Comments on: Moving To California With No Money http://www.doublejourney.com/2009/04/19/moving-to-california-with-no-money/ Going From Good To Great Wed, 08 Feb 2012 23:38:36 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.2 By: T.Harris http://www.doublejourney.com/2009/04/19/moving-to-california-with-no-money/#comment-29766 T.Harris Wed, 08 Feb 2012 23:38:36 +0000 http://www.doublejourney.com/2009/04/19/moving-to-california-with-no-money/#comment-29766 Hello just come across this blog while searching for ways to live in ca... like many im in a place where i want to get away from i hear many say saveup your money and get your education... but what if you not in the postition to do that? so anyway im just going to get to the point ill be going to calling in a few days ...even after reading everything here and many other sites i feel my need to get away outways the negitives sooo on the 16 of this months i will be there heres the thing iv been searching and iv yet to find a decent place to go im a litle confused but i have been leaning on san jose i will have little money maybe $400-500 to hold my self when i get there i can use all the info anyone can offer me regarding this ill be checking the blog asmuch as possible also if nay one wants to reach me on my email iv listed it i can use all the info and help i can get thanks for your time and i hope for a speedy responce... ^^ Hello just come across this blog while searching for ways to live in ca…
like many im in a place where i want to get away from i hear many say saveup your money and get your education… but what if you not in the postition to do that?
so anyway im just going to get to the point ill be going to calling in a few days …even after reading everything here and many other sites i feel my need to get away outways the negitives sooo on the 16 of this months i will be there heres the thing iv been searching and iv yet to find a decent place to go im a litle confused but i have been leaning on san jose i will have little money maybe $400-500 to hold my self when i get there i can use all the info anyone can offer me regarding this ill be checking the blog asmuch as possible also if nay one wants to reach me on my email iv listed it i can use all the info and help i can get thanks for your time and i hope for a speedy responce… ^^

]]> By: Jessica http://www.doublejourney.com/2009/04/19/moving-to-california-with-no-money/#comment-29762 Jessica Mon, 06 Feb 2012 00:38:36 +0000 http://www.doublejourney.com/2009/04/19/moving-to-california-with-no-money/#comment-29762 Hi, my name is Jessica I'm 21 and I'm looking to do an internship on the West Coast for the summer. I am interested in acting and want to intern at a talent agency...i'm not interested in Los Angeles but somewhere with beautiful beaches, nightlife and people my age. I want to meet geniune, relaxed artsy people like myself and am looking for the right part of Cali to reside in for the summer. San Fran is a dream of mine but i would like to start out somewhere smaller where i have a chance to be really be part of the community. ANY advice from someone who's been there is amazing. Thanks for all your help! :) Hi, my name is Jessica I’m 21 and I’m looking to do an internship on the West Coast for the summer. I am interested in acting and want to intern at a talent agency…i’m not interested in Los Angeles but somewhere with beautiful beaches, nightlife and people my age. I want to meet geniune, relaxed artsy people like myself and am looking for the right part of Cali to reside in for the summer. San Fran is a dream of mine but i would like to start out somewhere smaller where i have a chance to be really be part of the community. ANY advice from someone who’s been there is amazing. Thanks for all your help! :)

