Moving to California. Need some advice.

[decampos]

After a lot of fantasizing but never actually doing all that much about it, I'm finally now making serious plans to relocate my ass to California. My wife-to-be is supporting the move but wants to come with me. I am actually an American citizen (born in Vegas baby, family are from NYC) but have lived all my life in the UK.

Not entirely sure where in California. We're both freelancers/contractors so we're used to jumping from job to job (and the fear of moving to not-job). At the moment we're being surprisingly motivated by the weather. California (particularly Santa Monica) was chosen by the wife as she reckons it's a good place for people with her skills (she's a web developer). I'm a graphic designer - not sure what the 'scene' is in that area.

In general: Is there someplace/area that anyone can recommend we focus in on? Ideally we'd like good links to the city but close to the countryside. I really don't know where to start.

Also, is there any way I could legally bring my coupé? I've heard that there are much stricter laws on emissions and safety than here in the UK. I'm hoping it's not totally out of the question bringing my car over. I really do love that car and would be forced to consider suicide if I have to let it go.

Any help or pointers very much appreciated!

 

[x_atlas0]

Cali is known for having extremely stringent emissions requirements. Based on some research I did a few years back, you should be ok since the coupe is a 75. Federally, you will be fine since it is older than 25 years. At a state level, I think you will only be held to the emissions standards present when it was new. If it was 76 or newer, you would have to comply with current standards. (so a car from 1976 has to pass the same tests as a car from 2009. Yeah, right.)

By the way, have you been looking at housing costs and individual medical insurance? The housing market is pretty nuts over there. Also, since you are a contractor, you will probably need to get your own health insurance.

 

[Bwana]

Trona

Yep, definitely Trona. Low cost of living, close to the mountains and desert recreation, relaxed lifestyle. :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZV2mh38l3cg

Affordable California housing!

http://www.trulia.com/CA/Trona/

Seriously, be sure to bring a lot of money if you're moving to CA. Think Weybridge rates or better for a modest home. No place cheap but lots of pretty areas. You might check out the Mendicino area in northern coastal. Rural, almost affordable, but still in reach of San Francisco if necessary.

 

[execmalibu]

Close to Santa Monica and near Nature?...

Because you have lived in the UK for many years I don't think that you want to be in a place anything like Las Vegas... Called the San Fernando Valley...

Then you would have to go North to areas like Pacific Palisades or Malibu... You could go South (MDR, Redondo, Hermosa) but there is no Nature areas close by...

Rents are insane (good for me being a Landlord) everywhere in LA but maybe also in the UK?... But in some areas of Malibu NOT on the Beach the rents are about the same as in the City...

Bringing your old E9 is no problem...

 

[Stevehose]

And be prepared to pay hefty state income taxes personal and business

 

[decampos]

Thanks for the replies. Lots of good info.

That's excellent news to hear that I may be able to bring my E9. That really has got me thinking this might actually not be a total disaster of an idea.
(particularly as I've just spent way too much on the restoration: http://www.e9coupe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=12785)

Regarding housing costs, I can only imagine we will be renting for a good while. Medical insurance - yep, that's a concern. Everyone has cited that as the largest obstacle particularly as I'm a diabetic. 'There must be diabetic freelance graphic designers in the US who are somehow able to remain alive' is my reply but I really don't know what I'm talking about.

Trona looks perfect, thanks for that Bwana. Cheap, likely to afford land to work on my car. Bliss. Unfortunately I have a feeling the wife would prefer something a little closer to the coast while we're renting/finding our feet.

Feel free to keep location suggestions coming and anything else that might help us get off the ground.

 

[dang]

1975 and older cars in CA are exempt from emission testing. 1976 and newer cars got tested for their original specs when the program started years ago and "they" have slowly tightened up the specs over the years, changing them again this coming January (says the word on the street).

Once you get the car imported you'll probably pay about $85-100 a year for registration and that's it.

CA has everything in the way of weather, demographics, cities and countryside. I guess you'll have to pick a priority and start that way.

Dan

 

[David]

The job market in Los Angeles, San Diego and Orange County is not well suited for your professions. Sorry.

I think you will have much more luck with employment looking into San Francisco, Palo Alto, San Jose areas. Big companies like Amazon, Twitter, Google are hiring in your general profession as fast as they can find people, and start-ups are making a comeback. If you are a UX designer you will have no problem finding jobs right now. (tell your wife to not use the term "web designer" on her CV). Take a look on their websites to see what they are hiring for and where they are located.

Rents in Los Angeles vary quite a bit, but are on a steep climb. Closer to the water will be more expensive. However San Francisco is even more expensive, with San Jose catching up. In addition to Trulia you may also find Redfin useful.

California is very expensive and getting more so. There are plenty of web sites that can show you cost of living numbers. Find a city/county with promising employment opportunities, and live there for a while until you get established here.

Lastly, you wont have a problem with emissions on your car in California. You are exempt.

 

[decampos]

Thanks for the info David. What you say about those locations being unsuitable is particularly useful. I'll explore possibilities in the places you recommend.

