Museums in San Diego

A selection of the wonderful museum offerings in San Diego... enjoy!


San Diego Natural History Museum

Address:
1788 El Prado,
San Diego,
CA 92101
Phone:
619.232.3821

Museum Hours:
Daily 10 AM – 5 PM
The Museum is closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.

Admission Prices:
General Admission (Giant-screen theater included with admission)
Adult $13
Senior (62+) $11
Active military, youth (13–17), student (with ID) $8
Child (3–12) $7
Child 2 and under FREE


Museum of Contemporary Art, San Diego

Address:
700 Prospect Street
La Jolla,
CA 92037-4291
Phone:
858 454 3541 (24-hour recorded information)

Hours:
11 AM - 5 PM Friday through Tuesday
11 AM - 7 PM Thursdays
Closed Wednesday

Admission:
General Admission $10
Military/Seniors $5
25 and under Free
25 and under free is generously supported by QUALCOMM.
MCASD Members Free
Admission is valid for 7 days at all MCASD locations.
Free Museum admission Thursday evenings from 5 to 7 PM


Maritime Museum of San Diego

Street Address:
Maritime Museum of San Diego
1492 North Harbor Drive
San Diego, CA 92101
Phone :
619-234-9153

Hours of Operation:
Open every day of the year
9:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
(open until 9:00 p.m. Memorial Day - Labor Day)

General Admission*:
Adults $14
Seniors (62 and over) $11
Active Military (with valid military ID) $11
Children (6-17) $8
Children 5 and under are free
Museum members are always free


San Diego Art & Space Museum, Balboa Park

Address:
San Diego Air & Space Museum
2001 Pan American Plaza
Balboa Park, San Diego, CA 92101
Phone:
(619) 234-8291

Regular Hours of Operation:
* The Museum will be open normal hours this year on New Years Day.
* Normal Hours**
* 10:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
* With admission until 4:00 p.m.
* Summer Hours
* (Memorial Day through Labor Day):
* 10:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
* With admission until 5:00 p.m.
* Closed:Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day

Regular Museum Admission Fees:
* Adults (12 and over): $15
* Senior/Student/Retired Military w/ ID: $12
* Youth: (3-11 years)* $6
* Flight Adventure Center: $5 for 20mins
* Doron Simulator: $4 per person
* Max Flight Simulator: $6 person $12 solo
* Combo Ride - One ride on each simulator: $8 per person
* SDASM Members: FREE
* Children 3 and Under: FREE
* Active Duty Military: FREE
* Restoration Tours - Adult:** $5
* Restoration Tours - Senior/Student:** $4
* Restoration Tours - Junior:** $3


San Diego Museum of Art, Balboa Park

LOCATION
San Diego Museum of Art
1450 El Prado
Balboa Park
San Diego, California
PHONE
(619) 232-7931

MUSEUM HOURS
Tuesday through Sunday
10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Thursdays
10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Memorial Day through Labor Day
(Extended through September 25, 2008!)
Museum Admission Prices

ADMISSION
Members Free
Adults $10
Seniors (65+) and Military $8
Students with ID $7
Youths (6-17) $4
Children 5 and under Free


The museum of photographic arts, Balboa Park

Address:
1649 El Prado, Balboa Park
San Diego, CA 92101
Phone:
619-238-7559 (Phone)

Directions:
MoPA is located in the Casa De Balboa building, east of the main traffic circle and central fountain.

Hours:
Galleries
Open: Tuesday through Sunday 10:00am – 5:00pm
*Closed Mondays
(*Hours vary during Special Events)
Closed: Every Monday, Thanksgiving Day, December 25th, January 1st, and July 4th. Galleries close at 2pm on December 24th and December 31st.
Administrative offices
Closed on Thanksgiving, Friday after Thanksgiving, December 25th (with intermittent days closed the week of Christmas through New Year's), January 1st, Martin Luther King Day, Presidents’ Day, Memorial Day, July 4th, and Labor Day.

Admission Prices:
Gallery Admissions:
$6 adults
$4 students, seniors and military
FREE to members and children under 12. Become a member.
FREE to public on the second Tuesday of the month
FREE to school groups with advanced reservation
Film Admissions vary. See the film pages for admission information.


Museum of San Diego history

Address:
1649 El Prado, Suite #3
San Diego, CA 92101
Phone:
(619) 232- 6203

Opening hours:
Daily, 10am – 5pm. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day.

Admission Prices:
$5 Adults,
$4 Seniors (65+), Students and Military (I.D. required),
$2 children ages 6-17,
Free children under 6.
San Diego Historical Society members receive unlimited free admission.


San Diego Automotive Museum, Balboa Park

Address:
San Diego Automotive Museum
2080 Pan American Plaza
San Diego, CA 92101-1636
Phone:
619-231-2886


San Diego Museum of Man

Address:
San Diego Museum of Man
1350 El Prado
Balboa Park
San Diego, California 92101-1616
Phone:
(619) 239-2001

Opening hours:
Open daily:
10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Closed:
Thanksgiving
Christmas
New Year's Day

Admission Fees:
Adults – $10.00
Youth (ages 13-17 years) – $7.50
Children (ages 3-12 years) – $5.00
Seniors (62+) – $7.50
Students (with ID) – $7.50
Active Military (with ID) – $7.50
Children under 3 – FREE
Members – FREE

California Surf Museum

Address:
California Surf Museum
223 N. Coast Highway Oceanside, CA 92054
Phone:
(760) 721-6876

Hours:
Open Daily 10am to 4pm Except Major Holidays.

Admission:
Free, Donations Welcome!

More museums inside Balboa Park listed here.

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Los Angeles earthquake

So it was reported about 13 hours ago that a strong earthquake hit Los Angeles sending shocks throughout California (including San Diego) and even to Las Vegas. It had a magnitude of 5.4 on the richter scale. Thankfully noone was injured or killed. Earthquakes are such incredibly destructive things. I hope that's the end we hear of that!

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Potential expat Aussies with the greenback blues

An interesting report by the Sydney Morning Herald



Interesting article. I love the chart comparing prices!

July 29, 2008

FOR decades it has lured some of Australia's best and brightest to foreign shores - drawing them with the promise of spending power that made their local currency look weak.

But the US greenback is being challenged by the Australian dollar, and it is making expatriates think twice about where to pitch their tents and what they can afford to put in them.

Recruitment agencies, expatriate organisations and industry groups say working in the US may not carry the attraction it used to for Australians.

Some are choosing instead to go to Europe, others are seeking different salary packages, while a few are even asking to be paid in Australian dollars.

"Roughly a third of Australians who emigrate do so primarily to increase their income, so the value of the US dollar is definitely a consideration," said Daniel Tehan, director of trade and international affairs at the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

"There are a whole range of factors which influence the decision about where to work, but if you can make twice as much because of the exchange rate in Europe, you would have to take that into account."

Australian Bureau of Statistics figures show that although the US remains one of the most popular destinations for Australians wanting to live overseas, the number of new arrivals is declining. About 340 fewer Australians travelled to the US to live in the past year than did so in the 12 months before.

The number moving to Britain rose by 780 over the same period, while those bound for China rose by 264. Those who do go to the US are asking for higher salaries to compensate for the poor exchange rate or leaning more towards packages with housing and holidays.

"You do hear about people asking for the car, the rent, the childcare rather than a straight salary," said Tim Oberg, Europe manager for the Australian expatriate organisation Advance.

"We joke that America is the new Thailand: a great place for a cheap holiday."

Expats in the US whose pay cheques come from home are revelling in the spending power. It is cheaper for an Australian to live in San Francisco than here.

A comparison of the two cities shows both have had soaring rents and house prices in recent years, with San Francisco's median house price of $500,000 not far behind Sydney's $550,000. Median household incomes are even closer, with Sydney ($63,000) slightly behind those in the US ($65,000).

But the price of petrol, luxury items, clothing and alcohol in the US has turned San Francisco into a bargain basement for Australians.

