$500k and 33years old, when is enough enough?

[jstoesz]

I am the minnesota guy. I am the one that has such a hard time with SD because it pails on comparison (price wise) to every other place I have lived.

ctr and dooh, your posts make me so pleased. Sometimes when reading this thread, I feel like I am crazy. Like I am some spoiled entitlement brat (which I probably am given I live in the US). But you guys expressed exactly what I am thinking having lived in other places. ctr your analysis is spot on. I could not have said it better myself. You hit on all the highs and lows. The good life exists in SD, but you have to make so so so much more money to realize it. The job market is good, but it does not come close to yielding it. BG and sdr are probably really unhappy that you encouraged my SD scrooge-ishness…

But if I were forced to live in SD, sdr and BG would be the first I turn to for advice about where to buy. Thankfully, my hand was not forced on this matter, and Minneapolis is closer than ever. Who ever posted prior about the difficulties of hiring someone from Minneapolis, I loved it, every word.

Dooh, snow and a cold climate is nothing. You use it to your advantage. In MN I loved going to our cabin (something you can easily afford in the MN) on a -30 deg day, roaring up the wood stove, and when I got the courage and sunk in the warmth walking out onto the frozen lake and drinking in the cold. There is nothing like seasons. It makes you realize nature. You don’t fear the seasons, you adapt. It makes the sun more vibrant and the 80 deg summer lake more soothing.

Weather is easily mitigated with an opportunistic disposition.

[jstoesz]

[quote=flu][quote=jstoesz][quote=bearishgurl]
This post just displays the depth and breadth of your misperceptions and ignorance about areas of SD County you may have never set foot into yourself. I can tick off from the top of my head more than a dozen SD metro zip codes that have decent-sized SFR’s with decent-sized lots currently listed for $170K to $300K. And yes, El Cajon is its OWN self-contained city with its own “refurbished” downtown area which is quite large. For a potential first-time buyer Pigg who has stated they don’t even have any children, you come off here as having ultra champagne tastes on a beer budget.
[/quote]

Hahahaha…BG. I really think you need to try living somewhere else. Just to see how it is. Maybe you have recently, but it sure does not seem like it. SD home prices are twice the price of other markets (save LA, SF, NY). most of El Cajon is a crap hole, even La Mesa is not a very safe place. I had several coworkers who lived near the La Mesa DT, and they can recount story upon story for you of broken into cars, and vandalized homes. BG I challenge you to open your eyes. I have lived in many places in the last 10 years, and SD was by far the least affordable. So yes houses exist for less the 175 (or whatever number) but are they even close to suitable (as defined by other markets) for a middle class family? Or are you going to be living in Barrio Logan (I have been there too btw)?

I am sure your knowledge of the area is far superior to mine, no argument here. I am even sure there are a few nice homes here and there, but they are pockets (a mere block or two) in a sea of crap.

So I may have champagne tastes for SD (actually I have a soft spot for micro brews), but for other markets, I am more than easily satisfied at a fraction of the price. I am currently renting a sfr 2 bed 2 bath on a quiet street for 1150. It is mind blowing how cheap it is.

You accuse me of never having set foot in these fictitiously reasonably priced zip codes. But I have been to many inland neighborhoods. (one of my favorite things is to to get off on random exists and get lost trying to go in one general direction) So no, I have not been to Jamul or bonita, but I have been all over South DT, el Cajon, la mesa, a little bit of chula vista , IB, Spring valley, Ramona, escondido, carlsbad. The point is, most of these “affordable neighborhoods” I would not want my wife to go for a run before sunrise or after dark. I would give my kids a video game instead of a bicycle (and I hate video games).

300k is a lot of money, And in most markets, it buys you a lot of house in a nice neighborhood.[/quote]

Please let me know where $300k in L.A. will get you a SFH…[/quote]

Flu I used the word “save” to mean except. As the free online dictionary states…

Were it not; except: The house would be finished by now, save that we had difficulty contracting a roofer.

There is nowhere in LA that fits the stated criteria.

