Relocating to Coachella Valley? (Sacramento, Riverside: transfer, colleges, casinos)

[twdavis]

My cousin and I are both 21 and looking to relocate from Western PA to someplace in southern California, perhaps the Coachella Valley, Indio, Palm Desert area. We know that it is much pricier in Cali than in PA, but we are willing to do what it takes. I personally cannot stand living in bland, freezing cold western PA anymore with its complete lack of life or opportunity. I mainly want to move away to get to a better climate and also to start a tech company possibly.

I would normally want to move to Silicon Valley, but I've read plenty about how expensive it is to live there and I would much rather live in southern California anyway.



So my main questions are:


What are some specific good areas in southern CA not too far from LA that has alot of urban nightlife/shopping/grocery/etc and also some good jobs?

I do not have a college degree because I am looking to start a business, but I do have 3 years of management experience at McDonald's (go ahead and laugh at me lol, I'm hoping it will help me find some kind of work) and my cousin is progressing on her degree.

Are Indio or Coachella Valley sketchy or are they pretty safe generally?


Is the mexican food good?


Thank you!

[humboldtrat]

Originally Posted by twdavis

What are some specific good areas in southern CA not too far from LA that has alot of urban nightlife/shopping/grocery/etc and also some good jobs?

Try Riverside. Your not going to find urban nightlife in Indio and the Coachella Valley.

You should post this on the San Bernardino & Riverside Counties forum. You'll get more response.

[twdavis]

Originally Posted by humboldtrat

Try Riverside. Your not going to find urban nightlife in Indio and the Coachella Valley.

Really? See I would've thought they'd have at least something but that's good to know now lol.

[pch1013]

Originally Posted by humboldtrat

Try Riverside. Your not going to find urban nightlife in Indio and the Coachella Valley.

Palm Springs has some. It's starting to attract a bit of a younger, hipper crowd, but the predominant demographic is still on the AARP side.

There are plenty of social and nightlife options if you're gay, however.

[twdavis]

Originally Posted by pch1013

Palm Springs has some. It's starting to attract a bit of a younger, hipper crowd, but the predominant demographic is still on the AARP side.

There are plenty of social and nightlife options if you're gay, however.

Yeah, neither of us is gay lol.

[pch1013]

Originally Posted by twdavis

Yeah, neither of us is gay lol.

In that case you might find PS rather boring, unless you're into golf and/or casinos.

[lrmsd]

Have you googled the chamber of commerce websites for Indio/Cochella, etc? That gives you a general list of amenities-restaurants, etc., so you can have an idea of what it's like to live there. Also, wikipedia will give you climate and population info-so you can see how big the towns are, if it's too hot [hint: it's in the desert; summers are long and very hot], etc. Lastly, google maps will show you the distance from there to LA or SD-or any urban area that is good for tech start ups. Palm Springs is the only sizable place there, and as mentioned, it's got a lot of retirees and gay population. It's a big tourist spot, but not really an alternative b/c the silicon valley is too expensive-lol.

Besides, you don't need or necessarily want to be in Silicon Valley to start a business.
As mentioned, check Riverside and San Bernadino counties.
If you look at a map, you'll notice that they both border LA county, for proximity to what you asked for. Check out Pomona and Riverside cities, among others. They are cheaper than the coastal metro areas, but are still cities with economies of relative scale.

Also, Sacramento is a cheaper alternative to the coastal metro areas [LA, SD and Bay Area/SV]. Check out SAC; it's less than 2 hours to SFO/SV. Maybe you can get a transfer with McD's for a manager position? Also, if you speak some Spanish that would be better for McD's type of position here in CA, in many places (not all).

In any case, use the above strategies for any town or city you are considering for a move. That is basic moving research. Google cost of living comparison calculator to find out what you can expect as far as day to day costs, compared to where you are now. 'bank rate dot com' has a good one. Then you can follow up with specific questions on this forum about the areas. Good luck.

[MamaRed]

The Coachella Valley is everything from Palm Springs to...gosh...Mecca, Thermal...Anyway, Indio is in the Coachella Valley. It is 2-4 hours from LA, depending on where exactly you're going, and how bad the traffic is. Historically, Indio has been pretty ghetto. In recent years, there have been newer housing developments and gated communities. There are some good music festivals in the springtime, but other than that there is absolutely nothing urban about the area. The Riverside area sounds more like what you're looking for. There are several colleges in the area, meaning more people in your age group.

As for Mexican food, you'll have plenty to choose from. If you find yourself working with someone whose mama makes and sells tamales, give them a try!

[twdavis]

Originally Posted by MamaRed

The Coachella Valley is everything from Palm Springs to...gosh...Mecca, Thermal...Anyway, Indio is in the Coachella Valley. It is 2-4 hours from LA, depending on where exactly you're going, and how bad the traffic is. Historically, Indio has been pretty ghetto. In recent years, there have been newer housing developments and gated communities. There are some good music festivals in the springtime, but other than that there is absolutely nothing urban about the area. The Riverside area sounds more like what you're looking for. There are several colleges in the area, meaning more people in your age group.

As for Mexican food, you'll have plenty to choose from. If you find yourself working with someone whose mama makes and sells tamales, give them a try!

Yeah, the more I look at it, Riverside is looking much more appealing.

[MamaRed]

Originally Posted by twdavis

Yeah, the more I look at it, Riverside is looking much more appealing.

And you can drive from Riverside to PS in less than an hour to visit.