[skytrekker]

Where are you living? RB are you in Ft Worth or??

What is more expensive then southern California? Taxes? Food? Gasoline?

I find your post to be amusing-and somewhat disingenuous. I suggest you look at the median home price in greater Hartford at 250K, with that of southern California - about currently 90% higher---- and lets begin to make comparisons- I am dying to prove you wrong.

The same house you had in CT- would cost far higher in California- even in the most expensive parts of CT

[R.B.]

Sorry, we should have wrote "other than house and water". You can definitely get more in CT, but taxes are expensive than CA. Natural gas, Electricity and grocery are higher than CA. The larger and older house in CT will be more expensive to maintain. Especially heating cost since CT winter is very long compare to CA. We didn't see these things until we settled down.

We now live in TX. This time we knew our electricity and water bills will be higher than CT and we were more prepared.

[kidyankee764]

Originally Posted by skytrekker

The same house you had in CT- would cost far higher in California- even in the most expensive parts of CT

I disagree. Homes in southwestern CT are very expensive, and the median home price in the Stamford/Norwalk metro area are a bit higher than greater LA and greater San Diego - though not by much. San Francisco is another story.

Friends of mine moved to Chula Vista two years ago. They are currently renting a four-bedroom, 2300 square foot 2.5 bath home on .2 acres with a pool in a decent neighborhood. They are paying $1900/mo and also noted that the hidden costs (certain taxes) in CT do not exist CA. Yes, CA is very expensive, but if we want to compare it to CT's most expensive towns, CT wins (or loses, depends on how you look at it!).

Same with gas prices - in San Diego she told me they paid $3.86 for regular, cheapest they could find. It's not that much higher than CT. Again, San Francisco is another story.

[skytrekker]

KidYankee


as for your assertion that homes in southwestern CT are more expensive than the San Diego area -here are actual figures from the NAR-last quarter of 2007

San Diego, San Marcos, Carlsbad CA $522,900 (this includes basically all of greater SD)
Bridgeport, Stamford, Norwalk CT $460,000 (this figure includes the cheapest (Bridgeport) and the highest (Greenwich combined)

although these figures will likely be lower after 1st quarter 2008
additionally Chula Vista is one of the least desirable places to live in greater SD- nonetheless the above figures from the NAR combine the best and the worst of both regions- and greater San Diego is still higher- and I believe the OP was comparing a move from Los Angeles and not SD.

Los Angeles, Long Beach last quarter 2007 NAR 510K
San Jose, Sunnyvale, Santa Clara 845K
San Francisco, Oakland, Fremont 777K

Additionally out of Fairfield county CT median house prices last quarter 2007
Hartford East Hartford West Hartford 258K
New Haven Milford 268K
New London, Norwich 252K

All the rest of CT is still at least half the cost of southern coastal California.

[leavinglosangeles]

Hi All,

A very interesting thread and all good advice...so, now it's my turn:

