Living in Atlanta, GA - want to move to OC, advice please? (Huntington Beach: sales, foreclosure)

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by jasmineshah

Hi,

My husband, 3 yr old son and myself live in Atlanta, GA currently and are considering moving to a nice city in OC. Top reason - would like to live by the ocean (not literally, but closer than Atlanta is atleast).

We would like to take advantage of the current real estate market and move before it picks up again. Together, we make $200,000 yearly right now and hopefully that will relatively rise when we find new jobs in or around OC.

Currently we are paying mortgage on a $360,000 house and are hoping to buy a similar 3 bedroom home under $450,000 or so. Do you guys think that is possible? What would be the cities to consider - we're looking for a nice location, family oriented, good public schools, etc? Would like the drive to the beach to be under 45 minutes.

Is this possible? If so, could you suggest some areas to look for houses?

Thank you!

and where do you think you can find jobs in California? have you been paying attention to these threads? It isn't a matter of whether there is housing affordable, it is a matter of employment. Oh, by the way, have you visited So California, do you have friends and family here, if the beach is your thing, what about Florida or the coast of Alabama? Just curious, that's all.

Nita

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by jshah

Firstly, thank you for replying!! We would definitely not move until my husband already had a job there and since he makes much more than I do, we'd be able to survive on his income until I got a job.

I've been looking at homes on www.ziprealty.com and there are homes under 500k in Tustin, Irvine, Laguna Niguel, etc. Am I missing something important here? I'm not sure how far these locations are from the ocean... maybe that explains why they are less expensive than you are mentioning?

Since it doesn't seem like prices are going to go up soon again, I'm thinking the best move would be to find jobs, move there and rent an apartment for a year or so until we find a good home?

What do you think?? Thanks so much!

researching homes is a good idea, but remember what you see on the net and what you get are very different. I will give you an idea, when we moved here, I spent hours on realtor.com (the best place to find listings) I had picked out about 50 that seemed to meet our needs. Our realtor checked for us: actually only a couple were really what we could have lived with. She did find several others that I hadn't noticed. by the way, none of those location are really on the water but not too far away.

I think, the best thing for you at this time, like you said, let you husband start looking for employment. After he gets a job you can decide what you want to do.

Will property values continue to drop, anyone that has the answer to that should be on TV. No one knows when the market will hit bottom.

Nita

[jshah]

Hi Nita,

Thanks for your thoughts... Yes, we've visited SoCal a few times because my brother lived in San Jose/LA for several years.

As I'm researching CA, I'm also looking into FL and considering the high property taxes there, eventually the cost of living seems to even out. This is because salaries in FL are comparable to GA. So basically cost of living increases in FL but salaries don't.

Just out of curiosity, have you spent a lot of time in FL? For me personally, that state has nothing to offer but beaches and theme parks. We're definitely looking for more than that, not to mention it gets extremely humid down there. Alabama is not even a consideration because Atlanta, GA is definitely better

Yes, I'm very aware of the job situation all over the country ofcourse - the advantage we have is that my husband works from home and travels to meet his clients - he can do this from anywhere in the country so we're not tied down job-wise.

So where did you move from? And where are you now? Do you like it in SoCal? And did you find the kind of house you were looking for?

Thanks again for your replies!!

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by jshah

Hi Nita,

Thanks for your thoughts... Yes, we've visited SoCal a few times because my brother lived in San Jose/LA for several years.

As I'm researching CA, I'm also looking into FL and considering the high property taxes there, eventually the cost of living seems to even out. This is because salaries in FL are comparable to GA. So basically cost of living increases in FL but salaries don't.

Just out of curiosity, have you spent a lot of time in FL? For me personally, that state has nothing to offer but beaches and theme parks. We're definitely looking for more than that, not to mention it gets extremely humid down there. Alabama is not even a consideration because Atlanta, GA is definitely better

Yes, I'm very aware of the job situation all over the country ofcourse - the advantage we have is that my husband works from home and travels to meet his clients - he can do this from anywhere in the country so we're not tied down job-wise.

So where did you move from? And where are you now? Do you like it in SoCal? And did you find the kind of house you were looking for?

Thanks again for your replies!!

sounds like you are doing your homework, I will mention just one thing, yes, property taxes are higher in Florida, 2 of our kids live there, but they have no state income tax and taxes in California are much higher than a few years ago.

