California anyone?

[linz06]

I've got a few questions, I'm hoping someone from California, or anyone who has lived in California might be able to help me out here...
I'm a small town Saskatchewan girl looking to move to big city sunny CA My reasons? Well, I'm finishing up my Civil Engineering Technology diploma in December, and I need to make enough money to pay off my debt and go back to university for 2 years to get a degree. I can do materials testing, drafting, surveying, structural stuff, hydraulic stuff, highway stuff, so I'm pretty well prepared for any kind of job. The problem with staying here is WINTER. What sucks about my job is getting laid off. I would love to go somewhere warm where I can work through the whole year and make a lot more than I can here. Plus, I'm 22, single, and I want to do something exciting with my life
I have checked out a lot of engineering consulting firms and I'm planning to send out some resumes soon and find out about getting a work visa and stuff. What I can't seem to find is how much it's going to cost me to live there. The few apartments I found listings for are INSANELY expensive. Gated communities, spas, the whole works included, and no pets. There's no way I'm going to live somewhere that I can't take Layla with me! Right now I'm looking at the southern California/San Diego kinda region. Can anyone tell me a sorta average price for rent on a small one bedroom apartment or basement suite? Or any areas of California that might be cheaper?
I've been searching all night and I can't really find much information. I want to make sure I can afford to live there before I go ahead and start making plans.
Thanks for any help you guys can give me!

[chloeandj]

California is way overpriced! That's why we are looking into gettin outta here! Every one tells me to make sure I want to leave here, because once we do, we'll never afford to come back.

And I live in Northern California which I'm sure is less expensive than Southern/San diego area. Sorry I'm not much help with all that you asked. But yes, it is very expensive.

Will you be working outside? It gets 100-110 here in the summer, warm enough for you?

[jkat]

That's pretty tough. Living out here in CA big cities, it'll cost you. No matter which part of CA you're at.

I'm in Silicon Valley, San Francisco Bay Area. One bedroom apartment usually goes $1,100 to $1,500, depending where.

I just asked my brother who went to school down in San Diego. He said it's roughly $1,400 for one bedroom but that's in La Jolla. Outside La Jolla should be cheaper.

Good luck.

[StewiesMom]

I priced Santa Barbara and its a little cheaper because of UCSB there. One BR was about $1,000

[linz06]

Originally Posted by chloeandj

California is way overpriced! That's why we are looking into gettin outta here! Every one tells me to make sure I want to leave here, because once we do, we'll never afford to come back.

And I live in Northern California which I'm sure is less expensive than Southern/San diego area. Sorry I'm not much help with all that you asked. But yes, it is very expensive.

Will you be working outside? It gets 100-110 here in the summer, warm enough for you?

Thanks for the help! I guess I might have to go with another option. My second choice is actually Nevada. I'm not sure how much cheaper it would be but I've heard we are in really high demand there. One instructor at my school told us that one of his students a few years ago sent resumes to 10 companies in Nevada, recieved 8 replies within 2 weeks, and 5 included plane tickets!
And I'm not sure if I'll be working outside, but if I do I will definitely love the hot weather! I did materials testing last year for a small company and about 3/4 of my time was spent out on construction sites carrying heavy equipment around and doing tests. I hated it. Also, being a young girl on a site full of 50 year old men who have to just look at each other all day got me some attention I wasn't really ready for. I would love to get a job doing something like drafting, or even just lab work where people would just bring samples to me and I could stay in the lab all day and work on them. But I guess I can't be too picky and I'll take what I can get!

[linz06]

Originally Posted by StewiesMom

I priced Santa Barbara and its a little cheaper because of UCSB there. One BR was about $1,000

Thanks for the info! That's more than double what I'm paying right now for a 2 br, 2 bath house! But I was expecting it to be more expensive so I'm not that shocked I guess when I'm actually making money it wouldn't be that bad, but the initial move would cost a lot. I wonder if any companies would pay for relocation... a couple of my job offers last year were willing to do that, but I wasn't leaving the country!

[chloeandj]

Originally Posted by linz06

Thanks for the help! I guess I might have to go with another option. My second choice is actually Nevada. I'm not sure how much cheaper it would be but I've heard we are in really high demand there. One instructor at my school told us that one of his students a few years ago sent resumes to 10 companies in Nevada, recieved 8 replies within 2 weeks, and 5 included plane tickets!
And I'm not sure if I'll be working outside, but if I do I will definitely love the hot weather! I did materials testing last year for a small company and about 3/4 of my time was spent out on construction sites carrying heavy equipment around and doing tests. I hated it. Also, being a young girl on a site full of 50 year old men who have to just look at each other all day got me some attention I wasn't really ready for. I would love to get a job doing something like drafting, or even just lab work where people would just bring samples to me and I could stay in the lab all day and work on them. But I guess I can't be too picky and I'll take what I can get!