1st Point - I have lived in Southern California all of my life and I have friends and family in Northern California, so I am extremely familiar with the housing market. I have been for years as a person trying to determine whether I can afford to buy here. I will share with you that I am a single, professional (as I mentioned) with a successful small business and bottom line here...$750k to $1M starting for a home in a nice area, unless of course you want to live in Palmdale or Lancaster or San Bernardino county (and yes, I would agree about Chula Vista). And, I do not. That is the reality of the situation. So, in exploring Connecticut anything under that is looking pretty good to me right about now!
2nd Point - Weather is not an issue for me. I am basically living in a desert here, which has the following in terms of seasons: December-February = Mildly Cool (a few actual cold days and a few drops of rain if we're lucky) and March-November = Warm and Hot and brush fire season. So, you see, I would be happy with a little green here and there and maybe a few snowflakes in the winter.
3rd Point - Location, location, location. Here's the rub! Yes, I am admittedly one of those people coming from another state to New England looking for a scene out of "Baby Boom," or "Christmas in Connecticut." I have a right. I've been living in, next to, around, on top, on bottom and uncomfortably close to my neighbors for most of my adult life. I know them, way too much of them, more than I want or need to! So, I want a little charm? Some character? A little history? Little churches with white steeples and main streets with quaint shops. Can you blame me? I am in the land of cement strip mall jungles mingled with miles upon miles of stucco houses. Don't get me wrong, there are some unbelievably beautiful areas here and miles of incredible coastline, but again, that goes with the $1M price tag. From what I have seen, while it may not the true New England I am thinking of, I am hoping I can get at least a little taste of that scene...
4th Point - To do or not to do. Interesting comment about not having enough to do in Connecticut. Most people associate Southern California people with scenes from their favorite television show. That we are all moving, doing, shaking, hittin' the scene, clubbing, all the time. Totally true for my friends in the "Biz," but the rest of us are just living our lives like everyone else in the country. I want to walk into a coffee shop and not listen to others' cell phone conversations about their latest script or audition; I want to go to a department store where I don't have to worry about getting nipped by a miniature terrier popping it's head of a purse. Now, valid issue for a single person who does not want to turn into a recluse, a social life is in order and driving to a larger town to have a glass of wine with a friend or go to a play, is important. Mostly what I want to do when I get to Connecticut, at least for the first Winter is...sit in my living room in front of a nice fire, with a book, with my dog next to me, with a glass of wine in hand and a light snow falling outside.

If I can just have a few of those things, I think I'll be happy in CT.

[wavehunter007]

Originally Posted by leavinglosangeles

Hi All,

A very interesting thread and all good advice...so, now it's my turn:

1st Point - I have lived in Southern California all of my life and I have friends and family in Northern California, so I am extremely familiar with the housing market. I have been for years as a person trying to determine whether I can afford to buy here. I will share with you that I am a single, professional (as I mentioned) with a successful small business and bottom line here...$750k to $1M starting for a home in a nice area, unless of course you want to live in Palmdale or Lancaster or San Bernardino county (and yes, I would agree about Chula Vista). And, I do not. That is the reality of the situation. So, in exploring Connecticut anything under that is looking pretty good to me right about now!
2nd Point - Weather is not an issue for me. I am basically living in a desert here, which has the following in terms of seasons: December-February = Mildly Cool (a few actual cold days and a few drops of rain if we're lucky) and March-November = Warm and Hot and brush fire season. So, you see, I would be happy with a little green here and there and maybe a few snowflakes in the winter.
3rd Point - Location, location, location. Here's the rub! Yes, I am admittedly one of those people coming from another state to New England looking for a scene out of "Baby Boom," or "Christmas in Connecticut." I have a right. I've been living in, next to, around, on top, on bottom and uncomfortably close to my neighbors for most of my adult life. I know them, way too much of them, more than I want or need to! So, I want a little charm? Some character? A little history? Little churches with white steeples and main streets with quaint shops. Can you blame me? I am in the land of cement strip mall jungles mingled with miles upon miles of stucco houses. Don't get me wrong, there are some unbelievably beautiful areas here and miles of incredible coastline, but again, that goes with the $1M price tag. From what I have seen, while it may not the true New England I am thinking of, I am hoping I can get at least a little taste of that scene...
4th Point - To do or not to do. Interesting comment about not having enough to do in Connecticut. Most people associate Southern California people with scenes from their favorite television show. That we are all moving, doing, shaking, hittin' the scene, clubbing, all the time. Totally true for my friends in the "Biz," but the rest of us are just living our lives like everyone else in the country. I want to walk into a coffee shop and not listen to others' cell phone conversations about their latest script or audition; I want to go to a department store where I don't have to worry about getting nipped by a miniature terrier popping it's head of a purse. Now, valid issue for a single person who does not want to turn into a recluse, a social life is in order and driving to a larger town to have a glass of wine with a friend or go to a play, is important. Mostly what I want to do when I get to Connecticut, at least for the first Winter is...sit in my living room in front of a nice fire, with a book, with my dog next to me, with a glass of wine in hand and a light snow falling outside.

