Finding my 67 year old Mom a place to live (San Diego: apartment, rental market)

[RosieSD]

It would be helpful if you could tell us a bit more about your Mom's needs and preferences.

But, these areas have quite a few 55+ communities and apartment complexes: San Marcos, Rancho Bernardo, Oceanside, El Cajon.

If you're looking for a roommate share situation for your Mom, you might focus on those areas. You might get lucky and find a senior who owns their own home who is looking to rent out a room in their home.

Craigslist would probably be your best bet, but I also sometimes see "roommate wanted" ads on Zillow.com.

You might also get in touch with St. Paul's Senior Services. They have two complexes for seniors in the southern part of the county, and also offer resources for families who are looking for services and housing for their family members. They may be able to point you to other suggestions in looking for a place for your Mom. Here is a link to their website (look under resources for lots of helpful links): Home - St. Paul's Senior Services

[RosieSD]

Originally Posted by NYtoSDorBUST

Yes, there is. https://www.after55.com/senior-housi...iego/san-diego

She is not going to work - retired and enjoying life. Where there is a will, there is a way. I just happen to be Will.

Pay close attention to the waitlists for any "subsidized" housing on those lists.

But, as you say, since you will be footing the bill, and I assume cosigning the lease, that means you don't have to rely just on subsidized housing for your mom. However, be sure to investigate the income requirements for the lower priced items. For instance, many landlords here require three times the monthly rent in income. You might want to call the management companies for some of those properties to ask about whether co-signing for your Mom will be acceptable to them.

I will tell you from personal experience that when I moved my own late Mom here from NY fifteen years ago it was very, very difficult to find available "low cost" housing for her in a senior complex in San Diego County, even back then.

One other thought: you might look up in the Temecula and Murietta areas in Riverside County. I have friends who found the 55+ apartment complexes up there less expensive than San Diego County, and since there are a number of 55+ communities there where, as I said, you may find homeowners who are looking to rent out a room.

Also, I have heard (but don't have personal knowledge of this) that there are some lower priced units available in Laguna Woods in Orange County. You might inquire on the Orange County forum about that.

[RosieSD]

Originally Posted by moved

There's no such thing as "low budget" in San Diego. If she can't work, she may be able to get room in an SRO, if she's lucky. But on $950/mo, she won't be able to get an apartment, unless she plans to work.

You may want to consider moving where the COL is lower, since you can work anywhere.

Moved, do you think that if her son is co-signing the lease for her she may have more options? Or will that preclude her from some of the 55+ subsidized units? Will moving from out of state make it harder for the poster's mom to get into the subsidized units?

[moved]

Originally Posted by NYtoSDorBUST

Yes, there is. https://www.after55.com/senior-housi...iego/san-diego

She is not going to work - retired and enjoying life. Where there is a will, there is a way. I just happen to be Will.

There are waiting lists for all subsidized housing, and the minimum wait is a year. If your mother is on SSI, it means that she's disabled. SSI isn't retirement income, i.e, Social Security Retirement.

[RosieSD]

Another thought for the original poster: Since you have ample savings, it *might* make sense to look into the possibility of YOU buying a place in one of the 55+ condo complexes or mobile home parks for your Mom. Then, if the complex allows it, she could possibly rent out a room in her own place to keep costs down.

I mention mobile home parks, because in addition to buying in, there are some parks in the East County and South Bay that have rentals for seniors, and that might give you some additional options.

It will definitely be challenging. But, if you are flexible about how much you contribute, it might work out. As moved says, all subsidized low income housing is in really short supply here.

[moved]

Originally Posted by RosieSD

Moved, do you think that if her son is co-signing the lease for her she may have more options? Or will that preclude her from some of the 55+ subsidized units? Will moving from out of state make it harder for the poster's mom to get into the subsidized units?

The person that's going to rent will have to sign the lease, and they don't allow co-signers. If a person has to have a co-signer, it means that they can't afford to live there, and won't be qualified. It's doesn't matter if someone is from out of state or not, there are waiting lists because everyone wants to live in subsidized housing. They advertise, and will take an application, but you have to wait your turn.

I have a co-worker who was trying to get into senior subsided housing, and didn't make it. I have a freind that lives in HUD building downtown. She put her name on the waiting list for a studio, and checked every month for vacancies, and it took her a year to get in. After living in her studio for five years, she was offered a one bedroom. She's on SSI, and doesn't get $950/month. Her rent is $242/month.

Also, keep in mind that the amount of SSI will vary by state.

[RosieSD]

Originally Posted by moved

The person that's going to rent will have to sign the lease, and they don't allow co-signers. It's doesn't matter if someone is from out of state or not, there are waiting lists because everyone wants to live in subsidized housing. They advertise, and will take an application, but you have to wait your turn.

I have a co-worker who was trying to get into senior subsided housing, and didn't make it.

Thanks, moved. That's what I suspected. Would a "regular" landlord (not subsidized housing) have the same issues? In other words, if he found a place for his Mom in say...Ramona... for $1400 a month and co-signed with her, wouldn't they take his income into account in addition to hers? The co-signer having $100,000 in the bank to "Guarantee" payment might help too.

The trouble that I see is that landlords and management companies have so many applicants for lower priced places that they may prefer someone who doesn't need a co-signer.

I think you gave excellent advice in suggesting that he start looking at roommate sharing ads on Craigslist as soon as possible. Since he'll be paying the rent, that may help there too. The tricky thing will be that there aren't a lot of people in that age group looking for roommates on Craigslist.

As I said, it will definitely be challenging. But, it never hurts to try.

[moved]

Originally Posted by RosieSD

Thanks, moved. That's what I suspected. Would a "regular" landlord (not subsidized housing) have the same issues? In other words, if he found a place for his Mom in say...Ramona... for $1400 a month and co-signed with her, wouldn't they take his income into account in addition to hers? The co-signer having $100,000 in the bank to "Guarantee" payment might help too.

The trouble that I see is that landlords and management companies have so many applicants for lower priced places that they may prefer someone who doesn't need a co-signer.

As I said, it will definitely be challenging. But, it never hurts to try.

It all depends on the individual landlord/property management company if they'll accept a co-signer or not.

[RosieSD]

Well, here's one possibility (of course it won't be available when the Mom moves here):

https://sandiego.craigslist.org/csd/roo/5853320021.html

Of course, that assumes they'll take a co-signer guarantee. The ad is very clear that they need income and savings. But maybe the landlord would take the son paying into account since the ad says they'll consider someone on SSI.

Lemon Grove might not be my choice for a place to live for my senior Mom, but depending on the location, it might be OK.

[loveautumn]

I'm 67, retired, have lived in Sd for a very long time and am being priced out of the market. Your moms situation isnt a positive one, even with you paying part of her expenses. And trust me, one can burn thru $100k very easily. I hope you will reconsider...many ex New Yorkers move to NC and love it and do very well. The California dream has died.