Moving California. Insight on pay scale etc?

Zippy83 · May 16, 2019

As a California native, I agree with the posts that say it’s terrible and you shouldn’t live here! ?

But seriously,the cost of living is so high, I know that I could be living better anywhere else, but since my entire family and all of my friends are here, it doesn’t make sense to move my kids away from all of their grandparents and aunts and uncles etc. and even with a lower cost-of-living, I’d end up having to spend more on child care and travel to come back and visit family.

The traffic has become absolutely insane. When I first started driving, I roamed all over southern California for school and work and hanging out with friends, and now I try not to leave a 5 mile radius from my home if I can help it.

So the only way I can see being able to stay in California long term is if people stop moving here and the Midwest transplants get sick of it and go back home, and then maybe eventually the housing and traffic and jobs situation can get a little better.

NC sounds great, no need to leave ?

HomeBound · May 16, 2019

5 hours ago, hppygr8ful said:
Thanks for the glowing description of California - That should keep people away nicely. I have lived and traveled all over the world and nothing compares. It's the only place I know where you can walk on the beach in the morning, play a round of golf in the afternoon and cap of the day with night snow skiing in the mountains.
Yes it's crowed, expensive and hot. The nursing market is saturated unless you are in a specialty that's off the beaten path. I will leave CA eventually just to get away from all the people but I will miss the climate.
Hppy

I love ya Hppy---but staying in a situation for the weather is....not a priority for most families these days.

Just sayin. You didn't mention the wildfires or the quality of the air--the cost of the water and the lack thereof. You don't mention the crime or the meth or the needles/debris on the beaches.

I got my door kicked in after some crazy followed me home from work--and the police told me "well, you weren't raped or murdered. so there's that." i was told (by the police) to move so far out into the wilderness so that nobody will be around--because that's what they do---and commute the 2 hours to work every day to keep their families safe.

but.....weather.

?

HomeBound · May 16, 2019

2 hours ago, hppygr8ful said:
Let me clarify that I am a California Native. I have spent most of my life off an on here. Have also lived in Oregon (beautiful country super chill lifestyle) Arizona, New Mexico, several border states in Old Mexico and a brief but enlightening experience stranded in Greece.
People wanting to come to California often watch to much TV it is not all "Real Housewives" and "Keeping up with the Kardashian's" those are the lifestyles of the super rich and require huge incomes. California is rated as having the third highest cost of living in the country, but there are affordable places to build a life a raise a family. Traffic and taxes are a nightmare. For those of us who benefit from Prop 13, a break is afforded to long term residents and their children. My husband and I live in the home he grew up in which remains at the original taxed value his parents had when they bought the property in the 60's however we cannot remodel or update our home without losing that tax break.
The politics is a bit too liberal for me - but I endure. The climate keeps me here as I have fibromyalgia and don't do well in super cold or humid environments. Still I do yearn for a country life as I grew up on a subsistence farm and getting my food from a grocery store will always feel a bit strange to me. Farming is such hard work though!
My only advice is to really understand the cost of living aspect - You might actually have a better situation in a state with lower taxes and COL.
Hppy

Thank you for the clarification, Hppy.

All I was trying to do was give this person a realistic idea of what awaits in California for the uninformed and unprepared.

Which was me. I had lived there on a travel job in '06--in Monterey of all places---my company rented me this outrageously expensive (unbeknownst to me) furnised HOUSE in Carmel.

I walked to the beach every single day, before work and after work. The fog could get me depressed, but...it was just beautiful if you drove maybe 15 miles in any direction away from it.

That's where I saw the McMansions standing idle and empty. No water rights. The millionaires had built and nobody came---because there is a fight over the water rights from the rivers.

You are a long time resident. This person who wants to go is NOT. So the comparisons are apples and oranges to the property tax issue.

Californians like outsiders coming in---because they help pay the pensions of the state and hospital workers who are covered under CALPERS. The old timers are sitting pretty while the newbies get raked over the coals---with a very real prospect of NEVER seeing that money again. CALPERS is $1 TRILLION dollars in a HOLE.

There are priorities for people who have to pay the bills and think of retirement---and standing on a beach every day isn't going to do either of those issues any good if you don't make any more money than you would have---in the place you just left.

When I penciled it out? I make MORE and can OWN and can drive to the beach within 1 hour (very nice beaches thankyouverymuch)---WITHOUT the traffic. WITHOUT the dirty air and lack of water. WITHOUT the rude people. WITHOUT the wildfires. WITHOUT 45% of my paycheck paying for old timers who sit back and are collecting the wages off of my hard work.

