Affordable places to live in Ca.

[Woof]

Originally Posted by Arabian

OK, so I am considering a move from the Peninsula (Way too expensive) to near Redding for a job. I have seen postings about Redding and it doesn't sound too good. Are there any places within commuting distance (an hour each way at most) that are neat, artist communities, either near the coast, near Oregon, East or South? Is Ferndale or Arcata too far? What is Weed like?

Chico is probably the closest somewhat artsy community near Redding.

Ferndale and would be a difficult commute through mountainous terrain, about 3 hours iirc, and Arcata is a bit farther than that.

Weed is ugly, but cheap and close to scenic beauty like Mt Shasta. Mt Shasta City is the prettiest in that area, more cosmopolitan, more New Agey. There are nice lakes and rivers and springs in that area, great fishing and hiking, fairly close to Oregon.

[sheri257]

Originally Posted by EscapeCalifornia

ROFL, no. ... $350k is a small condo (if you're lucky) in any populated area anywhere near the ocean.

You obviously haven't been keeping up with the latest home prices.

Average price in Seaside, CA last month (which is close to Monterey and, obviously, the ocean) was ... $335K

Average price in Oceanside, CA in San Diego County (again, the name speaks for itself) was ... $333K.

DQNews - California Home Sale Price Medians by County and City

And prices are still falling ...

[EscapeCalifornia]

Originally Posted by sheri257

You obviously haven't been keeping up with the latest home prices.

Average price in Seaside, CA last month (which is close to Monterey and, obviously, the ocean) was ... $335K

Average price in Oceanside, CA in San Diego County (again, the name speaks for itself) was ... $333K.

DQNews - California Home Sale Price Medians by County and City

And prices are still falling ...

Good job quoting a 9+ month old post and rebutting with current data.

[sheri257]

Originally Posted by EscapeCalifornia

Good job quoting a 9+ month old post and rebutting with current data.

Sorry ... I didn't realize that the post was nine months old.

However, the point is that some coastal areas are getting more affordable and the market still hasn't bottomed yet.

[MtnSurfer]

Yes Sheri,

I actually like that chart very much. I have not seen a chart which broke % change by city throughout the entire state - very useful data. When I have heard more broad statistics such as Monterey 'County' being down 47% I was told by a Realtor that that number varies 'a lot' by city. So now in looking at this chart one can see while Seaside went down 48% Pebble Beach actually went up .83% and Carmel Valley is up by 27%.

[Woof]

I actually stopped into the Walmart at Seaside for the first time last month on my way to gawk at Monterey and Carmel. It's a bit seedy looking and seemed to have a large Mexican population (or at least the Walmart did), but it is after all close to some very nice places.

Oceanside is cool as long as you don't get into fights with drunken Marines on the beach.

[sheri257]

Originally Posted by MtnSurfer

Yes Sheri,

I actually like that chart very much. I have not seen a chart which broke % change by city throughout the entire state - very useful data. When I have heard more broad statistics such as Monterey 'County' being down 47% I was told by a Realtor that that number varies 'a lot' by city. So now in looking at this chart one can see while Seaside went down 48% Pebble Beach actually went up .83% and Carmel Valley is up by 27%.

Yeah ... I check that chart every month. Although it's very useful info you also have to keep in mind that it doesn't tell you everything. For instance, in Carmel 20 properties sold and, if you notice, they were down a little bit.

Carmel Valley was up 27 percent but only 7 properties sold. When you watch this chart for awhile you'll generally notice that the only time prices seem to go up is when very few properties sell. But in months where more properties are moving and you have a better average, so to speak, there's more of a downward trend ... even in the pricey areas.

As for Seaside ... it definitely has some bad areas but, they've got some really ritzy stuff too. However, very little of the high end properties are moving because, if they were, the average home price would be a lot higher.

[MtnSurfer]

Originally Posted by sheri257

Yeah ... I check that chart every month...

As for Seaside ... it definitely has some bad areas but, they've got some really ritzy stuff too. However, very little of the high end properties are moving because, if they were, the average home price would be a lot higher.

Yeah, I have heard upper Seaside has has nicer neighborhoods as well as Del Rey Oaks which is in the upper SE corner. Since we are looking for a home from out of state listening to others who know about the area really helps. And we will probably rent first so we can really check things out before we buy.

Also the interesting thing is unlike home prices home rentals do not vary as much. For example we can rent a decent home in Pacific Grove, Monterey, Carmel, Seaside or Marina for $2000-$2400/mo. But the home prices vary a lot more obviously.

Derek

[TamaraAnn2]

Santa Rosa is a nice town. It has everything, good weather, the ocean is only a half hour away. Its a beautiful town and there are jobs there and city around with jobs within, not bad, driving distance. You can find a house for $350,000+ Check it out you will like that town.
Good Luck