Do People Actually Move TO California?

We're in Stanislaus County - 2 hours south of Sac.....
housing has leveled off, but it's still at 250+, usually around 300+ for a "normal" 3-bedroom house, no land.
Gas is $3.09 for regular, not premium....

Pencil it out, raise vs added expenses.....(added: don't forget also the extra property tax - ours is around $1200/year, I think, for a house figured to be worth at $170. Ours is a fixer-upper, emphasis on fix....)

we want to move.... just not sure where

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Kathy

When wealth is lost, nothing is lost; when health is lost, something is lost; when character is lost, all is lost. -Billy Graham

Actually violent crime in Jackson is below the national average while property crime is higher. If they are currently renting they have the luxury of sitting out any downturn and taking advantage of a market cycle.

East of Sacremento you'll find stellar camping and hiking. We used to fish and hunt when we were camping around there, but that's been a good 20 years now. Not every city in CA is infested with gangs and crime. There's alot of gorgeous scenery and neat stuff left over from the gold rush scattered around in those foothills. If you like to ski, it's hard to beat the resorts around Tahoe (they're really pricey, but a nice treat).

Prices and commute times are going to be really high right now. I personally know people who own homes in Madera and commute to San Jose for work - that's a minimum 2.5 hour drive. I imagine the same is true for the little towns around Sacramento. You'll be competing for housing with folks willing to commute to the San Fransisco area for jobs.

You say your parents are getting up there in years. You're going to need to be closer to them or have them move closer to you eventually so you can help look after them (my in-laws are 86 and 91, and need increasing levels of care). For me, that would be a big consideration. Might as well move closer while you can get a pay raise and better benefits.

I am originally from Stanislaus Co., Modesto to be exact. That place is definitely not what it used to be.

I was in Ione a few years back and it seemed pretty slow-paced.

As far as caring for my parents, I have a younger brother in their area and I have duly elected him to take that role. He owes them...big!

I had the opportunity to move back for $300k - $400k a year... I didn't and I won't... ever (there I said it, ever).

Unless God wanted me to, and I pray daily that He doesn't ask me to.

R

Housing has gone up in our area, too. My agent told me I could probably get $100,000 for my place and I only paid $71,000 two years ago.

If we got that, we would have about $35,000 after paying off the house, which we could use to pay off all our consumer debt (vehicle, credit cards, etc.) (about $22,000).
We could then move to CA with $13,000 in the bank and absolutely no debt.

Our only major expense would be rent (about $1200 a month).

If I took home $3800 a month, I would have $2600 a month for all my other expenses and could start saving for a down payment and waiting for that downturn in the market (my friend's co-workers purchased a few years ago when houses were more reasonable. Their payments are more like what he is paying in rent).

Then if the department's overtime trend continues, I would make even more money and have even more to save.

Another option we had considered was me moving there and renting, and then coming home every few weeks. While I don't like that idea, the idea of being out of debt (consumer) in a year or so is a nice thought.

Have you figured the sales costs and capital gains?

What has typically happened in the California real estate market is the prices level out or go down some for 4-5 years. When they start going up it gets scary. When they are going up at rates in the 15-25% range its very hard to save your way into a house.

You also need to remember that earning 80k in CA is not a fortune. If you are going to get your finances in order you need to keep that consumer debt down. Your carring debt like a Californian already.

No it isnt,and taxes will skin you alive.
Then again,a CO in California is a prime job,and can get you living outside the high rent areas,so to speak.Probably the strongest Union in one of the strongest economies in the world,thats a darn good combo.Great pay and EXCELLENT benefits and retirements.

Booboo

We just moved from California this last November. We will NEVER move back.

Mind you we lived in a very middle-class neighborhood, made over 6 figures there. We were barely able to homeschool our boys . I worked nights and hubby worked days.

People thought we were nuts to quit our jobs and move. We make 1/4th of what we did in CA. Our home cost less than 1/2 of what we sold our CA prop for with so much more room.

