Who has tried moving to another state (San Jose, Fortuna: buying a house, buy)

[Twinkle Toes]

I had a gorgeous 6500 sq. ft. home with my own ballroom outside of CA for way under a million dollars, but I was so miserable in that state that I had to come back to CA. I am now in 3500 sq. ft., no ballroom, but I am in the studio every day dancing and I am so happy to be back home. I'd rather live in CA in a shack (even though 3500 sq. ft. is hardly a shack) than to live anywhere else in a mansion. Been there, done that and it sucked!

[Cali4life80]

Originally Posted by Twinkle Toes

I had a gorgeous 6500 sq. ft. home with my own ballroom outside of CA for way under a million dollars, but I was so miserable in that state that I had to come back to CA. I am now in 3500 sq. ft., no ballroom, but I am in the studio every day dancing and I am so happy to be back home. I'd rather live in CA in a shack (even though 3500 sq. ft. is hardly a shack) than to live anywhere else in a mansion. Been there, done that and it sucked!

I agree Twinkle Toes! It sucked big time. The most depressing, miserable time of my life.

[whatever78]

I've friends in San Francisco and London who make damn good money and don't plan on owning until they're in there 40s minimum. lawyers living at home w/ parents in london...yikes. I think you have to have a different mind-set. the city has changed. its not that its not affordable to buy anymore...it is just going to take you longer, maybe a lot longer, than it did your parents or grandparents. and you get less space as well. its just a different reality in a city like this. its harder to see it as such when you're living next to those who did get in at 200k, or your parents, grandparents, etc., and on tv and in other states its mcmansions for nothing. if you want the city life, you pay for it. if culture is worth it to you, then its worth it. if not, then it seems overpriced. its all relative.

[jbdavid80]

i left marin county and headed to maui, hawaii. i love it, and the cost of living in actually cheaper here if not the same as in marin. plus, there are always a ton of people here from california, either living or visiting. i love it. when i "grow-up" though, i will do everything i can to move back to marin......i love it there.

[Agenias]

OK,
I'm an Ohio native, moved to Cali after I graduated nursing school and hubby graduated with a degree in computer engineering. I got a great job in San Jose as did he as a software engineer.
We had a 16 month old and a 4 year old when we moved and we weren't sure if we could afford a house even with an income of about 150K. My mom kept telling me that we should move back and buy a huge house in Ohio, they would watch the kids for us, ect.

We moved back... and we hate it. Unfortunately, we did buy a house in Ohio, so now we have to try and sell it. We are still hoping to move back to the bay area this summer. Fortunately, my husband's company asked him to work for them via telecommuting, so when we move, he will simply go to the office more often. I've already spoken with my hospital and can have my position as well.

Reasons we hate Ohio:
Weather is awful (we hate cold, and I'm not real fond of the tornados).
People are just not nice.
I hadn't realized it until we moved to CA and then moved back, but women are definitely treated 'differently' in Ohio.
Racial tensions are palpable.
Did I mention that the weather sucks?

My mom is already whining about our upcoming move, but we are just not listening. She can certainly choose to live here if she desires, we just felt at 'home' in CA. We know that our house isn't going to be as nice as the one here, and we've accepted it. We think CA has more to offer our children in culture, outdoor activites, and education.

I wish we were back already, however, at least now, we realize our mistake and know that CA is the only place for us!

[Cali4life80]

Originally Posted by Agenias

OK,
I'm an Ohio native, moved to Cali after I graduated nursing school and hubby graduated with a degree in computer engineering. I got a great job in San Jose as did he as a software engineer.
We had a 16 month old and a 4 year old when we moved and we weren't sure if we could afford a house even with an income of about 150K. My mom kept telling me that we should move back and buy a huge house in Ohio, they would watch the kids for us, ect.

We moved back... and we hate it. Unfortunately, we did buy a house in Ohio, so now we have to try and sell it. We are still hoping to move back to the bay area this summer. Fortunately, my husband's company asked him to work for them via telecommuting, so when we move, he will simply go to the office more often. I've already spoken with my hospital and can have my position as well.

