Top Reasons to Move to California

Thinking about moving to California? If you are, know that this state offers various benefits that make it a popular destination for many people. It has its pleasant climate, natural beauty, and diverse culture, but also various job opportunities. Those are the main reasons why everyone thinks that California offers a high quality of life. One that is hard to match. Moreover, diverse cuisine, entertainment, and arts scene provide endless opportunities as well. If you are moving here with kids, the good thing is that California is home to some of the world’s best colleges and universities, which makes it an ideal destination for education. Those are just some of the reasons to move to California. If you want to know more, Best Cross Country Movers prepared an article about the benefits of living in the Golden State.

List of the top reasons to move to California

As you already know, California is a popular destination for many people. This is mostly thanks to its diverse attractions, and favorable climate, but also abundant of opportunities. However, before you start searching for interstate movers in California, take a look at some of the top reasons to move here:

  • Great weather
  • Job opportunities
  • Cultural diversity
  • Natural beauty
  • Food and drink
  • Entertainment
  • Sports
  • Education
  • Progressive values
Girl walking and thinking about the reasons to move to California
There are many reasons to move to California

Weather

Still not sure whether you should relocate to California? Have you thought about its fantastic climate? The Golden State is famous for its fantastic weather. Also, it is one of the main reasons why so many people are moving from Nebraska to California, or from some other colder states. In general, the coastal areas enjoy mild temperatures year-round, while inland areas tend to be hotter and drier. The average temperature in San Francisco is around 57°F. While Los Angeles enjoys a warmer average temperature of around 66°F. Also, areas in the Central Valley, such as Sacramento, can reach average highs of up to 95°F in summer months.

Despite its generally mild climate, California also has periodic extreme weather events. These include droughts, wildfires, and other weather patterns. However, the state has developed effective systems to lower these risks. Whether you prefer the cooler coastal temperatures or the warmth of inland regions, California’s diverse weather offers something for everyone. From skiing in Lake Tahoe to surfing in San Diego, the state’s weather and outdoor activities attract millions of visitors and residents every year.

Job opportunities in California

Living in California is not cheap. Therefore, it requires well-paid employment. Luckily, California’s economy is one of the largest and most diverse in the world. It offers a wide range of job opportunities across many industries. That’s why moving from Michigan to California for example is a frequent choice. Some of the largest industries here include technology, entertainment, and tourism, but also agriculture and healthcare. Here you can find some of the biggest US companies like Apple, Google, and Facebook.  In addition to these industries, California’s economy also benefits from its natural resources. Including its fertile farming land and vast coastline, but also an abundance of renewable energy sources. These resources have attracted some of the largest companies in the world, such as Chevron, Walt Disney, and Intel.

Now, you probably already heard that California is one of the most expensive US states. And that is one of the main reasons that prevents more people from moving here. Still, don’t worry, the state’s high cost of living is compensated by high wages. The good thing to know is that the average household income in California is around $78,672, which is among the highest in the country.

Silicon Valley
Finding a good job but also a good wage is easy in California

The biggest companies in California

Here is a list of some of the biggest companies in California:

  • Apple Inc.
  • Alphabet Inc. (Google)
  • Facebook Inc.
  • Chevron Corporation
  • Intel Corporation
  • Cisco Systems Inc.
  • Oracle Corporation
  • Wells Fargo & Co.
  • The Walt Disney Company
  • Visa Inc.

Cultural diversity

If you are someone who enjoys cultural activities, definitely move to California. This place is recognized as one of the best states in the country because it has a wide mix of cultural and ethnic backgrounds. Here, nearly 39.4% of people identify as Hispanic or Latino, 16.8% identify as Asian, and over 5% identify as African American. Also, here you will find one of the largest populations of immigrants in the country with over 10 million such residents.

This cultural diversity is one of the reasons why many people are moving from Idaho to California these days. The diversity is reflected in the state’s rich arts scene. As well as its culinary traditions and festivals. Despite this diversity, California, like many other states, still faces challenges related to equity and inclusion.

Natural beauty

Exploring nature is not only good for your physical but also for your mental health. That is why moving to California can be a great decision as you will discover some of the best landscapes in the country.  Here, you will also find many other natural wonders. Yosemite National Park, for example, is one of the most famous natural spots in California. But there are also Lake Tahoe and the coastline of Big Sur that you shouldn’t miss. Luckily, that’s not all. If you like forests, go to Northern California and you will be able to enjoy many National parks. If you like spending your time sunbathing and swimming, visit the Southern parts of the state. Here you will find some of the best beaches not only in California but also in the world.

nice beach as one of the reasons to move to California
Santa Monica is one of the best beaches in CA

Best beaches in California

There are many beautiful beaches in California, but here is a list of some of the best:

  • Coronado Beach
  • Santa Monica Beach
  • Laguna Beach
  • Huntington Beach
  • Malibu Beach
  • La Jolla Cove
  • Pfeiffer Beach
  • Carmel Beach
  • Manhattan Beach
  • Newport Beach

Food scene

If you are a food lover, know that this state is also known for its vibrant food and drink scene. It offers diverse scenes of culinary experiences reflecting the rich cultural heritage. Of course, the most popular restaurants in California show a range of cuisines. You can find here many popular farm-to-table restaurants. One of the most famous restaurants in California is The French Laundry. It is a restaurant in Napa Valley known for its innovative tasting menus and also excellent wine list. Another popular spot is In-N-Out Burger. It is a fast-food chain with a cult following for its classic burgers and fries.

