Australian relocating to CA (San Diego: sales, apartments, rent)

[LukeFurse]

G'day (had to do it! lol)

I am a 23 year old single Australian male who will be relocating to the great state of California from Adelaide, Australia in April/May 09
Initially i will be settling in San Diego with family until i get my feet on the ground, another 22 year old male will be relocating with me after he completes his studies at the end of 09.
Basically i ask if you were a 23 year old single aussie male where would you go in terms of Job prosperity, Affordable living, Clean living conditions, Girls, Music, Fun & everything a young adult seeks...

I know when i get there i will feel things out and make decisions, but it would be great to have some ammo as to where i should check out prior to heading across

thank you,

Luke

[Charles]

Originally Posted by LukeFurse

if you were a 23 year old single aussie male where would you go in terms of Job prosperity, Affordable living, Clean living conditions, Girls, Music, Fun & everything a young adult seeks..

What line of work are you in?

What do you expect your housing budget to be?

[LukeFurse]

Originally Posted by Charles

What line of work are you in?

What do you expect your housing budget to be?

I have been a sales rep for a large Steel Company in Australia for 4 years, before that i was fixing gyprock (dry-wall i think you may know it as) and have been in the residential building trade since i was 16...
I am studying Health Sciences at the moment but will be putting that on hold...

I pay $310AUD ($201.52USD) rent per week for a 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom home in the suburbs of Adelaide at the moment on a wage of $690AUD ($448.54USD) per week.

Basically it depends on average wages paid, our dollar doesn't hold up too well to the USD and it i am a little clueless on what is and what isn't affordable at the moment..

e.g: i see apartments in CA for $1900USD per month, That is nearly $3000 per month here, and if you are paying that much here you are living in absolute luxury. I guess at the moment i am a little naive

[majoun]

Originally Posted by LukeFurse

I have been a sales rep for a large Steel Company in Australia for 4 years, before that i was fixing gyprock (dry-wall i think you may know it as) and have been in the residential building trade since i was 16...
I am studying Health Sciences at the moment but will be putting that on hold...

I pay $310AUD ($201.52USD) rent per week for a 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom home in the suburbs of Adelaide at the moment on a wage of $690AUD ($448.54USD) per week.

Basically it depends on average wages paid, our dollar doesn't hold up too well to the USD and it i am a little clueless on what is and what isn't affordable at the moment..

e.g: i see apartments in CA for $1900USD per month, That is nearly $3000 per month here, and if you are paying that much here you are living in absolute luxury. I guess at the moment i am a little naive

The only Australian city which has a cost of living equivalent to that of L.A. is Sydney. Think of what rents are like there and you'll have somewhat of an idea of how much it costs to live in L.A.

[katenik]

you should expect to pay $900-1200 for your share of the rent for a 2BR apartment in an area that would be appealing to someone in your situation. that will get you about 700-800 square feet of living space, with one or two bathrooms, and (if you're lucky) off-street parking in a secured access building. you will not be living in luxury.

don't count on finding work in the building trades, as those jobs generally go to illegal immigrants who are willing to work for much less than you would need to make to afford living here. if your health sciences studies would prepare you to become certified as a nurse, i would reconsider putting it on hold. we have a shortage of nurses (and other healthcare professionals), and since it isn't a job that anyone with two hands and a strong back can perform, it still pays quite well.

[Winston Smith]

Originally Posted by LukeFurse

I have been a sales rep for a large Steel Company in Australia for 4 years, before that i was fixing gyprock (dry-wall i think you may know it as) and have been in the residential building trade since i was 16...
I am studying Health Sciences at the moment but will be putting that on hold...

I pay $310AUD ($201.52USD) rent per week for a 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom home in the suburbs of Adelaide at the moment on a wage of $690AUD ($448.54USD) per week.

Were I you and considering a move to L.A., I'd let the building trades line of work go away and focus on getting a sales job while continuing the education track in Health Sciences. Southern CA is expensive and $2,000/mo. or less gross income is not a lot. It might be a start if you share an apartment, but you will have to plan on a way to increase your income if you want any kind of a life beyond a "paycheck-to-rent" existence in the long run. Best of luck to you.