How would a landlord take this? (Sacramento, Oakland: apartment, lease, insurance)

[04kL4nD]

So, generally, the big city is where there are cheap rents, so I thought it was the same here with SF and Oakland and that they were urban environments. But I guess they are more like suburbs in Cali...weird. If Oakland and SF are the good areas, where are the bad areas? San Jose?

Not sure if this post is serious or not, but you really don't seem to know very much about the Bay Area. Aside from NYC, it's the most expensive place to live in the entire country. The cheap/affordable areas are still incredibly expensive and they won't be safe/nice.

How did you land your spot in Pleasant Hill?

[spencgr]

Originally Posted by kitana99

I will just have to commute form Stockton if necessary.

Your "job" is an at-home job. Why do you need to commute anywhere? Why don't you just find one of the least expensive areas of the country and move there?

[Curmudgeon]

Originally Posted by kitana99

Also, I am just curious Curmudgeon: how did you find this post if you live in Missouri?

You know what they say about curiosity, don't you?

Anyway, "I left my heart in... No! That's not right. I don't even like the place.

So here's the rest of the story. I was born and mostly raised (military family) in Southern California. Lived there on-and-off (also spent a number of years in the military) for the next 62 years. Probably 40 of them
were actually in CA with the rest being divided up in several other states and countries. I was constant in CA from 1980 until 2009 and worked for the state the last 25 of those years, 18 of which were spent in Sacramento. My wife of 16 years is from Sacramento and also worked for and retired from the state like I did. We then moved to the Ozarks.

I still take an interest in my native state and three of my children and both of my wife's daughters - all from prior marriages - live in or near Sacramento. Add grandcildren, a great-grand and sons- and grandsons-in-law and that portion of the "clan" numbers 18. We care about them, where they live and what's going on in the state that may affect them.

[Senno]

Originally Posted by Curmudgeon

You know what they say about curiosity, don't you?

Anyway, "I left my heart in... No! That's not right. I don't even like the place.

Curmy it's ok to say you like us and miss us.

[Wry_Martini]

Originally Posted by kitana99

Wow, thanks for all the information Larry siegel, Curmudgeon, and O4kL4nD.

So, generally, the big city is where there are cheap rents, so I thought it was the same here with SF and Oakland and that they were urban environments. But I guess they are more like suburbs in Cali...weird. If Oakland and SF are the good areas, where are the bad areas? San Jose?

Rent in San Jose is similar to rent in SF.

[Curmudgeon]

Originally Posted by Senno

Curmy it's ok to say you like us and miss us.

But of course. Doesn't that go without saying? Interestingly enough, besides former neighbors and family, I still have former coworkers and employees who stay in touch.

[DMenscha]

Originally Posted by Curmudgeon

A bankruptcy and only about $800 in verifiable, real income wouldn't excite me as a landlord.

Me either.

[ambient]

Originally Posted by kitana99

Wow, thanks for all the information Larry siegel, Curmudgeon, and O4kL4nD.

I thought Oakland and SF would be very cheap to rent in.

So, generally, the big city is where there are cheap rents, so I thought it was the same here with SF and Oakland and that they were urban environments. But I guess they are more like suburbs in Cali...weird. If Oakland and SF are the good areas, where are the bad areas? San Jose?

San Francisco is one of the most expensive cities on the planet - avg. 1 bedroom studio over $2K a month. Only place in America that may be worse is Manhattan. As others have said, I can attest to the fact that the entire peninsula down to San Jose is not much better...sorry. The parts of Oakland that become more affordable are really not nice places to be in. I would look elsewhere, personally.

[dlyoung123]

Since you get social security disability. (And you get more than I do!) And providing you do not have a criminal history? You may be eligible for section eight. Have you checked into that possibility? Do note tho that there is a ridiculously long waiting list for section eight all over the bay area right now. I only got on cause I applied in Iowa city and ported here. On 8th street in west Oakland. (Actually am more south south west Oakland than west Oakland.) And have been doing just fine. In a studio apt. On $760 per month. (Its not the Hollywood bvrd. Thats for sure. And you won't have an ocean view. But definitely nicer than Iowa city's west side. Esp this time of year mind you... And the palm tree is actually growing outside the house instead of inside...) Do be warned. HUD is very touchy about criminal backgrounds. So if you have any criminal record? Esp violent, drug or sex crimes. You will unlikely be eligible. I agree with what others said about not needing to report what your not paying for medical insurance. The biggest issue I see. Is your impending bankruptcy. Definitely list what you get in Disability. Since that is your most steady source of income right now. And just say you get additional income from working at home. Also note that your rental history. Aka.. Have you always payed your rent in full and on time at your current place? No violations of your lease that you failed to correct on time etc. Plays a big role. And be honist at the interview. Will also play highly in your favor. Note that with out section eight subsidy. My unit would run about $700. With a voucher. Its $189 per month. Add about $30 a month for electricity. So assuming your steady income is $1400 per month. And your unable to get a voucher. (Be warned. The waiting list here in Oakland is measured in years. So check with your current hud office. To see if there waiting list is shorter? 'I was lucky or was it unlucky. To have lived in Iowa city before I moved here in 2011. Where the waiting list was just two years.') That would you leave you with $670 after rent and a modist utility bill. (I did not include what your saving on health insurance or what your getting from family there.) Which is well. A lot more than than what I have after rent! Plus about seventy bucks in food stamps. (And while I do not have a car. I do have a hobby of macro-photography. 'Amazon Com is my freind! Esp when I need new equipment.' And an absolutely maddeningly ridiculous cable bill!) So if you can find a unit under $700 dollars. And are able to do with out a car. (Given you work at home. Is a big advantage. The bay area has the most diverse public transit system I have ever imagined. Plus a lot of it is walkable as well.) And are willing to do your own cooking etc. (I never go out anyway. Another big saver for me.) You could make it in Oakland. Through if your already in a comfortable area? I would just stay put. (And see if your eligible for HUD assistance. Which would reduce your rent to one third of your total income. Which would really help you a lot!) And wait out the waiting list. (In Oakland they use a lottery system. So you have to check often. To see when the list is open. They have two types of section eight. Voucher Based section eight. 'Longest waiting list. But definitely the better program. Since you can move freely from city to city. Called porting. And section eight that apply s to just one apartment complex.) Esp if its shorter where you are living now. (In which case you want to apply in your own town. Then port out. I strongly suggest you call the HUD office. They can explain things more fully.) Sorry this post is so long.

[Larry Siegel]

Originally Posted by beb0p

Dude, that is not income, it is expense that you don't have to pay, but it's not income. You may as well say you make $10,000 a month because you don't have to put gas in your private jet.

I was thinking Kitana was not a dude, but what do I know.