Any California PAs here? Thinking about moving after school, have some questions.

[Iteration]

Hi!

 

Born and raised on the east coast. Currently on my 2nd rotation of clinical year. Will graduate a year from now. I'm single and in my mid 20s and I want to move somewhere completely new. I have my sights set on California mostly because of the warm weather. Pretty sick of the snow and cold winter months here.

 

Had a few questions:

 

1. What is the job market like out there? From the AAPA salary report it looks like California PAs are paid pretty well even with the absurd cost of living. I realize that if I'm completely set on moving to California that I will probably not be able to get my first choice of specialty and starting salary. I'm willing to accept that. But are jobs easy to come by? I'm really interested in the San Diego and am going to visit there in May for the first time, but would be willing to consider other places as well.

 

2. How does one go about finding a job in a new place? I only know a few people in California right now, none of whom have any connection to the medical field. I know the most important part of getting a job is having connections. Are there any tips/tricks to getting a job in a place where you don't know anyone?

 

3. Are you happy working as a PA in California? What are the pros and cons of working there (including aspects of life not related to work)?

 

4. The biggest deterrent holding me back is my 6 digit student loans. I know California isn't the best place to go to to pay back my enormous debt. But I feel like the cost of living is high there because it's such a desirable place to live and that it might be worth it to delay how quickly I pay back my loans to live in such a cool place. Am I silly to think this? What are your thoughts?

 

Thank you!

[Katera]

Hi!

 

Born and raised on the east coast. Currently on my 2nd rotation of clinical year. Will graduate a year from now. I'm single and in my mid 20s and I want to move somewhere completely new. I have my sights set on California mostly because of the warm weather. Pretty sick of the snow and cold winter months here.

 

 

4. The biggest deterrent holding me back is my 6 digit student loans. I know California isn't the best place to go to to pay back my enormous debt. But I feel like the cost of living is high there because it's such a desirable place to live and that it might be worth it to delay how quickly I pay back my loans to live in such a cool place. Am I silly to think this? What are your thoughts?

 

Thank you!

 

 

 

Pull up Zillow on your computer or smartphone.  Find the area you think you might want to live inland.  Search house prices and what kind of house you will get for the money.  Then start looking at other southern/warmer states....  The entry price for a crapshack is now well over $500k inland.  And when I say crapshack brother, that's what I mean.  $750k is a more realistic entry point for decent areas.  i.e. Not Fresno.......... Seriously, try it.  www.zillow.com

 

p.s. I grew up in SoCal and go back to visit every year.  Would love to move back, but housing is quite literally laughable.  Oh, and they call renting out there "Rentpocolypse".  Ridiculously high.

[Boatswain2PA]

$150K a year in CA.
Minus $40K in federal tax

Minus $15K in state tax

Pay $48K in mortgage for a decent house. ($750K house - $75K down = $675K @ 3.25% = $3000 P&I, + $1K tax, insurance & PMI = $4K/month).

 

You get to live on $48K a year in a supra-high COL area.

 

Or you could make $125K a year in middle America.

Minus $35K in federal taxes

Minus $5K in state tax

Pay $12K in mortgage for a decent house ($250K house - $75K down = $175K @ 3.25% = $750 P&I, + $250 tax, insurance = $1K/mo).

You get to live on $73K a year in a moderate to low COL area.

That's $25K a year MORE that you get to put towards student loans, other debt reduction, retirement, kids college, savings....and LIVING!!

For that extra $25K, you can take 2-3 nice vacations to California and actually enjoy it.

[Guest JMPA]

$150K a year in CA.

Minus $40K in federal tax

Minus $15K in state tax

Pay $48K in mortgage for a decent house. ($750K house - $75K down = $675K @ 3.25% = $3000 P&I, + $1K tax, insurance & PMI = $4K/month).

 

You get to live on $48K a year in a supra-high COL area.

 

Or you could make $125K a year in middle America.

