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Ask HN: Preparing to move to California, Got Tips?

9 points by AlexC04 ↗ HN
Hi HN,

Disclaimer: I think this post could be classed as a bit self-indulgent. I'll let the voting and karma system sort that out. Please feel free to post any general advice with respect to "relocating" if you prefer (as opposed to a specific note concerning my personal circumstance)

All the paperwork has been assembled, "eyes dotted tees crossed"... An appointment is booked with the US embassy tomorrow morning. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, in about 3 weeks I'm going to be a US / Canadian dual citizen.

Once that's in place, I'm planning on moving to California. I don't have a solid map of the exact timeline, it's a bit "hurry up and wait". Roughly a month to the passport. XYZ to find a job, apartment (or do I do it the other way around?)

I was planning on moving to LA. I've got some friends and my fiance has family there. Recently however, I've been thinking that maybe there is more opportunity for a hacker/developer in San Fransisco, though we've got to find a place that has an equal balance of opportunity for a marketing manager and a hacker (since she wants to work too).

I'm really interested in hearing any and all sort of "what would you tell someone?" type advice from people who have made a similar move. - Canadian to the US? - XYZ to California - Upping and moving your life from A to B

Did you stumble into any "Gotchas!"? How is LA for developer opportunities? Maybe some tips on how to sustain oneself on web-app freelance?

It's a huge life change and a hell of an adventure. I'd really just like to hear what you can tell me (at the very least to help settle my nerve with what to expect).

Anything you can tell me through the lenses of hindsight + wisdom would be welcome (and possibly interesting to others?)

Thanks! - Alex

13 comments

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phren0logy
Don't mess around when it comes to getting your driver license/tags. I know it's not exactly what you are looking for advice-wise, but it will save you some hefty fines.
stevederico
SF>LA for sure

I highly recommend you grab a place on Airbnb for a few days and just spend the day checking out SF and apartments. Craigslist is a great resource for apartments in SF.

Airbnb SF search http://www.airbnb.com/search/v3

byoung2
I'm an LA native, but I would vote for SF for marketing and hacking opportunities. If you were looking for weather or celebrity sightings, LA would be better, but the price you pay for that in LA is the complete lack of public transportation. That means one car for each of you, with gas, insurance, car payment, maintenance, etc.
jonnathanson
As an LA native, I would recommend SF for your particular needs. There are a lot more hacking and marketing opportunities in the Bay Area than there are in LA. At least marketing as it's commonly understood. "Marketing" at most big companies in LA (read: entertainment companies) is a very specific and very different animal, and a marketing professional in any other industry would probably find it very limited/limiting.
aeontech
Speaking as a SF local for over ten years.

LA is huge, you have to drive everywhere, and software scene is much more fragmented there. On the other hand it's hot and sunny (if you like that kind of thing).

SF is small, has decent public transport, great food, great music scene, beautiful nature, and you can get by without a car, or sharing a single car with your fiancée. I definitely recommend SF/Bay Area. Huge tech scene, very easy to find software development work or freelance. There was a good thread with comments about cost of living around different parts of the Bay Area recently - http://news.ycombinator.com/item?aid=1824445

Before you decide one way or another, it might be a good idea to come and visit both places for a week or so and see which place feels better. You can grab a place on AirBnB cheaply or couchsurfing.org for free, should give you a chance to look around.

iag
get ready for awesomeness if you're an entrepreneur. It's going to be a rollercoaster ride.
billpaetzke
SF has almost 10x as many opportunities as LA (source: careers.stackvoverflow.com).

Do a 40-mile search on careers.stackoverflow.com for SF and then LA. You'll see that SF has 84 jobs, LA has 9 jobs, and San Diego has 1. That gives you a rough idea of the job market.

I work at a startup in LA, and I enjoy the nightlife. But career-wise, SF area is probably much better; I plan to eventually move on to there.

canterburry
From someone who just moved to SF 4 months ago: 1. Bring lots of money (probably applies to LA as well) 2. If you can, dump your car 3. If you need a car, get CA plates within 10 days 4. Once you have your plates, get a res. parking permit ASAP! 5. Get your smog check before you do #3 6. Budget at least $100/month for parking and other tickets for the first few months 6. Sign up for every Eventbrite and Meetup event you can find that interest you and go (you should have stuff scheduled for at least 2-3 days a week if not more

Being a techie in SF has been absolutely amazing. The startup community here is an incredible force. Meeting people is a no-brainer if you put yourself out there. I work as an independent consultant with clients located across the US so I can't speak to the job market in SF. After being here only 4 months, I am thinking it will be very difficult to leave when that day comes since the opportunities are just incredible.

b14ck
If you're moving to LA, send me an email. I live here, been living here for a while, and really enjoy it. I'd be happy to help you out and get you acquainted with the place!

rdegges@gmail.com

philiphodgen
Weird tax tip since I do this for a living...

If you have RRSPs tell your US tax return preparer.

California doesn't consider an RRSP to be a tax free account. You will be taxable (Calif state income tax) on the income generated inside of it. Federal income tax is trivially easy to eliminate on an RRSP. Just say "Form 8891" to the person doing your US and California tax returns.

If the RRSP is small you might as well just kill it because it will cause you endless tax hassles in the US.

Oh and one more thing. If you have more than US$10,000 in accounts in Canada once you're a citizen, file Form TD F 90-22.1. See my blog or ask me for horror stories. I had two IRS Criminal Investigation agents in my office today interrogating a retired schoolteacher.

Email me for a few tax pointers for this transition year.

Welcome to California. I'm in Pasadena.

P

AlexC04
Thanks :) My biggest concern has been about taxes. In fact it's the reason I've delayed as long as I have in finally processing the paperwork (that and health care).

I'll read the blog.