[quote=Ren] . . . We pay 1.52% total tax on a $250k property, plus $46 HOA. Our 4/3 2100sf house would cost $600k-700k in Carlsbad (that includes many built in the 70’s and 80’s – not a lot of savings on older homes), $500k in San Marcos. Escondido and Vista are mostly pits and not much cheaper than San Marcos (been there, done that).
So, you can have a $250k house at 1.5%, or a $600k house at 1.0-1.1%. Figure $400/month extra for gas, offset by $200 savings in childcare. I’ll let you do the math this time – we already have.
As for time spent away from family, don’t forget to factor in the early retirement. That’s many more years spent with the kids before they go to college.[/quote](emphasis added)
Ren, first of all, my questions (above) weren’t directed at you. You have already posted earlier what your tax rate was and it is obvious here that you did not move to TV to purchase a “McMansion.” And those prices you mentioned for Carlsbad and SM (above) may have been in effect at the time you were “in the market” but I believe they are somewhat lower now.
However, it is telling that you believe Escondido (pop 147,514) and Vista (pop 97,513) are “mostly pits” (in comparison to Temecula [pop 105,029]). Actually, legally speaking, San Marcos is more poorly-zoned that either Vista or Escondido and zoning (or lack thereof) is what primarily determines the liveability of a community. As big as these two cities are, I can think of several areas in them that are VERY nice to live in. And I never even asked here if those Piggs considered the far-flung communities of Fallbrook and Bonsall before deciding to leave the county.
Ren, your “retirement plans” while your kids are still minors, while admirable and ambitious, presumes many factors which may or may not be within your control:
You will remain in your current home for the duration;
you will (hopefully) be able to pay off the mortgage on your current home;
you will have job security and so will your spouse;
neither of your jobs will move further away than they currently are;
the cost of utilities will not raise appreciably;
you will stay married and will not otherwise be a party to any “involuntary” lawsuits;
if you purchase rental properties (as you prev. stated was your plan), your tenants stay long-term, pay their rent on time every month, never damage your property beyond the amount of their deposit and you do NOT have frequent vacancies;
you are able to unload any or all of your rental properties exactly WHEN you need to for the PRICE you want;
and, no one in your family has any catastrophic health issues which max out your health care plan, etc.
Ren, before moving away, had you ever considered buying a “dump” in SD County in a good area for $250-$300K and rehabbing it gradually so that you could eventually sell it after your kids leave and add another $300K or so to your “retirement plan?” Or, do you think your present property in TV will appeciate by that much by the time you want to sell it and retire?
