Moving to the Golden State
Home to 39.5 million people, almost twice as much as Florida, California is the most populous state. Los Angeles is the most populous city in California, and the second most populated in the US after New York City. According to the World Population Review, California’s population is expected to reach 41 million by 2020, if the current growth rate will not slow down.
Moving away from Florida’s sunny weather and mind-blowing coastlines will be hard at first. But keep in mind that you will also be moving away from the capital of lightning bolts and wild hurricanes.
Compared to Florida’s tropical and humid subtropical climate, most parts of California have a Mediterranean climate. Since California is very spread out, its northern part differs a lot from its southern part, with a climate ranging from polar to subtropical. The Northern parts also have more rainfall compared to the Southern parts of the state. Overall, a beautiful climate all around.
Economy and employment
Thanks to the recent boom in financial services and real estate, the state of California has managed to surpass The UK, and has become the world’s fifth-largest economy behind the United States, China, Japan, and Germany. With $2.75 trillion its economy is larger compared to any other state in the US.
Known for its high-income taxes and expensive housing, the state can be very expensive, especially for someone coming from Florida. But the state offers plenty of opportunities if you are an entrepreneur and want to start your own business, or software developer aiming at the next big opportunity. With an abundance of jobs in the financial sector, real estate, the entertainment industry, government, scientific and technical business services you will certainly have the chance to find your perfect placement.
The IT industry, in particular, offers great openings all the time. According to the Department of Finance of State of California, the unemployment rate fell to 4.3 percent in December 2017.
Housing and Living Cost
California has the second most expensive cost of living in the US after Hawaii and is overall way more expensive than Florida. If we compare Los Angeles and Orlando, LA is 73% more expensive, while housing is 270% more expensive. And these are some crazy numbers, especially compared to Florida costs of living. On the bright side, property taxes in California are below the national average.
Depending on which part of California you will move to, you will be faced with a different culture, weather, atmosphere, and all the other good stuff such as fresh produce and food from around the world. So, you need to pick a side first (North or South) that best fits your lifestyle, and then look for rental or housing options.
Among the top ten places to live in California are San Francisco, Berkeley, Irvine, San Jose, Fresno, Santa Barbara, San Mateo County, and Sacramento. However, hundreds of small towns offer decent opportunities and a more peaceful lifestyle.
Activities in California
Just like the multicultural and diverse state of Florida, California is also one big melting pot of cuisines, culture, people, and languages.
Make time to visit miles of free sunny beaches, the Grand Canyon, the Golden Gate Bridge, Napa Valley Vineyards, Hollywood, and Beverly Hills, The Death Valley, Channel Islands, Kings Canyon, and the Redwood National and State parks whenever you can once you move it. Crazy traffic aside, California has a lot of positive energy to offer throughout the year. If you are a nature lover and love to be outdoors, there are plenty of outdoor activities you can enjoy such as skiing, surfing, camping, hiking, and swimming.
Moving to California with a car
Once you move to California, you will have to register your car within 20 days after you establish residency, and in order to do so, you will need to have a valid car insurance.
The California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) has quite strict rules for all new residents, so, make sure you get the information you need regarding your car registration. New residents also need to obtain a California driver’s license within the first 10 days after moving to the state.