Yet another moving to California thread (San Diego, Fresno: rental, low crime, day care)

[jres]

Hi, I am sure there are a lot of these, but I am considering moving to California with my wife and three kids. I am looking for what every one else is usually looking for with a family, a place with decent schools, low crime, and reasonable cost of living. However, the nature of my income gives me a lot more options then normal. I do not make a lot, but my income is entirely passive from selling images online for web designers. So no matter how bad the unemployment or job market is in an area it literally makes no difference to me. With those parameters, does anyone have any recommendations?

[Ruth4Truth]

Those parameters aren't clear. The issue isn't stability of income, it's size of income. You really haven't given us anything to go by, in that regard.

You can look up the recommendations on the current threads. Several have affordability as a requirement, which is a pretty tough one to meet, and it's very relative in CA. Santa Rosa (north of San Fran) is one I recall, that's closer to the US median for housing costs. The area around Arcata, up towards the Oregon border. There are suburbs with decent schools. Most places that meet your criteria will be expensive, housing-wise. In fact, even Arcata, which rates close to the US median in housing prices, is expensive.

Your best bet will probably be to research housing prices yourself on the internet. There are great schools in Lafayette, Walnut Creek, and Orinda, in the east Bay Area, but those are very expensive areas. You can go farther east, and try Livermore, Dublin, Pleasanton, Tracy. Tehachapi, in southern CA, for decent schools and affordability. (more or less halfway between LA and Las Vegas) South Lake Tahoe, maybe.

You've given us no other criteria: small town, big city, rural, urban, mountains vs. coastal proximity, etc. It's a big state.

[jres]

Originally Posted by Ruth4Truth

Those parameters aren't clear. The issue isn't stability of income, it's size of income. You really haven't given us anything to go by, in that regard.

You can look up the recommendations on the current threads. Several have affordability as a requirement, which is a pretty tough one to meet, and it's very relative in CA. Santa Rosa (north of San Fran) is one I recall, that's closer to the US median for housing costs. The area around Arcata, up towards the Oregon border. There are suburbs with decent schools. Most places that meet your criteria will be expensive, housing-wise. In fact, even Arcata, which rates close to the US median in housing prices, is expensive.

Your best bet will probably be to research housing prices yourself on the internet. There are great schools in Lafayette, Walnut Creek, and Orinda, in the east Bay Area, but those are very expensive areas. You can go farther east, and try Livermore, Dublin, Pleasanton, Tracy. Tehachapi, in southern CA, for decent schools and affordability. (more or less halfway between LA and Las Vegas)

You've given us no other criteria: small town, big city, rural, urban, mountains vs. coastal proximity, etc.

Sorry for the lack of info. Income is around 70-90k a year. My wife stays at home, so there is no need for day care or anything. I am looking to rent a place, not to buy. I also don't mind living in a "boring" area, and have no interest in entertainment or "things to do" so being out in the country is fine with me.

[Ruth4Truth]

Originally Posted by jres

Sorry for the lack of info. Income is around 70-90k a year. My wife stays at home, so there is no need for day care or anything. I am looking to rent a place, not to buy. I also don't mind living in a "boring" area, and have no interest in entertainment or "things to do" so being out in the country is fine with me.

OK, well, that helps fill out the picture. Those "outer" Bay Area places I mentioned are relatively affordable and boring, IMO, but great family towns: Livermore, Dublin, Pleasanton, Tracy. Santa Rosa, in the north Bay. But you'll need at least $90K, to support a family of 5. Otherwise, you may have to compromise on schools/crime (marijuana use). Trying to support a family of 5 in CA on $70K will be a challenge. Maybe Fresno, which I"m told has decent schools. Tehachapi. Look up rents on Craigslist.

You know about state income tax and self-employment tax, right?

We'll see what suggestions others come up with. It would be helpful if your wife could get a half-time job.

[dexter14]

Originally Posted by jres

I am considering moving to California with my wife and three kids. I am looking for what every one else is usually looking for with a family, a place with decent schools, low crime, and reasonable cost of living.

