Many people consider moving to California at least once in their lifetime. The Golden State is a very attractive destination for tourists and residents alike. It is the most populous state in the country, after all, being home to numerous Hollywood stars, as well as Silicon Valley. California is also one of the nation’s most wealthy states. It is no wonder why many people seek the services of some of the best long distance movers California has to offer. If you are considering relocating to California, then this guide is for you. We will cover the state’s rankings and statistics, the job market, weather, and lifestyle changes you might be experiencing after you move.
Moving to California 101
In this guide, we will be covering the following topics:
- California rankings and statistics
- The job market in California
- Weather in California
- Lifestyle
- Top cities to relocate to
Relocating to another state is a huge step, one that you need to carefully prepare for. Before you start reading state to state movers reviews California, you will want to be certain that the relocation is what is in your best interest. And for that, you might want to know about a few rankings and statistics.
California rankings and statistics
The state of California holds a #24 spot in the overall state rankings, according to US news. California encompasses an area of around 164 thousand square miles, with a GDP of over $3 Billion. The most populous state has almost 40 million residents to its name, who earn a median income of $35,228. California’s capital is Sacramento.
While California is in the middle of the pack when it comes to overall rankings, its health care and economy are within the top 10. The only “issue” that the state has is its opportunity ranking, which is dead last among all the other states. Here are the full rankings:
- Health Care – #5
- Education – #20
- Economy – #10
- Infrastructure – #31
- Opportunity – #50
- Fiscal Stability – #36
- Crime & Corrections – #28
- Natural Environment – #35
To expand on the state’s strengths, the business environment in California takes the #2 spot out of all other states. While employment (#34) and job growth (#23) are not at the same level, the job market in California is quite strong overall. Top movers in Sacramento, for example, get hundreds of requests to move to the city on a daily basis. Let’s take a look at why that might be the case.
The job market to expect after moving to California
The state of California added around 60 thousand jobs in March 2022, as well as significantly reduced its unemployment rate. The number of people without a job in the state is lower than 1 million, with the unemployment rate being below 5%. California currently suffers from some labor shortages due to the effects of the pandemic. This is one of the reasons that many cross country moving companies Oakland experienced a large influx of people that are looking to relocate to the state. People are trying to take advantage of the situation. California currently experiences a high demand for additional labor, meaning that it is easier than ever to land a job.
Weather is one of the main reason why people decide to move to California
By moving to California, you get to experience a Meditteranean-like climate. Meaning that you can expect warm and dry summers with wet and mild winters. The weather depends on the location, of course, as the coast of the state usually averages daily temperatures around 70°F and up, with occasional spikes to 80°F. Freezing temperatures are all but unheard of.
But if you move a bit inland, you will get to experience a few days where temperatures are capable of freezing a few puddles but that is the extent of it. The only places where you will be able to experience all four seasons in their full glory are found at higher altitudes. Many snowbirds (people who migrate from colder parts to warmer parts in the winter) prefer California as their go-to state of choice. California offers great weather all year round, with every season bringing something unique. Summers are when most tourists and vacationers choose to visit the state, and it is when you can expect the largest crowds. Spring is usually the most beautiful season, with Autumn being a close second. And with the winter being as mild as it is, it is not trailing much behind, either.
Lifestyle in The Golden State
The people in California enjoy an outdoors, health-conscious, and liberal lifestyle. This is especially true in larger cities such as Los Angeles. Californians are usually laid-back and relaxed, and almost everyone is a surfer. Furthermore, the residents of the state have a particular fondness for vegan food, as it meshes great with their health-conscious lifestyle. Due to spending a lot of their time on the beaches, the residents are also well into fitness. The question that most of the long distance moving companies Long Beach get asked first is: “Where’s the nearest gym?“. Californians love their beaches, live for Mexican food, and are overall very friendly and relaxed people.
You will also need to get accustomed to constant road gridlock, as California’s traffic can get really bad. The southern part of the state, in particular, can get extremely congested and tiresome to navigate. Speaking of which, SoCal (south California) is radically different from northern California. The differences can be so pronounced that you may consider them to be two separate states.
Top cities to relocate to
California has its fair share of amazing cities. The ideal city differs for everyone, but a few cities garner a bit more interest than others. Here is a small list of some of the best cities to relocate to:
- Berkeley
- San Francisco
- Torrance
- Irvine
- Sunnyvale
- Santa Clara
- Pasadena
- Carlsbad
- San Diego
- Thousand Oaks
- Long Beach
- Oakland
- Los Angeles
Moving to California can be the best decision of your life. The Golden State has plenty to offer if you can get accustomed to its laid-back and friendly lifestyle. But once you make the decision to relocate, leave it to Verified Movers to help you find the best moving company for the occasion!