My fellow Californians..Are you struggling with the possibility of leaving? (Sacramento: real estate, leasing)

[Charles]

Originally Posted by jguillot

I'm originally from the south so that "culture shock" will be a welcome change for me!

I go to Huntsville, Alabama all the time. I grew up in LA and now live in Colorado. To be honest, I haven't felt much of a culture shock (although I don't live in HSV.)

Thanks to the internet, extremely polarized cost of living in the US, and cheap transportation (still) the world is becoming de-regionalized. Just about everyone is from somewhere else anyway. Us and Them is becoming less of an issue. Weather is still weather but most of us are inside an office or home or in our cars 22 to 23 hours a day, right?

[WhiteStar07]

I'm a native Texan, currently living in the Austin area and in reference to moving from CA to San Antonio, you wouldn't be alone. Californians are moving down here in DROVES. I understand why. I'm aghast at the cost of housing in CA. The Tx hill country is gorgeous, is covered with giant lakes, so you can play on the water, and is so much more realistically priced than CA. I would advise you to look into Austin, (for the schools & lifestyle... coming from Cali, you'd feel more at home) or at least further north from San Antonio... it is stinking hot and muggy there, complete with mosquitos & more crime. They are two very different cities.

[loopymcgee]

California native, breed, born and raised in So Cal, moved to Sac at 22 and have lived in this general area since then (Im 45). It is a nice place to raise kids. I considered moving back to So Cal after I was divorced but couldnt raise my daughter there. First I couldnt afford it but even if I could, I wouldnt have gone back for many many reasons. Now my husband and I are toying with where to move out of the state. We are in Fair Oaks right now and am very happy we bought a home right before housing prices went sky high. It is a rather freeing feeling to think I dont HAVE to stay in CA. He is from Wyoming but thats a bit too sparce for me, love to visit... We are looking at Northern Co, Loveland/Ft Collins area, also looking at Tulsa and possibly Boise, Idaho. Its time to remove myself from the hoards of people who are rushing to get everywhere and try something just a little slower paced. I am an artist and only need a studio and post office, my husband needs an airport. My mother lives in So Oklahoma and shes trying to get me to come there but its not going to happen as long as Im still married (which isnt going to change) to my man, he says he starts to sweat as soon as he thinks about that area We are very fortunate in that we have alot of equity to play with so we can afford a nicer home somewhere else.

If I were just moving here I wouldnt mind the Roseville area except its pricey out there where the newer homes are and alot of that was flood plains so that would worry me. Up the hill towards Loomis, Newcastle is beautiful but even more expensive. Lincoln is up and coming. One of the problems with the Sac area as a whole is there are so many new homes, which is great, but the roads are still the same and they are very crowded alot of the day, it takes longer to get somewhere than it used to and you have to go further and further away to 'out'.

[Nature Girl]

Originally Posted by Gal On The Move

Fellow Californians,

Just wanted to hear from those of you in my situation.

My husband and I are considering leaving magnificant California. Though we love it to death, we don't know if it's smart to stay. We live in Sac, which I consider to be California's greatest deal (financially speaking). We want to buy a home but we haven't seen anything we could be happy with for less then $300G's.

We've been thinking about moving to San Anotonio because you can get a great house for much less then $300G's. We've also heard it's a great place to raise the family we want to start.

But, I'm so in love with California!! Has anyone had this debate with themselves, and if so what did you decide? Move and have more financial security, a great home, a nice car without the yearly super high registration cost? Or, stay and do well, live in a smaller home, enjoy Cali's beauty?

I think we are leaning more towards moving. Especially since we have no family here. But it hurts!

Conflicted people please share!

Thanks

Hi Gal on the move,
We moved from Sac a year ago to Portland, OR. We love it here, and left for the same reasons as you. We were able to get a lot more for our money here, we felt it was safer and better quality to raise a family, and we just needed a change. We haven't regreted it, and truly love it here. I have heard from several people that Austin, Plano, and McKinney are some of the best areas in TX for families. Not sure if you want to investigate that a bit more. Good luck to you and your decision!

[Nature Girl]

Originally Posted by WhiteStar07

I'm a native Texan, currently living in the Austin area and in reference to moving from CA to San Antonio, you wouldn't be alone. Californians are moving down here in DROVES. I understand why. I'm aghast at the cost of housing in CA. The Tx hill country is gorgeous, is covered with giant lakes, so you can play on the water, and is so much more realistically priced than CA. I would advise you to look into Austin, (for the schools & lifestyle... coming from Cali, you'd feel more at home) or at least further north from San Antonio... it is stinking hot and muggy there, complete with mosquitos & more crime. They are two very different cities.

I was thinking the same thing Whitestar! My husband was stationed in San Antonio while in the military and he had said although it is a cool place (with the riverwalk and such), the bugs and humidity are just awful! I heard great things about Austin and would love to visit there one day.

[mabel16]

I moved away from Sacramento about a year ago. I miss it everyday!

[mntnmama]

My family and I are also seriously looking at Texas specifically at suburbs of Dallas I would suggest visitng of course before making a decison and then just really being ok with being out of the beautiful state (there is a reason it's so expensive!)

[skappler]

We too have faced the same financial constraints that you do. Having been born and raised in California, I can honestly say that I miss it. We live in the DFW metroplex, and yes you can buy a mansion, and yes it's a nice place to raise a family. However, as one previous person pointed out, property taxes are outrageous. We pay $18,000/year on a house that we bought for $585,000. Also, before you buy in San Antonio, go in the summer. I thought Dallas was humid, San Antonio is much worse. The comment about the church thing is also true, most everyone is baptist and wants you to join their church family. If I could convice my husband and figure out a way to afford a house, I would come back. I love California warts and all!

[KidBlue]

Did anyone move (except CityGirl 72--I know how you feel!) from Sacramento to Western WA and how do you like WA?

[Folsom REZ]

Originally Posted by CityGirl72

i am kinda in your boat

I left Calif and moved to Washington 3 years ago. I thought it would be better financially and schools for the kids - which it has! But it's SO COLD here all year long.

I want to move back - but it looks like we can't afford Calif anymore. And makes me sad. Very sad. My whole family are in Calif - my mom say s to just rent - which is an option but a hard decision after owning a home now for a few years.

I have had the fortune or misfortune to work in Seattle, Las Vegas, Los Angeles/Orange County (lived there 27 years ago too), Phoenix, Santa Fe, NM and San Diego in the last 10 years or so while keeping my home here in Folsom.
I can honestly say I would not be happy anywhere else. Least fave of my temporary locations would be Phoenix, second Seattle. In Phoenix the outdoors is nearly uninhabitable in summer, beautiful in winter. In Seattle, it is a beautiful green forested place, but wet and cold constantly. The year I spent in Seattle, was unbelievable. The summertime had 3 clear days that I can recall... locals said it was the worst in years.

California is a stupid state, with politicians bent on taxing and spending... I have considered Austin Texas myself, but don't know if I'd be able to make the move. I was born and raised here in California but can't deal with the government much longer. IF it continues at this clip, I may end up in Texas, Tennesee or somewhere similar.