Can I affod to live in Walnut Creek? (real estate, foreclosure)

[mtman]

My wife and I are considering moving to Walnut Creek for a job. My job will pay around 75 to 80k a year and she will probably make about the same as she is a RN.. can we afford to live comfortably there on that income? I have no idea how much it takes to live in CA, i heard it can be pretty expensive. Any body who lives or has lived that can give me some insight woudl be helpful. Thanks!

[Adriatica]

Google "cost of living calculator" and then use those sites to get an idea of how much income you'll need.

[esmith143]

I don't think there are any places in the United States where a childless couple wouldn't be able to live comfortably on 150-170K. Now, if you have 6 children, then you might have something to worry about.

Walnut Creek is sufficiently far from Silicon Valley to be affordable.

[robertpolyglot]

If you want to be in the Bay Area without the claustrophobic hassles of SF while being on the excellent B.A.R.T. system, then Walnut Creek is a great choice. I think that, in a dual-income no kids set-up, Walnut Creek is definitely doable. In nice places of CA, once you past the cost of housing (a big percentage, I know), virtually everything else (except for auto insurance) is comparable to other places. I don't think you'll be living in a mansion, but you'll be able to afford a nice enough place.

[joe stixpuck]

You can definitely do it on that salary, and especially with what the wife will be contributing.

Rentals will be affordable for ya, and are the only way to go IMO until the housing market has readjusted out there, unless you find a great deal on a foreclosure anyway.

The high cost of living is mostly attributed to the cost of real estate/rental prices. Otherwise everything else is fairly relative although slightly more pricey than elsewhere.

The Walnut Creek area is one of the nicer communities in the Bay Area. One of my good friends grew up in the area and won't live anywhere else out there.

[18Montclair]

Yes, you will be able to afford Walnut Creek. Love that town.

[alamo andrea]

You'll do just fine in Walnut Creek, and it is the perfect place for the dual income, no kids lifestyle. If that situation changes (the kids I mean), the schools are top notch. You'll have a blast.

Property values fell about 30% over the past few years but have gained about 16% since the low. Now is an ideal time to buy, especially considering the once in a lifetime low interest rates.

[clongirl]

Originally Posted by alamo andrea

You'll do just fine in Walnut Creek, and it is the perfect place for the dual income, no kids lifestyle. If that situation changes (the kids I mean), the schools are top notch. You'll have a blast.

Property values fell about 30% over the past few years but have gained about 16% since the low. Now is an ideal time to buy, especially considering the once in a lifetime low interest rates.

Good lord. Will you stop trolling all the old posts for business opportunities for yourself?

Shameless real estate agent telling folks to buy now or they'll get priced out forever...