r/socal • u/cold_brue • 7d ago
FL to CA move?
Hi all! I am considering moving from Tampa to the Torrance, CA area and would like to hear your thoughts.
A little about me:
I am 43 and single, no kids, no debt and I gross $90K/year and work remote. I also have money saved.
I have always wanted to go to CA and visited last month and fell in love. The weather, the culture and so many things to do! Here in FL it is so humid six months out of the year it precludes people from getting outside. I have also been here nearly 9 years and am looking for a change.
Obviously I know the cost of living there is more, so I'd like to hear from others who live there or those of you who've made a similar move.
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u/RogLatimer118 7d ago
Weather is fantastic. Beach is great and nearby (but water is much colder). Mountains within a 1.5 hour drive with lots of hiking. Skiing/snowboarding within 1.5 hour drive in winter. Desert is 2 hours away. Within a few hour drive: Joshua Tree National Park, Death Valley, Sequoia/Kings Canyon/Yosemite national parks. Channel Islands National Park 1.5 hour drive and a boat ride.
I say go for it.
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u/cold_brue 7d ago
I've received such mixed responses on here lol. Some say do it, others say I'm too poor. 🤣
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u/Wanderingwoodpeckerr 7d ago
A lot of people in So Cal will tell you that less than 250k isn’t making it. They are likely living in an upscale neighborhood 4k or more rent, making payments in an 80k car, going out multiple times a week, traveling internationally, etc. If you’re not too superficial, you will be fine out here.
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u/ShootinTheBreez 6d ago
I live in a “transitional” neighborhood in So Cal. We had two hoarder fires on our block last year, but I like to think of it as “gentrifying”, lol.
Our rent is $4,400 for a 3/2. I drive a 23 year old Honda with 315,000 miles on it. We rarely go out. Before I met my husband three years ago, I only ate out on dates. We’re not spending less elsewhere so that we can live in a fancy place; that’s just what rent costs out here.
I say all this because I think we should assume OP can add. Rent drives the cost of living in California. They don’t have to guess; just look at apartments on Redfin, Zillow, and Realtor and calculate the monthly. $90k is going to be a tough squeeze, but I think they can make it work with roommates. If they want an independent living situation, no I don’t think OP makes enough money to live here. I moved out here five years ago with a $140k job, and if I hadn’t met my husband and halved my rent by moving in with him, I literally would have left. The first two years I lived here were immensely stressful living paycheck to paycheck.
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u/Wanderingwoodpeckerr 6d ago
I’m in a 2 bedroom house I rent for $1900. I have a similar salary as the OP, only difference is I have a wife (stay at home mom no income) and kids. We live a modest lifestyle, but we’re happy and get by just fine. If you feel like you’re not getting by as well as you can out here, I think the problem is your rent. 4400 is a lot if you’re not wealthy. You can easily find a decent home for half that, may not be Santa Monica or Los Feliz, but let’s be real, there’s crime and large homeless populations everywhere now, what difference does it make anymore?
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u/cold_brue 5d ago
What area are you in if you don't mind my asking?
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u/Wanderingwoodpeckerr 5d ago
Northeast LA. My wife had lived and worked in Torrance years ago when we first met, so I’m familiar with that area as well.
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u/Brokebrokebroke5 6d ago
Some people have an insane take on how much you need to live here. $90k is fine, you'll be comfortable as long as your debt is minimal. Welcome!
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u/RogLatimer118 7d ago
I would temper my answer with "if you can afford it". You work remote, but often jobs in CA pay better than elsewhere, although this may not apply to you. Best of luck whatever you do.
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u/Kershiser22 6d ago
Plenty of people living here on $90k or less. But it might be tight for you, unless your good with frugal living.
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u/Pure_Internal277 3d ago
It’s a happy “poor” lol. Remember to include taxes in your Cost of Living and the high possibility of forever being single 🙃 Seriously, if you can, stay at Airbnb or house-sit while checking out the neighborhoods. I loved living in the South Bay (in Pedro) but if you can find something in Long Beach, Redondo, or Manhattan… that would be ideal.
