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Old 02-12-2012, 04:44 PM
 
1 posts, read 1,360 times
Reputation: 10

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Hi! I just joined this site, so I am new to how it works. I am a 23 year old, single mom (of a 3 year old little boy), that is about to graduate as a paralegal in December of 2012.
I am looking to move to Long Beach, California not long after I graduate. Yes half way across the country! I am currently in Chattanooga, Tennessee and have absolutely no desire to spend any more time than I have to here. I have been told Long Beach is a safe/affordable area to live in.

I have saw many job postings for paralegal jobs, so I'm not really (too) worried about work. I am more worried about living (cost and location), and an elementary school that is best for my little boy. I would prefer a private christian school. From experience I witnessed such a different in the teachers and atmosphere in public and private schools. So my questions?

What can I expect for cost of living? What is considered cheap? affordable?

Do more people drive? or take public transportation?

Do you think it will be hard adapting from life in Tennessee to California?
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Old 02-12-2012, 05:42 PM
 
1 posts, read 1,347 times
Reputation: 10
law.mom,
I came from Ohio to Long Beach nearly 30 years ago, and love it.

Average rental for: All Beds 1 Bed 2 Beds 3+ Beds
Median: $1485 $1400 $1736 $1815
Average: $1500 $1315 $1709 $2160
# of Listings: 371 144 156 32

(I'm in real estate and mortgages and that's where I got the info above.)

You can always find something better/cheaper even , once you are here. For example, you can rent a room in the area for $400, 500, 600 while you search for a room/apt/condo to rent.

Best schools: Freemont, Lowell, Gant, Naples, Carver...all Highest rated (10) and public.

Long Beach Brethren and Los Alamitos Brethren for Christian schools



Hope this helps
C B
chuckbarrybarry@yahoo.com
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Old 02-12-2012, 06:38 PM
 
4,538 posts, read 10,626,382 times
Reputation: 4073
Most people drive. Public transportation isn't all that great.

2 bd/apartment $1300+ in Long Beach south of Lakewood Bl/traffic circle(which is the better area). $1400-1700 is probably more typical. There aren't really any exceptions to this except that 1bd in the rougher areas of LB might go as low as $750-850, but those are really rough areas. And in the trendy areas a upgraded modern 1 bd might go as high as $1800-2000...maybe in Downtown Long Beach or parts of Belmont Shores.

This one is located in a fantastic area near Belmont Shores...

2 BLOCKS TO BEACH*GARAGE*PET FRIENDLY* (http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lgb/apa/2847891079.html - broken link)
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Old 02-12-2012, 07:27 PM
 
11,715 posts, read 40,443,013 times
Reputation: 7586
Quote:
Originally Posted by law.mom.1020 View Post
I have been told Long Beach is a safe/affordable area to live in.
Where did you hear that? Like all of SoCal, the safe areas of Long Beach aren't particularly affordable and the affordable areas aren't exactly safe, especially with a kid. The overall quality of a neighborhood usually mirrors the elementary school test scores shown here: California School Performance Maps

Quote:
Originally Posted by law.mom.1020 View Post
I have saw many job postings for paralegal jobs, so I'm not really (too) worried about work.
You should be. The unemployment rate is still very high so employers can be picky and lowball you on salary. You'll be competing for those jobs against highly experienced paralegals and even some JD's.
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