If you’re California dreamin’, our must-have guide for moving from NJ to CA will get you familiarized with the Golden State. From a stunning coastline to the rugged Sierra Nevada Mountain range, California is a state of great natural beauty. The state offers endless entertainment opportunities, a mild climate, famous museums, amazing amusement parks, and unlimited dining options. If you’re about to make a cross-country relocation and you’re wondering what to expect in a new state, carry on reading.
If you’re ready to leave the Eastern Coast and The Garden State and make a fresh start on a West Coast in California, you’ll find many contrasts between these two states. Some of them will significantly change your lifestyle, and some of them may be a dream come true. Here are a few things you should keep in mind before you move to The Golden State.
What to expect when moving from NJ to CA?
Strong economy
The first great thing about moving to California is a strong economy. Job opportunities are plentiful, and the economy is top-ranked in the country, but also in the world. On the other hand, New Jersey is usually ranked lower. Los Angeles and San Francisco metropolitan areas offer extensive job opportunities, and you should have no trouble finding a job in any sector, including science, IT, media, tourism, finance, trade, agriculture, health, education, manufacturing, construction, etc.
Democracy
One thing is for sure – democracy is big in California. You’ll have the freedom to express yourself and live any way you like. The state of California’s direct-democracy allows each resident to put a proposal on a ballot by starting a petition and gathering signatures. You’ll find other states in the country with citizen-proposed ballot initiatives, but California is the best know one for direct-democracy.
Weather
The next difference between NJ and CA is the weather. California is famous for its mild climate, and you’ll definitely enjoy it. But even though we all think about sunny days when someone mentions the Golden state, there’s a big difference between dry and sunny San Diego and rainy and foggy San Francisco. Whether you choose to move to Southern California or North California, one thing is for sure – you’ll have no need for heavy coats or thick winter jackets.
Breathtaking nature
If you’re an outdoor enthusiast and enjoy spending time in nature, California will not disappoint you. You’ll find rugged mountains, splendid coastline, national parks, and various camps. You can swim, fish, surf, or ski, or just go for a walk and enjoy the true natural beauty.
Size
New Jersey is the most densely populated state in the country, while California is the most populated one. CA has around 40 million residents, but despite the fact that is so heavily populated, it’s about 18 times bigger than New Jersey, so you may find it more spacious and less crowded.
Pollution
If you’re looking to move away from New Jersey’s pollution, unfortunately, California will not be much better. It’s among the most polluted states and often ranked as the worst in the country. Besides air pollution, the quality of water is also not the best.
History
While NJ has a deep colonial history, California has quite a contrasting one. Spanish and Mexican history influence many areas of the Golden State, including street names, cities, counties, and Latin heritage is celebrated in various festivals during all seasons.
Living costs
When moving from New Jersey to California, you can expect high prices and overall high living costs. Housing is more expensive in CA, although the difference may not be too much of a problem if you’re used to high prices in New Jersey. The median household income in New Jersey is also a bit higher than California’s average.
Taxes
Wallethub.com rates California #12 and New Jersey #39 when it comes to tax rates. Paying lower property taxes is one more benefit of moving to California. If you’re worried about higher housing costs, the fact that may make it easier for you is that real estate tax in California is 0.77%, while it’s 1.89% in New Jersey. On the other side, income taxes in the Golden state are quite high, although you will get a lot for that money.
Commuting
This part of moving from New Jersey to California will be bliss for some, and a deal-breaker for others. You’re probably used to a statewide transit system in New Jersey and chances are that you don’t own a car. But things are quite the opposite in California because most people own a car and they’re used to driving. California has a lot to offer in terms of road trips and being a big state with so much beauty, it would be a shame not to explore it.
Food
The Golden State is great for people who enjoy fresh produce, and healthy living is important and available for dining out or preparing a fresh meal yourself. California is a true paradise for people who’re fussy about their diet, and you should be able to find all the food options, whether you stay away from gluten, dairy, meat, sugar, or any other type of ingredient.
Wine paradise
For wine aficionados, California is as close to paradise as it gets. It’s the biggest wine producer in the U.S., and even if you decide to live in the urban area, it will still be a true pleasure to visit the wine county now and then.
While you’re getting ready to embrace the laid-back lifestyle of California, go ahead and find the best moving companies NJ to make your long-distance relocation happen. Interstate moving may seem challenging, but with a bit of help it can go smoothly and you can settle into your California dream life before you know it. Get in touch with Century moving services to get a moving plan tailored for your move from NJ to CA.
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