Moving Options in Bay Area (Santa Rosa, Sunnyvale: apartment, lease, insurance)

[pecanku]

Couple renting a 1BR/1BA apartment in Sunnyvale monthly for $1200. *We are conveniently located to our works, but we lived here more than 10 years. *We're looking to move out in one of 5 options: pay mortgage on a house or town home, rent another apartment month- to month, lease in Sunnyvale or Santa Clara for a year or more, move into a mobile home park, or relocate within 100 miles to an area nearby - as close as possible to what we're currently paying per month. *Which option is best?

[beb0p]

That is holly a case by case, and you've not given us any relevant information about you.
.

[Ceece]

Option 6: Stay where you are because it's cheap and convenient and there isn't a 10 year limit on living someplace?

[NoMoreSnowForMe]

Let's start with: Why do you want to move?

That might help people figure out how to advise you.

[vadaseri]

How old are you? Kids? Combined income? $1200/month in Sunnyvale near work? Why do you want to move?

[thetrb]

Why would you want to relocate within 100 miles? Are you planning a 100 mile commute?

[pecanku]

Thanks for the responses. Living in Sunnyvale is not cheap and we're currently paying month- to month, and there is no limit to how long we can remain in our apartment. We're in our 40's with no kids, and we'd like to move to a bigger and better place within the options originally stated. The 100-mile radius was included in that such places may exist within - and it's possible for us to obtain new jobs and live within a 10-mile radius within the new work. Options are within the Monterey and Manteca areas.

[MtnSurfer]

I think you may be in your best option already. I don't see moving improving things much based on what you've stated. The mains issues are:

1. Very small budget to work with in and around the Bay area which is very expensive. Finding a house with a mortgage that low including insurance and other ownership costs is not realistic.
2. You live close to both of your jobs.
3. To live somewhere further out (100 mile radius) you need to new jobs since you don't want a long commute.
4. You want a nice safe area for this low price.
5. Mobile home parks aren't usually the nicest, safest places. Or they are more expensive.

With all these factors you really have your work cut for you in finding something better. Maybe better is just moving to a 'little' nicer apartment within 10 miles of your current work.

If were to move further away and got two new jobs are you expecting them to pay the same, more or less? Maybe you could find something a little more affordable in Santa Rosa, Vallejo or Davis, for example. But if so are there jobs there you could find as well?

Monterey is 'generally' too expensive for your budget. But there are some exceptions if you look really hard. Here is one: 1 bdm upstairs Apt

Derek

[mysticaltyger]

I agree with everything MtnSurfer said.

[pecanku]

Over the years we have tried time and again to find a "better" place but decided that remaining at our present location is the best option. That was always the case given that month- to month rent in fact has gone up every year for a while, and the apartment we live in is quite old. Many options were included for moving out, and so far the one about moving to a little nicer apartment may be the best one.