The best restaurants in California

If you are looking for quality food, these are the best restaurants in California:

  • The French Laundry (Yountville)
  • Benu (San Francisco)
  • Providence (Los Angeles)
  • Quince (San Francisco)
  • Spago Beverly Hills (Beverly Hills)
  • n/naka (Culver City)
  • Chez Panisse (Berkeley)
  • Saison (San Francisco)
  • Vespertine (Culver City)
  • SingleThread (Healdsburg)

Entertainment options

California is a hub of entertainment, with a rich cultural scene that offers something for everyone. You can find everything from theme parks to museums and also art galleries. The state is home to numerous attractions that attract visitors from everywhere. Of course, one of the most popular destinations for entertainment in California is Disneyland. It is a famous theme park located in Anaheim. Disneyland has rides, and shows, but also attractions based on beloved Disney characters and stories. Another popular theme park is Universal Studios Hollywood.

If you search for cultural entertainment, California also boasts a number of renowned museums like the Getty Center in Los Angeles but also the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art.

Disneyland in Anaheim
You can also visit Disneyland while you are in California

Best places to have fun in California

If you are looking for places to have fun, these are the best places in California to do so:

  • Disneyland (Anaheim)
  • Universal Studios Hollywood (Los Angeles)
  • Hollywood Walk of Fame (Los Angeles)
  • San Diego Zoo (San Diego)
  • Golden Gate Park (San Francisco)
  • Getty Center (Los Angeles)
  • Alcatraz Island (San Francisco)
  • Griffith Observatory (Los Angeles)
  • Santa Monica Pier (Los Angeles)
  • Monterey Bay Aquarium (Monterey)

Sports

Sports is also a big part of life for many Californians. And if you move here, it will become yours also. Here, you will find professional sports teams including the Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Dodgers, Golden State Warriors, San Francisco 49ers, as well as San Francisco Giants. These teams also play in some of the most famous sports arenas in the world – places like Staples Center and Oracle Park.

In addition to professional sports, California also offers a wide range of amateur and recreational sports opportunities, including surfing, skiing, and hiking. California’s sunny climate, but also beautiful outdoor scenery, make it an ideal place for outdoor sports. Californians are also passionate about college sports, boasting highly competitive sports programs.

The most popular sports teams in California

Here are some of the most popular sports teams in California:

  • Los Angeles Lakers
  • Los Angeles Dodgers
  • San Francisco Giants
  • Golden State Warriors
  • Los Angeles Rams
  • San Francisco 49ers
  • Anaheim Ducks
  • Los Angeles Kings
  • LA Galaxy
  • San Jose Earthquakes

Education

Luckily for you and your kids, California is home to some of the best educational institutions in the world. This, of course, is one of the main reasons why students from around the world move to California. The state offers a wide range of education options. Some of the best universities in California are the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Stanford University, the University of California, Berkeley, and the California Institute of Technology (Caltech).

graduates throwing hats
You can get the best education in California

In addition to universities, California also has over 10,000 public schools. The average high school graduation rate in California is 84%. Also, the average college graduation rate is around 30%.

Best public schools in California

Here is a simple list of some of the best schools in California:

  • Lowell High School (San Francisco)
  • Pacific Collegiate School (Santa Cruz)
  • Monta Vista High School (Cupertino)
  • Mission San Jose High School (Fremont)
  • Troy High School (Fullerton)
  • Oxford Academy (Cypress)
  • Torrey Pines High School (San Diego)
  • University High School (Irvine)
  • Whitney High School (Cerritos)
  • Palo Alto High School (Palo Alto)

Progressive values

Of course, progressive values are one of the things that helped shape the state’s culture. California has a long history of social justice, which is also one of the reasons people move to California. Moreover, it has been a leading state in protecting the environment.

California has also been a leader in promoting environmental sustainability. The state has set targets for reducing carbon emissions but also moving to renewable energy. And has enforced policies to encourage sustainable transport, such as bike lanes and public transit. Also, the biggest culture shock of moving to California for many people moving here is the fact that this state has been a leader in advancing LGBTQ rights.

electric car
California cares about the environment

The best places to live in California

If you want to experience all the things we mentioned, you need to choose the right place. However, that can be a difficult task. To help you out, here are some of the best cities to live in California:

  • San Francisco
  • Los Angeles
  • San Diego
  • Sacramento
  • Santa Barbara
  • Napa Valley
  • Lake Tahoe
  • Monterey

Prepare for the move and find good movers

Those are the top reasons to move to California. As you can see, the reasons to move to relocate to this magnificent state are numerous. Still, in order to ensure ultimate satisfaction, you need to organize your move right. And the only way to do it is to find a good guide for moving to California but also reliable movers. And that is something that we can help you with.

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