Feb 27, 2017
11:37:17pm
11:37:17pm
Living in California is tough. We do it because my wife feels healthier here.
I'm originally from Washington state and I've got a lot of feelings about living here, both good and bad. I've deleted two very long versions of this reply, but in the end it's like this.
Commuting Sucks: I'm in the car 2.5-3 hours a day, and I know people in my office that have it worse then that. I listen to audio books from the library to pass the time. I think after 7 years I finally have a transfer pending that will bring my commute down to less then an hour each way.
The beaches/outdoors are great: I really don't have the talent to surf, but I do enjoy spear fishing, or just snorkeling. It's nothing like the tropical waters of Hawaii, but still very beautiful in it's own way. The lack of seasons is confusing? It can be really hard to tell one year from the next.
Strong Members: There are some really great members of the church in the OC, but as mentioned above a lot are leaving for lower cost of living states.
Cost of Housing: This is the hardest part about coming to California. I have a brother-in-law that just did the Utah to California transition, but he was only able to pull it off because the job assisted him in the transfer and provided substantial relocation assistance. Once you manage to get into a home within the boundaries of a good school then you are golden.
The Salary: There are good opportunities to be had down here, but the culture of the company man is long dead. If you want to make it down here be prepared to move jobs more often then you would elsewhere in order to take advantage of the opportunities as they come. I was at a job for 4 years, 1.5 years, and now 2 years and I finally feel like we are making enough to have a comparable lifestyle of those that live in a lower cost of living state.
Also, check out Fullerton. In my opinion it's the best bang for your buck for housing within good school boundaries in the OC. Also, its a cool and highly underrated town and the birthplace of Fender guitars!
Well my third attempt really wasn't any shorter, just better organized. Sorry for the long post. Feel free to BM with any additional questions.
Good luck
Commuting Sucks: I'm in the car 2.5-3 hours a day, and I know people in my office that have it worse then that. I listen to audio books from the library to pass the time. I think after 7 years I finally have a transfer pending that will bring my commute down to less then an hour each way.
The beaches/outdoors are great: I really don't have the talent to surf, but I do enjoy spear fishing, or just snorkeling. It's nothing like the tropical waters of Hawaii, but still very beautiful in it's own way. The lack of seasons is confusing? It can be really hard to tell one year from the next.
Strong Members: There are some really great members of the church in the OC, but as mentioned above a lot are leaving for lower cost of living states.
Cost of Housing: This is the hardest part about coming to California. I have a brother-in-law that just did the Utah to California transition, but he was only able to pull it off because the job assisted him in the transfer and provided substantial relocation assistance. Once you manage to get into a home within the boundaries of a good school then you are golden.
The Salary: There are good opportunities to be had down here, but the culture of the company man is long dead. If you want to make it down here be prepared to move jobs more often then you would elsewhere in order to take advantage of the opportunities as they come. I was at a job for 4 years, 1.5 years, and now 2 years and I finally feel like we are making enough to have a comparable lifestyle of those that live in a lower cost of living state.
Also, check out Fullerton. In my opinion it's the best bang for your buck for housing within good school boundaries in the OC. Also, its a cool and highly underrated town and the birthplace of Fender guitars!
Well my third attempt really wasn't any shorter, just better organized. Sorry for the long post. Feel free to BM with any additional questions.
Good luck
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