WOT - Need California Contingent Opinions, Son wants to move to California Options

[colmz]

I have lurked here for a couple of years, but never joined until earlier this year. I prefer to remain on the sidelines for the most part. Anyway, something has come up and I need to solicit opinions from people in California (or anyone else who might have some experience in this).

My oldest son (20 yrs old) graduated in May with a B/S degree in music buisiness from Full Sail in Orlando, Florida. He also has an A/A in recording arts from the same school. He is just finishing up a three month internship here in Illinois with Victory Records in Chicago. Last week he informed my wife and I that he plans on moving to Los Angeles, California at the end of August to look for a job. He has no job offers, he has about $9,000 dollars in his pocket, and a 1997 Neon that he plans to drive out there. He tells us that in order to work in California, the record companies do not take job applicants seriously unless they live there. He has sent several resumes out, but has not heard back from anyone.

Comments, opinions, real life experiences would be greatly appreciated.

Marty

[Brad Roberts]

A couple of ways to succeed in CA:

1. Wealthy Parents
2. Smart relatives that bought property here 20-30 years ago
3. Insurance Money
4. Sue somebody
5. Good bonus plan at work
6. Live at home until age 30 or so and save money/borrow to buy a house.

No joke. Unless you have 80-100k down.. for a house or Condo.. you wont be buying anytime soon.

Some of the wealthy real estate people I know joke about us paying the "Sunshine Tax"

He sounds like a smart kid. He had better do his homework. I know a lot of people in their mid 30's looking for roommates.


B

[TINCAN914]

No joke. Unless you have 80-100k down.. for a house or Condo.. you wont be buying anytime soon.

That's not necesarely true... My wife and I bought our first place in 94' granted the housing market ws not at it's best, but we did it with 5k down, there are number of first time buyer programs available, but that's another story.

I agree with a number of people who hav repled. Have you son do the research, there are a number of internet sites tht he can check out, that will give him a comparison with the cost of living there in Ill and California. Just do a search cost of living comparison, there should be a buch that pop up.

I just did the opposite of your son. I left Southern Cal to move to Colorado. The difference between the two based on those web comparisons was about 30% less to live in Colorado.

My advice to your son to make the move easier if he chooses to make it, is get a job first... It wil make the transition easier. But if he wants to make the move, make it!!!! As a father support him. Sounds like he has his head on straight with an education..... Best of luck to him!!