I have indeed been looking at those cost of living comparison sites. Los Angeles generally speaking appears to score higher than London in many of the crucial areas. The feeling that we're getting royally ripped off here has certainly been part of the drive for us to live somewhere else.

Hearing that the car is exempt has been a real relief I can tell you.

The job market in Los Angeles, San Diego and Orange County is not well suited for your professions. Sorry.

I think you will have much more luck with employment looking into San Francisco, Palo Alto, San Jose areas. Big companies like Amazon, Twitter, Google are hiring in your general profession as fast as they can find people, and start-ups are making a comeback. If you are a UX designer you will have no problem finding jobs right now. (tell your wife to not use the term "web designer" on her CV). Take a look on their websites to see what they are hiring for and where they are located.

Rents in Los Angeles vary quite a bit, but are on a steep climb. Closer to the water will be more expensive. However San Francisco is even more expensive, with San Jose catching up. In addition to Trulia you may also find Redfin useful.

California is very expensive and getting more so. There are plenty of web sites that can show you cost of living numbers. Find a city/county with promising employment opportunities, and live there for a while until you get established here.

Lastly, you wont have a problem with emissions on your car in California. You are exempt.

 

[IS3FIFTY]

Having myself made the move from Europe to So Cal a little while ago, here are a few tips that I'm happy to share:

1. Housing: California is not the mid-west where you can buy a mansion for $300K. Prices here are just like in London, except that your house will be made of cardboard. And while you may have a decent garden/yard in North London, don't expect much of one anywhere near the coast.

2. Cars: you should definitely bring your car over. Especially if it's a low mileage car. Typically people here drive a lot more than in Europe so it's difficult to find a car with low/decent mileage. Also, if your car is a UK model, keep in mind that driving with the steering wheel on the wrong side may be tiring after a while. Plus selling the car might prove difficult, if you decide to get rid of it at one point.

Unlike everyone here, you will love gas at $4.00/gallon

3. Work: whatever networking you are doing in the UK to get work or maintain your work, you will have to double the effort here. California is a very competitive marketplace. Also, as David also mentioned below, your skills are more in demand in the Bay area/SF. But it's also a very dynamic marketplace, so if you're focused and build a strong network you should be fine. Just bring enough cash with you.

So Cal is really a very good place to live. You're close to the beach, the desert and a few mountains. Good luck to you and let us know how we can help.

 

[craterface]

I have spent a lot of time in California, having lived and worked in Palo Alto in my younger days, before medical school. I am in Florida now, and I would be living in California now if I could ever convince my wife. Northern California is fantastic, but not all that warm (Baywatch was not filmed there!) Dry, yes. And the roads are fantastic. The economy in the Bay Area chugs along nicely. If you want to be in a more rural setting yet close to SF, I might suggest Half Moon Bay. Or perhaps Santa Cruz, which is commuting distance to San Jose. Sonoma county is nice as well, and you may want to check out Santa Rosa or Healdsburg.
As a physician, I might suggest getting an insurance plan with a very high deductible (like 10,000) to make it affordable. If you or your wife works full time for a big firm, then they provide it typically. The available healthcare is very good, with some of the top hospitals in the country at Stanford and UCSF. If you go, you will not regret it. There is a reason why the rents are high!

 

[rb1971]

The job market in Los Angeles, San Diego and Orange County is not well suited for your professions. Sorry.

I think you will have much more luck with employment looking into San Francisco, Palo Alto, San Jose areas. Big companies like Amazon, Twitter, Google are hiring in your general profession as fast as they can find people, and start-ups are making a comeback. If you are a UX designer you will have no problem finding jobs right now. (tell your wife to not use the term "web designer" on her CV). Take a look on their websites to see what they are hiring for and where they are located.

As a 7-plus-year SF resident, I second this.

And while SF seems to be (just) cheaper than London for housing based on exchange rates and what my friends there seem to pay, it's still pretty expensive.

I know a couple of freelancers in various graphic design/web/advertising areas here. Two points that might be interesting:

1. None of them seem to have any problem staying employed, making mortgage payments, etc. They seem to work decently hard but not crazy hours.
2. One of them is diabetic and seemed to be able to get insurance no problem. Maybe it cost more than usual, but they haven't complained and we are close enough that I think I would have heard if it were outrageous.

 

[Arde]

As a 7-plus-year SF resident, I second this.

I know a couple of freelancers in various graphic design/web/advertising areas here. Two points that might be interesting:

1. None of them seem to have any problem staying employed, making mortgage payments, etc. They seem to work decently hard but not crazy hours.
2. One of them is diabetic and seemed to be able to get insurance no problem. Maybe it cost more than usual, but they haven't complained and we are close enough that I think I would have heard if it were outrageous.

We need to talk, my daughter just graduated in that field and she is already in the Bay Area so it would be great to network with your friends!

I second the note on UX and startups in the Mountain View/Palo Alto.

