Country living less than 1 Hour to OAK airport? (San Jose, San Francisco: rental market, crime)

[LafeSouthwestPilot]

I am a southern Ohio native, thinking of moving to Oakland, CA area. I've lived in Ohio, Mississippi, Phoenix, Korea, and spent time other places EXCEPT Cali (air force for 10 years). No experience with CA. I am looking for possibly the "pink elephant" (i.e. affordable farm/country living less than 1 hour from OAK airport). Affordable, meaning single family home/farm in the country less than $1500/month rent or buy for under 300,000. I would like to maybe go directly east on the 580 to get away from the big city quick as possible, but that's just what I think from looking at Google maps.

I also read aquamarina4u's post on Morgan Hill, and that sounds like my kind of area (although probably over my budget). Take a look at its weather profile and that's what I am looking for - Mild, sunny, low humidity. ...and Trader Joe's...sweet.

I'm into all kinds of hunting and fishing and outdoor life, so any info on that would help too. Oh, and I'm a single 35 year old male airline pilot too....and looking... (details forthcoming upon request). Just thought I'd throw that in there.

Any information or links to threads that will apply? Thanks for your time.

- Lafe

Incidentally, if I can't find something affordable around OAK, it'll probably be Houston, TX next. I would like to try California for the weather and wildlife if I can find something affordable.

[18Montclair]

I think Morgan Hill is too far plus traffic btwn Oakland and Morgan Hill would be a huge mess( maybe 2 hrs each way imHo)

El Sobrante I know as a lot of rural feeling properties and prices there are a very reasonable by bay area standards. Its about 20 miles from Oakland Airport and your commute into Oakland through Hy 24 will be a relative breeze despite backups at the Caldecott Tunnel.( 30 Mins tops in regular traffic)

[rgb123]

Well well, let us know where you settle maybe I will take that job in sacramento after all good luck. I don't know about finding what you want for that price...but I do think its worth a try. The weather is great and California is so variable and interesting. I was just there this weekend checking it out and managed to drive from Sacramento to San Francisco, back to the 580 (or is it 680? I forget!)and down to San Jose, then to Monterey down Highway 1 to San Luis Obispo....back up to Sacramento and the foothills. I think (but don't know) that you might find more of what you are looking for toward Sacramento...though it might be more than an hour commute. Maybe something around Vacaville....

[DMenscha]

We have quite a few airline pilots that live in the foothills and commute to the big bird in a small bird. It's only 80 NM from Calaveras airport to OAK, Amador County and Columbia are similar distances.

I had a friend who flew for AirWisc that was based in Chi and commuted from the bay area to work his schedule.

[NorthernCalifornia]

best bet is the east-side of the mountains behind oakland/san leandro. There are some fairly rural country properties even though you're really only 15 minutes from the city. Look between Moraga and Castro Valley, Canyon, etc.

buying is unlikely but renting can be surprisingly affordable in the east bay hills area. east side of the hills is not very developed in most areas.

[NorthernCalifornia]

I'd also suggest posting a housing wanted ad on craigslist for the east bay. You're probably a fairly desirable type of tenant, from out of area, not here much, respectable profession and not likely to stay forever.

[Joe_Ryder]

I'm thinking Texas might be a better option given your criteria.

I moved to the East Bay coincidentally from Texas in the mid '80s. Even then home prices were unreal. This area has never been cheap. I'm one of those lucky ones who bought way back when dinosaurs roamed and paid off my loan years ago. Were I moving here today, I couldn't afford it. For $300K, you MIGHT be able to find a condemned home on an tiny lot that needs to be torn down for $300K somewhere in East Oakland, AKA: The Flats. Trust me, you don't want to live there. All those horrible crime stats come from right there. As many have mentioned, most people simply can't comprehend home prices in this area. Whenever you tell them the average tiny starter home with something that resembles a yard sells for $1Million, they think you are full of it. I don't even bother any more. When they get into the market, they'll figure it out for themselves. There are homes in Oakland still as low as $650K and in reasonably good neighborhoods but they are very urban.

Don't even think of looking at the median home value stats. Those are assessed values which bear no resemblance to selling prices. CA counties have a unique tax structure that is a bit different from anywhere else. In short, my home is taxed at the value pretty close to what I paid 20 years ago. That's a big factor that drives up values. If I were to move away, I could still rent my home for 21st century rents and pay 1980s taxes. That's why a lot of homes end up on the rental market instead of being sold.

There are country homes in the East Bay but not within an hour of Oakland Airport. It's possible if you ride a motorcycle. Lane splitting is legal in CA so if you were to get a place in the Oakland or Hayward hills and rode fast enough, it's possible to get to OAK in just under an hour. Again, $1500/mo. isn't gonna happen.

Your map must be off scale. The East Bay is heavily populated well past Livermore. I-580 is very heavily traveled and is something of a gridlocked mess just about every day, particularly within a few miles of I-238. Trucks are not allowed on 580 through Oakland and have to use 880. They then use 238 to 580 to continue toward Livermore. It can get real interesting. Even on a perfect day where everything works just right, you still won't make it in an hour.

If money were no object, you could find many places in the hills that, though still densely populated, would give the "feel" of country living. The forests are very dense with tall trees that soak up the noise. I live in Piedmont. It's very safe and quiet but once you drive a quarter mile down the hill, you're in the middle of it all. Again, I bought in the '80s when prices were only insane. I don't know of a word in the English language that can describe todays area prices. Even if housing prices were to drop overnight to 80's prices, a country-type home for $300K would be hard to find. As I said, this area has been expensive since the gold rush days. It's still a financial center and a major shipping port. There's a lot of money here and the prices reflect it. Your wages on average will only be about 15-20% higher than Texas. Many Californians have discovered they can substantially raise their standard of living by taking a 20% pay cut in Texas.

[humboldtrat]

Check out Tracy, Manteca and Lathrop around where I-5, I-580 and I-205 meet and less than 90 mins from OAK. However, I don't think you're going to find farm land at the prices you mentioned - a house might be possible for $300K.

[LafeSouthwestPilot]

Thanks for the effort, you guys. I'll probably hop to OAK, rent a car, and go check it out. I'd love the weather and sun out there. On the other hand, like Joe said, Texas is probably smarter. You can get a 2500 square foot, really nice, new house for under 200,000 in Houston area. Probably not my first pick, but far as I can tell in this "plight to find mecca", everyplace has its problems anymore, and every place also has good things. Just have to focus on the good, and right now I'm real tired of 15 degrees and blowing snow.

[humboldtrat]

Also check out Mountain House (Mountain House exit off I-580 just before you get to Tracy). They have had a lot of forclosures there as well as other areas around Tracy. Maybe you can find a bargain.