December 2013 Moms

? for you CA ladies

So I know there has been a lot of talk about living in/moving to CA lately so I thought I'd ask you ladies. DH and I have talked for years about moving to CA but last night he came home and wanted to talk about him applying for a job in Palo Alto.

I am all for moving out there but then got scared once we started looking at what the cost of houses are in the Palo Alto area. We live in CT so we are used to high cost of living but my god a descent house out there seems to be 600k or higher. Does anyone live in this area and can tell me if there are safe surrounding suburban areas where you can get a home (2000 sq ft, 3-4 bedroom) for around $350k range? I don't know much about the area and don't know where to start looking.

Also, is it realistic is survive in this area of CA on a household income of $100k? TIA :)
image
"Happiness is like a butterfly; the more you chase it the more it will elude you but if u turn your attention to other things it will come & sit softly on your shoulder."

BFP! 04/26/11 - DS born 12/28/11 - BFP #2! 04/02/13 - DD born 12/11/13 -
My Ovulation Chart

imageimage

Re: ? for you CA ladies

  • How far is your H willing to commute? There is a town called Fremont right across the bridge from Palo Alto that is way more affordable. My DF works in Palo Alto and we live in a town right next to Fremont, he doesn't mind the drive at all.

    imageimage

    Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker

    Dec '13 June Siggy - Awkward Swimsuit Photo

    image

  • Loading the player...
  • lp0lp0 member
    Thanks for the replies! We wouldn't need daycare as I'm home with the kids (I work from home). Right now DH commutes about 45 mins to work (over an hour when there's traffic). He wouldn't mind doing that especially if it meant getting a house that we want and being in a good area for the kids. We actually would want small town not big city life.
    image
    "Happiness is like a butterfly; the more you chase it the more it will elude you but if u turn your attention to other things it will come & sit softly on your shoulder."

    BFP! 04/26/11 - DS born 12/28/11 - BFP #2! 04/02/13 - DD born 12/11/13 -
    My Ovulation Chart

    imageimage

  • Keep in mind also that 11.5¢ on every dollar goes to the state, not sure how much CT state taxes are. For those who live in Fremont, what is the reality of a 2-3k sq FT house on $350k, it will be older (1970-1980's) I would imagine. CA is great but it'll cost you. Btw I'm not talking out of my ass, I'm a native Californian who recently got out due to cost of living being so high. Andplusalso $100k would need to be net not gross and even then it would be tight.

     

     

  • It's pricey here. My SO and I finally decided we will never own a house here. We want to move to Colorado in about 2 years. Even if we both worked making ends meet would be tough if you count daycare expenses. I live in long beach ca
  • I would go on red Fin and see the prices for yourself. We moved here a year ago. The col is insane. $100k is not a lot for here. I doubt you would find a house $350. I really suggest you take a look for yourself. I moved from a beautiful 2, 500 sq ft house fully updated to a 1, 700 sq ft house which needs work. And we paid a lot more.
    There is a big sunshine tax here. It was worth it though my husband is in high tech. And I have family in ca.
    Also palo alto is one of the most expensive cities in the USA.




    Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker
  • Keep in mind also that 11.5¢ on every dollar goes to the state, not sure how much CT state taxes are. For those who live in Fremont, what is the reality of a 2-3k sq FT house on $350k, it will be older (1970-1980's) I would imagine. CA is great but it'll cost you. Btw I'm not talking out of my ass, I'm a native Californian who recently got out due to cost of living being so high. Andplusalso $100k would need to be net not gross and even then it would be tight.

    Does OP live in CA? Also have to factor state disability that would come out of your CA paycheck. Other states don't have that.

    "Dont fucking ever come out your face talking shit like that" -SG 1/12/2014
    image

    image

    image


  • She's in CT looking to move to CA.

     

     

  • She's in CT looking to move to CA.

    OMG reading fail x20000 ;)

    "Dont fucking ever come out your face talking shit like that" -SG 1/12/2014
    image

    image

    image


  • lp0lp0 member
    Thank you everyone for the feedback! There is so much to consider and obviously research before we make any moves. DH looked into the job more and it looks like starting pay for this particular company is in the 110K - 120k range (which as I understand is low compared to what other companies pay in the area for the same job).

