Move to California from southeast U.S., a good idea or not?

Question

I love urban/regional planning and am considering a move to California (San Diego, San Luis Obispo, San Jose, or Pomona) to either pursue a second Bachelor's degree or master's degree, either of which would be in planning; I've already taken some U.P. courses.

I currently live in Kentucky and while I've traveled throughout the country pretty extensively, I've never been to CA and never lived outside of KY.

I have a very slight southern accent, but nowhere even close to "backwoods." Of course, I'm sure I'd still get some slack for it in CA. I don't have a lot of money, but have a retail job that I can, in turn, transfer if I move to any of those cities. I'm 21, male, have no girlfriend, and not looking to settle down now.

So, is it feasible for a guy from the small-town South to move th CA? I imagine an apartment in any of the listed cities will run $800-900/mo. not counting utilities, am I correct? I'd also like to be in a friendlier, laid-back community.

Thank you!

As a tiny aside, I'm hoping I can lose what little Kentucky accent I have. It's really annoying, and I hate it when people talk with the thick twang. I'm afraid if I'm exposed to rural Ky. much longer, that will happen to me.

Answer 1

No matter where you go, keep your southern accent! Look at Matthew McConaughey (okay, Texas, not Kentucky) - we all love him and his accent! When we hear a southern accent, it symbolizes the friendly reputation of the south..."southern hospitality". So look at it as a good thing, and be happy and proud to be yourself!

I moved from Georgia to California when I was 15...sad, not by choice. I still miss it sometimes, mostly the rain and the trees, years and years later! I agree with a couple of other answerers that said California is (in general) not so friendly or laid back. However, I do agree with the person who said San Diego people are pretty laid back. The ocean air has a calming effect on people.

If you just want to come here for school, that's fine, because it doesn't have to be permanent. With a roommate, you can probably expect to pay less, maybe $500 to $700 per month, depending on where you are. $800 to $900 per month for a one bedroom is the lowest end of apartment prices where I live (L.A. suburbs). I'm not sure how much you make at your retail job, but the minimum wage here in CA will be $8.00 per hour in January this coming year.

Overall, definitely visit first. You can take a day to visit each college you are considering. It's better not to rush things. Have you already requested information from the colleges? That would be a good start.

Good luck and keep that accent!

Answer 2

I live near San Jose, CA so I'll give you my opinion of this area. People are not nearly as friendly as they are in the south and the cost of living is sky high and the traffic is HORRIBLE, it's not quite as bad as Los Angeles or New York but it's close. We have decent weather though, not too hot in the summer and not too cold/snow in the winter. I rent a 2 bedroom apartment and my rent is $2,000/month. You can rent a place for cheaper but you get what you pay for and there are some areas around here that are kinda dangerous.

Answer 3

The places you point out are only "hollow in the wall" places that are intense-high quality yet of no particular notice. Pueblo CO is the only one in the slightest degree thrilling. The others are only nowhereville. i'm afraid however the incredibly intense-high quality places with great colleges are in the costlier cities. you should to ascertain out try Portland OR and Las Vegas NV. Las Vegas has a physically powerful college and you will lease a a million mattress room place of abode for $4 hundred a month. yet on your case, in the adventure that your boyfriend in American then the alternative could be his. And in case you're actually not married on your US citizen boyfriend you will want an F-a million visa to benefit in the u . s . a .. To get it you should teach to the U. S. government you have the money it is going to value for a twelve months up front. it rather is between $20,000 and $sixty 5,000 a twelve months.

Answer 4

California is a great place to live. However, it is very expensive and you will need a car to get around.

I would, at least, make a visit here, look around some of the colleges you are considering applying to, and finding out what exactly you can afford.

You need to do some serious research and find out if this is the most feasible option for you.

Answer 5

I have been looking into moving there myself. 8-9 hundy for an apartment will be in a horrible part of town. Average price appears to be in the 1000-1500 a month range for a 1 bedroom. Thats in the Bay Area.

March is when im going. Good luck.

Answer 6

DO NOT MOVE 2 CA. Ive lived here all my life...Born, raised and bred Californian. It's not the super,wild,fun-loving, and free place it's always been made out to be. There is so much crime, gangs, drugs..and to counteract that, so many laws, cops, and bulls**t that you have to deal with. I mean come on, you cant even have your garbage cans where people can see them, or you get fined. A lot of places you can't even smoke a cig. outside w/out getting fined. You breathe ---you get fined!...sadddd!..
Your rent for just a one bedroom apt., in a so-so part of towns, gonna run you aprox. $ 1,000-1,200 bucks. There aren't many "friendly" "laid back" communities in Ca. Pretty much everywhere you go, you will be dealing with angry, impatient, rude people, that refuse to even make eye contact with you, in fear they might actually have to "smile".. Most of my family lives in Fl. and i visit there regularly, its pretty much a "culture shock" going from one place to the other. Ca. is a world amongst itself.. We have a hectic, overloaded life here. I'm looking forward to (hopefully sooner than later) gettin' the heck outta' here!..I know a lot of people who feel the same...Good Luck

Answer 7

San Diego is definitely a friendly, laid back community! That sounds about right for an apartment in SD. I don't think you'll get too much slack for your accent. A lot of my friends think southern accents are hot! :] And just so you know, SDSU doesn't offer second Bachelor's degrees because everything is so impacted. I'm not sure about UCSD though. Good luck!!

Answer 8

California is far more expensive than yu imagine.

for example a house in kentucky may cost about the same as the DOWN for a house in california, expecially in the urban areas you describe.

I would get one of those apartment finder services for CA so you have an idea of what it is you re getting into

Answer 9

First plan a trip out to CA before you decide to make a huge move like the one your planning. Second, look at apartments.com or craigslist.com for your community housing if your really serious about it. Third, talk to some students about the school your planning to go to, they have better insight on what campus life is going to be like along with the curriculum and see if its what your really looking for.

PS don't worry about the accent, if anything it'll help you get a gf =)

Answer 10

Be proud of where you come from and be proud of your accent. If you change your accent, you are changing who you are. Why would you want to do that? Just because someone might make fun of you? Hold your head up and don't let them get you down. And to answer your question, I think you should stay in Kentucky! In general, people in the South are friendlier than in other regions of the U.S. so stay there!