Living on the coast (around Aptos I would say) has the benefit of driving HWY 17 with your coupe.

 

[decampos]

Thanks for taking the time to reply guys.

So Cal is really a very good place to live. You're close to the beach, the desert and a few mountains. Good luck to you and let us know how we can help.

I appreciate the solidarity there IS3FIFTY.

… I might suggest getting an insurance plan with a very high deductible (like 10,000) to make it affordable ...!

Thanks craterface, I'm going to need to do some homework into insurance plans and the like. Everyone I've spoken to site this area as the biggest hurdle. I don't even know what a 'high deductible' is.

… 1. None of them seem to have any problem staying employed, making mortgage payments, etc. They seem to work decently hard but not crazy hours.
2. One of them is diabetic and seemed to be able to get insurance no problem. Maybe it cost more than usual, but they haven't complained and we are close enough that I think I would have heard if it were outrageous.

That's really encouraging rb1971.

We need to talk, my daughter just graduated in that field and she is already in the Bay Area so it would be great to network with your friends!

Absolutely. That could be really helpful. I'll give you a shout when everything is kicking off.

Living on the coast (around Aptos I would say) has the benefit of driving HWY 17 with your coupe.

Indeed. As I'll have my coupé with me, would be good to meet up with the E9 crowd of CA. Would be good to arrange those kind of meets without having to worry so much about crappy weather.

The wife and I will be putting some serious time aside this weekend to make some firm decisions. Feel free to get in touch if you guys can think of any more useful advice particularly anything concerning the world of print and digital design.

 

[David]

It may be useful to join a professional discussion group on Linkedin.com. There you may be able to find employment agencies that hire and place freelance designers.

Also, you mention your coupe for commuting. I dont know that Id count on that for 100% of my driving in California. Even in Los Angeles, there are days where it rains. In general the further north you are the more it rains. Any ideas of using mass transit in So Cal need to be removed from your plan. There simply isn't any reliable way to work unless you drive, although the bay area does have cities where mass transit may work for you. I'd have US$5k to US$10k ready to buy a reliable daily driver.

 

[decampos]

Hi David. I'm am on Linkedin. Yet to make the most out of it but I'm working on as we speak. I'm not sure I'd use the 3.0 to commute. It runs sweet as a nut but it is almost 40 years old so it cannot be anywhere near as reliable as a cheap runabout. I could be wrong. Even then, It's my understanding that there's no salt on the roads so in theory I could drive all year round?

 

[David]

Hi. The only roads that get salted are up in the mountains where it snows. I dont think you need to worry about that. I was thinking you may not want to drive your coupe in the rain, and I wanted you to know that it actually does rain here (although perhaps less than London). Personally, I never take the coupe if it looks like rain.

 

[decampos]

Interesting. That makes sense.

It does rain a lot here. The summer was the wettest in 100 years. Though I won't head out if it looks like rain, the chances are it will rain. In many ads for classic cars in this country, many people will claim 'never driven in the rain' but unless the car has no miles on it, they are lying.

Yep, the weather's made me fairly cynical. BBC weather forcast for tomorrow:

Saturday
Rain developing during the morning, along with strengthening easterly winds. Continuing wet and windy throughout the afternoon.

Hi. The only roads that get salted are up in the mountains where it snows. I dont think you need to worry about that. I was thinking you may not want to drive your coupe in the rain, and I wanted you to know that it actually does rain here (although perhaps less than London). Personally, I never take the coupe if it looks like rain.

 

[Ives]

Move to Ca.

deCampos,

PM sent

 

[execmalibu]

Decampos... Although we would love to have you Calif is now CLOSED...

NEWS Flash!

Just this morning the last available spot in the entire State of California was taken out of turn when one last Individual slipped though our Southern Border...

He was able to fool the INS by using a very clever disguise... Not Doctor Garb or any other type of uniform... This guy was brilliant! He slipped right through the Border Check point and past all of the guards wearing a Pancho and a Large Sombrero... When they asked him where in the USA he lived he replied "NO SE"... Me "NO COMPRENDE INGLESH"... That was all he needed to say to prove to the INS that he had lived in the US for many years and that he belonged in this country:roll:...

His buddy had a few large sacks with him... After sticking his head into one of the sacks the INS Drug Sniffing Dog keeled over dead with white powder covering his nose... But this is not unusual and they let him pass through also:shock:... The Border Patrol did stop three men wearing turbins because their packages were ticking... They sent all three of them to the Airport and told them with ticking packages they had to enter the US on a Jumbo Jet:mrgreen:.

We are Full!.... NO VACANCY!.... Sorry the Parking Lot is Closed!...

We should be open for business again in the near future... Just as soon as that last Gentlemen along with his Five Million relatives has ended their vacation and they all return home...:mrgreen:

Just Goofing!

I am 100% guilty of Hiring and Supporting our Southern Neighbors... Most are Hard Working, Dedicated and Very Honorable... I just wish there wern't so many of them here in LA (Traffic issues) and that they would try to learn more English because my Spanish Sucks!