Moving from Cleveland, OH to Los Angeles/OC area - questions/help... please (Long Beach: car insurance, how much)

[JTJC]

Hearing that makes me feel a little more at ease. Scheduling the first trip out right now. Looking at early May for a few days to scope out some apartments, and get acquainted with my new office/building! They're flying both my g/f and I out. Hotel and car rental included.

[clintoncountry]

Everyone is right on this issue. I make 60..000 a year and usu. have a second job. For 44 , u DEFINITELY need a 2nd job. Life is tough on 60, u can pay rent in an awful place for cheap and worry everyday or pay a lot to live in Santa Monica and Brentwood and not afford healthy food or have any fun. I would move to Cleveland if they had nice weather there. the riasae is not worth the move unless your gf gets ajobs ASAP.

[JTJC]

Yeah, Im going to try to get another job once I'm out there. I know my position commands more than $44k. With my experience, and based on numerous other job postings in the area, I should be able to make $60k. Im not counting on finding another job, but I am trying. We don't have any bills except car payments, which aren't too bad. I've over estimated the bills on purpose, and we are heading out with a good savings to rely on. Like I said, I know it'll be rough, but it may be a great opportunity. If not, I have no shame if we should need to return home with my tail tucked between my legs. I'd rather regret moving than staying put and not trying.

If she happens to get a job with in the first 3 months, I'm confident we will be okay.

Ive heard nothing bad about the Belmont Shore area, and I've found studios and 1 br apts for $1000.00. If I can get a place for $1000, I'm pretty sure we will be ok. I expect no vacations etc for the first year or two (should we stay). I also expect, coming from Ohio, that I'll be okay with that. A beach and some sunshine should tide us over until we are established.

[nurserosie]

Originally Posted by JTJC

Yeah, Im going to try to get another job once I'm out there. I know my position commands more than $44k. With my experience, and based on numerous other job postings in the area, I should be able to make $60k. Im not counting on finding another job, but I am trying. We don't have any bills except car payments, which aren't too bad. I've over estimated the bills on purpose, and we are heading out with a good savings to rely on. Like I said, I know it'll be rough, but it may be a great opportunity. If not, I have no shame if we should need to return home with my tail tucked between my legs. I'd rather regret moving than staying put and not trying.

If she happens to get a job with in the first 3 months, I'm confident we will be okay.

Ive heard nothing bad about the Belmont Shore area, and I've found studios and 1 br apts for $1000.00. If I can get a place for $1000, I'm pretty sure we will be ok. I expect no vacations etc for the first year or two (should we stay). I also expect, coming from Ohio, that I'll be okay with that. A beach and some sunshine should tide us over until we are established.

HI JT...any news about her health issues ...have you learned anything more about MediCal eligibility?? that likely will determine how much she can earn and still be eligible..many many are not eligible..

better maybe to become domestic partners and get her on your employer coverage..yes you will have to pay..but private insurance is always better than MediCal...believe me

good luck..

[Clemcat]

Belmont Shore (Long Beach) is a great area. We live in Huntington Beach and travel over to Belmont Shore from time to time. Nice downtown area, great pizza place and my favorite cupcake place - very family friendly and safe. I left Sheffield Village, OH 27 years ago and never looked back. I have not been in CA all that time, have been here 15 years. I have no doubt you will think it is great here, especially coming from Cleveland, OH. Good Luck!

[JTJC]

Clemcat - GREAT hearing that Thank you.
My g/f and I are headed out tomorrow (Tuesday) for our first go-round at looking for apartments, and me getting acclimated to my new offices/work environment. This should be interesting. I'm excited, but pretty nervous. Crossing my fingers this all works out. Thanks everyone again for the help. I'll update when i'm out there, or back... or both

[JTJC]

Hey everyone, long time no update

Here we go... We leave this Saturday for the drive from Ohio to California.
I've been out there 3 times, for a week each, with my other half. We both loved it.

We found a nice one bedroom in the Belmont Shore area of Long Beach. We're basically between Ocean and 2nd right by Rosie's Dog Park. My commute to work (Carson) is anywhere from 20 minutes to 30 minutes - which is about 15 minutes SHORTER than it is here in Cleveland. I've driven both to and from work from our area, on both highway and side roads. It's not a bad commute at all. We've visited friends up in LA, and though it looks like it'll be fun to hang out there on a weekend or two here and there, I'm much more fond of the Belmont Shore area. Cozier, more laid back, and safer (emphasis on the safer). We looked in Torrance, Downtown Long Beach, Redondo, and few other areas, but Belmont felt more of a natural area. Seems very dog friendly and i'm sure our dog will appreciate the choice.

We're in a one b/r duplex/house and it's actually quite roomy - it's actually a tad bigger than our current place. Rent is under $1100 - which I was aiming for $1200 - so I'm happy.

We leave this Saturday 6/25 in the early AM, and will be driving so we arrive in Phonix, AZ on Monday 6/27 in the PM for a stay at my parents house. Then we'll be in Long Beach on the 28th in late afternoon to get our keys.

My GF ended up being able to KEEP HER JOB where she's at for a minimum of 6 months working via remote access - which RULES. We'll have a savings of $6,000.00 AFTER all moving expenses. So, we'll not tap into that UNLESS we need it. With my income, and her earning for at least 6 months - we should be a-okay. She will be looking for a job though once in the area, just because she doesn't want to work from home permanently. She'd like to meet some people and avoid becoming a hermit.
Surprisingly she's had a handful of call backs on resume submissions from Monster, so it doesn't seem the job market is as bad as we initially thought. I think this is due to us being a decent distance away from Los Angeles - though I could be completely wrong.

We're about 5 minutes to Seal Beach, which is another area I like. She used to visit there when she was a kid.

Our belongings have been picked up by movers and are on the way now.

It seems as though I panicked too much at first, but it actually kind of helped it along - being cautious.

I'll check in once I'm there and give periodic updates on how the experience is going... stay tuned and let me know anything awesome that we should know about in the area

Thank you all again for your help... and listening to my ramblings

[robbybee]

Nice to hear! I really like Belmont Shore. I would have to say that you played it right! Congrats and good luck.

[pacific2]

Have to admire your planning, hard work and perseverance. That will take you far, and the best is yet to come in Southern California. It’s not the land of milk and honey, but it’s great not having to deal with snow.

Good luck to you both.

[rosemarie87]

I recommend Chino Hills, Also the San Gabriel Valley. Rowland Heights, Pasadena area, Monrovia, West Covina, Arcadia, San Dimas, La Verne