What's it like to have money? (Needles: buying a home, high school, property taxes)

[Count David]

Originally Posted by The OC

I was in Denver on the weekend of January 8th. The high was 1 degree F.

Yeah, that happens too. One of the "tradeoffs".

[CaliRestoration]

Originally Posted by The OC

Don't think we're talking about income.

If you have one, the other one doesn't matter, to these type of women.

[mstnghu2]

Originally Posted by Rkstar71

Rich people having money problems. LOL

6 figure salaries don't equate to being "rich" in many parts of CA, especially the Bay Area.

[Sydney123]

What's it like?... if I told ya I'd have to kill you.
I had some friends that were making six figures and moved from LA to CO. Their money went further, but they bought more stuff and ended up in the same hole they'd been in in Ca. Struggling to make ends meet once again. Having money is one thing....( keeping it ) by being fiscally responsible is another.
and.... Not everyone who lives in a high COL while making six figures is struggling to pay their taxes and mortgages.

[TheGoodUsernamesWereTaken]

Originally Posted by SportyandMisty

Perhaps you could identify a few things that are on your "enjoying life" list that you can't afford because of the very high COL. If you owned a very nice house in Palo Alto, would that be "enjoying life?"

If I could still afford to go out on weekends and live a carefree life without checking my bank account(s) then sure. Personally, I think Palo Alto is overrated. It's nice, but having lived in Santa Clara, San Mateo, Redwood City, and San Jose, and was close to grabbing a spot in Mountain View, the southbay is very miss-able and underwhelming for the most part. The weather is nice, but other than that I don't see what separates it from middle america anywhere else really.



All that said, I've alluded to the fact that this was more a troll thread than anything, so the continuous serious questions are, interesting lol.

[TheGoodUsernamesWereTaken]

Originally Posted by David Aguilar

It is indeed, one that is constantly perpetuated (particularly by fellow native Californians) regarding all of the dragons that live outside of its borders.

WA/OR, too much rain. AZ/NV, too hot. Everything east of I-15, and north of I-40, gets snow. Snow = bad. Everything east of I-15, and south of I-40, too hot, too humid, or both. And as you know, all of these things immediately kill most urban Californians, on sight (or so THEY would have you believe).

^That's why, it's CA or bust. Particularly for folks that have never moved out of it. Same goes for people who have found paradise there, of which there are many.

yea, and that's why I made this thread, to mock these people because I find that attitude and ignorance despicable and hilarious.





oh my gosh, elements!? Whatever will I do!? Nevermind that you spend most of the time indoors if you have a white collar job like me. Denver, NY, SF, LA, the "weather" is the same inside the office, the bar, the restaurant, and the hotel, which could then be swapped for a house or apartment if we mean long term. God forbid you ne exposed to anything below 65 or above 75, you might not make it.

[RuggedAlpha]

No one has said you can't be happy in another state, but they sure act like it, when you prioritize weather over COL, or taxes, and you aren't really well off, then I think you have your priorities backwards.

Well weather can be a huge quality-of-life issue for many people. There are individuals who get clinical depression, especially during the winter months through (SAD) Seasonal Affective Disorder due to lack of sunlight. For these people, the sunshine tax is worth it. Now that doesn't mean they have to move to California, they can also move to Arizona, Florida, Nevada, New Mexico, etc. I wouldn't say these people have their priorities backwards.

During this time of year, my community and surrounding areas become swamped with Canadian snowbirds for about 3-5 months. Weather is an important enough factor for them to uproot their lives for a good chunk of time to avoid the intense, winter weather. It is worth it for them for various reasons. Again, I wouldn't say these people have their priorities backwards either.

I just think you're confusing quality-of-life with cost-of-living. Many people do as well. They are not really the same thing, though they may be connected. Personally, I think you get a higher quality-of-life in small towns over big cities, which generally also includes a lower cost-of-living.

I definitely think you should move man. There is nothing worse than being stuck in a place that you hate. There are 49 other states to choose from, so you have many options. You don't want to become one of those bitter, sad CD forum posters that don't have the balls to move to another state, yet all they do is ***** and moan all day. Though I think you're heading in that direction

[MtnSurfer]

Originally Posted by RuggedAlpha

Well weather can be a huge quality-of-life issue for many people. There are individuals who get clinical depression, especially during the winter months through (SAD) Seasonal Affective Disorder due to lack of sunlight. For these people, the sunshine tax is worth it. Now that doesn't mean they have to move to California, they can also move to Arizona, Florida, Nevada, New Mexico, etc. I wouldn't say these people have their priorities backwards.

During this time of year, my community and surrounding areas become swamped with Canadian snowbirds for about 3-5 months. Weather is an important enough factor for them to uproot their lives for a good chunk of time to avoid the intense, winter weather. It is worth it for them for various reasons. Again, I wouldn't say these people have their priorities backwards either.

