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Thinking of moving to California

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William

Darth Vader
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Just as the title sez. I've wanted to live in the L.A. area since I was probably fifteen or sixteen. I visited last spring and fell quite in love with the place, and circumstances have come about that now make moving there at least a little practical. Lemme 'splain.

I think I've only alluded to it, but I'm losing my job at the end of next week. In a strange confluence, my lease is coming up, and I need renew it by the end of the month (I've discussed an extension of a month, and they're willing to work with me).

In any event, I've spent the last month or so trying to find new employment, and so far failing miserably at it (yes, I know these things take time). My parents have noticed how miserable I've been lately (the work situation has gotten quite bad over the last year anyway, I'm kind of relieved to be going), and my Mum asked me what I really want to do, or if I wanted to move since my lease is about up. I mumbled something about L.A. and she took to it immediately and started telling me about some friends of my sister who could help me find a place to stay, etc. Next day I get the following email from my Dad:

<span style="font-style: italic">I hear you're thinking of moving to Calif. I think you should do it. Don't worry about the logistics, the important thing is your happiness. The worst that can happen is you have to drive back home.</span>

I'm starting to see the logic here. It looks like I'm going to have to find some sort of retail type job (which is what I'm getting out of) if something doesn't pop up soon. If I have to do that, why not somewhere different for a while?

I don't know why I'm posting this here-I think I just needed to put it in words and bounce it off people I'm not related to (and with whom I don't work). My guts are telling me this is a stupid idea, but sometimes I feel my guts have s@#% for brains.

Sheesh, if you got this far, feel free to tell me to sod off!

-William
 
It sounds as if you have the support of those who count, the only thing missing is employment. If there is no compelling reason to STAY where you are, you can just as well look for a job in L.A. as the mid-west.

Plus:

1) The weather is Heaven, comparatively (no "Hawk").

2) The job market is HUGE comparatively.

3) The cars don't RUST as quickly, there are more nice LBC's.


Minus:

1) There's a BIG crack inna ground there.

2) Cost of living is a bit higher.

3) The cars don't RUST as quickly, there are more nice LBC's.

GO FOR IT!!! :laugh: :thumbsup:
 
You'll never need to scrape ice and snow off your car in 18*F weather again.
 
Especially if you're on your own, and not someone's support ... you'll never know if'n ya don't try!

And you're *really* lucky to have family out there to get you started.

T.
 
:iagree:

Biggest regret will be if you DON'T go... and it'll show up MUCH later...

"Shoulda, coulda, woulda..."
 
Go for it, dude!!

Food's much better in L.A.

IMHO - cold climate places suck!

PS: Learn some Espanol and ya can get into some seriously
good eating at local Latino hole-in-the-walls for not so
seriously priced pesos.

Such as "pavo en relleno negro" if yer lucky.

You'll find yer niche - profession wise.

d
 
That too... Bi-lingual is a good thing. If ya need "disciplined" classes, do a stint in a "get along" job and take night classes. Otherwise, do a "Rosetta Stone" Spanish program.
 
I don't actually have any family there anymore (sister moved to Nashville last fall-come to think of it she offered me the use of her place there for a coupla months, as she'll be working in Minneapolis). I know a couple of people there (both friends of Sister anyway). Oh, I have an aunt and uncle in Anaheim whom I haven't seen in at least a decade, if not longer.

I'm completely dependent-less. No wife. No girlfriend. No kids. Not even a goldfish.

I actually like winter. The cold doesn't really bother me much, nor does the snow (I drive a Miata year round, should tell you how much it bothers me!). But, this past winter has just been awful, even by Chicago area standards. Heck, it's snowing right now!!! Nicer weather is certainly an enticement.

Ive been trawling job listings in the Los Angeles area-seems to be a decent number of openings in the sorts of field I'm looking at here (payroll processing, it's a major part of what I do now), and I could always go be a bank teller for a while (my Mom's been pushing me towards that for dog's years!). I'm reasonably sure I could get a not too pricey apartment somewheres-Sis certainly did.

I supposedly get a decent severance pay from the company, as well as some dough from the gubmint. The parents will help me out, as long as I'm not obviously goofing around.

About the only things tying me to Chicago are my immediate family, and a few friends outside of work, and The Comforts Of Home.

I know no Spanish. Quixotically, I took German in both High School and at UIC. I should go shoplift a Rosetta Stone.

I s'pose the worst thing would be initially not having any money coming in at all. I'm a good economizer, but a finite amount of money is finite-it will run out. I'd have to be quick getting some cash coming back in.

Thanks for letting me "talk" this out. Sometimes it's best if you just see it in writing.

-Wm.
 
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:]2) Cost of living is a bit higher.[/QUOTE]
A <span style="font-weight: bold">bit</span>????

Regardless, go for it - if it doesn't work out, northern Alabama is a hot spot for new jobs!
 
Tinster said:
Go for it, dude!!

Food's much better in L.A.
Click to expand...

I respectfully disagree with you there. Equal, maybe. After all, why would they open up a Portillo's in Buena Park, if not to fill a gaping hole in the local food scene?

:yesnod:

-Wm.
 
That, or add an air conditioner... :devilgrin:
 
If I were you I'd at least consider it... Especially given that you have no commitments and responsibilities holding you back.

Back in 2000 I moved to southern Ontario, kind of whim and kind of not (long story). I stayed there for about three years before moving back home to Alberta, but my time spent in Ontario was a great part of my life, and a great experience.

And plus you'll actually get to attend Cars & Coffee, not just look at the photos of it... Unlike the rest of us...
 
I'd vote for a big old GO FOR IT! I wound up in Utah after college on a bit of a whim, and 14 years later I couldn't be happier. Your dad is very wise -- worse thing to happen is you have to move again. Keep a little cash aside in the bank for the worst case, and you've always got a way out.

In your situation, you've got the whole country available to you. If LA is your place to be, you should be there. Enjoy the adventure.
 
Remember, you can always go home, but you can't always go away.

And no opportunity is always there.

Go West Young Man!!! An enjoy

:winner1:

Dave
 
I feel that LA is a good place for a younger
person.I have no intentions of going there if I can
help it.You have to fight traffic almost everywhere,
& fight the crowds in a lot of places you go.
If you don't mind those things - go for it!
We're thinking of moving out of Northern California.
I'd like to go to a smaller town (or city)where the
pace of life isn't crazy all the time.

- Doug
 
Go.

It'll never hurt you and it could be life-changing.

I especially like San Jose, but LA would be great for a young, single guy.

My goofey parents dragged me around through four different countries before they settled in New Jersey when I was 11. It's always been fun for me to say I've lived here, then there, then there, etc.
(by the way, New Jersey is an *excellent* place to live!...especially the southern shore region near Cape May).

Not that you're asking, but if I were a young guy looking to live in an urban area, I might choose Philadelpia, Boston, Toronto or the East Village before LA. And if I were looking for less-urban, probably the Delmarva peninsula.

But whatever, there's really no bad choice.
A change of scenery will be a Good Thing, even if you just try it for a few months.
 
Don't go to LA - Go to OC

OC-
Nicer beaches
Cars and Coffee
Cleaner
Cars and Coffee
Not as congested
Cars and Coffee
Safer
Cars and Coffee
you can drive to LA
Cars and Coffee
Better schools if you settle and multiply
Cars and Coffee
My single friends say the girls are prettier in OC
Cars and Coffee
 
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