So many people dream about moving to sunny Southern California (or cool and hip Northern California). This dream can be a reality for you, if only you come up with a workable plan to get here. Before you go through with the move though, you need to be aware of 10 considerations concerning the Golden State. Some of them will surprise you.
We look at these in the following article.
Traffic is most likely a part of life in California
First you should know that you will most likely require a car to live in California. The exception is for people who move to San Francisco (if you are a high roller, you can do it too). California is a huge state.
The majority of the cities and towns are lower population density communities that offer very little in the way of public transport. The upside of this is that it does not feel too crowded. It is good to keep in mind that traffic is quite likely to be a daily occurrence for you here in some parts of the state.
You need to decide on which opposing climate type you want in California
You will have to pick one of two major climate types when you move here. This stems from the major differences in the weather of the north versus the south of California. As an example, the climate variations between San Francisco in the north and San Diego in the south are quite dramatic. Would you prefer to live in rainy and foggy or sunny and dry? Choose carefully.
You will want to speak some spanish
California is more multilingual than many of the other states in the U.S. IF you do not speak Spanish yet, then you should start learning the language before or once you move here. This will give you a larger pool of potential friends to select from and also help you to be understood in many places within California. Cultural diversity is one of the great appeals of the state to many individuals moving here.
California is big on agriculture, nature, and enjoying the great outdoors
This is a fantastic state to love agriculture, the outdoors, and nature. There are countless state and national parks in California, mountains to hike or camp in, beaches to frequent and surf, and great places to swim, ski, or simply visit. This free, natural entertainment in California is a big plus here, especially since it realistically costs more to live in the Golden State than in many other parts of the United States. That is the price of living in continental USA’s paradise state.
It is another great fact that the state produces much of the produce for the rest of Americans to enjoy (along with many other nations as well). A drive in the countryside will easily take you by some of the many productive farms or farmer’s markets that dot the state. Think of all the hard working individuals who work these farms when you pass them by.
You should like living in wine country
If you are not a wine aficionado, then you are missing out on a large benefit of moving to California. The state remains by far and away the largest wine producer in the U.S. Whether or not you choose to settle down in the beautiful wine country regions here, you will want to take an excursion out to personally experience the charming ambiance and atmosphere of this storied region. The experience of moving to California might be all the motivation that you require to finally get into the fun world of wines.
Housing is a constant topic of conversation and concern in the state
Housing remains a practical area of concern in the Golden State. Some larger cities have significant affordability issues. The state is tough on its zoning rules, which makes sure that housing supply remains tight. The upshot is that there is no runaway building all over the state.
It is common for families in the Golden State to live in primary residences, typically either a duplex or a single-family home. Some properties even include Accessory Dwelling Units to provide an additional living space on the property. It is a good idea to look into a granny flat. This type of flat may or may not be attached to the house when you are house hunting. You can rent them out and so reduce your costs of housing overhead this way especially if you check out the Sacramento Sub-Zero showroom. With the cost of living comparatively high in California, anything that you can do to defray them will help with your monthly budget.
Taxes are really high in California
Another fact of life in the state that makes it relatively expensive to live out here is that the taxes in the state are high. You can not get around this. If you make a lot of money, then expect to pay up a significant portion of it over to the government of the state.
On a more positive note, property taxes are another story, as they are lower than the national average. You also get a lot of services and high quality of living for the taxes you pay in California. This helps to make it more manageable.
There are some natural disaster risks to living in the Golden State
The state has a deserved reputation for severe natural disasters. Between earthquakes, mudslides, and wildfires, you have to get used to the potential dangers of calling the state your home. Your chances of becoming an actual victim to one of these are not really high, but you should mentally prepare yourself just in case one befalls you. This is another reason that homeowners’ insurance is relatively expensive for those who choose to buy a home in the state.
There are many great reasons to move to California. Moving to the state might make you a happier, better, or wealthier individual, though you will not know for sure until you get here and settle down. It is always a good idea to know what the obstacles and downsides are to any place that you are seriously considering calling your home.
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