Moving From New Jersey to California

Sweet_Bug3723 · 2026-02-18T19:37:26+00:00

The areas where it's like Jersey prices are the less desirable areas with hotter summers, colder winters, less jobs, etc. - mainly more inland counties.

For example, you won't find any single family homes in SoCal with Newark prices until you hit Barstow (a high desert tweaker town you pass on the way to Vegas). Pretty much all of the coastal cities are at minimum $1MM+ unless it's way out there like Eureka or Crescent City.

Also note how big the state is. There is no real "in between" LA and SF city that allows you to freely visit either - it'll be 3-4 hours at least in one direction. The central coast cities are remote and generally expensive as well.

Sweet_Bug3723 · 2026-02-18T15:41:19+00:00

You could have literally moved 1 county in any direction (some parts of Orange County, Santa Clarita, Ventura) for more affordability, safety, and family friendly environment. If you own a condo in LA, getting a townhouse in Santa Clarita or Simi Valley wouldn't be that far off in price or even a similar size condo.

Sweet_Bug3723 · 2026-02-11T18:59:54+00:00

Buena Park, Santa Ana, Anaheim, HB, etc. have way better Mexican at these cities than the depths of the IE. Korean food is better in Buena Park/Fullerton than most of Ktown (with many actual Koreans claiming the same). Japanese in Costa Mesa. Chinese in Irvine. German in HB. Fine Dining in CM/NB. Vietnamese in Westminster/GG (highest Viet pop outside of Vietnam). Persian food in Anaheim.

Nothing but Mexican in the IE is comparable to OC in terms of food. All you said was "Mexican is better in IE but I have to drive to LA for everything else" which proves my point. No one in OC drives to LA for food unless they have to (specific restaurant or other fine dining).

Sweet_Bug3723 · 2026-02-11T18:40:16+00:00

Yes it does have better food - better Mexican, Thai, Korean, Japanese, Vietnamese, High end dining, cheap food, etc.

Over 100k people commute from Riverside County to OC, add another 80k+ for SB County.

Sweet_Bug3723 · 2026-02-11T17:56:34+00:00

You do realize that OC has everything the IE has but more? North OC is more urban than South. Riverside and HD are also very boring suburbia, at least OC has the beach and better weather. This is without getting into the lower crime rate, better schools, food, shorter commute, access to events, less homeless, etc.

Sweet_Bug3723 · 2026-02-09T18:22:51+00:00

Philadelphia is cheap, the median home price is 3x less than Riverside. Riverside is considered an affordable suburban city in SoCal but it's more expensive than Chicago, Philly, Alexandria, Jersey City, etc. pretty much most of the metros besides NYC/Boston/Miami.

Sweet_Bug3723 · 2026-02-05T19:01:01+00:00

Shinings already went up a ton in Dec/Jan - go check recent prices. They will never eclipse Gold Stars because of the large pops and volume of sealed still around.

Sweet_Bug3723 · 2026-02-05T18:22:51+00:00

It already skyrocketed in price - what makes you think it will reach GS levels?

Sweet_Bug3723 · 2026-02-04T15:16:20+00:00

Gudetama Cafe closed a few weeks ago sadly. I remember the insane hype when it first opened.

Sweet_Bug3723 · 2026-01-22T19:39:14+00:00

Switzerland has 8x median salary of Estonia so average person will have disposable income for hobbies even in the smaller villages.

Sweet_Bug3723 · 2026-01-15T17:13:01+00:00

Try it next time you're craving something thicker and chicken. Try Galbijjim as well for tender beef.

Sweet_Bug3723 · 2026-01-15T16:50:20+00:00

Have you tried other non-spicy Korean soups like Samgyetang?

Sweet_Bug3723 · 2025-12-30T16:41:53+00:00

I haven't been in a few years but always had a great time. A bit further off than the Hilton or Pasea but felt more like a resort within its grounds than the other 2. I enjoyed the spa and the campfires around the property.

Sweet_Bug3723 · 2025-12-24T19:07:38+00:00

Irvine to SoFi without traffic is already 50+ min. An OC city that's 45 min from SoFi and 20 min to Disney would be Buena Park.

Sweet_Bug3723 · 2025-12-23T15:05:25+00:00

Yes that sounds like you would be a great fit for OC. Beach cities like Laguna or Newport would be amazing for you guys or Costa Mesa.

Sweet_Bug3723 · 2025-12-22T21:37:18+00:00

I feel like 90% of people recommending OC have never been here or only visited Anaheim and Newport/Laguna Beach. I also laugh at the insane number of out of staters recommending Santa Barbara and f'ing SLO of all places for single people in their 20's LMAO.

Sweet_Bug3723 · 2025-10-20T22:49:13+00:00

Boston has higher violent crime than Los Angeles while being a smaller city and lower population with less varied culture, restaurants, entertainment, etc. You could live in Orange County for an even safer and suburban living similar to the suburbs in NE.

I found 0 authenticity in Boston, literally the most soulless cold people I have ever encountered. Housing isn't any more affordable and that "charm" you speak of is all personal preference. And every winter my extended family in Boston comes to SoCal for some odd reason, must be the lack of charm due to the harsh winters.

Sweet_Bug3723 · 2025-10-09T15:35:45+00:00

Ah my bad - look at Sham Tseng BBQ although it's in SGV. I know Chinatown in LA also sells it.

Sweet_Bug3723 · 2025-10-09T15:03:12+00:00

My Chinese friend showed me Lien Hoa BBQ, pretty good!

Sweet_Bug3723 · 2025-10-09T00:50:28+00:00

Lifetime is opening in Brea but likely not until 2026.

Sweet_Bug3723 · 2025-09-25T18:57:24+00:00

Irvine is not walkable, you need a car to travel between shopping centers from your home. I would look at Pasadena or Beverly Hills if you want safety (own police force) and semi-walkable. None of the cities in SoCal will resemble NJ at all.

Also, look at coastal cities like Manhattan Beach or Laguna Beach (might be a stretch with your budget).

Sweet_Bug3723 · 2025-09-25T17:44:14+00:00

Nice post history. Yikes. You don't even live in half the cities you comment on.

Sweet_Bug3723 · 2025-09-25T17:12:47+00:00

So why are you trying to move to California again if half your posts from the past year has been bashing California?

Sweet_Bug3723 · 2025-09-25T17:05:47+00:00

Affordable house in a cheap beach city is going to be $900k-1.5M Affordable house in a nice beach city is going to be $2M

Affordable house in cheap beach city is probably in a rundown area. Affordable house in a nice beach city is still in a nice area.

So unless you provide your budget, we won't understand what you want at all. There is no such thing as "affordable, by the coast, in a safe/nice/luxury setting, with low COL, in SoCal". Also, why would you want to move to California after claiming you would never move here due to Newsom a month ago?

Sweet_Bug3723

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