[jstoesz]

[quote=flu][quote=jstoesz][quote=bearishgurl]
This post just displays the depth and breadth of your misperceptions and ignorance about areas of SD County you may have never set foot into yourself. I can tick off from the top of my head more than a dozen SD metro zip codes that have decent-sized SFR’s with decent-sized lots currently listed for $170K to $300K. And yes, El Cajon is its OWN self-contained city with its own “refurbished” downtown area which is quite large. For a potential first-time buyer Pigg who has stated they don’t even have any children, you come off here as having ultra champagne tastes on a beer budget.
[/quote]

Hahahaha…BG. I really think you need to try living somewhere else. Just to see how it is. Maybe you have recently, but it sure does not seem like it. SD home prices are twice the price of other markets (save LA, SF, NY). most of El Cajon is a crap hole, even La Mesa is not a very safe place. I had several coworkers who lived near the La Mesa DT, and they can recount story upon story for you of broken into cars, and vandalized homes. BG I challenge you to open your eyes. I have lived in many places in the last 10 years, and SD was by far the least affordable. So yes houses exist for less the 175 (or whatever number) but are they even close to suitable (as defined by other markets) for a middle class family? Or are you going to be living in Barrio Logan (I have been there too btw)?

I am sure your knowledge of the area is far superior to mine, no argument here. I am even sure there are a few nice homes here and there, but they are pockets (a mere block or two) in a sea of crap.

So I may have champagne tastes for SD (actually I have a soft spot for micro brews), but for other markets, I am more than easily satisfied at a fraction of the price. I am currently renting a sfr 2 bed 2 bath on a quiet street for 1150. It is mind blowing how cheap it is.

You accuse me of never having set foot in these fictitiously reasonably priced zip codes. But I have been to many inland neighborhoods. (one of my favorite things is to to get off on random exists and get lost trying to go in one general direction) So no, I have not been to Jamul or bonita, but I have been all over South DT, el Cajon, la mesa, a little bit of chula vista , IB, Spring valley, Ramona, escondido, carlsbad. The point is, most of these “affordable neighborhoods” I would not want my wife to go for a run before sunrise or after dark. I would give my kids a video game instead of a bicycle (and I hate video games).

300k is a lot of money, And in most markets, it buys you a lot of house in a nice neighborhood.[/quote]

Please let me know where $300k in L.A. will get you a SFH…[/quote]

Flu I used the word “save” to mean except. As the free online dictionary states…

Were it not; except: The house would be finished by now, save that we had difficulty contracting a roofer.

There is nowhere in LA that fits the stated criteria.

[jstoesz]

[quote=flu][quote=jstoesz][quote=bearishgurl]
This post just displays the depth and breadth of your misperceptions and ignorance about areas of SD County you may have never set foot into yourself. I can tick off from the top of my head more than a dozen SD metro zip codes that have decent-sized SFR’s with decent-sized lots currently listed for $170K to $300K. And yes, El Cajon is its OWN self-contained city with its own “refurbished” downtown area which is quite large. For a potential first-time buyer Pigg who has stated they don’t even have any children, you come off here as having ultra champagne tastes on a beer budget.
[/quote]

Hahahaha…BG. I really think you need to try living somewhere else. Just to see how it is. Maybe you have recently, but it sure does not seem like it. SD home prices are twice the price of other markets (save LA, SF, NY). most of El Cajon is a crap hole, even La Mesa is not a very safe place. I had several coworkers who lived near the La Mesa DT, and they can recount story upon story for you of broken into cars, and vandalized homes. BG I challenge you to open your eyes. I have lived in many places in the last 10 years, and SD was by far the least affordable. So yes houses exist for less the 175 (or whatever number) but are they even close to suitable (as defined by other markets) for a middle class family? Or are you going to be living in Barrio Logan (I have been there too btw)?

I am sure your knowledge of the area is far superior to mine, no argument here. I am even sure there are a few nice homes here and there, but they are pockets (a mere block or two) in a sea of crap.

So I may have champagne tastes for SD (actually I have a soft spot for micro brews), but for other markets, I am more than easily satisfied at a fraction of the price. I am currently renting a sfr 2 bed 2 bath on a quiet street for 1150. It is mind blowing how cheap it is.

You accuse me of never having set foot in these fictitiously reasonably priced zip codes. But I have been to many inland neighborhoods. (one of my favorite things is to to get off on random exists and get lost trying to go in one general direction) So no, I have not been to Jamul or bonita, but I have been all over South DT, el Cajon, la mesa, a little bit of chula vista , IB, Spring valley, Ramona, escondido, carlsbad. The point is, most of these “affordable neighborhoods” I would not want my wife to go for a run before sunrise or after dark. I would give my kids a video game instead of a bicycle (and I hate video games).

