City vs. Suburbs vs. exurbs

[poorgradstudent]

I’m sure there will be as many opinions on this topic as there are posters, but I’m curious how people who have bought homes have dealt with the issue of choosing between a nicer home in a “less desirable” area vs. a smaller, less nice home in a “more desirable” area.

Our price range is $400-550K based on salary and expected down payment. Currently we rent in 92116, a nice little 2 br/1 ba house in a nice neighborhood. We plan to have 1-2 kids in <5 years, so this place is far too small for anything beyond a newborn.

In the nice parts of 92116, $500k will apparently get you a smallish 3/1. That same $500k will get you a pretty nice house in San Carlos or Santee, both of which are close enough to the City we could still easily meet our friends who live in Hillcrest and South Park for drinks or dinner. If you're willing to live in Escondido, that $500k will practically get you a McMansion.

We really like being able to walk to coffee shops, restraunts and bars, but it's clear we could get a lot more house for the money in the inner suburbs as compared to North Park.

Obviously the City vs. Suburb debate is an old one and there are tons of online articles about it, but I'm curious about the decisions people in a similar situation in San Diego have come to.

[NotCranky]

I guess I like the extremes. I lived in many places in Normal Heights and Talmadge since the early 80’s. I owned two houses in Normal Heights.We moved from a 1600 sq. foot house in Normal Heights that I had for many years before I got married. It was a very comfortable size but as soon as I had kids I wanted to get away from the density.

I don’t like cookie cutter suburbs but can see the location advantages of some. I like San Carlos a lot for a suburban choice. We have friends there and we go watch fire works down by Lake Murray every couple of years… sometimes we go trick-or-treating there. It always feels great to be there.

I moved to the foot hills in Jamul.Price and land space had plenty to do with it. We choose a vacant lot to build on.It’s 20 acres in a rural suburb…or maybe the boonies? Wanting to build had a big impact on our choices of locations.

Now the old hood is too hectic for me, especially with the kids… I think it is a great place for many things. We still have a lot of ties to people and places in the neighborhood, but I would move to a lot of places before moving back there.

The other most important factor is that we wanted a school that was calm for the kids. Not as worried about it having an amazing rating. Still we are happy with the school,teachers, my kid’s classmates and the parents we meet. Still managed to put our kids in dual language immersion, which we wanted very much. The high school looks pretty good.

The area has nice sports fields and a YMCA is going in on our commute path.Our kids are almost always signed up for something… so if you plan on that you might consider what kind of environment you will find yourself in on many nights and weekends. Of course, from the city it is easy to join leagues in other communities. You won’t have consistency with the other kids and parents like you do when you participate in your own community.

[NotCranky]

I guess I like the extremes. I lived in many places in Normal Heights and Talmadge since the early 80’s. I owned two houses in Normal Heights.We moved from a 1600 sq. foot house in Normal Heights that I had for many years before I got married. It was a very comfortable size but as soon as I had kids I wanted to get away from the density.

I don’t like cookie cutter suburbs but can see the location advantages of some. I like San Carlos a lot for a suburban choice. We have friends there and we go watch fire works down by Lake Murray every couple of years… sometimes we go trick-or-treating there. It always feels great to be there.

I moved to the foot hills in Jamul.Price and land space had plenty to do with it. We choose a vacant lot to build on.It’s 20 acres in a rural suburb…or maybe the boonies? Wanting to build had a big impact on our choices of locations.

Now the old hood is too hectic for me, especially with the kids… I think it is a great place for many things. We still have a lot of ties to people and places in the neighborhood, but I would move to a lot of places before moving back there.

The other most important factor is that we wanted a school that was calm for the kids. Not as worried about it having an amazing rating. Still we are happy with the school,teachers, my kid’s classmates and the parents we meet. Still managed to put our kids in dual language immersion, which we wanted very much. The high school looks pretty good.

The area has nice sports fields and a YMCA is going in on our commute path.Our kids are almost always signed up for something… so if you plan on that you might consider what kind of environment you will find yourself in on many nights and weekends. Of course, from the city it is easy to join leagues in other communities. You won’t have consistency with the other kids and parents like you do when you participate in your own community.

[NotCranky]

I guess I like the extremes. I lived in many places in Normal Heights and Talmadge since the early 80’s. I owned two houses in Normal Heights.We moved from a 1600 sq. foot house in Normal Heights that I had for many years before I got married. It was a very comfortable size but as soon as I had kids I wanted to get away from the density.

