Considering a move to California

[Lupulfan]

Originally Posted by Phanuthier

I honestly can't see how Oiler fans call Edmonton, Alberta the best place to live in the world. Honestly.

Yet, you can honestly see how Flames fan call Calgary, Alberta the best place to live in the world? Honestly? [Best NA city thread]

[kermitology]

Originally Posted by Lupulfan

Yet, you can honestly see how Flames fan call Calgary, Alberta the best place to live in the world? Honestly? [Best NA city thread]

Did he actually say that?

Also.. please don't talk about Edmonton.. I don't care, I'm talking about moving to California.

[Lupulfan]

Originally Posted by kermitology

Did he actually say that?

Also.. please don't talk about Edmonton.. I don't care, I'm talking about moving to California.

No, but he's basically implying that Edmontonians are the only ones in the world that think their city is the best in the world.

[RedHot25]

Originally Posted by Lupulfan

No, but he's basically implying that Edmontonians are the only ones in the world that think their city is the best in the world.

Please....things were going so smoothly until....

[kermitology]

California!! What's it like! Not Edmonton. I don't care about Edmonton, go away if that's what you want to talk about. Don't quote me, don't talk about it, just click another link. Jeez.

[Antithesis]

The traffic can be absolutely insane there, but if you're earning decent money, I think you'd be hard pressed to beat the lifestyle (just my opinion, though).

[Sylvanfan]

Originally Posted by kermitology

I've done a little bit of looking at cost of living and such, salary would be huge to me... like nearly double what I make now. But more work and responsibility as well.

I don't really want to move, but if something works out I'll have to think hard about it. Median salary in the San Jose area is about $65000 US (Gross) for my type of work. Plus the office is 6 miles from the HP Pavillion. :P

Edit: Gross not net.. that's freaking insane if it was net!

If you want to do it go for it. You're young and won't regret the experience. The only thing you'll regret is looking back 15 years down the road and not going. Worst that happens is that you have to move back to Canada. Especially if you're young and healthy, and health care won't ding you too badly.

Still the cost of living is really high down there. But like you say Alberta isn't so cheap anymore either. Anyone I ever knew who lived in California though loved it and claimed the extra living cost was worth it.

[Shazam]

I highly suggest you go visit first. Although there are many, many fantastic things about California, you may not like the stifling temperatures, the horrible, horrible traffic (trust me, Calgary's rush hour is but a mere annoyance compared to SJ/SF's rush hour), and the people everywhere. I mean everywhere. No matter where you go, what you do, there will be 50000 other people with the exact same idea.

Median salary in the San Jose area is about $65000 US (Gross) for my type of work

That's actually not very much. The cost of living there is very, very, very high. Calgary's got nothing compared to the cost of living there.

[Phanuthier]

Originally Posted by Lupulfan

No, but he's basically implying that Edmontonians are the only ones in the world that think their city is the best in the world.

No, I'm using it because I live in Edmonton right now, not Calgary. Lived here for 3 years.

[Phanuthier]

Originally Posted by Shazam

I highly suggest you go visit first. Although there are many, many fantastic things about California, you may not like the stifling temperatures,

In San Diego, I didn't find it to be a problem at all. Heat was actually worse here in Edmonton then in San Diego.

The weather is much more stable, you can still get hockey and skiing (N. Cal), beaches, just an overall better place to live.

As an EE Dan, consider the fact that you will be making amazing contacts there to take your career to the next level. Biggest thing to consider, as a scientist, you go where the work is, and its California is definatly the hub for it. I'm looking to go somewhere else for my grad studies, the only thing keeping me here is the profs here are very good at what they do and familiar with who I am.

[Calgary Flames]

If I were to move, it'd be to Arizona. Not California. It's alot cheaper to live there, plus I love the desert.

[soulchoice]

Any of my friends that have made the move down to California love it. The weather is fantastic and the scene is just so much more vibrant. In my opinion, if I was you, I would move in a heartbeat. In fact I myself and seeking opportunities to leave Calgary and head south.

Maybe there are some of you guys and gals on this board that can give me insight on the best way to get down there, employment, etc....

[DuffMan]

Check into holiday days also. I have friends who moved to Phoenix, and he gets only 2 weeks a year, and has to bitch and moan to take them. He's says Americans aren't keen on giving their employees holidays.

[Phanuthier]

Originally Posted by Calgary Flames

If I were to move, it'd be to Arizona. Not California. It's alot cheaper to live there, plus I love the desert.

Funny, Arizona was the 2nd on my list of 3 places to go for my graduate degree if not Edmonton. (California, Arazona, Hawaiii) But... its just too damn hot for me.

[Shazam]

Originally Posted by Phanuthier

In San Diego, I didn't find it to be a problem at all. Heat was actually worse here in Edmonton then in San Diego.

The weather is much more stable, you can still get hockey and skiing (N. Cal), beaches, just an overall better place to live.

Just don't go inland. That's where it's very hot.

I will move to Huntington Beach eventually - once I have about $1million in assets, I'll be going down.

[Calgary Flames]

Originally Posted by Phanuthier

Funny, Arizona was the 2nd on my list of 3 places to go for my graduate degree if not Edmonton. (California, Arazona, Hawaiii) But... its just too damn hot for me.

It can be killer hot, but it's a dry heat and for some reason it doesn't bother me. I loved shopping at the stripmalls walking outside and it's hot, then getting that blast of Air conditioning when you walk into a store.

It's also a Sports fans paradise, NHL, NFL, MLB, NBA, PGA Tour all right there. Just a couple hours to drive to L.A., 6 hours to Vegas. Northern AZ is awesome too in the flagstaff area.

[RougeUnderoos]

Okay so we've established that it's expensive to live there. HOw about some examples? If an average house costs 1.2 million, how much does it cost to rent an average 1-room apartment? What about a case (12) of middling beer?

Personally I absolutely could not live in a place where I had to be in a car for hours if I wanted to go anywhere.

[Shazam]

Take a look here:

https://search.relocationcentral.com...arch_type=city

Beer is cheaper than pop.

[socalwingfan]

Originally Posted by RougeUnderoos

Okay so we've established that it's expensive to live there. HOw about some examples? If an average house costs 1.2 million, how much does it cost to rent an average 1-room apartment? What about a case (12) of middling beer?

Personally I absolutely could not live in a place where I had to be in a car for hours if I wanted to go anywhere.

santa monica - studio apartment 1400 - 5067

brentwood (little more inland) 850 - 3035

12 pack Heineken 11.99

[TheCommodoreAfro]

Originally Posted by kermitology

Are there any forum members who are Canadians working in California? I'm talking to a company in Santa Clara about a potential job opportunity there. Anyone have any thoughts on it?

If you're in technology, California is a good place to be. That's it in a nutshell. Sort of like if you're in O&G Calgary's a good place to be. Better wages and as you're surrounded by technology, you pick up things quicker. And it's not like you couldn't come back.