Judith Scrimshaw, who moved to San Francisco from Perth in February and is paid in Australian dollars, said many items were much cheaper: "You can buy a Revlon lipstick for $5 which would cost you $18 in Australia."

On the other side of the coin, another expat, Tim O'Connor, is paid in US dollars and would think twice about doing the same again: "A lot of Australians want to come to the US, make some good money and go home; it wouldn't make sense to do that with the current exchange rate."

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Going Global - Jobs that take you around the world

A few weeks ago I borrowed this book from the library. It wasn't something I was looking for, but something I stumbled upon by accident.

You can actually read large extracts of it here on the Google books site.

I'm not sure if there are any Aussies reading my blog but I say if you are young, and single, or even if you are just young(ish) with no kids - do it! I would say that 99% of people would not regret having moved/lived overseas for some time of their life.

This book is really helpful. It covers legalities, technicalities and features lots of interviews with people working in different fields in different countries.

I'll quote some interesting comments:

(page 38):

London has been undoubtedly the best thing I've ever done. I think immersing yourself in another culture - even one that your own culture is based upon - is a massively rewarding and eye-opening experience. Living away from the comforts of home forces you to learn and grown as a person. For me, it kind of puts the world (and where I belong) into perspective. I've always loved Australia and seeing through the eyes of another culture has, in a way, made me love it even more. What I never expected to happen is that I've grown to love England too, and I know I'll take that feeling home with me when I go.

(page 51):

It was very hard to adjust to the difference in lifestyle. Although the people in the UK are a lot like Australians (similar sense of humour, friendly), I found it hard to get used to the different climate. I know it sounds a bit silly, but a few friends who came to live and work in the UK chose to go home early, because they missed the beaches and outdoor lifestyle!
Having said that, I like living over here and the UK feels like home now - it is actually hard for me to remember what it was like to live and work in Australia!

(page 57):

What is the process of going overseas on a company transfer?
First of all, you need to secure a job, and this generally involves an internal interview and selection process. The company then arranges work permits, visas, and so on. Depending on the country it can take two to three months to have everything in order.
Once you arrive, it probably takes around three months to settle in and find your way around.

(page 60):

Are the Sydney and San Francisco offices similar to work in?
You'd think that, moving to another English-speaking country, you wouldn't encounter an language problems but some terms and phrases are not interchangeable! I often need to ask people exactly what they mean, to clarify things and thus avoid misunderstandings.

(page 76):

Any tips for people hoping to work in the USA?
The all-important thing is finding a way to work here. Once you've got the visa, definitely come. Australians are very well received. We always attract a crowd at parties, and a lot of business comes from referrals.
The day-to-day mechanics of life can be difficult at first. There are all these little things you have to stop and think about. But I love being a little bit different to everyone else!

(page 89):

There is an interview with Shawn Grogan - a senior research associate at the Scripps Research Institute but they spelt La Jolla La Jollas! Oh dear.
Is the life-work balance adequate?
Moving to California, starting a new job, purchasing a home with my wife and adapting to a new lifestyle - I would say that the balance has been all over the place. Now that I have been here one year, I would rate it as fair and I hope to spend more time with my wife - that would make it excellent.
I have flexible hours. There is no specific time when I should be in the lab, except for preplanned meetings. In most cases, I can take off time when needed. I do not have to see patients or stick to a fixed schedule. I can put my work in the freezer and come back to it later.
What do you do in your spare time?
Spend time with my wife. Home renovations. Go to the gym, swim and try to roller-blade. Hope to swim and go boogie boarding in the summer.

(page 103):

How did you go about the search for journalism work in Amsterdam?
When I arrived in the Netherlands, I had to start work urgently and was offered a job by my Dutch brother-in-law as an assistant air-conditioning installation mechanic. The funny thing is, I knew nothing about the trade, couldn't speak Dutch and was sent to work with a mechanic who couldn't speak English... The message is that the right job can be hard to come by overseas, so you have to be patient, play your cards right and build up contacts. Don't head overseas thinking it will be easy street because it's not. It's hard work, but rewarding work...
Contacts are a journalist's lifeblood. the media is a small world, where you are accepted on recommendations. I hire freelancers primarily via recommendations from other journalists I know. It is important to build good contacts and make sure you respect those contacts. Never burn bridges, as they say. I found my present job through and old colleague who put me in touch with financial news service Bridge (which later went bankrupt). Am Amsterdam Bridge employee eventually introduced me to Expatica.

(page 110):

What is it like living and working in other cultures?
...One benefit of being a foreigner in this situation is the 'expat' community - the support and understanding you receive from other foreigners might surprise you. Sometimes the sense of isolation is still a bit overwhelming. But in the case of Sweden, people seem delighted to introduce you to local customs, from kayaking to pagan festivals.

There is also lots of information on applying for jobs in general. I highly recommend it. It's a great read!

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Comic-Con San Diego 2008

One of the most exciting events to hit San Diego... is the Comic Convention 2008, held at the:
San Diego Convention Center
111 W. Harbor Drive
San Diego, CA 92101

Australian star Hugh Jackman made an appearance, as reported in the New York Times. It proved to be a highly successful and star studded event. Here is another report from the UK Times.

I wish I could be there! Make sure you go if you are in San Diego :)

Some nice pictures from my favorite photo site, Flickr:

Lego Batman and Robin - Michael_Soliman



Jabba the Hutt (Star Wars) - Michael_Soliman



Stargate - Jewel Staite, Robert Picardo and Richard Dean Anderson



People in costumes from Batman (The Huntress, The Joker, Poison Ivy, Plastic Man, and The Question) - Michael_Soliman



Some guy in a Shrek costume - Lantern Waste

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America's Increasingly unaffordable cities

America's Increasingly unaffordable cities

America's Most Expensive Cities

1. New York, N.Y.
2. Los Angeles, California
3. Miami, Florida
4. Honolulu, Hawaii
5. San Francisco, California
6. Chicago, Illinois
7. White Plains, N.Y.
8. Houston, Texas
9. Boston, Massachusetts
10. Washington, D.C.

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The cost of living

Reuters writes that Moscow's living costs are now 1.5x as expensive as New York City's. It then goes on to say...

Mercer said currency trends accounted for many of this year's shifts in city rankings, with the rouble, euro, and several other currencies all gaining against the U.S. dollar and making U.S. cities in general seem comparatively cheaper.

"On the bright side, the U.S. dollar's loss of value may serve to attract globally mobile executives to business centres such as New York, Chicago and Los Angeles," said Mitch Barnes, another principal at Mercer.

"The difference in cost of living can be significant, particularly for those executives with families," he said.

Time and time again I've read that San Diego is an 'expensive' city but coming from Sydney, I barely bat an eyelid. Also with the US Dollar going down, there has never been a better time to move there!

Mercer's 2008 report puts New York City at position #22 on the cost of living chart. It is beaten by (in order) Moscow, Tokyo, London, Oslo, Seoul, Hong Kong, Copenhagen, Geneva, Zurich, Milan, Osaka, Paris, Singapore, Tel Aviv, Sydney, Dublin, Rome, St Petersburg, Vienna, Beijing and Helsinki.

So given NYC is the most expensive place to live in the US, the fact that San Diego is still considered 'expensive' doesn't worry me in the slightest. Getting a decent-paying job is the main aim, and then the cost of living shouldn't matter as much... right? Afterall, it's all relative!

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Huge gorgeous photos

Here are some photos of gorgeous Balboa Park, La Jolla, University of Southern California (USC) and various other places.

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Perfect weather...

Can't remember if I've mentioned it on this blog before but good, nice, sunny weather is really important to me. Humidity is also important. I tend to get nasty, itchy, red, blistery eczema the moment it becomes too humid or too dry. I could move to Queensland (Australia) which also has great weather and lots of sunshine but for me the population density is too low, and it's too humid there. I despise rain (yes I know we need it!) and cloudy days. I don't mind a few clouds but not totally overcast days. I find it really affects my mood and makes me grumpy.

