Reasonable Housing. (Oakland, Stockton, Vallejo: real estate, homes, neighborhoods)

[luckeylaredo]

I grew up in the bay area and would like to move back. I would like to live within 100 miles of Oakland, California. Are there any reaonable homes out there? I just purchased a home in Texas. The home was only 118,000. 2000 square ft brook home on almost 3/4 or an acre. The problem is I have to maybe stay her e for two years for Capital gains. Where can I buy a reasonable home in Ca and not pay Capital gains in Texas? Any suggestions. Since I just bought the home I have no equaity in it.

[gizmo980]

Which direction would you prefer to head (from the bay)? There is still affordable housing if you go east, toward Tracy, Livermore, Vallejo, etc. Stockton is pretty cheap, but I wouldn't recommend going there... I went to college in that town (UOP), and it really sucks. If you're planning to commute into Oakland/East Bay for work, it's not going to be fun, but many people drive it & survive! Obviously the city of SF and the Peninsula will be the most expensive options, unless you're willing to live in a bad neighborhood... I only pay $900/mo. for a two-bedroom, but I'm in EPA. If you're originally from the Bay Area, you should know what I'm talking about! Anyway, my best suggestion would be to head east, either along I-80 or I-580. There are still reasonable-ish prices out that way, at least compared to the rest of this area. I'm looking into a possible move to Vallejo (for a job in Fairfield), and I can get a good amount for my money... I'm hoping for a 2-bedroom house, which will run about $1000-1200 in that town. Good luck in whatever you choose!

[gizmo980]

P.S. I don't know anything about real estate, so I can't answer your question on capital gains... but I did a quick realtor search, and found the homes below. It seems that Tracy's price range is about $300K-500K, for a small-medium home. Solano County (Fairfield, Vallejo, Vacaville, etc.) is a bit cheaper, especially as you go farther east - around $250K-500+. What is your price range?

Tracy - 3 bed, 2 bath, 0.08 acres, $399K:


Tracy - 4 bed, 2 bath, 1,796 sf, 0.15 acres, $419,999:


Vacaville - 2 bed, 2 bath, 1,152 sf, 0.13 acres, $289,200:


I don't know how the specific neighborhoods are, but these are among the cheapest examples... not "cheap" by US standards, just by the Bay Area's.