Nevada is definately cheaper! Land is cheaper. We had considered that a possible move for ouselves as well. Good luck to you!

[StewiesMom]

What about Phoenix? Its like my favorite place ever, so I am a little biased, but it is absolutely beautiful!!! The only drawback is that there is no water like Cali. The apts there are reasonable, too. You could get a small one bedroom in a decent (not ritzy) area for 600 or so.

[Sherry Lynn]

I agree, Kristy! Phoenix totally rocks!

Or if you want to be near water I would think that with all the recent storm damage the Gulf Coast might be rife with job ops for you.

Good luck whatever you decide!

[Lola LaRue]

I would recommend living in Southern California. It is pricey, but you can find deals. I lived a block from the beach in Newport. It was a 3 bedroom for $1650. I just remember what it was like to be 22 and living in Southern Ca is so much fun. If you live close to the beach, you will not really experience 100-110 degree heat it is more like 80-85. I live in the bay area and it is just as pricey as Orange County. San Diego is beautiful too. There are places that allow dogs, but they are few and far between. Good luck on your search.

[cheryl000]

I have been living in San Diego for 5 years now, not by choice, I was in the Navy and now I'm waiting for my husband to get out of the Navy. I wouldn't recommend coming here if you don't have a roomate. It is VERY hard to find a place that lets you have pets, and they usually charge an extra $100 a month or so and more of a deposit when you do. The average price of a place is $1250. Over here we have LOW WAGES and a HIGH cost of living, esspecially in rent. Gas is $3.15 at the cheapest in the city. Traffic is horrible. Insurance is expensive. I have heard only about 10% of homeowners can really afford it. This place is highly overrated. It is a nice place to visit, but not a good place to live. I am glad you're doing your research. When I was growing up in Illinois all I wanted to do was move somewhere cool like California. But you would have to make A LOT of money to be able to live here happily. Good luck in whatever you decide!
http://www.sdhc.net/giaboutus2.shtml

[linz06]

Originally Posted by cheryl000

I have been living in San Diego for 5 years now, not by choice, I was in the Navy and now I'm waiting for my husband to get out of the Navy. I wouldn't recommend coming here if you don't have a roomate. It is VERY hard to find a place that lets you have pets, and they usually charge an extra $100 a month or so and more of a deposit when you do. The average price of a place is $1250. Over here we have LOW WAGES and a HIGH cost of living, esspecially in rent. Gas is $3.15 at the cheapest in the city. Traffic is horrible. Insurance is expensive. I have heard only about 10% of homeowners can really afford it. This place is highly overrated. It is a nice place to visit, but not a good place to live. I am glad you're doing your research. When I was growing up in Illinois all I wanted to do was move somewhere cool like California. But you would have to make A LOT of money to be able to live here happily. Good luck in whatever you decide!
http://www.sdhc.net/giaboutus2.shtml

Thanks for the info and the link! Looks like I might have to change my mind, at least until I actually make some money. I'm sure the traffic would be a shock to me. I grew up in a town of 500, and the largest city I lived in had a population of just over 200,000.

[linz06]

Originally Posted by StewiesMom

What about Phoenix? Its like my favorite place ever, so I am a little biased, but it is absolutely beautiful!!! The only drawback is that there is no water like Cali. The apts there are reasonable, too. You could get a small one bedroom in a decent (not ritzy) area for 600 or so.

Thanks for the idea, I'm going to look into that tonight.

[xtine]

I Live in southern cali. North Hollywood to be exact.. a lot of things to do where i'm from if you like..

like going to six flags magic mountain, disneyland, universal studios, etc.

I've seen some pretty good deals here with apartments.. anywhere from $700 and up depending on the area. My boyfriend and I are actually looking into a house for when our baby comes this july/august.. so hopefully we have some money saved up till then

i know socal isn't for everyone, but i love it here. I used to live in nyc, but it was too cold for me i love it here in sunny ca! if you decide to move here i'd be happy to help you with anything!

[linz06]

Originally Posted by xtine

I Live in southern cali. North Hollywood to be exact.. a lot of things to do where i'm from if you like..

like going to six flags magic mountain, disneyland, universal studios, etc.

I've seen some pretty good deals here with apartments.. anywhere from $700 and up depending on the area. My boyfriend and I are actually looking into a house for when our baby comes this july/august.. so hopefully we have some money saved up till then

i know socal isn't for everyone, but i love it here. I used to live in nyc, but it was too cold for me i love it here in sunny ca! if you decide to move here i'd be happy to help you with anything!

I've never been to disneyland and I'd love to go! But I doubt I would even if I lived there. I'm pretty good at budgeting and I want to go back to university so bad! So the more I save, the faster I can pay off my last 4 years of school, and the quicker I can go finish my degree Maybe THEN I'll make some time and extra money for fun stuff!