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Old 11-19-2008, 05:45 PM
 
Location: Wyo
45 posts, read 170,066 times
Reputation: 29

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I had my preconceptions about southern California, from one source or another. They weren't good, for the most part. Fake, plastic people. Unbearable heat. Traffic. Terribly liberal political lean. Etc, etc.

I came here doing some volunteer work near Santa Clarita. I've been here a bit over a month, and have discovered I was so wrong about this state. I like it... A LOT. I love the sun. I'm not missing winter in Wisconsin at all. All I can think about is wishing I had my motorcycle to enjoy these roads and weather. Everyone I've interacted with has been so nice, and I have yet to meet the fake people I assumed to be everywhere. Traffic still sucks, but I don't go into LA that much, so it's not a big worry.

So now I'm considering something I NEVER thought I would... a move to the area. Just tentatively, but beginning to consider. I don't think I can afford to live in LA, and I'd be fine with that. An outlying community, Santa Clarita, Burbank, etc are fine with me. Really, they're all I know right now, so maybe I'm being too narrow minded?

The job market sucks almost everywhere, and I assume this area is no different. My question is, are most of the "good" jobs in LA proper, or are there decent jobs to be had in the smaller outer communities? I have a college degree (BS-Psych) if that makes any difference. I'm finding it overwhelming to search for jobs, because the area is so big. I'm used to much smaller, in terms of area, job hunting grounds. Any advice?

Also, weird question regarding the previously mentioned motorcycle. How are people at seeing bikers? I'm not on huge, loud Harley, so you won't hear me coming. Are people good about moving over in traffic, not pulling out in front of you, etc etc?

Thanks a lot, and again, sorry for the preconceptions.
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Old 11-19-2008, 05:50 PM
 
Location: ?????????????
293 posts, read 891,462 times
Reputation: 280
Thumbs up Hmmmmmm

No need to apologize, as long you have a nice bike we will stop and swerve, and observe the awesomness of your ride. If not *beep* *beep* *beeeep*

All is forgiving...
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Old 11-19-2008, 05:54 PM
 
2,589 posts, read 8,619,422 times
Reputation: 2644
apology accepted.

what kind of work are you interested in/qualified to do? as i'm sure you know, a bachelor's degree in psychology (or any social science/liberal art) is little more than a license to apply to grad school, so what is it that you DO? are you willing to return to school for an advanced degree?

we have a few bikers who post here regularly, and one guy who rides a vespa. i'm sure one or two of them will chime in to address your concerns on that front. i can't help you there.
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Old 11-19-2008, 05:59 PM
 
Location: Wyo
45 posts, read 170,066 times
Reputation: 29
What I do... oh boy. As soon as I graduated (only a couple years ago) I got a job in accounting. It was an okay job, but not much fun. Then, I commercial fished in Alaska for a couple seasons. I also worked at an apple orchard. No direction, that's the pattern that's emerging, if you can't tell.

Truth be told, I don't know what I want to do. That's why I'm okay taking "so-so" jobs, trying to find my niche. I know that about my degree and it's limitations (I'm often reminded by a lot of people, lol) and don't want to go back to school, yet. Maybe, some day, but not for now, you know?

Thanks again.
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Old 11-19-2008, 06:02 PM
 
Location: South Bay
7,226 posts, read 22,132,456 times
Reputation: 3626
i'm the vespa guy. i love it here, you can ride all year round. there are a lot cars on the roads, so you have to be careful, but overall I haven't had any serious issues. as for jobs, they are almost everywhere. your best bet is to find a job, then decide where to live. good luck!
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Old 11-19-2008, 06:42 PM
 
2,589 posts, read 8,619,422 times
Reputation: 2644
Quote:
Originally Posted by powerfulpup View Post
What I do... oh boy. As soon as I graduated (only a couple years ago) I got a job in accounting. It was an okay job, but not much fun. Then, I commercial fished in Alaska for a couple seasons. I also worked at an apple orchard. No direction, that's the pattern that's emerging, if you can't tell.

Truth be told, I don't know what I want to do. That's why I'm okay taking "so-so" jobs, trying to find my niche. I know that about my degree and it's limitations (I'm often reminded by a lot of people, lol) and don't want to go back to school, yet. Maybe, some day, but not for now, you know?

Thanks again.
well, figuring out what you want to do is probably a good starting point for determining if LA would be a good move for you. "so-so" jobs aren't generally the key to enjoying life in LA, as they tend to offer so-so pay, and this is an expensive place to live.
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Old 11-19-2008, 06:46 PM
 
Location: southern california
61,289 posts, read 87,195,928 times
Reputation: 55551
everything you have heard is true. but i wana tell you read the DMV safety booklet on the internet. motocyclist is 16x more prone to die in an accident than an auto driver.
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Old 11-19-2008, 07:57 PM
 
Location: los angeles
5,032 posts, read 12,580,822 times
Reputation: 1508
The BS in psychology will definitely provide you employment. Both the school district & county departments of mental health & probation will pay for graduate school so long as you agree to remain for 5 years. These agencies are union-run w/ great health benefits\vacation. I'd apply ASAP because it can takes months to process employment.
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Old 11-19-2008, 11:08 PM
 
1,714 posts, read 6,039,849 times
Reputation: 696
Quote:
Originally Posted by Huckleberry3911948 View Post
everything you have heard is true. but i wana tell you read the DMV safety booklet on the internet. motocyclist is 16x more prone to die in an accident than an auto driver.
That's 'cause they drive 16x crazier! That lane-sharing thing between the two fastest lanes is insane.
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Old 11-20-2008, 10:03 AM
 
Location: United States
2,497 posts, read 7,454,840 times
Reputation: 2270
Hey Powerfulpup! I understand your misconceptions, the people here in Indiana HATE ANYTHING that has to do with California or the west coast as a whole. Everyone talks so much crap about it even though they have never even been west of Chicago! The midwest people think Florida and Tennesee are the best places in the world but they refuse to ever visit out west. Sad actually. I have been labeled alot of things for loving LA and preparing to move there, things i refuse to talk about on city data. So I guess what I'm saying is that being a fellow midwesterner it's nice to see that you have went and seen for yourself and have enough balls to admit you were wrong on your misconceptions. Great post!! Now get to CA and enjoy it!!!!
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