Help! Is there any affordable place left in California? (live in, price)

[bigtallredhead]

Originally Posted by socal06

the cheapest HOUSE that you can find around the bay area is probably $600,000+...if you go more farther out towards places like Tracy and Manteca, the homes there are more "reasonably" priced starting around
$300K for the older homes, $400K+ for some of the newer homes.

False, the cheapest single family homes in the east bay tend to be in the 300k+ range, and condos less than that, -but they are in bad neighborhoods. But one can find homes in decent though not upscale outlying areas but still within the bay area starting for under 400k. Many outlying inland parts of California do have homes that are quite affordable even by national standards, -but there are reasons for that(!)

[bigtallredhead]

Originally Posted by Perdu

No, wages reflect neither cost of living nor cost of housing here. (Another post mentioned L.A. is a 2-tiered economy now, some rich, lotsa poor, fewer middle class than all other US cities.) Yes, you have to be a millionaire or earn $100K a year to qualify for a home loan here. Or combine incomes and have 3 families piled together per house.
The old cliche was that you're paying for the weather here. Now you're paying for the assorted political mistakes here.

That's simply not true in much of inland and rural California. Yes, housing is way too expensive overall in California, -but that varies widely around the state.

[DMenscha]

Originally Posted by bigtallredhead

That's simply not true in much of inland and rural California. Yes, housing is way too expensive overall in California, -but that varies widely around the state.

I agree BTRH, homes in my county start at around $250K, you can get a very nice home on 5 acres around here for right around $350K

[andyjames]

It's not the most glamorous of California cities, and it will hardly remind you of Hollywood or the beach. But for day to day life, it's pretty decent. There is a thriving new suburbia and a number of nice neighborhoods. Additionally, you are only a reasonable drive from many attractions of California. (San Francisco-3 hours, L.A. area 3 hours, Central Coast-2 hours, Sacramento-2.5 hours, Yosemite-1.5 hours, San Diego-6 hours). If you have a limited budget, it's one of the better options. You can get a home in a decent area for the low 200's. The mid-level neighborhoods are beginning to dip below 200,000 again. There are however any number of homes in the 300 to 800 thousand range.

Word to the wise, if you are going to look at Fresno real estate focus on these areas: Fig Garden (93704), Clovis (93611, 93612), Riverpark (93720), Northwest Fresno (93711). These are generally your most family-friendly neighborhoods. There are others, but these are the ones I recommend. I have lived here for 4 years, and currently reside in the Riverpark area.

[Panks]

Hey Chris,
I noticed your post was from last year, but I hope you haven't given up ! I was looking at new homes last night since I read that a lot of builders are slashing prices and there are NEW homes in Sacramento and other places in CA on "sale" for $220,00 for about 1450 sq feet by Shea. I cant tell you anything about the homes or the area but don't give up. CA is huge and since it sounds like you are flexible as to the area..they definitely have homes in your price range.

Check out other builders too. Shae is just the first one I looked at.

[vickipondering]

think about Chico Paradise or Oroville

[Charles]

Originally Posted by darylhallfan

I am a native Californian from the Bay Area. We left there in 1995 because we could not afford it.

I want to come back and WHOW what a shock about pricing. Before I make the move to the midwest I would just like to know if there are ANY places in Northern California that has new larger size homes around the $250K-$300K price range? I know I am probably dreaming here, but would rather ask than move all the way to the midwest only to find there was a chance that I could have come back.

Thank You,
Chris

Would you accept a plain, rural, rustic, unpopulated, non-cosmopolitan, non-urban, agricultural, minimally white collar employable but affordable region of California?

Or do you want the glamorous, expensive, beach, beautiful chicks, "the OC", TV California?

[FrozenAngel]

If I were to check out the Arcata area. Where would I fly into from Boston? And what would be the best airlines to get rates from?

[Charles]

Originally Posted by FrozenAngel

If I were to check out the Arcata area. Where would I fly into from Boston? And what would be the best airlines to get rates from?

United goes from BOS to Eureka/Arcata (ACV) via SFO. $366 RT

[mzmercury]

Springville has very affordable homes that come with at least an acre of land. Beautiful horse country, small town feel but just 30 minutes from all the large towns. People from L.A. are starting to discover us here (I'm originally from OC)...seems like all the new move ins have been from LA...still affordable here though.