Cop looking for a house...400K (Pasadena, Simi Valley: real estate, condos, job)

[Raggy dee Ann]

Originally Posted by scout1lt

I currently rent in Burbank, CA and love it there; however, I can't afford a nice house there. With gas prices as bad as they are I can't afford the commute from Valencia (probably the biggest BANG for my buck) to downtown (where I work), so currently I am kind of stuck in a holding pattern! I was thinking about Lakewood, but I don't know much about it. Does anyone have any good suggestions of up and coming cities that I can FINALLY buy a house in for around $400K with a semi-decent commute to downtown?

There was a time Simi Valley, Moorpark and Santa Clarita Valley were a haven for Law enforement and Fire dept officers I guess it's all changed.

[caligurltotx]

scout1It u got PM.

[Joycee26]

You can get a cute house in pockets of Northridge for that. You can also get a pretty decent condo in Sherman Oaks for $400K.

[SOON2BNSURPRISE]

Originally Posted by katenik

in any other state, lakewood would be a blue-collar suburb where the average house cost $85K. however, in southern CA, with a boeing facility in its back yard, and a beach town down the road, it's more expensive than it ought to be. the housing stock is mostly unremarkable post-war vintage, but usually well-tended. as usual, some neighborhoods are better than others, but you're a cop, so i'm sure you can spot the ones to avoid with your eyes closed. if you're willing to go as far south as lakewood, you might as well look at long beach. it has a broader range of neighborhoods, and a bit more character. just don't walk around waving your gun down there.

Where are those $85,000 homes? Even in the Phoenix area you can't find a place for under $135,000.

[SOON2BNSURPRISE]

Originally Posted by Raggy dee Ann

There was a time Simi Valley, Moorpark and Santa Clarita Valley were a haven for Law enforement and Fire dept officers I guess it's all changed.

That still is the case. My Brother in law lives in Simi. They are planning a move to Canyon Country though.

[bhcompy]

Originally Posted by SOON2BNSURPRISE

Where are those $85,000 homes? Even in the Phoenix area you can't find a place for under $135,000.

places like Jamestown, NY

[katenik]

Originally Posted by SOON2BNSURPRISE

Where are those $85,000 homes? Even in the Phoenix area you can't find a place for under $135,000.

will that house in phoenix be a 60-year-old bungalow with only one bathroom if it hasn't been remodeled, or will it be a 3BR, 2BA in a subdivision that didn't exist when jimmy carter was president? the former is the typical housing stock in lakewood. thoughout the interior of the country, similar properties are dirt cheap. even much larger properties are dirt cheap. only around here does one find a half-million dollar pricetag on a little house originally built to be affordable for a 25-year-old ex-serviceman with a factory job or a postal route and a young family to support.

[bhcompy]

well thats the price you pay for living in one of the most desireable and built out areas in the states

[katenik]

Originally Posted by bhcompy

well thats the price you pay for living in one of the most desireable and built out areas in the states

you aren't telling me anything i don't already know. it was you who asked the question. i gave you the answer.

[bhcompy]

i didnt ask

i gave my own answer though