For year-round great weather it doesn't really get much better than Hawaii IMHO but San Diego comes pretty close. It's colder overall than Honolulu but still great with few rainy days and not too humid and lots of sunshine (I'm just going by what I've read of course).

Some say it's the city (in the US) which has the best weather. Not only that, Mexico is a hop, skip and jump away and the snow and mountains and desert are not far away either. WHO WOULDN'T WANT TO LIVE THERE?

According to City Rating San Diego is one of the top 10 cities voted by readers (the others being Atlanta, New York city, Houston, Austin, Seattle, Denver, Charlotte and Boston - not in any particular order).

They also have extensive data on the weather in San Diego.

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Change of dates

OK so I wrote on April 18 of this year that I was going to move to San Diego in August, and now it's nearly August. Well lot of things have happened since April and unfortunately I can't go until early-mid next year. But I'm still going! I can't do all this research for nothing, right? I'm definitely going, even if it's the last thing I do ;)

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Books: Who's your city?

Some books that I feel are relevant to me. They may be relevant to you too!

Who's Your City?: How the Creative Economy Is Making Where to Live the Most Important Decision of Your Life



Extracts:

But a disturbing new study has found a solution to the housing slump: Live next to gay people. The study's author measured changes in income and property values using something called the Bohemian-Gay Index.
"Now while that may sound like another name for the San Francisco phone book, folks, it is BAAAD NEWS! This study found that the artistic, bohemian, and gay populations increase housing values in the neighborhoods and communities they inhabit. According to that, I guess people these days want a house with a view of some goateed beatnik playing his bongos while he smokes a clove cigarette and chisels a sculpture of k. d. lang.
"The theory is that tolerant communities, where homosexuals are likely to reside, nurture an open-minded culture of creativity, which can lead to innovations like Google, or YouTube, or ShirtlessHunksBaggingGroceries.com.

Wow, this is interesting because I was only just talking to a friend the other day about Newtown, which is the bohemian/artsy/gay neighborhood in Sydney and where property prices have skyrocketed over the last 5-10 years.

Others, meanwhile, will argue that while jobs, money and schooling are surely important, the most critical decision in life is picking the right life partner-- someone who will support you in all your endeavors and love you unconditionally along the way. Those who study human psychology agree: Loving relationships, their studies find, are key to a happy life. My mother knew this intuitively. She turned down many college-educated suitors to marry my dad, a factory worker and World War II veteran with an eight-grade education. "Richard," she would say, "it was the best decision of my life by far. Sure, some of those other guys made more money. But love is what is really important. I was madly in love with your father every day of my entire life."

Queue the "Awww..." But seriously, I do think there is definitely some truth to that.

Maybe this seems so obvious that people overlook it. Finding the right place is as important as -- if not more important than -- finding the right job or partner because it not only influences those choices but also determines how easy or hard it will be to correct mistakes made along the way. Still, few of us actually look at a place that way. Perhaps it's because so few of us have the understanding or mental framework necessary to make informed choices about our location.
The place we choose to live affects every aspect of our being. It can determine the income we earn, the people we meet, the friends we make, the partners we choose, and the options available to our children and families.

Place also affects how happy we are in other, less palpable ways. It can be an island of stability in a sea of uncertainty and risk. Jobs end. Relationships break up. Choosing the right place can be a hedge against life's downsides... It's exponentially easier to get back on your feet when your location has a vibrant economy with lots of jobs to choose from, or a lot of eligible single people in your age range to date.

I think this is really interesting and probably something most people never think about. I mean, most people just live where their parents decided to bring them up and never venture outside their own home town. I was once destined for that life but now I could never go back to the humdrum of the same-ol same-ol. Plus, with nothing to tie me down - no kids, no mortgage, the world is my oyster! :) But getting deep here, I really do think that once you move and live overseas (as I did recently) you really do grow a lot spiritually and for me that was really important. You don't know what kind of person you really are, or want to be, or can be unless you are out of your element and left to deal with things that are strange and unfamiliar...

Here's another book by the same author:

The Rise of the Creative Class: And How It's Transforming Work, Leisure, Community and Everyday

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Best Cities for Tech Jobs

From Business Week...

30 Best Cities for Tech Jobs

By Albert Sun

Tech geeks, take note: Silicon Valley is still the center of the technology universe, but if you're thinking about a career in computing and want to avoid the Bay Area's sky-high cost of living, consider another locale—say, Durham, N.C., or even Huntsville, Ala.

Flip through this slide show for a glimpse of the 30 cities boasting the most high-tech jobs per capita. The American Electronics Assn., a trade group, compiled statistics on 60 cities using Labor Dept. data from 2006, the most recent period for which it's available. The slides rank cities by tech job density and include data on total jobs, growth in that total from 2005, average annual IT salary, ranking by salary, and biggest sector in each city.

Slides also include tech or health-care employers in the region, based on information from City-Data.com and other sources.

Summary:

1. San Jose/Silicon Valley
2. Boulder, Colo.
3. Huntsville, Ala.
4. Durham, N.C.
5. Washington, D.C.
6. Manchester, N.H.
7. Colorado Springs, Colo.
8. Austin, Tex.
9. Palm Bay-Melbourne, Fla.
10. Albuquerque, N.M.
11. San Diego
12. Raleigh, N.C.
13. San Francisco
14. Oakland, Calif.
15. Boston
16. Seattle
17. Boise, Idaho
18. Portland, Ore.
19. Denver
20. Kansas City, Mo., and Kansas City, Kan.
21. Orange County, Calif.
22. Dallas-Fort Worth
23. Baltimore
24. Detroit
25. Salt Lake City
26. Minneapolis-St. Paul
27. Atlanta
28. Sacramento
29. Albany, N.Y.
30. Ventura, Calif.


Full listing:

1. San Jose/Silicon Valley
Jobs per 1,000: 285.92
Total: 225,343
Rank: 3
Growth: 3%
Average wage: $144,828
Salary Rank: 1
Biggest sector: computer systems design
Area employers: Google (GOOG), Intel, Hewlett-Packard, Apple (AAPL)

2. Boulder, Colo.
Jobs per 1,000: 230.45
Total: 30,533
Rank: 38
Growth: 1%
Average wage: $96,077
Salary Rank: 6
Biggest sector: computer systems design
Area employers: IBM, Level 3 Communications (LVLT)

3. Huntsville, Ala.
Jobs per 1,000: 188.46
Total: 28,806
Rank: 40
Growth: 1%
Average wage: $65,848
Salary Rank: 50
Biggest sector: engineering services
Area employer: Bechtel

4. Durham, N.C.
Jobs per 1,000: 155.94
Total: 33,454
Rank: 36
Growth: 8%
Average wage: $95,551
Salary Rank: 7
Biggest sector: R&D and testing labs
Area employer: Duke University

5. Washington, D.C.
Jobs per 1,000: 132.02
Total: 295,834
Rank: 2
Growth: 2%
Average wage: $92,718
Salary Rank: 9
Biggest sector: computer systems design
Area employer: Sprint Nextel

6. Manchester, N.H.
Jobs per 1,000: 123.89
Total: 21,695
Rank: 49
Growth: 0%
Average wage: $81,683
Salary Rank: 21
Biggest sector: measuring and control instruments manufacturing
Area employer: Verizon

7. Colorado Springs, Colo.
Jobs per 1,000: 122.43
Total: 25,498
Rank: 45
Growth: -3%
Average wage: $74,673
Salary Rank: 29
Biggest sector: computer systems design
Area employer: Hewlett-Packard

8. Austin, Tex.
Jobs per 1,000: 121.40
Total: 68,760
Rank: 23
Growth: 3%
Average wage: $100,536
Salary Rank: 3
Biggest sector: electronic components manufacturing
Area employer: Dell (DELL)

9. Palm Bay-Melbourne, Fla.
Jobs per 1,000: 115.56
Total: 20,705
Rank: 52
Growth: -1%
Average wage: $68,838
Salary Rank: 39
Biggest sector: electronic components manufacturing
Area employer: Raytheon (RTN)