California is a nice place to visit. And maybe do a travel job. But to live there? Nope. Even Californians agree with me---look at the exodus of population OUT of the state:

https://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-population-growth-20190501-story.html

https://lao.ca.gov/laoecontax/article/detail/265

https://www.ozy.com/fast-forward/why-people-are-flocking-from-california-to-arizona/90804

https://www.kpbs.org/news/2018/mar/15/californias-middle-class-decline-despite-states-im/

http://www.mygovcost.org/2018/02/26/calpers-to-force-choice-between-bankruptcy-and-bureaucrats/

https://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-pension-controversy-20150317-story.html

There are MANY MORE factual, government based and independent articles on the FACTS about living in California.

Weather doesn't pay my bills. ?

2Ask · May 16, 2019

45 minutes ago, HomeBound said:
When I penciled it out? I make MORE and can OWN and can drive to the beach within 1 hour (very nice beaches thankyouverymuch)---WITHOUT the traffic. WITHOUT the dirty air and lack of water. WITHOUT the rude people. WITHOUT the wildfires. WITHOUT 45% of my paycheck paying for old timers who sit back and are collecting the wages off of my hard work.

Just curious, where do you live now?

Golden_RN, MSN · May 16, 2019

How about trying a travel assignment in California to try it out?

Zippy83 · May 17, 2019

Do you have a specific part of California you want to live in? It’s a huge state and there are a lot of variables. I am in Southern California, and an RN with you education and level of experience can make around $65K-$90K depending on the company and the job. Of course that’s a generalization, I know some who make less and some who make way more.

I know I was joking around in my previous post, but there are actually somewhat affordable parts of California. However, if I was going to bother to move to any of those areas I would definitely move out of state instead.

For example, in Bakersfield you can actually get a house for $200,000, but it’s the worst air quality in the country, not near beaches or mountains, about 2 hours away from the greater LA area, and in my opinion just doesn’t have anything to offer.

The inland empire area (Rancho Cucamonga/Riverside/San Bernardino etc) is more affordable than LA but catching up quickly. There are some beautiful nature areas there, and it’s reasonable distance to beaches and mountains, but there are nice pockets and then areas that are going to be full of meth and with terrible school districts. Same with the High Desert and Apple Valley. Can be affordable, but why would you move there? Those are the kind of places that people go when they grew up in in the metro area of LA and San Diego, and then can no longer afford to live there. Not the kind of place that would be worth moving out of state for.

San Diego is going to be pretty expensive too.

The Bay Area pays very high wages, like 120K+ for most jobs, but then you will still be pretty poor at that salary due to insane housing costs up there. Families of four with incomes up to $140K qualify for some types of assistance due to the COL being so high. There are high paid tech guys living in their cars in the San Jose area because they have some high paying, fancy job but can’t even find a place to live.

To be honest if I didn’t grow up here I don’t think I’d be here now, and I don’t plan to stay once my kids finish school. There are things to love, but it’s not worth the rat race.

brownbook · May 17, 2019

This is a perfect example of, "The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence....and the grass is always greener where you water it".

I'm a 3rd generation Californian so I don't know how to compare it to anywhere else. I live 20 miles from where my grandmother (in 1880), and both parents were born. I hear neighbors plan about moving to other states, lower taxes, less congestion, etc. I don't know....I just keep watering my grass . Not the kind you smoke ?.

Zippy83 · May 17, 2019

42 minutes ago, brownbook said:
This is a perfect example of, "The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence....and the grass is always greener where you water it".
I'm a 3rd generation Californian so I don't know how to compare it to anywhere else. I live 20 miles from where my grandmother (in 1880), and both parents were born. I hear neighbors plan about moving to other states, lower taxes, less congestion, etc. I don't know....I just keep watering my grass . Not the kind you smoke ?.

There are many factors involved, I agree. My family has also been here for generations, but I did live out of state for a couple years so I have some comparison.

Do you rent or own, and are you in a major metro area or suburban? Do you have kids? What is your commute time to work? Do you have student loans?

I also think it’s somewhat generational, as my parents had a great experience beings Californian in the 80’s, able to buy a house in their 20’s with 3 kids, modest jobs with no college degrees. They were able to ‘move up’ and live pretty well. I had kids right out of college and then the recession hit immediately, so I have been barely hanging on by a thread since then. Well it has gotten better so now it’s more like a rope ?

allnurses Guide · May 17, 2019

6 hours ago, HomeBound said:
I love ya Hppy---but staying in a situation for the weather is....not a priority for most families these days.
Just sayin. You didn't mention the wildfires or the quality of the air--the cost of the water and the lack thereof. You don't mention the crime or the meth or the needles/debris on the beaches.
I got my door kicked in after some crazy followed me home from work--and the police told me "well, you weren't raped or murdered. so there's that." i was told (by the police) to move so far out into the wilderness so that nobody will be around--because that's what they do---and commute the 2 hours to work every day to keep their families safe.
but.....weather.
?

