Moving From Indiana to California

Let’s face it, the Hoosier State doesn’t have the same ring as the Golden State. State nicknames aren’t going to be the only thing that changes when moving from Indiana to California. You’re going to experience significant climate, cultural, economic differences too.

Here are some things to expect when moving to the third largest state in the United States, as well as tips and cost estimates on the move itself.

Benefits of Moving From Indiana to California

Each state has its perks. Below are some excellent reasons to move to California.

Amazing Weather

California’s called the Golden State for a reason. It not only was the site of the famous 1849 gold rush, but it gets plenty of golden rays of sunshine.

In San Francisco, for example, the weather stays around 60°F all year round, with only slight variations in temperature and precipitation in summer and winter months. Los Angeles is a little warmer, with temperature averages staying in the 70s and rising to the mid-80s in the summer.

Indiana’s temperature varies throughout the season. Winters are cold and snowy, with summers becoming hot and humid. There’s a reason California is often portrayed in the media as a sunny, beachy state with great weather.

Hiking and Nature

Thanks to early conservationists and nature enthusiasts like John Muir, California has some of the best national parks and hiking trails in the country.

Popular national parks include the Yosemite National Park, the Point Reyes National Seashore, the Joshua Tree National Park, the Death Valley National Park, the Redwood National and State Park, and many others. Top hiking trails include the Mt. Woodson trail that takes you to the Potato Chip Rock, Mt. Whitney Trail, Iron Mountain Trail, and Black Star Mountain Trail, to mention a few.

California has some unique geological landmarks, including the Devil’s Postpile National Monument and Font’s Point. No matter where you are in California, you’re sure to find nice hiking trails and other small excursions you can do in the great outdoors.

Entrepreneurship

If you dream of starting up a business, there’s no better place to go than Silicon Valley. Including the northern portion of San Francisco and its surrounding region, the Silicon Valley is the birthplace of many influential tech companies, like Facebook, Google, Twitter, PlayStation, and Uber.

If you want to launch your own tech company and make it big, there’s no better place to go than the Silicon Valley. There are lots of networking events to not only get tips from other entrepreneurs but find the right people for your team.

Hiring the wrong people is among the top reasons why small businesses fail. Moving to California will give you an advantage since you’ll have access to the top talent.

Educational Opportunities

Stanford University, the California Institute of Technology, and the University of California schools are among the top in the nation, and they’re all in the Golden State. If you’re a young person hoping to move to a state to get in-state tuition before going to a university, California is a good state to move to. You’ll have your pick of the top universities in the nation.

Cost of Moving From Indiana to California 

Most Popular Cities in California

You’re more than likely familiar with these major West Coast cities.

Los Angeles

A major entertainment hub, Los Angeles has become the dream destination for young people hoping to make it big in their field. Whether it’s acting, comedy, or filmmaking, Los Angeles has plenty of job opportunities for newcomers to the entertainment industry.

Los Angeles also has plenty of the iconic tourist destinations California is known for. There’s the Santa Monica Pier and Beach, the Hollywood Walk of Fame, the Hollywood sign, and Sunset Boulevard.

But the best things to do in Los Angeles include hitting up the delicious restaurants and bars, many of which accommodate people on a variety of diets (vegan, keto, or gluten-free). You can also find plenty of independent movie theaters to see what the local creatives are doing.

Having lunch at Felix, one of LA’s best restaurants, then walking along Venice Beach while soaking up the California sun is just an example of the kind of memorable weekend excursions you can plan in Los Angeles.

San Francisco

Known for its booming tech culture, and LGBTQ history, San Francisco has been a mecca for people seeking fresh starts and opportunities to grow.

You’ll see plenty of iconic cable cars whizzing along the hilly San Francisco streets. If you stand atop certain hills — and if the fog has lifted for a second — you can even see the Golden Gate Bridge in all it’s bright red glory.

Beatles fans will also know that Abbey Road’s cover picture was taken there. Today, you can find plenty of live music venues where you can tap your foot to whatever music genre you enjoy. If you’re up for something unique, you can also find experimental music artists and discover music unlike anything you’ve never heard before. 

A city with a booming nightlife and culture for all sorts of people, San Francisco still remains one of the best cities to move to in California.

San Diego

Known as America’s Finest City, San Diego has fantastic beaches, tasty restaurants, and fun attractions all within a short drive from each other.

The California National Seashore is in San Diego, along with the San Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge and Border Field State Park, which is on the U.S.-Mexico border. There are plenty of other nature destinations available to San Diego residents. You can also find the San Diego Zoo and Birch Aquarium at Scripps to see some wildlife.

San Diego also has a strong military history, which you can see at the USS Midway Museum. Water lovers have plenty of cruises or sailboat trips to choose from along the city’s pleasant shores.

Sacramento

Sacramento is California’s state capital, so it’s great for people who want to stay up to date in their state’s politics. You can also find many historical sites or museums in Sacramento, such as the California State Capitol Museum and the California State Railroad Museum.

You can enjoy the city by walking around the Old Sacramento Waterfront or Sacramento’s Midtown, which is hip and quickly growing. There’s also the Sacramento Zoo and plenty of restaurants, bars, and other eateries to explore.

Sacramento may not be one of the biggest tourist destinations in California, but it still has plenty for people of all ages to do.

How to Move From Indiana to California

Driving from Indianapolis from Los Angeles will take about 32 hours. When you have all your belongings with you, that trip can take even longer. Large or fragile items may need special attention that regular movers can’t give.

That’s why you need experienced movers who can deliver your items to your new home quickly and safely, and that’s where Allied comes in. We have more than 90 years of experience helping people move, with more than 750,000 moves in the past 15 years under our belt.

Allied knows how to make long-distance moves like this one, so you know your belongings will be in good hands. Our professionals can also help you pack up your old home and unpack in your new one to help take out some stress. To get started, use the Instaquote above to see how much your move will cost and how Allied can help you.