What advice would you give-
 

To a family of 3 considering a move to California?

Don't bring your van.

I assume you're not talking about you, unless some of your family members went off to Hogwarts :P

My advice is to make sure you have a good working vehicle, to avoid Riverside County and/or the Inland Empire, and to call Morrigoon if you are in the market for a house/condo :)

Actually Cherny dear- I am talking about us. In about 4-5 years. I have that time to get my financial house in order and educate myself about the state and the things we need to do to get out there.

So yes- I am talking R, little R and me. :)

Ohhhhhhhhhhhh ok lol I got confused there for a second (I was pretty sure you did not have imaginary holographic kids that I met last week), but the 4-5 years thing makes sense. :)

Check out the job markets first. What you'd get paid here compared to what you're making now. Then research how much housing, gas etc are going to cost you. All of that is MUCH more expensive here.

Also look into how the schools are in the area you want to live, otherwise you'll add on private school tuition for R.

Depends on where you're thinking of moving to. California is a big place.

Do you want to live across the street from Disneyland or are you more hoping for easy access to incredibly good pot by walking into the woods behind your home? Urban, rural, exurban, suburban?

Are you looking to piss off an entire congressional district with your political views or want somewhere they'll fit in better. Do you want to live with people who drive around in jacked up SUVs/Pickups or among people who key them?

Do you like seasons or hate them? Is brown your favorite color or green?

Warning, though, if you wait 5 years you'll probably end up with a governor you've never heard of before (unless we decide we like the actor thing so much that we push Rob Reiner into the office).

All of the above--with the added advice: Don't. That is unless the availability of a job makes it necessary/worth your while given how much more expensive things are here. I haven't done the math, but I'd wager that you can take a family vacation or two to California per year and still have life--housing, gas, food--be cheaper than if you actually lived here.

I agree with Strangler. I wouldn't live here if I didn't have to.

I want to be near the ocean. (meaning I can drive to it easily)
I want to be in the sunshine.
I want to be able to go to the park whenever I want.

We know it's expensive. That is why we plan to pay off all debts outside of the house before making the move.

R wants to work in the video game industry and can do so out there better than here and I can find a job in finance anywhere.