[evoi19]

+1000 on Santa Barbara

I went to school there and I miss it all the time. Campus was right on the water. Beautiful city with laid back people and warm weather. Ratio for girls to guys is 2:1 at least when i was there in 2001. LA is about an 1 1/2 hours drive south so you're close enough to go down and far enough to be secluded. When i retire (long ways from now) I'd want to retire in SB.

LA is great, depends on what you're looking for. LA has the best lookin women, that's for sure. They beat us (SF) by far!! People can be dicks, but hey, there's always some in every city.

SF is a great city too. People here are pretty laid back, friendly and easy going. It's one helluva liberal city btw. I mean, just look up folsom street fair, or pride. LOL SF is more cityish. Think NY or Chicago but on a smaller scale. Tons of things to do here. Outdoors, beach, snowboarding (3 - 4 hrs away). Climate here is a bit cooler than LA though.

How can we afford houses here? Well like someone said above, some have bought their house a long time ago, and prices skyrocketed in the past 5+ years. My sister just bought a house in Blackhawk, a very affluent neighborhood. She works at Google and her husband works at ADP. My point is, although living here is more, we get paid more as well. Plus alot of tech/internet/software companies reside here. A typical condo in SF runs about $600k for about 800 to 1000 sq. feet. If you decide to live outside of SF you can find condos for a little cheaper or about the same price but a bigger space. Check craigslist.com to get an idea of how much it costs. Also, http://www.ubayp.com/rent/index.html can also give you an idea how much it is to rent. Mind you, these are the newer condos/lofts so they're a bit pricey. At those prices i would just buy. LOL

Anyways, I don't know what your income is, but if you want to live by the water in any part of CA, be prepared to pay alot. Further inland you go, the cheaper it gets...sorta.

Good luck hope that helped!

[Ray]

Originally Posted by LuftWaffe

So how do you all afford this and what do you guys live in.

Have you thought about renting? This way you can prospect areas before committing yourself to a mortgage.

[Bubbarossa]

Originally Posted by LuftWaffe

I am thinking of moving to california in the next couple of years. It is expensive over there, but the question I have is where is the best place.

I am 21
no kids
good job

I was thinking san diego? I like the beach... Or a harbor something with water..

Let's see, i said Santa Barbara. I live in SD and love it, but it is a big city. Now, if that's what you want, you're single and 21...move to Pacific Beach. I mean, you're young, do you need a house or condo now? Why not move out here and rent for a little bit and see if you like it. Most people who live(d) in SF, SD, or Santa Barbara are going to tell you they liked it. I went to undergrad school in SF, grew up in Santa Barbara, and now live in SD. All of them are great, you'll like any of them. As for housing, you're going to pay nearly the same throughout the coast.

BTW, 5-million dollar houses out here aren't a big deal. Take a stroll through La Jolla, you'll find out quickly.

[LuftWaffe]

5 mill is not a big deal Jesus... What do you have under your mattress!

[evoi19]

Originally Posted by LuftWaffe

5 mill is not a big deal Jesus... What do you have under your mattress!

Oh nothing much, just a lil stash here and there.

[18LLC]

move to Oakland, the killing zone. Thats fun!!!!! wahahahahahah.


j/k.

[evoi19]

^^ It's not THAT bad.....but then i used to live in oakland so i guess i'm used to seeing things.

It's funny, everyone who lives outside of oakland, never like coming here! hehehe

[firstkill]

Beach will cost a lot.

I would suggest moving Inland like 45 min from the beach.

Anything thats luxory apartment/condo for rent will be around 1500+ a month.

Condos in "safe" areas 2bd 2bth will run around the 450-500k mark @ 1100sqft. In a bad part of town (homeless roaming around) will cost around 425 for condos.

Single family homes that need Fixing up will cost around the 400 mark also.

Ive been thinking about purchasing for a while now... but with condo association fees, renting is better if you dont need the space.

Fk

[chbrules]

San Diego can be very pricey, especially La Jolla (richest real estate market in the US). You're going to need to do some serious HW on the real estate sites and find average prices in a decent city. Most of LA/OC/SD are great. SF is extremely expensive, the cost of living is a lot higher than it is here in LA. You aren't going to find nice houses under around $500k anywhere here really.

[wj4]

My mom just bought a new condo in Glendale, about 5 mins north of L.A.

The place is only 1,300 sq feet and total was around $600,000.

[Bubbarossa]

Originally Posted by evo119

^^ It's not THAT bad.....but then i used to live in oakland so i guess i'm used to seeing things.

It's funny, everyone who lives outside of oakland, never like coming here! hehehe

Agree. It's not as bad as people portray. Go up to Berkeley, now that's bad!!

[LuftWaffe]

I think I am gonna " LIVE IN A VAN DOWN BY THE RIVER!!"

sorry I had too..

[UncleWede]

Restaurant franchise, I'd be thinking in my area that you could get a decent condo in Ventura/Santa Paula/Fillmore for 300K, and have lots of locale to explore putting a business. If you're just reselling franchises and not actually running the on-site business, you could MAYBE keep your "headquarters" in some other state, live here and develop the local territory for a few years.

The taxation and such make your wage requirements a lot higher than most other places. I think minimum in Cali is now up to $7.75, plus state disability, worker's comp, . . . My brother in law's parents invested in a local Italian place. He "recruited" the extended family for almost two years, and still he had to sell before going under. I'd say that over 75% of the kitchen staff was working for dinner. God, I thought I would never have to wash dishes again once I got my Master's degree . . .

[Swoop]

Hell, if you go to SD or LA I'll come with you. I need to head back that way and find a job more relavant to my MBA anyway. If you want to move to the most beautiful area in Cali, move to San Luis Obispo in the Central Coast. Near the beach, never too hot, never too cold, quiet, nice, friendly, and is only 3 hours from LA or SF. Again, if you head out that way, I'm following...just need to find a job.......

[!Xoible]

Originally Posted by LuftWaffe

I am thinking of moving to california in the next couple of years. It is expensive over there, but the question I have is where is the best place.

I am 21
no kids
good job

I was thinking san diego? I like the beach... Or a harbor something with water..

definitely san diego. if you cant then OC. Maybe LA. i personally wouldnt do LA (traffic, people, potholes, and more traffic.. eww)

[Bimmer335i]

San Fernando Valley!!!