Relocating to San Diego: a unique challenge (Oceanside, Ramona: low income, renter)

[moved]

Yes, I figured it would be about a year wait. Wow, I didn't realize HUD housing was THAT affordable. That sounds like the best bet for the OP. HUD goes on your income, and the buildings are for seniors and disabled. Since the OP's income is $1,100 per month, the rent would be higher.

sundreamer, maybe stick around in San Miguel while you apply if you're not willing to live in Tijuana. There is probably no guarantee you'd even get HUD housing but it's probably going to be next to impossible without getting something like that. This is a better idea.

I just can't see anyone surviving comfortably in San Diego paying the higher rents and only netting $1,100 per month. This is true!

But since the OP wants to live by the beach, there will be a definite problem.

[Litlove71]

I've considered the possibility of living in Mexico, but I considered part of the appeal would be the opportunity to save money. The formula to figure out what you should be able to afford in rent is $1100 x 25% (since you won't be paying income tax) divide that by 1/3=$458. The fact that you have no savings shows regardless of how frugal you are, you can't realistically spend more than this on rent.

Being homeless with a car would be miserable. Being homeless without a car would be hell. You will be very vulenerable with no savings and no family or friends. To me, this is a recipe for disaster. Those roommate scenarios do not come without risk. You can be held responsible for damage done by others and be stuck having to pay utility bills. People in this income bracket will either be young, and want roommates like themselves, or very possibly be very unmotivated and doing things you might not want to live with--think scary drug habits. That's why even if it isn't appealing to live with other seniors that are on a fixed budget, you'd (hopefully) at least be in a decent environment.

If you moved to TJ and saved a few hundred dollars per month, and then moved to the beach area in TJ, you'd have a little cushion.

Or you could just be realistic and accept that you'll need your rent to be subsidized. If you volunteer you'll likely find yourself a spot sooner than most.

SD county is not the only warm place in CA. What about some of the desert communities where you could swim everyday?

[Litlove71]

BTW--Applying for subsidized housing is (almost always) going to have residency requirements. The restrictions can even require you to already live in the city, or certainly the county. It would be easier to move to somewhere like Palm Desert, get Section 8, and then transfer it. Even HI would be doable then (excluding Oahu.)

[earlyretirement]

Originally Posted by Litlove71

BTW--Applying for subsidized housing is (almost always) going to have residency requirements. The restrictions can even require you to already live in the city, or certainly the county. It would be easier to move to somewhere like Palm Desert, get Section 8, and then transfer it.

This sounds like really solid and important advice.

I've said it before and I'll say it again... people always make the mistake of trying to imagine the best case scenarios instead of the worst case scenarios.

Even in the best case scenarios, I can't see things going too well on this small budget. Worst case scenarios I could see the OP ending up homeless, just like many people in this same situation.

I think in life sometimes you can't or shouldn't always do what you want but what is realistically possible or intelligent.

Also, it's NEVER too late to start saving and trying to build up some savings. It's a shame there is no savings or retirement account to fall back in in the mid 60's but that isn't an excuse to just live somewhere where you will just scrape by and spend the entire monthly income. It's never too late to save up for the future and live below your means until you get a comfortable safety net of savings built up.

[sundreamer66]

Appreciation spread all around, here!

BTW, what does "OP" mean?

Y'all have pointed out the incredible challenges I would face living in the SD area and offered some reasonable alternatives like living in Palm Desert while applying for Section 8, or south of the border while saving money.

I'd like to thank everyone for their point of view. I have a number of months to figure things out and I'm taking your advice seriously.

[ShelbyGirl1]

Originally Posted by sundreamer66

Appreciation spread all around, here!

BTW, what does "OP" mean?

Y'all have pointed out the incredible challenges I would face living in the SD area and offered some reasonable alternatives like living in Palm Desert while applying for Section 8, or south of the border while saving money.

I'd like to thank everyone for their point of view. I have a number of months to figure things out and I'm taking your advice seriously.

Good Luck sundreamer66! Hopefully, you can work something out.
By the way, OP means Original Poster

[shmoov_groovzsd]

Originally Posted by ShelbyGirl1

Good Luck sundreamer66! Hopefully, you can work something out.
By the way, OP means Original Poster

+1
Good luck!

[earlyretirement]

Good luck sundreamer. I hope you take the spirit of the advice in a positive way. No disrespect in any way was intended. Please do keep us posted how things go. Best.

[moved]

If you volunteer you'll likely find yourself a spot sooner than most.

Volunteering doesn't make a difference on where your name is on the waiting for subsidize housing. There are strict rules that have to be gone by, and playing "favorites" isn't one of them.

[Litlove71]

Originally Posted by moved

If you volunteer you'll likely find yourself a spot sooner than most.

Volunteering doesn't make a difference on where your name is on the waiting for subsidize housing. There are strict rules that have to be gone by, and playing "favorites" isn't one of them.

There's not supposed to be, but it happens. There are always exceptions and ways to work the system, without doing anything illegal. Those that become homeless are generally given priority, and it's not hard to imagine the OP ending up in just such a situation unfortunately.