Can anyone offer advice on relocating to Carlifonia from the UK.?

Question

Can anyone give any helpful advice, I live in the UK and I want to go start a new life in Carlifonia. I dont know what to do regarding work, housing and living expenses.
I've got a Masters degree in Business Administration with up to 5 years work experience.
Where do I start?

Answer 1

The cleanest way to do it (especially if you have a business background) is to get a job in the UK with a company that also has a branch in CA (usually LA or SF area). You can apply for a transfer and come out to California. Some companies will pay you a UK salary but they will arrange housing (or give you a budgeted amount for housing here to make up for the cost of living difference) If it works out and you like it here (including a balance of expensive housing, high gas prices, neo-conservatives/ex-actors as governer, Cali culture, great food, decent shopping, bad public transportation, celeb sightings), then great! But if not, you always have something to fall back on.

My fiance is an ex-pat like you, and that's the route he took. Good luck!

Answer 2

Here's a primer on our major cities:

1. San Francisco is the most "European" city in the U.S. Physically, this is the case because of the influences of Victorian and French neo-classical arthitecture, as well as the fog and rocky terrain. It is also densely populated and compact (served by an underground system and trams), in the Old World tradition.

However, most Americans say "European" as a puritanical insult (pointing to San Francisco's lax attitudes toward so-called 'sin' and 'vices'). Known for its leftist politics, San Francisco is perhaps the only place in America where one can claim to be a socialist in public. Which is all the more surprising (and perhaps more than a bit hypocritical) considering it serves as the American West's leading money lender and investor!

It is, undoubtedly, the banking/financial center of California... as it has been since the Gold Rush days. There's a strong technology sector in Silicon Valley (30-40 minutes south of the city) as well.

2. If San Francisco is European, Los Angeles is the epitome of the American Dream. It sprawls as far as the eye can see -- all single family homes, swimming pools, and suburban strip malls. Anyone who can't afford it goes to a slum. The automobile is everywhere, and public transport is practically useless. Locals are mostly oblivious to the pollution and crime problems (or simply don't care).

Consumption, egocentricism, and showing off one's wealth are important cultural aspects of Los Angeles. Although aside from materialism and bodily appearances, L.A. is not old-fashioned. Certainly, Los Angeles isn't conservative, but it is more of a centre-left Third Way creature than radical San Francisco.

As befits it's glitzy attitude, Los Angeles is the capital of fashion, media, and entertainment in California... rivaling New York in these industries.

3. In contrast to both S.F. and L.A., San Diego is California's most conservative major city. A stronghold of President Bush, Arnie, and one of the largest militarized zones in the world. It is the headquarters of the Marine Corps and the U.S. Pacific Fleet.

It is beautiful, sunny, and safe. In quality of life terms, it is perhaps one of the best places in the nation. Although it is lacking in an innovative edge. San Diego's reputation is that of the inflexible old geezer that's perfectly content with everything it has, refusing to change even to its detriment (it is insular and this is reflected by the fact that it is still considered a second-tier city compared to L.A. and S.F. on the international stage).

Not surprisingly, the armed forces and related industries are the mainstay in San Diego, although there's a good mix of other jobs as well.

Answer 3

You could start looking for employment in California on Monster.com
My advice on relocating to California is:
Determine which part of the state best suits your lifestyle.
Be ready to pay more than half your monthly income to rent and what's left over to fueling your car.
Learn self defense.
Get a post office box.

You can make the transition here by traveling light and staying at hostels while you work and look for permanent housing. They are way cheaper than hotels and safer than housing offered over the Internet.
ps. Buy sunscreen.

Answer 4

Try not to stress it you do have a plan ( a list)
location/area , the distance from Point A to B
some people work in L.A but live in the I.E. better housing cost. There is the blue line to get to work and back home with worring about paying at the pump remember what season it is check out http://www.fox11.com

Answer 5

San Francisco is the most UK-like city in CA. Los Angeles, with better weather, is sprawling and ABSOLUTELY requires a car. San Diego has the best weather. Finance and tech jobs in SF. Entertainment & Tourism jobs in SoCal.

Answer 6

The biggest consideration is where do you want to live in CA.

Housing costs are high in California and you have to consider transportation costs as well (California also seems to have the highest gas [petrol] costs in the US, but for you, it may seems a bargain)

Do you have a job lined up first?

Answer 7

Start with Craigslist. It's a great resource for finding jobs, housing & cheap furniture. Also, you can review it to get an idea of what to expect in terms of rent, salary, etc.