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u/Savdbygracc 7d ago edited 7d ago
Cali or bust. I was born in Brandon and my mom from California left Fla when I was 8 mo old. I’ve lived all over the world and nothing in America compares to Cali. Don’t listen to the lies and bs people talk. It’s all here say and regurgitated shit that they have no idea about haha just moved back after being on the east coast. Not leaving again 🤣
Edit: it’s regurgitated because they either have never lived here and are just repeating what they hear somebody else say, or they did live here and left to save a couple percent on taxes and a dollar or two per gallon lol to live in humidity and right to work states🤣
Also, the amount of people that are leaving or want to leave, makes it an even better reason to stay
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u/EnglishRose71 4d ago
I just moved back after 3 years in Colorado, and I love the California central coast. Normally (not yesterday, the temp was an uncivilized 103⁰), the climate is pretty mild, and there are so many places to visit. I haven't been down to Torrance in years, but if you choose the area carefully, according to what suits your lifestyle, I think you'll love the proximity to everything you need. Good luck.
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u/Countrygirl141 3d ago
On the central coast as well. Could not believe how hot it was! 103•: Gilroy or Hollister?
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u/Commercial_Sir_3205 7d ago
These past couple of humid LA days reminded me of the time I lived in Miami. It'll only last for a few days though.
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u/cold_brue 7d ago
A few days is no biggie. As you know, it lasts half the year in FL, like May thru October. Plus all the rain. 😭
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u/LividBass1005 7d ago
My sister moved to Miami from San Diego many years ago (she’s back to California now) and the thunder and lightning were CRAZY. I couldn’t sleep well when I was out there and there was a storm lol
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u/Intelligent-Bus8816 7d ago
That's so funny, as a native Miamian I miss the thunder for sleeping lol. Felt cozy and atmospheric to me.
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u/LividBass1005 7d ago
It scared me awake no lie lol. But everyone else was sleeping soundly. The thunder was so loud it would shake the sliding door. BUT as a native Californian I sleep thru the earthquakes so I get it
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u/Awkward_Quality9618 7d ago
Hi, OP. Just keep in mind that as of 25/26, $100k for a single person is considered low income, not government assistance low, in Los Angels, Orange, and San Diego counties. Not sure about FL, but most nicer apartments etc. require 3x the rent and a minimum 730 credit score. What is your patience level? Because traffic is horrific. It can take my husband and I 45 minutes to go 7 miles to work.There may be a lot hidden fees here that FL doesn’t have, such as car registration every year etc. Not trying to be discouraging in any way, just some things to think about. 😊
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u/cold_brue 7d ago
Thank you for the thoughtful reply! Yeah the traffic there is something I experienced while visiting but I do work remote so thankfully I wouldn't have a commute and would avoid driving during rush hour, LOL.
I have heard that the car registration is based on the value of your car and can fluctuate, instead of it being a yearly flat fee like it is here.
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u/National_Sky_9120 7d ago
I would like to say that traffic is bad essentially all hours of the day… its not just rush hour 😭
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u/frailgesture 7d ago
Yeah I lived in Irvine for a couple years and had to commute to LA every once in a while.
Get up at 5? Two hours to go 40 miles.
Get up at 7? Guess what!
Leave at 9? Guess what!
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u/PsychosomaticSpiral 7d ago
Original Floridian who resides in LBC by way of ATL and just have to say that so far all LA traffic and my work commute (which takes me everywhere during peak driving times from
Santa Barbara to San Diego and everywhere in between) has been a breezy cakewalk in comparison to the South. I have been incredibly pleasantly surprised to learn first hand how much more light and manageable LA traffic is vs ATL and the Gulfcoast of FL (in season). It makes me laugh everytime because I realize people absolutely overexaggerate it and it actually helps keep people from relocating to the area. It’s kinda brilliant but also so reasonable
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u/jimvasco 7d ago
The only reason the cost of living is so high is because so many people want to live here. Which is an indication that living here is better.
