Is it a smart idea to relocate to CA - specifically San Jose/Palo Alto?

[befr33]

@gagirlatl just wanted to throw my 2 cents in. I'm currently a couple of hours south of Atlanta on my way to move back to the Bay Area, and it's been a bit tough landing interviews (I'm a Sr IT Admin), and I've had to fly back 3 times on short notice which cost me about a grand every time with rental cars and what not.

Having said that, I do think you should move, if nothing else for the experience, as long as you have your expectations in check. You already know it's more expensive. Do yo know by how much? Expect to pay at least twice the rent and for lower quality. A lot of homes in Palo Alto and surrounding areas are "spiffed up 1950's homes" meaning to say there's a thin veneer of updates, but the core is still old. Thin walls, cold floors, etc. Sales tax is higher so, gas prices higher, distances greater, and so on and so forth.

Having said all that, there are usually ways to get around expenses by wise choices, find a place close to work and bike, locate mom and shop restaurants that are good and cheap or cook yourself, use socks indoors in the winter time, and so on and so forth. Then of course, you'll make more money. In my profession salaries are about 40% higher in the Bay Area, but you'll have to negotiate wisely. If they know you're from out of town, they'll try to low ball you big time. Don't compare Atlanta numbers with SF Bay Area numbers because they will not match. Use relocation calculator tools, salary.com, etc and find ways to objectively motivate what you're worth, and don't be shy about it, it's just negotiation.

Good luck Sweetie, and have a ball in the bay!

[kira kira]

Originally Posted by befr33

@gagirlatl just wanted to throw my 2 cents in. I'm currently a couple of hours south of Atlanta on my way to move back to the Bay Area, and it's been a bit tough landing interviews (I'm a Sr IT Admin), and I've had to fly back 3 times on short notice which cost me about a grand every time with rental cars and what not.

Having said that, I do think you should move, if nothing else for the experience, as long as you have your expectations in check. You already know it's more expensive. Do yo know by how much? Expect to pay at least twice the rent and for lower quality. A lot of homes in Palo Alto and surrounding areas are "spiffed up 1950's homes" meaning to say there's a thin veneer of updates, but the core is still old. Thin walls, cold floors, etc. Sales tax is higher so, gas prices higher, distances greater, and so on and so forth.

Having said all that, there are usually ways to get around expenses by wise choices, find a place close to work and bike, locate mom and shop restaurants that are good and cheap or cook yourself, use socks indoors in the winter time, and so on and so forth. Then of course, you'll make more money. In my profession salaries are about 40% higher in the Bay Area, but you'll have to negotiate wisely. If they know you're from out of town, they'll try to low ball you big time. Don't compare Atlanta numbers with SF Bay Area numbers because they will not match. Use relocation calculator tools, salary.com, etc and find ways to objectively motivate what you're worth, and don't be shy about it, it's just negotiation.

Good luck Sweetie, and have a ball in the bay!

Thanks! Yes, I have used to cost-of-living comparison website to calculate the difference - which was a bit shocking at first. It really must be a great place to live to cost so much. I'll test the water and see what happens. Best wishes to you, too!

[Nell Plotts]

Bottom line is to think of SV as Manhattan. If you can find a job that enables you to support yourself there are lots of opportunities to grow professionally.

A couple years ago my daughter needed an Admin. She hired gal who was graduating from Stanford. I gave her the mother equivalent of 'what the heck?', she retorted that the grad was smart but still trying to figure out what she wanted to do with her life (art history major on a tennis scholorship). Brains and performance first and foremost. Where else can a Stanford grad be hired for an admin position. (Eh, not your everyday admin positon but that is another story.)

[jaypee]

Originally Posted by Nell Plotts

Bottom line is to think of SV as Manhattan. If you can find a job that enables you to support yourself there are lots of opportunities to grow professionally.

A couple years ago my daughter needed an Admin. She hired gal who was graduating from Stanford. I gave her the mother equivalent of 'what the heck?', she retorted that the grad was smart but still trying to figure out what she wanted to do with her life (art history major on a tennis scholorship). Brains and performance first and foremost. Where else can a Stanford grad be hired for an admin position. (Eh, not your everyday admin positon but that is another story.)

But what else are you going to do with a Art History degree?

[gone down south]

Originally Posted by Nell Plotts

Bottom line is to think of SV as Manhattan. If you can find a job that enables you to support yourself there are lots of opportunities to grow professionally.

A couple years ago my daughter needed an Admin. She hired gal who was graduating from Stanford. I gave her the mother equivalent of 'what the heck?', she retorted that the grad was smart but still trying to figure out what she wanted to do with her life (art history major on a tennis scholorship). Brains and performance first and foremost. Where else can a Stanford grad be hired for an admin position. (Eh, not your everyday admin positon but that is another story.)

Sounds more like the downside of a recession economy than a career decision to me.

[bigdumbgod]

Originally Posted by Citystriker

It's not smart to move San Jose at all. It's a soullest arpit with no downtown core to have a social life in. The further from San Jose, the better your life will be and cheaper. You'll be sorry if you do move to San Jose. Oakland, SF and San Diego are best bets. LA, Fresno, Sacramento and others are not necessarily bad, too. Stay away from San Jose!

If we are successfully scaring the paranoid delusional folk from our little town, then all the better. OP: These are the types who can't hang here. And that is just fine, and so is the weather.

[mysticaltyger]

Originally Posted by gone down south

Watch out for the "lots of warm weather", though. It definitely gets chilly here in the winter, depends on how you define "warm".

Eh, well we're not a winter resort type place, but it's warmer here in January than in Atlanta:

Average January High/Low:

San Jose: 58/41

Atlanta: 52/34