Has anyone decided NOT to buy a house?

[majoun]

Originally Posted by CA4Now

During that particular real estate cycle, the residential housing market peaked in late 1989 and started to decline enough that by the mid-90s, many homes were worth less than what they were valued at in 1990. Housing prices didn't start to increase again until 2003-4 or so.

I remember the decline in the value of housing and lower housing prices but I thought it had to do with the events of April 1992, as opposed to something that happened earlier. Perhaps it was a combination of events?

[New Horizons]

Look at all these nice little craftsman style homes around Jefferson Park:
http://www.redfin.com/homes-for-sale#!lat=34.027566545846824&long=-118.31279749999999&market=socal&max_price=275000&r egion_id=11203&region_type=6&uipt=1&v=6&zoomLevel= 14

All I need is a little something like that. I know it's not the best area of LA but it would still be better than being crammed into a noisy apartment or condo.
Some things to keep in mind:
I might be the only white in the neighborhood: For the last 3 years I've been working in an all black neighborhood. You get used to it and after a while, it becomes your new reality.
I don't care about the quality of the schools nearby: Why should I? I'm not having any kids.
As long as my BASIC safety needs are met: Basically, please don't do a driveby shooting on my house. Window bars don't bother me, in fact I feel safer with them on my place. And if I did get robbed the most they'll get is a computer and maybe TV. I'm not into lots of possessions. Plus with today's IP camera's, you can monitor your place pretty well. I don't plan on going for walks at nighttime either. An occasional helicopter at night isn't the end of the world either. Anyway I like a little action to keep things interesting.

I just want to be in the action of LA but still have a detached house. Plus I have family members out east that would love to live in LA, that's money right there. Some of those little houses might even allow you to park a little Airstream on the side, that's another bedroom right there.

Of course all of this is a moot point right now as I've yet to get my career rolling, I really am working on that though.

[New Horizons]

Damn, my link didn't work right. It was supposed to zoom in on the area. You get the idea though.

[Bideshi]

Originally Posted by mlb

WHOA - what industry to YOU work in?

We've not had raises in 3 years.

5 years for us...

[katnip kid]

Originally Posted by Bideshi

5 years for us...

Both of you be glad you have employment!

[Mathguy]

Just reiterating my earlier point about what happens to the housing market if a 30yr fixed returns to 7%.

Ouch.