10. Albuquerque, N.M.
Jobs per 1,000: 112.80
Total: 34,432
Rank: 32
Growth: 1%
Average wage: $65,853
Salary Rank: 49
Biggest sector: R&D and testing labs
Area employer: Intel

11. San Diego
Jobs per 1,000: 96.99
Total: 106,358
Rank: 13
Growth: 1%
Average wage: $92,328
Salary Rank: 10
Biggest sector: R&D and testing labs
Area employer: Qualcomm (QCOM)

12. Raleigh, N.C.
Jobs per 1,000: 94.58
Total: 37,144
Rank: 31
Growth: 3%
Average wage: $74,285
Salary Rank: 31
Biggest sector: computer systems design
Area employer: IBM

13. San Francisco
Jobs per 1,000: 93.84
Total: 79,442
Rank: 19
Growth: 3%
Average wage: $118,518
Salary Rank: 2
Biggest sector: computer systems design
Area employers: Salesforce.com (CRM), Genentech (DNA)

14. Oakland, Calif.
Jobs per 1,000: 93.43
Total: 81,406
Rank: 17
Growth: 1%
Average wage: $96,930
Salary Rank: 4
Biggest sector: computer systems design
Area employer: Ask.com, owned by IAC Interactive (IACI)

15. Boston
Jobs per 1,000: 92.78
Total: 191,690
Rank: 4
Growth: 2%
Average wage: $95,100
Salary Rank: 8
Biggest sector: computer systems design
Area employer: Massachusetts General Hospital

16. Seattle
Jobs per 1,000: 90.74
Total: 127,680
Rank: 9
Growth: 7%
Average wage: $96,197
Salary Rank: 5
Biggest sector: software publishers
Area employers: Microsoft (MSFT), T-Mobile USA (DT)

17. Boise, Idaho
Jobs per 1,000: 89.78
Total:
Rank: 51
Growth: -1%
Average wage: $70,066
Salary Rank: 37
Biggest sector: computer systems design
Area employer: Micron Technology (MU)

18. Portland, Ore.
Jobs per 1,000: 84.41
Total: 73,735
Rank: 20
Growth: 4%
Average wage: $78,958
Salary Rank: 25
Biggest sector: semiconductor manufacturing
Area employer: Intel

19. Denver
Jobs per 1,000: 77.90
Total: 80,542
Rank: 18
Growth: 0%
Average wage: $87,901
Salary Rank: 13
Biggest sector: telecommunications serviecs
Area employer: Qwest Communications International

20. Kansas City, Mo., and Kansas City, Kan.
Jobs per 1,000: 75.78
Total: 62,118
Rank: 24
Growth: 3%
Average wage: $72,411
Salary Rank: 32
Biggest sector: telecommunications services
Area employer: Sprint Nextel (S)

21. Orange County, Calif.
Jobs per 1,000: 73.77
Total: 100,895
Rank: 14
Growth: 1%
Average wage: $81,914
Salary Rank: 20
Biggest sector: computer systems design
Area employer: Allergan (AGN)

22. Dallas-Fort Worth
Jobs per 1,000: 71.91
Total: 176,010
Rank: 5
Growth: 2%
Average wage: $83,133
Salary Rank: 18
Biggest sector: telecommunications services
Area employers: AT&T, EDS (EDS)

23. Baltimore
Jobs per 1,000: 69.03
Total: 71,211
Rank: 22
Growth: 2%
Average wage: $79,144
Salary Rank: 24
Biggest sector: computer systems design
Area employer: Northrup Grumman (NOC)

24. Detroit
Jobs per 1,000: 68.24
Total: 115,082
Rank: 12
Growth: -3%
Average wage: $80,109
Salary Rank: 23
Biggest sector: R&D and testing labs
Area employers: The Detroit Medical Center, St. John Health

25. Salt Lake City
Jobs per 1,000: 66.97
Total: 34,344
Rank: 33
Growth: 7%
Average wage: $59,572
Salary Rank: 57
Biggest sector: computer systems design
Area employer: Qwest Communications International (Q)

26. Minneapolis-St. Paul
Jobs per 1,000: 64.59
Total: 98,059
Rank: 15
Growth: 0%
Average wage: $75,630
Salary Rank: 28
Biggest sector: computer systems design
Area employer: Mayo Clinic

27. Atlanta
Jobs per 1,000: 63.93
Total: 126,672
Rank: 10
Growth: 2%
Average wage: $82,372
Salary Rank: 19
Biggest sector: telecommunications services
Area employers: AT&T (T), IBM (IBM)

28. Sacramento
Jobs per 1,000: 63.9
Total: 43,699
Rank: 29
Growth: 3%
Average wage: $83,518
Salary Rank: 15
Biggest sector: telecommunications services
Area employers: Intel (INTC), Hewlett-Packard (HPQ)

29. Albany, N.Y.
Jobs per 1,000: 62.85
Total: 20,373
Rank: 53
Growth: 2%
Average wage: $76,592
Salary Rank: 27
Biggest sector: research and design, and testing labs
Area employers: General Electric (GE), Verizon (VZ)

30. Ventura, Calif.
Jobs per 1,000: 62.80
Total: 17,255
Rank: 60
Growth: -4%
Average wage: $69,707
Salary Rank: 38
Biggest sector: engineering services
Area employer: Amgen (AMGN)

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Well that's good that San Diego scores highly on that chart because I plan to get a job in the tech (IT) area.

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More on applying for a social security number

About 2 years ago I bought this Suze Orman book. For those that don't know she writes about money and financial issues and has her own tv show. Actually back then I didn't know she had her own show but I looked up a few reviews on Amazon and her book seemed to be the best for what I needed at the time.

Now, I never actually finished reading it because it seemed at least half of it was based on the American system (which was useless to me as an Australian living in Australia). But last night I picked it up again and almost couldn't put it down! All of a sudden everything made sense. The FICO score, opening a bank account, borrowing money, mortgages, etc etc. It even had a small section on getting a job - great!

So with that in mind, I kept thinking to myself - is there a way to apply for a SSN before I arrive in the US? Considering my whole financial future relies on this number and my credit score...

So of course I went to my good friend Google for information. I should preface this by saying that I'm already a US citizen but have lived in Australia for most of my life so this article will only help you if you're in the same boat (ie US citizen living abroad, moved away from US at a young age so never had a SSN) but there may be links that are helpful to you too.

Grant Holliday - An Aussie in Seattle

This is such an informative site. It is easy to read and understand and nicely laid out. Grant talks about how to get an E-3 or E-3D visa and how to drive in the USA. This is not relevant to me but particularly useful for any Aussies wishing to work/live in the USA. I noted his description of the US Consulate in Sydney (which I've been to several times) and the security there. It actually is the most secure place I've ever been to, it's pretty scary. Lots of queues, x-ray machines, waiting, chaperoning, waiting, queues, etc. There is no toilet there either so if you need to go you need to go back down from the 59th floor to the 10th floor and then queue and wait all over again!

FAQ for international students

Various common questions and answers.

Chat transcript with the US Embassy in Canberra, Australia

Kind of like a FAQ it features random questions and answers about citizenship and Social security issues. There was one question which was particularly relevant to my situation and that is:

Q: My daughter was born in the U.S. and came to Queensland with her mother and me when she was 6. She doesn't have a social security number and when we contacted the consulate to apply, we were told that she needed to come to the consulate in person for an interview and that it could take up to 6 months for a US-born applicant! Why does a 14 year old need to travel all the way to Sydney and why does it take so long?

A: Post September 11th 2001 security laws and regulations required Social Security to strengthen the integrity of the Social Security number process. The regulations are applied uniformly all over the world. If your daughter lived in the U.S. she would need to apply at the Social Security Office nearest to her, because she's in Australia, that is in Sydney. The process takes so long because of the need to verify all of the information on the application.

Social Security foreign offices addresses worldwide

Now, this is interesting because it says if you are in Australia or New Zealand you need to go to Manila in the Philippines. However, upon further research if you simply want to apply for a SSN you can do it in Sydney.


