Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
True in a lot of states in a smaller town far from any urban areas. But you gotta admit it's "out there." And kinda "up there." I did a 5k race there once. It is beautiful. But you gotta like a small town. I can certainly see why people do like Paradise.
So, yep, not ALL of California is super expensive. Mostly the LA, San Diego, and San Francisco Bay Areas. Ah, but you still have outrageous state income taxes! Can't get away from that.
On the other hand, if one bought long ago or at a good time, it is definitely an option to stay put in an expensive area.
In our case, we could stay put since our OC house will be close to being paid off in 10 years (or perhaps paid off). It is irrelevant what market prices are at any given time. The question is whether we want to or need to leave in order to cash out so to speak. The problem is that the places many others would move to, like, for example, Las Vegas, have terrible QOL issues and we shutter to think at such a fate later in life.
1. California pensions are too rich and I administered one. (I'm not giving mine back and hope that they don't slash it). Hugely underfunded despite an almost 35% per year rate of return since 2008 in the S&P). Where do you suppose the funding level will be after the next 20-50% decline which will happen within the next two years?
2. State income tax in CA is ridiculous.
3. The state is becoming two-tiered...rich and poor.
4.The state is anti-business and pro anything that involves spending money it doesn't have.
5. .Bye bye. I can visit for months at a time (if I wanted to) and still be way ahead by moving.
6. Good luck to those of you who stay.
after correcting your data on the S&P 500 annual return I would expect that you might want to double check the accuracy of the other claims in your post.
I used to work in Foster City, IIRC it's a working class neighborhood, slightly better than San Carlos. But not as good as Marin County. SF is not necessarily better but the real estate prices there are reallly high or outrageous for some reasons. I just went on Redfin to check on prices for San Mateo to confirm this.
You are confusing Foster City with some other place. Foster City is an upscale planned community, similar to Irvine. BTW, lots of Indians and Chinese moving in there. Meanwhile San Carlos is also upscale but more established. It's a place where people with good income move to when they graduate from living in The Marina in a rental home (that rents for more than most mortgages). Lots of tech money fueling things.
Now you see our dilemma. To stay here, and, still get money out of our current home, we'd be cramming into a tiny condo, or moving to what's left of the (rapidly gentrifying) hood.
You are confusing Foster City with some other place. Foster City is an upscale planned community, similar to Irvine. BTW, lots of Indians and Chinese moving in there. Meanwhile San Carlos is also upscale but more established. It's a place where people with good income move to when they graduate from living in The Marina in a rental home (that rents for more than most mortgages). Lots of tech money fueling things.
I'm not confused. I used to work there. Maybe things have changed but not when I was there.
Regarding San Carlos, my kid was just there at the same area for an internship. I went and revisited some of the restaurants near there in Redwood City, some of these restaurants I used to go for lunch when I was working in Mountain View, they now have bars on the window now, and topless dancing place nearby. I think they got worse and not better going by memory.
Last edited by NewbieHere; 05-23-2017 at 12:50 PM..
A friend who is a PA rented a home in San Carlos for years....up in the hills - beautiful residential area. I don't know what her rent was but it certainly was upward of $4K.
They moved to Brisbane - up in the hills - similar home after her landlord wanted to sell the San Carlos home. I'm certain the rent there is just as bad - but it's a lovely neighborhood.
She and her spouse cannot afford to buy a home, btw.
I'm not confused. I used to work there. Maybe things have changed but not when I was there.
Regarding San Carlos, my kid was just there at the same area for an internship. I went and revisited some of the restaurants near there in Redwood City, some of these restaurants I used to go for lunch when I was working in Mountain View, they now have bars on the window now, and topless dancing place nearby. I think they got worse and not better going by memory.
Redwood City is not San Carlos. I can assure you San Carlos is not "working class" nor is Foster City. But hey, you can believe whatever you want and the facts be darned.
Redwood City is not San Carlos. I can assure you San Carlos is not "working class" nor is Foster City. But hey, you can believe whatever you want and the facts be darned.
Not Foster City but I remember San Bruno and San Carlos were working class. Redwoodcity is right next to San Carlos, and it's very sketchy. But you also can say what you want to say. I just looked at Redfin recently so let's agree to disagree.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
Can't get away from that.
