A Place to Live? Moving from Ohio to Santa Clara for First Out of College Job (San Jose: real estate market, to rent)

[Coco012000]

Originally Posted by 5thgenSF

have you looked on craigslist for shared driving? meaning sharing driving costs so you could bring more stuff? so you weren't planning to bring a car? i guess i'm now confused.

My car now has been breaking down a lot, and I don't think it would pass the emissions test.

My family seems to think it would be better to buy a car out there. So my mom will come out, to help with that.

Flying cost $250, and driving my car would cost $600 in gas. Then, I would need food for the 4 day drive, and a place to sleep 4 nights. So, it would add up fast.

My bigger problem is my semester ends and then a week later I start working. So that causes a bit of trouble, in terms of scouring the city for an apartment.

[5thgenSF]

Originally Posted by anthony052007

My car now has been breaking down a lot, and I don't think it would pass the emissions test.

My family seems to think it would be better to buy a car out there. So my mom will come out, to help with that.

Flying cost $250, and driving my car would cost $600 in gas. Then, I would need food for the 4 day drive, and a place to sleep 4 nights. So, it would add up fast.

My bigger problem is my semester ends and then a week later I start working. So that causes a bit of trouble, in terms of scouring the city for an apartment.

yikes, tight schedule! did you know which furnished studios i was talking about? i can hunt them down and post the links if you didn't already see them.

[Heidi60]

We bought a used Honda two years ago at Anderson Honda in Palo Alto and it is one of the few, well only, place I would buy a car again. I was resistant to them at first as I thought they would be more expensive since they are located in Palo Alto but I found their prices fair and their service deptartment has been very good to work with for maintenance.

I really think you are getting just a bit ahead of yourself by wanting an apartment on that pay. You could keep your flexiblity if you share with a coworker or rent a room until you have been here for a while. There are lot of people needing to share expenses so you can be picky. Your girlfriend might want to wait a bit to see how things work out as at least one of you should be stable before both of you move. You are making some major transitions which can be really tough on a relationship without family support nearby and no friends in the area. Does your company have any assistance to help you find a place?

Some employers are now asking for biometric tests as they don't want to hire certain people with health issues. Take care of yourself.

[ananimus]

One of the utility deposits depended on credit. If good, no deposit. If bad, you either have to set up direct withdrawal or pay a deposit ($50?). That was for either gas or electric, but I don't recall which. California has PG&E, Pacific Gas & Electric. But in Santa Clara the electricity is managed by Silicon Valley Power. Your new landlord will give the details as necessary so they can unload responsibility for payment ASAP.

And sigh. Yeah, you're spot on with the long distance moving expenses. I guess besides what's been mentioned, just whatever you have to replace. And of course the inevitable restocking all of your food, cleaners, office supplies and toiletries from scratch.

Maybe the airline can carry extra items/boxes for a fee?

My bigger problem is my semester ends and then a week later I start working. So that causes a bit of trouble, in terms of scouring the city for an apartment.

We're an odd pair. I defended my dissertation then started work 10 days later. Walked out of my school and hopped in my car. It's a good problem to have, but it was rough.

Heidi60 = wisdom.

[Coco012000]

Originally Posted by Heidi60

I really think you are getting just a bit ahead of yourself by wanting an apartment on that pay. You could keep your flexiblity if you share with a coworker or rent a room until you have been here for a while. There are lot of people needing to share expenses so you can be picky. Your girlfriend might want to wait a bit to see how things work out as at least one of you should be stable before both of you move. You are making some major transitions which can be really tough on a relationship without family support nearby and no friends in the area. Does your company have any assistance to help you find a place?

My company offered me more $$/hour. Tempted to ask for assistance again and see if I can get even more $$/hour. But, no they don't relocate anyone. Neither does the other companies we have interviewed for.

After my last two roommates, I will NEVER do that again. I have to have the roommate horror stories from Heck! I just want to be responsible for me, and her, and that's it.

I've been thinking of looking for sublets or studios, or maybe extended stay hotels.

Yeah, it can be hard on relationships. But, I think we should support each other and "grow up" together. Personally, I also like having the support from her (as I will have no one out there). Isn't that supposed to be what I get out of relationships other than sex and sandwiches ? jk

[Coco012000]

Originally Posted by ananimus

And sigh. Yeah, you're spot on with the long distance moving expenses. I guess besides what's been mentioned, just whatever you have to replace. And of course the inevitable restocking all of your food, cleaners, office supplies and toiletries from scratch.