I don’t like cookie cutter suburbs but can see the location advantages of some. I like San Carlos a lot for a suburban choice. We have friends there and we go watch fire works down by Lake Murray every couple of years… sometimes we go trick-or-treating there. It always feels great to be there.

I moved to the foot hills in Jamul.Price and land space had plenty to do with it. We choose a vacant lot to build on.It’s 20 acres in a rural suburb…or maybe the boonies? Wanting to build had a big impact on our choices of locations.

Now the old hood is too hectic for me, especially with the kids… I think it is a great place for many things. We still have a lot of ties to people and places in the neighborhood, but I would move to a lot of places before moving back there.

The other most important factor is that we wanted a school that was calm for the kids. Not as worried about it having an amazing rating. Still we are happy with the school,teachers, my kid’s classmates and the parents we meet. Still managed to put our kids in dual language immersion, which we wanted very much. The high school looks pretty good.

The area has nice sports fields and a YMCA is going in on our commute path.Our kids are almost always signed up for something… so if you plan on that you might consider what kind of environment you will find yourself in on many nights and weekends. Of course, from the city it is easy to join leagues in other communities. You won’t have consistency with the other kids and parents like you do when you participate in your own community.

[NotCranky]

I guess I like the extremes. I lived in many places in Normal Heights and Talmadge since the early 80’s. I owned two houses in Normal Heights.We moved from a 1600 sq. foot house in Normal Heights that I had for many years before I got married. It was a very comfortable size but as soon as I had kids I wanted to get away from the density.

I don’t like cookie cutter suburbs but can see the location advantages of some. I like San Carlos a lot for a suburban choice. We have friends there and we go watch fire works down by Lake Murray every couple of years… sometimes we go trick-or-treating there. It always feels great to be there.

I moved to the foot hills in Jamul.Price and land space had plenty to do with it. We choose a vacant lot to build on.It’s 20 acres in a rural suburb…or maybe the boonies? Wanting to build had a big impact on our choices of locations.

Now the old hood is too hectic for me, especially with the kids… I think it is a great place for many things. We still have a lot of ties to people and places in the neighborhood, but I would move to a lot of places before moving back there.

The other most important factor is that we wanted a school that was calm for the kids. Not as worried about it having an amazing rating. Still we are happy with the school,teachers, my kid’s classmates and the parents we meet. Still managed to put our kids in dual language immersion, which we wanted very much. The high school looks pretty good.

The area has nice sports fields and a YMCA is going in on our commute path.Our kids are almost always signed up for something… so if you plan on that you might consider what kind of environment you will find yourself in on many nights and weekends. Of course, from the city it is easy to join leagues in other communities. You won’t have consistency with the other kids and parents like you do when you participate in your own community.

[NotCranky]

I guess I like the extremes. I lived in many places in Normal Heights and Talmadge since the early 80’s. I owned two houses in Normal Heights.We moved from a 1600 sq. foot house in Normal Heights that I had for many years before I got married. It was a very comfortable size but as soon as I had kids I wanted to get away from the density.

I don’t like cookie cutter suburbs but can see the location advantages of some. I like San Carlos a lot for a suburban choice. We have friends there and we go watch fire works down by Lake Murray every couple of years… sometimes we go trick-or-treating there. It always feels great to be there.

I moved to the foot hills in Jamul.Price and land space had plenty to do with it. We choose a vacant lot to build on.It’s 20 acres in a rural suburb…or maybe the boonies? Wanting to build had a big impact on our choices of locations.

Now the old hood is too hectic for me, especially with the kids… I think it is a great place for many things. We still have a lot of ties to people and places in the neighborhood, but I would move to a lot of places before moving back there.

The other most important factor is that we wanted a school that was calm for the kids. Not as worried about it having an amazing rating. Still we are happy with the school,teachers, my kid’s classmates and the parents we meet. Still managed to put our kids in dual language immersion, which we wanted very much. The high school looks pretty good.

The area has nice sports fields and a YMCA is going in on our commute path.Our kids are almost always signed up for something… so if you plan on that you might consider what kind of environment you will find yourself in on many nights and weekends. Of course, from the city it is easy to join leagues in other communities. You won’t have consistency with the other kids and parents like you do when you participate in your own community.

[garysears]

This is personality dependent. What is desirable to most is not desirable to me. I tend to be antisocial. I really don’t like people so you can have the city, shops, restaurants, and bars.

