My fellow Californians..Are you struggling with the possibility of leaving? (San Diego: insurance, how much)

[robertpolyglot]

Originally Posted by GunGirlCO

Just don't move to Colorado...we are full up

Oh yeah, babe, like everybody wants to. Get real. Same provincial attitude as OR and WA. Massive states (OR and CO) with about 3.5 million people and they are grumbling about being full.

Also, too far from a significant body of water.

[justshelly69]

I understand all too well your conflict...I find myself in the same boat paddling along against the current. I live here on the Central Coast of Santa Barbara County and finding it so hard to survive...even without Cell phones, Cable bills, other little luxuries...just rent and utilities we are almost paycheck to paycheck living fuel is quickly getting to 4.00 again.

So why not just pack up and move again? The hard part....I work as a DOD Firefighter and LOVE my JOB!!! My current department has been one of the best places I have worked for, but I want to buy a home for my family and can't afford anything even within a 1 hour commute.

I'm not even looking for much; just a safe, clean neighborhood, three bed, two bath (as I plan on also taking care of my elderly Parents when the time comes), and at least 1200 sq foot. Alas even with the Housing market dropping there is still nothing to be found in my maximum price range...unless I sacrafice safety and live in a rundown, troubled area, or try to cram my family on five into a 2 bed, one bath, 890 sqaure foot flat. It has been very frustraing to look at these sad/scary places an picture my family in it.

Thus came the idea to move...Leaving the best Job I've had in my 12 year career....but I will do it if it means a better life for my family. Only now where to go? I am limited to DOD bases and have been researching places out of state but still finding it very difficult. I can't make the move blind afterall...I may jump from the frying pan ind into the fire and end up in a department I will be unhappy with to boot...all in hopes of finding a place to finally call home...So is it CA or is it elsewhere? I'm still torn...

Shelly

[Tim Currie]

I don't get it when people that have been living in CA for however long all of a sudden can't afford it anymore and decide it's just too much to get by?

I mean, is your income that low and fixed so that gas going up a dollar a gallon and milk and eggs costing a few bucks more a month reaally makes it impossible to live?

Or, are you simply spending too much?

And why does anyone need to BUY their "home"??? Seriously. If you LOVE your job so much and LOVE California so much...then what is so bad about finding a nice house that meets your needs in the right neighborhood and renting it?????

People are so caught up on the price of housing that it seems that that one thing by itself makes living in California all together unaffordable.

I've recently moved to Denver and haven't noticed any difference in the cost of anything except 10-20 cents more a gallon for gas (who cares!?) and the fact that housing is cheaper here (in the 'burbs!). That's it!

So I guess my answer is....

If you love your job, your lifestyle, your friends, and your location - why not rent a nice house until either A) prices have dropped enough you can buy B) you saved enough $ to buy anyway or C) you'll never buy in CA but who cares 'cause you're where you wanna be and happy?

[rgb123]

Originally Posted by Tim Currie

I don't get it when people that have been living in CA for however long all of a sudden can't afford it anymore and decide it's just too much to get by?

I mean, is your income that low and fixed so that gas going up a dollar a gallon and milk and eggs costing a few bucks more a month reaally makes it impossible to live?

Or, are you simply spending too much?

And why does anyone need to BUY their "home"??? Seriously. If you LOVE your job so much and LOVE California so much...then what is so bad about finding a nice house that meets your needs in the right neighborhood and renting it?????

People are so caught up on the price of housing that it seems that that one thing by itself makes living in California all together unaffordable.

I've recently moved to Denver and haven't noticed any difference in the cost of anything except 10-20 cents more a gallon for gas (who cares!?) and the fact that housing is cheaper here (in the 'burbs!). That's it!

So I guess my answer is....

If you love your job, your lifestyle, your friends, and your location - why not rent a nice house until either A) prices have dropped enough you can buy B) you saved enough $ to buy anyway or C) you'll never buy in CA but who cares 'cause you're where you wanna be and happy?

agree! don't give up your happiness for a maybe! there is nothing wrong with renting.

at least wait and see what happens with gas prices. hopefully this summer they will peak and start going back down....

crossing my fingers...

[sheri257]

Originally Posted by justshelly69

Alas even with the Housing market dropping there is still nothing to be found in my maximum price range...unless I sacrafice safety and live in a rundown, troubled area, or try to cram my family on five into a 2 bed, one bath, 890 sqaure foot flat. It has been very frustraing to look at these sad/scary places an picture my family in it.

Not sure what you're price range is but ... I'm looking in Monterey County (not exactly a cheap market) and I'm finding some great foreclosure/short sale deals. I'm now bidding 300K on a house that once sold for nearly 600K that's 2200 square feet and only two years old. The neighborhood is fantastic and the property is in good shape.

Somebody else has come in at 350 but, since we got there first, the bank is not considering their offer for now. But we're not going to pay more than 300 because this market has a lot more downside. If the bank rejects our offer .... there's plenty more deals for us to look at ...

