How much does a social worker's salary pay to live in San Jose or anywhere in The Bay Area? (Los Angeles: credit report, income)

[2sleepy]

Originally Posted by Janoritish

Yes! I have looked into those small towns too. I just really want to live there. I'm gonna end up renting through Craigslist too most likely.

I wouldn't buy anything through Craigslist, it's full of scammers. Try some of these sites and never wire anyone a deposit or rent something sight unseen:

https://www.zumper.com/apartments-fo...eds/under-2400

https://www.zillow.com/martinez-ca/r...oom%22%3A12%7D

Apartments.com https://www.apartments.com/martinez-ca/under-2400/

Or, hotpads or padmapper

'

[Dwatted Wabbit]

Originally Posted by Janoritish

I want to work with kids and their families. Not sure how much of a need there is to work with kids in The Bay Area. I feel like there might be more singles than families there because of the high COL.

Are you including the childish in the "kids" group? Asking for a friend.

[Janoritish]

So I might actually look into Orange County. I was looking at zillow and the COL is way more affordable than The Bay Area. For anything under $2,000, I can actually get a nice apartment in a decent area there. I would just stay away from all the LA craziness. I'm sure social workers are needed in OC as well. Also, the people are so nice and kind in OC. I've been there and that's the vibe I got.

[Ruth4Truth]

Originally Posted by Janoritish

So I might actually look into Orange County. I was looking at zillow and the COL is way more affordable than The Bay Area. For anything under $2,000, I can actually get a nice apartment in a decent area there. I would just stay away from all the LA craziness. I'm sure social workers are needed in OC as well. Also, the people are so nice and kind in OC. I've been there and that's the vibe I got.

Wherever you end up, please give us an update once you get settled

[Janoritish]

I sure will. If I lived in OC, I can always drive up to visit The Bay Area. I also have a feeling that people are friendlier and more down to earth there. The weather is probably warmer too.

[Dub D]

Buddy, you don't sound like you belong in the desired parts of California. You think people in OC are friendly and down to earth? You're trolling, right? And just an for your information - not every part of OC is great. So the spots you're looking at are probably what isn't great.

I really suggest you check out other parts of the country. Living in CA sucks if you're financially struggling. That's why so many leave to cheaper spots. Like PHX.

[Janoritish]

If California is too expensive, I'll stay in Phoenix. I like Dry Climate.

[Ruth4Truth]

Originally Posted by Janoritish

I sure will. If I lived in OC, I can always drive up to visit The Bay Area. I also have a feeling that people are friendlier and more down to earth there. The weather is probably warmer too.

I've never heard OC referred to as "down to earth". NorCal/Bay Area, yes (before the huge techie influx). You might want to explore that on the OC forum before diving in head first.

[AnythingOutdoors]

Originally Posted by Janoritish

I sure will. If I lived in OC, I can always drive up to visit The Bay Area. I also have a feeling that people are friendlier and more down to earth there. The weather is probably warmer too.

OP, you don't need to make assumptions about things like the climate, you can look it up on C-D It sounds like you're unaware of the micro-climates along coastal CA. Proximity to the ocean mostly outweighs latitude. So Pleasanton in the East Bay Area, on average, has higher summer temperatures than Laguna Niguel in the OC.

Originally Posted by Ruth4Truth

I've never heard OC referred to as "down to earth". NorCal/Bay Area, yes (before the huge techie influx). You might want to explore that on the OC forum before diving in head first.

Agreed. This is a good example of the power of branding and the assumption that CA is an Endless Summer paradise. It's not entirely wrong, but the laid-back friendly vibes largely disappeared with crushing housing prices. OP keeps saying they want friendly and down to earth, which is more of a description of Midwestern/Southern cities, but I guess the heart wants what it wants. There are plenty of people in CA chasing their dream, so best wishes to you OP.

[Ruth4Truth]

Originally Posted by AnythingOutdoors

Agreed. This is a good example of the power of branding and the assumption that CA is an Endless Summer paradise. It's not entirely wrong, but the laid-back friendly vibes largely disappeared with crushing housing prices. OP keeps saying they want friendly and down to earth, which is more of a description of Midwestern/Southern cities, but I guess the heart wants what it wants. There are plenty of people in CA chasing their dream, so best wishes to you OP.

Well, if you can find a niche of NorCal born-and-raised people, they're more likely to be laid back and down to earth. And they can be anywhere: Berkeley, Marin (yes, even Marin), Benicia, Oakland, El Cerrito, Albany, maybe Monterey. And then there's Humboldt, which the OP would hate, because of the rain. There certainly are down-to-earth friendly types there, though.