Relocating from Toronto (San Francisco, Fresno, Sacramento: transplants, sales, apartments)
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My husband is being relocated to Northern California from Toronto for his job. We can live anywhere in Northern Cali (he's in sales and will based out of a home office), but I'm a city girl at heart and would really love to live in SF (at least for the first year), as I've heard it's just amazing and worth the experience. We are in our early 30's, no kids, 3 cats, and will probably have about $35K in cash after we sell our current place and pay off all our other debt. My husband's income will be about $133K USD per year, and though I don't have a job lined up, I hope to find one soon after we move.
From everything I've read, there's no way we can afford to buy anything close to SF, but what about renting? Is $2000/month a realistic rent cost for a 2 bedroom apartment in a safe but good (close to everything) location? We could probably go as high as $2500 but we'd like some disposable income for travelling, as well as saving for a downpayment on a future residence. We also have 2 cars and I'm worried that a lot of apartments won't have enough parking spaces, or that parking will be really expensive.
And if we do buy a house within the next two years, what towns/cities would you recommend where you can get a nice, family-type house in a price range of about $350 to $450K? Would anyone recommend Sacramento or Oakland? Or really far north like Redding?
And does anyone know what the job market would be like for someone who has experience working in a university administrative environment (admissions, financial aid, etc.)?
Any feedback would be much appreciated. Advice from natives, former natives, transplants, newbies, oldies, optimists, and pessimists is all welcome.
"Is $2000/month a realistic rent cost for a 2 bedroom apartment in a safe but good (close to everything) location?"
I'd say yes, but probably $2300 for a nice place.
"We also have 2 cars and I'm worried that a lot of apartments won't have enough parking spaces, or that parking will be really expensive."
I had a somewhat run down but historic 2 bd. apartment in "lower nob hill" (near Van Ness and California) that had two car parking (single file) that was $2350 four years ago (not sure what it would rent for now). We lucked out. This was right on the border of nice areas and not so nice areas but we found it to be very safe (so long as you use some common sense). Generally speaking parking is very hard to come by.
"$350 to $450K?"
That's not going to get you anything in the greater bay area.
"Would anyone recommend Sacramento or Oakland?"
I wouldn't recommend anything in Oakland that was only $350-$450. Oakland is a VERY tough town and the nice parts are in the hills and go for $850K and up...way up. Sacramento is a completely different ball of wax- agricultural based, different climate, flat, but it's OK. The best part about Sacto in my opnion is proximaty to Tahoe, but it has some nice parks and neighborhoods.
Thanks for your honest reply. I guess if we move there I'll have to wrap my head around the idea of renting indefinitely, unless we win the lottery or some rich long-lost relative dies and leaves us a small fortune...
Just out of curiosity, are there ANY areas in central or northern Cali that are considered affordable (for homeownership)? I asked a colleague about Fresno as she lived in California for a time (and the houses there seem cheap), and she just laughed and laughed. Inside joke? Is that a really bad area?
Thanks for your honest reply. I guess if we move there I'll have to wrap my head around the idea of renting indefinitely, unless we win the lottery or some rich long-lost relative dies and leaves us a small fortune...
Just out of curiosity, are there ANY areas in central or northern Cali that are considered affordable (for homeownership)? I asked a colleague about Fresno as she lived in California for a time (and the houses there seem cheap), and she just laughed and laughed. Inside joke? Is that a really bad area?
Yeah, Fresno is kind of a joke, though it's supposedly getting better these days... I don't know it well, but have driven through a million times, and it's pretty dumpy in most parts. Also has a crime problem w/ lots of gang & drug (meth) activity, from what I hear. There are parts of Northern & Central Calif. that are "affordable", but they won't compare to San Francisco!! The area known as "Central Valley" is quite cheap, around Stockton, Modesto, Tracy, Manteca, etc.... I lived in Stockton for 3 years, and wouldn't recommend it - HOT weather, ugly scenery, high crime, racial tension, and so on. The others I mentioned are okay, but will be quite boring to a city girl.
There are also places up north that don't cost much, but the downside is remoteness, since you'll be hours from a real city. If that's not a big deal to you, I'd suggest looking around Eureka/Arcata, Mendocino, and possibly near Mt. Shasta (Red Bluff/Redding)... these are all small towns, so probably won't be your cup of tea! But they are gorgeous, and the weather is quite nice in my opinion. Another possibility is Santa Rosa, which is about an hour north of San Francisco. That's a pretty nice area, and might have something good in your price range.
As for San Francisco itself, I'd agree with Jake's post above. Buying something in the range you mentioned would be impossible, except MAYBE in Bayview/Hunter's Point (the worst neighborhood, where I'll actually be working soon ). Renting a place would be do-able on $2000/mo, as long as you're not expecting to live in Nob Hill or Twin Peaks... I'd suggest looking at Outer & Inner Richmond, Outer Sunset, Bernal Heights, Potrero Hill, Noe Valley, and SoMa. It really is a terrific city, so if you don't mind being a bit house-poor, it's worth the sacrifice.
Oh, and to answer this question... "And does anyone know what the job market would be like for someone who has experience working in a university administrative environment (admissions, financial aid, etc.)?"
I don't know specifics about that field, but San Francisco has a ton of colleges to choose from... SFSU, USF, UCSF, CCSF, UC Berkeley (across the bay), and lots of private & community colleges! Most of the other cities I mentioned above have at least one school, like Humboldt State in Eureka, Santa Rosa Junior College, and my alma mater - University of the Pacific in Stockton.
"Fresno as she lived in California for a time (and the houses there seem cheap), and she just laughed and laughed"
Let's put it this way, Fresno is more like Texas or Oklahoma than what you would generally view as "California"- but it has worse air quality, crime, etc. It's bad.
Thank you all, your comments are much appreciated!
Although, in a strange twist of fate, it looks like we will moving to Seattle instead. An offer came through today and for the same money, we think it's a better decision long-term.
I guess I'd better get my butt over to the other forum...
Thank you all, your comments are much appreciated!
Although, in a strange twist of fate, it looks like we will moving to Seattle instead. An offer came through today and for the same money, we think it's a better decision long-term.
I guess I'd better get my butt over to the other forum...
Hey Jennybean,
What did you do with your moe? how do u lke it there in seattle?
We are also thinking about moving from torornto to california, as the weather is really tiring us !
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Relocating from Toronto
). Renting a place would be do-able on $2000/mo, as long as you're not expecting to live in Nob Hill or Twin Peaks... I'd suggest looking at Outer & Inner Richmond, Outer Sunset, Bernal Heights, Potrero Hill, Noe Valley, and SoMa. It really is a terrific city, so if you don't mind being a bit house-poor, it's worth the sacrifice. 