As for us, I was born and raised in So California but have lived all over the state from San Diego to Eureka as well as Sac and the bay area. We now live in NWA but visit Ca a couple of times a year (well at least once)

As long as your job allows you to live anywhere and you really think the ocean is for you, probably Florida or Ca would work. What one is strong in, the other lacks and visa versa. Most areas of Florida are not quite as crowded as Ca (that doesn't mean they are not crowded) but the weather is nicer in California, in the summer particularly. Depending on where you live, both states are relatively conservative over all. Yes, much of Florida is ocean and theme parks, but the shopping centers (around both Destin and Orlando) are so clean, there are good restaurants everywhere througout the state and basically good highways. California offers about the same. I am not sure what you think California would offer, that Florida doesn't? As for Al. I was thinking of the gulf area, bordering on FLorida, areas like Orange Beach.

Good luck whatever way you end up going. If it doesn't work for you and your husband works from home you can always look for a better fit.

Nita

[jshah]

Thanks Nita... I appreciate it!! I grew up by the ocean in another country and I really miss it... so I'm hoping the higher cost of living will be worth getting that back!!

As far as the comparison between FL and CA goes - I think I prefer CA because there seem to be more different things to do than just beaches/theme parks. For example, there are no major national parks in FL (been to the Everglades in FL and the size of the bugs will make me never go back).

Other obvious factors are the weather - certainly better in CA. Also, there are more major fun cities in CA than in FL (San Diego, San Francisco, LA vs Miami).

So anyway... thanks again for all your help!

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by jshah

Thanks Nita... I appreciate it!! I grew up by the ocean in another country and I really miss it... so I'm hoping the higher cost of living will be worth getting that back!!

As far as the comparison between FL and CA goes - I think I prefer CA because there seem to be more different things to do than just beaches/theme parks. For example, there are no major national parks in FL (been to the Everglades in FL and the size of the bugs will make me never go back).

Other obvious factors are the weather - certainly better in CA. Also, there are more major fun cities in CA than in FL (San Diego, San Francisco, LA vs Miami).

So anyway... thanks again for all your help!

major bugs, you can say that again, I was getting gas in Florida one time and one of those huge roaches (Palmento bugs I think they are called just dropped from the over hang onto the hood of the car, he was the size of a small dog, (well not quite) I will tell you, there are bugs in Ca as well, just not as big...and yes, there are lots of national parks, well not lots, but a few plus the proximity to Grand Canyon, Zion and Bryce for starters and the beautiful Or coast. I still do like Florida though.

Nita

[k374]

there are no homes in nice neighborhoods for $450,000, you may get a townhome now since prices have come down. Near the ocean expect to pay $800,000 or more, you may be able to score a "deal" for $700-750k if you look hard enough and negotiate right.

[RobE]

Even now, $450,000 for a three bedroom in a place with good schools is a pretty tall order. Wait at least another year since more foreclosures will come on the market in CA in that time and save as much as you can in that time.

How about North Carolina? Would that be workable for you? Or Virginia? Admittedly, I know little about either state, but they are kind of booming right now.

[bhcompy]

Originally Posted by RobE

Even now, $450,000 for a three bedroom in a place with good schools is a pretty tall order.

Not true

Lakewood has respectable schools(not the greatest, but good enough and a very good family community, also great private schools if you wish)

Here's a classic Lakewood 3bd single story in a good neighborhood east of Lakewood Mall

Here's another north of Mae Boyar Park

And one in the heart of Lakewood off Del Amo and Bellflower

Those are all in the low 400s..

Up around 450 you get some nicer homes, like this one near San Martin Park and this one near Heartwell Park

[antibes]

Originally Posted by jasmineshah

Hi,

My husband, 3 yr old son and myself live in Atlanta, GA currently and are considering moving to a nice city in OC. Top reason - would like to live by the ocean (not literally, but closer than Atlanta is atleast).

We would like to take advantage of the current real estate market and move before it picks up again. Together, we make $200,000 yearly right now and hopefully that will relatively rise when we find new jobs in or around OC.

Currently we are paying mortgage on a $360,000 house and are hoping to buy a similar 3 bedroom home under $450,000 or so. Do you guys think that is possible? What would be the cities to consider - we're looking for a nice location, family oriented, good public schools, etc? Would like the drive to the beach to be under 45 minutes.

Is this possible? If so, could you suggest some areas to look for houses?

Thank you!

I'd suggest you wait a few years (2-3) unless you don't need to work. The economy is very bad in California. How will you find work? Its not that easy. I doubt the housing rates are going up much for many years to come. They have been so exaggerated for quite some time, they can only go down, or at best, remain somewhat leveled. So no hurry.