Dallas OR San Diego (Howe: real estate market, renting, HOA fees)

[socketz]

I don't think San Diego is any more congested than here.

The prices are high there for homes yes, and you get extorted on just about every other item you buy. Then let's not forget the 1980s salaries.

But once you look past all this, it's a great place to live.

[JLJ]

my wife and I combine to make just over 100k, here in SD we rent a two bedroom 1100sqft apt meanwhile we just closed on a home in allen with 2900 sqft. Its a no brainer, once you get past the weather Dallas beats SD hands down.

[lh_newbie]

Dallas winters are mild. Dallas summers can be a serious beat-down. On the bright side, that is a great time to focus on your job and be a "team player"... ahhaha.

All joking aside, if you compare weather and outdoor activities - San Diego would beat Dallas all day long.

But Dallas does offer some pretty darn good stuff. Great restaurants, great shopping, affordable housing are three of the big bonuses. I work for a company that is mainly based in California - we have large campuses both in northern and southern CA. In my interaction with the folks that live there, I constantly (and I mean this whole heartedly) hear them complain about money. And you're talking about individuals making $100K+/year - not including their spouse if married. I believe in long term planning, which includes early retirement. If I were to take the 15% raise to move to California, I would still have to kiss early retirement goodbye.

With early retirement in mind, I always suggest making the smart financial decision; move to Dallas - max out your 401K up to your employer's match, then max out your Roth IRA, then go back to your 401K up to the fed's limit. Enjoy what Dallas has to offer. Take some of your savings and go on vacation - you will be close to one of the best airports in the country. Trips to Cozumel are quick and cheap.

[shaxs]

Originally Posted by JLJ

my wife and I combine to make just over 100k, here in SD we rent a two bedroom 1100sqft apt meanwhile we just closed on a home in allen with 2900 sqft. Its a no brainer, once you get past the weather Dallas beats SD hands down.

I look forward to the weather again, but my fiancee is a different story. Dana Point born and raised

[shaxs]

Originally Posted by lh_newbie

Trips to Cozumel are quick and cheap.

Good! I was wondering how I would coupe with no more scuba diving whenever I want. Just means Ill have to make more trips down south

[socketz]

I've lived in Dana Point (Monarch Beach). This is still my favorite part of Socal (affordable part, Corona Del Mar is my favorite, but I need to own my own profesional sports in order to be able to afford to live there :-)

There will be a bit of shock for your husband when you move.....but I think you already expect that...

There are lots of posh upscale areas in the metroplex, homes that are 500k here and would cost 2.5 mill in So OC. Maybe that will help him get over having the surf crashing at his feet every morning. It will be tough though. Tradeoffs.

The cost of living compared to the types of local jobs/salaries is really the only downside of San Deigo/OC. But depending on where you are in your life, this one is a biggie. I still think I'll retire somewhere in Socal. The unpredictable nature of the weather (can you imagine hiding in your tub during tornadoes when your 70?) here and the property taxes makes it a less desirsable place to grow old. In my opinion of course. However, as a 30 something with little kids. I'd put Dallas up against any city in the US. great family/suburban living here.

[lh_newbie]

Originally Posted by shaxs

Good! I was wondering how I would coupe with no more scuba diving whenever I want. Just means Ill have to make more trips down south

There are quite a few dive shops that plan trips also. We also have DIRECT flights into Cozumel and Belize - so in less than 6 hours, you can make it from your front door to some of the premier diving in the world.

[momof2dfw]

There are also several dive spots in the North Texas area. One is out in Terrell in an old quarry. I also thought that Northlake College (part of the Dallas County Community College District) had a scuba diving pool and program. Know people that teach scuba diving and also know LOTS that go on some GREAT scuba diving trips every year.

[GoPadge]

Just remember to factor in you flights into your decompression calculations. Nobody wants the bends, especially at 35,000 feet in the air.

[lh_newbie]

I did my check dives in Terrell. Strongly suggest not wasting your time in lake dives in TX... not worth it.