]]> By: Fillip http://www.doublejourney.com/2009/04/19/moving-to-california-with-no-money/#comment-29672 Fillip Mon, 23 Jan 2012 00:26:53 +0000 http://www.doublejourney.com/2009/04/19/moving-to-california-with-no-money/#comment-29672 Some people say you can make it, some people say that you can't make it...oh well, that's life I guess. Things are always complicated. Anyway, I'm also one of the folks who want to movie to Cali. But I'm not the usual dreamer. I'm 26, live in Greece right now and my plan is to go to LA in September. My situation is kinda different, so I would REALLY appreciate an honest answer or advice from a Cali/LA person. I'll be brief and I'll go step by step: 1. I already went to LA in 2009 and I can honestly say that "adapting", which I know is a big deal, is not gonna be a problem for me. I can definitely see myself working and living in that city. I've worked on movie sets, erotic boutiques here in Europe and of course the usual piece of crap jobs for no money - so I can definitely handle the tough jobs in LA. And I'm not picky. 2. I'll arive on a student visa, specifically for language courses. I'm not going to school or university. Now, I don't wanna brag or anything, but I can honestly say that my English is perfect. The biggest compliment for me was when a San Fran tourist in Greece, after hearing me speak, asked me what's my home state in the US. So yes, my american accent is pretty good. I only took these language courses because, believe it or not, it's cheaper than coming with a tourist visa. Work visa would've been the best choice, but when it comes to that everything's really tight right now. On my first week I plan on contacting an immigration attorney in order for me to change my visa status. I know that a lot of people choose to stay in Cali illegally, but I don't want to be that guy. I wanna play by the rules and do things the right way. If they don't approve my documents, then so be it. At least I'll know that I did everything the right way and I didn't cheat. 3. I'll arrive with close to $2000 in my pocket and for the first 3 weeks I'll have a place to stay. During that time I'll work on extending my stay or change my visa status - depends on what the immigration attorney says. 4. Now, the job thing. The unusual thing with me is that my current job is on the internet. I'm a movie journalist for the biggest film website in my country. Sounds good, but it's not really the best job in the world. So my plan is to continue writing my articles on my laptop while I'm in Los Angeles and that way I'll have some money coming to me from my country, through my bank account, while at the same time I'm looking for a "real" job in LA. Any kind of job. Like I said, I'm not picky. Btw, if I don't receive a work permit, what kind of jobs can/should I look for? 5. Education: I'll soon receive my elementary teacher bachelor's degree and I've worked as a film journalist for almost 2 years now. I know movies and I know music. I know them well! So I'd be happy if I can can get a job at Blockbuster as a starter. It's not exactly a perfect job, I know, but what are my chances? Will they hire me while I'm working on my visa status or they they'll flat-out deny me if I don't have the work permit yet? I'd like to think that they'll hire me if they know that I'm working with an immigration attorney on my visa status? I mean, it's not like I plan on staying illegally. Like I said, I want to follow the rules and do things the right way.....and hopefully they'll recognize that. If you have any advice on that, please share it. 6. I've done my research and I know that Los Angeles, even though not a perfect city, is the place that I want to work and live. It's my goal since I was a kid. I don't have friends here, but to tell you the truth, that's not going to be a problem for me. I consider myself a pretty decent guy and I know how to make friends. I know how to treat people and I know what I want to achieve in my life - film marketing and PR is my thing. 7. Last, but not least...actually that's the most important thing: how's Cali's job situation right now and tell me honestly, is it a good idea for me to come this September? If I have to wait, how long, based on your observations, will I have to wait? I'll be 27 this year and my plan is to be in LA by the time I hit 30. After that, I think it'll be too late. Considering what I've said so far, what's your advice for me? I really want to hear from a Cali person who's aware of the situation on the ground. Please, if you can, leave an answer. Long, short, doesn't matter. You'll help me a lot : ) Some people say you can make it, some people say that you can’t make it…oh well, that’s life I guess. Things are always complicated.

Anyway, I’m also one of the folks who want to movie to Cali. But I’m not the usual dreamer. I’m 26, live in Greece right now and my plan is to go to LA in September. My situation is kinda different, so I would REALLY appreciate an honest answer or advice from a Cali/LA person. I’ll be brief and I’ll go step by step:

1. I already went to LA in 2009 and I can honestly say that “adapting”, which I know is a big deal, is not gonna be a problem for me. I can definitely see myself working and living in that city. I’ve worked on movie sets, erotic boutiques here in Europe and of course the usual piece of crap jobs for no money – so I can definitely handle the tough jobs in LA. And I’m not picky.

2. I’ll arive on a student visa, specifically for language courses. I’m not going to school or university. Now, I don’t wanna brag or anything, but I can honestly say that my English is perfect. The biggest compliment for me was when a San Fran tourist in Greece, after hearing me speak, asked me what’s my home state in the US. So yes, my american accent is pretty good.

I only took these language courses because, believe it or not, it’s cheaper than coming with a tourist visa. Work visa would’ve been the best choice, but when it comes to that everything’s really tight right now.

On my first week I plan on contacting an immigration attorney in order for me to change my visa status. I know that a lot of people choose to stay in Cali illegally, but I don’t want to be that guy. I wanna play by the rules and do things the right way. If they don’t approve my documents, then so be it. At least I’ll know that I did everything the right way and I didn’t cheat.

