What are my chances in Red Bluff? (Fresno, Bakersfield: section 8, for sale)

[inyogirl]

First off, the heat won't bother me. I currently live in Menifee AKA Sun City -- and believe me, in the summer it is.

Time frame is the spring of 2014.

Buying or renting -- I'm looking for the cheapest solution, due to the fact that all I'll have as monthly income is retirement pay of around $1600. However, I am debt-free, own my car, no medical issues, etc.
Employment -- not likely.
Pets -- this might be the deal-breaker. I have four indoor cats.
Lifestyle -- simple, quiet, stay at home. My days of sex and drugs and rock 'n roll are long gone away.

I'm thnking mobilehome, and in a senior community.

So, looking for comments/suggestions. Posts indicating "you've got to be joking" will receive due consideration, also.

[misterdammit]

I grew up in the RB area. Went to RB high. My parents still live there. RB is boring, but it is also cheap. Economy sucked last I heard. Jobs don't pay as well as in bigger cities. County jobs, when I worked for Tehama co, paid way less than surrounding larger towns (Redding, Chico). It gets hot but looks like you are prepared for that. IMHO RB is a snoozefest but if you like that kind of thing it is fine.

[prosin]

The heat may not bother you, but has anyone warned you about the north wind?

When we lived there (not RB but Chico and then Redding), we used to joke that "Superior" California has four seasons--wet, wind, hot, and wind again.

Plusses--RB is not constantly a snoozefest. January is the bull & gelding sale, February is a crab feed, April is the Rodeo (Roundup), June is the Crawfish Festival, and September is the county fair. The river runs through town, great historical homes, and friendly people. I miss seeing folks in cowboy hats and Wranglers.

Minuses--poor economy, second generation Latino gang activity increasing, multi-generational welfare, drug use--especially meth, increase in crime.

[misterdammit]

Wait, wind? I mean, there are some windy days but I don't remember RB being windy much at all (and I still vintners pretty often). I hate wind so I think I'd remember.

[caligirlz]

Originally Posted by inyogirl

Buying or renting -- I'm looking for the cheapest solution, due to the fact that all I'll have as monthly income is retirement pay of around $1600. However, I am debt-free, own my car, no medical issues, etc.
Employment -- not likely.
Pets -- this might be the deal-breaker. I have four indoor cats.
Lifestyle -- simple, quiet, stay at home. My days of sex and drugs and rock 'n roll are long gone away.

I'm thnking mobilehome, and in a senior community.

.

Anywhere in the San Joaquin Valley (between Lodi & Bakersfield) is cheap. There are plenty of small towns for a slower pace of life, and within an hour or so to larger cities. I'm thinking Hanford, Exeter, Porterville, Reedley.

[inyogirl]

Thanks, everybody. It's tough when you don't know anyone in the area, so I appreciate the comments, and welcome new ones. Now to get some time to drive up that way and do some research.

[NoMoreSnowForMe]

I researched that area for the exact same reasons as you, but I don't have any pets right now. I want to get a dog, though, so it was important to find a place where I could have a dog.

I ended up choosing Fresno County over the Redding/Red Bluff area. I found a senior complex out in the boonies in the country. They only allow 2 pets, though.

I think your idea of a mobile home in a park is a great idea. I think you would have better luck being able to have 4 pets.

The Fresno area is a bit cooler than the Redding area, too, which helped me decide on Fresno.

Both the Shasta County and the Fresno County Section 8 waiting lists are open. The Section 8 wait list for Tehama County is closed, though (Red Bluff). Though, you might be able to find project based housing.

My plan was to find a county I could find affordable housing in now with an open Section 8 wait list, move to that county, and wait until I get a Section 8 voucher. I've been told you never get to the top of the list if you aren't living in that county.

The rent in the apt I found in Fresno County is just $395. But, once I get Section 8, my rent will only be $260.

The only place in Santa Clara County that I could afford is an SRO (single room occupancy), where I would have a tiny furnished room, with only a microwave - no hotplates allowed, and a half-fridge. And no pets allowed. So, I could stay in this county and hate my home, or move to the boonies and have a home I can at least cook pasta in, and have a dog. Plus, the section 8 list is closed here.

My friends will be further away, but I don't see them often as it is. They're already at least an hour away. Once I move, they'll be 3 hours away instead. Not that huge of a change.

The first thing I noticed when I drove to the senior complex in Fresno County, was how quiet it is there. Silent. I live next to a noisy street. The silence will be wonderful.

Also, I'm looking forward to seeing the night sky without all of the light interference. That will be really nice, too.

Anyway, good luck to you. I know what you're going through :-)

[caligirlz]

Originally Posted by NoMoreSnowForMe

I ended up choosing Fresno County over the Redding/Red Bluff area. I found a senior complex out in the boonies in the country. They only allow 2 pets, though.

The Fresno area is a bit cooler than the Redding area, too, which helped me decide on Fresno.

The rent in the apt I found in Fresno County is just $395. But, once I get Section 8, my rent will only be $260.

The first thing I noticed when I drove to the senior complex in Fresno County, was how quiet it is there. Silent. I live next to a noisy street. The silence will be wonderful.

"the boonies in the country of Fresno County"....."Rent for $395"..... Hmmmm....Fresno County covers a large area. I'm curious, where (which town, complex, street) in Fresno County?

[bradlywhite]

It may be easier to buy right now. It depends on if you could save up a down payment too.You may be able to even get a home at approx. $550 /month that you should qualify for. Also, if you do not have anyone expecting an inheritance, you might seek out a reverse mortgage in a few years, depending on how you really like the place you choose, and if you do need that extra cash. But I think you should first check out the housing for rent and for sale in that area and see if anything would work for you.

[hydro]

Hi, op. Because the economy up there is SO bad, your chances are excellent.
Why all the Fresno talk?