Reasons we hate Ohio:
Weather is awful (we hate cold, and I'm not real fond of the tornados).
People are just not nice.
I hadn't realized it until we moved to CA and then moved back, but women are definitely treated 'differently' in Ohio.
Racial tensions are palpable.
Did I mention that the weather sucks?

My mom is already whining about our upcoming move, but we are just not listening. She can certainly choose to live here if she desires, we just felt at 'home' in CA. We know that our house isn't going to be as nice as the one here, and we've accepted it. We think CA has more to offer our children in culture, outdoor activites, and education.

I wish we were back already, however, at least now, we realize our mistake and know that CA is the only place for us!

Great post! Your situation is a lot like mine. You're another example of those who don't need a huge house to be happy, just as long as you are in a state where you are happy

[donnam]

We moved to Idaho a couple of years ago. One of my big reasons for leaving CA was my fear that our kids wouldn't be able to afford a home in 10-20 years. Ha! Stupidly, I didn't figure on wages being as low as they are in Idaho. My kids would put in the same effort to afford a home in Idaho as they would in California. So, gee, would life for them be more pleasant in a state where gorgeous scenery and weather abound, people are diverse and tolerant, and there are plenty of opportunities for education and jobs? My thinking was: Yes!

We've been back home in California for almost 3 weeks now and it is fantastic! Never will we leave again.

I realize that many people can't wait to get out of CA and start life anew in another state. I admire their motivation to build a better life for themselves and their families. That is the right choice for them and they will most likely be happier in their "state of choice".

When it comes down to it, I believe "home" is just a feeling you have about a certain place. Could be anywhere, but only you can decide what feels right.

[Niners fan]

Originally Posted by donnam

When it comes down to it, I believe "home" is just a feeling you have about a certain place. Could be anywhere, but only you can decide what feels right.

I could not agree more. We are moving to Idaho next year. To me California has just lost its appeal. I am looking forward to getting to a state that is more conservative towards values and businesses. I realize that many people come to California for the some of the reasons we are leaving.

For us, personal finances are not the issue. We own a nice house in a nice area. The proposal in the news lately about the legislature requiring schools to teach Global Warming (um, Climate Change) is an excellent example of why I am ready to leave. I could list other issues, but since this is not a political forum I'll leave it at that.

It is interesting to me, however, to think of what the demographics of California might look like in 20 or 30 years. I think a lot of conservatives are leaving. I am not arguing that that is a good or bad thing but it will be interesting to see how far left the state moves and what the results will be.

[Cali4life80]

Originally Posted by donnam

We moved to Idaho a couple of years ago. One of my big reasons for leaving CA was my fear that our kids wouldn't be able to afford a home in 10-20 years. Ha! Stupidly, I didn't figure on wages being as low as they are in Idaho. My kids would put in the same effort to afford a home in Idaho as they would in California. So, gee, would life for them be more pleasant in a state where gorgeous scenery and weather abound, people are diverse and tolerant, and there are plenty of opportunities for education and jobs? My thinking was: Yes!

We've been back home in California for almost 3 weeks now and it is fantastic! Never will we leave again.

I realize that many people can't wait to get out of CA and start life anew in another state. I admire their motivation to build a better life for themselves and their families. That is the right choice for them and they will most likely be happier in their "state of choice".

When it comes down to it, I believe "home" is just a feeling you have about a certain place. Could be anywhere, but only you can decide what feels right.

The saying still goes "The grass isn't always greener on the other side." When I see people on this forum with such high expectations about their move to a cheaper state, i just have to sit back, shake my head and wish them the best. Sure there are success stories and I wish I was one of them, but the reality for me is that I can never leave CA again.

Donnam, I'm so glad you are back in CA and loving life. Thats what life is all about

[sheri257]

Originally Posted by donnam

Stupidly, I didn't figure on wages being as low as they are in Idaho.

That's the thing ... people always talk about how cheap these places are but, they rarely mention wages because they are so low.

That is, afterall, why these places are so cheap ... low wages.

I guess you could come out ahead in some cases but, generally there's not more money to be made in cheaper states.