I moved from NJ to CA, seeking roof and Bio-IT job.

[rh71]

bro moved from NY to San Diego in June. He still hasn't found a job (business/acct) but he's got an apt. in a nice complex for $1600/mo (2 bedroom). I envy his ability to up and leave to a nice place like that. The one big difference he's noticed is that west-coasters are a lot more laid back and not so much of a rush... people are friendlier.

And traffic there he hasn't mentioned... but I was in LA and it can get pretty bad.. the difference is they have wider highways there and it's still bad...

 

[Ranger X]

Girls in CA are no match for girls living anywhere else in the United States.

My view of NorCal is that people are friendlier than people in SoCal. Real Estate is expensive everywhere. My sister bought a place in Santa Clara for an old 1 story house for 500k and the home has risen in value since then. In SoCal, I see old 4 bedroom homes going for 1 million dollars that should be worth at most 300k. Go figure .. it's expensive to live in CA.

As for crimes, try walking through Compton in the middle of the night.

 

[rh71]

Originally posted by: Ranger X
As for crimes, try walking through Compton in the middle of the night.

Hmm... which is worse... Compton or Harlem...

 

[TuxDave]

Originally posted by: Rumpltzer

What struck me when I showed up in California five years ago was that Californians (mostly undergrads) seemed unable to comprehend of a world outside of California. They'd say stuff like, "UCSB is the #4 ranked school!" They meant within California. They can't conceive of leaving the state after graduation. I've often asked if they'd ever been out of the State and they tell me they've vacationed in Vegas and Colorado. I take that as a no.

That's exactly what I've seen here. People in California seem to be in their own little world. They say "California is the best place in ths USA", yet they never actually left California. I think California is alot like Disneyland. When you're inside, it's so easy to forget what goes on outside.

 

[Ranger X]

Originally posted by: rh71

Originally posted by: Ranger X
As for crimes, try walking through Compton in the middle of the night.

Hmm... which is worse... Compton or Harlem...

Heh, actually I don't know since I haven't been to either.

 

[Sensor]

Part of the reason I'm in Northern California is the weather. I'm told it's fall all year around, and after our last winter in NJ I wasn't hesitant to give up having local snow. The other reason is that I'm looking for change. I'm too inexperienced to say that I'm going to stay anywhere forever; if I didn't leave NJ now, having graduated and not settled down, I'd likely be living in NJ for the remainder of my days.

I'm actually not looking to finish my career in a Biotech IT department. In the future, I'd like to be working on research and development for a company developing tools used with Genetics or computing, to really flex my Engineering background. I'd like to be working on nanotechnology, biocomputing, or something similar. NJ is a good place for Pharm/Biotech manufacturing and drug development.

Craig's List is a good tip that I haven't checked previously. In fact, there was... alot of variety in the listings, and I'm a little bit intimidated. There was even a section for job searches...

I have a list of 130 companies that I compiled from Biospace.org and Bio.org that are located relatively nearby and with even remote related interests. Unfortunately, it misses the really small companies that may provide a good opportunity for me. I haven't gotten any replies while submitting my resume electronically from NJ (although they've been more than polite when I call them on the phone the week after), but I'm hoping that once I have an address in California they'll take me more seriously. A book, 'What color's your parachute?' even goes on to suggest knocking on their doors so they can't discard you as easily.

This morning I dropped off my last friend at SFO (S.F. Airport). I took the San Mateo Br. (Rt. 92) to 101. There was a little bit of traffic getting on the bridge, maybe 5 miles of 20mph traffic, and then clear (but certainly dense) sailing the rest of the way. We arrived at SFO at 9:15 A, almost 2 hours earlier than his flight. I have a theory, though. I think people around here drive closer to me. First, I think because there's no snow or whatnot, people are more comfortable tailgating (does the 1-car-length-per-10-mph tailgating law from NJ still apply here? I need a DMV manual...) out here. Second, I saw a HummerH2 on the road today; I think the lanes are narrower on the highway out here compared to NJ! Having a person up your butt and two squeezing you on either side can give anyone the sensation of 'wild road rage and terrible traffic'. It's just a theory, though.