3. I’ll arrive with close to $2000 in my pocket and for the first 3 weeks I’ll have a place to stay. During that time I’ll work on extending my stay or change my visa status – depends on what the immigration attorney says.

4. Now, the job thing. The unusual thing with me is that my current job is on the internet. I’m a movie journalist for the biggest film website in my country. Sounds good, but it’s not really the best job in the world. So my plan is to continue writing my articles on my laptop while I’m in Los Angeles and that way I’ll have some money coming to me from my country, through my bank account, while at the same time I’m looking for a “real” job in LA. Any kind of job. Like I said, I’m not picky. Btw, if I don’t receive a work permit, what kind of jobs can/should I look for?

5. Education: I’ll soon receive my elementary teacher bachelor’s degree and I’ve worked as a film journalist for almost 2 years now. I know movies and I know music. I know them well! So I’d be happy if I can can get a job at Blockbuster as a starter. It’s not exactly a perfect job, I know, but what are my chances? Will they hire me while I’m working on my visa status or they they’ll flat-out deny me if I don’t have the work permit yet? I’d like to think that they’ll hire me if they know that I’m working with an immigration attorney on my visa status? I mean, it’s not like I plan on staying illegally. Like I said, I want to follow the rules and do things the right way…..and hopefully they’ll recognize that. If you have any advice on that, please share it.

6. I’ve done my research and I know that Los Angeles, even though not a perfect city, is the place that I want to work and live. It’s my goal since I was a kid. I don’t have friends here, but to tell you the truth, that’s not going to be a problem for me. I consider myself a pretty decent guy and I know how to make friends. I know how to treat people and I know what I want to achieve in my life – film marketing and PR is my thing.

7. Last, but not least…actually that’s the most important thing: how’s Cali’s job situation right now and tell me honestly, is it a good idea for me to come this September? If I have to wait, how long, based on your observations, will I have to wait?

I’ll be 27 this year and my plan is to be in LA by the time I hit 30. After that, I think it’ll be too late.

Considering what I’ve said so far, what’s your advice for me? I really want to hear from a Cali person who’s aware of the situation on the ground.

Please, if you can, leave an answer. Long, short, doesn’t matter. You’ll help me a lot : )

]]> By: MASTERPC http://www.doublejourney.com/2009/04/19/moving-to-california-with-no-money/#comment-29504 MASTERPC Wed, 18 Jan 2012 18:09:27 +0000 http://www.doublejourney.com/2009/04/19/moving-to-california-with-no-money/#comment-29504 Sounds like a nightmare to me! Tack another zero on to the back of your 1500 and maybe that'll get you through a few more months. Research, plan, save, get a college degree, get a job, save some more, network, get a better job etc. Sounds like a nightmare to me! Tack another zero on to the back of your 1500 and maybe that’ll get you through a few more months. Research, plan, save, get a college degree, get a job, save some more, network, get a better job etc.

]]> By: Brandon http://www.doublejourney.com/2009/04/19/moving-to-california-with-no-money/#comment-29476 Brandon Wed, 18 Jan 2012 05:54:27 +0000 http://www.doublejourney.com/2009/04/19/moving-to-california-with-no-money/#comment-29476 I am pursuing my dream of living in the West. I am only 19 years old. I will have only about 1500 bucks in my pocket and my car. I don't know how I'm going to do it but anything is possible to me and I desperately want to pursue this dream. You seem to obviously know what your talking about so I was wondering if you could help me. Me still being 19 and this will be the first time out on my own Im still not sure how to world operates just yet. I know for a fact that 1500 will be nothing to live on for awhile while out there in California but I figured it would get me a place for about a month or so to get a job and keep the money flowing. I want to move to Moreno Valley, CA. I don't know if you have ever been there or maybe even passed through but I need to know exactly what I am getting myself into. If you could be let me know. Thank you. I am pursuing my dream of living in the West. I am only 19 years old. I will have only about 1500 bucks in my pocket and my car. I don’t know how I’m going to do it but anything is possible to me and I desperately want to pursue this dream. You seem to obviously know what your talking about so I was wondering if you could help me. Me still being 19 and this will be the first time out on my own Im still not sure how to world operates just yet. I know for a fact that 1500 will be nothing to live on for awhile while out there in California but I figured it would get me a place for about a month or so to get a job and keep the money flowing. I want to move to Moreno Valley, CA. I don’t know if you have ever been there or maybe even passed through but I need to know exactly what I am getting myself into. If you could be let me know. Thank you.