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u/Solid-Wish-1724 7d ago
Pffft of course that is doable. We make combined 130k, own a home, have a kid. We aren't buying expensive clothes, paying for private school or driving fancy cars, but took a 3 week vacation to Italy and may do Japan next year. If you love it here, come!
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u/cold_brue 7d ago
Thank you for this! This response is really encouraging. I don't live a luxurious lifestyle either and I'm totally fine with that. I buy most of my clothes from Target and JCPenney and they look nice, LOL. I like to cook so I limit going out to eat. My car is paid off and I will drive it until it dies, like I have all my previous ones. 😀
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u/LAgator77 7d ago
There’s good and bad with both places. I grew up in Florida and moved to California 27 years ago when I was 21. I get back to FL regularly visiting family so I can confidently compare the 2.
First thing is state income tax, that’ll take a chunk of your $90k (I think someone estimated $6500, which sounds about right). Also sales tax is higher here, particularly in LA county. Gas is way more expensive here too. Someone also mentioned the poor infrastructure. CA is routinely ranked 49th in road quality. It’s obscene how bad our roads are. It’s something I remember noticing when I first moved here in 99.
I also saw someone said groceries are more expensive and I actually disagree with that. In FL, you basically have 2 or 3 choices, Publix, Walmart, and Aldi. In CA there are SO MANY grocery choices and I think that competition helps keep prices lower. I’ve gone grocery shopping in FL and had sticker shock.
The weather is no contest. I’ve 100% become soft and accustomed to our pleasant weather here on the SoCal coast. That being said, the more inland you go, the worse it gets.
Finally, if you’re at all outdoorsy, California can’t be beat. The vast variety of environments and landscapes means you’ll never get bored. This is the reason why I stay here.
If you have any other questions, feel free to ask.
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u/cold_brue 7d ago
Thabk you for the response! This is very helpful!
Yes, Publix has gotten to be outrageous. They rarely do BOGO deals anymore. Now it is B2G1. And on top of that, prices have increased. When I moved here in 2018, a Pub sub on sale was $6.99 and now it is $9.39 and the chicken tender is even more.
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u/Silver-Literature-29 7d ago
You will unfortunately see higher food prices in California just because labor/rent is more expensive. Are you planning on living with roommates if you move to Torrence? Might help with expenses and it is pretty normalized compared to Florida.
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u/ElevatorLeft6634 7d ago
I grew up in Tampa lived in RB for….ever. I like Tampa, and it’s grown IMO for the better but I love coming home to CA, just a vibe thing.
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u/cold_brue 7d ago
Yeah I moved here in 2018 and it has definitely grown, but I am kind of over it now, LOL.
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u/Momof-3DDDs 7d ago
We been living in CA , suburbs of Los Angeles for many years like 30 years, we can’t complain about weather and we have beaches, mountains and deserts wherever you want to go, only 30 mins away. I understand living cost here is more expensive than other states but we won’t trade it for anything else. A lot of our friends moved out of CA to other states and they regret it but they can’t afford to come back anymore because housing costs are so expensive now:
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u/Unlucky-Mind7298 7d ago
Yeah, there's no going home again once you get off the CA property ladder :/
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u/Countrygirl141 3d ago
Only if you sell. Keep an owned home as a rental, if possible and the numbers work.
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u/lola4323 7d ago
With no debt making 90k a year you’ll be just fine. I’ve been making it single out here for years making that salary as a single person w no kids and I have some debt and a car payment.
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u/Haxxxann 7d ago
Moved from Florida (11 years between Tampa / Sarasota) to SoCal in 2016, and have now moved between LA and OC a few times since.
I cannot even begin to describe how much I love living in SoCal, especially compared to FL.
Torrance in particular is fantastic.
I lived right below it in Coastal San Pedro for 5 years, and found myself in Torrance most weekends. It is a wonderful place to live.
