Moving from VA to LA..is it a good idea?

[uptown_urbanist]

This has gone from bad idea to really, really, really bad idea.

While I don't share Nita's dislike of Craigslist (I think it can be an excellent source for finding rentals, if used with common sense) you won't be able to tell from an ad if the location is in a decent neighborhood or not. Don't count on Section 8 right now, and a cheap place that looks nice in the photo and description could be in an absolutely terrible neighborhood where you wouldn't want to live, especially with kids.

And while it does sound like you're doing research, be aware that any site that talks about low unemployment is outdated. If that's the Santa Clarita site maybe they've had to lay off the people in charge of updates. Seriously, though, the economy is TERRIBLE. It's a tough place to live without much money; even double income middle class families are struggling. To move across the country with kids to support and to be dependent at least in part on government assistance could be disasterous. There are already huge numbers of people in the state needing help, with the numbers continuing to grow as jobs go away and unemployment money runs out. Add in the massive problems facing the state budget and you have high needs and little money. When people say the economy is bad they mean it; it's not just bad, it's BAD. I know parts of rural Virginia have historically had it rought, too, but even if you're in a place with few options why move to one of the places in the country that could easily have it worse? There have got to be better options out there for people in your situation. Good luck, and I know that you want to move, but I don't think California is the right fit at this time.

[osuzana]

Originally Posted by uptown_urbanist

This has gone from bad idea to really, really, really bad idea.

While I don't share Nita's dislike of Craigslist (I think it can be an excellent source for finding rentals, if used with common sense) you won't be able to tell from an ad if the location is in a decent neighborhood or not. Don't count on Section 8 right now, and a cheap place that looks nice in the photo and description could be in an absolutely terrible neighborhood where you wouldn't want to live, especially with kids.

And while it does sound like you're doing research, be aware that any site that talks about low unemployment is outdated. If that's the Santa Clarita site maybe they've had to lay off the people in charge of updates. Seriously, though, the economy is TERRIBLE. It's a tough place to live without much money; even double income middle class families are struggling. To move across the country with kids to support and to be dependent at least in part on government assistance could be disasterous. There are already huge numbers of people in the state needing help, with the numbers continuing to grow as jobs go away and unemployment money runs out. Add in the massive problems facing the state budget and you have high needs and little money. When people say the economy is bad they mean it; it's not just bad, it's BAD. I know parts of rural Virginia have historically had it rought, too, but even if you're in a place with few options why move to one of the places in the country that could easily have it worse? There have got to be better options out there for people in your situation. Good luck, and I know that you want to move, but I don't think California is the right fit at this time.

Good advice. I hope she listens.

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by uptown_urbanist

This has gone from bad idea to really, really, really bad idea.

While I don't share Nita's dislike of Craigslist (I think it can be an excellent source for finding rentals, if used with common sense) you won't be able to tell from an ad if the location is in a decent neighborhood or not. Don't count on Section 8 right now, and a cheap place that looks nice in the photo and description could be in an absolutely terrible neighborhood where you wouldn't want to live, especially with kids.

And while it does sound like you're doing research, be aware that any site that talks about low unemployment is outdated. If that's the Santa Clarita site maybe they've had to lay off the people in charge of updates. Seriously, though, the economy is TERRIBLE. It's a tough place to live without much money; even double income middle class families are struggling. To move across the country with kids to support and to be dependent at least in part on government assistance could be disasterous. There are already huge numbers of people in the state needing help, with the numbers continuing to grow as jobs go away and unemployment money runs out. Add in the massive problems facing the state budget and you have high needs and little money. When people say the economy is bad they mean it; it's not just bad, it's BAD. I know parts of rural Virginia have historically had it rought, too, but even if you're in a place with few options why move to one of the places in the country that could easily have it worse? There have got to be better options out there for people in your situation. Good luck, and I know that you want to move, but I don't think California is the right fit at this time.

I do agree the Craigslist is a good place to get ideas. I just think people need to be very careful putting too much into what they see there. Hopefully the OP will re-think her desire to move to So California now.

I fear, she will, like so many not take advise seriously and will decide to come anyway.

Nita

[RoadTripGurl]

To the OP, with any move it is good to do your research and to have a job lined up, I wouldn't move anywhere with kids blindsided. California is more affordable now than when me and hubby started looking years ago, I would expand my search to other cities. My hubby used to live in the Lancaster and he loved it, granted he said one "side" is bad and the other is good whatever that means. I would get financially stable and save some money and get a job before coming. Other than that, don't be discouraged! I have friends that have successfully made the move in recent years and love it there. I think this is a perfect time to relocate IF YOU CAN as housing is low. And even though DC area has a low unemployment rate does not mean everyone here is employed and it is as unaffordable to live here as it is in Cali.

[normie]

If it was me, I'd wait a year to make this move. Give the economy time to improve in California. In the meantime, move to Loudoun County, where you'll meet a lot of people from Los Angeles. Right now Californians are moving to Virginia in droves and seem especially attracted to Loudoun. Reston is another place a lot of Angelenos are moving to, and Reston might also work for you because it has some Section 8 housing (although, the homes that don't have Section 8 are pricey). Get to know some of the Californians who've just moved to VA, and you might pick up some handy tips or even get some Los Angeles job networking done in advance of your eventual move to LA.

[osuzana]

Loudoun can be quite a shlepp to elsewhere in Va. or D.C. Traffic is worse than L.A. Schools in Reston aren't terrible, we just decided to stay closer to the Chantilly area and on the other side of Fairfax County Parkway for better schools and safer areas. Not difficult to meet transplants in Va. since it is so transient with people coming and going when their contracts are up. I will tell you that rent and home prices are considerably lower than L.A. in Va.