Ask HN: PHP/JS world from Java/C# world, Suggestions?

I am more interested in Web related stuff. Have been for a year now. But my full time job is in Java. And it is not web related, although we make the UI using GWT. Interesting company here.

I have also been working on my startup for almost a year now.

Been a Java programmer, C# programmer, novice PHP programmer, and much more. (Check out "Little history" towards the end.)

Just wondering, if it might be a good option to start learning PHP and JavaScript on the side, after I am done with version 1 of my startup's software, so that sometime next year I can apply to some startup in CA, and move there. Also that gives me a chance to work on web programming, serious web programming, hopefully with millions of users, kind of stuff. I guess my question is:

1. Do I jump into PHP and make that my career? Do people get good paying jobs in CA doing that?

2. What about JS? Is that an absolute requirement for a web related job? I don't think so. But I would like to know from "real" web programmers who are doing jobs in PHP or JS, out there in CA, preferably in startups, but not necessary. I just want to work somewhere interesting, in CA.

3. What's the money like for web development jobs in PHP/JS in CA?

4. Keep in mind, I would love to learn both PHP and JS, so that I can make at least one complete application before applying for a job.

P.S. - Little HISTORY Grew too much, so pushed towards the end.

LITTLE HISTORY

I graduated with a MS last year and founded my startup here in Dallas, Texas, last September. Applied for a couple of funds, tried YC twice, never really got anything. Realized I practically ran out of money and into debt, took a contracting job, one thing let to another, they loved me, and offered a position , Java related.

I got that, and I loved it. Since the job mostly involved tools like GWT, Java , Spring, hibernate and more. It was big enough so I wouldn't get bored. Small enough that I can probably learn it inside out in a few months. Turned out to be deeper, so still having fun learning it. Oh yeah, immigration issues started creeping in too.

I found out you can only do your startup for so long, before they would deport me. Or at least that was one option. Some lawyers say true , some say not. So, picked up a job.

My startup involves making a generic solution for a lot fo NP complete problems, and making it fast enough, and simple enough for non-expert users to use it. Well towards the end of version 1. (Hoping to launch it to HN users first when it is ready.)