I just think you're confusing quality-of-life with cost-of-living. Many people do as well. They are not really the same thing, though they may be connected. Personally, I think you get a higher quality-of-life in small towns over big cities, which generally also includes a lower cost-of-living.

I definitely think you should move man. There is nothing worse than being stuck in a place that you hate. There are 49 other states to choose from, so you have many options. You don't want to become one of those bitter, sad CD forum posters that don't have the balls to move to another state, yet all they do is ***** and moan all day. Though I think you're heading in that direction

Couldn't agree more. More $$$ in one's pocket does not always equate to greater QOL. There are some things worth more and these factors vary per individual. Otherwise, we'd all be living in the cheapest place possible out in the middle of podunk US in a big 'ol house. You can laugh all you want at those people who pay a premium for the lifestyle they enjoy. But if they are happy and you aren't something else is out of whack. The problem is there is no one right answer for best place to live. Everyone has different things they value more.

I know for us we left (relatively) cheap living in CO to come back to CA because living near the coast and enjoying the many things the state has to offer provided us a higher overall QOL. Sitting in our big house in CO considering *all* the pros/cons finally helped us come to realize what was most important to us. It became so obvious we couldn't wait to get back to the west coast. But sometimes you have to go out and explore and discover what is really important to you, not the next guy. Wherever you land there will be things you'll like and dislike. The real question will be do the pros outweigh the cons for the long term more than somewhere else? That's what really matters. There will always be somewhere cheaper and more expensive to live. The guy in Podunkville may think you're a fool for living in high priced Phoenix. Who cares? If you like it there you certainly won't. You just happen to live in one of the most expensive areas in the state and nation currently. And its not really worth it to you. So to me the answer totally obvious. But that answer isn't necessarily the same for the guy/gal next door.

BTW, there is a *very* common theme on CD where people come on here right before a big move and rag on the state. I see it as really just their way of getting up enough gumption to actually make the move. Plus its a good release of all that frustration - all the reasons why. Then its kinda of funny after they leave to see them sometimes reminisce about the good ol' days in CA. And some do return even if they have CalExit in their name. Its actually one of the more humorous patterns to watch on here... as long as they eventually move!

Derek

[RuggedAlpha]

Originally Posted by MtnSurfer

Couldn't agree more. More $$$ in one's pocket does not always equate to greater QOL. There are some things worth more and these factors vary per individual. Otherwise, we'd all be living in the cheapest place possible out in the middle of podunk US in a big 'ol house. You can laugh all you want at those people who pay a premium for the lifestyle they enjoy. But if they are happy and you aren't something else is out of whack. The problem is there is no one right answer for best place to live. Everyone has different things they value more.

I know for us we left (relatively) cheap living in CO to come back to CA because living near the coast and enjoying the many things the state has to offer provided us a higher overall QOL. Sitting in our big house in CO considering *all* the pros/cons finally helped us come to realize what was most important to us. It became so obvious we couldn't wait to get back to the west coast. But sometimes you have to go out and explore and discover what is really important to you, not the next guy. Wherever you land there will be things you'll like and dislike. The real question will be do the pros outweigh the cons for the long term more than somewhere else? That's what really matters. There will always be somewhere cheaper and more expensive to live. The guy in Podunkville may think you're a fool for living in high priced Phoenix. Who cares? If you like it there you certainly won't. You just happen to live in one of the most expensive areas in the state and nation currently. And its not really worth it to you. So to me the answer totally obvious. But that answer isn't necessarily the same for the guy/gal next door.

BTW, there is a *very* common theme on CD where people come on here right before a big move and rag on the state. I see it as really just their way of getting up enough gumption to actually make the move. Plus its a good release of all that frustration - all the reasons why. Then its kinda of funny after they leave to see them sometimes reminisce about the good ol' days in CA. And some do return even if they have CalExit in their name. Its actually one of the more humorous patterns to watch on here... as long as they eventually move!

Derek

EPIC post! You dropped so many truth bombs, I always enjoy reading your posts.

[Ultrarunner]

Housing is the variable...

I know seniors that have combined a 40 to 50k annual incomes... they have money in that they do what they want... trip to Europe each year... drive cars they bought new albeit maybe 10 years ago but only showing 30 to 40k on the odometer.

A lot of retired in my neighborhood... they own their homes outright and lack of money isn't a problem...

Case in point... the 80 year old couple I bought my home from were paying $100 a month in property tax... I pay just about a $1000 a month.

He is retired military... his medical is fully covered...

They traveled a lot keeping in touch with other retired career military...

Heck... he went to a reunion and was able to hop a military transport.

Many have just about the ideal climate in the SF Bay Area... Oakland has one of the best using a comparison of heating and cooling days... little things like not needed A/C add up.

All depends as everyone has different expectations.