Does anyone want to move FROM the Bay Area? (San Jose: apartment, city hall)

[Coffee Mate]

Moved out last year.....after several thousand years in the Bay Area....at least that's what it felt like....
The deciding factor...even above the twisted diseased [staph infected] "life-style" of the Bay Area was the cost...

Small cottage "house" ..just under 900 sq. feet....with....no garage....no front yard...no attic....no basement...no storage....no drive way....[that's right...on street parking only...]....microscopic back yard.....All for JUST 550,000.00$.....

Oh...almost forgot the termite special!.....Busted out windows and 'mushy' floors decked over with 3/4" ply....TODAY ONLY FOR......625,000.00$!!! [Granted it did have a yard....complete with old tires......]

Oh....such a DEAL!!!

[mkcking]

I've come to the conclusion that, unless you make 120k a year, or unless you have family that'll lend you money for a house, it's not worth living here.

We are also considering Portland, I've heard that you have to go there with a job though, the job market is tough.

I think the thing that keeps us here is opportunity, the Bay Area is full of it.

But where are those "fairly liberal, well-educated, down-to-earth good people"? I think they are all moving on, they can't live in this rat race.

Besides, the S.F. suburbs are pretty conservative. I grew up here and now am married with kids, once you get outside of the city it's pretty uptight. Does anyone know what the Portland suburbs are like? We are thinking of moving to Lake Oswego.

[vampmiller]

Originally Posted by mkcking

We are also considering Portland, I've heard that you have to go there with a job though, the job market is tough.

But where are those "fairly liberal, well-educated, down-to-earth good people"? I think they are all moving on, they can't live in this rat race.

Have friends from SF who moved up to Portland last year. They're the kind of liberal, well-educated, down-to-earth good people that made this place great. They love it up there.

[mkcking]

Originally Posted by vampmiller

Have friends from SF who moved up to Portland last year. They're the kind of liberal, well-educated, down-to-earth good people that made this place great. They love it up there.

Are they freezing up there? My husband is scared to death that he'll be shoveling snow all winter.

Weather aside, I think quality of life seems much better up there. At least we could afford vacations every year. Hawaii!!

[Horses+More Horses=Heaven]

OMG!!!!!! I had the same problem as you!!!And I grew up in the bay area and I whent back once I was old enough to mave away.Being single and all I couldn't afford it but I do miss the fog and moutains afert all I do live in florida so now even a rock seems like a moutain to us.But I really miss it but for me in the long run it was better.

[Tallysmom]

Originally Posted by mkcking

Are they freezing up there? My husband is scared to death that he'll be shoveling snow all winter.

Weather aside, I think quality of life seems much better up there. At least we could afford vacations every year. Hawaii!!

Tell him to buy a snow thrower/blower.... Snow Joe 622 - Electric (19") 13.5-Amp Snow Thrower @ Snow Blowers Direct.com

Couldn't resist -- my Dad was a distributor for years back east... he loved playing with it...

[EasternerInDaWest]

I agree with many of the postings here! My life in California has been a love/hate relationship. The cost of a home is too ridiculous. The only way I see folks affording one is to have 8 relatives move in with them. The others I see: have been able to get on section 8 and sit on a housing list for years until a low-income development gets erected; and others were lucky enough to sell off ancient family heirlooms in order to move here from their home countries; or were lucky enough to sell off their Google stocks. I also see a large amount of hard working people going through bankruptcy and foreclosures right now. A lender convinced them they could bite off more than they can chew to get a house, and now they are suffering. I moved here over 10 years ago from the east (Pennsylvania) because my fiance's job transferred him here. Now, we're ready to get out. Yes, it's beautiful here, but it can't be enjoyed if you're working all the time. My dream is to have a very large building as a live/work place. Will never find one here for under a million...and my son will soon be looking to venture out in the world, but will need to stay with us longer since rent is way out of a normal paid person's league.
Bye Bye Hotel California...

[DMenscha]

It still amazes me that those of you that can't deal with the high bay area prices think you have to leave CA in order to enjoy life. I live close enough to the bay area to visit it anytime I want (even a day trip) yet I get to see the stars (all of them) and the only traffic hazard is deer in the roadway.

May you all land in the land of happiness, wherever that may be.

[Coffee Mate]

Can't deal with the prices?....Yup....Bank account.....ZERO....cost of "house" 500 thousand dollars.....so YUP I can't "deal" with the prices....

Midwest.....acreage....huge house.....extra buildings......great services...very low crime....[no tweekers even!] all under 300K.....

[EasternerInDaWest]

Well, I do know several folks who were able to afford a home. They bought houses in Tracy, Modesto, and Livermore and commute each day to jobs into SF, Fremont, and San Jose. Not sure why they can't work closer to their houses, but at least they can see the scenery each day during their commute. Most then stay home as much as possible when not working since they used up the rest of their funds on gas and tolls. Funny how my one girlfriend carpools with her husband from Tracy - she works in Fremont, and he in Palo Alto. They drop off the baby in Mountain View to daycare. They pack their dinner with their lunch and eat dinner each day in the car on the commute home...but they own (paying on) their house, so must be very happy.