Moving to California

Are You Moving 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

When it comes to taxes, California is one of the least favorable states in the country. Though it ranks 16th in terms of property taxes, with an effective rate of .77%, it miserably fails when it comes to sales and income taxes. Shoppers can expect a base sales tax rate of 7.25%, though local municipalities tack on anywhere from .15% to 3% more. If you live in Glendale or Long Beach, for example, expect to pay the top sales tax rate of 10.25%. California also has the highest personal income tax rates of any state, though the rates are graduated. Lower income residents pay 1%, while top income earners (those making $1 million or more) pay as much as 13.3% in income taxes.

Housing Market

The California housing market ended the previous year on a high note as sales remained strong in December and median house price reached another record high. The same momentum has been carried forward in 2021. In the fourth of 2021, the median home price breaks the $800,000 mark for the first time, according to the data released by C.A.R. The new median sales price of existing single-family homes is $813,980, up 7.2% from March and 34% from a year earlier.

What Should I Know In 2021?

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.

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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What Our Clients Say

Moving is such a stressful experience but this company made it very easy. I was able to get a quote and schedule my move without any issues. The movers showed up early and completed the job in the time i was quoted with no issues. I would absolutely recommend them to a friend and use them if i ever move again.

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Such a great company to work with, they provided me a smooth move! They were very professional, all of my items were in the same shape as they were in my prior home, nothing broke along the way and absolutely nothing went missing! Such a perfect move!

Laura Morton

These guys are great.............Everything was smooth and easy.......I would highly recommend for anybody who is moving......local or long distance...we moved from southern Calif to Prescott...all good...If you want the best then you want Real Movers

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Elizabeth Jones

Amazing price, amazing service. Real Movers made great work. They were polite, prompt, careful, and Strong! They took the stress out of me, forever thankful..highly recommend!

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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

The cost of housing in most areas of California may give you some sticker shock. In places like SoCal or the Bay Area, home prices might be significantly higher than the home prices in your current state of residence. The home price index of California is nearly triple that of the nationwide index. Not only is housing more expensive, but so are most other costs, including groceries, utilities, and transportation. The only area in which you can expect lower-than-average costs is healthcare.

According to the Family Budget Calculator, a family of four living in the Los Angeles metro area can expect to pay an average of $1,663 per month for housing, $830 for food, over $1,000 for transportation, $1200 for childcare, and almost $2000 for healthcare and other necessities. This budget equates to a whopping $7,691 per month in living expenses (or $92,295 annually).

Moving to California

Things to Know When Moving To California

California Climate

The best time to visit many parts of California is during spring and autumn, while some are fine even in the peak of summer. Mid-spring is a good time as the winter cold recedes, and the sun resumes duties in full glory. Western coastal regions like San Francisco experience mild and pleasant summer days in the 50°F (10°C) to 70°F (21.1°C) range. Up in the north, summers are comfortable without extremities of temperatures.

Employment

The State of California offers a wide variety of careers and jobs, ranging from accounting to zoology. The state provides on-the-job training and professional development, and many positions do not require previous experience or a degree.

The State of California offers its employees generous benefits that include retirement and savings plans, health and dental insurance, and access to long-term disability and long-term care insurance

Real Estate

The median list price per square foot in California is $315. The median price of homes currently listed in California is $533,500 while the median price of homes that sold is $524,400. The median rent price in California is $2,775.

Average Income

As of May 18, 2021, the average annual pay for the Average jobs category in California is $62,356 an year.

Industries

California’s industrial success is linked to the presence of several technology-intensive manufacturing industries and the booming film industry. The fastest-growing industries in the state are healthcare, construction, technology, hospitality, and agriculture. However, the biggest industries in California are agriculture, film industry, and services sector (including tourism).

Crime Rankings

California has ranked 15th out of 50 states in violent crime rank, with a total of 445 violent crimes for every 100,000 people in the state.

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