North Chandler feels as if it is becoming an extension of Fiesta District/West Mesa (Phoenix: low income, rent)

[belgirl]

Originally Posted by DetroitN8V

No one said that Chandler was the cheapest in the valley. You said, "Inexpensive and in a good area in Chandler? Nope.". There are plenty of houses in good areas in Chandler that I would consider inexpensive, so your statement isn't true.

That YOU would consider inexpensive. But not to the majority of wage earners in AZ. AZ's middle class are among the lower earning in the US. But yeah, coming from California, $300k is a bargain.

[DetroitN8V]

Originally Posted by belgirl

That YOU would consider inexpensive. But not to the majority of wage earners in AZ. AZ's middle class are among the lower earning in the US. But yeah, coming from California, $300k is a bargain.

I still believe most middle class workers, even in AZ, can afford a $300k house without much of a stretch. Hell, they do it in the Midwest where property taxes are triple. I don't think people are as poor as you think.

[asufan]

Originally Posted by KurtAZ

VA 30YR Fixed Loans are at 3.5%. 5/1 ARMs can get down to 2.25%. Yes, I keep getting fliers from everyone wanting me to streamline Refi. What they don't realize is my rate is already lower than what they are offering.

I agree with you though...33% of your income for housing is just a couple of major repairs away from house poor.

I'm seeing them at roughly 4% par rate currently, although they were 3.5% last year. The lower rates are possible of course, if you pay several points (several thousands of dollars of pre-paid interest, essentially) to buy down to the advertised rates.

[asufan]

Originally Posted by DetroitN8V

I still believe most middle class workers, even in AZ, can afford a $300k house without much of a stretch. Hell, they do it in the Midwest where property taxes are triple. I don't think people are as poor as you think.

You'd be surprised. I've got three kids on my sons baseball team that I'm financially supporting in baseball through sponsorship because their parents literally have no extra money and I want their kids to be able to play. For some, $45 to play in a weekend tournament is too much. I think sometimes those of us that are doing above average get jaded and don't realize most people don't earn or save like we do.

[belgirl]

Originally Posted by asufan

You'd be surprised. I've got three kids on my sons baseball team that I'm financially supporting in baseball through sponsorship because their parents literally have no extra money and I want their kids to be able to play. For some, $45 to play in a weekend tournament is too much. I think sometimes those of us that are doing above average get jaded and don't realize most people don't earn or save like we do.

Yep, completely agree. I do believe that people spend beyond their means. But when you factor in car payments, medical bills, school bills, unexpected expenses, daycare bills etc. and less than ideal wages in AZ in some sectors, $300K is way out of reach for alot of people.

[ShampooBanana]

Median household income in Maricopa County is around $55k. People making that median are not going to be able to buy a $300k house, even with relatively low property taxes, at least not without a significant amount saved for a down payment (possible but not likely on that income). You'd need to get roughly into the $70-75k+ range to buy a $300,000 house here assuming a reasonable debt load.

[DetroitN8V]

Originally Posted by asufan

You'd be surprised. I've got three kids on my sons baseball team that I'm financially supporting in baseball through sponsorship because their parents literally have no extra money and I want their kids to be able to play. For some, $45 to play in a weekend tournament is too much. I think sometimes those of us that are doing above average get jaded and don't realize most people don't earn or save like we do.

Wow, that's sad. Good for you though. The kids shouldn't suffer because their parents made some wrong moves.

[asufan]

Originally Posted by DetroitN8V

Wow, that's sad. Good for you though. The kids shouldn't suffer because their parents made some wrong moves.

I don't know that any of them made particularly bad choices other than I don't believe any have gone to college. One of the fathers has had health problems, another family the mother has been laid off a couple times and I assume is having trouble digging out of the hole. For some, digging out of $15,000 in credit card debt seems like an insurmountable task, so paying for baseball would be a luxury. All are families with two working parents, seem like decent people and all live in the aforementioned North Chandler area in those small rectangular no frills houses built in the 70's.

[DetroitN8V]

Originally Posted by asufan

I don't know that any of them made particularly bad choices other than I don't believe any have gone to college. One of the fathers has had health problems, another family the mother has been laid off a couple times and I assume is having trouble digging out of the hole. For some, digging out of $15,000 in credit card debt seems like an insurmountable task, so paying for baseball would be a luxury. All are families with two working parents, seem like decent people and all live in the aforementioned North Chandler area in those small rectangular no frills houses built in the 70's.

Perhaps the wrong choice of words. I guess some things are beyond one's control.

[azriverfan.]

Originally Posted by AZ_Rookie

Interestingly a lot of the complaints in this thread are precisely what has happened in CA over the last 2-3 decades - and many on this forum tout CA as being a pattern to follow (go figure )

I always get a chuckle when I read or hear someone saying they want to live in CA... then read a thread full of complaints about the same problems CA has (albeit worse there).

The people earning less than 100K that live in Los Angeles and San Francisco are like employess at Disneyland. Behind all the glamour, glitz and perceived happiness are the people who are sweating and toiling away to serve rich people yet have a very poor qualify of life themselves IMHO. The wealthy are the only ones who enjoy California. They are like the guests at Disney who get enjoy all the rides and fun at the expense of everyone else. LOL The rest of the people living there are not thrilled. They can't afford housing. Utilites and gas are expensive. Taxes are high. Traffic occurs all day 7 days per week not just rush hour on weekdays like in Phoenix. They can't afford to attend professional sports and other events because ticket prices are outrageous.

And like these Disney employees. They all want to work there because of their perceived notion that it will be such a fun job. People move to these cities because they think they will live like the Kardashians. And when they move there, reality sets in.

Los Angeles and San Francisco are great places to visit but not live unless you earn a lot of money (over six figures minimum) otherwise, you really can't afford to have any quality of life whatsoever considering housing is not even an option and everything is so high from food, gas, utilities, and taxes.