So, I am going to seriously look into moving to the area in about a year. Around November or December I am going to start contacting banking recruiters to help me find a job. What I need, is just an idea of what are the good and bad areas to live, realistic expectations for a one bedroom apartment and any other stuff that may be important to know. I know it is early, but I am just trying to do some research.

 

Is there a specific area in Socal?

 

I really have no idea where to even start. I know I am being really general here but I have spent my entire life in the NE corridor. I do know that I want to either live in an a city or right outside of a city. Although, I am not sure how "city life" there compares to "city life" here

 

What is city life there? Describe.

 

Dude what brought this about? I thought you wanted to get back to DC?

 

They are dense urban environments and you can get to everything by walking or mass transit (bus, subway, etc). For example, where I work I have access to shopping, restaurants, bars, mini grocery stores, etc. So, it is very conducive to not having a car.

I am not for or against having a car,but living in the cities here you can do just about everything without one. I am not sure if cities out there are conducive to no car.

Does that make sense?

 

You will need a car in that part of Ca.

 

You need a car wherever you are in SoCal. I say move to Orange County, its basically a mix of urban and rural. I guess I'm biased a bit since I grew up here but it's a mix of both in my opinion.

 

you do not need a car to survive

that is if you live in the city or live near a train station

if you like and prefer city life i recommend pasadena but it will cost you to live there

 

yep public trans in so. cal sucks

in and around san diego
ftw
all though LA will remind you of new york with it's bad traffic....
banking here is pretty good
what type of banking are you into?