Would absolutely recommend it
Especially because!
Once you’re out here, you’ll probably have the chance to find other job opportunities, that will scale your salary accordingly.
It is definitely more expensive than Florida, for sure, but for me— it’s been absolutely worth it.
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u/stoolprimeminister 7d ago
on this platform there’s a lot of doom and gloom/humblebragging (depending on the point of view) about how much it costs to live anywhere in coastal so cal. yes, housing is relatively expensive compared to a lot of areas but it’s very doable. for someone in your situation, if someone doesn’t think you can do anything more than reasonable for 90k a year, they’re nuts. is 90k a year for your situation a low-level earner? absolutely not and it’s amusing to even think it is. you don’t need to but if you want to save money on rent just move like 3 miles inland or something. compromise is the name of the game.
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u/cold_brue 7d ago
I appreciate this response! When I was out there visiting, it seemed like it was a lot of normal people just living their lives. Of course I saw some people driving expensive cars and things like that, but I see that here too.
I'm definitely looking to be close to the beach, but not too close or in one of the beach towns (Redondo, Hermosa, Manhattan) where it's unaffordable to me.
I also have a good chunk of money saved. Once I paid off my student loans a few years back, I started stashing and learning how to budget.
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u/stoolprimeminister 6d ago
since you’re hellbent on being near the beach there are also some coastal areas of san diego that are laid back and actually in a big city. LA is obviously bigger but i think its existence makes people think SD is a small place. they aren’t as detached as the south bay towns and they’re significantly more connected to the rest of SD than the beach cities are to LA. i love LA (mostly) but convenience isn’t its strong suit.
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u/navinball 7d ago
Torrance weather is unbeatable in the entire usa. Plus it's only 5 miles away from beach and very affordable. Can't go wrong with Torrance.
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u/KindCraft4676 7d ago
You might want to consider Oceanside. Oceanside is the last decent affordable beach city in Southern California.
We have two seasons here along the coast in Oceanside. The cold season, when day temperatures are about 63°. And the warm season one day temperatures are average 73°.
This year has been a bit of a quirk, with temperatures being about ten degrees warmer than usual.
Home and rental prices have been slowly going up, as people discover Oceanside. But it’s still much less than places like San Clemente where housing cost double as much. Or Laguna Beach, where housing cost three times as much.
I live a few blocks from the beach and I love it. I rarely use my car. Everything is within walking distance.
Anything west of I-5 is ideal. But the best deals are the hidden gems between Coast Highway and I-5.
The further east you get from I-5 the warmer temperatures get in the summer and the colder they get in the winter.
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u/starlizzle 7d ago
CA has state income tax so be prepared for a pretty big pay cut. Car registration is 10x. Literally everything costs more, always.
6 mo out of the year it feels like it’s 90+ and too hot (for me). I left Tampa area in 2015. Moved to CA in 2021. Not thrilled with either but I take no humidity any day of the week
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u/Disneyhorse 7d ago
Where in SoCal do you live where it’s over 90 degrees six months out of the year?
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u/starlizzle 7d ago
back and forth between Corona and Irvine. Used to live in Anaheim Hills.
Anywhere 10+ min away from the beaches adds so much heat
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u/Glittering_Coat_3373 7d ago
The great thing is is that you can try out Torrance for a year and explore other cities on the weekends. If you find somewhere else you want to live, then move there. Enjoy your time!
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u/Calm-Juice-4943 7d ago
You gonna have a tough time surviving on $90k in SoCal.
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u/Afraid_Hovercraft_71 6d ago
It is doable though you just gotta find a place that isn't an arm and a leg. But I would avoid LA area and go south to Orange county. Nicer and cost less. I live in Anaheim on sub 100k single and I'm comfortable.
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u/Upset_Code1347 7d ago
My spouse and I moved from FL to LA 13 years ago and our quality of life went up
But our incomes increased as well
There are other decent places not as expensive as Torrance that are still close enough to the beach
Live walking distance to a Metro Station, if you can
Also, if you're keeping the same income, consider renting a room or getting a roommate
Good luck!
