Retired and moving to San Diego $350K-425K budget (Irvine: sales, house)

[brownmola]

They drove through San Marcos on the way home and did not have a positive feel about it at all. They were pretty excited about the new buildings and prices but told me to completely cross it off the list of places they want me to investigate for them. Not sure why, have not talked specifics with them yet.

[earlyretirement]

Originally Posted by brownmola

They drove through San Marcos on the way home and did not have a positive feel about it at all. They were pretty excited about the new buildings and prices but told me to completely cross it off the list of places they want me to investigate for them. Not sure why, have not talked specifics with them yet.

I don't know San Marcos too well. I have a few friends that live over there and like it well enough. They say they would rather live over closer to San Diego but their houses were much cheaper being in San Marcos vs. other areas.

One of my good friends (and a CD poster) owns a house in San Marcos and I've been over several times. Great area with new homes built in the last few years. Typical type of neighborhood you'd see in 4S Ranch at much cheaper prices.

I think it can be a bit deceptive in some parts. For example, the first time I drove to his house, you drive through a part that doesn't look that great but then you drive up the hill and feels like another world/neighborhood completely.

The thing he likes is the great school district for his kids. You couldn't buy a home like his for what it cost over closer to San Diego.

[hitman619]

California is the last place i would want to retire.
Most nice condo's here are going to have high monthly HOA and if that don't get them the taxes will.
Will you be staying with them O.P.?

[earlyretirement]

Originally Posted by hitman619

California is the last place i would want to retire.
Most nice condo's here are going to have high monthly HOA and if that don't get them the taxes will.
Will you be staying with them O.P.?

Well, I agree cost of living when you factor in real estate, cost of living and especially TAXES is brutal in California. However, the area is fantastic, gorgeous city, great weather, amazing quality of life.

If you can afford it, IMHO it's a great place to live and reward yourself for decades of hard work. There are definitely cheaper places to live but it all comes down to if they can afford it, San Diego is an amazing place to be retired.

[hitman619]

Originally Posted by earlyretirement

Well, I agree cost of living when you factor in real estate, cost of living and especially TAXES is brutal in California. However, the area is fantastic, gorgeous city, great weather, amazing quality of life.

If you can afford it, IMHO it's a great place to live and reward yourself for decades of hard work. There are definitely cheaper places to live but it all comes down to if they can afford it, San Diego is an expensive place to be retired.

Fixed it for you
But yes i agree that, San Diego is a great place to retire. I would also add that the Medical care for Seniors here is 2nd to none. Lots of really good doctors and medical centers here

[earlyretirement]

Originally Posted by hitman619

Fixed it for you
But yes i agree that, San Diego is a great place to retire. I would also add that the Medical care for Seniors here is 2nd to none. Lots of really good doctors and medical centers here

Thanks.

I don't disagree with you it's expensive. But then again, I have friends/colleagues that are retired in pretty horrible. Yeah, they pay much less to live in California but the places are pretty despicable or boring.

I don't disagree with you hitman that many people are retired here that probably can't afford it and should be living in other less expensive places. I'll never argue with anyone that the tax burden here is a hard pill to swallow. Before moving here, it was the one thing that I wasn't sure about. But after living here several years it's absolutely worth it to me vs. living in other undesirable places with lower taxes.

[1AngryTaxPayer]

The wife and I are going to eventually trade down to a condo with a garage and either spend half the year traveling by motor home or get a cabin in the Mts for the summer.

My first choice would be Ramona

[earlyretirement]

Originally Posted by 1AngryTaxPayer

The wife and I are going to eventually trade down to a condo with a garage and either spend half the year traveling by motor home or get a cabin in the Mts for the summer.

My first choice would be Ramona

1ATP,

I hear more and more people doing that. I assume your tax base will be somewhere else? Just out of curiosity where will you establish residency? I've met some people here that have their residency in Arizona and have a home here in San Diego but they say tax authorities are really strict on how many days they can be here.

I also met some that have moved to the Nevada side of Lake Tahoe for tax reasons but spend quite a bit of time here in San Diego.

[brownmola]

Originally Posted by hitman619

Will you be staying with them O.P.?

No, they will have their own place. They want to be near the grandson. Part of me is wondering if they would be better off buying a smaller house to not have to deal with $3000-$4000 worth of HOA fees every year, on top of their property taxes. But houses in their budget range will be difficult to find, whereas their seems to be a decent inventory of condos/townhouses in their price range.

I really appreciate everyone's input. Thank you for taking time to help me and my parents with a pretty big decision.

[bloom]

Originally Posted by earlyretirement

Well, I agree cost of living when you factor in real estate, cost of living and especially TAXES is brutal in California. However, the area is fantastic, gorgeous city, great weather, amazing quality of life.

If you can afford it, IMHO it's a great place to live and reward yourself for decades of hard work. There are definitely cheaper places to live but it all comes down to if they can afford it, San Diego is an amazing place to be retired.

let's hope the weather gets back on track to being great, because not the case the past two years