Has anyone moved back after being gone long? (Cleveland, Youngstown: foreclosures, rent)

[Clevelander17]

Originally Posted by Alaskapat528

It's about a 5 day drive...ugh..makes me sick giving all that $$ to the oil companies. .

Trust me, I know what you mean. I just made a 2100 mile drive across the country a week or so back. Maybe you can gamble and hope that gas prices are lower after summer is over, but I don't know enough about the situation to tell you that you can count on that.

[Clevelander17]

Originally Posted by Kasey77

My Long time Cleveland neighbors. How is the cost of heating your homes been? This is another consideration. People have a misconception that it is so expensive in the southwest to live and cheaper there. EVERYTHING except for the housing is more expensive there. Fuel, food, wear and tear on the car etc.

The expenses line up differently. For instance, in places like Phoenix, the advantage of not having to heat your home is canceled out by having to run the A/C five or six months a year. Also, because things are so much more spread out, you do end paying slightly more on gas. Not sure if the same can be said for San Diego or other Southwestern cities.

Things generally are more expensive out that way, especially home prices (overinflated, even). But you're right, these are things to consider.

[121804]

Originally Posted by Kasey77

So what is the cost of heating those homes?

Our highest was in Feb @ $295. We have a 1200 sq ft home w/ finished basement. Home is about 60yrs old with original doors & windows. If we had the means to replace the windows & doors, we would, but that will probably be in a few years. We had a newborn & toddler, so we kept the home a little warmer than if it was just my dh & I.

Dec, Jan, & Mar were about $200-$250

Last month, our gas was $63 & electric was $42.

If we didn't get this heat wave this past weekend, our elec would probably be nice & low again, but a/c has been on for a few days.

There are reports that gas bills will be double next year. That scares me. So, we will probably close off a few rooms & see if that helps with cost.

[Kasey77]

Gas will double next year? Oh Boy! I have an 87 year old grandmother that lives with us and we have to put the heat on here for her if it is 70! just wondering how high you keep your heat?
Honeslty, financially I think I will have to stay in SoCal. I would rather go home. Maybe their is a way?

[airics]

highest bill was with dominion in Mayfield, house at 70 degrees, 1400sf, new windows.. no leaks or drafts $600.... and you are right, except for housing (which is changing now) EVERYTHING is cheaper out west.

[Kasey77]

Thank You Airics! I spent last summer in Cleveland and was shocked how expensive it was to live there. Only a few people that have lived in So.Cal and back there know what I am talking about. People have this illusion that is is so expensive out here. So not true!
$600 a month? Wow. I could put toward a mortgage on a home that will double in 10 years.
But, Cleveland will always be home to me. I miss the seasons and long time friends.

[BelieveInCleve]

Originally Posted by Kasey77

Thank You Airics! I spent last summer in Cleveland and was shocked how expensive it was to live there. Only a few people that have lived in So.Cal and back there know what I am talking about. People have this illusion that is is so expensive out here. So not true!
$600 a month? Wow. I could put toward a mortgage on a home that will double in 10 years.
But, Cleveland will always be home to me. I miss the seasons and long time friends.

Im not really sure what you are talking about. The Cleveland area is well below average when it comes to the cost of living. It doesnt really matter if anything else costs more in Cleveland, houses in SOCAL, especially around LA, can run 4 or more times higher than the same house in Cleveland.

[Kasey77]

Yes, you are correct housing is expensive out here, but EVERYTHING else is much much less expensive. I can tell from your post that you are not familiar with the so cal area.
also, prices in housing are falling a lot and fast.
My gas and electric bill in the winter tops at $75 and I have a 1900 sq foot home. Community college out here is cheaper, food, health insurance, taxes, vetrinary care.... It really adds up. It is more expensive to live in Cleveland. I own my home here, my cost of living is a lot less.

[newmex]

Originally Posted by ryanek9freak

Yes 121804 , i've lived all over Cleveland, and Columbus. Hell I even lived in Ashtabula at one point. THe problem with the places you mentioned is that normal folk such as myself can't afford to live there.

I've seen every part of greater Cleveland, as i've spent the last 20 years of my life living there until recently. I just got really sick and tired of the low paying jobs (in my field) and the horrible weather. You're either dying in 90+ heat or shoveling out from 3 feet of snow.

The only thing I miss is the Lake. Nothing comes close to the Bass fishing on Lake Erie. Now I have a boat, and not many places to use it. But out here in Colorado, there's jobs o' plenty, nice scenery, mild weather, and nicer people.

Nothing against Ohio persay, just isn't my cup of tea anymore. Neither is any of the midwest for that matter.

Nicer people is right. I lived in New Mexico for a year, then came back to NE Ohio just recently. Folks in Ohio are definitely saltier in attitude

[BelieveInCleve]

Originally Posted by Kasey77

Yes, you are correct housing is expensive out here, but EVERYTHING else is much much less expensive. I can tell from your post that you are not familiar with the so cal area.
also, prices in housing are falling a lot and fast.
My gas and electric bill in the winter tops at $75 and I have a 1900 sq foot home. Community college out here is cheaper, food, health insurance, taxes, vetrinary care.... It really adds up. It is more expensive to live in Cleveland. I own my home here, my cost of living is a lot less.

Well I have only been to SoCal once, I wasnt really paying attention to anything else. Things may have been a little cheaper but somehow I dont think I noticed. All of the time I hear how much more it costs to live out there, I thought they were talking about everything but it might just be housing I guess. However, Cleveland is still far below LA as far as the cost of living. That probably factors in housing too. It would seem if houses in SoCal cost 4 or more times more than near Cleveland, in the longrun you would still save money living in Cleveland.