You and a million other people. If there were nice homes in nice neighborhoods with low crime and great schools to be had on a $70k budget, everyone and their mother would be here already. It doesn't exist, sorry. Much better to stay where you are.

[Ruth4Truth]

You might be able to get by on $90-$100K, but you'll be looking at 2 of the kids sharing a bedroom, and handing down clothes from the oldest to the youngest, and other frugalities, if your wife can't get a part-time job. There's nothing wrong with that, I'm just letting you know what you'll be facing.

[jres]

Thanks for the info everyone. I guess to be more specific, the main metric I am looking for is rental price. I am curious when every one says you need atleast 70-90 to live out there, what expenses are we talking about? Where I am at right now, rent is $900, $400 a month for food, and $150 for utilities. I compared utiltiy rates between where I am at and California and at worst it seems it would double. For food, I have been to California recently and I did not notice much of a difference between the food prices there and the midwest, at least at wal-mart and such. Besides those, I maybe spend another $75 a month on other random stuff like toilet paper, clothes, soup, ect. So far it seems the biggest cost difference in California is the rent price.

[Ruth4Truth]

Originally Posted by jres

Thanks for the info everyone. I guess to be more specific, the main metric I am looking for is rental price. I am curious when every one says you need atleast 70-90 to live out there, what expenses are we talking about? Where I am at right now, rent is $900, $400 a month for food, and $150 for utilities. I compared utiltiy rates between where I am at and California and at worst it seems it would double. For food, I have been to California recently and I did not notice much of a difference between the food prices there and the midwest, at least at wal-mart and such. Besides those, I maybe spend another $75 a month on other random stuff like toilet paper, clothes, soup, ect. So far it seems the biggest cost difference in California is the rent price.

I swear, I'm going to lobby the admin here to add a rolling-on-the-floor-laughing emoticon.

$900/mo. rent for a family of 5 in CA? Not EVEN in some armpit like Fresno or Redding. Again, check Craigslist in the areas already suggested. After you get a reality check, get back to us if you're still interested.

BTW, why are you so eager to leave behind such a ridiculously low rent price? What are you trying to escape?

P.S. I take it back, after checking Craigslist for Fresno. If you don't mind squeezing 5 people into 3 bedrooms, you can find homes to rent for just under $900 in Fresno. If you need more space, it'll cost you more. Really, you need to do your own homework, at this point. It only takes a few minutes online.

[lewimaech235]

Originally Posted by Ruth4Truth

I swear, I'm going to lobby the admin here to add a rolling-on-the-floor-laughing emoticon.

$900/mo. rent for a family of 5 in CA? Not EVEN in some armpit like Fresno or Redding. Again, check Craigslist in the areas already suggested. After you get a reality check, get back to us if you're still interested.

BTW, why are you so eager to leave behind such a ridiculously low rent price? What are you trying to escape?

I don't think he realizes just how expensive it is to live in California. I also have a hard time believing his story, but I will try. You just won't be able to do much with $900, and I wouldn't consider living anywhere in CA with your salary. Get your wife out there working, quit doing things the when-women-didn't-work way, and then you'll be able to live in a comfortable neighborhood.

[jres]

Originally Posted by Ruth4Truth

I swear, I'm going to lobby the admin here to add a rolling-on-the-floor-laughing emoticon.

$900/mo. rent for a family of 5 in CA? Not EVEN in some armpit like Fresno or Redding. Again, check Craigslist in the areas already suggested. After you get a reality check, get back to us if you're still interested.

BTW, why are you so eager to leave behind such a ridiculously low rent price? What are you trying to escape?

I dont expect to pay $900 in California at all. I was thinking something below $2500. Looking online and some places I checked out when I was there a few months ago, I saw plenty of 3 bedrooms under $1500 a month in Sacramento and San Diego.

As for what I am trying to escape, the first thing is crappy weather, and secondly my wife has a stalker who tried to kill her and her mother so I think going far far away is a good idea.