moving from WA state to Marin County (big mistake?) (San Rafael: rentals, job market)

[lightlylu]

I grew up in San Rafael and Novato and I left there almost 26 years ago with my husband who was transferred to E WA. My mother lives in Marin, is elderly and alone (other family lives in LA and Midwest). So she thought it might be nice if I moved back. I'm alone here myself. I'm unemployed, have only a certificate from a school program I completed in June. I also have a subsidized housing voucher til I can get on my feet.But I looked at what the rents are there and the deposits (the avg deposit here is about $350). And maybe only the rather crappy rentals in Marin take a housing voucher? Or is that just an assumption. I just don't want to rely on my mom; neither she or I are prepared for that.I forgot to add, I have to be out of my place on 9/30 so some decision has to be made. Like maybe putting my stuff in storage here and going there to visit and see how Marin would be for me. And come back here if it's a no-go. Input, please?

[mayorhaggar]

I don't quite understand what you are asking.

Marin is one of the most expensive counties in the US so you'd have to deal with that. The rest of the Bay Area is a lot less expensive though SF comes close. Also the job market sucks in the Bay Area and is always worse when you go to less urban areas like Marin.

On the other hand if there's just no work in WA maybe you'd have more luck here.

[batransplant]

Nothing in Marin is cheap....Not sure you would even be able to afford the less expensive parts of Marin like San Rafael and Novato. Maybe up north of Marin in Sonoma or Petaluma?

[redwoodlvr]

Do you want to move back? This is unclear from what you've shared. As already mentioned Marin is one of the most expensive counties in the United States. Rents are not cheap, however where there's a will there's always a way. You can find a roommate....you could live with your Mom until you get back on your feet. Practical financial requirements probably should be considered aside from what you'd prefer to do. It sounds like you don't have a lot of time for that? All I can say is yes, it's expensive and you probably need a well researched plan and a few back up plans.

The East Bay or Sonoma county might be close enough....and perhaps work out better for you if you cannot find anything reasonable in Marin.

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by lightlylu

I grew up in San Rafael and Novato and I left there almost 26 years ago with my husband who was transferred to E WA. My mother lives in Marin, is elderly and alone (other family lives in LA and Midwest). So she thought it might be nice if I moved back. I'm alone here myself. I'm unemployed, have only a certificate from a school program I completed in June. I also have a subsidized housing voucher til I can get on my feet.But I looked at what the rents are there and the deposits (the avg deposit here is about $350). And maybe only the rather crappy rentals in Marin take a housing voucher? Or is that just an assumption. I just don't want to rely on my mom; neither she or I are prepared for that.I forgot to add, I have to be out of my place on 9/30 so some decision has to be made. Like maybe putting my stuff in storage here and going there to visit and see how Marin would be for me. And come back here if it's a no-go. Input, please?

just remember family is important and I know your mom would feel so much better having you close, but the cost of living is going to be much higher in Marin. Well, not everything, but many things.

Nita

[lightlylu]

I went back to WA. Marin County was pretty chunk of nowhere IMO. And that's about all I can say for it, that it was attractive-looking. The place sucks in every other way and so the do the people.

[ecvMatt]

Originally Posted by lightlylu

I went back to WA. Marin County was pretty chunk of nowhere IMO. And that's about all I can say for it, that it was attractive-looking. The place sucks in every other way and so the do the people.

Thanks for telling me I suck.....