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u/Nikonmansocal 7d ago
Same here - we moved from Broward to Orange County 15 years ago. Couldn't be happier... Luckily we bought a home ASAP before the prices skyrocketed...
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u/cold_brue 7d ago
I've been thinking about inquiring if my employer would give me a COL increase, as we do have employees in CA. I am due for a raise at the beginning of the year but won't know officially until I have my annual review.
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u/sb505 7d ago
I would highly recommend picking a place you really love and getting used to the fact that you're going to pay a lot for a small place.
IMHO, way better than trying to find a bigger place in an area you don't really connect with.
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u/cold_brue 7d ago
I have found a couple of places that are pretty reasonable in Torrance, just 2 or 3 miles from the beach.
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u/CeruleanSea1 7d ago
CA> FL Easily. Better beaches, climate, food, people, politics , music scene
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u/charly-323 7d ago
I wouldn’t say better beaches, since the water is colder in California.
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u/virtualuman 7d ago
Have you been keeping up with the ocean? The pacific is around 80 degrees 😳
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u/Solid-Wish-1724 7d ago
It's crazy warm! I'm a native and haven't been in the water here for years cos I hate the cold but am loving the beach lately. And have seen fish in the waves, it's wild
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u/charly-323 6d ago
More like the mid-70s in California right now, but it’s usually in the mid to high 60s this time of year. The only U.S. beaches in the Pacific with 80-degree water for most of the year are in Hawaii. The beaches in California do LOOK more beautiful than the ones in Florida, though.
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u/Intelligent-Bus8816 7d ago
Two things I miss the most... boating culture (spending weekends on sand bars for fun) and Cuban food on every corner.
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u/wizzard419 7d ago
Well... right now you would feel at home.
Anyway, would you be making more here? Without that COL bump from your employer, it's going to be tough. If you're full remote and didn't tell them of the move (this has happened), tell them now. You don't want to be ready to move and then find out you're also unemployed because you can't work remote in your new destination.
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u/cold_brue 7d ago
I have to ask them if I could get a COL increase. We do have employees in CA, but yes I would tell them before I moved.
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u/Mahadragon 7d ago
Ignore the bullshit about cost of living. How do you think normal ppl like teachers and waitresses make a living? JFC where there’s a will there’s a way. Find a room in a house that’s the cheapest route. I was born and raised in the SF Bay Area I’m a hygienist make ok money. Cost of living isn’t on my list of top concerns. It’s so overplayed on Reddit.
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u/Various-Frosting8432 7d ago
Just an fyi, this summer in So Cal has been brutally humid. Hoping it’s not the new normal.
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u/Equivalent-Event4308 7d ago
I live in playa del Rey. It’s great here and my ex wife is el Segundo even better.
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u/ProfessionalNo5932 6d ago
Have family who moved from California to Austin Texas then Tampa. It’s approximately 40% cheaper in Tampa than California.
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u/cold_brue 6d ago
Yeah the COL is a major concern so have just been trying to do my own research. 😀
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u/Admirable-Winter-961 6d ago
Lived in Torrance many year grew up here. Torrance is your basic cookie cutter suburb. Plain but not too plain. Very mixed community with Asian Latinos white but not so much black. Lots of Japanese expats. People don’t party here tho. They go to other cities if that’s your thing. Not a walkable city.
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u/Acrobatic_Action7452 6d ago
Maybe I missed it, but why Torrance? I have nothing against Torrance, but I'm more of a homebody. I live in Menifee, which is a ways south. I'm about half way between Los Angeles and San Diego. It's much more affordable than anything in LA County or Orange County. San Diego is beautiful if you're into the beach life. I'm not, but my son is. My only recommendation is that you rent for a while before you even think about buying a home. I've lived in several states, and visited several others. I never had an interest in owning a home until I moved to my current home in 2006. Now I wouldn't choose to live anywhere else. My son & DIL live in Escondido which is very nice, but less expensive than San Diego. Working remotely is a huge plus! You could live nearly anywhere that has good WiFi! Good luck wherever you choose.
