Single Mom of 1 Considering the Move from CT to LA, OC or SD (Los Angeles: fit in, apartment) - Orange County - California (CA) - City-Data Forum

Jesangel76 · 09-24-2018, 04:38 PM

Hey there! I'm a single mom, born and raised in Connecticut with an 11-year old son who has mild ADHD and I'm seriously thinking of finally make that move to Cali. It's something I've wanted to do since I was a teen and now that I'm in my 40s (early 40s!), it has now become a bucket list thing! I just want to give it a year and if it doesn't work out, then I can always come back to good ole' CT.

Why you might ask? Why the hell not?! It's CA for God's sake

I lived there for a few months with my sister when I was 19 and ever since then I decided that one day I would live there. Seriously, you can't beat the weather, the vibe is so chill, farmer's markets all year round, best foods - especially Mexican! Miles of beautiful beaches and there's definitely a strong health and self improvement vibe (yoga, mediation, etc...). Although I love CT, I need some time away from the hustle and bustle of the northeast, snow storms and quite honestly I could use a change and a break from my crazy family! lol

My son comes first and my fear is that he winds up at a school where he won't fit in and doesn't get the services he needs. So, considering his mild condition, what would you recommend as the best school system in LA county, OC and/or San Diego? Also, I am a working professional that does consulting work currently earning a $130K+ income; I'd prefer to live in a safe and family-oriented area where diversity is welcomed (we're Puerto Rican) and the rent for a 2BD apartment won't break the bank. And my bank would much rather not go over $2K-$2,500 a month.

Any insight would be greatly appreciated! Brutal (but respectful) honesty is welcomed too! Thank you much!

spoonman1 · 09-24-2018, 04:56 PM

If you have a steady income of ~$130k, you should be fine renting (assuming you don't have lot of debt). Good for you for chasing your dream. Just be warned, SoCal is full of hustle and bustle. Sure, the beach is "chill" but people have to work HARD to live here and there is a lot of competitiveness and traffic, etc that comes along with that. There are ~20 million people spread over LA, OC, SD, and IE. The weather and scenery are better, but it many ways SoCal is no longer the escape it once was.

expatCA · 09-24-2018, 07:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spoonman1

If you have a steady income of ~$130k, you should be fine renting (assuming you don't have lot of debt). Good for you for chasing your dream. Just be warned, SoCal is full of hustle and bustle. Sure, the beach is "chill" but people have to work HARD to live here and there is a lot of competitiveness and traffic, etc that comes along with that. There are ~20 million people spread over LA, OC, SD, and IE. The weather and scenery are better, but it many ways SoCal is no longer the escape it once was.

Sad but true.

LuvSouthOC · 09-24-2018, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jesangel76

Hey there! I'm a single mom, born and raised in Connecticut with an 11-year old son who has mild ADHD and I'm seriously thinking of finally make that move to Cali. It's something I've wanted to do since I was a teen and now that I'm in my 40s (early 40s!), it has now become a bucket list thing! I just want to give it a year and if it doesn't work out, then I can always come back to good ole' CT.

Why you might ask? Why the hell not?! It's CA for God's sake

I lived there for a few months with my sister when I was 19 and ever since then I decided that one day I would live there. Seriously, you can't beat the weather, the vibe is so chill, farmer's markets all year round, best foods - especially Mexican! Miles of beautiful beaches and there's definitely a strong health and self improvement vibe (yoga, mediation, etc...). Although I love CT, I need some time away from the hustle and bustle of the northeast, snow storms and quite honestly I could use a change and a break from my crazy family! lol

My son comes first and my fear is that he winds up at a school where he won't fit in and doesn't get the services he needs. So, considering his mild condition, what would you recommend as the best school system in LA county, OC and/or San Diego? Also, I am a working professional that does consulting work currently earning a $130K+ income; I'd prefer to live in a safe and family-oriented area where diversity is welcomed (we're Puerto Rican) and the rent for a 2BD apartment won't break the bank. And my bank would much rather not go over $2K-$2,500 a month.

Any insight would be greatly appreciated! Brutal (but respectful) honesty is welcomed too! Thank you much!

To be honest, at that price range in rent you could afford to live in any of the three counties but will have to do some degree of settling on proximity to the ocean, distance from a school for your son, amenities, etc. The area we are discussing is so vast (all three counties) that it is very hard to give you specifics.

Your Puerto Rican background should not be an issue in any of these counties. I know Puerto Ricans in LA and SD counties!

I am assuming you can work at home. If that is the case, the SoCal world is your oyster as you can avoid the crippling traffic many residents in these congested locations have to deal with.

