My honey is coming back with me from Manila in April. I live in NY now and am tired of the winters here and want a change. I visited Chula Vista area about 16 years ago and really liked it, etc , we agreed maybe want to move there start a new life...any Californians have any input on moving to California????? Job opportunities, etc etc. We want to save up a few months and move, I dont know if it will work but we are willing to try something new....................any input is appreciated, likes and dislikes California, any places we should consider checking out? We love the beach~ also any pet peeves or disadavntages?? Do you like it, do you like the beaches? my fiancee's aunt lives in L.A., however I havent had a chance to speak with her yet, etc etc thanks guys!

Chula Vista is okay. San Diego is beautiful, it's right next to Chula Vista about 20 minutes away! I been to the new part where they rebuilt houses from the fires that happened years ago. It's gorgeous! But, I have to tell you that it's a very expensive place to live. Gas over there is ridiculously expensive too! So as everything! If you can afford it, live there. Otherwise, I wouldn't because of the major financial stake.

Everything is ridiculously expensive. I live in Northern CA, and the rent for one bedroom (a crappy one) is $1,000 minimun ($1,300 for a decent one).

JelloShotGirl, you say you live in NY, do you live in New York City or elsewhere? I think, New Your City might be just as expensive as Southern CA. Taxes in CA are high too. What else? Weather is beautiful, awesome, can't be any better Nice people - lots of people from different countries (at least in Northern CA, I don't about San Diego area, but it's probably the same way). Jobs are plentiful, and the pay rate is generally higher because of the high cost of living. This year the state minimum wage has been raised to $7.50 an hour, and starting Jan '08 it will be $8 an hour.

I love it here, but hubby thinks it's too "liberal" Due to the outrageously high cost of living, we'll probably be moving to Nevada sometime in the future, but not for a while

i'm from southern california but moved to NYC a little less than a year ago. you really have to be prepared for it to be a complete change. almost like living in another country. where in ny are you? if you are close to NYC its definitely going to be a huge change.

rent is expensive here AND there. and there you MUST have a car. anywhere in california. buses are not an option no matter what anyone says.

definitely live within 30 minute drive to the beach or you'll never go. trust me. also so it won't be as hot as inland. weather is a huge change out there! very rarely rains and has a dry summer heat!

if you have any specific questions about so cali, PM me!

You need a car to go anywhere, unless you live in san francisco. Cars are useless there and any time you save waiting for busses by taking a car will be lost in time spent looking for a parking space. Rents are kinda high, I live on the outskirts of sacramento and i pay 850 per month for a very nice 1 bedroom. You can get apts alot cheaper like around 550 or 600 for a 1 bdroom but those are bad areas and its much better to pay a little more and be safe.

If you have bad credit, its REALLY REALLY hard to get an apartment no matter how much money you have. I had went to several apt complexes and offered to pay a full year in advance and they would not take me because of a mark i had on my credit that was 5 years old. This wasnt contained to one apt complex in one city...this happened to me in 4 different cities in california. It happened a few places in san diego, a few places in LA, a few places in sacramento, and a few places in chico. If you know CA you know all these cities are pretty far apart. It was really shocking to find that these management companies said it was against their policy not to take a years rent up front. Finally found a place though so its not impossible, so i hope you have good credit that you dont have to go thru what i did.

Good luck

Depending on where you live in NY, I don't think the high costs of living in these parts of CA will shock you. CA does not have a good transpo system unlike NY, so a car is a must. I think your honey will feel right at home whether in NY or CA as there's lots of Flips on both states.