Yes, I agree that it is crucial to employ “expectation mgmt” on today’s young adult generation, especially if one wage-earner of a couple decides they no longer wish to remain in that status.
The main reason behind the first-time buyer foreclosures today is that the majority of them purchased a property that was unsustainable when real life hit them in the face. They were too focused on living a lifestyle they had been “accustomed” to (living with parents) and did not “crunch the numbers” to determine what they could actually afford, or afford if one of the parties voluntarily quit working.
I don’t buy into the notion that there are no SFR’s avail in SD County for under $300K. There are many, and is has become clear to me that widespread ignorance is preventing today’s young buyers, with or without families, from considering them.
My post to the OP here was intended to be “expectation mgmt” in its highest form. This candid inquiry was put here for the express purpose of preventing yet another young native San Diegan defecting to the State of TX.
First timers have to start somewhere. And that somewhere is more often than not merely a stepping stone to a more suitable property at a later date. Yes, even in THIS market.[/quote]
BG this is pure bullshit. Where in SD can you buy for circa 225k in a safe neighborhood? Where can you buy in SD that is suitable for raising a family other than some far flung suburb? The crime rates in even chula vista (even the nice parts) seem pretty ridiculous for people who have immigrated from else where, not to mention the schools and caliber of neighbors. Seriously where can you buy a house big enough for raising a few kids in a safe neighborhood close to the city? El Cajon? Most people who want to buy in SD and raise a family do not care about the beach (or the freaking weather), they are looking for a standard of living that is on par with their wage and their outside experiences. SD does not offer this. Look no further than the NY times graphs that show how much income a SD family directs towards home payments. SD is full of people who spend way to much on housing. After that all the rest is obvious.
But to answer the OP’s question I suggest you determine your priorities. I have worked countless thoughtless jobs, some of which were better than others. But at the end of the day, it is all just work. Free time is hard to come by, but the answer is not a job as a barber or tile layer. My goal at this point in my life is to find a good paying job where I can work for the majority of the time remotely. That way you can structure your work around your life, not structure your life around your work. So if you want a mountain lifestyle, get into a tourism industry (or work remotely). If you want to live on acreage, buy a ranch and raise cattle (or work remotely). Life is work, and you will always have to work, but find work that lets you live where and how you desire. If you really think being a barber would be satisfactory, move to omaha (I hear it is a nice town) and cut hair. But if you are like me and need challenge and stress just to put on your pants in the morning, try to find a new job that gives you that, closer to where you want to live. I think SD is screwed in so many ways. I think S. Californians are the least happy, and the most superficial of any place I have come across. I am not interested in moving back, unless I can find the lifestyle I have come to expect. Don’t settle, make life what you want it to be. Don’t fear the hard decisions, but once you decide commit. Forget the path you are on, make your own way, and commit to the necessary sacrifices. It doesn’t sound like you care about the money (which is the best place to be to be happy), so forget the comfort or convenience of your current lifestyle and jump right in. But don’t be stupid blinded by your frustration of the 9-5 and make a plan for your future.
Forget the familiarity of SD, determine what you ultimately want, and commit to the sacrifices that get you there. If you have a plan carry it out. If putting your nose to the grindstone and working your 9-5 at qualcomm or whatever gets you to where you want to be in 10 years, pull you shit together, put your pants on and smear a smile on your face. Because redemption is not far away (even if it is ten years away). But if it is a hollow move of convenience throw it away, make a plan, and implement it to the end.
In closing for me, SD is just too screwed to take a second look at. Unless of course I am able to earn a premium to make up for all the baggage that SD has.
