Give me a reason for returning to SD (San Diego, San Francisco: for sale, real estate)

[nmguy]

I grew up in Chula Vista during the 50's and early 60's. Then, I moved away to San Francisco, and later New Mexico.

Now, I'm thinking about moving back and need a little encouragement.

I'm retired and make around $76k a year. I own my house and have about $350k equity in it.

I'll either return to the Bay Area or the San Diego area. Can anyone give me a good reason or two for heading back to San Diego?

Thanks.

[cruitr]

1. The beaches are better in San Diego.
2. 79 degrees at Mission Beach today.

[roadwarrior101]

I'd say move up here to the Bay Area....much more to offer than SD.

[tickyul]

Originally Posted by nmguy

I grew up in Chula Vista during the 50's and early 60's. Then, I moved away to San Francisco, and later New Mexico.

Now, I'm thinking about moving back and need a little encouragement.

I'm retired and make around $76k a year. I own my house and have about $350k equity in it.

I'll either return to the Bay Area or the San Diego area. Can anyone give me a good reason or two for heading back to San Diego?

Thanks.

The fricken weather..........probably the best in the country. People are nice, probably best to start learning spanish though.........full amnesty is on its way.

I hope you have been back to San Diego to get a feel for how much it has changed since you lived here............if not.................you may be in for a huge culture shock.

[Clevelandgal]

why push it if you are not that in to it? Go (or stay) with your gut. Regardless of how much you have in your home in AZ, think about how it stands in today's market. Personally it sickens me to think about equity vs reality for a home I own out of state.

I think of the learning Spanish as free language lessons and job security. I ask all the bi-linguals at work to speak to me in Spanish ....but before lunch, after that my wee brain starts to hurt.

[Clevelandgal]

Ok I might add, as a future retiree, I would like to be able to walk or get around easily by public transportation. I am not sure if you use it . I do so if I should be lucky enough to get to retirement, I will want to make sure I can get to the doc, parks and happy hour (lol) when we can no longer drive. I hate when older impaired drivers risk their life and run over others b/c the only way they feel they can get around and/or maintain "freedom" is by car. I also hate these isolated/isolated retirement communities that isolate seniors away from the world of diversity and youth.

SF is pretty easy to get around by public transport, SD is OK and manageable if you live central. BUT walking around is so pleasant here! I could happily retire in central SD. I love SF but would want to get away from the cold, gray, and rain a lot.

[loveautumn]

Will you really be able to sell your home for that amount in this real estate economy?

Also, please keep in mind that California taxes all pensions, annuities, etc., everything except social security and our state income tax is very high.

Most retirees are fleeing this state because of the cost of living, taxes, etc. But that's obviously a personal choice.

You could probably live less expensively in SD than SF.

[1AngryTaxPayer]

I can't think of one, don't do it. Stay put.

[shmoov_groovzsd]

Originally Posted by nmguy

I grew up in Chula Vista during the 50's and early 60's. Then, I moved away to San Francisco, and later New Mexico.

Now, I'm thinking about moving back and need a little encouragement.

I'm retired and make around $76k a year. I own my house and have about $350k equity in it.

I'll either return to the Bay Area or the San Diego area. Can anyone give me a good reason or two for heading back to San Diego?

Thanks.

So you have equity in your home and earn what sounds like a decent salary for New Mexico COL. Other than the fact that you grew up in Chula over a half a century ago, what reasons can you tell us for moving back here?
Its sure a different place than back then.

[earlyretirement]

Originally Posted by shmoov_groovzsd

So you have equity in your home and earn what sounds like a decent salary for New Mexico COL. Other than the fact that you grew up in Chula over a half a century ago, what reasons can you tell us for moving back here?
Its sure a different place than back then.

Totally agree as usual. I don't think anyone should have to "sell" you on the place where you will retire. Most people really plan and dream ahead of time about the place they will retire. Certainly I would never even dream about retiring somewhere where I had to be sold.

New Mexico and San Diego are like night and day. I was just in Santa Fe on vacation for a few weeks last month and while I enjoyed myself...NO WAY I could ever live there full time. So it's all relative.

I think San Diego is a wonderful place to retire for obvious reasons (weather, being close to the ocean, gorgeous environment). But on the downside, taxes here are horrible compared to many other places.

Great about having equity in your house. I agree with some others just make sure you're being realistic with what you can sell it for and how long it would sell. I have clients that have a figure in their head as well about the "equity they have" but their house has been for sale for 2 years and counting as they think the bubble years never happened.

$350,000 is enough to buy a small place even in a good area but not sure how big you need and what location you want to be in. It's easy to spend a lot of money here in San Diego on good real estate.

If your primary residence is paid for and you have no debt, then $76,000 per year is plenty to live on here in retirement, IMHO assuming that you're not doing tons of international travel.