Would I be a good fit for this place? (Los Angeles: apartment, loan)

[Caldus]

Hello all,

I'm very interested in applying for a job within my company that is located in El Segundo, CA. I grew up on the east coast and currently live in St. Louis, MO for my job and make around the 60K-70K range. I have good benefits with my company as well (health care, dental, 401K employer contributions, etc.) and they also offer tuition reimbursement. I'm thinking about starting my masters degree in Computer Science. I'm single (in my mid-20's) with no attachments or kids. I currently live far away from my family and it has not really bothered me at all. I can easily get on the plane and see them whenever. I know LA would obviously be much more expensive to live in than St. Louis, but I am living pretty well where I am right now. I still have a large amount of spending money each month after all of the bills, loan payments, and investments.

Even after all of that, would I be able to afford a 1-bedroom apartment in the nicer areas of the city? Also, what is the art scene like in this city? Are there a lot of art festivals, museums, etc. to check out each year? I'm not a huge bar guy but like to go from time to time. I miss living near the beach too. Of course, I'm used to the Atlantic ocean and have only been in the Pacific ocean once or twice. Would I be a good fit for this place? Thanks!

[TurcoLoco]

It sounds like you have a pretty good setup there so unless you REALLY need to move, regardless of the destionation, I'd suggest you stay put at least for a few years until economy gets better.

CA is a lot more expensive and also hurting (and will be for a while) so you will be going from doing pretty well financially to barely making it. If you had a job lined up and paying at least that amount, then it may or may not be sufficient depending on what other fixed expenses you'd have on top of the rent+utilities, food and transportation.

Despite CA higher cost of living, due to economy companies are not paying any better than other states. Even if you found a solid, permanent and decent paying job, I still think it would be very risky in this job market but ultimately it is your call. If I was in your shoes, I'd chill wherever I had your kind of a cool setup...

[Caldus]

Thank you TurcoLoco for your honest advice.

[TurcoLoco]

Originally Posted by Caldus

Thank you TurcoLoco for your honest advice.

No worries. I don't like posting a response to this type of questions because ultimately what I am sharing is applicable to me and to people who feel/think like me. I do not know what kind of person you are so I can tell what are the top 3-4 things you want/need for a place to live at.

Would you rather have the extra $$ you have at your disposal or give that up to be able to smell the ocean air and enjoy the year-around mild weather?
Each age group is different too, in my 20s an area with bunch of hotties and night life was definitely a lot more appealing to me than it is in my 30s.

You sounded like a smart, mature, level-headed guy so I am sure you will not make a bad decision but even if your next move turn out to be one, so what...you are still young enough to recover from it.
I have made mistakes and recovered, still making mistakes. I guess that is what life is, right?

If you really are considering a move to West coast, since you seem to have extra $$, why don't you take a vacation out to here and spend a week or two? Make sure you check out both South and North CA, 2-3 days in San Diego, 2-3 days in LA and 2-3 Bay area could give you a nice little sneak peek. Then you crunch some numbers on expenses based on the average pay in your field then go from there.

CA is definitely not MidWest!

Either way, good luck!

[californio sur]

Given the choice of St. Louis or Los Angeles, who would stay in the Midwest?

[JustMike77]

Originally Posted by californio sur

Given the choice of St. Louis or Los Angeles, who would stay in the Midwest?

Uhh, maybe someone who wants to live a comfortable life and not live on a treadmill?

To the OP, I think unless you absolutely hate St Louis, you should stay there. You will have a much more comfortable life. The climate is great here, but we are in serious trouble economically. This is not the time to give up a good thing.

Mike

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by Caldus

Hello all,

I'm very interested in applying for a job within my company that is located in El Segundo, CA. I grew up on the east coast and currently live in St. Louis, MO for my job and make around the 60K-70K range. I have good benefits with my company as well (health care, dental, 401K employer contributions, etc.) and they also offer tuition reimbursement. I'm thinking about starting my masters degree in Computer Science. I'm single (in my mid-20's) with no attachments or kids. I currently live far away from my family and it has not really bothered me at all. I can easily get on the plane and see them whenever. I know LA would obviously be much more expensive to live in than St. Louis, but I am living pretty well where I am right now. I still have a large amount of spending money each month after all of the bills, loan payments, and investments.

Even after all of that, would I be able to afford a 1-bedroom apartment in the nicer areas of the city? Also, what is the art scene like in this city? Are there a lot of art festivals, museums, etc. to check out each year? I'm not a huge bar guy but like to go from time to time. I miss living near the beach too. Of course, I'm used to the Atlantic ocean and have only been in the Pacific ocean once or twice. Would I be a good fit for this place? Thanks!

As long as it is with the same company, this would be a new experience for you. Is the pay the same? You are right, you will not live the same life in So Ca, but El Segundo area is nice, I Love West L.A. around Westchester area and you would be close to the beach. The pacific ocean is very difference from the Atlantic I might add.

As for the art scene, yes, there is plenty of it, especially in the West L.A. area plus lots of farmers markets, young people, museums, and things to do.

If I were young, single and wanted a new experience I would go for it. I will add one thing, you will not be able to start a masters program unless your company will be the "out of state" tuition until you have lived in Ca a year.

Nita

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by LAappraiser

Uhh, maybe someone who wants to live a comfortable life and not live on a treadmill?

To the OP, I think unless you absolutely hate St Louis, you should stay there. You will have a much more comfortable life. The climate is great here, but we are in serious trouble economically. This is not the time to give up a good thing.

Mike

I agree with you about living more comfortably in the midwest and I personally love the midwest, but, as long as he is talking the same company, it sounds like a good opportunity to me.

Now, as for what CaSur has to say, what does he know? He has never even been to the midwest. He knows nothing about life period except for So California.

NIta

[CA4Now]

Originally Posted by TurcoLoco

If you really are considering a move to West coast, since you seem to have extra $$, why don't you take a vacation out to here and spend a week or two?

Good advice.
To the OP: my sister and family live in St. Louis and although they like it, she misses the weather here. As far as worrying about the cost of living, almost everyone we know here was once a 20-something living in our 1-2 BR apt's, at all different salary levels, in some part of L.A...and we all managed to make it somehow. Good luck with your decision!

[Caldus]

...but, as long as he is talking the same company, it sounds like a good opportunity to me.

That was my instinct. I have a very good relationship with my current boss and could probably easily get that job back if I were to lose the job for whatever reason in the new location within a 1-2 year period. I am just so utterly bored at my current job. Been there for several years and need a change. Although I have been doing a lot of research today and it sounds like my company has been moving some CA jobs to other states yet they are getting new work there too. I still think I want to take the risk as a young, unmarried guy and go for something I really want job-wise.