[quote=evolusd]I’ve given up. After graduating from USD in 2001 and watching the housing market boom and bust (not as far down as it should have gone due to govt intervention), my wife and I have given up on San Diego and are seriously considering a move to Denver.[/quote]
Why have you “given up” evolusd? SD prices are still falling. IMO, More patience is needed here.
[quote=evolusd]Just got back from a long weekend scouting various suburbs for a home for my family (me, wife, 2 little ones and counting). Found numerous 4-5 bedroom homes, 3,000+ sf in the $325k – $375k range within 20 miles of downtown, where I would likely be working.[/quote]
If you looked for properties in the non-coastal counties of CA (ex. RIV, San Bern., Placer, Merced, Stanislaus Counties), you would find these prices minus the harsh living conditions of CO.
[quote=evolusd]3. Every suburb/master planned community had tons of parks, walking/biking trails and lakes/streams. Many houses back to a greenbelt or open space, making yards feel much bigger.[/quote]
Are you suggesting that the lots in the MP communities ARE NOT actually big but just FEEL BIG?
SD County has many “master-planned communities” like this as well. Wherever you find them, you also find HOA dues. Do you know if CO has any community facilities bond acts such as the Mello-Roos Bonds in CA and if they are in force in the communities you are looking in? Since you had a concern about property taxes, IMHO, this is definitely something you should look into.
Evolusd, how do you know that “government intervention” isn’t currently “propping up” Denver’s prices to more than their actual value?? Recent online articles DO suggest that this IS happening.
If you are just sold on the mtns and skiing in CO, you can always go skiing once a year and keep your veh parked in the hotel/condo underground garage and LET IT SNOW, while you ski your way down to your room in the eves, then quickly depart for one-hr.+ of the hot tub and sauna, holding your jumbo plastic cup of wine (or whatever your pleasure is). I did this for YEARS to get my stress-free CO fix. When our week was up, we turned our veh. west and headed back to CA. Before exiting CO, we frequently stopped at Glenwood Sprs. and took a dip in the natural hot spring pool, then got back on the road with a new lease on life. In other words, you don’t have to actually live there, you can just play in it and then LEAVE 😉