US Consulate General, Sydney: American Citizen services

This page says pretty much the same thing "The Social Security office at the American Embassy in Manila, Philippines, provides direct service to Social Security beneficiaries living in Australia."

Initial Benefit Claims: 1-800-750-030 Toll free from Australia
This number is only available Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays 12pm- 5pm Sydney time (10am - 3pm Manila Time)

General Enquiries: 0011-632-525-6481

Fax Number: 0011-632-522-1514

Email: ssad.varo.manila@ssa.gov

Mail:
Social Security Division
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Regional Office
American Embassy
1131 Roxas Boulevard
Ermita 0930 Manila
Philippines

Now I realize they are talking about people who want to claim SS benefits.

Socialsecuritygov: Social Security FAQ for international residents

Aha! Now this is the page I needed to find in the first place. I clicked on the first question "I live outside of the U.S. How do I contact Social Security?"

It then tells me: I live outside of the U.S. How do I contact Social Security?

If you are in Canada, British Virgin Islands or Samoa, you may obtain services from an SSA Field Office.

In countries where there are a relatively large number of Social Security customers, American embassies and consulates have personnel who have been specially trained to provide a full range of services, including the taking of applications for benefits.

For phone numbers and addresses of offices serving customers outside of the U.S. see Service Around the World.

Social Security International Operations

It mentions Manila again...

No no no! I don't need to go to Manila.

There was something else I found which was more relevant and accurate. I went to the US Consulate in Sydney website, typed 'social security number' into the search box and then followed some links to the US Embassy in Canberra website which gave me these links and pieces of information:

Applying for a Social Security Card
(Or to change your name on your Social Security Card)

Documents you need to apply for Social Security Card

First time applicants 12 years or older: you must submit your application in person to the Consulate General serving your area.
All other applicants: you may submit your application by mail to the Consulate General serving your area. (Please include a self-addressed pre-paid Registered or Express Post Platinum envelope or Courier satchel for return of your original documents).

If you are changing your name, please also submit original documents (e.g. marriage certificate) to support this.
All supporting documents presented with the application must be either originals or copies certified by the issuing authorities.
If an applicant is unable to sign his/her name, then original photo identification of the signing parent/legal guardian must also be included with the application.

Related links:

Social Security FAQs for U.S. Citizens outside of the U.S.

Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN)

Download the Social Security Number application form (PDF) here

Interesting to note that they allow A4 paper! Just as well, I have no idea where to buy US letter sized paper around here.

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Are you confused yet? I sure am!

To summarize:

• I'll read through the list of documents I need to bring.

• Go to the US consulate in Sydney (in Martin Place) between 8am-11:30am Monday-Friday (their opening hours)

• Bring and show them the documents and the filled in application form

• Attend the interview

• Wait patiently for the SSN/card to come in the mail. Hopefully it won't take six months to get but if it does, so be it.

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San Diego: a playground for kids and adults

Here is a great report from TravelMuse covering neighborhoods and suburbs, restaurants, tourist attractions and other sites of interest, beaches, hotels and more!

There's even gondola rides in Coronado Bay. Cool!

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More bad news

News articles:

LA Times: Jobs outlook weak as California's unemployment rate hits 6.9% in June



and

NY Times: Uncomfortable Answers to Questions on the Economy / Is this a recession?

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San Diego Blogs

I haven't put these in my links list because they may not appeal to everyone. Unfortunately there doesn't seem the be that many good blogs about life in San Diego...

The Best Places in San Diego! - Reviews and articles about various interesting places in San Diego, not necessarily touristy or picturesque places.

The San Diego Traveler - List interesting happenings in and around San Diego.

SD Urban - a blog about San Diego's urban neighborhoods, featuring many photos. One of the more relevant, interesting and up-to-date blogs.

Staying classy in San Diego - one of the better blogs featuring restaurant reviews, events, and photos.

My very own eating San Diego blog - Restaurant reviews and Recipes.

San Diego Daily Photo - one photo per day. One of the best blogs!

Fear and Loathing on Golden Hill - Life, happenings and politics in the Golden Hill/South Park area (warning: has music when you load the blog up).

San Diego Turtle - Cute blog name. One of the newest personal SD blogs. Features photos and videos.

Go San Diego Travel Blog - A list of loads of great, fun things to do in San Diego.

Hybrid Photography - San Diego Wedding Photography - If you enjoy looking at beautiful photos of happy couples this is a great blog. There are also other types of portrait photos using beautiful San Diego as the backdrop.

LAist - OK so it's about L.A. "up the road" but it's interesting to read and sometimes the articles can be relevant to San Diego too or the US in general.

SanDiegoish - similar to LAist but smaller. It bridges the gap between "news" and "personal blogs".

Oh! San Diego - One woman's life in San diego

San Diego Blog - Random articles. Blog could be better if it had longer articles and pitures.

San Diego Real Estate Blog - a guide to buying property in San Diego.

San Diego Momma - a personal account of a stay-at-home mom in San Diego. Updated very regularly.

SoCal Cabbie - the life and times of a cabbie in Southern California.

Photographs of San Diego, CA - A beautiful photoblog but unfortunately has not been updated for several months

Coronado Life - nice blog about Coronado Island but unfortunately has not been updated since November 007.

San Diego Moves on Moving San Diego - A blog by some removalists, interesting but not updated since August 2007.

Expat in California - tips for your transfer/relocation, but unfortunately has not been updated since June 2007.

San Diego - Finest City - Nice personal stories and articles but not updated since July 2007.

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America's top 50 jobs

Employment Spot Link

Here are the top 50 jobs that are both growing faster than the average for total employment (13.0 percent) and have annual earnings above median of $28,770.

1. Registered nurses: $52,330

2. Postsecondary teachers: $51,800

3. General and operations managers: $77,420

4. Elementary school teachers, except special education: $43,160

5. Accountants and auditors: $50,770

6. Business operation specialists, all other: $53,460

7. Computer software engineers, applications: $74,980

8. Maintenance and repair workers, general: $30,710

9. Carpenters: $34,900

10. Computer systems analysts: $66,460

11. Secondary school teachers, except special and vocational education: $45,650

12. Computer software engineers, systems software: $79,740

13. Physicians and surgeons: $145,600

14. Network systems and data communications analysts: $60,600

15. Automotive service technicians and mechanics: $32,450

16. Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses: $33,970

17. Management analysts: $63,450

18. Computer support specialists: $40,430

19. Lawyers: $94,930

20. Network and computer systems administrators: $58,190

21. Police and sheriff’s patrol officers: $45,210

22. Middle school teachers, except special and vocational education: $43,670

23. Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters: $41,290

24. Financial managers: $81,880

25. Computer and information systems managers: $92,570

26. Sales representatives, services, all other: $47,000

27. Fire fighters: $38,330

28. Dental hygienists: $58,350

29. Paralegals and legal assistants: $39,130

30. Sales managers: $84,220

31. Chief executives: $140,350

32. Self-enrichment education teachers: $30,880

33. Physical therapists: $60,180

34. Pharmacists: $84,900

35. Medical and health services managers: $67,430

36. Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, technical and scientific products:

$58,580

37. Employment, recruitment, and placement specialists: $41,190

38. Property, real estate, and community association managers: $39,980

39. Child, family, and school social workers: $34,820

40. Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers: $36,260

41. Real estate sales agents: $35,670

42. Special education teachers, preschool, kindergarten, and elementary school: $43,570

43. Legal secretaries: $36,720

44. Training and development specialists: $44,570

45. First-line supervisors/managers of housekeeping and janitorial workers: $29,510

46. Administrative services managers: $60,290

47. Public relations specialists: $43,830

48. Radiologic technologists and technicians: $43,350

49. Sales and related workers, all other: $31,380

50. Personal financial advisors: $62,700

 

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Your first apartment - How much will it cost?

I just found this basic guide for housing costs. The article is aimed at college kids but nevertheless useful for any newcomer to a different city! It also contains a link to a great rundown on the credit score I just talked about.

