Need Advise - Moving from Marietta, GA to Riverside County (Moreno Valley: sales, apartment)

[piscesavis]

Hello,

I have got a job offer from a company located in Riverside County (Cabazon, CA). I am currently living in Marietta, GA. I am single and drawing a salary of $80K plus in GA. Expecting a hike of $ 10 - 15 K in the new job. Has anyone recently moved from GA/FL/AL/TN to Riverside county area? What will be the pros and cons?

I did some search online and housing cost seem to a major factor. I do not have immediate plans to own a home. Is there anyone factors worth considering before making the move?
Please advise.

Thank in Advance!

[Fontucky]

What do you consider affordable rent?

[piscesavis]

$700 - 1,000 per month for a 2-bed apartment.

Will I be able to find one around Banning/Beaumont/Moreno Valley/Redlands/Crafton/Yucaipa (anywhere within 30 miles commutable distance from Cabazon)?

[mikelovato]

I live in Riverside so I'm not quite as familiar with those exact cities' rent, but my gut is your housing budget might be a little low. Depending on the age and quality of what you're looking for, you'll probably be talking in the $1000-$1500 range for a 2 bedroom.

[Amayrial]

I moved to Redlands in June from Florida. I have a two bedroom and pay around 1400/month. Be very aware grocery store food can be more expensive but there are AMAZING farmers markets all over the place. Gas too is 40-50 cents higher. Best advice I've gotten so far, live close to work

You will need to get your car emissions tested BEFORE you can register it, that's about 45.00. And you have to take your driver's license test over again. Licensing my car was the biggest expense thus far, I have a new car, and apparently didn't pay enough sales tax in Florida according to CA, so it was nearly 800.00.

My electric bill is more expensive, but I have a two floor town home instead of a one floor apartment now. The rest of my utilities are fairly comparable.

The weather is gorgeous. The people are quite friendly. There is so much to see and do. Plan on a 10k hit in taxes, and then enjoy the wonders of California.

[barretts08]

I recently moved here from louisville, ky. There weather here is better. No humidity, not many mosquitoes. But the smog is terrible and it's totally the desert. Dry, dusty, not green. Also, a bizillion people. I don't even understand where they all come from.

[Fontucky]

barretts08: Where is "here"?

[barretts08]

Riverside

[Fontucky]

Since you're now a resident, here's a brief rundown on the desert thing: Although it may look like desert to someone from the greener parts such as Louisville, it's not. These inland valleys get too much rainfall for desert classification. The natural colors of Southern California as a whole consist of various shades of brown and muted drab greens, save for the short window of time when vivid greens and wildflowers appear after a good rain. That's the price we pay for low humidity and few bothersome insects.

The deserts reside on the other side of the mountain ranges.

[barretts08]

Well... Wikipedia says riverside gets 10.4 inches of rainfall and that the classification for a "desert" is less than 10 inches. So, it's pretty close! I've been here since may and haven't seen rain once.