Cost of living

[NDubs55]

hey there everyone. I am writing because I am thinking of moving to either the San Diego area, Los Angeles area, or San Jose area. I am still researching everything I need to know, but I was looking through the local police department websites and I was wondering about how the cost of living was around these areas. I am from Minnesota and to be making nearly 65K a year is unheard of right out to the police department. A little about me: I graduated with a Bachelor Degree in Criminal Justice, I have completed our POST requirements and passed the POST test on Aug. 19th, and have an extensive history with training in hand to hand combat (defensive tactics), along with many others. I was emailing some of the departments around the areas I have mentioned and they all said that they would want me to come and test. To me this is very odd because here in MN we have about 10 job openings throughout the state and I was just certified to be hired with about 300 people. But, if someone here could take a little time and let me know about the cost of living, I would really appreciate it. Thank guys and gals!

NDubs

[pkagel]

The COL is super high but if you want to live near the beach then you'll have to suck it up. Here is a link to my group that has all my academy notes on it.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CABasicPolice/

[L-1]

There are a number of cost of living calculators on the internet that will help you. Try:

http://cgi.money.cnn.com/tools/costofliving/costofliving.html or

http://www.bankrate.com/brm/movecalc.asp

For California job listings try:

http://www.post.ca.gov/jobops/jobopslist.asp or

http://www.porac.org/employment.html or

http://***********************/content.cfm?ESID=find&SearchBy=location&SearchWhereClause=AND+StateID=5#joblist or

http://jobs.spb.ca.gov/openx2rd.cfm?mac=11

[cstelz]

San Diego and San Jose are astronomically expensive. Depends were you live, in Los Angeles area. Look in the Northern California area, as well. There are a lot of local PD's offering great incentives. And as already suggested, try www.porac.org for job listings.

[pkagel]

You could also try the I.E. and go with deptd like SBSD or RSD which pay pretty good and have much lower costs of living. Just make sure you get out here and rent for a while before you buy because you'll loose your shirt on realtor fees when you leave if it isn't all you thought it would be.

[sgttom]

No. Cal:

Santa Clara and San Jose PD pay very well. Santa Clara is (at least last year) within the top five in the state as far as their pay rate ( I think they were #1) HOWEVER, it is expensive in that region as well.

How large of an agency would you like to get into? How far do you want to commute to work? I can point you at a few agencies...

btw, SFPD is taking apps now - until Nov 30. 88K top step. Not too shabby for a big city PD (but the politics.. gotta get used to all that here and I'm telling you, you ain't seen nothing yet insofar as politics goes in this city)...

[willowdared]

The median house price here just topped the 1/2 million mark.

Housing statistics

San Diego

[NDubs55]

for those of you who have gone through the process of getting hired, how many steps are there? I am trying to figure out how many times I would have to fly out there to test and get everything over with. Also, I have noticed in some of the other states that there is a polygraph test, is there a polygraph step throughout the state or certain departments if at all? We don't have anything like that in Minnesota so I am just curious. Thanks again for the replies.

[willowdared]

I know that San Diego Sheriff and San Diego PD have polygraph - can't advise on the other agencies in the area.

You'll also have to submit a background package, and have at least 2 backgound interviews

[Ryans67]

Every dept. is different, but man I couldnt imagine flying out every time with the process im going through now (Im guessing atleast 8 times). Thats Oakland, but im sure most are basically the same. LAPD has expediated testing, although im not familiar with it. -Ryan

[bkema]

there are some great agencies around where I live (30 miles north of Sacramento) that pay very well and the cost of living is low up here....

[cimcop1]

My suggestion: If you own a home rent it out, and lease one out here for a year just to see if you like it, or can afford it. Saves a lotta misery.

[NDubs55]

hey bkema, check out your pm's

[bkema]

Rocklin is a very, very nice PD to work for, so is Roseville which is right next door to them.

Checked my pm's and responded to you NDubs55

[NDubs55]

thanks for responding. I checked out those departments you suggested and emailed the recruitors. Thanks for the help.