Can it be done: Affordable housing near water in California? (Los Angeles: homes, transfer)

[MtnSurfer]

Originally Posted by clongirl

Check out the Folsom/Granite Bay area--just outside of Sacramento. It's a nice area.

I found this house with what looks like a view of Lake Folsom as an example

http://www.golyon.com/Search/PropDet...%3f%26Type%3dM

Leave it to clone girl to pull a rabbit out of the hat!

[MattClyde]

Santa Rosa, CA in Sonoma wine country will have some great homes in that price range. It is beautiful and is near SF bay area. Also the University of San Francisco-Santa Rosa is there as. It is also a short drive to the ocean so you can enjoy the beach.

Hope this helps you in your search

[CAVA1990]

Originally Posted by pacific2

Smaller homes with an ocean view do sometimes hit the market, but you would have to increase the amount of money that you are willing to pay. This 1421 sq. ft., 3 bedroom/1.75 bath is on the market in Laguna Niguel for $667,000.
31599 CRYSTAL SANDS Dr, LAGUNA NIGUEL, CA 92677 | Listing Information | Southern California MLS homes for sale (http://www.socalmls.com/CA/LAGUNA-NIGUEL/92677/homes-for-sale/31599-CRYSTAL-SANDS-Dr-55934888 - broken link)

That's in PIV, a 50+ retirement community. At least it used to be one.

[MtnSurfer]

Originally Posted by CAVA1990

That's in PIV, a 50+ retirement community. At least it used to be one.

Hey, maybe it's the new 50!

[pacific2]

Originally Posted by CAVA1990

That's in PIV, a 50+ retirement community. At least it used to be one.

Ah! Oh well....

[trixie09]

Originally Posted by rlmans

We are thinking of relocating to California and need your advice. We'd like an open floor plan home approx. 2,500+ sq feet that has a view of an ocean or a large lake (view can be in the distance). Our max price for a home is $600k but we'd prefer to be around $500k. We want to be in a very safe area with a 40 min max. commute time to the business center(s) (we are in middle / sr mgmt business jobs). We have a child in high school and one that just started college but can transfer - so a good university in driving distance is a plus. Racial diversity and a vibrant culture would also be great! In what areas should we look and how much will home prices in that area be? Is this doable?

I'd suggest a look at San Luis Obispo County. That may be your only chance to get near the Pacific in that price range, but a view is probably a pretty lofty ideal.

The others mentioned school costs, because it will cost a huge amount for out of state tuition in college, if you're thinking of having your college student transfer to a California school. I mean.. HUGE difference in cost ($90 per class vs. $700.)

I think you might find a home to your liking in the east side of Arroyo Grande, Morro Bay, or perhaps the hills of Pismo Beach. The size of the house may be out of reach for your price range (housing costs couldn't be more different, or lifestyles, than MO to California coast.) It's doable, but if you have ideas of getting a fabulously large home for that price, maybe out of reach. It's worth it to have a lesser home to live there, imho, but you'll need to be prepared for that. OR accept that you'll be within 20 minutes of the ocean in order to have a nicer home (aka Templeton.)

So, I'd take a peek at San Luis Obispo County listings. Google Central Coast MLS Listings, and find the public page for home searches. Perhaps you'll find something that works for you. A drive up the coast would be a great way to find your spot, too.

[CAVA1990]

Originally Posted by trixie09

I'd suggest a look at San Luis Obispo County. That may be your only chance to get near the Pacific in that price range, but a view is probably a pretty lofty ideal.

The others mentioned school costs, because it will cost a huge amount for out of state tuition in college, if you're thinking of having your college student transfer to a California school. I mean.. HUGE difference in cost ($90 per class vs. $700.)

He said he wants to be within a reasonable distance of a business center. There are really only four of those in CA near the coast: LA, SD, OC, and the Bay Area. I don't think the OP is going to find what he's looking for in CA and should probably look in some areas along the Atlantic or up in the Pacific Northwest.

[Ceece]

I guess the missing ingredient in requests like this is WHY the water? If it's for recreational reasons then not just any body of water is going to cut it. If it's simply for a view of something then being even a block away isn't good enough. Views are nice, but you have to figue what they are really worth to you in cold, hard $$$, especially if that "view" is just a glimpse of water, over the roofs of or in between other buildings, from the back bedroom window ...lol

[tijlover]

Originally Posted by MtnSurfer

The reason you get some of the responses here that you have is that this type of thing is a very common question here.


These types of cheaper, large, watefront homes will most likely be found in more affordable states like Florida, Texas, WA, the Carolinas, etc...

Derek

In other words, states that aren't awash with Nimby's like CA.

Even if you discover a house in your price range, and you wish, later, to build a casita for guests, it may take you 10 years to get it built, after wrestling with the selfish Nimby's over there.

The high prices of real estate in CA are attributed to one major factor, and even the brain-dead can figure that one out. Any lessening of the zoning ordinaces along the coast will be met with violence. No way are they going to allow their housing prices to be diluted, not for one minute!

[Ceece]

Originally Posted by tijlover

In other words, states that aren't awash with Nimby's like CA.

Even if you discover a house in your price range, and you wish, later, to build a casita for guests, it may take you 10 years to get it built, after wrestling with the selfish Nimby's over there.

The high prices of real estate in CA are attributed to one major factor, and even the brain-dead can figure that one out. Any lessening of the zoning ordinaces along the coast will be met with violence. No way are they going to allow their housing prices to be diluted, not for one minute!

No, the words are that much ocean/lake properties have been developed to death, CAN'T be developed becasue of geography, or is being protected for everyones sake