For me, the choice is between bottom end in the ghetto to reduce overall cost of living, or pay extra for a little less ghetto.

I might be in escrow soon. With my current offer I opted for a big lot with options (house plus granny flat, could actually be 3 units). The only place you can get 1/2 acre or more is the boonies (35 minute commute each way).

I look at that big yard with all the trees and just see a lot of work that I am not anxious to do. My wife looks at it and sees a play paradise for our 19 month old. As active as my kid is, I have to agree with the wife. Time to get a dog and cut the kid loose to run around.

If I pull the trigger I fully expect to be a long term landlord as I see the downside risk. But it is cheaper than renting. Having followed the market seriously since 2004 I am at a loss as to what lies ahead. Common sense seems to say price declines are still possible but with 20% down, at the offer price I should be able to comfortable cash flow the property as a rental (plus several hundred dollars of rent decrease buffer) if I have to move. Not that 2007 prices are any indicator, but 55% off 2007 prices probably has a lot of the downside beat out of it.

I mostly analyze based on total cost and downside risk and don’t care so much about location.

[garysears]

This is personality dependent. What is desirable to most is not desirable to me. I tend to be antisocial. I really don’t like people so you can have the city, shops, restaurants, and bars.

For me, the choice is between bottom end in the ghetto to reduce overall cost of living, or pay extra for a little less ghetto.

I might be in escrow soon. With my current offer I opted for a big lot with options (house plus granny flat, could actually be 3 units). The only place you can get 1/2 acre or more is the boonies (35 minute commute each way).

I look at that big yard with all the trees and just see a lot of work that I am not anxious to do. My wife looks at it and sees a play paradise for our 19 month old. As active as my kid is, I have to agree with the wife. Time to get a dog and cut the kid loose to run around.

If I pull the trigger I fully expect to be a long term landlord as I see the downside risk. But it is cheaper than renting. Having followed the market seriously since 2004 I am at a loss as to what lies ahead. Common sense seems to say price declines are still possible but with 20% down, at the offer price I should be able to comfortable cash flow the property as a rental (plus several hundred dollars of rent decrease buffer) if I have to move. Not that 2007 prices are any indicator, but 55% off 2007 prices probably has a lot of the downside beat out of it.

I mostly analyze based on total cost and downside risk and don’t care so much about location.

[garysears]

This is personality dependent. What is desirable to most is not desirable to me. I tend to be antisocial. I really don’t like people so you can have the city, shops, restaurants, and bars.

For me, the choice is between bottom end in the ghetto to reduce overall cost of living, or pay extra for a little less ghetto.

I might be in escrow soon. With my current offer I opted for a big lot with options (house plus granny flat, could actually be 3 units). The only place you can get 1/2 acre or more is the boonies (35 minute commute each way).

I look at that big yard with all the trees and just see a lot of work that I am not anxious to do. My wife looks at it and sees a play paradise for our 19 month old. As active as my kid is, I have to agree with the wife. Time to get a dog and cut the kid loose to run around.

If I pull the trigger I fully expect to be a long term landlord as I see the downside risk. But it is cheaper than renting. Having followed the market seriously since 2004 I am at a loss as to what lies ahead. Common sense seems to say price declines are still possible but with 20% down, at the offer price I should be able to comfortable cash flow the property as a rental (plus several hundred dollars of rent decrease buffer) if I have to move. Not that 2007 prices are any indicator, but 55% off 2007 prices probably has a lot of the downside beat out of it.

I mostly analyze based on total cost and downside risk and don’t care so much about location.

[garysears]

This is personality dependent. What is desirable to most is not desirable to me. I tend to be antisocial. I really don’t like people so you can have the city, shops, restaurants, and bars.

For me, the choice is between bottom end in the ghetto to reduce overall cost of living, or pay extra for a little less ghetto.

I might be in escrow soon. With my current offer I opted for a big lot with options (house plus granny flat, could actually be 3 units). The only place you can get 1/2 acre or more is the boonies (35 minute commute each way).

I look at that big yard with all the trees and just see a lot of work that I am not anxious to do. My wife looks at it and sees a play paradise for our 19 month old. As active as my kid is, I have to agree with the wife. Time to get a dog and cut the kid loose to run around.