We get one or two wildfires a year and only in certain areas it's not like the whole state is burning all the time. This is mostly because of poor land management since the liberals hamstringed the forestry service so there's no effective land/timber management. Air quality where I live is pretty good also due to liberal environmental policies so they are good for something. I've been up and own the coast hunting, fishing and camping and have never not once come across a hypodermic needle. Trash/debris etc is mostly found in areas with a high homeless and undocumented populations. And meth? California ranks 6th for overall in meth use. Michigan ranks # 1. Crime rates in my area are pretty low as well. Always had a polite courteous police officer arrive within 10 minutes of my call -usually related to my neighbor's (An out-state import) barking dog. The only time I see police act like orifices is when they are dealing with our homeless psych patients oh and adolescent suicidal kids who get hauled in like criminals in handcuffs.

You can take almost any state and find a litany of complaints. If you are a glass half empty person rather than a glass half full. These days having lived an adventurous life I appreciate my quiet little town.

You seem to think weather/climate should not be a concern when it comes to quality if life. However I like going out in January/February in shorts and t-shirts and lighting the BBQ. I grow fresh veggies year round and when time permits head up to the mountains to my cozy cabin for lake fishing and playing in the snow.

Oops now I've made California seem attractive again!!!

Hppy

caliotter3 · May 17, 2019

I was once told that at least a homeless person can live outdoors without freezing to death in winter in most areas in California so that is a plus in the "California weather" poll.

allnurses Guide · May 17, 2019

54 minutes ago, brownbook said:
This is a perfect example of, "The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence....and the grass is always greener where you water it".
I'm a 3rd generation Californian so I don't know how to compare it to anywhere else. I live 20 miles from where my grandmother (in 1880), and both parents were born. I hear neighbors plan about moving to other states, lower taxes, less congestion, etc. I don't know....I just keep watering my grass . Not the kind you smoke ?.

Your allowed to water your grass???

HomeBound · May 17, 2019

46 minutes ago, brownbook said:
This is a perfect example of, "The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence....and the grass is always greener where you water it".
I'm a 3rd generation Californian so I don't know how to compare it to anywhere else. I live 20 miles from where my grandmother (in 1880), and both parents were born. I hear neighbors plan about moving to other states, lower taxes, less congestion, etc. I don't know....I just keep watering my grass . Not the kind you smoke ?.

And this advice is perfect for OP. He/she should take a good look at the grass underfoot in NC and figure out just what it is that's making this move seem tempting.

I liked certain aspects of Ca, I really did. But the negatives were and are just so overwhelmingly negative for someone who is used to owning 10 acres, with an 1800 sqft home that is all remodeled (i don't have to allow the STATE to dictate whether I update my home, because I might lose tax affordability)--no street noise, lovely neighbors who don't feel the need to put fencing around every single thing or build on every square inch of natural space. I could afford my house on my middling $45K salary---not a lot to save over a year, but if I worked overtime---which was NOT required to live comfortably (unlike living in Ca...where having 2-3 jobs is the norm, as well as having 2-3 adults with those multiple incomes cohabiting just to eak out some sort of meager existence)---I lived well.

Can you say that in California without having the caveat of "I inherited this property from my family" or "I have been here for 45 years" ?

I like owning and I like my privacy. You have neither in Ca if you are a single or even just starting out couple. You can't.

As far as where I live now---I am a traveler. I own a home on the east coast, within an hours' drive of one of the nicest beach areas there outside of Florida's.

My taxes are under 4 figures on 10 acres with my beautiful home. I can drive to world class shopping, hop a plane or train to see a show for dinner in NYC (say THAT in Ca. no efficient or effective public transportation there AT ALL) and be home by midnight. World class museums and cultural attractions, with the rich history that embodies the east coast and mid atlantic region. If I want to go to one of the most famous hiking trails---the Appalachian---I can do that easily. We have some of the most beautiful scenery with the Smokey Mountains---friendly folks and just plain good people who don't consistently try to take advantage of everybody who crosses their path.

Absolutely amazing schools and higher education. State pension systems in the black. Decent wages---but I'd love to see nurse to patient ratios.

I didn't go to California because I watched too much television. I went there for a travel job---and when I got there---I regretted making the commitment....but I was stuck for the contract.

Anyone in the middle class there has to do outrageous things to be able to pay their bills---renting out every square inch of their home to strangers, getting two or three jobs---if I wanted to live like a frat boy with 7 people I don't know just so I can have a space the size of the bathroom in my home on the east coast---I would have stayed in college.

California is a place you go to visit Disneyland and Hollywood, maybe climb Shasta, have some seafood on Fisherman's Wharf---then you go home where it's realistic to want to have something that won't take every cent of your paycheck because.....nice weather.