Minus $35K in federal taxes

Minus $5K in state tax

Pay $12K in mortgage for a decent house ($250K house - $75K down = $175K @ 3.25% = $750 P&I, + $250 tax, insurance = $1K/mo).

 

You get to live on $73K a year in a moderate to low COL area.

 

That's $25K a year MORE that you get to put towards student loans, other debt reduction, retirement, kids college, savings....and LIVING!!

 

For that extra $25K, you can take 2-3 nice vacations to California and actually enjoy it.

i like how you did that

[Randito]

California is way too big of a place to generalize. I will agree that San Diego real estate is out of control. Lived there for 10 years as a broke but happy 20 something, but now with a family and having to commute, it would be hard to go back.

 

Still living in inland Southern California, making 100k with 10/10 benefits and ride my bicycle to work all year long. Bought a house last year with mortgage of 2k per month in a great, walkable neighborhood with fantastic public schools. The beach is an hour away, mountains are 30-45 minutes. A little warm for my taste in Aug-Sept, but otherwise pretty damn nice. 

 

Yes, it is still more expensive than midwest or south, but definitely doable. 

[Boatswain2PA]

Nice Randito!

 

Mind me asking about your house? Cost, down payment, size of house & land?

[Z PA-C]

I graduated PA school about 6 months ago but have lived in San Diego my whole life. Overall, San Diego is pretty saturated with NPs and PAs since it is seen as such a desirable place to live. I'm primarily working in a neighboring county (ie I commute 60 miles one way for the salary and position I think I deserve) because I wasn't willing to compromise on either of those.  There are definitely jobs out here but the good ones want oodles of experience and all the others aren't offering very impressive salaries, especially for how high cost of living is here. If I could I would definitely move somewhere with more affordable COL and less congestion but sadly my hubbie's job is tied to SD.

PM me if you have any questions.

[jwells78]

May want to visit before you jump.

 

TAXES on TAXES here.

 

The weather is great, but holy hell youre gonna pay for it unless you live rural.

 

And if you are moderate to conservative, prepare yourself for that as well. The snowflake mafia of the Bay area and Socal are in a fist-fight with DC; who knows where it will go---- likely to the ground, and we all know snowflakes have zero ground game.

 

This state has a case of terminal vaginitis that I can only describe as "Biblically Epic."

 

East Coast sounds nice though; what about North Carolina?

[Timon]

I live in So Cal and making $85 hr in EM and FM is a real possibility if you choose to work in San Bernardino or Banning. Most jobs are between the $60-$70 hr mark. A house would cost about $350k-$450k realistically or you could rent a house around $2k / month.

 

And jwells78.. your comment is uncalled for.. I'm not liberal and I'm not offended by anything you said, but I have to point out your commentary / trolling is absurd and reflects poorly on you.. Way to keep it professional..

[roger777]

Property taxes are relatively modest in most areas due to being limited by referendums in the past (Looking on Zillow at houses valued over 600K in Pasadena under 5K/ yr.  That is fairly cheap in a very desirable locale). State IC is high as a result bc. paying for things. Both are deductible on federal of course, either way.

[Iteration]

One thing I didn't mention before is that I don't plan on buying a house out there. I'm going to rent and focus on paying back student loans. I'd be willing to live with roommates and don't need a super nice apartment. Just something decent and close to work.

 

Also don't have any plans to start a family any time soon.

[Boatswain2PA]

Timon - Thanks for the correction. Please note he didn't call YOU a liberal. You gotta admit, CA politics is run by the hard left.

[Randito]

Nice Randito!

 

Mind me asking about your house? Cost, down payment, size of house & land?

 

 

3 bed, 2 bath, 1800 sf home built in 1955. Purchased last year for 420K with 20% down. I don't know the lot size off hand, but actually wish it was smaller so I'd have less to maintain. My house is really unimpressive, we bought for the neighborhood. 

