Palm Springs, CA (Indio, Cathedral City, Palm Desert: sales, real estate market, lease)

[Bette]

Please tell me about Palm Springs, CA.

We are in our late 40's, early 50's, children 23 and 18. Have a home in Florida which we will keep.

Price range for homes, jobs, etc.

[GoodbyeCalifornia]

Bette:

Palm Springs is a desert community that caters primarily to vacationers and retirees, though the demographics have been changing over the last few years with the influx of more people raising families. Golf and tennis are the main leisure activities, though some consider visiting the casino a leisure activity also.

Palm Springs is dry, usually receiving less than 5 inches of rain per year. The winter and spring months are the best time of year in the desert. It is also extremely hot in the summer. Daytime temperatures in the 90's are common starting as early as April. June usually marks the arrival of 100 degree days, everyday, well into October. July and August tend to be the hottest months with temperatures in the mid 100's. There is usually an increase of humidity during these two months as well when tropical moisture flows up into the desert from Mexico.

Electricity rates are high, especially during the summer months when you can't really live without air conditioning or at least a good evaporative cooler. If you rely solely on air conditioning, it will not be uncommon to see, at a minimum, a $200 a month electrical bill. That's at a minimum, though I know of many that pay more like $400+, per month.

Gasoline prices tend to be higher then in other places. Grocery prices really depend on what you buy and where you shop, though I never have found it terribly cheap.

The current median price for a house in Palm Springs is approximately $375,000 to $400,000. The median sales price for a condo in Palm Springs is $300,000. Median price for new construction is $450,000. At present the real estate market is relatively flat, with quite a bit of inventory to choose from. I would say that is much more of a buyer's market now then say 2 to 3 years ago.

If you are looking to the condo market, do not...repeat...do not purchase anything that is on lease land. Look only at property that is on fee land. Also, you would do well to avoid any property located in the north end of Palm Springs, this being anything much further north then Racquet Club Drive. In addition, you don't wish to be anywhere within the flight path of Palm Springs Airport because it can be quite loud.

Jobs. Depends on your financial requirements and your skills. There are not a ton of white collar type jobs available in the area. Most jobs tend to be of the service oriented or retail type, and on the low end of the wage scale.

This is as much of an overview of Palm Springs that I can give. I have no doubt that others will add to it. You may also wish to look at other threads dealing with Palm Springs to get further information. If you have more specific questions, I will do my best to answer them.

[user1000]

Originally Posted by GoodbyeCalifornia

Bette:

Palm Springs is a desert community that caters primarily to vacationers and retirees, though the demographics have been changing over the last few years with the influx of more people raising families. Golf and tennis are the main leisure activities, though some consider visiting the casino a leisure activity also.

Palm Springs is dry, usually receiving less than 5 inches of rain per year. The winter and spring months are the best time of year in the desert. It is also extremely hot in the summer. Daytime temperatures in the 90's are common starting as early as April. June usually marks the arrival of 100 degree days, everyday, well into October. July and August tend to be the hottest months with temperatures in the mid 100's. There is usually an increase of humidity during these two months as well when tropical moisture flows up into the desert from Mexico.

Electricity rates are high, especially during the summer months when you can't really live without air conditioning or at least a good evaporative cooler. If you rely solely on air conditioning, it will not be uncommon to see, at a minimum, a $200 a month electrical bill. That's at a minimum, though I know of many that pay more like $400+, per month.

Gasoline prices tend to be higher then in other places. Grocery prices really depend on what you buy and where you shop, though I never have found it terribly cheap.

The current median price for a house in Palm Springs is approximately $375,000 to $400,000. The median sales price for a condo in Palm Springs is $300,000. Median price for new construction is $450,000. At present the real estate market is relatively flat, with quite a bit of inventory to choose from. I would say that is much more of a buyer's market now then say 2 to 3 years ago.

If you are looking to the condo market, do not...repeat...do not purchase anything that is on lease land. Look only at property that is on fee land. Also, you would do well to avoid any property located in the north end of Palm Springs, this being anything much further north then Racquet Club Drive. In addition, you don't wish to be anywhere within the flight path of Palm Springs Airport because it can be quite loud.

Jobs. Depends on your financial requirements and your skills. There are not a ton of white collar type jobs available in the area. Most jobs tend to be of the service oriented or retail type, and on the low end of the wage scale.

This is as much of an overview of Palm Springs that I can give. I have no doubt that others will add to it. You may also wish to look at other threads dealing with Palm Springs to get further information. If you have more specific questions, I will do my best to answer them.

Very good info!! I aprove of Your message!

[Bette]

Thanks for the info. One of my brothers just bought a 2nd home in Park City, UT. My daughter (23) thought Palm Springs might be a good 2nd home destination. We are both self employed so in the next few years will move toward virtual office. My husband has never lived outside of South Florida. I have and am not real fond of the cold weather.

We will start doing research on this city! Thanks for the info about the airport!

[Twinkle Toes]

Bette, you may also want to consider Palm Desert, La Quinta, Rancho Mirage and Indian Wells.

Places you absolutely do not want to be are Desert Hot springs, Cathedral City, Thousand Palms, Indio, a lot of Palm Springs, Mecca, Thermal, Coachella, Salton City and Sky Valley.

[Bette]

Cheaper than Palm Springs? Flat - if so, that's OK with me. House price range? (4 bedroom, 2 bath)?

[Twinkle Toes]

It depends on what you're looking for. You may pay more in Palm Desert, but then again, you may not. It depends on what you're looking for. As far as the terrain is concerned, Palm Desert is really the same terrain as Palm Springs. in fact, the whole area is pretty much the same terrain-wise. We're in a valley surrounded by gorgeous snow dusted mountains.

Do you want to be in a country club? Gated community? No gates?

Personally, I prefer Palm Desert over Palm Springs because Palm Desert is in the heart of the valley, so it is closer to everything, Palm Desert is cleaner and nicer and has better shopping and restaurants.

The funny thing about those of us who live in the Palm Desert, La Quinta, Rancho Mirage, Indian Wells end of the valley don't really venture into Palm Springs much. We tend to stay in our own area and Palm Springs seems so far away, even though it isn't.

[jeansguy]

Originally Posted by Twinkle Toes

Bette, you may also want to consider Palm Desert, La Quinta, Rancho Mirage and Indian Wells.

Places you absolutely do not want to be are Desert Hot springs, Cathedral City, Thousand Palms, Indio, a lot of Palm Springs, Mecca, Thermal, Coachella, Salton City and Sky Valley.

Interested.....why would you avoid living in Desert Hot springs, Cathedral City, Thousand Palms, Indio, a lot of Palm Springs, Mecca, Thermal, Coachella, Salton City and Sky Valley?

[Twinkle Toes]

Originally Posted by jeansguy

Interested.....why would you avoid living in Desert Hot springs, Cathedral City, Thousand Palms, Indio, a lot of Palm Springs, Mecca, Thermal, Coachella, Salton City and Sky Valley?

Well, okay, you're right. If you're into gangs, meth labs and skid row, those are the best places to be!

[Midwestguy34]

So tell me about Indio. From what I have seen from the Internet, not a bad place but then on here I read not very good. Possible move to a job in Rancho Mirage.