Starting Out in California

     As many know California is the state of many opportunities and luxuries. California offers many different opportunities in whatever you want starting with careers, schools, scenery, adventures, fame, and much more. Along with the opportunities that California offers it has many luxuries available in your neighborhood from the happening streets of Los Angeles, the beachfront housing, the hills living, the fine dining, the night life, and anything you can imagine. Along with all of the greatness this state has to offer it requires a lot in return.

     To start things off I'm going to share what it took for me to get started in California and the road I chose to travel. For me I moved in February and I didn't have much of a plan, just a dream to live here. When I was looking for jobs and houses down here a month in advance I was having no luck because I couldn't go in for interviews and no one was willing to give me a chance and wait. So I found out I just had to be here to make things work. I came down here with $3,500 dollars in my pocket, some clothes, and an air mattress. Before my move many people told me I would want about $15,000 saved up to make it work down here, but I simply did not have the time or money to save that kind of money. Although this would have made things easier I made it work with what I had. 

     Next is the cost of a house in Southern California, which is actually cheaper than Northern California. The average price of a house in the area of Ventura County is $600,000 and this is relatively cheap compared to Downtown Los Angeles. If you are looking to rent the average cost for a one bedroom apartment around 450 sq ft you will be paying $1,250.00 and this is very minimal in what it offers. Again this is in the suburbs where you get much more for your money if you plan on living downtown you are going to be paying $1,800.00 for a 1 bedroom and it will be smaller than one on the outskirts of the city. 

     Finally when looking for a place to live out here you need to take into consideration the location. The internet literally saved my life when moving here by informing me of each area and the demographics, safety, and cleanliness. Personally being from a small town I didn't think of safety so I was looking for the cheapest place possible. Also with California being so populated there are many cities minutes apart, which I didn't understand. I wanted to live in a place called Oxnard which was just down the road from where I live now, but what I didn't know was how dangerous this city truly was. This is only a few minutes from me, but it has multiple gangs, very dangerous neighborhoods, and is complete night and day from my current city Thousand Oaks. What was so appealing about this place is the renting cost is about 400 dollars cheaper. When I first moved I still wanted to live there regardless, of what I had read, but after venturing into the city for a few minutes I realized I didn't belong. 

     California is an amazing place to live with so much to offer and limitless opportunities. With the rich environment, culture, and people comes a lot of need for money. Although it can be a lot you can make it happen if you want it enough.