Results 1 to 14 of 14

Thread: Serious-Epic Life~ Moving to California - Relocation - Process

  1. #1
    Banned
    Joined
    Mar 2011
    Posts
    62
    Thanks
    4
    Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts

    Travel Serious-Epic Life~ Moving to California - Relocation - Process

    This is where I am at, this will be a long thread, since I want to get as much feedback as possible on how to get to where I need to get to realistically.

    I am going to move to California in exactly 2 months, since the job market is much better for me than my current state. I want to work as much as possible, and achieve my dreams of financial wealth and business goals without any man.

    I never moved to another state, so I don't know any legal process on how to do everything about this, and I only have $1200. I will get a job within 1 week, since I am determined to do so. Anyone can give me advice on moving to another state, especially California, and how you conquered this? I will have to read a lot of information on everything, but it looks so complicated to me... it's like "ehhhh".

    Well basically, how did you move to another state?

  2. #2
    Veteran Member johnjdick's Avatar
    Joined
    Mar 2011
    Location
    Dallas TX
    Posts
    272
    Thanks
    92
    Thanked 203 Times in 95 Posts

    Default Re: Serious-Epic Life~ Moving to California - Relocation - Process

    California can be expensive to live there. Hope you already have a friend there to help you settle in and give you a place to stay while you transition. As far as legal stuff, it's pretty straightforward. Just get a new driver's license and get your car registered in the new state. That's about it, really. Oh, I'm not sure what kind of background check or verification you might need to get in order to work as a dancer in CA. That's something you'll want to look into.

    Do yourself a favor and do some preliminary job research before you move. Check club reviews online and look into local laws about what is and isn't legal in the clubs.

    Have fun and enjoy your adventure
    Greetings Earthlings. We are aliens from a planet of vegetable fuckers. We cum in peas.

    http://www.facebook.com/johnjdick

  3. #3
    Featured Member h0ttie's Avatar
    Joined
    Feb 2011
    Posts
    1,808
    Thanks
    4,054
    Thanked 5,040 Times in 1,100 Posts
    My Mood
    Lurking

    Default Re: Serious-Epic Life~ Moving to California - Relocation - Process

    you only have 1200 dollars??? How will you move your stuff? (moving furniture=expensive) or (furnishing a place= expensive as fuck) and also lots of places want security deposit & last months rent. You might want to save a bit more before you move...
    "Achieving success is a challenge but so is struggling so you may as well choose success."

  4. #4
    Senior Member
    Joined
    Feb 2009
    Posts
    105
    Thanks
    17
    Thanked 18 Times in 13 Posts

    Default Re: Serious-Epic Life~ Moving to California - Relocation - Process

    I'd suggest you sell as much of your stuff as possible in order to have a little extra money and to avoid paying to ship your stuff. Find an all-inclusive, small sublet (in a safe area!) or stay with a friend for the first month or so while you get on your feet. Research clubs ahead of time and have a plan when you arrive. Plan to eat ramen, oatmeal, and other cheap stuff at first in order to save.

    Excited for you! I made a move to NYC back in the summer of 2009 knowing only 2 ppl here and have never regretted it. Steep learning curve but 100% worth every lesson!

  5. #5
    Banned Melonie's Avatar
    Joined
    Jul 2002
    Location
    way south of the border
    Posts
    25,932
    Thanks
    612
    Thanked 10,563 Times in 4,646 Posts
    Blog Entries
    3
    My Mood
    Cynical

    Default Re: Serious-Epic Life~ Moving to California - Relocation - Process

    $1200, no job, and a less than steller credit score is NOT going to get you a decent place to live in most parts of California. These days, landlords want 'stability' in regard to their future cash flow of rent payments ... meaning that they are typically going to check credit rating, meaning that they are typically going to want to verify income, and meaning that they are going to want a 6-12 month lease with at minimum first + last + security deposit ( which in SoCal means $3000+ ). The other alternative is that landlords will want subsidized housing rent payments coming to them directly from the California Social Services dep't. Or you may be able to pick up a 'roommate wanted' deal ... particularly near colleges ... where the lease is already written in someone else's name based on someone else's income and credit rating.

    You don't mention what sort of 'job market' you are participating in that offers better opportunities in California than in other states. It most likely isn't exotic dancing !!! Check out some of the California related threads in the Club Chat section.

