Possibly Moving from western New York (Ontario, Fontana: rental, how much, house)

[kevibak]

Hi All!

I have been offered a job in Fontana, CA with a national company at their location there. It is an opportunity to get back into an industry where I did well and will likely provide more opportunities to advance than I have here in NY.

ABOUT US

Early forties couple. We are a white family that have lived in a very safe affordable area in western New York between Buffalo and Rochester. Just normal people living in an average house in a great little country village outside of Batavia, NY. Here we own our own home and we are a single income family. In CA we would rent for the first year or two because the company may move us again as I am in management. I have three kids still at home--2 graduated from high school and one still in high school in 10th grade.

QUESTIONS

How much money does it really take to live there renting a house?
What are the bills like for a family of five?
Monthly budget to live comfortably?
Where is a good area to live that may have a decent college or university where my older two might attend?
Thinking I would like no more than a 35-45 minute commute which is what I have here.

We are coming to visit next week flying into Ontario.

HOUSING

We were told to look in Corona or Norco by people out there. We thought Rancho and Etiwanda sounded nice. Some posts in here say Redlands, Chino Hills, Claremont are good. We have been to Diamond Bar, Brea, Yorba Linda and liked those areas but Yorba Linda seems expensive for us to make it without my wife working which at present she does not out of necessity with one of our children's needs. Would commuting to Fontana be going the opposite way of most traffic?

Educationally, if anyone has an MBA or similar business degree, what is a fair salary for someone with that degree plus experience and good resume. I am being offered $90K. I know this risks sounding bad, but 90k doesn't seem like it goes too far with a rental house costing $2000-$2500?!?!?! It seems that housing eats up so much budget that we want to make sure we really know what we are getting into with costs there.

Thanks for any input. Many of the posts in other threads have been very helpful.

K

[EscapeCalifornia]

Originally Posted by kevibak

I know this risks sounding bad, but 90k doesn't seem like it goes too far with a rental house costing $2000-$2500?!?!?! It seems that housing eats up so much budget that we want to make sure we really know what we are getting into with costs there.

And that is the problem with California. Its just expected here that both partners will work full time and dedicate an unsafe percentage of their combined income to housing. $2500/mo rent on $90k annual household income is only 1/3 of your gross, which is average to below average out here unless you bought your many house years ago. I'd love to have such a low ratio.

Although driving from Yorba Linda or Diamond Bar would be a reverse commute, I'd advise against it and try to stay in the Inland Empire for housing. Closer to work = better.

[abc925]

Originally Posted by EscapeCalifornia

....

Although driving from Yorba Linda or Diamond Bar would be a reverse commute, I'd advise against it and try to stay in the Inland Empire for housing. Closer to work = better.

Just wanted to address the above reply. If you're working in Fontana, the so-called reverse commute is actually desirable. If you lived in the Brea, Diamond Bar or Yorba Linda area, while working in Fontana, you would be commuting against traffic. Simply put, you would have a longer distance to travel, but likely a shorter commute time. You would likely encounter moderate traffic with good flow (45 - 65mph). Travelling WITH traffic, during peak commute times, is basically gridlock.

Commuting from Orange County to the Inland Empire is reasonable. The reverse would be problematic.

You're on the right track kevibak....the areas you mentioned are very nice and a FAR FAR better option than most of the Inland Empire (my opinion only, for what it's worth). Alternatively, you could look at Chino Hills, or possibly Claremont. But I think you've already received some good advice.

And you can get a great deal in the areas you've mentioned....huge inventory in socal housing has really put downward pressure on home prices.

Good luck.

[kevibak]

Thanks for all the feedback! This is all an education for us. We have lived in Florida, New York, and Missouri in our lives and this job opportunity/move has us the most intimidated.

[kevibak]

Again, thanks to those who take the time to post on this blog for all your help. Our biggest concern is the economics of living out there. I have looked at cost of living indicators but really trust people paying real bills more. Wondering what are utility costs, cable, internet, gas, etc.

Thx.

KB