]]> By: chen http://www.doublejourney.com/2009/04/19/moving-to-california-with-no-money/#comment-29386 chen Mon, 16 Jan 2012 02:18:21 +0000 http://www.doublejourney.com/2009/04/19/moving-to-california-with-no-money/#comment-29386 hello there, i've been searching of how will i get to anaheim california. i'm from philippines, i wonder how it will cost me, and if it is easy. what if i come in there as tourist and find work? will that work to be remain staying there, is that possible for me? i have a friend already there to stay, so maybe i won't be so worrying about the rent. maybe just the fare the travelling documents and if they will really allow me? pls. help me.. thank u hello there, i’ve been searching of how will i get to anaheim california. i’m from philippines, i wonder how it will cost me, and if it is easy. what if i come in there as tourist and find work? will that work to be remain staying there, is that possible for me? i have a friend already there to stay, so maybe i won’t be so worrying about the rent. maybe just the fare the travelling documents and if they will really allow me? pls. help me.. thank u

]]> By: Cameron http://www.doublejourney.com/2009/04/19/moving-to-california-with-no-money/#comment-29346 Cameron Sun, 15 Jan 2012 09:52:48 +0000 http://www.doublejourney.com/2009/04/19/moving-to-california-with-no-money/#comment-29346 "There are only so many things you actually need. You need to have a roof over your head but you should have taken care of that by now. You need to have food. That is pretty much it. ". Ha. “There are only so many things you actually need. You need to have a roof over your head but you should have taken care of that by now. You need to have food. That is pretty much it. “. Ha.

]]> By: AraGar http://www.doublejourney.com/2009/04/19/moving-to-california-with-no-money/#comment-29279 AraGar Sat, 14 Jan 2012 00:30:35 +0000 http://www.doublejourney.com/2009/04/19/moving-to-california-with-no-money/#comment-29279 Not sure your even paying attention to this anymore but..What do you think would be a reasonable amount of money to move to california with? I want to move due to weather. I currently have a great job but...i hate the north east its cold and evil. I currently have about 30,000 in the bank, and i throw another 2,000 in every month that i am here. Does that sound like a safe bet? Also I do work in a techniqual field so maybe I can fair a little better then others. Not sure your even paying attention to this anymore but..What do you think would be a reasonable amount of money to move to california with? I want to move due to weather. I currently have a great job but…i hate the north east its cold and evil. I currently have about 30,000 in the bank, and i throw another 2,000 in every month that i am here. Does that sound like a safe bet? Also I do work in a techniqual field so maybe I can fair a little better then others.

]]> By: Karen Dicampello http://www.doublejourney.com/2009/04/19/moving-to-california-with-no-money/#comment-29073 Karen Dicampello Mon, 09 Jan 2012 21:14:16 +0000 http://www.doublejourney.com/2009/04/19/moving-to-california-with-no-money/#comment-29073 I have faith in this guy; he's a very talented artsy guy and all he needs is to get tougher!! I've seen his work; hes an amazing human being at that...I want to see that smile again and if it means buyin him a ticket to TAOS well I can make it happen! his #1 fan! I have faith in this guy; he’s a very talented artsy guy and all he needs is to get tougher!! I’ve seen his work; hes an amazing human being at that…I want to see that smile again and if it means buyin him a ticket to TAOS well I can make it happen! his #1 fan!