    Believe it or not, one of the best 'resources' that will be available to you may be an office of the California Social Services dep't !!!

  6. #6
    God/dess Athenathefabulous's Avatar
    Joined
    Feb 2009
    Location
    Istanbul, Turkey
    Posts
    3,724
    Thanks
    1,381
    Thanked 2,975 Times in 1,158 Posts

    Default Re: Serious-Epic Life~ Moving to California - Relocation - Process

    i would go on craigslist. i have found people who were just looking for a roommate but didnt really want a lease and what not... make sure you get their facebook and stuff to kind of see if they are legit.

    ive had some great roommates that i found off of craigslist. when i first moved from new orleans from ohio, i fit everything that i needed in my 4 door BMW... the rest i left for my old roommates in OH. i moved into somebody's poolhouse and paid 300$ a month. the person renting to me was a professor at tulane and was well off... he just wanted a little bit of extra cash. it was in a safe neighborhood and it was nice because i was essentially livng alone. i have always been honest about what i do for a living. i also have a couchsurfing profile loaded with references, which has helped me a lot when moving into places since its an easy way for people to see what you are like .
    The best thing i have heard in a strip club to date:
    customer: we should get married right now! we should get a shotgun marriage!
    me: uhh... i think you are misunderstanding what a shotgun marriage means. A shotgun marriage means you knock me up and my daddy shows up at your door with a gun and forces you to marry me and raise the baby. You mean elope.
    customer: hmm... nah actually i will take the shotgun marriage. At least then we would be having sex.


  7. #7
    God/dess tempest666's Avatar
    Joined
    Sep 2008
    Location
    Hamburg, Pennsylvania
    Posts
    10,607
    Thanks
    2,705
    Thanked 13,685 Times in 4,414 Posts
    Blog Entries
    5
    My Mood
    In Love

    Default Re: Serious-Epic Life~ Moving to California - Relocation - Process

    Eh, I can't really lecture since my move to PA was pretty impulsive. I started out here with a backpack full of street clothes and a suitcase full of stripper clothes. I hadn't planned on falling in love with him. But we did wind up falling in love. I moved here and haven't regretted it. I finally went back and got the rest of my shit in feb.
    "Fake tits are like Kevlar. They don't guarantee your chances of survival but they sure as hell improve it."
    Tempest

  8. #8
    Banned
    Joined
    Feb 2006
    Location
    Colorado!
    Posts
    6,053
    Thanks
    3,775
    Thanked 3,701 Times in 1,713 Posts

    Default Re: Serious-Epic Life~ Moving to California - Relocation - Process

    I've moved all over on my own: several cities in FL, Atlanta, San Francisco, Seattle, Las Vegas, Austin, New Orleans, now Vancouver... the list goes on and on.

    This is the process I usually go through. So real quick: WHY California? The job market isn't good right now, they're paying some people in IOUs. Within the dancing community you have SF which is over saturated (ask BringOnTheMen, she's been posting about it), Los Angeles or San Diego; which are both high contact and riddled with prostitution. On top of that, when I lived in SF from 2005 - 2006, rent for a small studio in the Tenderloin (one of the worst neighbourhoods in SF) was about $850-$1000 a month. I lived in SoMA the first six months in a loft, and my rent was $3200 a month. That's not a typo. After my divorce, I moved to Haight Ashbury with a room mate- and my half of rent in a 2 bed 1 bath 900 sq ft flat was $950. My sister in law and her ex paid $1200 a month for a shitty one bedroom apartment in Van Nuys, and that was in 2005.

    What I am telling you is, $1200 will NOT get you very far in any part of California especially with no job lined up. Don't depend on the stripping market out there. Every time I have ever moved, I have moved without a job, so for me to be saying that has to be pretty serious.

    When you decide to move, here are a list of things to take into consideration:

    a) Make up a list of your obtainable cash projections, and aim LOW. When we moved from New Orleans to Vancouver, we took inventory of what we could sell (estimated LOWEST value), what checks we had coming in for SURE (my husband was working a trade show, working for a theater and I was bartending), how much gas would cost (aim HIGH- figure out how many miles approximately you get per tank, divide this by the number of miles between destinations A and B), food cost (even during a day trip you get hungry), plus INCIDENTALS! What if you need a hotel? What if you get a flat tire, or your car breaks down (happened to us when we arrived to Vancouver!)? Finally- deposits for utilities, apartment, parking, first month's groceries! These are all things you need to factor in to your cost projections.