Your First Apartment: How Much Will the First Month Cost?

Application
approx $30 to $50 per app

Your landlord-to-be won’t just take your word that you’re good for the monthly rent-you have to fill out a formal application AND pay a fee so they can check your credit rating. (See, I told you your credit score would be important).

First Month’s Rent
varies by location and apartment size
Oh the joy of scraping together a month’s worth of rent before you even move in (you’ll probably have to pay this well before your move-in date!). Hopefully you’ve saved your summer earnings, because this could be a sizeable bill.

My first off-campus apartment-a 2br/2ba in San Diego-cost $1,600/month. That meant that I and each of my 3 apartment-mates had to cough up $400/mo. But then again, San Diego is one of the top 10 most expensive cities to rent in,, so unless you’re living in New York, LA, or another metropolis, you probably won’t be paying that much.

Check out sites like Rent.com, ForRent.com, and Craigslist.org to get an idea of average pricing for rentals in your area.

Security Deposit
approx same cost as one month's rent
This is basically security for the landlord–this fee is for any damage you do to your apartment over the course of living there. If you take good care of your apartment, you will probably get a good portion of this amount back.

Last Month’s Rent
same as first month's rent
Most apartment complexes in my area don’t charge this, but every once in a while you’ll come across a lease agreement that requires you to hand over the last month’s rent early, too. Personally, I’d recommend looking for an apartment that doesn’t require this fee upfront.

Utility Deposits
In addition to monthly bills, utilities and such like gas, electricity, water, trash service, internet, phone service, and cable all tend to require start-up fees. Some cable, phone, and internet companies will waive your start-up and installation fees, so be sure to ask them to when you sign up!

You can probably expect the following amounts for the rest of your start-up fees: For gas and electric, you can approximate about $75/ea, trash service will vary (and is sometimes included in your rent). For more realistic pricing for your area, check with your landlord.

Parking Fee
You may also have to pay for a parking sticker or parking space assignment. Usually this is a one-time fee, but in larger cities you may see a monthly fee for parking.

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Australian dollar 25 year high

I must be crazy to want to move from Australia to the US!!

From The Age :

Dollar remains above 97 US cents

July 14, 2008

The Australian dollar has opened stronger after posting a fresh 25-year high over the weekend on the back of a weaker US dollar.

The local currency soared to above $US0.9700 for the first time since the days of a fixed exchange rate as continued credit market concerns battered the US currency.

At 7am, the Australian dollar was trading at $US0.9705/12, up one US cent from Friday's close of 0.9605/09. During the weekend offshore session, the Australian dollar traded between a low of $US0.9607 and a high of 0.9718.

The Australian dollar reached $US0.9668 on June 30 this year, but had not been above $US0.9700 since February 16, 1983, when it hit $US0.9710.

Reports the US government may be forced to take over troubled government-sponsored mortgage backers Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac caused investors to scale back expectations of US interest rate rises and sell the US dollar.

The US dollar suffered a broad based fall against a range of currencies, and came within one US cent of its record low of $US1.6019 versus the euro, reached in April this year.

''The financial system woes in the US persist, with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac in trouble,'' RBC Capital Markets senior currency strategist Sue Trinh said.

''It was all bad news for the US dollar.''

The US Treasury department was expected to issue a statement today (AEST) regarding its support for the two companies and what action it might take to ensure their survival.

''That's got markets on tenterhooks waiting on a potential rescue package,'' Ms Trinh said.

Ms Trinh said the momentum from the weekend session could ''easily carry the Aussie higher, or allow it to sustain the gains'' from the weekend session.

AAP

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More on the credit score rating system

Warning: long article!

This seemingly complicated topic needs to be addressed, I think. I'm a newbie to all of this myself so I just went in search for some more information which should hopefully make it easier to understand how to get a credit rating score in the US if you have been previously living in another country.

First of all a credit score in the US is extremely important. It seems to be far more important than in most other Western countries and your financial future depends on this one three-digit number.

Your credit rating is related to your social security number. Which means if you've never had one before, then you don't have a credit rating in the eyes of the USA. So if you had a credit rating in your previous country of residence (and I'm sure most people over the age of 18 do) then it doesn't count for anything which could be good or bad.

Apparently, having no credit rating is actually worse than having a bad one.

Now, the dilemma is most people won't lend you money without a good credit rating but you can't get a good credit rating without having some sort of credit! No credit = no credit score, no credit score = no credit.

So what should you do?


1. Get a social security number.

Social Security card FAQ
Social Security card application form

Office contact details in San Diego:

• Link
  
  Phone Numbers:
  Toll-Free 1-800-772-1213
  TTY 1-800-325-0778
  
  Office Hours:
  MONDAY - FRIDAY:09:00 AM - 04:00 PM
  Except Federal Holidays
  
  
• Addresses:
  
  SOCIAL SECURITY
  1333 FRONT STREET
  SAN DIEGO, CA 92101
  
  Directions to Our Office:
  THE OFFICE IS IN A TWO STORY BLDG LOCATED ON THE CORNER OF FRONT AND ASH STREET, JUST TO THE NORTH OF THE "COMMONWEALTH" HIGH RISE. THERE IS NO FREE PARKING. PARKING METERS LOCATED IN THE SURROUNDING AREA AND PAY PARKING LOTS LOCATED ON ASH ST AND FRONT ST. THE TROLLEY IS 3-4 BLOCKS TO THE SOUTH. BUS STOPS LOCATED ON: FRONT ST, ASH ST,"A" ST, & FIRST ST.
  
  
• 8505 AERO DR
  SAN DIEGO, CA 92123
  
  Directions to Our Office:
  CORNER OF AERO DRIVE AND AFTON ROAD, WEST OF HIGHWAY 15.
  
  
• 367 VIA VERA CRUZ
  SAN MARCOS, CA 92078
  
  Directions to Our Office:
  HWY 78 TO SAN MARCOS BLVD. GO WEST TO VIA VERA CRUZ. TURN RIGHT. OFFICE IS TWO BLDGS DOWN ON RIGHT AT THE CORNER OF BOARDWALK
  
  
• 2160 S EL CAMINO REAL
  OCEANSIDE, CA 92054
  
  Directions to Our Office:
  LOCATED OFF HWY 78 & EL CAMINO REAL, NORTH OF THE TARGET SHOPPING CENTER & SOUTH OF FIRE MOUNTAIN RD ON THE EAST SIDE OF THE STREET.THE BUILDING IS SET BACK OFF THE STREET,PARTIALLY BLOCKED FROM VIEW.
  
  
• GROUND FLOOR
  2530 E PLAZA BOULEVARD
  NATIONAL CITY, CA 91950
  
  Directions to Our Office:
  LOCATED AT THE CORNER OF PLAZA AND EUCLID 2 BLOCKS EAST OF I-805 PLAZA OFF RAMP-BEHIND AUTO ZONE AND ALL AMERICAN CAR WASH.
  
  
• 846 ARNELE AVE
  EL CAJON, CA 92020
  
  Directions to Our Office:
  I-8 EAST: JOHNSON AV EXIT, NORTH UNDER FREEWAY; LEFT ON ARNELE I-8 WEST: EXIT MAIN ST, GO EAST. LEFT ON MARSHALL, RIGHT ON ARNELE
  
  
• 626 L STREET
  CHULA VISTA, CA 91911
  
  Directions to Our Office:
  TO GET TO THE NEW OFFICE TAKE I 5 AND EXIT L ST AND HEAD EAST. FROM I 8 05 EXIT L ST/TELEGRAPH CANYON AND HEAD WEST.L ST & BROADWAY
  

Allow yourself plenty of time and go into one of the offices armed with all your paperwork. Photocopy everything prior to your visit – this will assist the counter assistant and maybe cut your waiting time down, a little. This office is notorious for keeping you waiting.

