The Ultimate Guide to Moving to California and West Coast USA

Finding a job in West Coast USA

Online jobs boards such as indeed.com are a great way to find jobs in California and the surrounding states. Another leading website which is now the number one choice for companies looking to recruit, as well as job seekers alike is LinkedIn. Individuals can create an online CV and request recommendations from previous employers and colleagues for their portfolio. Alternatively the jobs section of the local newspaper is still a great way to find employment anywhere in the USA.

Currency

The local currency in the USA is the U.S. dollar (USD) which is the most widely used currency in international transactions. U.S. dollars are available in banknote denominations of $1, $2, $5, $10, $20, $50, $100.

Cost of everyday items (L.A.)

Sports and Leisure

Eating and drinking out

Restaurants in California can be pricey due to the large number of high-income households in the state. The culture of ‘being seen’ in the right place is also an imperative part of some residents lifestyles, especially those working in the media and entertainment industries. That said there are a huge variety of restaurants available to suit all tastes and pocket sizes. Mexican restaurants are incredibly popular, alongside barbeque and grill style eateries. You’ll also have the chance to sip some of the states delicious and globally respected wines for a low price in your local bar.

Transport costs

Because of the low price of petrol and cars in the USA, combined with the vast stretches of open land, West Coast dwellers rely heavily on cars and their own transport for getting around. The easiest way to get around when you first arrive in your new home, if you decide not to take your car with you, is to hire a car from the multitude of reliable vehicle hire companies based in airports and local towns and cities. If you really don’t want to drive, you do have the option of taking a coach or the train, but be prepared for long monotonous journeys.

Renting

Rental prices on residential property in the West Coast of the USA vary greatly depending on the area you are choosing to live. The average price for renting an apartment in California varies from $1,400 USD for a studio apartment to $3,500 USD for a 4 bedroom home. In Washington state the prices are lower from just under $1,000 USD for a studio apartment to $2,500 USD for a 4 bedroom home. Inner city dwellings are often more expensive than the suburbs and can be limited in space.

Language

Whilst English is the official language of California and indeed the rest of the West Coast, 42% of the population learn a separate mother tongue from birth. The main ‘alternative’ language in California is Spanish but there is also a significant number of Chinese, Vietnamese and Korean speakers living there too. In fact over 200 languages are spoken in California, mainly due to the high number of indigenous dwellers and immigration from East Asia.

USA Federal Holidays

-1st January 2014 – New Year’s Day

-20th January 2014 – Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. (Third Monday of January)

-17th February 2014 – Washington’s Birthday (Third Monday of February)

-25th May 2014 – Memorial Day (Final Monday of May)

-4th July 2014 – Independence Day

-1st September 2014 – Labour Day (First Monday of September)

-13th October 2014 – Columbus Day (Second Monday of October)

-11th November 2014 – Veterans Day

-27th November 2014 – Thanksgiving (Fourth Thursday of November)

-25th December – Christmas Day

Education

Both public and private schools are available for children and teens on the USA´s west coast. Much like the rest of the USA, public schools are reliable and a perfectly adequate option for providing your child with a safe and productive learning environment. Private schools come at a price which will largely depend on the area chosen and if your child will board or stay at home.

Popular Destinations

L.A.

Nicknamed the ‘City of Angels’, L.A. is the second most populous city in the USA after New York. With 3,792,621 current residents, Los Angeles is well-known for its Hollywood district, home to millionaire and billionaire actors, film producers, directors, singers and entertainers and is a hugely popular tourist destinations for people from all over the world seeking a glimpse into the lives of the rich and famous. Why not visit your favourite celebrity´s star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame or pose against the backdrop of the infamous Hollywood sign. You could also visit some of the world-renowned film and music museums or even take a guided tour of some of the top celebrity dwellings.

Seattle

Seattle in Washington is a bustling seaport city which was originally inhabited by native americans for 4,000 years prior to the arrival of the European settlers in 1851. Its fascinating history means that whilst being a modern and cosmopolitan city, deep rooted native american traditions remain in the city’s culture with pow-wows still taking place throughout the year. If that´s not for you, why not visit the Space Needle, with outstanding views of the surrounding cityscape and mountain backdrop or take a trip to visit the first ever Starbucks which opened in Pike Place Market in 1971 and still displays its original signage and features.

San Francisco

Home to the Golden Gate Bridge, an icon of California which is celebrated as one of the Wonders of the Modern World. San Francisco is a bustling city, ripe with interesting attractions and things to see and do. From The Haight, a legendary arts and shopping district to Alcatraz Island, home of the defunct Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary, the combination of the historic and nostalgic with modern interest and a buzzing nightlife means San Francisco really is a top ´go to´ destination on the USA´s West Coast and a great place to start your new life, living The American Dream

Napa Valley

Napa Valley in California is one of the most famous wine regions in the world as Its warm sub-tropical climate provides the perfect conditions for the growth of delicious fruity grapes. Producing award winning wines year round, Napa Valley is a notorious contestant to some of the great wine regions of France. In fact in 1976, Californian wines beat french wines in a blind tasting known infamously as The Judgement of Paris. A trip to Napa Valley offers the perfect escape from busy city life and with a tour of one of the many famous vineyards in the world, you can also enjoy your own Californian wine tasting experience.

