Ever since I was about 12 years old, I knew that I wanted to move to California, yet I didn’t fully realize that this would become my reality in my later 20’s. Like most people who adore the state yet live elsewhere, I didn’t think that it was rational or feasible to move to this expensive state. Fast forward to today, I am writing out this blog in my high-rise studio apartment in downtown San Diego, and living out my 12-year self wildest dreams.

In January of 2020, I decided to pack up 5 boxes, 3 luggage, and move both my dog and my cat from Texas to Oakland, California. Prior to making this huge life move, I had exactly six months to plan and knew a total of three people that lived in California.

If you’re desiring to leave your home state and want to leave behind your familiar lifestyle for one of adventure in California, then keep reading to learn what to expect when moving to California. In this guide/blog I will go over the cost of living, life in NorCal vs SoCal, things to do & places to explore, the people, and why I don’t plan on moving back to Dallas. If you’re not moving to California yet want to leave your home state, read my blog post here on ‘How to Move from your Hometown’.

Why I Left Texas for California

Before I get started and before my fellow Texans that despise California get all pissed off, let me make myself clear: I love being a Texan and I LOVE being from Texas. There is nothing better than knowing that when I go back to visit my home state, I can get Plucker’s, breakfast tacos, and some of the best BBQ (California lacks all three). HOWEVER, I chose to leave my home state for various reasons and strongly believe that I will not move back unless it is God Himself telling me that I have to, and I would pitch Austin if I had to move (sorry Dallas, not my fave).

I’d like to say that the following reasons impacted my move from Texas to California:

My faith & my journey: As a woman of faith and a believer who understands that God often likes to pull at your heart when leading you in a new direction, I knew that He was doing this to me for this journey. I also have a strong belief that while I am single with no kids, it is my opportunity to maximize my singleness. This looks different for everyone, but I specifically remember asking myself, “if not now, when will you move?”

Boredom/Need of a Challenge: I’d like to say that this also ties into my faith as I was beginning to feel too comfortable in my life and my routine. Everything was predictable and I needed a challenge outside of myself that required major faith with adventure sprinkled in. After spending months considering this move and the risks, I spoke to my former mentor who said “Imani, if all fails, you just move back and God will redirect you.” And with that, I moved. I would rather take the risk of failing vs not trying at all: challenge accepted.

Weather & Nature: For my fellow Texans reading this, you know damn well it is too hot and humid in the Lone Star State. You also know that Galveston beach CANNOT compare to the beautiful beaches in California and in the pictures that I have taken below. This is also true when it comes to a lot of nature in the Golden State. As a major nature lover myself, it is a huge priority to live somewhere that has everything within my home. And that is another reason why I moved from Texas to California.

The endless beauty and nature within my new home inspired me to move out of Texas and to California.

Different climates, unique cities, new adventures, yet all within the same state- California. Since moving to California I have been to Yosemite, San Francisco, Oakland, Half Moon Bay, Point Reyes, Napa Valley, Carmel-by-the-Sea, San Diego, Malibu, and of course LA.

What life was like living in the Bay Area- Oakland, CA

THE TOWNNNNN! Also otherwise known as Oakland 🙂 Filled with history, my beautiful and proud black people, diversity in various ways, so many good places to eat at, and good music, I love being in Oakland. The first time that I had ever visited Oakland was in Sept of 2019 when I was planning my move to California. I was anticipating moving to LA (SO GLAD THAT I DIDN’T), but the moment that I explored the Bay Area, I started to feel a pull towards the Bay Area vs LA. Five months later, I was living with two roommates in Oakland, California.

Eleven months of living in Oakland gave me enough insight to understand what life would be like there full time. The pace is quite fast, with so many transplants and natives containing hustle energy throughout their veins. The nightlife is strong, along with daily events that keep you entertained. You can also grab some food at Lake Chalet, and relax by the water while hanging out with a friend. Life in Oakland can best be described as a lively, creative, yet overpriced place that requires you to have street smarts and will toughen you up while inspiring you all at once. I know. A mouthful and a lot from a former suburban Texas girl.

Expenses: While living here, I stayed a 3-minute walk from Lake Merritt, a 3.5-mile lake near downtown. By the fifth month of my being in Oakland, I got my studio apartment off of Jackson St and started paying the craziest amount of rent for an incredibly small place. That apartment was $1895 and about 200 square feet. A parking spot, AC, and a washer and dryer weren’t included in this price either. I KID YOU NOT and I was told by several people living here that this was a “good deal”. If you’re planning to move to California and you want to live in the Bay Area, you can expect for that to be a normal price point.