 

Anywhere is doable depending on your priorities. If you are willing to work a crappy pain management job and be treated like dirt, I'm sure you could find that in the expensive costal areas (the good jobs are mostly for those with lots of experience and/or great connections). But then to live there, you would also have to deal with roommates, no parking and much less disposable income. Not that I'm trying to discourage you, it's just all about trade offs. I can tell you it was worth it for me 10-15 years ago when I was living at the beach and scraping by on $15-18/hr. 

[Boatswain2PA]

Thanks for the reply, glad your doing so well.

[Timon]

Timon - Thanks for the correction. Please note he didn't call YOU a liberal. You gotta admit, CA politics is run by the hard left.

I agree which is why I said I wasn't offended. But the use of the term snowflake and etc is just not needed and very derogatory. It's almost provoking an argument / fight.

 

And yes, it's a very liberal state, but the people here are nice and generally care for one another.

[Boatswain2PA]

....but the people here are nice and generally care for one another.

Glad to hear that.  Same can be said for virtually all of middle America.  It's a pity that the media drives us against each other so much.

[AbeTheBabe]

I live and work in LA. I'm 1 year into ortho (no call/weekends and 40-45 hours/week) making $110-115K. Right now, my wife and I live off my income and save all of her income for a down payment. We will need to spend over $750K to buy a nice house in a good area in the valley. So we're gonna save for a down payment for 3-5 years and see what happens with these crazy prices. I wouldn't be surprised if there's another crash here, prices are above what they were in 2007. But if you're renting a small apartment or better yet, sharing a 2 bedroom with a roomate, it is completely doable on a PA salary and you should be able to save a decent percentage. The state income tax is pretty high but the property taxes are on the low end but that doesn't matter if you're renting.

[south]

I'm from Arizona so any California bashing is OK with me!  It's comedy gold out there in the land of...never mind.  

 

I am a new grad and old, so I think a lot about folks with that kind of freedom and wanderlust.  That must be really something.  

 

Anyway, some of the warmer places I have lived in or have experience with that are worth throwing out there are

 

north or south carolina, especially the triangle,

the "redneck riviera" of NW florida's gulf coast (important:  in reach of the sea breeze)

or even near Mobile (avoid biloxi and NOLA like bacterial conjunctivitis).  

Ft. Worth, waco, austin or SAT texas,

or Arizona or southern new mexico especially if you like being outdoors in the sunshine.  

I'm a fan of the mid south, like nashville too. occasional cold spells.

 

Don't even look at south florida.

 

money wise, I have a separate email for the job search which is STUFFED with high paying jobs for people (even new grads) who are willing to work in out of the way places like winslow, lake havasu or tucson arizona, rural nevada and california, and other garden spots.  if i was young stupid and free and clear, i might think about something like that for a while and then later on apply to your cool city with no debt/some money and a couple years experience.  

 

food for thought

[Katera]

3 bed, 2 bath, 1800 sf home built in 1955. Purchased last year for 420K with 20% down. I don't know the lot size off hand, but actually wish it was smaller so I'd have less to maintain. My house is really unimpressive, we bought for the neighborhood. 

 

Anywhere is doable depending on your priorities. If you are willing to work a crappy pain management job and be treated like dirt, I'm sure you could find that in the expensive costal areas (the good jobs are mostly for those with lots of experience and/or great connections). But then to live there, you would also have to deal with roommates, no parking and much less disposable income. Not that I'm trying to discourage you, it's just all about trade offs. I can tell you it was worth it for me 10-15 years ago when I was living at the beach and scraping by on $15-18/hr. 

 

 

 

What city?  San Bernardino the war zone?      Or   Victom-ville.........I mean Victorville?      

 

1955....1800sqft   $450k      .....wow.    Like I said, what city?  That will tell those of us that know SoCal everything.  Because I know darn well that you can not buy anything decent for $450k in a decent inland area like San Gabriel valley (where I am from) or San Fernando valley.  Like I said....$750k to walk in the door.