]]> By: Andrew http://www.doublejourney.com/2009/04/19/moving-to-california-with-no-money/#comment-29045 Andrew Mon, 09 Jan 2012 04:46:23 +0000 http://www.doublejourney.com/2009/04/19/moving-to-california-with-no-money/#comment-29045 Terrence, or whoever..lol, I just turned 30, but am still a kid at heart, and have lived here in the northeast suburbs of Houston,TX my whole life and am really sick of it! I feel like I know everyone and everything about this place and it has become very mundane to say the least. Yes, we may have a decent economy here but our coastline is very polluted and just outright disgusting. Everything else is just a flat sandy mud-pit with not the slightest hint of a mountain. 3/4 of the year is 100+ degree weather combined with 90+ percent humidity. Fungus and morons run rampant! I am newly married with no kids and am looking for a place to live where I can be happy. My wife and I took our honeymoon in Maui and I really didnt want to come home! What a paradise! But I am not only looking for a beach. I just came home tonight from our vacation in Breckenridge, CO and am not feeling good about coming home! We are both sick of this place. The people are without culture, and boring. Probably due to the fact there is nothing to do here. combine that with the weather and we are ready to move, somewhere, anywhere! I have been thinking of California, and have dreamed of it since I was a teenager. We are both avid snow-skiers, and have vacationed in Breckenridge 3 times, and South lake Tahoe once, and of course our trip to Hawaii. It is my idea that we could move to Cali and have the beach to the west and the mountains to the east..The best of both worlds so to speak. But I really know nothing of the place except the week we spent in Tahoe last march. I have heard California can be very expensive but there must be places there similar to here as far as jobs and cost of living. My wife has a nursing degree and is working at a hospital here that has a branch in Bakersfield, But the wiki page on Bakersfield does not sound good. I am a contractor, and have built a small appliance business here which I am also tired of. But with my entrepreneurial skills I am fairly confident I could create something there just as I did here. How big of an economical mess is California really in? I find the media hard to trust, and am seeking the advise of some locals. What are the people like there? I have heard they are friendly and hospitable, but I have also heard they are cold, and selfish. So I am not sure what to believe. I don't plan to move there with no money as the blog is titled, but would like to make the right preparations and have a good place to start my research. I am a fun-loving, intelligent, social, friendly person, as is my wife, and we are looking for our own little paradise to start a family. What are some good towns to research? Preferably northern California as we are sick baking in the hot sun! Sacramento? San Jose? Stockton? I am just looking at a map..What are good industries there? I am able to obtain a degree before we move, But am not sure what i would have the best chance with. I am trying to make a 4-5 year plan so a BS would be no sweat. Any advise will be greatly appreciated, the more points of view i can find will only multiply my chances of success! Thank you, your future neighbor....Andrew Terrence, or whoever..lol,

I just turned 30, but am still a kid at heart, and have lived here in the northeast suburbs of Houston,TX my whole life and am really sick of it! I feel like I know everyone and everything about this place and it has become very mundane to say the least. Yes, we may have a decent economy here but our coastline is very polluted and just outright disgusting. Everything else is just a flat sandy mud-pit with not the slightest hint of a mountain. 3/4 of the year is 100+ degree weather combined with 90+ percent humidity. Fungus and morons run rampant! I am newly married with no kids and am looking for a place to live where I can be happy. My wife and I took our honeymoon in Maui and I really didnt want to come home! What a paradise! But I am not only looking for a beach. I just came home tonight from our vacation in Breckenridge, CO and am not feeling good about coming home! We are both sick of this place. The people are without culture, and boring. Probably due to the fact there is nothing to do here. combine that with the weather and we are ready to move, somewhere, anywhere! I have been thinking of California, and have dreamed of it since I was a teenager. We are both avid snow-skiers, and have vacationed in Breckenridge 3 times, and South lake Tahoe once, and of course our trip to Hawaii. It is my idea that we could move to Cali and have the beach to the west and the mountains to the east..The best of both worlds so to speak. But I really know nothing of the place except the week we spent in Tahoe last march. I have heard California can be very expensive but there must be places there similar to here as far as jobs and cost of living. My wife has a nursing degree and is working at a hospital here that has a branch in Bakersfield, But the wiki page on Bakersfield does not sound good. I am a contractor, and have built a small appliance business here which I am also tired of. But with my entrepreneurial skills I am fairly confident I could create something there just as I did here. How big of an economical mess is California really in? I find the media hard to trust, and am seeking the advise of some locals. What are the people like there? I have heard they are friendly and hospitable, but I have also heard they are cold, and selfish. So I am not sure what to believe. I don’t plan to move there with no money as the blog is titled, but would like to make the right preparations and have a good place to start my research. I am a fun-loving, intelligent, social, friendly person, as is my wife, and we are looking for our own little paradise to start a family. What are some good towns to research? Preferably northern California as we are sick baking in the hot sun! Sacramento? San Jose? Stockton? I am just looking at a map..What are good industries there? I am able to obtain a degree before we move, But am not sure what i would have the best chance with. I am trying to make a 4-5 year plan so a BS would be no sweat. Any advise will be greatly appreciated, the more points of view i can find will only multiply my chances of success!
Thank you,
your future neighbor….Andrew

]]>