Your 2024 California Dreams Guide

This article will give you a low down on the different areas California has to offer including pros and cons for moving to those areas.

Your 2024 California Dreams Guide

Did you watch a little too much of “The OC” growing up? Maybe it's the Hollywood glam that draws you in or maybe it's the vineyard and mountain region. No matter what you love, California has it all! 

Hotel California had something right when they said, you can check out, but you can never leave. We feel the same about this sunny state that truly does have everything under the sun.

Get ready for many more California cliches as we wrap up the best places to move to in California as of 2024.


Dream Cali Locations You Should Try Before You Die

They say you should live a life of no regrets. I couldn’t agree more! If your heart is saying, I want to be surrounded by mountains and no neighbors, hell you do you! On the other hand, if you dream to be a famous

Hollywood actors never left your mind since grade 5, maybe now is the time to move to Los Angeles and make sure you don’t suck at acting. 

1. Los Angeles

LA is probably the most-known city on the planet! Whether it be for star spotting or for the many theme packs, Los Angeles is a popular and expensive metropolis with so much to offer! You can spend the day like a tourist at Muscle Beach, or stroll the boardwalk of Santa Monica.

At some point, if you are really planning to move to LA, you are more likely to move to the outskirts of the city. 

Los Angeles is extremely diverse with extremely expensive parts and more run-down “dangerous" areas, so it’s important to understand the neighborhood you are looking into.

That being said, there are tons of incredible jobs that pay salaries that allow you to live a classic LA lifestyle. You will be able to enjoy your nights finding local spots for nightlife and pre-drink dinners.

Don’t forget to know “who's who” in the celebrity world as you are likely to have some sightings around the city. Beyond that, raising a family in Los Angeles is a great way to ensure your kids are worldly and learn many languages.

2. San Diego

If you like that Southern style, mixed with laid-back vibes, and warm weather, San Diego is the place for you! With its proximity to the Mexican border, you can easily plan weekend trips to Cabo or the Baja with all your friends.

What's great about moving to San Diego is the lifestyle. You have a brilliant downtown scene with great restaurants but also have an affordable (compared to LA) cost of living.

It’s still expensive, but San Diego gives you great quality for your dollar. With over 70 miles of pristine beaches, the nature surrounding the city limits is just incredible and a short drive away.

San Diego was ranked the world's 15th happiest city, and it’s clear to see why. If you are considering a relocation to San Diego, know that many job opportunities await you as well as a new happier Cali lifestyle.

3. Santa Barbara

One of my favorite spots in California has to be Santa Barbara. With stunning beaches, and mountain ranges in your view, it's hard not to fall in love with this place. Due to its aesthetics and convenient location, many celebrities would agree that this is by far the best spot to build your home.

With the average home price standing at $2.3 million, expect prices to air on the expensive side. If you are looking for a rental, this actually might not be the spot for you as demand is extremely high and there are not many places for rent.

If you can swing the prices, expect an excellent education for your children, and a high quality of life. 

4. Danville

Known as one of the safest places to live in California, while less known, Danville is a great option for your future relocation. Located between Oakland and San Francisco, it is also the 2nd wealthiest place in the US. Danville has the modern conveniences of a big city but has a small-town feel.

Do know that this comes with a hefty price tag, so expect housing prices to be expensive. The average resident has a yearly income of $450,000 in the Bay area, so come prepared!

5. Silicon Valley

Silicon Valley is one of the more expensive areas one can move to in California but also offers some of the most desired jobs in the country. With 60F temperatures year round, things are great in the valley.

Salaries for companies here are some of the highest in the entire US. Apple, Meta, and Cisco were on to something when relocating their offices here. When you move to Silicon Valley, you’ll be surrounded by world-class talent.


Why California?

  • The weather- having a place where you can always leave the house without a jacket is pretty much the dream!
  • The diversity- you will hear 5 different languages as you walk down the street. Your kids will grow up globalized. 
  • The food- this brings us back to diversity, which brings in cuisines from all across the world. If you want authentic Mexican or sushi as good as in Japan, it can all be found in California.
  • Gorgeous people- maybe it's the sun, maybe it's the Botox- we’ll never know!
  • The influx of young adults and families- brings about many interesting job opportunities.
  • Proximity to it all You can ski in the mountains, enjoy a glass of wine in the vineyard, and still make it to the beach for your sunset surf. 
  • Hollywood’s finest- If you or your kids have dreams of being in the entertainment industry, California is the best place in the world to make this dream come true.
  • LA International Airport- The proximity to this airport makes your travel dreams a reality. LAX acts as a hub for some of the world’s biggest airlines meaning flights to exotic locations become affordable

Moving Tips for California

  • Plan your move ahead of time including taking personal inventory.
  • Understand the neighborhood you are moving to as each area is completely different.
  • Book your movers with a binding quote to avoid any unwanted surprises.
  • Understand the differences in costs of living between areas so you can properly plan ahead.
  • Plan ahead with proper supplies to make the packing process go smoothly.
  • Don’t trust sketchy California movers, only use a vetted and verified mover.
  • Sign up for schools and children’s activities in your new town on time.
  • Ensure to move over all your utilities
  • Take a deep breath, the move will end soon and your new home will be great!

Closing Notes

Moving to California is a great idea for you and your family, now it’s time to understand the many great options you have from north to south! We recommend looking into each area for both amenities but also understanding the cost of living that comes with each town. We hope you enjoyed our short guide to California living!


Frequently Asked Questions

California is a great place for this! Beyond the hundreds of incredible children’s activities, your children will receive a great public education. As well they will be eligible for in-state tuition for California UC schools which is a huge savings.

San Diego or Malibu are great options with warmer waters than northern California beaches.

Working locally, you can expect to earn a salary relevant to your raised costs of living. Of course, salaries vary from company to company, but on average, California living costs are offset by two working individuals per household. 

iMoving has a vetted and verified list of moving Arizona and California movers that work cross-state. Just head to our website, input your moving details and desires, and you will receive multiple binding quotes from our trusted and tried California movers.

Many feel culture shock when moving from outside of the city. We recommend spending some time with your family in the main areas of LA to get a feel for the many varied areas. Ensure to move to the neighborhood that feels right for you. 

While there are a few great spots, each year Newport Beach takes the top of the list. Newport offers many activities for active seniors and has accessible walking areas. Newport offers senior citizen centers for a high level of living out your golden years.


Rachel Kaplan

Rachel has spent the last few years writing for moving companies while actually moving across the globe. After many years of moving between many states in the US, she moved abroad to try the remote work life. She’s a pro at moving all her things with her dog and hundreds of plants. Thankfully she’s a minimalist so moves aren’t too much of an issue.

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