Once you get to the counter, DO NOT allow them to keep your original passport, they should take the copies and they should suffice. Providing that everything is in order, the forms are completed correctly; you will be told that your social security number will be sent in the post. This can take anything from 7 to 14 business days, depending on the State in which you reside.

Once you receive this in the mail, you are now in the system and legally allowed to apply for credit.


2. Open up a bank account

Do your research and make sure the bank you choose meets all of your needs (especially transfers to/from your home country) and that their fees and charges are low. (I'll be doing some more research later into which banks are good for Australians moving to the US so hopefully blog about that soon).

Some say to choose one of the big boys such as Bank of America or Bank One, not the 'mom & pop' ones or the credit unions. For the first 90 days your account will be 'red-flagged' -- there's nothing you can do about this but wait it through. The bank is waiting to see whether you're just trying to cash a forged cheque [US: check] and run. This means that everything will take a lot longer to clear. The banks run a 'bad boy/girl' list called ChexSystems. At all costs make sure you keep yourself off this little horror, otherwise you'll find it almost impossible to open an account anywhere.

Open a savings or cheque/check account.

Also ask to open a Visa or Mastercard 'secured card' with a credit limit of anywhere between $300 and $1000. When the 90 days is up, don't delay any longer than necessary as the most difficult factor you are facing in building up your credit is termed 'insufficient credit history'. The bank will require a deposit into a savings account of an amount equal to your credit limit. This money and the account are locked for a period of one year. The card should be free or at minimal cost, but you may need to pay a small service fee on the savings account.

Do not view this card as a credit card because it isn't! Rather, consider it as your first step on that road to credit bliss. You should aim to use around one-third of your credit monthly but never use more than 50% of your limit. The reason for this is that the credit scoring system will flag you as 'over extended' if you use any more than half your limit. Use the card at the supermarket (US: grocery store), pharmacy (US: drug store), drycleaners, etc. Do not use it to rent a car or book a hotel room as these purchases will often place a hold on funds in excess of the amount you are charged, which could put you in default on the card agreement. In addition, avoid using it on the Internet or anything else that could produce reoccurring charges, e.g. newspaper subscription or gym membership. (One of the classic rip-offs over here is for a company with your credit card details to keep signing you up for new products and services and charging them to your credit card). Be retentive about it! Keep a running total in your wallet, then pay the bill fully immediately after it's posted online.

This method should cost you less than $20 in fees, no interest charges and is proven to work.


3. Other things to do:

• Apply for a department store card (JC Penny, Sears, etc) or gas card (Mobil, Shamrock, etc) and make sure you pay it on time and in full every time
  
  
• Apply for a car loan.
  
  Six months later: You've got your single secured credit card with a reputable institution that posts its data to the credit bureaus in a timely manner, you've run the account perfectly, you've wisely ignored all other solicitations for cards as you don't want to be flagged as 'desperate for credit'. You will now have a Fico score. It's a pathetic and miserable one, but one nevertheless.
  
  We need a nice spread of credit accounts on our report and the next one to head for is the car (US: auto) loan. Hopefully, you've been saving your money. Get something around the $10k to $15k mark. This is going to require some homework. First of all, get yourself over to the best advice possible at www.carbuyingtips.com and learn how it all works over here. Read it all and follow its advice before you go anywhere near a dealer.
  
  We need to find a 'first-time buyers auto loan with no pre-payment penalty'. You'll probably have to stick with a main dealer for this one, although there's no harm in trying the Internet lenders (ELoan, Capital One, etc). Do remember that each loan application on your credit report will ding your score by around 5 points. Multiple applications within a two-week period for the same type of loan should, in theory, only produce a single 5-point fall. Therefore, choose your dealer and purchase before allowing anybody to run your credit. If you've given any of them your social security number it's too late, they'll have run your credit faster than an Italian government stays in power. Some may require at least one-year's work history, with others you will get away with as little as 6 months.
  
  Here's the game plan but don't tell the lender or dealer (as they often make more profit on the loan than the car and will get upset): we want to pay the lowest amount in interest charges but rack our credit limit up the highest. Expect an interest rate of anywhere between 14% and 21%. Aim to put a minimum of 30% down; then pay the loan off as quickly as possible. The ideal situation is to have the money up front but still take the loan. Here's an example: Car costs $12k, down payment $4k (enough to make then feel very secure), so there's $8k out on the loan.
  
  Expect the paperwork for paying the loan to come through around 6 weeks after taking out the loan. As soon as you've got the payment details, make you first payment as $7400, clearly marking your payment 'Extra payment to principal ONLY'. Then make 5 monthly payments of $100 each, finally closing the loan out on around the seventh month with the accrued interest. There shouldn't be any problem with this as you don't need to make the minimum payment every month if you're ahead of the payments.
  
  The reason for keeping the loan going for more than six months is to balance receiving a good score against minimal interest payments. Any less length in the loan and it won't count towards your score. Total cost in terms of interest and those nasty little fees that they oh-so love (e.g. 'releasing the title') is probably less than a hundred or so dollars. But the future savings you'll look forward to on starting to have a good credit score are infinite.
  

4. Your credit score:

FICO is a mathematical model created by the Experian credit bureau as a tool for lenders to use in evaluating the risk associated with lending you money. FICO stands for Fair Isaac Company, the company that created the original scoring model. Similar models have been programmed by the other credit bureaus but they are all referred to as FICO scoring.

Credit scores are designed to measure the risk of default by taking into account various factors in a person's financial history. Although the exact formulas for calculating credit scores are closely guarded secrets, the Fair Isaac Corporation has disclosed the following components and the approximate weighted contribution of each:

35% — punctuality of payment in the past (only includes payments later than 30 days past due)
30% — the amount of debt, expressed as the ratio of current revolving debt (credit card balances, etc.) to total available revolving credit (credit limits)
15% — length of credit history
10% — types of credit used (installment, revolving, consumer finance)
10% — recent search for credit and/or amount of credit obtained recently

Current income and employment history do not influence the FICO score, but they are weighed when applying for credit. For instance, an unemployed individual with no sources of income will not usually be approved for a home mortgage, regardless of his or her FICO score.

A FICO score is between 300 and 850, exhibiting a left-skewed distribution with 60% of scores between 650 and 799. According to Fair Isaac the median score is 723 (half of scores above and below) whereas according to Experian (using the Fair Isaac risk model) the average credit score is 678 (lowest scores are farther from the median than the highest scores). The performance of the scores is monitored and the scores are periodically aligned so that a credit grantor normally does not need to be concerned about which score card was employed.

Each of the major credit unions may and probably will report your credit slightly differently, i.e. you’ll actually have 3 slightly different credit scores. To solve this little inconsistency, lenders will calculate a ‘tri-merged’ score when you’re taking out a major loan, i.e. the average score from all three major bureaux.

Only credit will build your credit score, i.e. you have to borrow money and pay it back to get a credit score. Paying the rent, utility bills can not and will not build you any credit. However, failing to pay these or paying them late can reduce your credit.


5. Other tips:

• Try not to give out your social security number wherever possible. Identity theft is common.
  
• Get a 'cross-cut' shredder for personal information. Identity theft is common.
  
• Check your credit report every year. A good additional check is to watch for the APR interest rate on your credit card statements unexpectedly jumping up. This can happen when there's a black mark on your credit record.
  Register with all three credit bureaux to stop unsolicited offers.
  
• Opt out of unsolicited 'convenience checks' being mailed when you open a credit card. Insist!
  
• Credit cards for Australians without a US credit history or score:
  https://www.apply123.com/apply123/lowrates.php. Use the code AAATA (related to American Australian Association).
  The terms seem excellent (ie 0% for balance transfers and purchases for first 9 billing cycles) and of course the biggest benefit is that you'll get approved without a US credit history and thereby start building one.
  

