Goin to California (zero aching in my heart)

The economy sucks, I'm out of a job in 5 months, and I'm deep in debt with school loans. Everyone has always told me to go to school and get good grades, then get a real job and a car and a house and all that bullshit... I've been working internships for the last 3 years and don't see the end in sight.

No real career prospects and no reason to stick around here anymore (been in NH most of my life), but I know I'm not the only one out there stuck in this position. Long-time girlfriend in much the same boat, so we've decided to pack it up after our jobs end and head out Californee-way.

Yes to grow cannabis, and legally.

I don't plan on making a career out of it, we both plan to work at least part-time once we can find jobs out that way, but the reality is that there's money to be made in the Cali cannabis industry and I know how to make it. Any input what part of the state we should head to? Spare me the stereotypical negative comments (market is flooded, unfriendly locals, whatever), I have been doing plenty of research and the decision to move has been made, so now it's really just a matter of where.

I have been leaning towards South Lake Tahoe, and from what I've seen and heard it's an amazing place and there is plenty of reasonable housing available. Ski resort/casino town so I'm not too worried about finding some sort of other employment on the side (I'm a certified snowboard instructor at the very least), and I know the nightlife is more than adequate. I've looked into other areas with ski mountains and Mt. Shasta is appealing as well, although there seems to be only that one mountain, and I think there's probably a lot less to do than SLT.

I know we are in a fortunate position to have enough money saved to make this trek, and even more so to have the option to move to any part of Cali. Humboldt/Mendocino etc doesn't really hold too much appeal, there is nowhere to ski or ride, and places on the coast are pretty much out of the question. I don't want to move out to somewhere like Oakland just because I can grow more there than SLT or anything like that, # of plants is not all that vital. Between my girlfriend and myself we should be able to grow plenty to enjoy ourselves and still have some to get rid of. Quality of life for the next few years is still very important. Quality not quantity.

Again, commenting on how difficult it is to sell to dispensaries or some other minor hurdle like that is not going to help me here, I have the distribution end figured out already. Other than that I am interested in any and all opinions w/r/t the best place to live and work out there. And yes, it has to be CA, your medical marijuana laws are just the bees knees! As much as vaping and eating cannabis helps to control my asthma, there is only one state that will give you a med card for it (without too much hassle at least). I've got family in Summit County, Colorado now so I'd love to relocate there for a bit, but for now their restrictions are a little too tight for me.

I know some of you have already taken this all important first step, I'm very interested to know where you decided to move to and how it compares to expectations. We will be heading out to CA to drive around for a week or two in the late spring, before we actually pack everything up and bite the bullet. We plan to drive from north to south and spend a couple nights in each of the places that interest us, so please give us more ideas!

I appreciate any and all comments or opinions! Thanks everyone!

We moved here from Oakhurst, which is near SLT. My adivice is to have a job before you move. Cali's economy SUCKS! I was making $12 / hr and I am a master of my craft with 38 years experience and tons of accolades. I was making over twice that over 25 years ago. The snow, the curves and hills make driving really scary there and there is not a lot of things to do in the winter months other than ski or do stuff indoors. You might want to look at another area before taking the plunge. Best of luck to you.

Thanks for responding potpimp, sorry it took so long for me to see it.

I'm looking for jobs out that way already, it would be much easier and cheaper to have a job for when we got there. I would hate to have to move back here if we couldn't make it work in CA but the reality is that we don't have jobs here either as of a few months from now. So it's not like we are leaving a stable life here for the unknown...

Other than that though everything still seems like a go. We are from the White Mountains of NH so we actually are looking forward to the snow, even the driving. Just gotta know how to drive in it... AWD or 4WD doesn't hurt either. We may get a lot of snow some years but it's just so inconsistent. Cold freezing rain is the worst, and especially when it shrinks the snowpack. But it's probably a good thing we didn't go this winter given the lack of snow everywhere this year.

Anybody know the latest news with regards to cultivation in SLT? Or I should probably say in El Dorado County? I have done a bit of research and it seems like there aren't really any differences there than (the majority of) the rest of California. I don't need to be able to grow a hundred plants or anything, I just don't want to get out there and find out they've dropped the # of plants allowed or anything.

Any opinions or suggestions would be appreciated! Thanks everyone

I'm eyeing up sonoma county and redding myself

I have no idea what california is all about, but wouldn't there be quite the competition for growing marijuana for a dispensary?

i feel sorry you have to wait that long. but feel you on every point you are the reason i dropped out. i never wanted to end up in a situation like yours. good your getting out. file bankruptcy. if you have no credit already it wont matter. but dude have fun with the packing. pack your bags now so all you have to do is wait. moving is easyer if you give away allot of stuff.