Can we afford a job in San Jose & where to live. (Fremont: apartment, lawyers)

[dabramey]

Thank you all for the input. We are not looking to commute as we only have one car. My husband just finished a teaching job in west Texas and we are definitely not staying in our current location. We are generational Californians. The only opportunities that have come up are back in CA. I was hoping that prices in SJ were decreasing since I keep hearing of more and more dot com companies moving to Texas. One thing is true -- Texas is hiring (except for what my husband teaches). The whole state appears to be booming. There are "now hiring" signs most everywhere. I'm disabled and only get a small amount of money, so my husband is the sole bread winner for all intents and purposes. I think we will pass on this opportunity. The cost of living in SJ is just too high. A shame, the job appears to be a good fit for him. Thank you all again for your input. I appreciate it.

[blauskies]

Originally Posted by dabramey

Thank you all for the input. We are not looking to commute as we only have one car. My husband just finished a teaching job in west Texas and we are definitely not staying in our current location. We are generational Californians. The only opportunities that have come up are back in CA. I was hoping that prices in SJ were decreasing since I keep hearing of more and more dot com companies moving to Texas. One thing is true -- Texas is hiring (except for what my husband teaches). The whole state appears to be booming. There are "now hiring" signs most everywhere. I'm disabled and only get a small amount of money, so my husband is the sole bread winner for all intents and purposes. I think we will pass on this opportunity. The cost of living in SJ is just too high. A shame, the job appears to be a good fit for him. Thank you all again for your input. I appreciate it.

I don't' think the prices will be decreasing anytime soon, while there are a few naysayers on here, they only represent a tiny % of the population that lives and works there. I just got back from San Jose a couple of weeks ago and while it's common knowledge it's expensive, people still flock there and love it, maybe there is a mass exodus, but everyone I talked to said they have no plans to leave. Of course these are all people making in excess of $100K+/year.

I had the option to move to Texas, but I passed on it, it's okay just need a change, been a flat lander in Miami for sometime now and while Miami weather is hot and humid, Dallas/Fort Worth and Austin are worse in my opinion with no beach.

Although some companies have moved out of the Valley and CA they are few in number, I don't think there will be a mass exodus anytime soon, they are vested there and last time I read there are over 6K tech companies and many small start-ups total.

[mysticaltyger]

Originally Posted by tempest411

At those prices San Jose is a HUGE ripoff. I've lived here all my life and can assure you this city isn't worth those rates. I have a one bedroom place in the Blossom Valley and pay 1.1K/month,which I still consider a ripoff. You'd be better off to commute from out of town, like from Gilroy.

Commuting from a place like Gilroy is not necessarily any better. Even if the rents are cheaper there, they've probably still gone up and then you have to contend with long commutes, wear and tear on your car, and $4 gas. There goes your savings, not to mention your free time.

[mysticaltyger]

Originally Posted by blauskies

40 mile or so round trip, took forever and traffic was a nightmare but people still do it all around the US.

One can hope that $4 gas is convincing more people that marathon commuting is just not worth the stress and aggravation it causes.

It also turns out that long commutes are linked with poor health. I don't find this surprising:

Long commute time linked with poor health, new study shows

[mysticaltyger]

Originally Posted by dabramey

Thank you all for the input. We are not looking to commute as we only have one car. My husband just finished a teaching job in west Texas and we are definitely not staying in our current location. We are generational Californians. The only opportunities that have come up are back in CA. I was hoping that prices in SJ were decreasing since I keep hearing of more and more dot com companies moving to Texas. One thing is true -- Texas is hiring (except for what my husband teaches). The whole state appears to be booming. There are "now hiring" signs most everywhere. I'm disabled and only get a small amount of money, so my husband is the sole bread winner for all intents and purposes. I think we will pass on this opportunity. The cost of living in SJ is just too high. A shame, the job appears to be a good fit for him. Thank you all again for your input. I appreciate it.

If you are not willing to live in a smaller place, then I think this is the right decision for you. People at all income levels (except the very well to do) have to make major concessions in living space in order to live here.

[5thgenSF]

Originally Posted by mysticaltyger

If you are not willing to live in a smaller place, then I think this is the right decision for you. People at all income levels (except the very well to do) have to make major concessions in living space in order to live here.

newcomers, yes. anybody who has lived there for decades and owns a house, probably not so.

[easybay]

To stay in Texas would be a wise thing to do. The cost of living is so much less in Texas. Taxes are less, housing is lower, gas is cheaper - why struggle financially just to live in CA? I love Texas and would live there again in a heartbeat - good luck on the job search!

[mysticaltyger]

Originally Posted by 5thgenSF

newcomers, yes. anybody who has lived there for decades and owns a house, probably not so.

Yes, that's what I meant. Thanks for the clarification.

[vrhunski]

Originally Posted by blauskies

I don't' think the prices will be decreasing anytime soon, while there are a few naysayers on here, they only represent a tiny % of the population that lives and works there. I just got back from San Jose a couple of weeks ago and while it's common knowledge it's expensive, people still flock there and love it, maybe there is a mass exodus, but everyone I talked to said they have no plans to leave. Of course these are all people making in excess of $100K+/year.

I had the option to move to Texas, but I passed on it, it's okay just need a change, been a flat lander in Miami for sometime now and while Miami weather is hot and humid, Dallas/Fort Worth and Austin are worse in my opinion with no beach.

Although some companies have moved out of the Valley and CA they are few in number, I don't think there will be a mass exodus anytime soon, they are vested there and last time I read there are over 6K tech companies and many small start-ups total.

Where is google/Facebook/Twitter/Linkedin on Your picture?

[5thgenSF]

Originally Posted by vrhunski

Where is google/Facebook/Twitter/Linkedin on Your picture?

i think that's a very old map. google is now where microsoft is posted.