Early 20s Re-locating from North Carolina to california help? (San Diego: apartment, rental)

[carolinaguy24]

Does anyone have any suggestions on a nice affordable place were public transit is an option and a good local economies with a lot of jobs. THAnks guys if you would help out a little i was thinking Sacramento

[MtnSurfer]

Welcome to the forum,

California is a big state with a wide variety of opportunties. Be forewarned that your seemingly straight forward question may get a bit slammed. It's not you, it's the forum, the economy and repetative nature of this same type of question we see here. Basically where is an affordable, nice place to live with good jobs and as close to the beach as possible?

Number one, the obvious, is that California has one of the most desirable climates in the nation. So supply and demand economics apply to the cost of housing and relative affordability. Cost of living is higher in CA than most other states in the South, Midwest and Southwest, especially in the areas near stronger job markets - LA, SD, OC, SF, SJ.

Secondly California unemployment is high right now. Consequently there are a lot of skilled and unskilled people looking for work. There are recent college graduates from decent schools unable to find their first job.

So with that in mind can you find what you (and many others) are looking for here? Maybe, maybe not. It really depends more on you, your resourcefullness, skills, education, experience and ability to improvise. You most likely will need to find a roomate situation and live like a starving student for a while as you establish yourself in your career/profession if you have one yet.

Basically you need to follow your profession at not be as concerned with finding an affordable area. Finding a stable *job* will be your number one goal.

What is it that you currently do for work? What is your training, education in? Do you have any professional goals?

My recommendation is this - don't move until you find work or plan go back to school somewhere to advance your education/future profession or both. Otherwise you may wind up being simply another unemployed person trying to survive in California on unemployment/welfare, etc... Once you have a solid job and build the necessary skills to be in demand and stay employed you can live just about anywhere in California or any other state for that matter.

My 2c,

Derek

[04kL4nD]

I moved to San Diego from NC when I was 20. I didn't have a job or a car. Looking back it was probably insanely foolish, but 5 years later I'm doing alright.

I would suggest somewhere in the East Bay. SoCal is really tough to get around without a car and SF is incredibly expensive.

[carolinaguy24]

Im going with Sacramento , i will have a car just a few years college but i have a felony from 2005 when i was 18. But im a intelligent guy and i think if i take what ever job i can find to start out? Me and my g/f have a few thousand set back enough to get there and pay the deposit and first few months. With so many latino's there general labor would not be a option maybe i SHOULD be able to WORK IN A restaurant atleast. I can do about anything on a computer and im very persistent and ready to change.

[MtnSurfer]

Of course you can give it a try. Others have done it before without any job and not much money. Sometimes you have to just give a go and see what happens. Learn via experience.

But don't expect it to be easy especially now with so many out of work. And have a contingency plan. So if by chance you don't find work you can do plan B. Maybe plan to go back to school and study computer science, information technology, etc... if you like working with computers and have a knack for that kind of thing. I'm a software engineer now. But I putzed around in other types of work/careers before going back to school. And I'm happy I did. It's a real fit for my natural abilities/skill sets. Plus it manages to pay the bills even in a down economy.

Also it may be hard securing a rental agreement if you arrive without a job. Most apartment management companies require proof of income - a job. I know, I used to be an apartment manager with my wife. We could not even consider an applicant without a job and at least a few months history with the company. Just something to think about looking ahead a bit.

Derek

[Charles]

Originally Posted by carolinaguy24

Does anyone have any suggestions on a nice affordable place were public transit is an option and a good local economies with a lot of jobs. THAnks guys if you would help out a little i was thinking Sacramento

Depends on what you mean by "nice" and "affordable" and "lot".

[Ceece]

How much can you afford in rent? Have you been to Sacramento before? I'm trying to prepare you because you will not be living the California Dream by a long shot, you may end up in a low rent motel and run out of money before finding a job. Some neighborhoods are pretty rough. With a felony (are you even allowed to move?) and no job I don't think it's going to work out very well for you. Assuming you are serious.

[04kL4nD]

Yeah Sac is not LA or SF. It's a great town, but it doesn't exactly scream California to me. You should at least visit before you decide to just bounce. Where in NC are you from?

[carolinaguy24]

an hr west of charlotte, I know my girl can get a job and we have enough for a few months, I;ve never been to sacramento i sound ignorant but im honestly just a laid back type person who smokes, and im a clean cut regular looking young white guy and i'm in school now. Any suggestion on a place with a nice vibe and alot of even ****ty jobs anything will help. Sometimes you just have to go for it, you just don't understand its beautiful here but the rest isn't for me, I'm not looking for a "cali dream" like in the movies just a affordable city (for california) or near a city with a good vibe and feel

[carolinaguy24]

And I can Afford $700 total a month including utilities and power