Best Cities in California for a Out of State College Grad? (Los Angeles: rent, job market)

[Big_SC]

I'm just wondering what are some good areas to live in California for a young guy. Let's say me and either 2 or 3 other guys would be living out there together and we would probably be willing to pay around $800 to $1,000 at the very most a person per month but the lower the rent the better. We all are majoring in business (either Finance or Accounting) so job opportunities are a big plus. Also, looking for the safest place possible and preferably a beach city. Is there any places that fit all this criteria?

We are from South Carolina, but one guy's family lives in California so he lives there during the summer and we have all visited there at least once.

[redfish1]

stockton is a nice area but you would probably like compton more as it has a little better economy.
good luck!

[eureka1]

Redfish is being snarky because of our high unemployment rate which means you aren't going to be able to pick and choose where you live. IF you insist on moving here, with our 12% unemployment rate, better head for LA where you will at least be able to find SOMETHING, just maybe not a job that requires college. Do your research before you move and be flexible.

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by Big_SC

I'm just wondering what are some good areas to live in California for a young guy. Let's say me and either 2 or 3 other guys would be living out there together and we would probably be willing to pay around $800 to $1,000 at the very most a person per month but the lower the rent the better. We all are majoring in business (either Finance or Accounting) so job opportunities are a big plus. Also, looking for the safest place possible and preferably a beach city. Is there any places that fit all this criteria?

We are from South Carolina, but one guy's family lives in California so he lives there during the summer and we have all visited there at least once.

Read one of the earlier posts: Accounting jobs are hard to find in Ca these days, there is an overabundane of Accountants. As for the best place to live and your housing allowance, you should be able to find something that would be nice and in a good area, but first you will need to find the jobs, that's the hard part.

Nita

[lahope]

Not sure about the job market, but San Diego is beautiful and peaceful with gorgeous beaches. It's expensive though like all CA coastal cities. With the two universities and the naval base the economy is pretty good.

[Nabartek]

San Luis Obispo if you want cheap rent since there is Cal Poly there. However, nonfarming jobs are dismal there. There are more jobs in the Bay Area but housing is terrible over there.

[Belmont_Boy]

Originally Posted by Big_SC

I'm just wondering what are some good areas to live in California for a young guy. Let's say me and either 2 or 3 other guys would be living out there together and we would probably be willing to pay around $800 to $1,000 at the very most a person per month but the lower the rent the better. We all are majoring in business (either Finance or Accounting) so job opportunities are a big plus. Also, looking for the safest place possible and preferably a beach city. Is there any places that fit all this criteria?

We are from South Carolina, but one guy's family lives in California so he lives there during the summer and we have all visited there at least once.

Coming from a low-cost, coastal state like South Carolina and given the fact you're all business majors, I urge you to investigate Cal State-Long Beach, more commonly and affectionately known as "Long Beach State" (the previous official name of the university). In my opinion, LBSU is one of the best value CSU's in terms of strength of academic programs, location and campus facilities and aesthetics. Tuition is dirt-cheap at the CSU's, even for out-of-state students.

The job market in and around Long Beach is much stronger than in, say, San Diego. A lot of this is due to Long Beach's positioning at the crossroads of the major jobs centers of north and central Orange County and the South Bay of Los Angeles and, to a lesser extent, Downtown Los Angeles and the Westside. However, there are plenty of business-related professional opportunities to be had in Long Beach.

I have a close friend who recently graduated from LBSU with a degree in Accounting and now works for an accounting firm in Irvine. Most of the Big Four firms maintain their Los Angeles offices in Downtown and their Orange County offices in Costa Mesa or Irvine. Costa Mesa and Irvine are all within very reasonable commuting distance to Long Beach (much better to commute south of Long Beach on the 405 vs. north).

Furthermore, Long Beach has a long, highly accessible coastline. There are plenty of water-related activities to be enjoyed in the area. It's the warmest beach on the West Coast given its south-facing location east of the Palos Verdes peninsula. It's geographically and culturally at the crossroads of Los Angeles and Orange County and has a laid-back, casual vibe. Most importantly, rent is very reasonable given the fact it's a coastal city. Just avoid the area west of Redondo and north of 7th.

I hope this helps! Direct message me if you'd like more info on Long Beach and/or LBSU.