Is Ca Worth It Over Az (San Diego, Sacramento: sales, broker, house)

[dreamfollower]

As the originator of this post, I check back in with this updated observation. The overriding concern now in choosing CA is the product of what has transpired in the housing market. How does the middle class feel to have previously privately owned suburban home neighborhoods turn into that which mimics rental cities {Moreno Valley immediately comes to mind}? Everyone is handing out sympathetic hankies to those foreclosed upon {even though most of them really had it coming and knew what the deal was from the get-go}, but no one mentions or cares one smidgeon for the dedicated homeowners who are valiently trying to keep their homes and honor the loan they took out, as well as those who never took part in a "bad" loan. These owners have watched their asset deplete on a daily basis, and moreover, the quality of life that they specifically chose for their family has disappeared within their communities. I have read that it is not only the short-sale homeowner who illegally is reaping whatever profit from renting prior to eviction, but it is also banks who have elected to rent these foreclosed properties that they now own in maybe trying to hedge out time and sell them when the market improves. In the same way that this lending fiasco took place under everyone's nose, the present day overseeing of these same homes and their communities has fallen under the radar and has changed the face of middle class communities for some time to come. The crime that was delegated to certain areas has been infused into middle class neighborhoods across the board overnight, and by "middle class" I am not talking about the "Hollywood" standard of it}. A more difficult task in finding a home you can afford in SoCA is finding a place that does not depress you by the changed environment surrounding you. {The CA scenery only goes so far, now.} I tend to suspect that the days of infamous "California living" for most are over, and I am sure AZ and NV are no different. The choice now is based on "live with it or get out".

[CCCVDUR]

Originally Posted by dreamfollower

".......but no one mentions or cares one smidgeon for the dedicated homeowners who are valiently trying to keep their homes and honor the loan they took out, as well as those who never took part in a "bad" loan. These owners have watched their asset deplete on a daily basis, and moreover, the quality of life that they specifically chose for their family has disappeared within their communities. ... I tend to suspect that the days of infamous "California living" for most are over, and I am sure AZ and NV are no different. The choice now is based on "live with it or get out".

Your two posts are very true, and quite accurate. The foreclosure crisis is a result of the irresponsible radical Socialistic environmentalist "smart growth" philosophy w/ "impact fees," that pushed home prices up in the first place. Areas in Texas, Oklahoma don't have foreclosures because they don't have smart growth. The Texas Governor, in fact, just vetoed the Legislature's smart growth bill.

Prices are so high that about the only homes that young folks, such as myself, will ever be able to afford, are in remote locales such as near Durango-Pagosa Springs, Colorado; Alamosa, Colorado; and Yucca Valley-Joshua Tree, Ca.

Not that this is a bad thing, as those are all very scenic places for individuals into the arts and outdoors...

Here's the latest from Dr. Wendell Cox on smart growth and impact fees:
Don't Regulate the Suburbs: America Needs a Housing Policy That Works

Quoting From Prof. Cox via the link above:
" As the record reveals, states and communities that have implemented the land-use regulations common to "smart growth" strategies are the same states and communities that have seen their housing prices soar over the past decade and have experienced the most severe delinquency and foreclosure rates, as well as the sharpest declines in house values in the past year. In sum, these "smart growth" strategies are an important contributing factor in the housing finance mess and severe recession that now confront the United States and several other countries that have implemented the same abusive land-use regulations."

[OCteach]

As for me I would choose CA because I have been to Arizona in the summer - you are really a prisoner in your own home when it is 113 degrees outside. My friend lives in Phoenix and does not have a pool . We will only stay in a hotel when we go to visit her. If you buy in AZ make sure you have a pool accessible to you! At least in Riverside you can head down the 91 freeway and be at the beach in less than an hour. In other words you can escape the heat without having to go to Flagstaff or Sedona. Good luck with your choice!

[that1guy]

