Are you looking for Wholesale or Retail mortgage jobs? Retail is usually fairly easy, depending on what you do - LO, Processing, UW… Orange County was a mortgage mecca a few years ago. Countrywide has tons of little retail shops in neighborhoods.
I am in the wholesale side - here are a few that I know of:
Irvine has quite a few large mortgage companies. Countrywide has a large facility in Pasadena. Washington Mutual has a mortgage center in San Diego. I don’t live in that part of the country anymore, but there is no way I would commute to LA from Oceanside…
I have a high school friend who made the move to California and he’s a successful musician…not famous, but he’s got a huge house, all the toys a guy could want, and he’s living his dream. It can be done. You just have to position yourself to be available when opportunity knocks. Good luck!
How much does a surf board/wetsuit cost (for a beginner with no money who doesn’t need top of the line stuff)? I must say that all this surfing talk has really intrigued me.
It is possible but grueling. You are looking at a minimum of 2 hours driving time each way.
I don’t think it is an issue of people taking you seriously or not. The venues don’t care where you are from. But if were a musician living in LA, I might be more interested in finding people that were located near me just for logistical purposes.
first off, don’t invest in a bunch of surf gear until you try going out a few times. The initial investment can be quite a hit on your wallet…however, the good thing is, once you have your gear, it’ll last you a long time before you have to invest more cash!
There are many board shops in O’side, but I prefer to drive to Encinitas surf shop, they have some good prices on used boards…and I know some of the guys that work there. (Encinitas is south of O’side, down the 101)
You can get a good used long board for around $450.00 USD.
wetsuits are a different matter…I would not recommend buying a used wetsuit, unless you got a killer deal on one that had been rarely used. (that might have to do more with the fact that I liken buying a used wetsuit to buying some used underwear)
If you get here in the summer all you will need is some board shorts and maybe a rash guard.
Finally, an excuse to post to this thread! You can get a used board for under $100 if you look around, and a new wetsuit from Sportmart or the like for a similar price. Costco has started selling surfboards, which are actually really, really good, and under $300 (the old school shapers must be pissed!). Cheaper if you can find a used one. My first wet suit was $5 at a garage sale. It lasted about 3 months before the arm fell off. You may want to start out by boogie boarding or body surfing to get a feel for swimming in the surf (or, being on the verge of drowning!).
(This whole thread makes me wish I’d bagged college and moved to the big city to follow my dream – at least until I ran out of money and motivation. Good luck!)
Shelbo has a good handle on prices there. But one interesting note: Oceanside is a very good place to buy surfing equipment if you have time on your side. Because Oceanside is home to a bout a zillion military people, and when they move back home to Mississippi or wherever, they really don’t need a surf board. So you can get a good deal if you wait for the right opportunity.
About 8 years ago, I imported my wife from Omaha, and we currently live in Santa Barbara. In addition, one of my best friends still lives in Omaha, and is a musician (drummer with The Cocktosens, Five Story Fall, and most recently, The Get- if you’re familiar with these bands), so I’ve had very similar conversations with him.
The big shocker for both him and my wife was the cost of housing- either renting or buying. But I say you get what you pay for; my wife absolutely loves it here- she doesn’t ever think about going back, except to visit family.
Re: Surfing/Equipment - Costco also carries spring suits for about $40, which is perfect for summer, or the San Diego area. You can get a longboard shaped up here for $450 and up (in January, I had a 9’6" board shaped for $525).
I went to Oceanside in the 70s & it had a pretty high crime rate. I hope it has improved. There is a train that goes there, maybe you can use it for a commute? It also goes to Del Mar, which is a great area. I rode the train from Del Mar to Oceanside for free once cause I didn’t get off it in time
If you’re coming out here, pay close attention to what people tell you about housing costs. Most guys who are in a band either have good day jobs or live in their parent’s basement. I am joking, but only a little.
Housing prices in SoCal are outrageous. The inland areas are cheaper but you do NOT want to live in Riverside or San Bernardino counties. Meth lab capital of the world, and hellishly hot, smoggy, crime-ridden and nasty.
Be prepared to spend a lot of money, whether you are buying or renting. I’m not trying to scare you, just want you to be fully informed about one of the quirks of living here.
