Should I move to California?

[hatgirl007]

In this economy lining up a job before you go is really necessary. In California unemployment is rising and so is the state tax to compensate for the state's problems.

I grew up in southern california and while there are pretentious hollywood types everywhere there are a lot of genuine people there. We love being active, walking on the beach, bike riding, going to festivals, and wine tasting while viewing vineyards. It's a quality of life that is different and I think if that's you, you will really enjoy it.

My co-worker just visited for a few days and she loves it. She wants to move. She loved the experience and loves the place. She had a lot of fun and enjoyed the vibe.

Visit before you go anywhere. One thing I will say. Because some people can be so "hollywood', some people will love you for who you are (not what they are trying to get out of you). I suggest you take a week and do things like the locals do and see if you like it or not. Go on a few interviews. One thing I will tell you..........I have never NEEDED a hook up to get a job. If you are qualified, can do the job, interview well, and have good references the job is yours. You don't have to graduate from a CA school. Everyone is a transplant trying to make their big break happen. Your friends will be from everywhere and no one cares because they either like you or they don't.

[drshang]

I agree with uptown_urbanist. Before we moved to California many friends would constantly discuss the positive aspects of the Bay Area and how much better it was than Los Angeles. We visited both areas and just liked LA better - I always thought SF & the Bay Area were more "uppity" than the LA area. Outside of that pocket between Santa Monica and Beverly Hills, I never really thought LA was snobby or that materialistic. LA tends to have more classic amounts of materialism like "people drive nice cars" that is easily noticable. But in SF there is a very strong sense of culture of a lot of the things uptown_urbanist said. There is a much stronger sense that you should behave a certain way or have certain political beliefs in SF than in LA. In general I think people in LA don't care as much about key things like, what you do for a living, where you live, where you come from, if you're liberal, conservative, religious, etc. SF seems to have a much more unified type of culture. They are both nice areas but I think LA's materialism factor is way overstated.

[Sunnnee]

I can't really speak for Los Angeles and Orange County. I am in the Bay Area and from an earlier post, its more about what degree do you have and what company are you working for. I can't say you won't pass someone who is snobby, but I would assume you would get that from someone in more affluent areas of California.

Honestly, you just better have some cash to even live here. Its very expensive and with the economy the way it is...rents are high and jobs that just don't pay like they use to. A "skill" don't mean much without a degree anymore and the local colleges are evident of that with packed classrooms.

[kareem osama]

hello.. I am happy to identify to you
Iam a student in the faculty of science-cairo university
Iwant to ask you If I can continue learning in california .....
............. Thanks ............