Hi, CBL. (And thanks to everyone so far for replying to my question–this is turning out to be a good read.)
I lived in the Seattle area up to 2004 (sold a townhouse just as the market there was starting to taking off), and then moved across the state to Pullman for graduate school (bought a decent cookie cutter house under market value). California would be a big jump for us in 2007, but Seattle just didn’t excite us anymore (I’m actually an Idaho native.) We’re trying to do our California move with our eyes wide open. And if and when we get settled, we look forward to the friendly culture that hear about!
As for the Seattle market, you probably know as much as I do based on surfing the web. It is softening up, thankfully. Everyone who works hard and saves up a little money should deserve a house.
Why Carlbad. I’ve been “drifting” in several areas, but I won’t know for sure until I secure employment in the software industry and have a feel for the area (hence my curiousity about the rental situation). I had originally been focusing on Escondido, but then realized that the prices are not so bad in the Oceanside/Carlsbad area and it would potentially place me closer to work. This is not only better for commute, but it would also help socially as I would be able to entertain coworkers at home.
