Can we live on $100,000/yr in Cali? (San Diego, San Jose: condo, houses)

[TinaTwo]

Check out Riverside county, particularly Murrieta and Temecula. You aren’t far from the beach and lots of young families and plenty of restaurants and things to do. I’d recommend renting for at least a year or two until you figure out if you like it here or the city you end up in.

Also Craig’s List isn’t what it was for rentals. Beware as now it’s mostly scammers! Check out apartments.com and build your profile and filters and you’ll find tons of houses. It’s not just apartments. Also you may want to contact a realtor and ask them for a list of MLS rental listings for homes. It’s a good source for legitimate listings from owners that have procured an agent to find them a tenant. The agent will help you collect your documents and submit your lease application.

[aslowdodge]

Originally Posted by neutrino78x

Sure.



Source: http://www.city-data.com/city/San-Jose-California.html


So if 100k is the median, that means half make less and therefore share housing.



source, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/median

I’m not sure that would give you an accurate number. How about the kids and spouses of those owning a home in Silicon Valley? How about all the older people that live there that bought their homes for a much lower price than today’s prices.

[neutrino78x]

Unfortunately city-data doesn't tell us how many are renters in San Jose, but the San Jose Mercury News does,

Originally Posted by Mercury News

In San Jose, on the other hand, 58 percent of residents lived in a home they own.

source, https://www.mercurynews.com/2018/02/...y-area-cities/

So basically I'm in that 42% who don't own a home. Hardly an outlier.

If anyone had ever liked me back...which would have resulted in me having children (since I very much wanted children when I was younger)...I might feel differently about home ownership, but since that didn't work out, it isn't important to me...and in any case, I grew up here. This is my home. So I'm staying even if I can't afford a single family home.

[neutrino78x]

Originally Posted by aslowdodge

I’m not sure that would give you an accurate number. How about the kids and spouses of those owning a home in Silicon Valley? How about all the older people that live there that bought their homes for a much lower price than today’s prices.

The number I was looking for was the median income for households in Silicon Valley. That number is roughly 100k.

[mysticaltyger]

Originally Posted by neutrino78x

Not really. Half the people in Silicon Valley share housing (the people who make less than the median salary of 100k, and some who make more). So you're suggesting that 50% are outliers? I beg to differ.

Sharing housing isn't the same as an adult male sharing a 1BR with his dad (if I recall correctly).

[aslowdodge]

Originally Posted by neutrino78x

The number I was looking for was the median income for households in Silicon Valley. That number is roughly 100k.

But how is it that you can determine if people make less they automatically are sharing housing?

[MtnSurfer]

Originally Posted by neutrino78x

Unfortunately city-data doesn't tell us how many are renters in San Jose, but the San Jose Mercury News does,

source, https://www.mercurynews.com/2018/02/...y-area-cities/

So basically I'm in that 42% who don't own a home. Hardly an outlier.

If anyone had ever liked me back...which would have resulted in me having children (since I very much wanted children when I was younger)...I might feel differently about home ownership, but since that didn't work out, it isn't important to me...and in any case, I grew up here. This is my home. So I'm staying even if I can't afford a single family home.

Nothing wrong with renting or sharing a house with others especially in the Silicon Valley. In fact, its probably the smartest thing to do if you like living there. Purchasing a home there by contrast is pretty insane right now. Many folks who grew up there or inherited property could never afford to actually buy the the home they're living in given the median price of a house.

The problem is you've answering the wrong question in your response. If you read what the OP asked, he's looking for a 4/2 home for a family of 4 on an income of 100K. That is the question. Not room sharing with another family member or other friends. The Bay Area is the last place he should be looking based on his search criteria.

Derek

[CA4Now]

Originally Posted by neutrino78x

Yes and like 80% voted for Trump. No thanks, I'll stay here in my home, where I grew up, Silicon Valley.

That was the OP's other thread wondering about where he should live, and my post was referring to him, not you.

[MtnSurfer]

The OP never responded here regarding his housing budget. But it looks like he is really asking for a home that is a "4/2 for around $320,000 or less" with good schools on the FL forum. That is the better option financially given his family budget and goals.

[letsurf]

Originally Posted by MtnSurfer

The OP never responded here regarding his housing budget. But it looks like he is really asking for a home that is a "4/2 for around $320,000 or less" with good schools on the FL forum. That is the better option financially given his family budget and goals.

That is what we're leaning toward. $100,000 seems fine for singles or maybe a couple with no kids. For a family of 4 to find a 4/2 home in a nice area with good schools, close to shopping, an hour from the beach I'm not sure it's doable in CA. I like to be comfortable and not struggle so even though it is probably possible I would feel better not having to worry about finances. We'll likely end up in FL and when we have a budget for $600,000+ home we might end up in CA.