From PA to CA (Long Beach, Sacramento: condos, houses, income)

[deeanny]

Hello. I am currently considering a move west and was looking at California. However, it seems like every town's houses start at well over $300,000 for a one bedroom condo.

Is there a particular region of California where this isn't so? It seems like every town I've pulled off of Realtor.com has the same beginning housing prices. I don't have any interest in living in any of the large, metropolitan areas like LA or SF. I just can't figure out where people who don't make hundreds upon hundreds of thousands of dollars per year live. It takes a certain income to afford $300K and beyond housing.

Any ideas where I can even start to look?

[EscapeCalifornia]

Welcome to the reason I want out. I've heard Sacramento is among the last "bargains" in CA but bargain is relative. Its impossible to have a house and a decent life unless you're make $200k/yr or live with 5 other people all chipping in.

[Sorcerer68]

Long Beach has condos starting in the low 200's downtown, houses in the mid to high 200's nearby. Pasadena has a few condos in the 200's as well. Other than that, check way out in the desert.

I've found that the more expensive the houses, the better opportunities there are to make money.

[Jaybee]

CA is an expensive place to live. However, some more rural areas are certainly less expensive than the huge metro areas. It depends on where you wish to live and work. If you're retiring, or can work from home, look into the smaller towns in the interior north. You can still find some smaller (and older) SFR homes for the lower $200's. Of course these communities aren't the sterotypical beach communities presented in the media-they more resemble midwest farming towns.