    B) Take as little as possible. What do you NEED? What you don't need, hock on Craigslist or eBay. You may love your mom's vintage mixing bowls, but how bad do you need the cash?

    C) Think about some qualities about cities you like when thinking about where to move. For example, when I asked my husband this, he said he liked cooler weather, being closer to his brother, and the atmosphere of the Pacific Northwest, like Seattle and Portland. Seeing as both of those cities are great, BUT suffering from a crappy job market- I suggested Vancouver, which has all of these things PLUS a thriving economy. What are some things you like about California? If it's the weather in Los Angeles, try Myrtle Beach,North Carolina. If it's the political climate in SF, try Denver, Colorado!

    D) Be scouring Craigslist and publications local to your desired destination EVERY DAY before you leave, and while on the road if you can. Work on your resume, ask your friends, parents or someone else you trust for suggestions. Even if you don't get a job before you get there, at least you'll have yourself out there, or can schedule some interviews for when you arrive. This also helps you adhere to a schedule.

    E) In addition to looking for jobs, look for a place ASAP. Hotel are stupidly expensive. We got held up in Bellingham overnight, and even though we stayed at like, a Super 8 or something... it was still over $90 and that's a tank and a half of gas! The cheapest place we stayed on the road was $65, which again- tank of gas. If you have friends across the country, call them up- see who you can couch surf with. Also, look up the local hostels. They can save you a ton of money.

    F) Last but not least, be prepared for ANYTHING. If you have a pre-paid phone (a lot of people do!) make sure you have minutes. If you're driving through colder climates, buy tire chains. Bring a gas can with you, just in case. These things do happen! From NOLA to Vancouver, we encountered: Ice storms in Louisiana and Texas, unprecedented stop in Denver due to heavy snowfall in Colorado, road closures, lots of extended hours we did NOT expect (24s in the car SOLID from Dallas to Denver due to the ice), got turned away at the border the first time due to bad record keeping in NOLA which led to said night in Bellingham and turning around and going BACK to Portland to stay with my brother in law which was an extra FOUR DAYS behind schedule, missing the job interview I had lined up in Vancouver, our clutch crapped out in the middle of downtown Vancouver AT NIGHT which led to two extra days in a hotel AND over $200 towing fee and $500 repair (our car is relatively new too), the first apartment we liked got snagged before we could get it leading to mad dash to find an apartment, then the job search... You NEED to be aware that this trip is NOT UNUSUAL.

    If you're mature and do it correctly, all of this doesn't take long. We managed to get our shit together and get the move in motion within six weeks. You can do it! The longer you stick around some place you don't like- the less likely you'll end up leaving. So get your moving plan in place, check off your list- and GOOD LUCK!!

  9. #9
    Veteran Member Camateur's Avatar
    Joined
    Jan 2011
    Posts
    327
    Thanks
    372
    Thanked 239 Times in 93 Posts

    Default Re: Serious-Epic Life~ Moving to California - Relocation - Process

    OMG DON"T MOVE TO CALIFORNIA; at least not LA without a job guaranteed. I just spent 10 months out there trying to find more than 2 days a week employment with my in demand college degree. I finally gave up and moved back home. Keep in mind that I made this move easily in 2001. The recession has hit california BAD.
    as for $1200:

    My apartment in LA (not the valley) was 1,300 a month, 1,300 deposit and credit check (you must have decent credit; they are serious about this) 1 bdrm 1 bath

    As for craigslist, you'll find freaks who want you to split the rent with them and be their "friend" These are mostly guys

    At best you'll end up finding a 3 bdrm apartment share in the valley where you'll each pay $800 (with utilities etc) and have to share a bathroom with 1-2 other people.

    Los Angeles is a really hard place to live in if you're not wealthy!!!

