Need some advice on Moving?

I need advice about moving to California?

• I need your advice. I currently live in Michigan, but I want to move to California. I know it's going to be very expensive; I'm trying to save up as much as I can so I don't fall flat on my face. I'm trying to do what I can to save as much money as possible, meaning I'd like to stay with a friend that is willing to take me in for little or no rent until I can find a job or expand my housekeeping skills to Californians. That's what I do; I'm a self-employed housekeeper and I've been doing that since late 2008. I'm willing to bring only my clothes, my laptop (which is needed) and my cat if I can find someone willing to take her in, too. I don't need to bring all my knick-knacks and stuff I've collected over the years. If this is the way I want to try and go, then I know I need to sacrifice some things. If I don't find anyone who is willing to accept my pet with me, then I can let her stay behind in Michigan until I find a place of my own, or a find a rooms shared situation that accepts pets. I want to live in San Francisco or southern California. I don't have any friends in SF but I do know some people in SoCal. I also have friends in Fresno, but that's not where I want to live. It's a toss up between SF and somewhere more south. Maybe I shouldn't be so picky... I don't really know how to go about doing any of this. I've never moved out of my childhood home, but I know California is where I want to end up. I'm only 22 years old, but I'm feeling so anxious and claustrophobic where I am. I desparately need a change of scenery. All of my friends tell me that they can see me living in California. A lot of my California friends tell me that if they hadn't known better, they'd think I already live there. I don't really understand what that means, though. Does anyone have any advice for me? Do you want to become friends so that maybe I can sleep on your couch? Kidding. Sort of. I need help! Advice, tips, etc... Thank you so much.

• Answer:

  It will be really hard to earn a living here as a housekeeper. I live near SF. ALL of the housekeepers I have ever seen, and I have seen lots, are mexicans, mostly undocumented ones. They clean for pretty darn cheap, so you will have a really hard time. You will need to earn at least 500 a week to live here, and that is not well. That means you will need 2-3 houses to clean daily, and that will be hard to come by. You should not come with less then 20k saved up, otherwise you may end up sleeping in homeless shelters and turning tricks. The unemployment rate is close to 20% and with no education you are not all that employable.