Does anyone like Antioch, Ca?? (Concord, Pittsburg: section 8, rent, crime rates)

[shmorg96]

Due to the recent housing crash, there are actually homes we can afford in Antioch that are in good condition.

I've been doing some research and find that the actual crime stats are not terrible. (but not great... 100k people there though.. ) I'm reading these posts about people being mugged in broad day light and wild animal like teenagers running the street murdering people and jumping u at the local gas station on Lone Tree.

I've lived in Martinez my entire life and never that crazy about Antioch. But now with a small child and the possibility to actually own a home (in the bay area) , to eventually move back this way in 5 years or so doesn't seem too terrible. I don't want to be put into a situation where I have to fear for my life... Driving through the streets of Antioch really doesn't give me that fear factor though... It's just Antioch like it's always been with a billion more strip malls and barren desert like heat... and a horrible commute. And cute newish houses on the hill looking at Mt. Diablo...

Please give me a sense of hope like I'm not throwing my life and safety away moving there! Does anyone like it here?? =)

[sonarrat]

I'm sure people will give you their opinions loud and clear. My opinion is that I really like Martinez, I think it has a lot of antique charm and the people seemed really nice. If I lived there, I would prefer not to compromise on a nearby, but notably less interesting and less desirable town just so I could own a piece of California.

[shmorg96]

Well it's a sacrifice we may make. With home values so low I don't imagine they can drop much less, so hopefully in the future we could make a few bucks while also not paying rent into a black hole.

My job is flexible, but he works in Lafayette and we just can't afford anything in the closer areas that are clean houses. :-( Bad area of Concord better? Crime rates are similar...

[sonarrat]

There are plenty of affordable homes in Martinez itself that just need a little work.. you can get a 203(k) rehab loan for that. As any realtor will tell you, you can fix the house, but you can't fix the location.

[Dean Trails]

Originally Posted by shmorg96

Due to the recent housing crash, there are actually homes we can afford in Antioch that are in good condition.

I've been doing some research and find that the actual crime stats are not terrible. (but not great... 100k people there though.. ) I'm reading these posts about people being mugged in broad day light and wild animal like teenagers running the street murdering people and jumping u at the local gas station on Lone Tree.

I've lived in Martinez my entire life and never that crazy about Antioch. But now with a small child and the possibility to actually own a home (in the bay area) , to eventually move back this way in 5 years or so doesn't seem too terrible. I don't want to be put into a situation where I have to fear for my life... Driving through the streets of Antioch really doesn't give me that fear factor though... It's just Antioch like it's always been with a billion more strip malls and barren desert like heat... and a horrible commute. And cute newish houses on the hill looking at Mt. Diablo...

Please give me a sense of hope like I'm not throwing my life and safety away moving there! Does anyone like it here?? =)

Unfortunately, the section 8 housing has increased in the last few years. And, I am afraid that Antioch is as nice as it once was. The weather is about the same as Pittsburg but with less wind. Have you looked into Concord? IT is right next door to you and with the housing price drops it might work?