Starting a new life in the Golden State
Home to some of the most beautiful sunny beaches and landscapes, California is a state full of adventures. Get ready to fall in love with its nature, people, cuisine, diversity, and of course, weather. Compared to Texas’ dry heat and high temperatures, the state of California has a Mediterranean climate. Since you will be moving from the second largest state to the third-largest state in the US in terms of area, just like in Texas, the climate changes a lot from one part of the state to another. The climate in Northern and Southern California ranges from polar to subtropical.
As California is considered one of the best states to live in the US, it is no wonder why the population has been constantly increasing in the last decades. By 2020, the state’s population is expected to reach the 41 million mark.
Economy and Employment
This June, the state of California managed to become the fifth-largest economy in the world after the United States, China, Japan, and Germany. With a $2.75 trillion economy, mainly due to its boom in financial services and real estate, California offers plenty of job opportunities in IT, finance, real estate, farming, construction, the entertainment industry, government, scientific and technical business services. The state is also perfect for building your own startup company or open a family business.
Housing and Living Costs
After Hawaii, California has the second-most expensive cost of living in the States. Consequently, its housing costs are also one of the most expensive in the US. If we compare Santa Clara with Houston, for example, the living costs in Santa Clara are 146% more expensive, while the Median Home Cost is 703% more expensive than Houston.
But there are other cities in California such as the East Los Angeles, which is not as expensive as Santa Clara. Living costs in LA are 29% more expensive than Houston, while the Median Home Cost is 147% more expensive. It really depends on where in California you will relocate. But in general, expect your housing and living costs to be much more expensive than in Texas.
Things to do in California
Home to the Grand Canyon, the Golden Gate Bridge, Napa Valley Vineyards, Hollywood, Beverly Hills, and national and state parks such as The Death Valley, Channel Islands, Kings Canyon, and Redwood parks, the Golden State offers so many beautiful sights and landscapes for all nature-lovers and adventure seekers. The weather will be on your side most of the time, whether you want to ski, surf, hike, swim, or simply go walking, or camping at your favorite spots in any city of your choice.
If you also are a food and wine lover, it is very likely that you will never want to leave the state of California. So breathe in all its positive vibes and enjoy the many festivals, events, and awesome opportunities the state offers.
Moving to California with a car
Having a car in California means that you will have to put up with traffic jams almost every day. Nevertheless, owning a car in the Golden State is a necessity, since the state is very spread out and it takes a lot of time to move from one place to another.
Once you move to California, you will have up to 20 days to register your car and 10 days to obtain your California driver’s license. Keep in mind that to register your car, you will need to have a valid car insurance. For more information on registering your car in California, go to the official website of California DMV.