Leave NASA in Virginia for JPL in Pasadena?

[DenaDude]

Originally Posted by SUPbud

Whichever place hires you.

It is more realistic to apply for the job remotely, then fly-in to interview (multiple times),
than to sell it all and move there and just hope it comes true.

I don't think anyone is recommending he move out without a job in hand...

[VA Spaceman]

Originally Posted by DenaDude

Honestly if I were in your position, here is what I would do:

1) buy a house in Altadena - don't worry about school district at this point.
2) focus on career / marriage
3) have kid
4) send kid to Don Benito for elementary school
5) Once kid(s) are in middle school sell home (which will have appreciated significantly in value)
6) Buy new home in South Pas / La Canada with dual income / equity from other house / dual incomes.

That's really sound advice, DenaDude. The properties you referred me to are great looking places, too. It's still hard to fathom paying that kind of a premium to live in the area, but I guess there's a demand to be there. How long have you lived in the area? Do you feel it's a good place to raise a family?

[DenaDude]

Originally Posted by VA Spaceman

That's really sound advice, DenaDude. The properties you referred me to are great looking places, too. It's still hard to fathom paying that kind of a premium to live in the area, but I guess there's a demand to be there. How long have you lived in the area? Do you feel it's a good place to raise a family?

I grew up there and lived there for about 20 years. It's a great place to raise a family and would choose that area over anywhere else in LA. It's a very sleepy bedroom community with very little commercial activity. But that means traffic is nonexistent and it's quiet. Everyone just goes down the hill to Pasadena for movies, restaurants, shopping etc.

FYI home prices there are actually on the low end for nice areas in LA with a fairly central location which is why I recommended it since you're on a budget.

[CA4Now]

Originally Posted by DenaDude

5) Once kid(s) are in middle school sell home (which will have appreciated significantly in value)
6) Buy new home in South Pas / La Canada with dual income / equity from other house / dual incomes.

I agree with all of this, except that I'd suggest that the OP move to 6) while his/her child is still in elementary school. One does not want to go through the experience of uprooting child(ren) during adolescence.

I grew up in one of the foothill communities, and I agree that parts of Altadena are wonderful. (I'm propably significantly older than you are, though.) He certainly can't go wrong working for JPL. I can only imagine what a shock it must be to look at real estate prices in southern CA now, arriving from another state.