Anyone staying in Cali? (Mountain View: car insurance, condo, mortgage)

[greatbasinguide]

Nah, I am married with kids, grew up in CA, live in CA, and on careful consideration will stay in CA. Look, people are people, whereever you go, you will find nice people and not nice people.

What I notice about this site is that everyone is a townie, they all want to live crammed up against their neighbors. They like what is considered "community" as long as it is community that corresponds to their consideration of what community is. Very few agricultural folk here. The level of negativity is high, it does not appear to correlate with actual statistics.

Also, the complaints of California tend to concentrate on Southern California. In a state that is 1,000 miles long and 300 miles wide that is myopic.

[Dennis P]

Originally Posted by DixieInOC

There is one thing I notice on this forums where people talk about staying or leaving California. It seems like those who are settled down and have families (especially kids) are pessimistic about California and consider. Vice versa for singles. Don't want to generalize, but this is what I've inferred from what has been written.

Anyone disagree and why?

I've noticed the same thing as well, and someone in the Sacramento sub-forum pointed it out, too. Those who are married with kids tend to not enjoy living in the larger California metropolitan areas and are looking to move out of state, yet the single people (like me) don't mind living here quite so much. It may have to do with how expensive it is to raise a family here, whereas most single people just have to worry about themselves. Just my opinion.

[rebagirl]

Originally Posted by greatbasinguide

Again, don't confuse LA with CA

Sorry, you're absolutely right. I love Cambria, Yosemite, certain parts of San Francisco, Redwood Highway, and Eureka. Can I find a job and affordable housing in any of these areas? Uh, no. I personally think that attitudes toward California do change with age. When adults realize that the somewhat carefree, wholesome childhood they experienced will be almost non-existent here for their own children, it becomes time to look elsewhere.

[montevista1]

I agree with Dennis if you are single you do not care if you live in a dumpy apartment, do not care about schools, could eat top ramen. If you are single you do not care, but if you want any future you are screwed.

[SandyCo]

Originally Posted by DixieInOC

There is one thing I notice on this forums where people talk about staying or leaving California. It seems like those who are settled down and have families (especially kids) are pessimistic about California and consider. Vice versa for singles. Don't want to generalize, but this is what I've inferred from what has been written.

Anyone disagree and why?

I don't disagree at all... I think that single people, usually in their 20s, see the opportunities available in California - L.A. in particular. They're several years away from getting married and settling down, so the high cost of living isn't such an issue. They probably also assume that they can jump start their careers and be living the "good" L.A. life by the time they have a family.

It's only when you're trying to raise kids here, and realize that your salary isn't enough to support more than the basics, that your attitude changes - when you look around and realize that you'll never be able to afford to even own a condo the size of a closet!

[montevista1]

You may be able to purchase a condo or house if you are willing to do a nonconventional loan such as an interest only loan ( not paying any principal). This loan is not a bad loan because the 30yr loan barely pays any principal. Then again, even interest only on a 600K loan will cost you thousands, plus property taxes and insurance.

[SandyCo]

I don't believe in unconventional loans. There is something wrong with the housing market in general if people can only afford a house by using creative financing! There's a reason why only a certain percentage of your income should be spent on housing. If I can't afford a 30-year fixed interest mortgage, then I have no business buying that home. I know I'll never be able to afford anything in a desirable area of So-Cal. I'm also twenty-seven years away from retirement, so moving to an area with no jobs (and subsequently less expensive housing) is out of the question.

My solution: Sock away as much extra money in my 401(k) as I can, make sure my 401(k) is as diversified as possible, and be patient. My dream of retiring in the mountains may yet come true!

[YOU-CANT-EAT-SCENERY]

Originally Posted by miss magdalena

What's odd is I think that there are some who would maybe like to leave, but will not do so out of fear that it is like leaving Disneyland. The exit door only swings one way, and you can't walk back in as easily as you can walk out. If you want to get in again its going to cost you big bucks at the ticketing entrance!

That's the truth, but I am going to take the chance in a few years and move to WY, or MT...maybe CO if I can afford it.

[nasu]

We have been looking at other areas too, but I cannot find one which offers all the things I want such as:

great weather
Japanese markets and video stores nearby (I'm originally from Japan)
diversity
close the ocean
2-3 hours to the Sierras
great wineries
many, many distinct ethnic groceries
farmer's markets nearby
very reasonable real estate tax (pay $2800 for year)
very reasonable house insurance
very reasonable auto insurance
our mortgage is very, very low (purchased in 1980)
our town has very, very low crime
easy drive to either San Francisco or San Jose for major airports to travel
lots of hospitals and doctor's offices
lots of specialized vets and super good vets
lots of places to walk and very, very safe
I could go on, and on

Here is something we don't like, restaurants are expensive compared to other US areas. But, we don't really go out to eat that much (love to cook).

[corduroyboy]

Originally Posted by nasu

We have been looking at other areas too, but I cannot find one which offers all the things I want such as:

great weather
Japanese markets and video stores nearby (I'm originally from Japan)
diversity
close the ocean
2-3 hours to the Sierras
great wineries
many, many distinct ethnic groceries
farmer's markets nearby
very reasonable real estate tax (pay $2800 for year)
very reasonable house insurance
very reasonable auto insurance
our mortgage is very, very low (purchased in 1980)
our town has very, very low crime
easy drive to either San Francisco or San Jose for major airports to travel
lots of hospitals and doctor's offices
lots of specialized vets and super good vets
lots of places to walk and very, very safe
I could go on, and on

Here is something we don't like, restaurants are expensive compared to other US areas. But, we don't really go out to eat that much (love to cook).

What part do you live in?? The made up one? My car insurance doubled when I moved here 5 years ago, there are no more safe places out here (read the crimes in our daily paper), the only reason your mortgage is low is because you bought your house in 1980. Go buy one now and lets see that mortgage payment. You can stay here, I'm ready to vacate.