Aproved for a $180,000 loan work in torrance (Long Beach, Santa Clarita: sales, real estate)

[Clandest]

Does anyone know of a GOOD/NICE area that I would be able to move to?

I was looking Santa Clarita area. I know what you are thinking. "THATS FAR! FROM TORRANCE YOU WON'T WANT TO COMMUTE ON THE 405!!"

Well I work graveyard so traffic won't be a problem and to get from santa clarita its takes about 45min to my work, so thats not bad.

Are there any other areas that I am overlooking? Not the AV, I grew up in the AV and will not move back there.

House is priority, I know they are out there. I've seen them on sites i've been looking. If not a house then a town home. And if not a town home a nice condo.

Thanks.

[BRinSM]

Even though Santa Clarita is pretty far removed the city, it is still not cheap to buy up there. I would guess that you wouldn't be able to get more than a 1, maybe 2 br condo for under $200,000.

[Clandest]

Originally Posted by BRinSM

Even though Santa Clarita is pretty far removed the city, it is still not cheap to buy up there. I would guess that you wouldn't be able to get more than a 1, maybe 2 br condo for under $200,000.

There's stuff out there. I have a realitor sending me listings every other day, just was wondering if there are other options besides Santa Clarita. Maybe a little more close to torrance area.

[BRinSM]

the valley, maybe parts of long beach.

[the one]

parts of long beach as well as parts of ING or CPT.

[Bunjee]

Stay in the South Bay/Long Beach area for the non-long distance commuter lifestyle, for your own mental well being, though you'll be sacrificing "nice"--by which I assume either a new development or a comfortably established neighborhood--for something less than white picket fence "nice" but totally livable. Lakewood, parts of Bellflower, Paramount, even Long Beach. You may find something closer in Gardena, Carson or Hawthorne. At this price they'll be homes in working class or transitional areas, non-descript, probably pretty safe but that's a call made on inspection of any specific home. But you didn't mention kids/schools.

[Charles]

Originally Posted by Clandest

Well I work graveyard so traffic won't be a problem and to get from santa clarita its takes about 45min to my work, so thats not bad.

Hold your horses. Graveyard is 12PM-8AM, right? You don't think you'll be in traffic heading north on the 405 at 800AM? Even if it is 11-7, you will have problems.

Married? Spouse work? Where?
Kids? Ages?

Rent for a while?

[Clandest]

Originally Posted by Charles

Hold your horses. Graveyard is 12PM-8AM, right? You don't think you'll be in traffic heading north on the 405 at 800AM? Even if it is 11-7, you will have problems.

Married? Spouse work? Where?
Kids? Ages?

Rent for a while?

I work around 2 am - 3am and get done around 10-12pm. Yes when I get off there will be a little traffic probably 20 mins worth around marina del ray. I see it on my way back to my warehouse. Its not bad but livable.

Its just me, now one else. I will rent the rooms out, but that doesn't matter.

[MtnSurfer]

Originally Posted by Bunjee

Stay in the South Bay/Long Beach area for the non-long distance commuter lifestyle, for your own mental well being, though you'll be sacrificing "nice"--by which I assume either a new development or a comfortably established neighborhood--for something less than white picket fence "nice" but totally livable. Lakewood, parts of Bellflower, Paramount, even Long Beach. You may find something closer in Gardena, Carson or Hawthorne. At this price they'll be homes in working class or transitional areas, non-descript, probably pretty safe but that's a call made on inspection of any specific home. But you didn't mention kids/schools.

I'll second Bunjee's thoughts on some closer places.

Look for a smaller condo closer. You may consider closer parts of OC such as Los Alimitos, Cerritos, Buena Park, etc... which are more affordable than Torrance. Also look at Lomita. Gardena has some nicer sections just north of El Camino College - El Camino Village.

Do you anticipate staying in the same job working the same hours for the 10+ years? The reason I ask is that while you currently have this setup chances are that at some point in the future things may change. Life is not a static thing even though the bank may look at your current situation as permanant. And if/when change occurs the drive will be insane unless working at Six Flags or somewhere further out.

Derek

[JohnG72]

Originally Posted by BRinSM

Even though Santa Clarita is pretty far removed the city, it is still not cheap to buy up there. I would guess that you wouldn't be able to get more than a 1, maybe 2 br condo for under $200,000.

This^^^^ is not correct.

First off, there are very few listings in Santa Clarita. Of those that are there, the two bedroom condos are listed as low as $140K. If you expand the search to Canyon Country, there are quite a few listings with houses under 180K and condos as low as $110K.

Not sure why so few listings in SC and Valencia...maybe prices? I dunno. But it seems to me that area should be disastrously underwater considering the number of sales that occured 3-7 years ago. I'm guessing thats a prime area for future real estate disaster.