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Thanks for the response!!
Haha, my thinking before I leap is this post I thought it would be smartest to ask around before making any rash decisions, moving is just a vague new consideration at this point.
Of course, it's not just weather that's the problem (though it's big) - Japanese-related jobs are sparse around my parts and while I could probably get something in a closer city like Chicago, I would still be dealing with crap winter. As for other high-Japanese population areas, that would leave me with NYC, California or Hawaii. In fact, Hawaii is my first choice but getting there is much more expensive than getting to California, sooo...
I know as an entry-level that beggars can't be choosers, and the last time I went to CA was about 10 years ago so any image I have of it is probably just a rosey romantic vision, but... well. I don't know. I guess I'd rather have a crap beginner job in Cali than anywhere else. Minus Hawaii. And, er, minus a crap job that doesn't pay enough for me to actually live, haha.
Anyway, summary: I have this idea that it would be much easier to get an entry-level job related to my interests/field in an area with a high amount of Japanese in the population, like California or Hawaii.
Oh, and by "not knowing much about CA", I meant that I don't know much about cost-of-living in specific areas of the state - like LA vs Fresno or something, I had to look that up. Or how much on average an apartment is to rent per month. Those kinds of questions... sorry for not being pointing that out properly! I promise I'm not some derpy Nebraskan who doesn't know much
It might be a rosy, romantic version, probably is, but that doesn't mean you should not give this a shot. As much as the economy is not such that I think this is necessarily a smart move, you have a point about the Japanesse influence.
Of course I do think there are many other states that would be a better starting place. Living on the entry level pay might not concern you now, but it might when you start trying to make ends meet. I would suggest you do all you can to secure a job or at least some interviews before you make the move. Also do consider some other states.
Btw, when I moved to LA in the late '80s, I had $900, a beat-up car, and a friend who said I could sleep on his couch til I found a job and a place to live. At the end of 3 weeks, I had a job at a department store selling shoes ($6.50/hr + commission) and was sharing a 1bd apt with a UCLA student in West LA. The first few years were tough, but with hard work, a positive attitude and persistence it got a LOT better. I live in Northern California now, but I still love LA!
Btw, when I moved to LA in the late '80s, I had $900, a beat-up car, and a friend who said I could sleep on his couch til I found a job and a place to live. At the end of 3 weeks, I had a job at a department store selling shoes ($6.50/hr + commission) and was sharing a 1bd apt with a UCLA student in West LA. The first few years were tough, but with hard work, a positive attitude and persistence it got a LOT better. I live in Northern California now, but I still love LA!
Do remember, that was more than 20 years ago when Los Angeles and Ca period was very different. Today, it isn't that easy. Yes, it can be done and is daily, but if people were honest, they would admit there are more failures today than true success stories. Again, this isn't saying it can't work.
You make a good point, Nita...but my advice to nisecal is still: if you want it, go for it.
You can always find a reason not to do something - it's never easy and there's always a possibility of failure. I lived in LA for about 15 years, and I'm glad I did. There were lots of ups and downs for me, for the city and the state (the early 90s were tough)...but honestly, I don't know a place on earth that doesn't have ups and downs.
LA was home to some of the greatest, transformative experiences of my life, put me on a successful career path, gave me friends who enrich my life to this day. All my LA friends are doing great (they've had struggles too). Whenever I'm in LA now, I marvel at the changes...but it is as vibrant and multifaceted as it ever was. The slower pace of NorCal is a better fit for me at this stage of my life though.
Hi everyone, I was hoping to get a little advice. I'm 23 years old, will be graduating next week (!) from university, have spent my whole life in Nebraska... and I want out! I do love it here but I'm sick of the cold winters, and there aren't really many job opportunities related to my field (International Studies & Japanese).
The thing is, as I'm sure you all know, the economy is still craptastic and it seems to be very hard to find an entry-level job right now, particularly from one state to another. My current roommate and I are starting to consider just saving money and taking a leap of faith by moving without a job lined up, hoping that it'll make the search easier if we are already where we want to be.
