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Old 01-15-2013, 05:42 PM
 
Location: Murrieta California
3,038 posts, read 4,776,406 times
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Our quality of life was very good in Silicon Valley. You can live a pretty decent life in SV on $150k. We lived in San Jose, Los Gatos, Sunnyvale, Cupertino. and Livermore.
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Old 01-15-2013, 05:58 PM
 
Location: Boulder Creek, CA
9,197 posts, read 16,843,125 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 80skeys View Post

Unfortunately hard work and long hours is no guarantee of getting ahead financially in this world. That's why I put in minimal work and low hours
Yes that's the famous "Luddite" way of doing it, as our old friend used to inform us in here.
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Old 01-15-2013, 08:10 PM
 
30,897 posts, read 36,958,653 times
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Originally Posted by JohnSoCal View Post
Our quality of life was very good in Silicon Valley. You can live a pretty decent life in SV on $150k. We lived in San Jose, Los Gatos, Sunnyvale, Cupertino. and Livermore.
How many years ago was that? I'm not saying it's poverty....but especially if you want to own even a modest house in an ok school district, it's kind of tight. Rents have skyrocketed here as well over the last few years. In short, 150K doesn't go as far as it used to.
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Old 01-15-2013, 08:39 PM
 
4,321 posts, read 6,283,984 times
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Originally Posted by mysticaltyger View Post
How many years ago was that? I'm not saying it's poverty....but especially if you want to own even a modest house in an ok school district, it's kind of tight. Rents have skyrocketed here as well over the last few years. In short, 150K doesn't go as far as it used to.
Maybe if you have your home paid off, but certainly not for a younger family, when you're talking about rent or mortgage in the $4,000 range.
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Old 01-15-2013, 09:15 PM
 
12,823 posts, read 24,402,599 times
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This thread explains why a place like Columbus, OH actually has sort of high growth.
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Old 01-15-2013, 09:25 PM
 
4,321 posts, read 6,283,984 times
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Originally Posted by BayAreaHillbilly View Post
This thread explains why a place like Columbus, OH actually has sort of high growth.
Yes, but can't you move to a low cost area that's a bit nicer, like Austin?
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Old 01-16-2013, 12:46 PM
 
13 posts, read 44,838 times
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We love our home and schools in Cambrian Park (95118, 95124)...and we didn't have to pay a fortune to live here. Our schools (union district) are very good IMO, my son who is in middle school is thriving! It is a bit of a commute for DH (25 min), but it is doable.
I was worried about the COL when we moved here from Canada, but, we just purchased a smaller of a house (1750 sq feet) and we seem to be doing well.

I am a SAHM and my hubby brings in a similar amount of income.
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Old 01-16-2013, 02:35 PM
 
4,321 posts, read 6,283,984 times
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Originally Posted by jb1974 View Post
We love our home and schools in Cambrian Park (95118, 95124)...and we didn't have to pay a fortune to live here. Our schools (union district) are very good IMO, my son who is in middle school is thriving! It is a bit of a commute for DH (25 min), but it is doable.
I was worried about the COL when we moved here from Canada, but, we just purchased a smaller of a house (1750 sq feet) and we seem to be doing well.

I am a SAHM and my hubby brings in a similar amount of income.
Yes, west SJ is substantially cheaper than other desirable areas of the Silicon Valley. However, it is a bit further from the majority of jobs in the Silicon Valley, and not as accessible if you work on the peninsula or in the city. Also, some of the other towns in the northern part of the valley are considered more desirable, not just because of location, but because they have actual downtowns (not just suburban sprawl) and are on the Caltrain corridor. I guess life is about choices though.
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Old 01-16-2013, 08:24 PM
 
Location: Murrieta California
3,038 posts, read 4,776,406 times
Reputation: 2315
Quote:
Originally Posted by mysticaltyger View Post
How many years ago was that? I'm not saying it's poverty....but especially if you want to own even a modest house in an ok school district, it's kind of tight. Rents have skyrocketed here as well over the last few years. In short, 150K doesn't go as far as it used to.
With an income of $150k and no large debt, you can afford and qualify for a $1,000,000 mortgage which will get you a decent house. You can still rent a pretty decent place for $3500-4500 which is affordable. I said you can live a decent life, not one of luxury. We moved away from SV in December. 2006. However we do visit quite often as our son and his family live in Monterey.
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Old 01-16-2013, 10:54 PM
 
30,897 posts, read 36,958,653 times
Reputation: 34526
Quote:
Originally Posted by JohnSoCal View Post
With an income of $150k and no large debt, you can afford and qualify for a $1,000,000 mortgage which will get you a decent house. You can still rent a pretty decent place for $3500-4500 which is affordable. I said you can live a decent life, not one of luxury. We moved away from SV in December. 2006. However we do visit quite often as our son and his family live in Monterey.
$1,000,0000 mortgage with a $150K income. That is insanity Doing that basically makes you a high income slave. No thanks.
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