[Katera]

I live and work in LA. I'm 1 year into ortho (no call/weekends and 40-45 hours/week) making $110-115K. Right now, my wife and I live off my income and save all of her income for a down payment. We will need to spend over $750K to buy a nice house in a good area in the valley. So we're gonna save for a down payment for 3-5 years and see what happens with these crazy prices. I wouldn't be surprised if there's another crash here, prices are above what they were in 2007. But if you're renting a small apartment or better yet, sharing a 2 bedroom with a roomate, it is completely doable on a PA salary and you should be able to save a decent percentage. The state income tax is pretty high but the property taxes are on the low end but that doesn't matter if you're renting.

 

 

^^^ And this is right.  $750k to walk in the door in SoCal is exactly right.  And this is in the Valley...NOT the beach.

 

 

Also, you are correct.  California is ripe for another 2007-2008 housing crash.  Prices are so inflated now, do you want to be left standing with no more musical chairs left to sit in?

[Timon]

What city?  San Bernardino the war zone?      Or   Victom-ville.........I mean Victorville?      

 

1955....1800sqft   $450k      .....wow.    Like I said, what city?  That will tell those of us that know SoCal everything.  Because I know darn well that you can not buy anything decent for $450k in a decent inland area like San Gabriel valley (where I am from) or San Fernando valley.  Like I said....$750k to walk in the door.

Check upland, Rancho Cucamonga area.. good school districts and nice paying jobs.

[cdcd67]

I've also been raised in the east coast. I'm thinking about moving to California this year. Thinking about somewhere in the suburbs, San Fran, San Diego, San Jose. It depends where I get a good job. I'm planning on doing emergency medicine. What kind of speciality are you looking into?

[camoman1234]

$150K a year in CA.

Minus $40K in federal tax

Minus $15K in state tax

Pay $48K in mortgage for a decent house. ($750K house - $75K down = $675K @ 3.25% = $3000 P&I, + $1K tax, insurance & PMI = $4K/month).

 

You get to live on $48K a year in a supra-high COL area.

 

Or you could make $125K a year in middle America.

Minus $35K in federal taxes

Minus $5K in state tax

Pay $12K in mortgage for a decent house ($250K house - $75K down = $175K @ 3.25% = $750 P&I, + $250 tax, insurance = $1K/mo).

 

You get to live on $73K a year in a moderate to low COL area.

 

That's $25K a year MORE that you get to put towards student loans, other debt reduction, retirement, kids college, savings....and LIVING!!

 

For that extra $25K, you can take 2-3 nice vacations to California and actually enjoy it.

This is so true, except the $125K in middle America, for a new grad and that is ceiling for middle  America. Also, who is the world (as a new grad) can put down 75K on a house? That is FAR from any truth and most people cannot do that until they are on their last home. My 1st job paid me $66K/year, I moved jobs after 1 year and made $94K last year 2016 which is way above average in family medicine around my area (mid-west). COL is cheap around where I live, a 250K house is a HUGE house, I live in a new 4 bedroom 3 bath 2,700 sq/ft brick home on 3 acres and it cost us 145K 3 years ago. For a 750K ($749,900) home in a major city (population of 150,000) in the mid-west you could get a 5 bedroom, 6 bathrooms, 13,576 sq/ft on 1 acre in the middle of town.  

[Iteration]

I've also been raised in the east coast. I'm thinking about moving to California this year. Thinking about somewhere in the suburbs, San Fran, San Diego, San Jose. It depends where I get a good job. I'm planning on doing emergency medicine. What kind of speciality are you looking into?

 

I'm also interested in emergency medicine. Not super confident that I'll be ready to work in an ER right out of school though. Might do urgent care for a few years and then transition. But I'm also only on my 2nd rotation and still have a lot left to experience.

[Timon]

I'm also interested in emergency medicine. Not super confident that I'll be ready to work in an ER right out of school though. Might do urgent care for a few years and then transition. But I'm also only on my 2nd rotation and still have a lot left to experience.

 

 

You should consider the EM residency at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center in San Bernardino. Working UC, you may find yourself in a situation where you have little over site or on the job training that may be detrimental as a new grad.