Unfortunately we don't know much about CA. After some basic research it seems most 1-bedroom apartments in Southern Cali would run us around $1000 - we plan on rooming together if needed - so that would be acceptable I guess. But, the good thing is we aren't too picky and don't mind not starting out on the beach - we can work our way up to that!
Anyway, to make a long story short, what's a (relatively) cheap/inexpensive place to live in California that's still warm, and possibly would have potential entry-level job opportunities?.
(Oh, and "warm" in this case probably means... at least around 50Fish or above year-round?? preferably higher, but we're a little flexible here. and deserts are totally a-okay!)
Thanks so much in advance
All the advice urging caution is good advice.
There was a time decades ago that "California Dreaming" was quite sensible, but today it's a pipe-dream for most people thinking they can come and have a better life. I came out here from Omaha when I was about your age (I was 24), but that was 1973. I have moved back and forth a few times since (long story), but bottom line is that I have spent most of those years knowing that, with the 20-20 vision of hindsight, coming out here was a mistake that I would never repeat if I had it to do over.
Many people in the Midwest and Plains take a lot of things for granted without realizing it, as you essentially don't know what you've got until you face the stark culture change of the West coast in person.
My advice is don't come out here looking for the good life because it is more elusive than ever for most people, given today's economic and socio-cultural realities. The weather can become the least of your worries very quickly.
There was a time decades ago that "California Dreaming" was quite sensible, but today it's a pipe-dream for most people thinking they can come and have a better life. I came out here from Omaha when I was about your age (I was 24), but that was 1973. I have moved back and forth a few times since (long story), but bottom line is that I have spent most of those years knowing that, with the 20-20 vision of hindsight, coming out here was a mistake that I would never repeat if I had it to do over.
Many people in the Midwest and Plains take a lot of things for granted without realizing it, as you essentially don't know what you've got until you face the stark culture change of the West coast in person.
My advice is don't come out here looking for the good life because it is more elusive than ever for most people, given today's economic and socio-cultural realities. The weather can become the least of your worries very quickly.
Ehh, that's not always the case. I never really cared for the Midwest. If anything, I consider growing up there a mistake, but I guess that's not really something I have control over, so... Left ten years ago but took nothing for granted, and I still can't think of a single thing I miss, other than a few friends & family. But really, friends come & go...and you can make new ones. I also disagree about the weather becoming the "least of your worries." I know there are some that aren't really affected by weather but for those that are sensitive to it, weather is a HUGE factor. It's not just 1x to worry about, it's about 10x. Over here, in addition to it being pleasant all year, you don't have to worry about trying to prepare for wild temperature jumps, scraping the ice off your windshield, having to walk around in sub-freezing temps, etc, hitting a patch of ice while driving (or worrying about those around you driving hitting patches of ice) etc.
Ehh, that's not always the case. I never really cared for the Midwest. If anything, I consider growing up there a mistake, but I guess that's not really something I have control over, so... Left ten years ago but took nothing for granted, and I still can't think of a single thing I miss, other than a few friends & family. But really, friends come & go...and you can make new ones. I also disagree about the weather becoming the "least of your worries." I know there are some that aren't really affected by weather but for those that are sensitive to it, weather is a HUGE factor. It's not just 1x to worry about, it's about 10x. Over here, in addition to it being pleasant all year, you don't have to worry about trying to prepare for wild temperature jumps, scraping the ice off your windshield, having to walk around in sub-freezing temps, etc, hitting a patch of ice while driving (or worrying about those around you driving hitting patches of ice) etc.
you obviously are one of those and there are many that love living in Ca. I think that is wonderful, but I have to correct you when it comes to taking things for granted and the weather. Yes, the weather in the plains and the midwest can be anything but pleasant, but when things do not work out for you, moneywise or otherwise, the weather does become a non issue. People can not live on beautiful weather...You may have been one that was affected by the bad weather (I don't know where in the midwest you lived, midwest can cover a heck of a lot of miles and states) but most do just fine. Yes, they *****, here in NWA we border the midwest, probably closer to midwest than the south and yes, we ***** a lot, but there are so many other things to think about.
for those who move to the west coast and suddenly have to face the cost of living, maybe no job or an underpaid one, the traffic (depending on where you live) higher crime, a totally liberal life style (which isn't for everyone) suddenly there is a lot to take for granted and many do not realize it until they give it up.