300k is a lot of money, And in most markets, it buys you a lot of house in a nice neighborhood.[/quote]

Please let me know where $300k in L.A. will get you a SFH…[/quote]

Flu I used the word “save” to mean except. As the free online dictionary states…

Were it not; except: The house would be finished by now, save that we had difficulty contracting a roofer.

There is nowhere in LA that fits the stated criteria.

[jstoesz]

[quote=flu][quote=jstoesz][quote=bearishgurl]
This post just displays the depth and breadth of your misperceptions and ignorance about areas of SD County you may have never set foot into yourself. I can tick off from the top of my head more than a dozen SD metro zip codes that have decent-sized SFR’s with decent-sized lots currently listed for $170K to $300K. And yes, El Cajon is its OWN self-contained city with its own “refurbished” downtown area which is quite large. For a potential first-time buyer Pigg who has stated they don’t even have any children, you come off here as having ultra champagne tastes on a beer budget.
[/quote]

Hahahaha…BG. I really think you need to try living somewhere else. Just to see how it is. Maybe you have recently, but it sure does not seem like it. SD home prices are twice the price of other markets (save LA, SF, NY). most of El Cajon is a crap hole, even La Mesa is not a very safe place. I had several coworkers who lived near the La Mesa DT, and they can recount story upon story for you of broken into cars, and vandalized homes. BG I challenge you to open your eyes. I have lived in many places in the last 10 years, and SD was by far the least affordable. So yes houses exist for less the 175 (or whatever number) but are they even close to suitable (as defined by other markets) for a middle class family? Or are you going to be living in Barrio Logan (I have been there too btw)?

I am sure your knowledge of the area is far superior to mine, no argument here. I am even sure there are a few nice homes here and there, but they are pockets (a mere block or two) in a sea of crap.

So I may have champagne tastes for SD (actually I have a soft spot for micro brews), but for other markets, I am more than easily satisfied at a fraction of the price. I am currently renting a sfr 2 bed 2 bath on a quiet street for 1150. It is mind blowing how cheap it is.

You accuse me of never having set foot in these fictitiously reasonably priced zip codes. But I have been to many inland neighborhoods. (one of my favorite things is to to get off on random exists and get lost trying to go in one general direction) So no, I have not been to Jamul or bonita, but I have been all over South DT, el Cajon, la mesa, a little bit of chula vista , IB, Spring valley, Ramona, escondido, carlsbad. The point is, most of these “affordable neighborhoods” I would not want my wife to go for a run before sunrise or after dark. I would give my kids a video game instead of a bicycle (and I hate video games).

300k is a lot of money, And in most markets, it buys you a lot of house in a nice neighborhood.[/quote]

Please let me know where $300k in L.A. will get you a SFH…[/quote]

Flu I used the word “save” to mean except. As the free online dictionary states…

Were it not; except: The house would be finished by now, save that we had difficulty contracting a roofer.

There is nowhere in LA that fits the stated criteria.

[jstoesz]

[quote=flu][quote=jstoesz][quote=bearishgurl]
This post just displays the depth and breadth of your misperceptions and ignorance about areas of SD County you may have never set foot into yourself. I can tick off from the top of my head more than a dozen SD metro zip codes that have decent-sized SFR’s with decent-sized lots currently listed for $170K to $300K. And yes, El Cajon is its OWN self-contained city with its own “refurbished” downtown area which is quite large. For a potential first-time buyer Pigg who has stated they don’t even have any children, you come off here as having ultra champagne tastes on a beer budget.
[/quote]

Hahahaha…BG. I really think you need to try living somewhere else. Just to see how it is. Maybe you have recently, but it sure does not seem like it. SD home prices are twice the price of other markets (save LA, SF, NY). most of El Cajon is a crap hole, even La Mesa is not a very safe place. I had several coworkers who lived near the La Mesa DT, and they can recount story upon story for you of broken into cars, and vandalized homes. BG I challenge you to open your eyes. I have lived in many places in the last 10 years, and SD was by far the least affordable. So yes houses exist for less the 175 (or whatever number) but are they even close to suitable (as defined by other markets) for a middle class family? Or are you going to be living in Barrio Logan (I have been there too btw)?

I am sure your knowledge of the area is far superior to mine, no argument here. I am even sure there are a few nice homes here and there, but they are pockets (a mere block or two) in a sea of crap.

