Moving from Texas to California

nutterbutter07

Wasn't sure where else to post this but here we go:

FH and I are moving to southern California in eight months for a change of scenery and to be closer to my family. Right now our main concern is planning a weekend trip or two out to find an apartment and lease it as I haven't had any luck in tracking down *any* locating services.

For other Knotties experienced in moving long distance or ones living in SoCal, would it be wiser to take one long week out or take two separate weekend trips? Our lease is up May 26 and I was looking at visiting the weeks of March 14 and April 11.

Thanks in advance!

SURFERxGIRL

We moved from Seattle to Atlanta so I can relate a bit to what you're going through. For us, my H had to start his new job within a month of flying out to interview but I was covering for a co-worker on maternity leave and I couldn't just up and leave (I was the only other person in the small company who new her job). So what he ended up doing was going out there about a week before work started to scope out apartments (He stayed at one of those extended stay hotels). He asked his new boss, random people at the grocery store, etc. which areas they like in town, where to stay away from etc. Then we looked at a few apartments together online, decided on a couple and he went to visit them in person. We Face Timed while he was touring the apartments so I could get a feel for them and decided on one that way. We only signed a 6-month lease since we weren't sure we'd like the area and wanted to look into buying a house. I'm not saying that will work for you, but that's what we did--I definitely had to trust DH though to pick out our apartment mostly by himself. 

In other inter-state moves that I made as a child I remember one of my parents going out for 4-5 days at a time to check out the new city and since they did that every time we moved (we moved a lot, lol) I'd say that's a pretty good time frame. I feel like 2 days would be very stressful on top of travel, but that's just me. Good luck!

cloudymeatballs

Where in SO CAL were you moving to?  Any would do, the weekends or the entire week.  Staying a week may just give you more time to check out where you would like to live, and more time to see places.  Just the weekends may seem a little too time restricted in order to find something...  You grew up in California?

nutterbutter07

Thanks! I think it would probably be best to go for one week while my younger brother is on spring break so it will be easier to go apartment hunting with my dad.

My mother's side moved to Texas when I was 8 so I have been here for most of my life and making annual visits to California for the last fifteen years. I have family in Norwalk, Orange County, and Hemet, and a friend in Burbank who offered for us to room with him if we don't find something right away. (For $700! Hella pays to know people, right?) That having been said, it mostly depends on where our jobs are willing to relocate us to. I can say I would like to move back to Covina, but not if the only place my company can transfer me to is in Long Beach, you know?

cloudymeatballs

Always good to have connections.   Long Beach is cool...  I actually LOVE Long Beach...  There are plenty of places to find to live here too.  Hopefully you don't have too much trouble finding a place for a great price too..

nutterbutter07

Thank you! Long Beach is absolutely near the top of our list, I just mean that I wouldn't want a ridiculous commute to work haha.

cordsniper

I work in Long Beach and live in the southbay (Palos Verdes, Torrance, Hermosa, Manhattan and Redondo Beach).  The commute is great (reverse traffic).  The schools and community are much better (and safer!)  in the southbay than Long Beach and surrounding areas.  I would look into this area if you are going to be working in the LBC.  I love the belmont shore area of Long Beach but there are also A LOT of shady areas.  It seems to change block by block.