Granite60 · 09-24-2018, 08:23 PM

Wow, great for you, chasing your dream. The rent you are willing to pay won't land you near the beach that is for sure. If I were you I would make a trip to Los Angeles and San Diego and get the feel of where you want to live and phone some realtors in the area you want to live and they will tell you about the school districts.

expatCA · 09-24-2018, 08:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jesangel76

Hey there! I'm a single mom, born and raised in Connecticut with an 11-year old son who has mild ADHD and I'm seriously thinking of finally make that move to Cali. It's something I've wanted to do since I was a teen and now that I'm in my 40s (early 40s!), it has now become a bucket list thing! I just want to give it a year and if it doesn't work out, then I can always come back to good ole' CT.

Why you might ask? Why the hell not?! It's CA for God's sake

I lived there for a few months with my sister when I was 19 and ever since then I decided that one day I would live there. Seriously, you can't beat the weather, the vibe is so chill, farmer's markets all year round, best foods - especially Mexican! Miles of beautiful beaches and there's definitely a strong health and self improvement vibe (yoga, mediation, etc...). Although I love CT, I need some time away from the hustle and bustle of the northeast, snow storms and quite honestly I could use a change and a break from my crazy family! lol

My son comes first and my fear is that he winds up at a school where he won't fit in and doesn't get the services he needs. So, considering his mild condition, what would you recommend as the best school system in LA county, OC and/or San Diego? Also, I am a working professional that does consulting work currently earning a $130K+ income; I'd prefer to live in a safe and family-oriented area where diversity is welcomed (we're Puerto Rican) and the rent for a 2BD apartment won't break the bank. And my bank would much rather not go over $2K-$2,500 a month.

Any insight would be greatly appreciated! Brutal (but respectful) honesty is welcomed too! Thank you much!

San Diego County would be your best choice to at least get fairly close to the beach.

Avalon08 · 09-25-2018, 12:10 AM

Do it, girl! It was on my bucket list too and I did it when my son was old enough to be on his own (I was 49). Requested a job transfer to our Seal Beach office and got it. Lived in Huntington Beach....felt like I was on vacation for the two years I lived there. I stupidly requested a transfer back because I missed home and I never really adjusted to the culture shock of East Coast v. West Coast. I realize now that I was fighting the differences rather than embracing them as a new adventure. So my point being, a year may not be enough to really assimilate....don't let homesickness get to you too soon.

I really have been trying to move back, but sadly, I am retired now and I don't think financially it will work out for me. Good luck with your move, if you decide to do it!

Jesangel76 · 09-25-2018, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spoonman1

If you have a steady income of ~$130k, you should be fine renting (assuming you don't have lot of debt). Good for you for chasing your dream. Just be warned, SoCal is full of hustle and bustle. Sure, the beach is "chill" but people have to work HARD to live here and there is a lot of competitiveness and traffic, etc that comes along with that. There are ~20 million people spread over LA, OC, SD, and IE. The weather and scenery are better, but it many ways SoCal is no longer the escape it once was.

Thanks!

Yes, that makes sense, which is why I'm considering OC. I'd be working from home part time, so i wouldn't be able to escape rush hour traffic in SoCal, although if I do decide to live there - I'd probably choose South Pasadena. I think...

Jesangel76 · 09-25-2018, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Avalon08

Do it, girl! It was on my bucket list too and I did it when my son was old enough to be on his own (I was 49). Requested a job transfer to our Seal Beach office and got it. Lived in Huntington Beach....felt like I was on vacation for the two years I lived there. I stupidly requested a transfer back because I missed home and I never really adjusted to the culture shock of East Coast v. West Coast. I realize now that I was fighting the differences rather than embracing them as a new adventure. So my point being, a year may not be enough to really assimilate....don't let homesickness get to you too soon.

I really have been trying to move back, but sadly, I am retired now and I don't think financially it will work out for me. Good luck with your move, if you decide to do it!

Thanks Avalone08! Yeah, I come from a big family so I know for a fact that I'll get homesick. I especially worry about my son not fitting in and how I know for a fact he'd be homesick as well. Probably more than me! But, I have to do it. If I don't, I'll regret it forever!!!! Thanks for the words of encouragement...

Jesangel76 · 09-25-2018, 11:20 AM

Thanks ExPatCA & Granite60! I don't necessarily have to live near the beach, just as long as it's safe and family oriented. I actually plan on taking a trip to OC in January with my son as he's never been there. I think I will get in touch with some realtors to get a better feel of the area(s). Thanks for the advice!