Can you live on 75k (commute, build, down payment)

[EA]

I am officially approved for 270k with 3% down. There's nothing in that price range that I like. I might have to wait til my union income goes up (Still apprentice. Get pay raises every 6 months~)
I can't finance a mobile/manufactured home. They want a lot down. And I really don't want one.

[LuvSouthOC]

I don't mean to irritate you OP, but why come when we have so many people really struggling to live here on that income? All we hear about is that people are unhappy and everything is so expensive. Why would you want to live like that? You'd be living in an undesirable area.

Please tell me you don't have children because based on where you are planning to live, they will suffer.

[EA]

I make more than that, but I can only prove 75k. Honestly I'd probably clear 120-150 there. I'd rather buy than rent so I'll just wait until my demonstrable income goes up.

And we're fairly miserable here. The kids can't take the 115 degree heat in summer or 20 degree winters. They have very little time where they can actually enjoy the outside.
We all like San Diego. Only I like Vegas.

[expatCA]

Originally Posted by EA

I make more than that, but I can only prove 75k. Honestly I'd probably clear 120-150 there. I'd rather buy than rent so I'll just wait until my demonstrable income goes up.

And we're fairly miserable here. The kids can't take the 115 degree heat in summer or 20 degree winters. They have very little time where they can actually enjoy the outside.
We all like San Diego. Only I like Vegas.

UH, do you mean you are being paid cash, etc that you do not report on your taxes?

[aslowdodge]

Originally Posted by expatCA

UH, do you mean you are being paid cash, etc that you do not report on your taxes?

I think he does side gigs for cash.
OP at your price range how will the neighborhood be as far as school and safety for you family?

[EA]

Originally Posted by expatCA

UH, do you mean you are being paid cash, etc that you do not report on your taxes?

Lyft income is hard to prove. My bank won't even consider it without 2 years of tax returns showing how much. I've only been doing it since August so I don't have that.
I also do stuff for cash in my garage. I haven't done enough for me to consider claiming it on my taxes. BUT in San Diego it's a different story. I might even be able to turn that into a business. I do roll cages, intercoolers, seat brackets and various automotive fabrication along with general fabrication. Pretty much anything made of metal.

[NYSD1995]

There are 2BR condos in an older but well kept complex a few blocks away that are in the mid 200-300k range, if I was single / married couple with no kids and a simple life they would be fine by me.

[EA]

If I was single with no kids, I'd be in a studio on the beach.

[USDefault]

Originally Posted by EA

And we're fairly miserable here. The kids can't take the 115 degree heat in summer or 20 degree winters. They have very little time where they can actually enjoy the outside.

Yeah I get that. Vegas in late spring, summer, and early fall is really unpleasant. I've seen so many sunburnt fatsos at the strip casinos in summer. Sitting out by the pool, baking in the melanoma. Walking outside during the day, it's hell. If the wind kicks up, it's like a blowdryer on high heat. Not for me. It's also true what you say about winter. Pleasant enough during the day, but once dusk comes, it is freezing, with major temperature drops.

If I was single with no kids, I'd be in a studio on the beach.

This is the thing, and my mantra. Southern California, great for dual-income, no kid couples, or self-starters like yourself who are single. No obligations, no responsibilities, can jet on a dime, and be comfortable in a very small place that's quality, and quiet. Whole different ballgame for young families, and this is the demographic that is utterly screwed by California. You need the expanded real estate. You need the good schools. And you need the food, energy, utilities, etc. Just like every other family -- all of you are competing for the same limited product, and that competition will only increase for many reasons. I hasten to add, this is why we didn't breed: planet is overpopulated, overpopulation is increasing, resources are scarce, we enjoy our time and freedom, and at base, we simply didn't want to subject ourselves to the medical/educational/industrial child complex and the breeder competition that goes with it. To hell with all of it. Instead, we pocket money hand-over-fist, do what we want, when we want, and when our time's up, c'est la vie. Nobody cares about our bloodline. And to anyone reading this, the hard truth is, nobody cares about yours, either.

[1AngryTaxPayer]

Originally Posted by EA

Lyft income is hard to prove. My bank won't even consider it without 2 years of tax returns showing how much. I've only been doing it since August so I don't have that.
I also do stuff for cash in my garage. I haven't done enough for me to consider claiming it on my taxes. BUT in San Diego it's a different story. I might even be able to turn that into a business. I do roll cages, intercoolers, seat brackets and various automotive fabrication along with general fabrication. Pretty much anything made of metal.

To do anything like that you'll need some shop space which means either $$ or you'll be living inland which is barely a step below Vegas in the heat dept in the summer. Doing something like that out of a condo = good luck since HOAs won't allow anything remotely close to a fab works shop in your garage.