If I can just have a few of those things, I think I'll be happy in CT.

You tell em ! You sound like you know exactly what you’re getting into.

Your comment about living in a desert and needing a change…….well I can tell you with a big smile - the East Coast and Connecticut are as far from a desert as you can get – torrential rain storms often, sultry humidity in summer, drizzle and rain in winter, and green 7 months a year. Winter here is tolerable – and not brutal like the mountain West, Midwest, or northern New England. Your comment about what you hope to do your first winter (“sit in my living room in front of a nice fire, with a book, with my dog next to me, with a glass of wine in hand and a light snow falling outside”)…… well you will have plenty of time to do that from December through March when its 38 F and blustery outside(lol). Although there may not always snow falling outside.

Also, if you look hard enough, you will still find that housing and apt costs are less than in CA. The buildings may be older (and you seem to be looking for that), but CA is still more expensive from what I have seen. I would get a Realtor to help you look when the time comes.

My only caution, as I have said, is many transplants have said that in Connecticut……where the jobs are – are not so “Christmas in Connecticut” or “Baby Boom” like. It can be difficult here at times to find a well paying professional jobs in the outlying and northern areas of the state. Also if you seek country living - you may be surprised how urban and fast-paced the I-95 corridor from New Haven to the New York City area is.

From what you say, I think you will enjoy living here. Good luck.

[CrissCT]

Originally Posted by kidyankee764

Friends of mine moved to Chula Vista two years ago. They are currently renting a four-bedroom, 2300 square foot 2.5 bath home on .2 acres with a pool in a decent neighborhood. They are paying $1900/mo and also noted that the hidden costs (certain taxes) in CT do not exist CA. Yes, CA is very expensive, but if we want to compare it to CT's most expensive towns, CT wins (or loses, depends on how you look at it!).

As Skytrekker and LeavingLosAngeles have said, Chula Vista is not a very desirable part of San Diego. If you want a decent sized home in a nice school district on a postage stamp sized lot, expect to pay at least $3200 month for rent. Now tell me CT is more expensive than CA.

[kidyankee764]

Originally Posted by CrissCT

As Skytrekker and LeavingLosAngeles have said, Chula Vista is not a very desirable part of San Diego. If you want a decent sized home in a nice school district on a postage stamp sized lot, expect to pay at least $3200 month for rent. Now tell me CT is more expensive than CA.

I simply meant the Stamford area is pricier than PARTS of CA. Not as a whole. Still, aside from rent, CT has many 'hidden costs' that many people I know in CA are surprised by.

[skytrekker]

Connecticut has higher costs in real estate taxes- in many towns, but not all. The biggest adjustment for Californians coming here is the motor vehicle tax. Since California has long been the center of A 'car culture' the idea of such a tax is a shock. California real estate taxes are generally lower, but there are poor local public schools, inadequately kept parks, a crumbling freeway infrastructure and in all but the most upscale cities, poor local services- after all you get for what you pay for.

Outside of Fairfield county- Connecticut is far cheaper then California- real estate is about one half of L.A and SD-; and even cheaper compared to Orange county. Northern Ca the SF bay area is nearly triple what home prices are in CT outside of Fairfield county, and even double in most cases compared to pricey SW CT.

California has a higher sales and income tax- and there also is a 'county tax' which Connecticut lacks.

Also great posts leaving LA- I hope you checked out the photo thread-
thanks for considering Connecticut- from what I see locally here in eastern CT on a weekly basis- Motor vehicles CA with plates you may not be alone here. I lived in the SF bay area in the mid 1990s- and while I loved it- I find CT to have a far higher quality of life.

[kidyankee764]

Originally Posted by skytrekker

and even double in most cases compared to pricey SW CT.

The average price of homes in the SF Bay area is $1m?