Are You Moving From or To California?
California has a lot to offer its residents, visitors, and people considering making the move. Hundreds of miles of beautiful beaches, one of the largest and most diverse economies in the world, three of the largest US cities by population, and so much more. In Los Angeles, you can go from surfing to skiing to wandering the desert all within a 2-3 hour drive. We’ve got the Raisin Capital of the World, the Date Capital of the World, the Almond Capital of the World, the Avocado Capital of the World.
If you’re moving to California and have your sights set on coastal life, you can expect warm summers and mild winters with average yearly temperatures ranging from the low 40s to the low 80s. Living further inland, things get a bit hotter in summer, and if your elevation is high enough, a bit snowier. As always, when you’re moving to California it’s critical that you plan your move with some foreknowledge of the weather at your destination so you can be adequately prepared for either blistering heat or slick conditions.
California is the most populous state in the country, and for good reason. Beside being warm all year-round, the Golden State has beautiful beaches and parks, vibrant cities, and endless options for entertainment and exploration, from Disneyland to the Pacific Coast Highway. If you’re ready to move to California, you’ll need to find an area that works for your budget and career, then organize your transportation and moving. Once you officially become a California resident, your West Coast adventures can begin!
If you’re moving to California, there are a lot of things you’re going to need to know. Luckily, you’ve come to the right place.
Moving to California
Pros and Cons of Living in California
Here are a few pros and cons to consider as you make your move to The Golden State:
Pros.
- California’s Weather: Another huge advantage California has over other states is sunshine and weather that is truly warm.
- There’s plenty to do: The Golden State is home to beaches, deserts, forests, mountains, lakes, world-class ski resorts and vibrant cities. San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Sacramento are very popular.
- Health: Living in California is good for one’s mental and physical health. The mortality rate in this state is lower in comparison to many other places, and Californians tend to live longer.
- Excellent education: California has plenty of public and private universities and colleges that lure people from different parts of the world. People living in this area tend to be more educated than those in some other areas of the U.S.
Cons.
- Traffic congestion: California’s is home to a lot of people and most of those people use personal cars to get around. That results in traffic. The traffic is Southern California is worse than in Northern California.
- Cost of living: It costs more to stay in California than nearly all other U.S states. The housing costs are expensive and the taxes are outrageous.
- The Overall tax burden in California is among the highest of all US states. This is also one of the reasons why people say they have moved out of California.
- High population: For those who are not accustomed to too many people California can be shocking.
Tax Rates
The statewide tax rate is 7.25%. In most areas of California, local jurisdictions have added district taxes that increase the tax owed by a seller. Those district tax rates range from 0.10% to 1.00%. Some areas may have more than one district tax in effect. Sellers are required to report and pay the applicable district taxes for their taxable sales and purchases.
Housing Market
California’s median home price jumped 6.4% to $666,320 in July, over June’s $626,170. That was a 9.6% lift from July 2019. The story for last month is the growth of higher priced homes as those below $500,000 only comprised 40% of total sales.
Realtors are optimistic, the economy is picking up, but few resale homes are up for sale. 54% of consumers believe it’s a good time to sell their home.
What Should I Know In 2020?
Economy Outlook
California’s economy is performing well. The statewide unemployment rate is at a long-term low. Jobs have been growing for an unusually long period, improving in almost all major industries and across California’s diverse regions. These improvements are reflected in family incomes, which have picked up substantially over the past few years. California’s job growth has outpaced national growth for several years, and the state now has the world’s fifth-largest economy
California’s economy once seemed like an unstoppable force nationally and globally thanks to economic powerhouses including Silicon Valley’s technology behemoths, Southern California’s dominant entertainment industry, a booming real estate market, and one of the largest agricultural sectors in the world.
If you look at the Bay Area, Los Angeles, those are two entrepreneurial and innovation ecosystems that are tremendously successful and a huge part of the state’s overall economic success story. There’s no doubt that when you think about places that are going to be, at least on some level, immune to the worst effects of an economic crisis like this, having those types of centers of entrepreneurship, high growth entrepreneurship in particular, and technology-oriented innovation, that’s going to help.
California is a large economy. It’s a diverse economy. It has everything as you know, from agriculture to technology, heavy manufacturing, natural resource extraction.
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Traffic & Transportation
For an easy and often fun way to get around California’s larger cities and communities, do what an increasing number of locals do and hitch a ride on a bus, subway, ferry, or light rail system. Using public transportation can be an efficient, affordable, safe, and eco-friendly option, particularly in areas where roads, parking, and urban traffic can be confusing and frustrating. Some transit systems let you buy multi-day passes; check ticket options online before you arrive to get the best deals.
Buses, planes, trains, Here’s everything you need to know about navigating through the Golden State.
California is the most populous and third-largest state in the country. However, despite its size, California is fully equipped with transportation channels to get you from Point A to Point B as quickly and simply as possible, no matter where those points may lie.
Airports, Buses, Roadways, Train, Seaports and Harbors, Bicycle, Car Rental.
Cost of living
According to a 2020 Cost of Living Index, the average city in California has a 38% higher cost of living than the average city in the nation. Keep in mind, CA is the third largest state in the U.S. after Alaska and Texas—so the cost to live there varies dramatically from city to city. In fact, cities ranging from 5–98% higher in cost than the average U.S. city!
In order to find out if you can afford life in the Golden State, you’d have to compare the cost of living in your current city with the CA city of your dreams.
The cost of living in any area can vary based on factors such as your career, its average salary, and the real estate market of that area.
Los Angeles’s housing expenses are 127% higher than the national average and the utility prices are 8% higher than the national average. Transportation expenses like bus fares and gas prices are 31% higher than the national average.
If you can afford to live in the Golden State, congrats!
Moving to California
Things to Know When Moving To California
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Moving is one of the most exciting and overwhelming events in our lives. While there are many moving companies and various different resources to choose from, there is only one Real Movers. If you are in the process of planning a long-distance move, and you are looking for a moving company you can trust, Real Movers is your perfect choice.