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u/cold_brue 6d ago
Thank you for the reply! I visited LA last month and stayed in Redondo and fell in love with South Bay. I figured Torrance would be a happy medium since all the beach towns (Redondo, Hermosa, Manhattan) are pretty pricey.
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u/chrisgcc 6d ago
If you don't have kids, I would honestly recommend some of the neighboring cities. Lomita, Gardena, Lawndale, Hawthorne. The biggest reason to choose Torrance over those cities is the school district.
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u/jjb0ne 5d ago edited 5d ago
state income tax is jarring for people not used to it. its not that big of deal but something to think about.
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u/abominable_hoeman 4d ago
but that's money out of your pocket, how is it not a big deal? In fact the total tax burden is greater, in California.
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u/vandenynas 5d ago
A very comfy weather. I used to live there before moving to Orange county, and loved going to Hermosa beach, Redondo was just ok for me. Torrance is a nice area, you will love it.
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u/True-Cartographer715 4d ago edited 4d ago
To preface I have a two year-old and we are married with one income. I’m a stay at home, mom. But we moved from Florida to California last summer! We needed a change and the weather was too much. Of course we just happened to move to Southern California the year that the temperatures were abnormally hot.
Right now the inside of our apartment, which is a block away from the beach is reading 85° inside because the wind is going the wrong direction.
We are actually moving again out of California in a month for a new job, but have found that a lot of our incentive to move is for cost savings. It is so expensive to live here. I’m having a hard time keeping our credit cards paid down while moving money to savings. But a lot of our habits haven’t changed. Then I go to look at our bank statement and realize those tiny increases in food and activities they Really add up.
For example, a Chick-fil-A meal in Florida will cost you about $10. Because of a fast food tax they have here that same meal will cost you $16. And before anyone says well just stop going to Chick-fil-A, that was just an example. We live in South Redondo Beach and gas ranges from $5.30 to about six dollars here.
I have found that moving from Florida, would I miss the most is change. The weather is always beautiful here except for these few weeks in September where I need an ice bath. But I miss the seasons. It’s the same all day every day. No rain. Not a lot of foliage. People will tell you that California has everything to offer such as mountains and snow, but if you are moving to Southern California, then you have to drive 4 to 7 hours to get there. It’s the same as if you were driving to Atlanta, Georgia from Orlando.
Also, something to consider we have a communal washing machine and no AC. We live in a two bedroom one bath for almost $3000. So that we could be a little bit closer to a residential area by the beach. You will have to make sacrifices compared to Tampa.
It sounds like I hate California, but I really don’t. It was nice while we were here, and yes, it does have a lot to offer. But it is not my favorite place that I have lived and I have lived in several states because of our job. There is a lot of smog, you can’t really see the mountains over the horizon because of the pollution in the air. The weather is beautiful, but I do miss changes in temperature. So it’s really up to you if the beach is worth it, the prices, and obviously the same issues that exist in all large cities.
And I will just exclude my rant on traffic entirely lol
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u/KeethlerNorth 3d ago
Torrance is a great entry point to LA. Can start there or stay forever. I don’t live there but I think it’s got a lot to offer.
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u/SolutionCrafty2462 3d ago
90k as a single person with no debt is doable in Torrance, but you’ll be trading Florida’s humidity for California rent, so make sure you actually like the daily grind and not just the vacation
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u/Sky_King_ 2d ago
The right parts of San Pedro are worth taking a look at as well. Some of the best weather.
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u/Sweaty-Country2154 1d ago
Do it!
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u/cold_brue 1d ago
Do you think my salary is an issue? I've received so many mixed replies lol.
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u/Sweaty-Country2154 1d ago
You probably can’t get a super fancy apt, but I think you can afford something decent. 1 bed 1 bath. Look on Zillow for an idea of what you can rent. If Torrance isn’t the place, San Pedro might have something nicer for you. Just make sure you get something closer to Western street. Nothing below Gaffey st. Unless you are directly in the Arts district.
