Affordable Cali? (Los Angeles, Fresno, Santa Barbara: real estate market, apartment, rental)

[Looking]

Hey folks. I've recently started working part time and was looking to re-locate. I love the west (currently living on the east coast). However, I was wondering which areas in California are affordable (Relatively). I don't need to work while I live there so that is not a concern. I do enjoy the outdoors and skiing, so areas close to such activities would be a plus. I do not really need to be near big cities. Just someplace nice and safe. Any towns I should look at? thanks in advance.

[fastfilm]

Firstly, you should tell us what you consider "affordable," and whether you mean rental or home-owning. What we consider affordable may be culture shock for you!

It sounds like you want to live near the Sierra Nevadas range, near skiing. Try the forums here on northern Calif.

[Steve97415]

Supply and demand in the real estate market basically brings it down to this: areas that are less desireable because of crime, drugs, gangs, traffic, climate, pollution, poor schools, regressive government, etc. are affordable. The farther east you get from the coast, the more affordable real estate becomes. To a less certain degree, affordability increases the farther north you go. So any place in Shasta County, for example, will be relatively affordable. No place in Santa Barbara County will be anything close to affordable. If you like to ski, you should check out Bishop.

[Looking]

Thanks for the info. As far as specifics go, I guess I was just looking for some general ideas. I realize about supply and demand and all that, and also lived in New York City for 7 years, so I won't be too shocked by much.

Just looking for some ideas and general areas that are decent and not terribly overpriced relative to California standards. I prob. will rent at first and hope to buy at some point.

peace

[fastfilm]

Here's an example of a $1,000.00 a month 1-bedroom apartment in a $600,000.00 to $800,000.00 for homes neighborhood. It's right near where I live in the San Fernando Valley, considered the affordable part of Los Angeles.

[Looking]

What about the Sierra Foothills? Any towns along there? Or Fresno/Clovis area? Still expensive?

[Roaddog]

The problem with the foothills is if you find a affordable area then there won't be any jobs. I live in Kern county and I don't see anything really affordable, as house prices rose a lot of people sold and moved to the foothills and drove up the land prices. thats how it is here anyway, it may be differant in other areas.

[huntman58]

May want to try the foot hills above Sac or between Sonora and Placerville not the cheapest but one of the nicest area I think. Would stay away from the Fresno area. That is were I live out in the country as I would not live in town there if I could help it any way. The area out of Sonora has more winter skiing chouses and also close to big city but small town life. Also lots of lakes in the area for summer water skiing or jet skiing, fishing act. Look on line for Sac newspapers or out of Sonora and good luck you will enjoy a lot less humidity here

[TriciaK57]

Looking ~ If Southern California interests you, a 2bd/1ba condo can be had in Bishop or Mammoth Lakes for approx. $250K-$280K. We do timeshare in this area and find the skiing, fishing, outdoor recreation to be superb. All told, it seems to be fairly affordable if employment or work proximity is not an issue and you don't require a big place. Other areas would include most suburb cities approx. 60-90 miles east of Los Angeles. For example, you could live in, say, Highland and drive 20 minutes to "the snow". Also, any of these cities would place you within an hour drive or less to Lake Arrowhead/Big Bear or Crestline areas for skiing. You can also travel the 138 to ski slopes just off the highway.

[Screenial]

Since commuting and a job isn't the issue, I would suggest Big Bear area also. I've seen some nice rusic cabins for rent on Craig's Lists for pretty cheap. If you like rock climbing, Joshua Tree is inexpensive and beautiful ( if you like the desert). It's about an hour or so from skiing in Big Bear.