So I may have champagne tastes for SD (actually I have a soft spot for micro brews), but for other markets, I am more than easily satisfied at a fraction of the price. I am currently renting a sfr 2 bed 2 bath on a quiet street for 1150. It is mind blowing how cheap it is.

You accuse me of never having set foot in these fictitiously reasonably priced zip codes. But I have been to many inland neighborhoods. (one of my favorite things is to to get off on random exists and get lost trying to go in one general direction) So no, I have not been to Jamul or bonita, but I have been all over South DT, el Cajon, la mesa, a little bit of chula vista , IB, Spring valley, Ramona, escondido, carlsbad. The point is, most of these “affordable neighborhoods” I would not want my wife to go for a run before sunrise or after dark. I would give my kids a video game instead of a bicycle (and I hate video games).

300k is a lot of money, And in most markets, it buys you a lot of house in a nice neighborhood.[/quote]

Please let me know where $300k in L.A. will get you a SFH…[/quote]

Flu I used the word “save” to mean except. As the free online dictionary states…

Were it not; except: The house would be finished by now, save that we had difficulty contracting a roofer.

There is nowhere in LA that fits the stated criteria.

[NotCranky]

Does anyone besides me think that where their friends and/or family live is a large component of desirability of an area? Just moving to Jamul from Normal Heights has been a failure from this point of view for me. In my case it is interaction with friends that has been messed up. I used to have a drop-ins welcome policy that was working pretty well…not so good in the boonies.

Natural lakes and rivers sound nice too though.

[NotCranky]

Does anyone besides me think that where their friends and/or family live is a large component of desirability of an area? Just moving to Jamul from Normal Heights has been a failure from this point of view for me. In my case it is interaction with friends that has been messed up. I used to have a drop-ins welcome policy that was working pretty well…not so good in the boonies.

Natural lakes and rivers sound nice too though.

[NotCranky]

Does anyone besides me think that where their friends and/or family live is a large component of desirability of an area? Just moving to Jamul from Normal Heights has been a failure from this point of view for me. In my case it is interaction with friends that has been messed up. I used to have a drop-ins welcome policy that was working pretty well…not so good in the boonies.

Natural lakes and rivers sound nice too though.

[NotCranky]

Does anyone besides me think that where their friends and/or family live is a large component of desirability of an area? Just moving to Jamul from Normal Heights has been a failure from this point of view for me. In my case it is interaction with friends that has been messed up. I used to have a drop-ins welcome policy that was working pretty well…not so good in the boonies.

Natural lakes and rivers sound nice too though.

[NotCranky]

Does anyone besides me think that where their friends and/or family live is a large component of desirability of an area? Just moving to Jamul from Normal Heights has been a failure from this point of view for me. In my case it is interaction with friends that has been messed up. I used to have a drop-ins welcome policy that was working pretty well…not so good in the boonies.

Natural lakes and rivers sound nice too though.

[scaredyclassic]

A ggod life is much more than a good deal. This is another sense in which buying a house is like getting married. Shr could be real pretty or real smart or whatever and still be a really bad idea. The timing must be tight, the connection must be right. It’s not an objective kind of thing in many ways. That’s why my shared room in that coed fraternity was a botching housing situation compared to say that fancy studio apt I was in myself

[scaredyclassic]

A ggod life is much more than a good deal. This is another sense in which buying a house is like getting married. Shr could be real pretty or real smart or whatever and still be a really bad idea. The timing must be tight, the connection must be right. It’s not an objective kind of thing in many ways. That’s why my shared room in that coed fraternity was a botching housing situation compared to say that fancy studio apt I was in myself

[scaredyclassic]

A ggod life is much more than a good deal. This is another sense in which buying a house is like getting married. Shr could be real pretty or real smart or whatever and still be a really bad idea. The timing must be tight, the connection must be right. It’s not an objective kind of thing in many ways. That’s why my shared room in that coed fraternity was a botching housing situation compared to say that fancy studio apt I was in myself

[scaredyclassic]

A ggod life is much more than a good deal. This is another sense in which buying a house is like getting married. Shr could be real pretty or real smart or whatever and still be a really bad idea. The timing must be tight, the connection must be right. It’s not an objective kind of thing in many ways. That’s why my shared room in that coed fraternity was a botching housing situation compared to say that fancy studio apt I was in myself

[Author]

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