For example, a similar house down the street (another short sale) is listed at 260. It's smaller (1800 square feet) and has a smaller lot so, we'll probably bid 230 on that one if this deal falls through.

I'm not sure why people are discouraged by the housing market because ... prices are falling daily. There's so much inventory out there .... there's plenty of deals to be had. If there isn't something in your price range now ... it's entirely possible that there will be something in the not too distant future.

[AuburnJack]

Originally Posted by rgb123

hopefully this summer they will peak and start going back down....

I wouldn't bank on that. It may go down, but not much. Welcome to peak oil.

[Fearless Kid]

Originally Posted by Tim Currie

I don't get it when people that have been living in CA for however long all of a sudden can't afford it anymore and decide it's just too much to get by?

I mean, is your income that low and fixed so that gas going up a dollar a gallon and milk and eggs costing a few bucks more a month reaally makes it impossible to live?

Or, are you simply spending too much?

And why does anyone need to BUY their "home"??? Seriously. If you LOVE your job so much and LOVE California so much...then what is so bad about finding a nice house that meets your needs in the right neighborhood and renting it?????

People are so caught up on the price of housing that it seems that that one thing by itself makes living in California all together unaffordable.

I've recently moved to Denver and haven't noticed any difference in the cost of anything except 10-20 cents more a gallon for gas (who cares!?) and the fact that housing is cheaper here (in the 'burbs!). That's it!

So I guess my answer is....

If you love your job, your lifestyle, your friends, and your location - why not rent a nice house until either A) prices have dropped enough you can buy B) you saved enough $ to buy anyway or C) you'll never buy in CA but who cares 'cause you're where you wanna be and happy?

Well said. I don't see how moving to another state would suddenly allow someone to gain enough income to buy a home, unless their new job pays them a significant amount in order to afford a home.

Otherwise, you'd dig yourself deeper just by the moving expenses alone.

I don't know about some people, but I would work 3 jobs to keep my @ss here in beautiful California. But maybe some folks would be happy moving to the cornfields of Nebraska

[Preaching2thechoir]

Originally Posted by McHopper

....Texans are always trying to make you feel like you are invading their country and hate Californians

I have to rep you for this post, I lived in Dallas ('96-'98) and had a similar experience. Texans hate anybody who isn't a Texan and they really hate "yankees" expecially Chicagoans and have no problem telling you . . . often. All I did was comment on the heat to one of my former co-workers and she went ballistic and told me *drawlin' and droolin' at the same time "If yoooo don't laaaaaaack it hur why doncha go baaaack were you come from" I lasted 2 years and happily returned to the US. Texas truly is a whole 'nother Kuntry.

As for California, friends of mine recently walked away from their recently built million plus dollar home, they couldn't take the soaring costs and rising crime rates. Once the property values started declining they felt that Cali was going down hill fast. They are praying that their home sells so that their investment doesn't end up being a total financial loss.

[GLS]

Originally Posted by Fearless Kid

Well said. I don't see how moving to another state would suddenly allow someone to gain enough income to buy a home, unless their new job pays them a significant amount in order to afford a home.

Otherwise, you'd dig yourself deeper just by the moving expenses alone.

I don't know about some people, but I would work 3 jobs to keep my @ss here in beautiful California. But maybe some folks would be happy moving to the cornfields of Nebraska

I grew up in California and moved back here after living in numerous other places, so I agree with you.

However, I also spent seven years in Nebraska. The weather is tough, the jobs don't pay as much, the ocean is a long long drive. However, I would take the people any day. They work hard without whining. They help their neighbor whenever they need it, and without asking. They look you in the eye when they talk to you, and their word and handshake are still good as gold.

If I could find a place with mountains, ocean, California weather and Nebraska neighbors, I would move there in a minute.

[nicenailznsd]

WOW...........I really have to comment here. Everyone is talking about moving elsewhere. California has gotten very expensive. Here I just thought it was just San Diego. It is absolutely beautiful here but, you pay for what you get and see. Pretty much paradise. Even tho its a beautiful place to live, Rent is off the charts, $10.99 for a pound of turkey.....$5.00 for a gallon of milk....$4.00 for a loaf of bread if it isnt on sale......dang !!
As much as i would love to stay living here, its gotten bad. It is SLOW everywehre and is getting hard to make that $1600.00 a month rent on a single parent income, for just a small two bedroom.
I was thinking of moving back to FLorida, maybe Virginia......I really dont want to move to the cold or the humidity Soooo..............
I also have a very special someone who lives in SAC. Wants me to move up there with him because he has his kids there and a job he has had for over ten years and doesnt want to move. After reading all these comments on SAC. Maybe its just better i stay where i am. The crime rate is very minimal, school system is great......moderate upscale...........then again there is that BUT ??????

Donno what to do...........