Headed out West! calling al califonians

ChronicTron

ChronicTron

Active Member
So after years of deliberation and discussions with friends im going to move to Cali nothing to do with prop 19 but because Cali has a large market for my career field. Though I don't know much about Cali, such as cost of living, tax rates, minimum wage average rent for So Cal and things like that things to get me started till I can get an official career based job. Id love to have a garden also but the job is the main focus any one from Cali here wanna drop some info +rep for all

p.s. sorry for the Al Califonians my laptop restarts on its own and i dint have time to spell check or it woulda restarted and id be retyping eveything instead of just editing .
 
akgrown

akgrown

Well-Known Member
Well let me tell you a bit about SoCal, I live in San Diego. The rental rates are through the roof, I pay just over a 1000 per month for rent and this does not include utilities. I live in a 2 story apt in what is considered the ghetto SD. Most places here with more than one bedroom will def run more than a grand per month. As of right now sales tax where i live is at 8.75% plus the El Cajon tax which make it like 9.25%. Jobs: there really are not that many job available and do not be suprised if your prospective employer hires a mexican first. Min wage in CA I believe is 7.25 but, some counties has a living wage as well to compensate for the high cost of living. You could not support yourself here and be happy making 7.25 so try to get a job that requires skills.
 
golddog

golddog

Well-Known Member
ChronicTron said:
yeah im looking for one in Design graphic/web so it better be one hell of a mexican.
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Hahaha... Just let me get that out of the way.

I would make sure I had my ducks in a row before I just came out here.

Unless you have some contacts, it will be tough to get a Graphics Design/web type Job. If you want to consult, bring a bag of money and get in line.

The West Side of SmellA is were you want to start looking for a place to live. A couple grand a month for an apartment. Santa Monica - where it's really at - 3k for a place with a secure parking area. Culver City is where a lot of the big employers hang.

I wish you luck, just plan ahead. :leaf: line up some interviews before you come out :o
 
akgrown

akgrown

Well-Known Member
agreed man, most people out here are only hiring for contract and temp jobs, also paying alt of people on consignment and shit so yeah, If I was you I would find some work before you come out, CA economy is fucked so you may find yourself in a pickle when you get out here.
 
brandon.

brandon.

Well-Known Member
ChronicTron said:
yeah im looking for one in Design graphic/web so it better be one hell of a mexican.
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It won't be one hell of a mexican, it will 5,000 other graphic and web designers. Yeah it's great for that career, but you gotta know people. I'm a web developer and I'd love to move to cali but I won't until I get a job first. There are tons of jobs but 1000% more potential employees than jobs. Do you already have a career in graphic/web design? do you have a portfolio, how about experience? If you're just getting into the field, I wouldn't move there yet. With as many people as there are out there, you have to be better and more qualified than all of them.
 
ChronicTron

ChronicTron

Active Member
brandon. said:
It won't be one hell of a mexican, it will 5,000 other graphic and web designers.
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True but yeah ive gone to school for it, got the portfolio ( currently revamping ) few/slim on the connections but they seen to be in good standing out the at least one of them did editing/motion graphics for Michaels-Goldwyn. as for experience freelance only. and saving to 15,000 befor any official move are made besides my current research.
 
brandon.

brandon.

Well-Known Member
ChronicTron said:
True but yeah ive gone to school for it, got the portfolio ( currently revamping ) few/slim on the connections but they seen to be in good standing out the at least one of them did editing/motion graphics for Michaels-Goldwyn. as for experience freelance only. and saving to 15,000 befor any official move are made besides my current research.
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Just be smart about it man. Unfortunately freelance experience doesn't mean much to a lot of firms. I have a lot of freelance experience but they always just want to know about my experience working at a firm. They want to know about your ability to work with a team, and listen to a manager etc. I wish you luck though. PM me your portfolio when it's done and I can show it to a few of my colleagues in Cali.

Definitely research cost of living and such. I don't know how far 15k will get you maybe 5 or 6 months? Like I said just be smart. Is it just yourself? Do you have any family out there in case something happens? Hope for the best, plan for the absolute worst, especially in this economy.
 
R

reeffermadness

Well-Known Member
Im in Northern Cali and the cost of living varies...but its pretty consistent with $700-1000 for a 2 bedroom apartment. Minimum wage is $7.25, tax is 9%. I know you said So Cal but for your job field actually you might want to consider the Bay Area. A little flooded as far as Tech positions go but it is the area for computer stuff.
 
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