What makes the move, priceless is my boys can go outside and play and I don't have to worry obout some FREAK shooting them or something else.

Even in the country, your home will cost 200,000 with NO land. Cost of everything is very pricey. If lifestyle is important, then that is what you should consider.
just my 2cents or if I still lived in CA. $2.


Crystal

yea....they're called illegal immigrants




i read your lists of pros and cons. which is a good thing to put on paper. but what i didn't see was a goal. what is it you want to achieve with this move, what is the goal or goals?

Our son (25 yrs) just moved out there in May . His is a love related move . Supposed to be only a couple of years . They want to come back here (she is originally from here in NY) . He does not like it at all . We can't wait for them to come back - we miss him terribly.

Born and raised in California....travel every inch of it.
Lived in Bakersfield.

I LEFT California a year ago ,and I will NEVER -EVER, ever, ever, ever go back.

I noticed with your $ figuring, you left out some crutial HIGH priced things and UPFRONT costs.
Mostly car transfer and registration fees and insurance, house, auto and health. $$$$$
all that "extra" money will be eaten up right away with these. Cost of living is outrageous no matter where you are in CA. It would take every bit of you higher wages to live there.

As far as things to do...can't be beat..your 2 hours from EVERYTHING..mountains, beach and desert. BUT there's not a state park around that isn't overrun with illegals and absolutely filthy because of it.

Homeschooling....I homeschooled my son there. You must file with the state ot join a chater school that files with the state. Accurate record keeping about everything is crutial and better plan of being a member of HSLDA.

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Valerie
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Shhhhh......I'm hiding!

I was born and raised in CA, way up north. Moved to Indiana 8 years ago and haven't looked back.
I pay $1.99 for a gallon of milk here. My parents (still in CA) pay over $4.00. You may think your raise sounds good, but if you adjust for the major increase in the cost of living there, you aren't getting much of a raise! And do you really want to work all that overtime just to make ends meet?

Then again,that retirement will be mighty fine when it comes.

BooBoo

Here is my two cents, Can you rent out the house you live in know? If so why not rent out your house and come here and rent a house[ you get a nice write off on taxes by having a rental ] and if things dont work out you can go home. Some one said the parks arnt nice? I live out side Yosimite and it is beautiful. If you get countryside You can see my article about moving to the country in california [ last month issue]. Hubby is in law enforcement and rural areas arnt bad but STAY away from the citys as most are cestpools.

I have to admit it's probably an ego thing...that is being paid and compensated more for what I'm think I'm worth. Also, the promotion, which could lead to bigger and better things in the future (I don't want to be working the streets when I'm 60).

I think it's alittle pathetic when a highschool drop-out (no offense to anyone)after a few months can make just $3 less an hour working at a lumber mill than I make after over a decade in my field.

I'd also thought of that possibility, but would have to have a renter I could really trust being I would be an absentee landlord. I bet our place would rent for $600 a month or better.

My job wouldn't likely be here if I had to return. Our agency has a pretty low turnover rate.

Our place would make a great retirement home one day.

I mentioned "commuting" before; anyone have any experience with working in one state and living in another?

OMG!!!

I am from Ceres. My brother was a cop in Modesto, he retired and is now Modesto's Animal Control Department Head [he has a staff of 30 dog catchers]. My sister married into grapes in Keyes. Another brother works for Terminex in Modesto. My folks run cattle and share-crop Almonds.


Whodunit -
Get a deep tan, learn Mexican and keep a 'throw-away' on your ankle. That was how my brother made it.

Good luck.

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I'll PM you...

I dad moved out there about 6 or 7 years ago now, he lives about 40 miles or so North of LA but drives into N. LA every day for work (retires next year). He loves it out there. He moved from from here in S. FL so I would say it was not all that big of a change as far as how many people and the temps. Sure at night out there it gets a lot cooler and during the day it is a dryer heat, But it about evens out he says.