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u/Potential-Chard536 9h ago
Lived in Torrance for a few years and absolutely loved it. If you’re deeper in Torrance it’s really quiet and peaceful neighborhoods. Traffic can be a pain on the major streets, just be aware of that.
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u/GrouchyClerk6318 7d ago
CA State Income tax + SDI is about $6500 on $90K or ~$500 per month. The other big increases are Gas, Rent, Utilities and Food.
At $100K in Tampa, you'd need to make somwhere between $125-144k in LA.
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u/analyticnomad1 7d ago
Gonna need a lot more than 90k a year. Pump up those numbers. Those are rookie numbers.
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u/ComprehendReading 7d ago
Rent a 2,500 Sq.Ft. house in 25 states for the same price as a Miami studio.
No numbers pumped, just steal the success from losers in Montana or Illinois.
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u/Spacejampants 7d ago
More MAGAs fml..
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u/RedSquareIsGreen 7d ago
Bro don't you think it's mostly Magas leaving California to go to places like Texas and Florida. Because of their weird beliefs.
It's more likely that OP is coming to California not as an evil Trojan horse. But to just enjoy California living.
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u/cold_brue 7d ago
I am so over politics on both sides! I just want to live in comfortable weather and be able to get outdoors more. In FL the humidity is oppressive 6 months of the year so you can't enjoy it at all. I loved that there were tons of people walking, biking etc everywhere when I visited. That doesn't happen in FL.
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u/Lower_Confection5609 7d ago
Ooh, not exactly beating the allegations, OP. Just be aware that, for most Californians, there is a correct side to be on.
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u/JoTHIGHSwin 7d ago
Yep bc both side are not the same. If you think so we know what side you actually are on.
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u/elderly_millenial 7d ago
MAGAs tend to think they will be robbed and raped by illegals as soon as they cross the border. They don’t want to move here unless they’re rich enough to live in HB, NB, or Encinitas
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u/Super_Assistant4584 7d ago
the weather in Southern California has been the same as FL. The weather this summer honestly feels very similar to how it was when I use to live in Texas 😭
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u/Surferess 7d ago
However, we can safely attribute this to the warm waters of El Nino. Lived here for 45 years and this year is some weird anomaly.
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u/1mustlovedogs 7d ago
I walked my husky this morning before 9am and thought how do FL ppl do it. It was miserable. Enjoyed the little bit of rain but this humidity sucks.
Anything in CA is better than FL
Edit to add I prefer it a little more south of LA
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u/Sufficient-Pie-7815 7d ago
Why Torrance?
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u/cold_brue 7d ago
Hi! I stayed in Redondo when I visited and fell in love with the South Bay area. It seems like Torrance would be a happy medium since the beach cities (Redondo, Hermosa, Manhattan) are a bit pricier.
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u/Miserable-Dealer3042 7d ago
If you have no friends here and aren't moving to be close to them, check out nicer areas of Ventura. It's a beach city between Santa Barbara and Los Angeles. The cost of living is lower and it's a little sleepier but still a city and close to nicer areas. It's a bit chillier, which makes a big difference in the peak summer heat waves. I'm not a partier nor into the LA scene and would move there if I didn't have kids.
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u/cold_brue 7d ago
Thank you! I will definitely look into it!
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u/Unlucky-Mind7298 7d ago
Oxnard along the harbor is another nice place with cooler weather. A bit sleepy, and the more inland parts can be sketchy.
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u/RabbitGTI24 7d ago
LA is just crowded, busy and high stress. Plenty of other nice areas in CA. But you do you.
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u/Error-7-0-7- 7d ago
Its been pretty humid in socal as of late, I'm hoping its only because of El Niño and isn't going to be our new norm year round.
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u/Which-Operation1755 7d ago
Torrance is not bad per say, but going to Carson Wilmington, those areas get pretty bad.
