SoCal Job Offer

[69LC]

Good Morning,

I just spent a week in Oceanside working. At the end of the week the company offered me a position. My wife and I love the west coast. I was stationed at Beale AFB some years ago and we explored as much of the state as an Airman's family could afford to.

I have some questions for you all.

What are average 3 bedroom homes going for in decent areas? It would be nice to be able to bike to the beach, but not mandatory. A garage and storage would be good for trucks, tools etc. I was told cost of living is about 20-25% higher there than in West Michigan. From the big of looking we've done today the cost of half the house we have now without 3.5 acres would be more than twice the cost.

How much of a pain is it to smog vehicles? We've never needed to. What does it cost to register a small car, old Mercedes diesel, 95 fzj 80 or modded 69 fj40 converted to diesel v8? What are other details to consider if one was to move out there? Are earthquakes a problem or just expected?

Thanks to anyone willing to offer ideas or insight,

Matthew

 

[Adam G]

California is super expensive, especially near the beach. Average 3 bedroom home in a DECENT area can be anywhere from $300K to $500K and even more...and that's with little or no yard. Registering vehicles is not too bad, but can get spendy. Smogging cars are a pain in the rear. I think pre 1972 cars are exempt from smog. My 86 FJ60 was relatively easy with a carb rebuild and a new cat...but it's been in CA it's whole life and had gone through 30 years of smog regs. I've lived in CA my whole life and there is no place like it. The weather is unbeatable, the cost of living is extreme, it's give and take. It is not uncommon for folks to commute an hour or more to work each way...so don't limit yourself to Oceanside, but take into consideration the commute and gas costs. There is so much more I can tell you but there ain't enough room on these threads...feel free to PM. Good luck, and Welcome!!!!

Adam

 

[69LC]

Thanks Adam. That's the sort of info I'm looking for. I have to present a salary/wage request. This is all new for me.

We also will have find work for my wife. She's currently a DBT LLPC phycologist and is hoping to stay non-profit for 8 more years. Then of course we hope to find a home that would be ideally situated between work places, etc.

 

[DPV7070]

I live in Escondido (east of Oceanside) and commute to MCB Camp Pendleton (Oceanside) daily. Coming from Memphis, TN (born and raised), the cost of living was a shock when I was stationed out here. Like everyone has said, the weather is unbeatable and recreation is only a stones (great brewery btw) throw away. There are mountain vistas 2 hours east, and the Pacific at your back door...if the desert is your thing it's out there too.

The COL is high. I pay $2450 a month in rent for a 3 bed/ 2.5ba house in Escondido (Sonata), but it has a great view and a nice neighborhood. Electricity is expensive, water is expensive and restricted as far as use, trash removal is usually an added bill (in San Diego proper I think it's included in the water bill), gasoline, recently, has become affordable, groceries are expensive, etc. Overall, everything is expensive, but compared to Michigan winters, etc...you might be willing to deal with it.

If you're into guns, be sure to make sure you're not bringing in any felonious devices...or just keep your mouth shut. I decided to leave most of my stuff back home with my brother in TN.

Definitely look east of Oceanside for affordable housing and commute. I drive at least 45 minutes each way, daily, which sucks...but get into some books on tape, music, etc.

I can't help you with the smog as all my vehicles are reg'd in TN. I do, however, believe that anything older than 1974 is smog exempt. Also, I think that MBZ diesel you have is smog exempt (check my sig line for a sweet OM617 conversion on my 40---shameless I know


PM me for any questions, I'm happy to help as much as I can / check stuff out for you.

Dave

 

[69LC]

Thank you all for your insight. When I was out there last week it was so refreshing. It took me a few days to place a memory, but the smells and vegitation took me back to a deployment in Cyprus long ago. The company holds much promise. I just have to present the right numbers and hope they'll accept.

 

[69LC]

Thursday while sitting in my rental on break I heard what sounded like thunder and felt the ground shake. Someone at Camp Pendleton was having a good time! I never experienced anything like that with the AF.

 

[Adam G]

Thursday while sitting in my rental on break I heard what sounded like thunder and felt the ground shake. Someone at Camp Pendleton was having a good time! I never experienced anything like that with the AF.

Pendleton always some cool stuff going on...and concerning earthquakes, don't sweat it. After your first few you'll become a walking seismograph, you'll be able to tell the magnitude from just the shake...

 

[69LC]

After going to school for Geology and never feeling a quake, I'm pretty curious.