Fema Employment

What is the minimum amount of money I need saved up to start a new life in another state?

I am 19 and currently reside in Iowa. The most boring place and worst place to live when you are young and ambitious. I want to move somewhere new, preferably California. I do not have a college diplomma yet but i wouldn't mind working any kind of job to pay off living expenses. How much money should I save up here before driving/taking a bus to cali? Are there government places u can go that help u settle? Which state would be best for such an endevour? i really dont need an apartment in the beginning i was looking at renting out just a room and sharing apartment with someone....craiglist is showing them going for around 500 in sf area at least till i get on my feet and get a job

Public Comments

1. cali is over a 1000 a month in rent. plus deposits. save as much as possible and give it a whirl. az is cheaper. small apts in good areas run 700.
2. Look at 3 months rents. Many places will want the first month's rent, the last month's rent so you can't ditch out without paying, and a security deposit of one month's rent which would cover any damage while you lived there. You'll also need money for food until you can find a check and then the 3 weeks it sometimes takes to get your first paycheck. You'll also need money to get to different places to get that first job, and money to get to work until you get your first check. Plus you'll need money to get from Iowa to California. So you're saying rent is $500. $500x3 is $1500. Say a month of food that's another $100 and a month on the bus or subway will be another $100. You'll need another couple hundred dollars just to take the bus and eat those few days. I'd say you should think about a minimum of $2,000 and then some extra on top of that for an emergency.
3. No places for government help that I know of and I would have used it for the 20 times I have moved. If you move to California, you will need a car. If you are open to checking out different places, there are many big cities where it is easier to not have a car as it is very expensive to park it. You should save enough money to take 2-3 week vacation and visit different areas of the country and then make a decision as to where you would like to make a move. I think you will need at least $5000 to $6000 at the very least to move to most places, and don't plan on moving to New York City with that, you will need lots more. Basically you should have money to for 2 months rent and rental deposits, moving truck rental for your stuff (if you have furniture etc), and money for living expenses until your first paycheck (which can take up to 3-4 weeks) and then extra for food and other unplanned expenses, since they ALWAYS come up. And in some places you will be required to make deposits on utilities. You need to find a place that you want to go, visit first and then make the move. I have moved all over the US and it is costly, and finding a job is not always easy, even in a big city. But if you save it can be done. The worst thing is to get someplace and not having enough to stay. Good Luck!