If I pull the trigger I fully expect to be a long term landlord as I see the downside risk. But it is cheaper than renting. Having followed the market seriously since 2004 I am at a loss as to what lies ahead. Common sense seems to say price declines are still possible but with 20% down, at the offer price I should be able to comfortable cash flow the property as a rental (plus several hundred dollars of rent decrease buffer) if I have to move. Not that 2007 prices are any indicator, but 55% off 2007 prices probably has a lot of the downside beat out of it.

I mostly analyze based on total cost and downside risk and don’t care so much about location.

[garysears]

This is personality dependent. What is desirable to most is not desirable to me. I tend to be antisocial. I really don’t like people so you can have the city, shops, restaurants, and bars.

For me, the choice is between bottom end in the ghetto to reduce overall cost of living, or pay extra for a little less ghetto.

I might be in escrow soon. With my current offer I opted for a big lot with options (house plus granny flat, could actually be 3 units). The only place you can get 1/2 acre or more is the boonies (35 minute commute each way).

I look at that big yard with all the trees and just see a lot of work that I am not anxious to do. My wife looks at it and sees a play paradise for our 19 month old. As active as my kid is, I have to agree with the wife. Time to get a dog and cut the kid loose to run around.

If I pull the trigger I fully expect to be a long term landlord as I see the downside risk. But it is cheaper than renting. Having followed the market seriously since 2004 I am at a loss as to what lies ahead. Common sense seems to say price declines are still possible but with 20% down, at the offer price I should be able to comfortable cash flow the property as a rental (plus several hundred dollars of rent decrease buffer) if I have to move. Not that 2007 prices are any indicator, but 55% off 2007 prices probably has a lot of the downside beat out of it.

I mostly analyze based on total cost and downside risk and don’t care so much about location.

[CA renter]

Sounds like a decent find, garysears.

Yes, I think it depends very much on where one is in life. If you’re young and single/childless (or married and childless), the city is the place to be. It’s fun to be able to walk to any number of bars or coffee shops, and not have to worry about driving home, etc. If you live in an apartment, condo, or smaller home, there is less maintenance, etc. I also think this is a great situation for older couples whose kids have moved away, as they can reclaim their own lives and become more socially active again.

Kids change your life. There is no other way to put it. They require a lot more room than adults (both lot and house, IMHO), and most parents want to live in a safer, calmer area with good schools. This means they are more likely to prefer the suburbs over city life.

It really depends on each person’s personality and family/living situation, IMHO.

[CA renter]

Sounds like a decent find, garysears.

Yes, I think it depends very much on where one is in life. If you’re young and single/childless (or married and childless), the city is the place to be. It’s fun to be able to walk to any number of bars or coffee shops, and not have to worry about driving home, etc. If you live in an apartment, condo, or smaller home, there is less maintenance, etc. I also think this is a great situation for older couples whose kids have moved away, as they can reclaim their own lives and become more socially active again.

Kids change your life. There is no other way to put it. They require a lot more room than adults (both lot and house, IMHO), and most parents want to live in a safer, calmer area with good schools. This means they are more likely to prefer the suburbs over city life.

It really depends on each person’s personality and family/living situation, IMHO.

[CA renter]

Sounds like a decent find, garysears.

Yes, I think it depends very much on where one is in life. If you’re young and single/childless (or married and childless), the city is the place to be. It’s fun to be able to walk to any number of bars or coffee shops, and not have to worry about driving home, etc. If you live in an apartment, condo, or smaller home, there is less maintenance, etc. I also think this is a great situation for older couples whose kids have moved away, as they can reclaim their own lives and become more socially active again.

Kids change your life. There is no other way to put it. They require a lot more room than adults (both lot and house, IMHO), and most parents want to live in a safer, calmer area with good schools. This means they are more likely to prefer the suburbs over city life.

It really depends on each person’s personality and family/living situation, IMHO.

[CA renter]

Sounds like a decent find, garysears.

Yes, I think it depends very much on where one is in life. If you’re young and single/childless (or married and childless), the city is the place to be. It’s fun to be able to walk to any number of bars or coffee shops, and not have to worry about driving home, etc. If you live in an apartment, condo, or smaller home, there is less maintenance, etc. I also think this is a great situation for older couples whose kids have moved away, as they can reclaim their own lives and become more socially active again.

Kids change your life. There is no other way to put it. They require a lot more room than adults (both lot and house, IMHO), and most parents want to live in a safer, calmer area with good schools. This means they are more likely to prefer the suburbs over city life.

It really depends on each person’s personality and family/living situation, IMHO.

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