Public Transportation: The Bay Area makes life so easier for us carless people 🙂 You can easily hop on BART, Amtrak, Nuni, and other public transportation services to take you around and even to San Francisco. If you have a car, plan to pay to park everywhere, including your own apartment. Some places charge up to $200 a month just for you to park your own car in your own home. Ridiculous.

Friendliness: Don’t shoot the messenger or hate a Texan when I say this, but the Bay Area is not the friendliness or the easiest place to make authentic connections. This is not only my experience, but others who have lived here or that are from here can agree. You have to be strong, discerning, and have your guard up when making connections here as people often have an agenda or a motive. It is a lot like LA in that sense, yet hard to discern because most people here don’t believe for this to be true. Being an outsider looking in & coming in, I can tell you that this is NOT how people really live life. At the end of the day, I did make about 3 connections that were genuine, and I learned a lot from those who tried me.

Overall thoughts: I love Oakland but I much rather prefer to travel to the Bay Area vs live there. I realized this and left before allowing it to impact my entire view of living in California.

Relocating to San Diego is exactly what I needed to do to save my California dream that the 12 year old girl once dreamt of.

If when you think of California you think of beaches, happy & healthy people, the cutest dogs everywhere, and a mix of hustle and relaxation, then you belong in San Diego. I am glad that I started off in NorCal but ELATED that I ended up in SoCal.

When I first moved to California, I struggled feeling like I was at home. Throughout my time of living in the Bay Area, I never felt the “home” or the peaceful feeling. I felt unsettled, and restless which bothered me tremendously. I associate words and feelings such as peace and sanctuary when discussing my home, and I lacked that for a while. I lost this once I knew it was time to leave Texas, and finally found the rest and peace that I desired when I moved to San Diego.

Living My Best Life in San Diego

Expenses: Still a crazy California price, yet WAY better than the Bay Area, I now live in a high-rise apartment and I pay $1759 a month. My studio is double the size of the one in Oakland. My new place also includes a washer & dryer, a parking spot, one of the most fly rooftop pools, a nice gym, and the best views from my patio through my ceiling to floor windows. Bottom line is that you get WAY more for your money here and I am glad that I made the decision to make a move down here without any hesitation. However, prices still reflect that California life. I know that I can get a lot more for my money in Texas and so many other states.

Public Transportation: Unlike the Bay Area, you don’t have a lot of options when it comes to public transportation here which means you will need a car. I live downtown so the walkability score is pretty high up there, but there is life outside of downtown in San Diego! When exploring other places such as La Jolla, Point Loma, Liberty Station, and all of the cute beaches, having a car is more than needed.

Friendliness: I think that one of the reasons why I love San Diego so much is that people here remind me of my home state. It is a more family-friendly city, along with people who have some of the warmth that I am used to. I have met amazing women since being out here and they don’t make me feel as if I need my guard up. The only thing that San Diego is lacking is diversity. I LOVED this about the Bay Area. San Diego has sprinkles of black people throughout the city, but not enough for my personal liking. Coming from the South, I am used to a lack of diversity, but I prefer a variety amongst me (which is also why I moved to California).

Overall thoughts; I ended up finding my dream downtown apartment, started working for an amazing company within my first 2 months of being here, my BFF decided to move here, and I picked up on spin classes at a studio. No complaints 🙂

What to Expect When You Move to California:

I love being in California and I have no regrets that I decided to leave behind the familiarity for a life of adventure. Since moving out here my life has changed drastically, in more ways than one. You can expect the same if/when you move to California as well.

You will change and not all people back in your home state will not be able to keep up with your change.

You will grow thicker skin simply because you moved from one state to another and it will teach you how to boss up and step your faith up.

You may not like one city, but that doesn’t mean you should cancel the whole state. Try another place while you’re already out here.

California has a huge homeless population that continues to grow. As this grows, your compassion and kindness will need to as well.

California is expensive. You will question why someone would pay $15 on a cocktail, yet you’ll do it too.

If you know how to figure things out, maximize your life, and understand the concept of “you get what you pay for” then you will do fine in California.