Originally Posted by dreamfollower

As the originator of this post, I check back in with this updated observation. The overriding concern now in choosing CA is the product of what has transpired in the housing market. How does the middle class feel to have previously privately owned suburban home neighborhoods turn into that which mimics rental cities {Moreno Valley immediately comes to mind}? Everyone is handing out sympathetic hankies to those foreclosed upon {even though most of them really had it coming and knew what the deal was from the get-go}, but no one mentions or cares one smidgeon for the dedicated homeowners who are valiently trying to keep their homes and honor the loan they took out, as well as those who never took part in a "bad" loan. These owners have watched their asset deplete on a daily basis, and moreover, the quality of life that they specifically chose for their family has disappeared within their communities. I have read that it is not only the short-sale homeowner who illegally is reaping whatever profit from renting prior to eviction, but it is also banks who have elected to rent these foreclosed properties that they now own in maybe trying to hedge out time and sell them when the market improves. In the same way that this lending fiasco took place under everyone's nose, the present day overseeing of these same homes and their communities has fallen under the radar and has changed the face of middle class communities for some time to come. The crime that was delegated to certain areas has been infused into middle class neighborhoods across the board overnight, and by "middle class" I am not talking about the "Hollywood" standard of it}. A more difficult task in finding a home you can afford in SoCA is finding a place that does not depress you by the changed environment surrounding you. {The CA scenery only goes so far, now.} I tend to suspect that the days of infamous "California living" for most are over, and I am sure AZ and NV are no different. The choice now is based on "live with it or get out".

A little over dramatic...First off "rental cities"? Moreno Valley is still higher than state average on home ownership. Secondly, people ARE sympathetic to those that still kept their homes...because most people are in the same boat. Thirdly, crime has increased a little...and this is mostly tresspassing and minor property crime (kids will be kids).

See, the people that say the California dream is over don't realize there was never such a thing. California was never this golden utopia. It always had problems. So instead of bemoaning the loss of a non-existent thing, help make it better. You are right, we should either live with it (fix the problem) or get out. Many people simply leave when the going gets a little tough. Obviously, sometimes it's not a bad idea...but sometimes people run away because its easier (usually doesn't solve the problem). Instead of trying to instill a sense of community (helping neighbors, volunteering, or even participating in community events), some people simply leave. That's the largest gripe I have with some in the Inland Empire.

Sorry for the rant...

[mysticaltyger]

Originally Posted by dreamfollower

Why is California such a mess and so ridiculously expensive when it does not even come close to delivering the quality of life that is easily found elsewhere.

Well I know a lot of my fellow Californians will disagree with me...but it is the liberal/socialist state government and its policies, corruption, and lack of accountability.

It's true there are side issues as well, like it being too easy to get measures on the ballot and voters voting piece meal instead of wholistically. And I know others will say it's Prop 13, which passed in 1978 and limited property taxes. Yet, despite the property tax limitations, California has the 6th highest taxes of any state in the country. So these things are side issues, not the main event.

Basically, the state has had a Democrat controlled legislature for the last 50 years. And any one-party state inevitably becomes corrupt at it's core.

Most moderate/conservative middle income people who got sick of the corruption and bad policies have left. Those who advocate any kind of policies that have even the slightest whiff of being "conservative" are outnumbered by those who think if we just keep doing what we've been doing, we'll get better results in the future (the definition of insanity).

Now the state is dominated by high income yuppie liberals who don't seem to care about the high cost of living/taxes/regulations. It's not hitting them hard enough yet. And then you have immigrants. The low income immigrants are going to vote for Dems to keep the government largesse flowing. The high income ones still vote for Dems...as immigrants always seem to for some reason I can't understand, as their more conservative value system is what made most of them successful.

I know AZ has had it's share of problems as well. But no state is as dysfunctional as CA.

[KarlaT2]

I would choose Arizona over Riverside County if those were my only choices. I live in Palm Springs area now, and frankly the heat is exactly the same as Phoenix, with not as much stuff to do unless you feel like driving the 91, which I don't, to get to the beach. I actually liked Tucson better than either though. Now I do like Northen San Diego area if that was a choice. If nothern California were in the mix that would be even better. Totally fell in love with Davis, and Sacramento area. Also think Santa Cruz and Monetery look awesome.

[bentstrider]

Phoenix, I've been there on my trucking journeys in the past and it beats where I live in CA right now by a longshot.
I ride a bicycle as my main form of transportation and I found it quite easy to navigate those Phoenician streets whenever I was there, despite all the reports of bad/aggressive drivers.

As far as the diversity issue goes, I'm of Malaysian descent and it doesn't bother me much.

[jordanrbennett]

Is filet mignon worth it over hot dogs?

[firsttimeowner]

Not if your a vegetarian!

[saucywench]

California's gold rush is over. Crowded. Crime. Overinflated house prices. Phoenix is okay, depending on the suburb. Lots to do both places. Very hot in Phoenix. Why not a smaller town not too far away from a bigger town or city. Cleaner, nicer, safer, family style place. Not as hot as Phoenix. Especially if you have a family, kids, pets. How much house do you think you would get in the smaller town compared to what you would get just about anywhere in Ca. for the same price. Might be worth checking