California to Connecticut (Fairfield, Santa Monica, San Fernando: jobs, housing, diversity)

[wavehunter007]

I posted on the other thread abot moving out of the Tri-State/East Coast to cheaper living in CA. But from what I have been reading - I think 3 or 4 months of cool weather with only ocassional snow, that melts quickly, with beaches and cities close to each other is starting to seem like a bargain. I am amazed at the house prices in CA. $700,000 is what $200,000 is in most other areas of the USA.

[skytrekker]

I know of of six Californians coming to CT- four from the southland- and two from the bay area.

Climate concerns- well this is not here in Connecticut a dry subtropical paradise.

But its not Chicago or Detroit either. On my property I have a giant sequoia- and two hardy fan palms-

Yes we have 3-4 months of chill here- but some from CA have learned to do is adapt.

[looking4home]

All I ever read on the CT forum is people moaning about taxes - it never stops! they also complain about the long winters, where one can go months with cold, gray skies, and never see the sun. These are people from CT, mind you, not recent transplants so I'm sure there must be something to it.

Also, I know of some people who moved East from CA, and were sorry later. Unfortunately, once you cash out of Cali nowadays you better be darn sure you're making the right decision because it's hard, if not impossible, to come back. Some who couldn't return, but didn't want to stay on the East Coast any longer went South to FL or NC, SC, TN, TX. The weather is better and you still get value for your money, real estate-wise.

[skytrekker]

Taxes in CT- ok I pay $2000 a year on a 1100 square foot townhouse built in 1992- market value 167K- that is not all that outrageous- I pay a mere $165 a year in homeowners insurance and $120 A month condo fee- by the way I paid it off three years ago.

As far as North Carolina- bad schools, poor local services for kids and the elderly, cookie cutter houses on tiny lots- no real culture, bad food at restaurants (the Italian and Asian food is a joke)Mostly chain restaurants- and far from the cultural amenities that Californians like. As far as being 'cheaper' the median home price in Raleigh Durham Cary is 226K in Greater Hartford it is 258K

Housing is considered 'over valued' for local economic conditions in NC- in Hartford it is considered 'Fair value' do your research-NC is no bargain, for those in Connecticut moving there- and for Californians- thats open- price wise cheap it may seem- but the state is rather conservative and xenophobic. In the northeastern megalopolis you are in one of the premier regions of the world- and housing in many areas is surprisingly cheap-

The weather better? Perhaps in the winter- but the summers are hellish- with heat and humidity lasting for month after month in the south- and NC, SC and coastal Texas are hurricane prone- which means soaring homeowners insurance; folks- consider everything-do your 'geographic homework' not all that glitters is gold in the deep south.

Tennessee? Get your bible out. In your face religion- and more xenophobia.

[wavehunter007]

I have to somewhat agree with skytrekker, although there are many things I don't like about Connecticut, the weather thing is not one of them. The West coast media always tries to paint the East coast as having a bad climate (too cold,too humid, too hot in summer).

In fact the weather in the Tri-State (NY,NJ,CT), and mid-Atlantic region from Virgina Beach to southern Rhode Island is really nice about 9-months a year. I like the heat and humidity, so - June, July, Aug, and Sept, are great for me. Also, people we know, who have moved to California tell me that although the 4 winter months are a milder - the summers right along the coast are cool. They say above around Monterey - you have to even were a light jacket in the evening even durning summer. That might not work for me - I love those hot,humid summer eveings when the THI in New Haven and NYC is 87 F at 10:30 at night. Makes me feel like I'am in Thailand or something. I love it when it's hot and rains. Also they ocean on the East coast is so much warmer, I was shocked to learn how cold the ocean is off CA. Last summer surf tempreture was 75 - 80 from Rhode Island to Virginia Beach. People teel me the surf of San Fran is 57 F in July. whew!!

But I love California's mild winters. Too bad we couldn't all create our own perfect climate. Mine would be San Salvador Islands in the Bahamas. But it's just a dream......

Th

[Mark_CT]

Originally Posted by skytrekker

lookng4home

[i]400K here in the Hartford area you get a huge home-mini mansion in a high quality town with excellent schools and services - in southern California 500K gets you a small 45 year old ranch on a postage size stamp lot in a so so neighborhood.

400K in Vernon can get you a huge, mini-mansion?... i am not sure what you would consider huge, but here in Simsbury (also Suburban Hartford, but in the more affluent Farmington Valley), 400K gets you a 2000-2500 sq. ft. 40 year old expanded cape or colonial. Mini-mansions... like 3,700 sq. ft + cost upwards from $900,000, depending on age and acreage.

[Mark_CT]

And the Farmington Valley, only counting Simsbury, Avon, Farmington, has the BEST school systems in CT outside of the NY suburbs (Fairfield County)... however, the tax rate here in Simsbury is 36 mills... which I think is the highest in the state. But, again, Simsbury Public Schools are the best outside of Fairfield Cty... It's a delicate balance, because the taxes are so high, only people with children find it feasible to live here... although, there are new active-adult developments scraping up vacant land.

[skytrekker]

Housing in greater Hartford is considered reasonable in cost.

Well 400K can get you a pretty big new home east of Hartford and the Connecticut river- in towns like Ellington, South Windsor- further out into Coventry, Willington, Stafford Springs 400K buys even more.

Currently it is a buyers market really.

[myito]

Okay, I know I am going to get beat up for this post because Skytrekker appears to be the self-proclaimed advocate for CT.

However, having just moved OUT of CT to come BACK to CA, I have both perspectives. I lived in CT for 6 very, very long years. I moved from West LA because I accepted a job out there. Fresh out of grad school it seemed like a good idea and how bad could it be right?

Well, it was really bad and I could not deal with it. The winters are very long beginning in about late October/early November and going through April sometimes May. No leaves on the trees for 6 months and gray skies takes it toll, I'm sorry it's just a fact. In addition, in the central part of CT where I lived there is not a lot going on vis a vis diversity of activities.

I stayed for as long as I did because my job was good. However, last year I could not take anymore and worked overtime to get a job that would bring me back to CA. I have been back now for about 3 months and have not had a complaint yet. We live on the coast in SD now so it is chillier than LA was for me, but who cares. The sun, ocean view and positive attitude of people around really makes me happy.

And yes, the people in CT are a bitter group. It takes almost an act of God to break through their stoic demeanor to even strike up a brief conversation. After living there for 6 years, I have maybe 1 or 2 good friends. I've been in SD for 3 months and already have met 3 or 4 friends who actually invite you to their homes for dinner and call to see how you are doing -- go figure.

Sky, don't bother responding to me because I know how you feel already -- I'm just giving my perspective.

[myito]

One more thing,

When I lived in Glastonbury we paid $375K for our home and our taxes last year were $9,900. For that same tax base, I'd have to purchase a $900K home in CA.

My car registration in CT was about $600 (vs. $220 in CA).

You tell me taxes are not a bear in CT and for what?