I especially appreciate the advice about people. I hope to have the opportunity to see just how 'local' the people around here are. So I'm making this list of things to do:
Meet people.
Oil change (3000 mi across the country puts me overdue).
Safeway Club Card.
Southshore Plaza, Alameda, PPQ, Irving, Za Zang Myun, Oakland, Darda, Milpitas Square.

Thanks, everyone.

--Ed

Oh, I have some details about my trip that I wrote along the way. Sorry for the outside link to http://www.clan216.com/index.php?s=&act=SF&f=2, but I've done enough doubling-up of posts already.

 

[Ameesh]

Originally posted by: Rumpltzer

Originally posted by: Ameesh
california is the best states in the usa, in my opinion having lived in both northern and sourther califonria, southern califnoria is way better then northern california, but any where in cali is better then NJ.

in 5 years you'll look back and think to yourself that it was the best move youve ever made.

as far as biotech jobs a majority of them are in southern california, san diego, orange, and ventura county.

I'm curious as to whether you've ever lived anywhere else other than California?

What struck me when I showed up in California five years ago was that Californians (mostly undergrads) seemed unable to comprehend of a world outside of California. They'd say stuff like, "UCSB is the #4 ranked school!" They meant within California. They can't conceive of leaving the state after graduation. I've often asked if they'd ever been out of the State and they tell me they've vacationed in Vegas and Colorado. I take that as a no.

I'm still here. I'd rather not be, but it's where my line of work is.

It IS too expensive. Even making six figures out of school I've taken an apartment because even a 5% down payment on a place is not something I can do just yet. A $350K townhouse or a $650K house with no yard in a neighborhood where all the housese look the same... it's total BS... and this is in OXNARD!

I spent about five years in "beautiful" Santa Barbara. The weather is good, and the local politics keep big business and buildings out. It's cool if you're just visiting, but a pain if you live there. Portland and the area west of it is much prettier than SoCal. Just about anywhere else is more affordable.

I wouldn't mind leaving California. I'll give it a few more years, I guess.

I have lived in South Carolina for a short time and Florida for many years, I now live in Seattle WA and have for the last 3+ years. I miss cali.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Welcome. I moved here in 1990 from upstate NY. Never looked back. I love it here. I'm a San Diego boy now! :beer:

 

[illustri]

Originally posted by: TuxDave

Originally posted by: Rumpltzer

What struck me when I showed up in California five years ago was that Californians (mostly undergrads) seemed unable to comprehend of a world outside of California. They'd say stuff like, "UCSB is the #4 ranked school!" They meant within California. They can't conceive of leaving the state after graduation. I've often asked if they'd ever been out of the State and they tell me they've vacationed in Vegas and Colorado. I take that as a no.

That's exactly what I've seen here. People in California seem to be in their own little world. They say "California is the best place in ths USA", yet they never actually left California. I think California is alot like Disneyland. When you're inside, it's so easy to forget what goes on outside.

But lets be honest now, what IS there between cali and ny? plains, oilrigs, and "here there be dragons."

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: illustri

Originally posted by: TuxDave

Originally posted by: Rumpltzer

What struck me when I showed up in California five years ago was that Californians (mostly undergrads) seemed unable to comprehend of a world outside of California. They'd say stuff like, "UCSB is the #4 ranked school!" They meant within California. They can't conceive of leaving the state after graduation. I've often asked if they'd ever been out of the State and they tell me they've vacationed in Vegas and Colorado. I take that as a no.

That's exactly what I've seen here. People in California seem to be in their own little world. They say "California is the best place in ths USA", yet they never actually left California. I think California is alot like Disneyland. When you're inside, it's so easy to forget what goes on outside.

But lets be honest now, what IS there between cali and ny? plains, oilrigs, and "here there be dragons."

You forgot the millions of people who think they know everything about California and what's good for the world in general but have never been anywhere farther than 500 miles from the place they were born.

 

[777php]

Lemme add another restaurant to your list...

Its called San Tung on Irving street in San Francisco's sunset district and order the Dry Chicken Wings.

 

[Sid59]

Originally posted by: Rumpltzer
..... and this is in OXNARD!
.

your rant is over ... c'mon .. Oxnard ... pfft .