    Check out City Data California Forum:http://www.city-data.com/forum/california/

  10. The Following User Says Thank You to Camateur For This Useful Post:


  11. #10
    Veteran Member Robertjordan's Avatar
    Joined
    Apr 2007
    Location
    Central Florida
    Posts
    249
    Thanks
    2
    Thanked 20 Times in 17 Posts

    Default Re: Serious-Epic Life~ Moving to California - Relocation - Process

    Once upon a time I moved from Miami to LA. When I looked into renting a UHaul to carry all my stuff I was a little floored with the prices for the van. I started asking around and determined that by driving up to Orlando, I could rent the same van for less than half the price. Even taking into consideration the gas prices (much lower back then) and the extra driving it was a huge saving. Same thing when I moved back to Florida. I found that renting a van in Southern California was very expensive but that by driving to Vegas I could rent the same van for a fraction. So, do some investigating, don't just accept the prices they give you.

  12. #11
    Veteran Member
    Joined
    Nov 2009
    Posts
    534
    Thanks
    528
    Thanked 138 Times in 99 Posts

    Default Re: Serious-Epic Life~ Moving to California - Relocation - Process

    Better job opps in Cali? You do know the state is bankrupt and strip clubs are overfilled with girls (pretty Cali girls too), right? are you sure this us the beet idea or is it to have another attempt at losing virginity like my old guy friend did when he went out there?

  13. #12
    Member LolaBanana's Avatar
    Joined
    May 2011
    Location
    Florida
    Posts
    28
    Thanks
    2
    Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts

    Default Re: Serious-Epic Life~ Moving to California - Relocation - Process

    I see a lot of negativity in these answers so I am here to be your positive one!!

    First of all, I did this. And I succeeded. I moved from Florida to Los Angeles with my cat and about $2500 to my name. I also have shit credit from when I was 18 and stupid with credit cards. And it was crazy impulsive, but hey I'm ADD and that's how I live. Here's what I did.

    - I had a friend who offered me to sublet his room for 3 months while he was on tour (musician) for half the price of his rent, $500. So there went $500 of my cash as soon as I arrived on the 1st. But this was helpful b/c there was no credit check, or deposit needed. If you don't have someone to do this for you get on Craigslist and go to the sublets. You can find someone who needs a short term roommate asap, that will usually not need a credit check. Sometimes they won't ask for a deposit but that's rare. It might be even sleeping on someone's couch for $$ a week, but hey this is temporary for you while you find a job and make more money. Just be smart and safe about it. Also look at Roommates.com

    There's also the Westside Rentals Hotel located in Hollywood, it's fairly inexpensive compared to regular hotels and they let you stay there while looking for a place to live on their website westsiderentals.com. It's better than craigslist b/c it's a paid members only site, so the listings are better. At the hotel they have a computer in the lobby for you to use. You pay by the week. I stayed here for 2 weeks once when my lease ended and I still hadn't found a place to rent. Check it out.

    - I'm assuming you have a car. Your best bet is to keep things you don't want to lose. But anything else sell! It will give you more money for your trip. Carting your stuff out there when you don't even have a place is dumb. Buying stuff at Ikea, or on Craigslist out there once you find a place is a way better option. So pack your car, sell your other stuff and go. Or store some things at a friend's, parent's or storage place to get later if you are sentimentally attached. But this is a life change, and letting go is good! Make a fresh start and put some money in your pocket.

    - Eat cheap, sleep at rest stops, fill up when you hit a 1/4 tank. It's also helpful to have a friend go with you if it's far. I went all the way across from FL to CA so it was essential to have a friend come with me. She didn't mind b/c she got to visit CA, and only had to pay for a one way ticket back. I didn't make her pay for anything along the way b/c she was helping me out.

    - Once you get there go get a job anywhere. I'm assuming you're a dancer if you're posting on this board. Before you go read up on clubs out there, and decide where you want to work. Start somewhere ASAP and start putting away money. Even if it's not ideal, do it until you find a club with better money. I didn't find dancing in CA to be lucrative for me, so I ended up waitressing at a restaurant in Venice Beach... but I danced until I found that job. Just keep money coming in!!

    - It is definitely possible to find a place even if your credit isn't great. Most people don't have awesome credit. It sucks and you'll want to work on that once you get settled but don't think you can't find a place. Find a longer roommate situation that isn't going to check credit. Craigslist, and Westside Rentals are your new best friends. Go on them daily and soon you'll find something. It takes a while of going on every day, reading the same posts every day, going out and seeing places, meeting potential roommates, until you find the one that suits you. Getting a place on your own with less than perfect credit is going to be very hard, so find someone looking for a roommate for longer than 6 months, work work work, start fixing your credit, and go from there.