Yeah, that is no fun.

Originally Posted by ananimus

Maybe the airline can carry extra items/boxes for a fee?

Apparently, it's a 2 bag limit, and you can't pay extra to take more bags. That being said, if you can make a box weigh about 60-70, you can mail it for $1 a pound.

We're going home for X-mas break, so we can bring more stuff later. But, nothing like the sofa.

Originally Posted by ananimus

We're an odd pair. I defended my dissertation then started work 10 days later. Walked out of my school and hopped in my car. It's a good problem to have, but it was rough.

Yeah, it's going to be an experience. I'm really glad I found you, and well, everybody! It's great to learn from other peoples experiences.

[5thgenSF]

Originally Posted by Heidi60

Some employers are now asking for biometric tests as they don't want to hire certain people with health issues. Take care of yourself.

wow, that is a new one since i've been gone. the worst of the valley getting worse.

[Heidi60]

Originally Posted by ananimus

One of the utility deposits depended on credit. If good, no deposit. If bad, you either have to set up direct withdrawal or pay a deposit ($50?). That was for either gas or electric, but I don't recall which. California has PG&E, Pacific Gas & Electric. But in Santa Clara the electricity is managed by Silicon Valley Power. Your new landlord will give the details as necessary so they can unload responsibility for payment ASAP.

And sigh. Yeah, you're spot on with the long distance moving expenses. I guess besides what's been mentioned, just whatever you have to replace. And of course the inevitable restocking all of your food, cleaners, office supplies and toiletries from scratch.

Maybe the airline can carry extra items/boxes for a fee?

We're an odd pair. I defended my dissertation then started work 10 days later. Walked out of my school and hopped in my car. It's a good problem to have, but it was rough.

Heidi60 = wisdom.

LOL, I must share that one with my husband. He used to try to dominate, but has come understand that women really do think differently so now we work more as a team. I couldn't, nor would want to, do his job at work but we discuss issues and sometimes I see things because of my own work experience while his experience gives him a different perspective. In this valley, it does take two brains to make it but respect is the core value.

Employers today are supporting the insurance industry by refusing to hire people who are heavy or with other health problems. They claim they are keeping down insurance costs but our costs tripled last year so I don't see their logic. We don't participate in the "biometric screening" as it isn't mandatory, yet, for exisiting employees.

Don't make too much out of the moving issue as there is nothing you have in Ohio that you can't buy here. We have our share of farmer's markets and dollar stores so the stuff is just that, stuff. Five years from now when you are rich and have long since forgotten us, you can look back on the moving issue as pretty small compared to what problems you will solve in your career.

There was another post a few months ago from someone who had used one of the RV moving services to move across country. That might be something to look into as, if I recall, they just had to deliver the vehicle but could pack it full of their own stuff. Also check out other threads as I recall someone giving some good advice for negotiating with places like U-Haul.

I totally understand wanting your own appartment or studio but give yourself time to get to know your new employer. Many people in this area share housing. It got so bad that Santa Clara County had to regulate the number of persons in given space, but some will still pile in to save costs.

[5thgenSF]

Originally Posted by Heidi60

Employers today are supporting the insurance industry by refusing to hire people who are heavy or with other health problems. They claim they are keeping down insurance costs but our costs tripled last year so I don't see their logic. We don't participate in the "biometric screening" as it isn't mandatory, yet, for exisiting employees.

i would guess their only "logic" is screening out what they don't want. i remember interviewing three times for some jobs that hired me and they still didn't work out. a waste of time and energy all around.

[ananimus]

Originally Posted by anthony052007

Yeah, it can be hard on relationships. But, I think we should support each other and "grow up" together.

You two are the judge of what you can manage and have a great attitude. Still, I share Heidi's thoughts and concerns as you're facing more significant challenges than I had. (Feeling a mite more grateful now in retrospect. )

Anyhow, you understand. Godspeed.

Regarding extended stay places, we never found any that looked like a reasonable answer (hence Dad's camping idea). Short-term units are priced to keep them short-term. Occasionally people offer furnished in-law units for a fair rent, though. More rarely for short term, but an in-law unit may be a good fit for what you want long term. They pop up in local papers and CL.

For real estate, the burst definitely made an impact. But the two professional salaries comment is savvy.