I recently traveled for work to Fremont, CA, which is between San Jose and San Francisco. I enjoyed the weather and how nice all of the drivers were (especially in the city). Now I'm considering moving there. I'd like to know if anyone recently thought about moving to California (especially that area) and why, or why you didn't move. Did you perform any financial analyses? Are there any site that you'd recommend I check out for someone who's thinking about moving there? No sarcasm, please.
2006-10-05 10:05:36 · 7 answers · asked by anonymous 2 in Travel ➔ United States ➔ San Jose
I'm a long-time California resident who moved to Silicon Valley (near Fremont) many years ago. First, let me correct some misconceptions. Fremont is not anywhere near or like Simi Valley, which is in the southern part of the state. Second, the area you're looking at is not "laid back" as some would have you believe. It's a high-stress, congested, crowded area. I find it very stressful living in this area.
The weather is great. But the cost of living is unbelievable. Don't bother looking at the web sites that compare cost of living in various cities. I've found them to be mostly fantasy. Housing costs are astronomical. Expect to pay 400,000 for a small condo. A 3 bedroom home could easily set you back 800,000 in the Fremont area. Food, gas, utilities, and taxes are all out of sight. We pay sales tax (8.5%) on just about everything (including clothes, but not food).
If you have kids, you should know that the school systems in general don't compare favorably with those on the East Coast. Our highway systems are crumbling (San Jose was just named the city with the worst roads in the country).
2006-10-06 09:29:09 · answer #1 · answered by Fall Down Laughing 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I don't know if this helps, and it strictly an OPINION. I've lived in both California (Simi Valley) and New Jersey (Camden county). I liked the laid back atmosphere in CA better. NJ is very competitive. I liked the weather and drivers and driving conditions better in CA as the roads were better kept (mostly because of the nice weather). The cost of living was higher in CA. I don't have exact figures just what I remember from paying bills and buying things and such. And at the time (this was 10 years ago) state taxes were higher in CA. Don't know if it helps. Just my 2 cents.
2006-10-05 17:09:49 · answer #2 · answered by Skullchick 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
well, i am from California [San Jose] and now in Ny. i think CA is a bit better. i mean the waether is great but the gas prices stink. we moved b/c of my dad's transfer of job but if you really want to fins out bout Ca just typr it in Google or somethin and you'll get all your answers pretty much.
=]
2006-10-05 20:18:16 · answer #3 · answered by SoSo 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I was a displaced Californian living in Rochester, NY. Couldn't wait to get back -- but not to SoCA. Bay area is fabulous. Check out under-rated Mountain View. It's half way between SJ and SF. Good luck.
2006-10-07 00:13:34 · answer #4 · answered by murphy 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
No sarcasm, please????? Stay in New Jersey if you are such a control freak. We Californians really are sick of East Coasters who come here & expect us to deal with your "issues". We are laid back & our property was priced nicely before the rest of the world decided to buy us out & jack up the cost of living. Seriously, if you want to live in California, then the biggest benefit is our weather. We don't have snow, unless you choose a mountain community to live in & Fremont is a nice Community that hasn't been blighted yet! Our housing market really can't be trusted to any type of "analyses" because of the many variables involved. Our state is divided into 3 distinct sections. Northern, Central, & Southern California. The one thing that you won't find in California are block parties! If you don't like Mexicans, don't move here, because we have a large Hispanic Community that is a big part of our History & Culture. Everyone is welcome in California until they try to make us act like East Coasters! We are jeans & cotton shirts - 24/7 casual! No dress codes appreciated by the Natives!
2006-10-05 17:30:18 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 6⤊ 4⤋
well im from VA and moved to NJ,Cali has to be better,these people are rude and now im becoming rude and not liking it.the only thing i can think of for reasons not to move to Cali is earthquaks,fires and mudslides. i would take that over getting cut off,cussed,attitudes,and so on.
2006-10-06 22:54:58 · answer #6 · answered by cuervo25_1 3 · 2⤊ 2⤋
benefit:
weather
downfalls:
gasoline
ga'y people everywhere
2006-10-05 17:13:49 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 8⤋