    I thought it was expensive to live here in CT but wow CA blows us away. @KKDragonfly is right, that's an expensive sunshine tax lol.
    image
    "Happiness is like a butterfly; the more you chase it the more it will elude you but if u turn your attention to other things it will come & sit softly on your shoulder."

    BFP! 04/26/11 - DS born 12/28/11 - BFP #2! 04/02/13 - DD born 12/11/13 -
    My Ovulation Chart

    imageimage

  • I live in the town next to Nursetrina :) and I don't think you are going to find a place that size for that amount of money.  The housing market is starting to boom again in the bay area and prices are soaring.  You can get a small condo for $350,000 but houses in our neighborhood are starting at $600,000 for about 1300 sq ft.  

    I know some people that have moved out to the Tracy area but that is a hell of a commute to Palo Alto.  

    On the plus side, the weather is almost always perfect and we live close to one of the best cities in the world, San Francisco.  
    Baby Birthday Ticker TickerBaby Birthday Ticker Ticker
  • We moved to CA from CT- notice name :) we moved about 2 hours north of that area and its livable but that wouldn't be doable with a job in the bay.  
       It has taken me a while and I'm still not used to the weather and the landscape.  I miss the green of CT.  Where are you living now? I grew up in the Danbury area in the area known to my friends from more developed areas as the Blair Witch house.  CA is a bit more developed.
    <a href="http://www.thebump.com/?utm_source=ticker&utm_medium=HTML&utm_campaign=tickers" title="Parenting Tips"><img src="http://global.thebump.com/tickers/tt1a11ac.aspx" alt=" Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker" border="0"  /></a>

    <a href="http://www.thebump.com/?utm_source=ticker&utm_medium=HTML&utm_campaign=tickers" title="Trying to Conceive"><img src="http://global.thebump.com/tickers/tt1a11ae.aspx" alt=" Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker" border="0"  /></a>


  • lp0lp0 member
    Thanks guys, I really appreciate the honest feedback and it is really helpful to have a realistic idea of the cost of living.

    @FromCTtoCA I live right outside Waterbury (smaller town). As much as I love living in the woods I have had enough of the cold weather here.
    image
    "Happiness is like a butterfly; the more you chase it the more it will elude you but if u turn your attention to other things it will come & sit softly on your shoulder."

    BFP! 04/26/11 - DS born 12/28/11 - BFP #2! 04/02/13 - DD born 12/11/13 -
    My Ovulation Chart

    imageimage

  • Live in Sacramento where homes are much cheaper so no advice, just wanted to say good luck!
    image
    Daisypath - (d3qY)
    Lilypie - (ATx7)

  • 5 years ago our condo in Concord was $80k. Condos in the same unit are selling for about $200k now. We moved for DH's job two years ago, we are now slightly north of Sacramento. I miss the east bay!

    It is pretty far from where you are looking but Brentwood/Oakley is pretty darn affordable.  Brentwood is growing larger so I am sure it won't stay that way for long.  

    Good luck in your search!
  • So DH works in PA and we are currently looking for houses. We just put an offer down today on a two bedroom condo $480k in mountain view. Stay away from redwood city it's super hood. I would look at Santa Clara. It's a quick commute to PA and there are some affordable places. Sunnyvale and San Mateo are great. I love my realtor (she's a friend) and she can send you listings in your price range if you want. 100k would be tight but doable if you are good at budgeting. We are living on 165 household and we are comfortable w/ a nanny, eating out, saving $etc.

    Email me if you want to chat. Come be my real life buddy and neighbor! That would be so exciting!
    imageimage

     
  • onewayticketonewayticket member
    edited January 2014
    PA is ridiculous btw. I saw a 1 bedroom condo for sale @ 700k *sigh*

    ETA: San Jose is nice too. I grew up in West San Jose and the downtown area is getting nicer. Good restaurants and museums.
    imageimage

     
  • onewayticketonewayticket member
    edited January 2014

    @onewayticket You are fairly close to me! I live in Pleasanton but work in Palo Alto/Stanford. :) We should meet up with @pinkshoes1975 and have coffee/go for a walk with babies!

    Yes! I'm in!

