Your suggestions are appreciated...

[Densel]

I'm planning on moving to California after my graduation in December. I don't know how to start applying for jobs and looking for apartments.

A. To get an apartment, I have to have some type of employment record. Leasing offices normally ask how much you are making in order to determine if you can afford to pay rent. So I have to get a job before getting an apartment.

B. To get a job, I have to live in the area. I can't apply for a job if I'm not physically in that state. They normally give priority to people who are already in the area of the job. LOCAL APPLICANTS ONLY!

So right now I'm very confused!

I thought about looking for roommates, but again...I don't think telling my potential roommate I don't have a job as of yet would be comforting. I also thought about using a temp agency to find a job but again if I'm physically not there, I don't get priority. Besides, using temp services are not guarantee to find a job.

What are you suggestions?

I wish I could get a job before I move and look for an apartment virtually on the internet. Fill out the leasing applications online, give them a time when I will be moving in...That will be an ideal scenario!

[sunbear]

Cali is a tricky place, but you're not the first to do it.
First off, who do you know out here? Do you have relatives? I think you mentioned that you were moving to Orange County.
Second, how much $$ do you have?
Third, are you able to visit Cali before you move here?
I made my move to California from Ohio two years ago and I think I may have an inside tip or two. It can be a little overwhelming so plan ahead-

The reasons why I asked these questions is because there are things you can do to get by...
1) If you already know somebody out here in the area you're moving to, use their address as your own when you're looking for a job.
2) I had a nightmare experience when I lived with a stranger, but people have also have had great experiences. People are always looking for roommates because the cost of living is rather high. There are usually free publications distributed every week with the contents on the web. In San Diego, it's called the Reader and the website is www.sdreader.com. There are also publications by Universities which is also a GREAT place to get started. If you're coming out with any bit of money, really press upon the fact that you're able to pay rent until you find permanent employment. Just watch your money, it goes quick.
The avg cost of gas-$1.60/gal for 87, a box of smokes, $4.25, grocery store food is expensive, etc
3) Temp agencies stay busy out here and are a great way to start out. It depends on what what classes you took, what experience you've had, etc. In LA, there are a lot of temp accounting stuff- you get something usually in the first week. In San Diego, it's a little harder. Orange County has a lot of businesses and industries so you could probably find something within a few weeks. You also get paid minimum wage plus tips waiting tables.
4)etc. The laws in Cali are different than they are anywhere else, esp. they're traffic laws. You have to take a test, you're car has to be smog tested, registration, plates, etc. Which can cost you up to $150 (?), just be prepared for it. You need to start this stuff within a few weeks of "being in California", which is usually determined by the start of your employment here.
5) depending on where you want to end up in California, Spanish is usually a good language to know, or at least understand. I started out in Downey CA, in Orange County and had to go to the DMV to take my drivers test. The place was crowded, and NO ONE- even the cop who's controls the traffic in the place- understood or spoke much or any english. The ones that spoke any english were the people behind the desks and it took an hour to get to them. Courtesy of Mexico.
*****and another handy fact... try to avoid driving south on a Friday night on any major highway- and try to avoid driving north on a Sunday night. There's a huge exodus to Mexico at the end of the week, and they all come back on Sunday because of the work week.******
-It was an adventure for me at first, myself like so many other people ARE from somewhere else- I've gotten a thick skin to a lot of the culture shock from the midwest, there's a lot of fun things to do out here. If you have any other questions, I'd be happy to try and help.

[greene54]

I moved to san francisco from my small town home in upstate new york a few years back, and lived there for a couple years. This is how I did it. I saved up about 1500 dollars before I went out. I reserved a hostal (not sure of spelling) ahead of time on the internet . It's typically a low budget place where your average backpacking traveller stays. A hostal has a "dorm" feel to it. You share a room and a bathroom with others, but it's an interesting experience. You should look into it. Staying there, I got to meet a lot of people who were travellers like myself, but also had inside tips on the city. At some hostals you can get weekly rates. I stayed there for a while, got an initial job through a temp agency, walked the streets and read the classified ads at night. It was a difficult and exciting time to be alive. Do your homework, but my advice would be not to overeducate yourself too much. The actual experience of moving to california is bound to be different than whatever you can learn ahead of time. And most likely, your experience will be much different than my own, or anyone else's.