Northen Californian moving south LA or OC?

[ehcsrop]

I think he meant the drivers are ruder. I agree that condos won't free fall in price from this point onward. If you don't have mortgage and are working and renting, there becomes a balance point with income taxes. That point is getting competitive with rent anymore.

Still, the different areas you mentioned vary quite a bit from each other. If you haven't met new friend to replace the old ones where you are, if won't be much different down here. But, I'm not here to discuss psychology.

[MtnSurfer]

Originally Posted by Lost Leaf

Well to summarize, I have lived in Northern CA my whole life and not just one area, central coast, bay area, Sacramento. I've even been to places like Modoc County yes way out there. I'm bored of it all, and not to mention that I'm lonley becasue all my friends have moved south. I'm not to familar with the south but I have breifly visted Glendale, LA, Pasadena, Laguna NIgel, San Deigo and I liked the overall vibe.

I grew up in SoCal and know it pretty well. There is a lot of IT work down there especially with DoD contractors. Of the places you mentioned I would probably pick Torrance, Southern OC (Mission Viejo, Laguna Niguel) or North San Diego County (Calsbad, Cardiff, Ecinitias, etc...). I also like Ventura County. But there isn't as much work there. Prices for condos in these nicer areas are probably double plus 200K.

As for buying a condo, well I'm looking at the bottom price range, 200k and below. Actully I've seen listing for 150K and I know if I buy before Dec 1st I can qaulify for the 8k tax credit. I don't think condos in the 150k range are going to fall much more than another 5% and if they do than I have that coverd with the tax credit. I want to rent it out because my job is up north right now and this would give me time to find a job while renting the place. I don't see where I can go wrong with this eqation? But input is greatly apprectiated.

Most condos in this range will be in less desirable areas, places you probably wouldn't ever want to live in due to higher crime, drugs, gangs, etc... (think Merced, Stockton, Modesto, etc... but worse for NorCal equivalent). It would really help if you could share some examples in regards to these areas with cheaper condos.

Remember that realtors are in the business to sell. So they will tell you what you want to hear much of the time. Thats not to say you can't find some deals, especially now. You just have to know what to look for and where. But if you are not familiar with the areas you could very easily buy a nightmare property. That stimulus money could easily go into fixing the place after it gets trashed by bad tenants. Its buyer beware down there. I worked as a RE Appraiser in SoCal and saw this all too often in the less desirable areas.

My 2c,

Derek

[Wendy97]

Originally Posted by Lost Leaf

I've never noticed people up here can't drive. I would think people from the north are better drivers because everything down there is about all about going 5mph in gridlock, jk. But let me ask you this, how many people from LA even know how to drive a stick shift?

Like everyone.

And if you think they're better drivers up here check out the auto related deaths per year per capita. I think SF beats LA (SF actually has better public trans, so way less cars) but LA beats both Marin and Sonoma (as in, LA has LESS per capita).

And the traffic down there is NOT as bad as everyone says it is. I was here for 3 days just now; we hit traffic ONCE, and it was only on our way down in Valencia. Traffic is also way more predictable in LA... are people going to/coming from work? If the answer is yes, there WILL be heavy traffic. If the answer is no, it's HIGHLY UNLIKELY that there will be traffic... versus up here where you never effing know because the traffic up here is almost never justified. You know, there could be a cop just pulled over on the side of the road, and without fail, Sonoma and/or Marin county drivers will slam on their brakes and go 35 mph (at most) on the freeway. People don't know how to effing merge here. They think it's okay to get on the freeway going 30 mph (though I suppose if there's a cop out that's okay!!!). IT'S FANTASTIC. North of the bay is the worst place I've ever been for driving.

And they are better drivers down there... when the traffic is not bumper to bumper (which is quite a lot actually), people actually go at least the speed limit, and when they don't, they're polite enough to move over to the right.

Originally Posted by ehcsrop

I think he meant the drivers are ruder.

Yes because being polite enough to move to the right, using your signal, and letting people over into your lane when they need to change lanes is so rude. LA drivers are SO RUDE!!! JEEZ!

