, Moorpark are very suitable for the family demographic but for singles (not sure what your situation is) it could be boring.

Originally Posted by BRinSM

if you end up in TO or nearby, you will definitely be using your a/c during the summer. it is not uncommon for temps in that area to push 100 degrees. other than that, you should be fine, the beach is less than 30 minutes away.

Good thing the beach is 30 minutes away to bring a nice breeze every once in awhile. Dallas is just so hot and boring, and just plain dull.

Ventura beaches are nice, but Leo Carillo is pretty nice as well.

Again the only downside for the move is putting down so much money for housing it is a big step.

Thanks,

Trablus