shall i move to Bay Area/Silicon Valley, from Alabama (San Jose: real estate market, for rent)

[techy2468]

main reason why i am even thinking about is JOB....i am a IT professional (Programmer)...and in the current town (Birmingham, AL) not much is happening to career.

but if i move to Silicon Valley my 8 hours of the day will just fly by and leave me happy at the end of the day.

Career will benefit greatly. but i am scared that Quality of life will suffer a lot.

I am assuming that i will be able to start with a salary of around $90k and after a year....i am confident that i can move upto $120k.

and i think i can get a decent one bedroom for rent for about $1500.

we would love living in that Multicultural liberal environment.....we being ourself from SouthEast-Asia.

we do not have a kid yet.

your comments please?

[Luke9686]

The San Jose area is a great place to live. I think the real question will be what you want to get out of the area. I love this area, but couldn't imagine settling down here to call it my home. I make around $50,000 per year and rent a two bedroom townhome in Cupertino for $1500 per month. Cupertino is one of the higher priced suburbs of San Jose. I hear that the school is the best in this area. I think on $90,000 per year you will do fine renting a $1500 place. You should have some money left for savings and entertainment.

This area is has a large asian population also, if that matters. The reason I mentioned it really depends on what you plan on getting out of moving here is because of the cost of living. On $90K per year, even $120K per year you probably could only afford to buy a condo. Unless your significant other was making about the same, you probably couldn't buy a house as a 3 bed 2 bath fixer upper costs around $650,000. Thats why many are leaving this area. Home ownership is the "American Dream" and that is impossible for a lot of people here. That is why I will not stay.

Other than that it is a great area. Weather is beautiful most of the year. Close to the beach, close to the mountains. The city is surrounded by mini mountains with lots of hiking and camping. SF is very close, crime is extremely low compared with cities it's size (compare San Jose to Dallas, Houston, or any city its size), and people are pretty friendly. There is lots of culture here and tons to do.

[techy2468]

yes its true that housing is just outrageous......and i may never be able to call it a home..........but i wont mind renting for 5-7 years have a good career........and then move to a medium sized town for a slow life....

[Luke9686]

I say go for it. I think it would be a great move for your career. It's common knowledge in the IT world that this is the tech center of America, so it will do nothing but good things for your career. You will love it out here. The way the real estate market looks out here it may be affordable in 5-7 years.

[rheadabovewater]

I think you should go for it. I also live in Cupertino and love it here. It reminds me of where I grew up, Santa Monica. You can do well on $90-120K/year, but it's also true that you cannot afford to buy ANYTHING unless you make at least $100K/year. Weather is wonderful, people are nice, and being an IT professional - you'll have lots of jobs awaiting you.

[NOEL123]

How do you compare Cupertino to Alameda? I have 2 girls with me, do you think this city has amenities for them too.

[rheadabovewater]

My opinion - if you have a choice, go to Cupertino. Nicer than Alameda. : )

[Alexus]

Originally Posted by techy2468

main reason why i am even thinking about is JOB....i am a IT professional (Programmer)...and in the current town (Birmingham, AL) not much is happening to career.

but if i move to Silicon Valley my 8 hours of the day will just fly by and leave me happy at the end of the day.

Career will benefit greatly. but i am scared that Quality of life will suffer a lot.

I am assuming that i will be able to start with a salary of around $90k and after a year....i am confident that i can move upto $120k.

and i think i can get a decent one bedroom for rent for about $1500.

we would love living in that Multicultural liberal environment.....we being ourself from SouthEast-Asia.

we do not have a kid yet.

your comments please?

Sounds like you have already made up your mind to move. As one of my friends always says, "gotcha hat...getcha coat!"

[mysticaltyger]

Originally Posted by NOEL123

How do you compare Cupertino to Alameda? I have 2 girls with me, do you think this city has amenities for them too.

Personally, I like Alameda better. Cupertino is kind of a cookie cutter suburb. Alameda has some character.

It really all depends on what you want. If you want to work in tech, you're probably better off living in Silicon Valley, although there are no absolutes.

[Luke9686]

If I had school aged kids, Cupertino would be the absolute best choice. Cupertino schools are ranked extremely high. There is a reason why a 3 bedroom shack sells for $1 million in Cupertino, when 3 blocks away they are a lot less. It is the school district. People pay, and pay a lot to send their kids to Cupertino schools.