If you’re planning to move to Southern California there are a few things you should know about before you pack your bags and head out to the Golden State. Whether you’re planning on living here short-term or permanently, these 10 things will prepare you for life in SoCal.
- Housing in SoCal is ridiculously expensive.
flickr/meesh No matter where you’re moving from (with the exception of San Francisco and New York) you can count on the cost of real estate being double and triple what you may be used to paying. Whether you’re renting or buying, make sure you’re prepared for sticker shock when you arrive, as the price of housing will definitely make you drop your jaw.
- It’s extremely expensive to live here.
flickr/401k 2012 You already know housing is expensive in SoCal, but what about other expenses? Be prepared to spend a lot more money on items like food and gas than what you are currently paying now. We call it the sunshine tax.
- There will be traffic.
jeff turner/flickr Horrendous traffic. Traffic like you’ve never seen. Day and night. Weekdays and weekends. It’s just the way it is and everyone in SoCal must adjust to a long commute.
- Ditch your snow boots for flip-flops.
fuscia foot/flickr
ray dumas/flickr If you’re moving to SoCal from a colder climate, you can plan on ditching your snow boots for some breezy sandals or flip-flops. Not just for lazy days at the beach, you’ll find that Southern Californians live in flip-flops at work, at the park, or just heading to the store.
- No one can agree on where SoCal ends and NorCal begins.
googlemaps When you move to Southern California, be prepared for some people to say that you are in Central California or maybe even Northern California as no one seems to be able to agree on the dividing line between SoCal and NorCal.
- You will develop “Avocado Syndrome.”
you as a machine/flickr What exactly is Avocado Syndrome? Let’s just say once you live in SoCal you’ll suddenly start putting avocado on everything. Sandwiches, eggs, toast, and burgers.
- You better stock up on sunscreen.
orin zebest/flickr
flickr/kelly sue deconnick Whether you’re hanging out at the beach for the day, taking a hike in the mountains, or just driving down the freeway to work, you’ll quickly discover that sunscreen is your friend when you live in Southern California. Make sure to stock up and have a tube on the ready before you step outside.
- Sunglasses are essential.
daveynin/flickr Sunglasses aren’t just a summer thing in Southern California. Be prepared to wear your sunglasses all year long in SoCal, even in the winter, as the sun is a welcome friend around here.
- The fish tacos in SoCal will turn you into a food snob.
flickr/doran With so many amazing fish tacos to be devoured in SoCal, you’ll become a fish taco snob as you quickly become an expert on where to find the best fish tacos in town.
- If you ever have to leave Southern California, you will miss it like crazy.
flickr/nathan rupert After spending enough time in SoCal to call this beautiful place home, you’ll find it hard to live anywhere else. Especially during the winter season.
What do you think of this list? What would you add to it if you were preparing anyone for a move to SoCal?
flickr/meesh
No matter where you’re moving from (with the exception of San Francisco and New York) you can count on the cost of real estate being double and triple what you may be used to paying. Whether you’re renting or buying, make sure you’re prepared for sticker shock when you arrive, as the price of housing will definitely make you drop your jaw.
flickr/401k 2012
You already know housing is expensive in SoCal, but what about other expenses? Be prepared to spend a lot more money on items like food and gas than what you are currently paying now. We call it the sunshine tax.
jeff turner/flickr
Horrendous traffic. Traffic like you’ve never seen. Day and night. Weekdays and weekends. It’s just the way it is and everyone in SoCal must adjust to a long commute.
fuscia foot/flickr
ray dumas/flickr
If you’re moving to SoCal from a colder climate, you can plan on ditching your snow boots for some breezy sandals or flip-flops. Not just for lazy days at the beach, you’ll find that Southern Californians live in flip-flops at work, at the park, or just heading to the store.
googlemaps
When you move to Southern California, be prepared for some people to say that you are in Central California or maybe even Northern California as no one seems to be able to agree on the dividing line between SoCal and NorCal.
you as a machine/flickr
What exactly is Avocado Syndrome? Let’s just say once you live in SoCal you’ll suddenly start putting avocado on everything. Sandwiches, eggs, toast, and burgers.
orin zebest/flickr
flickr/kelly sue deconnick
Whether you’re hanging out at the beach for the day, taking a hike in the mountains, or just driving down the freeway to work, you’ll quickly discover that sunscreen is your friend when you live in Southern California. Make sure to stock up and have a tube on the ready before you step outside.
daveynin/flickr
Sunglasses aren’t just a summer thing in Southern California. Be prepared to wear your sunglasses all year long in SoCal, even in the winter, as the sun is a welcome friend around here.
flickr/doran
With so many amazing fish tacos to be devoured in SoCal, you’ll become a fish taco snob as you quickly become an expert on where to find the best fish tacos in town.
flickr/nathan rupert
After spending enough time in SoCal to call this beautiful place home, you’ll find it hard to live anywhere else. Especially during the winter season.
Love all things Southern California? Then you may also enjoy this fun read about life in SoCal: 11 Awkward Moments Every Southern Californian Has Endured At Least Once.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