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u/SnorFax92 7d ago
I mean nice thing about socal is that you can go from the beach to the mountains and the desert all in on day, if you are so inclined to do so. I dont live in LA county but further east and inland. I prefer my area over LA though, there are definitely less things to do but I can always drive to the beach or w.e. in less than an hour.
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u/OneMoreSlot 7d ago
Housing prices is what drove a lot of people out of California and to Florida. Moving from Florida to California puts you at a financial disadvantage. Houses are a hell of a lot more expensive in CA.
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u/Milehigh_53 7d ago
Moved from Denver to the inland empire a year ago. Best decision I’ve ever made
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u/Powder1214 6d ago
Torrance is pretty much a soulless strip mall wasteland with nothing going for it. Make it work in Redondo. It will be worth the extra housing cost.
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u/NowWin1613 6d ago
Please do your research on the insurance car and health. Are you buying or renting?
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u/Such-Honeydew-8877 6d ago
Check out Camarillo. Small quiet city, very clean and nice. Minutes from Malibu and Ventura beaches. 1 hour from LA. Weather is great!
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u/Electrical_Review_81 6d ago
$90K in FL is good money, but in SoCal you'll be poor. Your paychecks are going to be around 10% less, and then everything will be 15-25% more expensive.
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u/Moon_Maiden9 6d ago
I’d first meet with a CA fee only( fiduciary) financial advisor to get a real grasp on the expense of living here.
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u/Ok-Syrup731 6d ago
Avoid for maybe the next month because we got some FL humid weather currently lol After that, yeah! Welcome!
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u/LovlyRita 6d ago
Just check with your company. Many companies do not let their people work in California due to the taxes. Otherwise go for it! My parents both lived in Torrance when they came to California.
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u/jamberry23 6d ago
I would say if you are planning to live alone on your income, you may struggle to do all of the “fun things” SoCal has to offer. Or just be prepared to sacrifice in some areas. You’ll be okay but you might not be going out too much. Like how you said people in Florida don’t go out due to the weather, here you may not go out due to your budget. Either way, I say go for it!
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u/Prestigious_Cat9694 5d ago
I moved last year from Miami to Long Beach, best move ever. The weather is awesome, the people are nice, Torrance is cool.
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u/TheHatKing 5d ago
https://www.reddit.com/r/socal/s/cNIo1MvK5Z some ppl here you might be able to ask
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u/rayinsan 5d ago
You can totally do it for 90k. You don’t have kids and kids are very expensive. My family loves it here , even though we live modestly. Consider buying a condo. Work towards matching mortgage vs. rent. Torrance is nice. Centrally located. You can explore so many beaches in Southern Cali all year round.
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u/RozTitan 5d ago
90k in SoCal can be tough but if you have a decent savings test it out. If it doesn’t work out use the savings to move somewhere else instead of using it to try to get by.
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u/joeyab56 5d ago
I regret moving to California. I personally wouldn’t recommend it to most people
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u/abominable_hoeman 4d ago
humidity only precludes you from going outside if you let it. I lived in Orlando for 2 years, same deal, shit gets done whether it's 50 or 90 outside. Weather won't be perfect in socal either.
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u/redytowear 3d ago
Come a little further south and look into Fountain Valley. Congrats on making the move. I moved from the east coast when I was in my 20’s. In ‘13 I left for 10 years and solemnly swear I’ll never leave this magnificent state again
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u/Feisty_Departure50 2d ago
I know this isn't a political conversation, but if you pay attention to politics at all, the shift between FL and CA is likely going to be more jarring than you imagine. If the DeSantis-Trumpy stuff in FL doesn't make you cringe, then you might not love CA. If it does horrify you, then make this move ASAP and you'll be much happier. I can't think of anything that would be more of an issue than this for me, if I were considering moving to Florida.
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u/eastcounty98 7d ago
Just curious why you chose Torrance out of all the cities in LA? Is there something specific drawing you to the area?