Popular Nearby Destinations

Las Vegas

Las Vegas or ‘Sin City’ as it is notoriously referred to is world-renowned for its exciting nightlife, casinos, pop and rock concerts and is home to some of the most luxurious and magnificent hotels on the planet. It is a tourist hotspot and has been depicted in numerous Hollywood blockbusters as the place to forget all your worries and cares and simply have the time of your life. A popular destination for stag dos and also weddings, if moving to the West Coast, Vegas will be on your doorstep situated in the Nevada desert next to California.

The Grand Canyon

The Grand Canyon in Arizona is duly listed as one of the Seven Wonders of the Natural World and with almost five million visitors each year, it’s not surprising that

it’s one of the most popular tourist destinations in the United States.

The ideal spot for hiking, animal spotting and of course many a great photo opportunity, the magnitude of this natural phenomenon can only be completely realised when seen for yourself.

The perfect place to take visiting friends and family once you have settled into your new home on the west coast, the Grand Canyon offers a great number of walks, tours, museums and other tourist attractions making it a safe and pleasurable destination for everyone.

Climate

The climate in West Coast USA varies greatly from state to state and indeed, city to city. Coastside Californian cities such as San Diego, L.A. and San Francisco offer a mediterranean climate with warm dry summers, perfect for enjoying the long sandy beaches. In parts of Washington and Oregon a wetter oceanic climate results in more rain throughout the year. However, the winter remains mild allowing for year round outdoor activities. There are also expanses of desert in California and Oregon where mountains have formed a rain shadow. It is in these vast and sparse landscapes that some of the hottest temperatures on earth have been recorded, the highest being 57 degrees celsius.

West Coast Culture

Unlike the fast paced lifestyle of USA’s East Coast, the West Coast is more laid back and relaxed in terms of culture and lifestyle.

Sun, Sea and Surf

Living by a beautiful white sandy beach is something most Californians take for granted, but the feeling of warm sand between your toes and the vast array of exciting beach activities can be a real attraction for those moving from the UK. Whether catching a wave in a world famous surfing hotspot or enjoying a stroll and people watching in Malibu or perhaps even stopping for a quick workout on Muscle Beach, you’re sure to be enchanted by California’s world-renowned beach culture.

Film and the Arts

As the central hub of the American film industry, there are a huge number of interesting cinema and theatrical attractions to amuse residents throughout the week. Such attractions include catching a film premiere, museum exhibition, fashion show, launch party, photography display, poetry reading, unveiling or even an award ceremony.

Food

Due to the mild sub-tropical climate, and also the high demand for healthy foods as part of the desire to look young and fit, fresh fruit and vegetables are relatively cheap in California. Certainly more so than the east coast of America. That said the state is well-known for its in-car dining culture with a vast array of drive-thru fast food restaurants available on the states many highways. Further north along the West Coast in Oregon and Washington, salmon and other seafood dishes are hugely popular and combine with influences from both Native American and Asian style cooking. There is a strong focus on locally produced ingredients in Pacific North West cuisine, which include the likes of berries and other forest fruits, mushrooms and game meats such as moose.

Sports

Sports are a huge part of Californian culture, with the state being home to some of America’s most famous professional and college sports teams. The most popular sports include American football, baseball, basketball, ice hockey and soccer and matches are regularly enjoyed live at arenas and stadiums or from home on the television. World-renowned basketball team, The Los Angeles Lakers, are perhaps one of California’s most successful teams with a huge 17 titles to their name.

More about West Coast USA…

Interesting facts

• At 5912 ft, Kennedy Mine in Jackson is one of the deepest gold mines in the world.
• The Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles is the largest outdoor amphitheater in the world.
• Washington state, just like the country’s capital city Washington D.C., is named after George Washington, the first president of the United States of America.
• The name Seattle comes from Sealth, the name of the Indian chief who was in command when white settlers first arrived in the area in 1851.
• Crater Lake in Oregon is the deepest lake in the USA and was formed by the collapse of volcano, Mount Mazama.
• The Hollywood Walk of Fame, located on the sidewalk of Hollywood Boulevard and Vine Street is now home to 2,500 stars, paying homage to the worlds most popular film stars, directors, producers, presenters, musicians and comedians.
• The Grand Canyon has been inhabited by Native Americans for thousands of years. However, the first European to visit the area was Spanish born García López de Cárdenas in 1540.
• Some prison cells in notorious high security federal penitentiary, Alcatraz on Alcatraz Island, San Francisco, were just 5ft by 9ft in size which meant prisoners could extend their arms to reach either side of the cell.
• The world´s oldest ship, the Star of India, built in 1863 is currently homeported at the Maritime Museum of San Diego.
• All the scenes from the original Twilight film of 2008 were filmed on the West Coast, including Silver Falls State Park Oregon, Mount St, Helens, Washington and Santa Clarita, California.

Further reading…

For more information on the practicalities of a move to the USA, visit our Moving to America page. For a quotation please visit this page