I trust dis- moving from Midwest to cali?

[katyringo]

I trust my dis folks and wonder if those who live in CA would offer some thoughts and advice. If you don't have something nice to say please just don't respond. Totally not on topic to theme parks..

Currently live in the Midwest and make 127K a year. This is very comfortable in the Midwest.

For many reasons I'm looking for new job and a dream job opened in CA. Fremont, CA. If I got the job and could get the posted max salary (I have the credentials to make that happen) the salary would be 190k.

I am very aware the cost of living compared to Midwest is much much higher. We would need to rent and I'm seeing rent in that area being $4000 a month.

Moving to CA and this job would not be to simply make more money. Actually it's not that at all. It's about life improvement. Midwest winters are really hard on my husband and I. Current political climate of our home state. Closer to Disney- it's about quality of life. I

I am our breadwinner. Hubby is a disabled veteran. So we would have his disability on top of the salary. So would be looking to live in CA on about 210k a year.

All I hear is the cost of living being so high in CA . We have pretty low bills. No student loans. A little bit of car debt. Our current housing cost is $1000 a month. (Yay Midwest).

I did run the math factoring 4000 for rent, triple unities costs, triple gas costs. Double food budget. My math says we would do fine.

What else do I need to know and consider?

 

[Bad Pink Tink 2.0]

It's about life improvement. Midwest winters are really hard on my husband and I. Current political climate of our home state. Closer to Disney- it's about quality of life.

I am from Ireland but I have lived and worked in multiple countries. This to me is the most important thing. All the time I moved, first in various places in Ireland and then to Germany, Scotland and London, have all been about quality of life.

Each time I moved, I knew I would find a job and that job would cover living expenses. When I moved to Scotland I did not know anyone or have any professional contacts, but I found a place to live, a job, a social life and was there for almost 3 years.

Life is so much more than work, and I don't think many people understand that quality of life is so important.

If the financial aspect is doable, then go for it.

 

[VandVsmama]

Financially, it’s going to be hard on that total household income.

 

[katyringo]

Financially, it’s going to be hard on that total household income.

Can you give me some examples of why? Like I am really trying to understand it.

 

[China Expat]

DO it if you can! California native here, and I am thankful more than ever to be here for political reasons. I am taking an 11 month contract in Boston come August, and will miss being able to hike and bike almost every day here, but am excited to explore New England. Winters will be rough in NE, but I lived through them in Beijing. My son is in the bay area, and we love it up there. Tons of walking trails and proximity to water. It feels different up there. Traffic is an issue, but it';s the same traffic issues we now see everywhere. Do it!

 

[cruisehopeful]

The bay area is on the higher end of cost of living in the state but it sounds like you have already factored in rent, utilities, etc. There's really no downside to the move if you don't have any problem living within your means. Something I recommend to my friends when they move across the country is to visit and do normal daily activities, hobbies, whatever is normal to see how that all fits since you are giving up your social circle. Generally, people in California aren't as friendly as the Midwest and often never know their neighbors.

 

[Bad Pink Tink 2.0]

Generally, people in California aren't as friendly as the Midwest and often never know their neighbors.

This is something most people don't realize. That was one reason why I moved from Germany to Scotland. I loved my job, my work colleagues, and everything about being at work. For the 10 hours a day I was in the building, I was happy but it was when I wasn't in work, it was the day to day life outside work that got to me and was a factor in why I left. It was very different both culturally and socially to what I was used to.

 

[VGCgroupie]

You likely wont have nearly enough disposable income to go to Disney very often. That is just my opinion. Food is probably more than double the price. You also need to be sure you are factoring the much higher taxes, not knowing where you live I cant give you specific numbers but income tax will likely be much higher. 1k rent on 127k w/ midwest taxes vs 4k on 210 w/ ca taxes is not a big enough split that I would make the move. I have been in the position before with the potential to move back to CA with a much higher salary and it did not make good financial sense for us to do it. Also one thing to always consider with new jobs is, what if that job does not work out are you confident you could find a job right away with that same salary in CA. Again this is all just my opinion as someone who was born and raised in CA, moved because it was too expensive and has never regretted it once. Family is there that is why we briefly considered a move back for a higher paying job but chose not to. Also happy we made that choice, as I know we wouldn't be as financially stable as we are now had we moved back. I am not in the midwest but I am not in CA and we make our way to Disney many times more times per year than I would like to admit.

 

[StageTek]

For many reasons I'm looking for new job and a dream job opened in CA. Fremont, CA.

You want to move to accept your dream job?
Do it!

Of course it will be a big change - something you'll have to navigate - but working a job you love (and a dream job at that) can be so rewarding and wonderful it could be worth the uncertainty. It sure seems like you have done all the math and it works out. I say go for it.

 

[KPeterso]

I moved from the Chicago area to Orange County CA in 2005. My parents and I made the move together. I have loved every minute of living in CA and would have been happy if we had lived here my whole life. Could never imagine going back to cold winters. I will say that while some things are more, some are less. Not having to heat a house all winter is a nice perk. We rarely need AC where I am so that is less. We do not eat out too much, but find it is so easy to split meals as it seems like the meals are so much bigger here than they were back home.

If you think you can swing it, you should give it a go. I actually arrived in CA with no job lined up, but got one quickly.

 

[DizneyFamof4]

Dream job, do not hesitate to do it if they offer it. You can manage bills etc. It looks like you already investigated the area etc. Since you do not like winter the weather benefit is huge and will definitely help your husband. What about doctors? New jobs benefits? I would not do it without a job lined up yet, because there are no guarantees and you NEED a very good CA salary.

 

[BGinCali]

I moved to LA from North Carolina in 2008 - loved it, it’s definitely “home”. (For family reasons, am now back in NC a few years.) I found taxes, insurance, gas higher…along with the housing you mentioned. Food I have always found was comparable in total. I miss being outdoors year round, being at the beach or mountains anytime. I don’t miss traffic, but you do adapt. Having grown up in Ohio, I relate to your winter sentiment!

I would encourage you to try to make a budget of anticipated expenses and a realistic view of normal discretionary spend and see if it would work. If so, it seems your heart is saying yes!

 

[mel2014]

Have you looked at housing options in Dublin/Pleasanton, Livermore, or even as far out as Tracy? If you can make the times work, acerail operates a pretty robust commuter train service: https://acerail.com/schedules/

BART also has service (albeit with a transfer) that would take you from Dublin/Pleasanton to Fremont.

Having lived in California for decades and traveled around the U.S. and the world, I have to quibble with the idea that your food budget would double. Honestly, my experience has been just the opposite -- the the food costs in other parts of the US and the world are expensive in comparison with income levels. There's also abundant access to top-notch fresh fruits and vegetables compared to my experiences in other parts of the country.

Utilities will vary greatly depending on your service provider -- PG&E utilities are high, if you live an an area with a municipal utility provider, they'll generally be lower by comparison and have a high renewable energy profile.