Any truck drivers in California ?

Hi taphik, I went out there for a visit last year, and coming from the midwest, I was totally unprepared for what it was like there. Food (at grocery stores) wasn't too different, but everything else was off the scale. We went to a restaurant, the CHEAPEST item on the menu was Fish n' Chips @ $24.95.( needless to say, we walked out) My daughters apt was $1800/mo., in Studio City, any kind of activity always had big lines down the block, just wasn't for me. I thought of moving there, and unless you're in the movie business, (which my daughter was) most jobs started out at $7.50/hr. I even checked out a motor coach driver job, starting pay was $10/hr. I don't know how people make it there.

 

I live in the central valley of California. Rent here is low as $600. Of course there are not too many great jobs unless your a truck driver! Our economy is agriculture based so we're not doing too well with this drought. The valley includes fresno,Merced,Madera,Visalia,Tulare, lathrop,modesto...etc quite a few trucking hubs in Lathrop. Get really hot during the summer, get used to it.

 

Don't let anyone discourage you if that is what you want to do. Like you said, in the Inland Empire area you can find a decent apartment for $800 or $900 a month. Just have to know where to look just like here in Chicago, have you guys seen what those fancy Yuppie apartments near downtown go for? Same thing with gas here. If you fill up in the city expect to pay well over $4.00 a gallon for regular 87. Go just several miles out to the suburbs and you'll pay at least 50 cents less.


I don't blame you at all for wanting to move to So-Cal as that has always been my dream too. It is a great place to live for a truck driver too, trucking hot spot. If you can't find a driving job in the IE you can't find it anywhere. Virtually every mega has a terminal there.

 

Cali####no....

 

All these California haters! You all act as if your state is perfect! When you're all bundled up for the winter, I'll be on the lake fishing in some nice 65 degree weather! I love where I live... NORCAL!

 

I don't hate California at all, but the OP wants to know what to expect. Sure it's cheaper outside LA, like where Powder Joints lives, but that's over 80 miles away from Los Angeles. That's something to consider; a smaller town outside the LA area.

 

To the OP, we have all the people we need, if you must, come-on-out. This state works for some, but not all. From what I read on this site you can do a lot better as a truck driver living in many other states.

Hey 911 I was in your hood last week. I was rolling west down 299 and Whiskeytown came into view and called to us. I looked over at the wife and said "wouldn't it be nice to go boating on the lake" long story but we grabbed some grub, rented a boat and spent the afternoon on the water. 82 degrees, slight breeze and a life-long memory. 911 your living in a sweet part of the state.

 

Hi kona, I never said I hate Cal., just telling it like it is, not all sunshine and smiles. I'm not saying Wis. is a bunch of roses either, but when you're sweltering in 110 degree weather, and no water coming out of the tap, and fires burning, I can be in the northwoods or in the UP of Mich. on a lake in 74 degree weather, and crystal blue skies. Every place has it's good and bad, and winter does suck, but you get used to it. Kind of. I'll admit, winter in Cal. is nice, but summers are unbearable. Enjoy!

 

Born n raised in So. Cal. Oh how I miss it sometimes. Until I had to deliver a load down south and was reminded why I left. As a younger person it might be the place for you. The weather is awesome, I miss being to go to the beach pretty much anytime of year. Lots of culture. You will be around and work with every type of person you could imagine. Everything is close and almost instant. It is much more expensive than most places to live. Taxes are higher bla bla bla. If you like it there its worth it. So Cal is very crowded and fast paced. Which I liked for many years. Also smoggy and brown. I like tall trees, green mountains, small towns, clear lakes and country. You should visit Cali for a while before moving or anywhere else for that matter. Do be fooled Nor Cal. Central Cal. even north of the valley is way different than So Cal. You might love it. Good Luck