References.
Most of the wording in this article is paraphrased or quoted from:

Credit Essentials in the USA
Credit and finance in the USA
Metafilter: International Credit history
Social Security office locations
Social Security Administration (SSA)
Wikipedia: Credit score

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Economic crisis

Wow, this is really bad news :(

Article here at SignOnSanDiego

Extract:

Economic crisis is called worst since 1970s – at least

By Daniel Trotta and Jennifer Ablan
REUTERS

2:18 p.m. July 14, 2008

NEW YORK – For many Americans this feels like the worst economic crisis in their lifetimes, and some leading investors are starting to say they may be right.

* After IndyMac's failure, which bank could be next?
* What if my bank fails? Some questions and answers
* U.S. spells out Fannie-Freddie backstop plan
* Fannie, Freddie rescue pushes housing aid

The bursting of the dot-com bubble in 2000 and 2001 seems tame by comparison, and the savings and loan crisis of the late 1980s and early 1990s almost forgettable. Similarly, the global impact looks to be greater than that of the Asian financial crisis of 1994.

Most comparisons turn to the low growth, high inflation, weak dollar and soaring energy prices of the 1970s, but this time with a housing crisis and spiking commodities prices thrown in, all threatening a prolonged recession.

“It is the most serious financial crisis of our lifetime,” said billionaire investor George Soros, noting a growing effect on the U.S. economy as a whole, rather than just financial markets. ”It is an idle dream to think that you could have this kind of crisis without the real economy being affected.

“We are facing a recession and it is slow in coming but the slower it comes, the more powerful it is,” Soros told Reuters.

The rapid erosion in confidence in Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae underscores the toxic nature of the problems facing the U.S. financial system. The publicly traded, government-sponsored enterprises (GSE) own or guarantee $5 trillion of debt, close to half the value of all U.S. mortgages.

With 8,000 to 9,000 American homes entering foreclosure every day, stock in Fannie and Freddie lost nearly half their value last week, leading the U.S. Treasury to open its discount window to the two firms to ease fears over their capitalization.

This comes as U.S. stock indexes have fallen by more than 20 percent from their peaks in October, while the pan-European FTSEurofirst 300 is down 30 percent, the Shanghai Composite has dropped 45 percent since the year began and Japan's Nikkei 225 is also significantly lower.

Experts who lived through the stagflation of the 1970s – a mixture of stagnated growth with inflation – say it may be worse this time because there are no safe havens in global markets.

Foreign central banks, mostly in Asia, hold almost $1 trillion of the bonds and mortgage-backed bonds sold by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac...

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Employment stats and articles

So, the main pressing issue at the back of my mind is getting a job once I move to San Diego. I'm sure this is the primary area of concern too, for anyone moving to another place. If you're not lucky enough to have a company sponsor you or if you work for a large firm that can organize a transfer then you'll have to do the job searching rounds and if it's in a new country it can be slightly daunting to say the least.

Some recent Forbes articles:

Best cities for young professionals

1. San Francisco, California
The total number of our tracked graduates and highly rated companies in San Francisco was second only to New York, except that San Francisco is a small fraction of its East Coast rival's size. Adjusted for its population, San Francisco has the highest share of graduates from the class of 1998 and the fourth-highest tally of companies. The exorbitant cost of living hurts, but high salaries and a top-quartile rating for its never-married population place it in the top spot.

2. Boston, Mass.
3. Houston, Texas
4. New York, New York
5. Minneapolis, Minnesota
6. Washington, D.C.
7. Chicago, Illinois
8. Charlotte, North Carolina
9. Milwaukee, Wisconsin
10. Austin, Texas

11. San Diego, California
One of the nation's highest costs of living hasn't deterred grads from heading to San Diego. It ranks 10th as an area for elite graduates to settle 10 years after college. But the gains made by its high graduated concentration are offset by its 17th place finish with regard to concentration of Forbes-measured top companies, though the high salaries and number of never-married young people boots it a touch.

12. Raleigh, N.C.
13. Pittsburgh, Pa.
14. Philadelphia, Pa.
15. St. Louis, Montana
16. Nashville, Tennessee
17. Atlanta, Georgia
18. Dallas, Texas
19. Seattle, Washington
20. Denver, Colorado
21. Portland, Oregon

22. Los Angeles, California
If our list wasn't adjusted for population size, Los Angeles would be in this year's top 10, but as it is, the nation's second-largest city finds itself near the midpoint. L.A.'s 681 graduates from the schools we tracked ranked fourth in gross terms, but only 11th when adjusted. The metro's 21 companies on our 400 best big firms and 200 best small firms lists were enough for eighth in gross terms but 32nd in adjusted.

23. Cincinnati, Ohio
24. New Orleans, Louisiana
25. Columbus, Ohio
26. Kansas City, Mo./Kansas
27. Cleveland, Ohio
28. Sacramento, California
29. San Antonio, Texas
30. Indianapolis, Indiana
31. Phoenix, Arizona
32. Virginia Beach-Norfolk, Virginia
33. Detroit, Michigan
34. Buffalo, New York
35. Providence, Rhode Island
36. Salt Lake City, Utah
37. Orlando, Florida
38. Las Vegas, Nevada
39. Miami, Florida
40. Tampa, Florida

Other articles:

Job hunting in a downturn

How to network your way up the corporate ladder

Best and worst cities for unemployment pay

Best cities for recent college grads

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Income growth %

It has been said by most people living there that the salaries in San Diego do not match up with living expenses/costs with is pretty bad news but according to this article, the income growth rate is pretty high.

San Diego comes has the third highest income growth rate in the US.

San Diego's economy caught fire during the 1990s and has stayed hot ever since. The area's per capita income has soared 72 percent since 1995, a pace unmatched by any other major metropolitan area. Charleston, S.C., is a distant second at 64 percent.

Income growth:

Per capita income:
# 2005: $40,569
# 2000: $32,799
# 1990: $20,852
# 1980: $11,100

Income growth:
# 2000-2005: 23.7%
# 1990-2005: 94.6%
# 1980-2005: 265.5%

Other stats:
Metro population (2006): 2,941,454
Annual rate of population growth (2000-2006): 0.7%
Metro employment (March 2007): 1,302,500
Employment growth (2006-2007): 0.7%

 

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Boost your credit score

Just found this great article about how to boost your credit rating score. Great for newcomers to the USA or just anybody, really.

The average American's credit score is 723. Having a high credit rating can give you better interest rates on credit cards, car loans and even your mortgage. It's important to know the top factors that affect your score and check your credit report for accuracy.

1. Pay on Time
The most important factor to a potential lender is whether or not you will pay your bills in full and on time.

2. Use a Variety of Credit
A variety of credit, such as mortgage loans and credit cards, can show that you are responsible for paying back both large and small financial promises.

3. Keep Accounts Open
It is a bad idea to open a credit card just to take advantage of a discount or a freebie then close it right away. The longer your credit history, the higher your credit rating tends to be.

To see all of the factors that affect your personal credit score, you should check your credit report by going online to GoFreeCredit.com. GoFreeCredit.com instantly gives you a free detailed, personalized analysis of your credit report with advice on how to improve it. Checking your own credit report at GoFreeCredit.com will not hurt your score.

Your report from GoFreeCredit.com will show you details like accounts with past late payments, the various types of credit you've used, current balances and recent requests for credit. You also have the opportunity to fight negative or wrong information on your file. GoFreeCredit.com can refer you to a reputable credit repair service if you need it.

 

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Fourth of July - Independence Day

(image by shutterBRI on Flickr)


Happy Fourth of July!

Now, I've never celebrated this event but from what I hear it is pretty big.

The Union Tribune has heaps of ideas for what you can do in San Diego to celebrate this holiday.

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Fun activities for the summer...

Water-based activities for the summer

Wavehouse Athletic Club pool, Mission Beach

Knott's Soak City, Chula Vista

Belmont Park, Mission Beach

Boomers Park, San Diego

Wild Rivers Waterpark, Irvine

Seaworld

Seaport Village, San Diego

The Wave Waterpark,


or cool off with an ice rink

San Diego Ice Arena

Skate San Diego

Iceoplex

Icetown, La Jolla


or why not try a drive in?

Santee Drive-In

South Bay Drive-in

Brian's drive-in theater

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