[Lost Leaf]

Most condos in this range will be in less desirable areas, places you probably wouldn't ever want to live in due to higher crime, drugs, gangs, etc... (think Merced, Stockton, Modesto, etc... but worse for NorCal equivalent). It would really help if you could share some examples in regards to these areas with cheaper condos.

Ok, how about 1133 Sepulveda blvd. Torrance, in between S. Vernont ave and Normandle this are is south of West Carson. Or 1881 mitchell ave Tustin, south of 5. Or west Fullerton near Buena Park? Any knoweldge on how these areas are would be greatly apprectiated, thanks.

[MtnSurfer]

Originally Posted by Lost Leaf

Most condos in this range will be in less desirable areas, places you probably wouldn't ever want to live in due to higher crime, drugs, gangs, etc... (think Merced, Stockton, Modesto, etc... but worse for NorCal equivalent). It would really help if you could share some examples in regards to these areas with cheaper condos.

Ok, how about 1133 Sepulveda blvd. Torrance, in between S. Vernont ave and Normandle this are is south of West Carson. Or 1881 mitchell ave Tustin, south of 5. Or west Fullerton near Buena Park? Any knoweldge on how these areas are would be greatly apprectiated, thanks.

Ok, this helps. First of all I used to live in Torrance and know that area really well. The address you posted is actually not the city of Torrance but rather Torrance PO, otherwise known as LA Strip. To actually live in the city of Torrance and be in the nicer/safer neighborhoods you should look west of Western Ave. See the city boundary map here: Torrance City Limits. This misrepresentation of a city is a pretty lame trick realtors present to potential buyers. We lived east of Western Ave. for a very short time and would never do it again. Our block was raided by DEA, FBI and SWAT. It was completely blocked off and agents went through every house with vest on and guns drawn. After the raid they put notices on all our neighbors doors saying that we lived in a drug invested area and recommend we move! Talk about effecting property value/demand. Good thing we were renting. Now not all Torrance PO is as bad as that area. But it would not be a first choice for an area to live.

As for the Tustin or Fullerton addresses I do not know the OC sub neighborhoods as well. You may want to post these locations on the OC forum for more details.

Derek

[Lost Leaf]

Originally Posted by MtnSurfer

Ok, this helps. First of all I used to live in Torrance and know that area really well. The address you posted is actually not the city of Torrance but rather Torrance PO, otherwise known as LA Strip. To actually live in the city of Torrance and be in the nicer/safer neighborhoods you should look west of Western Ave. See the city boundary map here: Torrance City Limits. This misrepresentation of a city is a pretty lame trick realtors present to potential buyers. We lived east of Western Ave. for a very short time and would never do it again. Our block was raided by DEA, FBI and SWAT. It was completely blocked off and agents went through every house with vest on and guns drawn. After the raid they put notices on all our neighbors doors saying that we lived in a drug invested area and recommend we move! Talk about effecting property value/demand. Good thing we were renting. Now not all Torrance PO is as bad as that area. But it would not be a first choice for an area to live.

As for the Tustin or Fullerton addresses I do not know the OC sub neighborhoods as well. You may want to post these locations on the OC forum for more details.

Derek

Good to know, I'll pass on that Torrance address and keep looking, thanks.

[BayAreaHillbilly]

Originally Posted by Lost Leaf

I'm a single 30 year old white male that has lived in northern CA my whole life. I've spent most of my time in the bay area, San Jose/ Peninsula. I am thinking about buying a condo to rent out until I can find a job in IT. My problem is I can't decide if I want to live in LA/ LA county/ or Orange County. I want to live somewhere that is decent but it doesn't have to be perfect. I lived in Redwood City for 3 years and found it tolerable. My problem is that I have very little knowledge of So Cal and from what it seems that there are pockets of nice areas that are pretty much all a stones throw from the gehtto/barrio. I would like to be near somewhere that has night life as I am single. My prospect areas are Torrence, Burbank, Fullerton, Garden Grove, Anahiem, or somewhere in LA. I'm looking for a condo in the 200k range. I'm overwhelmed can someone please help?

Out of those choices, for being at / near the beach, Torrance (The far western part). For being slightly inland, Garden Grove. Overall, all things considered, I'd choose Garden Grove.