Relocation from Cali to Dallas 😊 (Richardson, Frisco: sales, renting, car registration)

[Mocruz25]

Thinking of moving from Cali (East La) to Richardson area. Currently I the process of job transfer to Dallas (by Restland Cemetery).. I've only been to Dallas once, so need advice on relocation. Thinking of renting at first and maybe then purchasing. Have a family of 3, so daddy will be stay home mommy to care for son and pick up at school. I don't really know what to expect on budget, but I'll be relocating with a salary of $65,000. Not sure what this can provide, cuz in Cali it's not much anymore. Any info on schools and and good decent, quiet area is what I'm looking for. I've had enough of the Cali city life (traffic, noisy and polluted style), I'm read for nice peaceful area. Thanks in advance.

[Zembonez]

At 65K you'll be able to keep your head above water if you are somewhat frugal, but you won't be living large. Just FYI... people in Texas tire very quickly of the word Cali.

[CREW747]

Depending on your spending habits and expenses,$ 65,000 a year goes a VERY LONG way here in the dfw metroplex.Coming from California,you will be very pleased to reap the financial benefits of living in north Texas...

- Buy a house that is a single story,energy efficient.Do not get more space then you need.Aim for 2300 square feet instead of 3300.Many people moving here from other states are initially shocked at what they can get for the money when it comes to housing.Do not choose a huge 2 story home with 20 foot ceilings for $250,000 unless you are prepared for some major electric bills.

[jbiggs]

Originally Posted by CREW747

Depending on your spending habits and expenses,$ 65,000 a year goes a VERY LONG way here in the dfw metroplex.

She has a family of 3 and Hubby won't be working and will be a stay at home Dad. At that rate $65K does not go a long way. They can easily make do on that amount but it will not be a life of routine lunches out, dinners out every few days, etc., etc.

Coming from California,you will be very pleased to reap the financial benefits of living in north Texas...

There are none that are not offset by high property taxes, high sales taxes, the costs of gasoline, food, and other necessities, etc. Yes they might well reduce a few expenses here but there is no "reaping" to be had except for the Grim Reaper!

- Buy a house that is a single story,energy efficient.Do not get more space then you need.Aim for 2300 square feet instead of 3300.

It is a good piece of advice and they can still do this on $65K as long as they are careful. Unfortunately many people are still leaving their brains at the door when they house hunt. What you're describing are new or newer homes (energy efficient). When people look at homes anymore they get the starry eyed look and totally blow it when they forget it costs money to reach the stars. Then they get themselves into more than they can handle, especially later when some other large financial need comes along.

Many people moving here from other states are initially shocked at what they can get for the money when it comes to housing.

Then they learn afterward when they don't listen to the good advice you proposed above (size, etc.) that they bought more house than they could afford. But hey it looked posible then to keep it years down the road when Wifey loses her job and Hubby can't find one.

Do not choose a huge 2 story home with 20 foot ceilings for $250,000 unless you are prepared for some major electric bills.

But they usually do and it is because "Ooooh the kitchen is updated and has granite countertops!", or some other superficial "Looks Good" garbage!

Answers in blue italic above.

[Made_it_To_the_Metroplex]

Originally Posted by jbiggs

Answers in blue italic above.

Yes, but at least TX doesn't have state income tax, and car registration/property tax on vehicles is reasonable (or non-existent), compared to where many people are from, including SC, where I live right now.

[CREW747]

Things are alot less in the metroplex overall when coming from states like CA,CT,NY,NJ.We moved here from Greenwich ,Ct.

my brother in law lives in he metroplex makes about $65,000 a year and his wife stays home.They live in a one story 2,200 square foot brand new house.They own both of their cars,do most of their shopping at Costco and have no debt except for student loans.They go on mini vacations all the time and eat out at places like chik fila a and the Whole Foods cafe.They bought all of their furniture at Ikea.They have been shocked at how far their money has gone here moving from New Jersey....

This is what we found to be alot less....

- Child care/mothers day out programs.We have friends that send their 4year old to a 5 day pre k program for $660 a month at a pre school in with certified and or Bachelor degreed teachers.This is unheard of in the north east.The hours are 8:45 -2:30.A program like that in Ct could be close to $2,000 a month.
- Kilowat price ( electricity )
- Gas .If it is $2.99 here it is $3.50 in CT
- Car insurance
- Buying a house .You can purchase a house in a great area/school district for $200,000 here.In CA,CT,NY,NJ $400,000 gets you something tiny that needs major work.Taxes are still more.
- Entertainment.When we realized we could bring food into Ranger ball park and it would not cost $40 to park we were floored.There is so much more to do here that costs less.

- I love living in Prosper and having the option of driving 10 minutes in a few different directions for mass amounts of kid friendly activities

[Lakewooder]

Property taxes and insurance is higher in Texas - however there are some cheap areas with halfway-decent homes. If you want to live closer in some of the higher demand areas, the homes are not that much less expensive.

[CREW747]

Property taxes are 1.89 in New Jersey and 1.62 in Connecticut ,they are 1.82 in Texas.

North Texas has some fantastic homes in great ,safe,family oriented neighborhoods for $200,000.Many suburbs have homes for as little as $160,000 that are still in great neighborhoods with fantastic schools .Frisco would be a good example of this.

Friends ,colleagues and neighbors that live in the northern suburbs love the close proximity to shopping ,amenities and entertainment.