Why do people keep sayinng Seattle is as expensive as SoCal? (Bellevue: housing, rent)

[ShadowXOR]

Either I live in a very expensive part of CA or people are very confused. Compared to what people call the "rich" areas such as Bellevue and Issaquah most houses are $200,000 more and rent is at least $500 more for comparable houses/apartments in my area.

My friend just moved from my town to the heart of Seattle and is paying less for a bigger place. We live in Ventura, CA and we can rent a crap apartment here for $1,400. We can get a better apartment in Seattle for $900 or so. I am browsing Rent.com and prices are cheaper across the board. I don't know where this myth came from but it is WAY off, either that or I'm in the most expensive part of SoCal ever. I just wanted to clear this up for people interested in Seattle because people constantly talking about the high prices was scaring me away since I want to pay less up there, but in reality after I did my research I'll be saving almost $500 a month.

[41Willys]

I agree. Im from the NE and have been hearing the same thing. But browsing the classifieds tells a different story. Its not as cheap as Portland Oregon, but its no where nears expensive as NY/Cali.

[leavingcali]

Seattle is quite expensive, but not as high as Socal. My estimate is that it is closer to Sacramento prices. I suppose what is considered "expensive" is subjective.

[41Willys]

Originally Posted by leavingcali

Seattle is quite expensive, but not as high as Socal. My estimate is that it is closer to Sacramento prices. I suppose what is considered "expensive" is subjective.

Im thinking just a "little" less then Sacramento.

[mlv311]

When it comes to housing costs, Seattle is not more expensive than NYC, LA, San Francisco or even DC. Like any other place, the closer you get to the city and main amenities, the more you pay for less space.

[jwb123]

I think that most people are addressing the costs of owning a home, and being a homeowner.

You can't get a decent, liveable home in a good neighborhood, good school district under $400k anymore.... and really, it's more like edging up to $500k+... new construction "close in" - forget about it... (of course, good, nice, decent, liveable is subjective).

Salaries aren't equal to the cost of living. Food is expensive. Activities. High sales tax. It's not just about rent...

[41Willys]

Originally Posted by Jenbar

I think that most people are addressing the costs of owning a home, and being a homeowner.

You can't get a decent, liveable home in a good neighborhood, good school district under $400k anymore.... and really, it's more like edging up to $500k+... new construction "close in" - forget about it... (of course, good, nice, decent, liveable is subjective).

Salaries aren't equal to the cost of living. Food is expensive. Activities. High sales tax. It's not just about rent...

I live in NW Jersey. (Country part of the state) And for a 4 bed-2 bath house there getting 500+ with 9000 a year property tax. Thats with a well and no sewers! Car insurance is the highest in the nation, and well, food is food unless you live in Ha.

[ShadowXOR]

Originally Posted by Jenbar

I think that most people are addressing the costs of owning a home, and being a homeowner.

You can't get a decent, liveable home in a good neighborhood, good school district under $400k anymore.... and really, it's more like edging up to $500k+... new construction "close in" - forget about it... (of course, good, nice, decent, liveable is subjective).

Salaries aren't equal to the cost of living. Food is expensive. Activities. High sales tax. It's not just about rent...

I mentioned purchasing as well. But considering a MASSIVE amount of people rent that is a significant factor as well.

[jwb123]

I think there are more homeowners now, than ever before. We have just gone through a period where almost anyone who is breathing and has some sort of job could get a homeloan. I am not sure about the "massive amounts" of renters anymore...

Food is not food! Here in Austin, it's cheaper than Seattle - and most other places.

And for a 4 bed-2 bath house there getting 500+ with 9000 a year property tax.

That would mean something if we were talking comparable areas.

No worries, I have heard it's bad in NJ too...

[ShadowXOR]

Seattle is high but coming from SoCal and doing the math I look to be saving a nice chunk of change and going to a nicer city.