How to make sure your move to California goes smoothly.
California is a beautiful state filled with wonderful cities, breath-taking beauty and amazing contrasts. Now that you've decided to move, be prepared for sticker and culture shock. Moving to the Golden State can be overwhelming. Use these guidelines to make sure your move goes smoothly.
MAKE SURE EMPLOYMENT IS LOCKED
If you're moving to a new job, make sure to get the offer in writing before you go. Jobs sometimes disappear between the time you're hired and the day you show up. Have a two-month living expense fund in reserve just in case.
If you don't have a job, you'll need 3-6 months income before you move. While California's economy is huge, it's not without problems. Military base closures have hit many communities hard. Several still struggle with the changeover to civilian ownership and utilization. Another problem is that the state flirts with bankruptcy. Arnold Schwarzenegger was elected governor on the basis of promised spending reforms, replacing Gray Davis who was ousted because of perceived overspending.
The cost of doing business in California is high, with environmental laws, spiraling worker's compensation costs and a lack of tax incentives creating business flight. What was once an economy based on aerospace and high-tech, is now linked to the retail and service sector, with lower earnings potential. Illegal immigration has put a strain on infrastructure, with illegials taking lower paying jobs nobody else "wants." Have a skill before you move.
HOUSING - PREPARE FOR STICKER SHOCK
Housing costs are soaring, driven by increasing population and land speculation. Electricity costs are high. Poor state administration power buying strategies resulted in rate increases up to 35% within the past two years. Water and trash costs are increasing. Natural gas is holding. Living costs are expensive. Figure on both spouses working to make ends meet.
The medium costs of single family housing:
San Bernardino-Riverside $298,000 - $379,000
Los Angeles $440,000
San Francisco $647,300
San Diego $477,000
Sacramento $308,600
Orange County $565,000
Two bedroom apartments rents for cities:
San Bernardino-Riverside $750-$950
Los Angeles $1,050-$1,700
San Francisco $1,000-$2,200
San Diego $1,200-$1,995
Sacramento $675-$950
Orange County $1,200-$2,500
CHECK WITH LOCAL POLICE BEFORE YOU MOVE
Call the local police department's business line to inquire about safety and crime issues for the area you've targeted. Specific information is available for an address. Ask about security tips for your house or apartment.
Why worry about crime? Because you may be moving into an area that was formerly economically run-down before developers took over. As more people move from cities to the suburbs, criminals move with them, or remain living in "turf" long established.
PREPARE FOR LONG COMMUTES
In California, everyone seems to drive a car, sometimes just to go across the street. There is a love affair with the automobile and suburban living, but it comes with a price. Explosive growth has pushed farther into deserts and unincorporated areas. No matter where you live there is traffic. It's not unusual for an average resident to start at four or five AM and commute 2-3 hours 65 miles to Los Angeles or Orange County where the better paying jobs are, from the Riverside-San Bernardino area, which offers significantly lower housing. Afternoon commutes are longer. Add costs of gasoline nearing $3 a gallon, physical stress and the toll on commuters is incredible. It's understandable why a lot of folks talk on cell phones while they crawl along on jammed freeways in a constant stop and surge flow.
PLAN ON BUYING A NEW CAR
California's motor vehicle department (DMV), will encourage you to make the changeover to California plates and registration as soon as possible. DMV laws may make your car illegal to operate in California without proper smog devices. Conversions are expensive and sometimes impossible. If your car won't qualify and pass the Smog test, you may have to sell it on Ebay and buy another.
SEND A SCOUT
The best thing you can do before you move your family is to have a spouse fly in, rent a car and spend driving time visually searching target areas.
Take a look at apartment or condo landscaping, building state of repair and types of cars parked in the carports. Gated apartments offer better security. Patrols are even better. Talk with managers. You'll quickly get a feel for those capable or incompetent. Keep in mind that California law makes it illegal to rent only to select groups. No adults or family-only units here.
Call ahead and spend time with realtors to view several residential properties for sale. Some communities have associations that govern local neighborhoods. Managed and planned communities offer some security and landscaping services. But these have monthly costs in addition to your mortgage payment. Associations are concerned with declining property values, so they enforce their own rules and regulations. Before you make any improvements or changes to your home, you may have to ask permission to do so and may only be allowed to paint your home with colors reflecting a designated color scheme.
Lots and yards are small because land costs are expensive. And with most folks commuting, the interest in maintaining yards after a long day's work is waning.
CHECK THE SCHOOLS
Overcrowded schools have problems with classroom size and gang affiliations. Public education is OK, depending upon location and school district. A phone call to prospective city schools can provide some information useful for enrollment evaluations. A drive by is better. Private schools are best, but costs are high.
BECOME A RESIDENT AND ENJOY
After you move, there is a huge payoff. If you like sun, you'll love the weather. Average temperatures throughout Southern California are balmy most of the year. Freezing winter temperatures are rare. But they do peak in summer starting about mid July. Temps can climb to 100+ degrees in the interior valleys for weeks on end, with little cooling until mid October. San Diego remains warm and balmy most of the year. The central valleys near Sacramento can get quite hot. Generally, the farther north you go, the cooler the temperatures.
Another plus California offers is recreation. Beaches, mountains, deserts and recreational areas are "only" a short drive away, 1-2 hours by California standards. The beauty of numerous state parks and attractions is truly wondrous to behold.
Come to California, but make sure that you plan your move beforehand to make the transition as smooth as possible. Once you get here, it'll be worth the trip.