    ETA: DH works at Stanford! Are you on the Sanford Parent List Serve?
    imageimage

     
  • I am in San Mateo. I'd meet up! Ds was born at Lucille Packard.




    Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker
  • lp0lp0 member
    Cashingn2 said:

    Super jealous

    I'm jealous too! I wish I was a California girl ;)

    Thanks everyone! I talked with DH last night and we are going to continue looking into all our options for moving out there.

    I just read an interesting article about East Palo Alto that there are so many foreclosures that large developers are coming in and scooping up houses for around $450k. They said this is also happening in neighboring cities as well because the area is booming. Just thought I'd share, thought it was interesting.
    image
    "Happiness is like a butterfly; the more you chase it the more it will elude you but if u turn your attention to other things it will come & sit softly on your shoulder."

    BFP! 04/26/11 - DS born 12/28/11 - BFP #2! 04/02/13 - DD born 12/11/13 -
    My Ovulation Chart

    imageimage

  • onewayticketonewayticket member
    edited January 2014

    I am in San Mateo. I'd meet up! Ds was born at Lucille Packard.

    Samsies! DS was born at packard and I was also born at Stanford hospital :)

    imageimage

     
  • Yea... Steer clear of East PA. Geh-toe.
    imageimage

     
  • LP0198 said:

    Cashingn2 said:

    Super jealous

    I'm jealous too! I wish I was a California girl ;)

    Thanks everyone! I talked with DH last night and we are going to continue looking into all our options for moving out there.

    I just read an interesting article about East Palo Alto that there are so many foreclosures that large developers are coming in and scooping up houses for around $450k. They said this is also happening in neighboring cities as well because the area is booming. Just thought I'd share, thought it was interesting.
    E Palo Alto and Palo Alto are night and day. Poor and rich. Scary and safe. It is crazy to drive through EPA with homeless and sketchy-ness all around and then you go over an overpass and it's like you are in a different world... tree lined streets and million dollar homes. They tried to improve upon the East Palo Alto reputation, but I wouldn't buy there. Not yet.

    ETA: words
    Agreed





    Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker
  • Super jealous
    I'm jealous too! I wish I was a California girl ;) Thanks everyone! I talked with DH last night and we are going to continue looking into all our options for moving out there. I just read an interesting article about East Palo Alto that there are so many foreclosures that large developers are coming in and scooping up houses for around $450k. They said this is also happening in neighboring cities as well because the area is booming. Just thought I'd share, thought it was interesting.
    E Palo Alto and Palo Alto are night and day. Poor and rich. Scary and safe. It is crazy to drive through EPA with homeless and sketchy-ness all around and then you go over an overpass and it's like you are in a different world... tree lined streets and million dollar homes. They tried to improve upon the East Palo Alto reputation, but I wouldn't buy there. Not yet. ETA: words
    Agreed

    Agreed again.
    Baby Birthday Ticker TickerBaby Birthday Ticker Ticker
  • I'm in Sacramento and our house is 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1700 sq feet on .23 acres and we paid $427k for it when we bought it in 2010. It was built in 1949 and hasn't been updated. Housing here is pricey and we're a couple hours north of the Bay Area.
    image


  • I'm in Sacramento and our house is 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1700 sq feet on .23 acres and we paid $427k for it when we bought it in 2010. It was built in 1949 and hasn't been updated. Housing here is pricey and we're a couple hours north of the Bay Area.
    Sacramento is wayyyyyyy cheaper. The further in you go (as PP mentioned) the cheaper it gets. My parents and sister live in Elk Grove (Sac) and housing prices have dropped... though I'm not sure if maybe they are coming back up now. I could get a *mansion* out there for what we paid for our condo. @Peitri lives out there. I can't remember if she has numbers in her sn.
    Housing prices are back on the rise. We bought in March 2010 and our house is worth more now than any other time we've owned it.
    image
    Daisypath - (d3qY)
    Lilypie - (ATx7)

  • Man, there are more sacramentans than I thought on here.
  • Had my PP dr's appt this morning and I did a double take when I left the house because it was RAINING in Sactown. Put a bit of a damper in our daily walk this afternoon.
    image
    Daisypath - (d3qY)
    Lilypie - (ATx7)

This discussion has been closed.
Choose Another Board
Search Boards
"
"