    - Legally until you get settled and fully decide you're staying you are technically visiting. You will have out of state tags, and an out of state license. If you get pulled over explain that you are visiting to see if you want to/can live here. When applying for a job they get so many people from all over that it's not an issue for you to have an out of state license. Once you are fully settled you'll want to go to the DMV and get a CA State license. You only have to take a written exam, and they will punch a hole in your other license making it void. Apparently FL never found out I moved, idk if that was my job or not. My mom got a renewal form at her house (since that was my permanent addy at the FL DMV) and she sent it in for me, and my renewed FL license came a week later to her. So some states don't communicate with each other. I technically held two state licenses, which is illegal, but I never got in trouble or anything. You'll also need to get CA tags on your car, and you will have to start getting smog testing. It sounds overwhelming, but the DMV will point you in the right direction and give you all the info you need. Changing your address is as simple as going to the post office and filling out a change of address form, but I wouldn't do this until you are settled in a place for at least 6 months. Until then have your mail go to your parent's or a friend who you trust to send it to you. Or get a PO box in California, so if you move a lot in the beginning you won't be leaving mail everywhere you've been.

    - Also look at Craigslist daily under 'Event Gigs' and 'Talent Gigs' for promotional modeling opportunities. I did that on the side and got some awesome gigs for really cool companies like Orbit Gum, Lots of alcohol companies, and even a TV series that needed promotion before it debuted. LA is the place to market, so there's tons of them. And once you start you can do more and more with your built up experience. If you're a dancer you're attractive enough to be a promo model. Trust me, I worked with some people I was shocked even applied for the gig, let alone got hired. (not to be mean, but it's a looks based job.) These pay anywhere from $15-$25 an hour or more. I got paid $200 a day to ride around on a vespa with 4 other girls for a few hours wearing juicy couture tracksuits with a logo all over them... all provided by the company. And I found the listing on Craigslist.


    So long story short it is do-able. If you're impulsive, have the drive, and always tend to land on your feet somehow go for it. Anything you need to get in order (like credit) can be done out there while you're living where you really want to be!
    Last edited by LolaBanana; 05-13-2011 at 03:31 PM.

  14. #13
    Member LolaBanana's Avatar
    Joined
    May 2011
    Location
    Florida
    Posts
    28
    Thanks
    2
    Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts

    Default Re: Serious-Epic Life~ Moving to California - Relocation - Process

    OH AND... Yes, I live back in Florida now as it says under my name. But I did end up staying in LA for over 5 years. I moved back to FL b/c of a situation with my family needing me after my Mom's surgery, and I also missed friends, family, etc... Not b/c I couldn't make it out there. I might go back one day but for now I'm happy here.

    You can do it!!

  15. #14
    God/dess carmen_b's Avatar
    Joined
    Apr 2007
    Location
    the mountains ....
    Posts
    14,202
    Thanks
    15,165
    Thanked 21,346 Times in 9,308 Posts

    Default Re: Serious-Epic Life~ Moving to California - Relocation - Process

    You dance right ? You can move anywhere. I just lived in another area for three months on a whim ( I intended to be there a week or two haha ) . I was sick of dancing at the time so I got another job. Your $1200 will run out quickly so you might want to work a few days in the area you are in maybe and get just a little more ? You can stay at a hostel initally for like $25-$30 a night which will let you pay day by day if you are not bringing a lot of stuff . There are so many options. Stuff is a factor though. I don't know if you are bringing things with you. I didn't. I just rented my place out furnished once I realized I would stay.

Similar Threads

  1. Replies: 4
    Last Post: 12-14-2010, 03:48 PM
  2. Researching real estate ... ( relocation )
    By PhaedrusZ in forum Dollar Den
    Replies: 30
    Last Post: 10-04-2010, 07:14 AM
  3. Moving to a new life
    By HoolaTwist in forum The Lounge
    Replies: 31
    Last Post: 02-01-2009, 03:39 PM
  4. Help... Moving to California.
    By spooky_zombie in forum The Lounge
    Replies: 16
    Last Post: 05-29-2007, 11:17 AM
  5. moving to california!!!!
    By daisysky1 in forum Dollar Den
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 11-04-2003, 08:45 AM

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •