[quote=desmond][quote=bearishgurl][quote=desmond]I guess you did not have a few thousand acres of land, a lake house, oil and gas wells, rental homes, another new gas well on the way and a great family in Texas. Too bad, Svelte. It is raining today but no parade. No need to show your anger, watch this you might calm down.
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desmond, I saw your “bucolic” video the other day and I think it’s great that you were able to finally restore that barn to park your “toys” in. I could move to a same/similar situation as you did … with family support in every direction to help me with whatever I needed. Having resided in Cali more than 50 years (Norcal AND Socal), I agree that the Golden State has seen better days but would still consider some of Norcal’s semi-rural and rural counties to “retire” in. The PROBLEM is finding a lower-cost SFR ($350K or less) in many of these counties which meets my needs and requirements (which aren’t that stringent) due to a constant severe shortage of listings. It seems that even young families are checking out of the rat race that is SF Bay and settling into areas such as Lake County, CA to raise their children among sheep, goats, vineyards and other crops. Obviously, those who have done so likely had well-established parents in those counties (or neighboring counties) and have “bought” their properties from relatives or were deeded them.
I’m going to make a decision on what to do within the year. My last kid who is a freshman in college is required live on campus for one year and as soon as I can situate them into a more permanent living arrangement, I’ll feel much freer to leave the area and maybe even the state.
In truly envy you (yes, in spite of the oppressive heat, loud crickets and chiggers). Living amongst family no doubt makes it all worthwhile.[/quote]
My whole point on moving out of California is that it is just easier to live in other areas. My son bought a great home in Georgetown for $175k, he was 25. You can’t do that in CA. Now most on this board are tech people so CA is best for them, but for others especially younger adults staying in CA is not worth it. btw, I grew up in Escondido, raised my kids in Valencia and it is not any hotter in TX. I was somewhat worried about the humidity but now I don’t even notice it. But then again I am no soft techie……………….but I don’t have their brains either………[/quote]
desmond, you don’t have to be a “techie” to make great money in tech firms in the Silicon Valley. Business majors of all stripes are also in hot demand there and can make just as much or more than “techies” depending on major, experience and contacts (not necessarily in the that order). Yes, the housing situation there on the peninsula is challenging for young families but not so much for singles who can pair, triple or quadruple up or sublet a room and a bath. Fortunately, in SF, the vast majority of apt (flats) are 1000 to 3200 sf (typical 1000 and 2200 sf on one floor) because they usually take up 1/2 to a whole floor of a building which is 75 – 105 years old. So there is ample room for a shared roommate situation. If the worker (or retiree) lives in a “rent controlled” bldg, they’re golden. Also, LOTS of young workers there have local relatives who own rental homes, condos and apt bldgs and can give them a deal for as long as they need it. The housing situation in SF/SV hits hardest the new worker in town with no local contacts and who doesn’t know their way around.
I honestly believe that many more young families with tech workers could live on the peninsula but won’t accept the age and size of housing available (and the spouse refuses to take even PT employment, as well). Instead they rent or buy somewhere one-hour + south or across a bridge and make their daily lives exceedingly difficult for themselves and their families, causing them to bail out on the position they took long before they were able to squeeze all the opportunities, money and benefits from SV that they potentially could.
When you’re too old to be a “hot commodity” anymore, having assets and liquidity is king. In this day and age, you MUST endeavor to get as much money/benefits out of your employers as you can while young (preferably under 40) and hang onto as much of it as possible.
kev, are you listening? Have you found a SV headhunter to work with yet??
WOW, desmond, Georgetown (TX) also looks “bucolic.” Its historic architecture reminds me of mtn towns I often visit. Looks like it is in hill country as well.
Yeah, TX is definitely the cheapest place in the country to buy a good, high quality (brick?) house.
The last two week’s weather (esp this last week and NOW) in SD County (although an anomaly) rivals or exceeds TX summer weather sans the A/C that most households do not have here. (I’m running 24/7 a whole house fan and three large fans and all I can say is, “My poor pets …”)
The great thing about TX (especially with long-established family nearby) is that you don’t have to worry about your old age. You can drive each other to appts, tow each other out of ditches in a wind/ice/hailstorm, store and repair each other’s houses and vehicles, grow and put up food together and share it, loan each other your flatbed trucks and heavy equip, help each other move, etc. I know if I moved to be near my extended posse in “flyover country,” I would never have to pay for ANY of the services I pay for now. I could barter away until the cows come home … even for “professional” services 😀