Again, I am not saying a move to Ca is wrong nor that everyone who leaves any area will regret it, but you are making it sound like there is nothing to miss about the midwest and all is peachy in Ca, this isn't true for everyone.
you obviously are one of those and there are many that love living in Ca. I think that is wonderful, but I have to correct you when it comes to taking things for granted and the weather. Yes, the weather in the plains and the midwest can be anything but pleasant, but when things do not work out for you, moneywise or otherwise, the weather does become a non issue. People can not live on beautiful weather...You may have been one that was affected by the bad weather (I don't know where in the midwest you lived, midwest can cover a heck of a lot of miles and states) but most do just fine. Yes, they *****, here in NWA we border the midwest, probably closer to midwest than the south and yes, we ***** a lot, but there are so many other things to think about.
for those who move to the west coast and suddenly have to face the cost of living, maybe no job or an underpaid one, the traffic (depending on where you live) higher crime, a totally liberal life style (which isn't for everyone) suddenly there is a lot to take for granted and many do not realize it until they give it up.
Again, I am not saying a move to Ca is wrong nor that everyone who leaves any area will regret it, but you are making it sound like there is nothing to miss about the midwest and all is peachy in Ca, this isn't true for everyone.
Nita
& when it's below zero outside and your saliva starts freezing to your mouth, the cheap cost of living doesn't seem worth it, either.
I realize it's not true for everyone. What I was doing was providing an opposing viewpoint to CrownVic95's post. If I made it seem like it's all rosy it's because he made it seem like moving to CA is going to be a mistake for all. There are two sides.
The other things you mentioned don't have to be problems, except for cost of living, which I agree is going to be higher here -- but many of us feel that you get what you pay for. Higher crime is not necessarily an issue -- San Jose and San Diego are consistently two of the safest cities and even LA/SF aren't more dangerous than most major cities in the US, even in the Midwest. Traffic -- yes, there's more of it, but in my experience, CA drivers are MUCH more polite and friendly than Midwestern drivers (except for maybe the very upper states, i.e. MN/ND/SD). Yes, it's more liberal here, and while it's true that they're not always right...it's not like conservatives are either.
Ehh, that's not always the case. I never really cared for the Midwest. If anything, I consider growing up there a mistake, but I guess that's not really something I have control over, so... Left ten years ago but took nothing for granted, and I still can't think of a single thing I miss, other than a few friends & family. But really, friends come & go...and you can make new ones. I also disagree about the weather becoming the "least of your worries." I know there are some that aren't really affected by weather but for those that are sensitive to it, weather is a HUGE factor. It's not just 1x to worry about, it's about 10x. Over here, in addition to it being pleasant all year, you don't have to worry about trying to prepare for wild temperature jumps, scraping the ice off your windshield, having to walk around in sub-freezing temps, etc, hitting a patch of ice while driving (or worrying about those around you driving hitting patches of ice) etc.
Don't believe it for a second, folks. I have used my car ice scraper as much this winter as in any other place I've lived. And that includes this morning! Never before have I ever had to scrape my windows on the morning of April 29th until today.
Regarding the rest of your points, everyone is entitled to set their own priorities. And with a "radical" user name I would expect yours to be different than for many of the rest of us. If a social environment with virtually no standards of conduct is your bag, then you're definitely in the right place.
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I thought it would be smartest to ask around before making any rash decisions, moving is just a vague new consideration at this point.
