California is the most populous state in America and for good reason. With its nice weather year-round, infinite beaches, and non-stop entertainment, it’s not hard to see why the Golden State is so popular.
Is the California lifestyle is calling your name? Keep reading to learn all you need to know before you move to California.
1. Choose Your New Area
California has several diverse and different regional landscapes and climate zones. When choosing where to move, you’ll be looking at California’s four main geographical regions.
The Coast covers 830 miles along the Pacific Ocean coastline. It connects the Greater Los Angeles Area with the San Francisco Bay Area.
The Central Valley is the flat and fertile area that runs along the center of the state. The Northern area is known as the Sacramento Valley, while the Southern area is known as San Joaquin Valley.
The Mountains is where you’ll find the Sierra Nevada mountain range. Here you’ll find Mount Whitney, the highest mountain in the contiguous United States.
The Desert area of California contains the Mojave, the driest desert in North America. This area contains Death Valley, which is where the highest recorded air temperature on Earth was recorded in 1913.
Each area has its laundry list of pros and cons. The one you choose will depend on the lifestyle you’re hoping to achieve.
2. Choose Your Housing
Before you move to The Golden State, you’ll need to settle on a budget. California real estate is notorious for its high prices. Check the average cost of rent or homes in the areas you’re considering.
If you have your heart set on a specific area, but the pricing is out of your budget, try a different type of housing. Maybe luxury apartments in LA aren’t in the cards for you, but a nice condo out of downtown might be.
3. Find a Job
Statewide unemployment rates are low at 8.3%. Even though the job outlook is great, you should still have something lined up before your move.
The Internet makes modern-day job hunting a breeze. Take a look at the Monster, CaliforniaJobNetwork, and CareerBuilder websites to see what jobs are available. Don’t make the move until you have secure employment to pay your bills.
4. Plan Your Move
Planning a move is the most exhausting part of the process. If you’re moving across the country, take items you’ll know you need to save money on movers. Is that couch from 1970 a must-have or can you replace it when you get to your new place?
Sell or give away items you won’t be bringing with you. Save this cash to help pay for the cost of hiring movers.
You can also rent a moving truck and haul your things yourself. You will save a lot of money this way, but it will be much more work.
Start Your Move to California
Now that you know the basics, you can start your move to California. The sooner you start planning, the better. Give yourself plenty of time to research areas, jobs, and housing.
Keep reading our blogs for tips on managing your finances so your move can become a reality.