This is going to be one of the few times I concur with Norondor: Don't
California is the least Governable state in the union, and is in the process of going downhill from there. Unless you're going to a position where you're confident you can survive without any government assistance for sometime (outside of the normal roads and taxes), things are not looking that good. I am assuming your dude is also in the process of changing jobs right now to that state and ditto with yourself, but the crystal ball of most half-decent weeklies say bad things ahead.
Personally, survival without government assistance would be a shotgun, rifle of a 7.62x39 calibre, pistol, 1 week of food and water, an SUV capable of going off-road, clothing suitable for arid conditions, and a suitable stash of decent alcohol and dried goods for bargaining.
I would also avoid living in LA at all costs, but that's only because they do not draw their water locally.