Moving from Chester, VA to San Diego, CA... Ideas? (Richmond: apartment, loft)

[DMXPrime]

I am ready to get out of VA. I want to go to the west for a big change. I've lived on the east coast all my life. I'm 27 and Single with no bills or anything tying me down. I figure if I really want to move, now would be the best time. I really want to make my move near/by the end of '08. I've been looking around for jobs, best areas in San Diego to live in, coast of living, ect... What advice can you give me and ideas for planning I should take?

[kettlepot]

My Advice: Read more of the threads, define what you want, tell us what you can afford, and then ask specific questions.

[jksouthbay88]

Originally Posted by kettlepot

My Advice: Read more of the threads, define what you want, tell us what you can afford, and then ask specific questions.

Def good advice.A lot of our threads have just about every answer you can think of if your moving here.

[DMXPrime]

I definitely did that. I read previous threads and also looked at web sites that do polls and compile data about cities around the U.S. which include cost of living, job opportunities, activities, age ranges, etc. and what makes them one of the best places to live. I guess the reason why I decided to ask was some of the threads come from the perspective of a parent or from someone that had a bad experience or needs a lot of space or land or whatever. I have a little one-bedroom loft apartment (about 600-650 sqft) that I pay about 825 a month for. And it's in Petersburg, one of the worse areas near Richmond, VA. Then the thing about the expense. Is it expensive to some because the job they have or how they live or what? To me anywhere you move without having a good job or a good budget to fallow will be expensive. Especially in a half decent or better city. Of course I've looked at other cities on the west like Seattle or Portland but I just think Cali is the better choice for some like me that's easy going, single, young, versitle and white-coller wanting a drastic change in scenery/life with nothing holding me back. What do you think and how do you think I should go about getting a job?....I also read that if someone has set thier minds on something it's hard to sway them from thier decision. That's not the case for me so don't hold back on any feedback.