Why I am leaving San Diego

[jpinpb]

BG – I don’t currently live in PB and for other complicated reasons am not looking in PB any longer. I do understand that PB is move up. Still keeping track of PB just as a gauge and they are still out of reach even for move up.

[bearishgurl]

[quote=CA renter]Also, just want to clarify…I don’t think jp or I are looking for that “special” Del Mar house that everyone else wants to buy.

There is this weird misconception on housing blogs that those of us who complain about the intervention or high prices are simply “whiners” who are looking for million-dollar properties to drop to $200K. That’s not the case with any of the bubble-sitters I’m aware of. We’re looking for very ordinary homes — no McMansions and no granite, please! — and just want prices to go to levels that are aligned with historical norms and price/rent ratios. We want prices to go where they would go without all the unprecedented intervention. That is NOT feeling “entitled” by any stretch of the imagination.[/quote]

I understand all of this. I also understand you only have 2-4 zip codes you are shopping in. Nothing wrong with this, CAR. This is the case with most buyers. But the 2-4 zip codes you are limited by are all “move-up” areas. Unless looking for a <1300 sf SFR or condo, first timers do not gravitate to the zips you are shopping in.

You're probably aware that buyers who are not first timers often have 20% - 100% cash at their disposal to make a deal, whether or not they choose to put it all down. It's not at all uncommon for a 2nd, 3rd, 4th or 5th timer, etc to put 30% - 40% down and take out a reasonable mortgage for the balance, according to their age and tax writeoff needs, regardless of how much cash they have at their disposal.

I agree that the areas you are looking in are not typically "all-cash" streets or oceanfront/pano ocean view properties. Most of your competition would be taking mortgages out.

Since what you are probably seeking in on tract, I think you should go to the Megan's law website ASAP and list, one by one, the offenders and their charges, date of offense, etc (does it include this info? . . . haven't looked) for each and every tract you are interested in shopping in, regardless of current inventory available in it. Keep your notes handy and when a property comes on the market you want to view and if you like what you view, go down and research the individual offenders that live nearby BEFORE you place an offer. Get their STORY if you can.

If the site (or crim. file) gives the age or DOB, and the indiv. is now 70+ years old, I don't think I'd worry too much about him being a potential predator to your children.

scaredy is right. We don't have any control over whether a sex-registrant moves in near us AFTER we have already closed escrow.

I know how much you want to buy a home for your family and am just offering some suggestions here.

[bearishgurl]

[quote=CA renter]Also, just want to clarify…I don’t think jp or I are looking for that “special” Del Mar house that everyone else wants to buy.

There is this weird misconception on housing blogs that those of us who complain about the intervention or high prices are simply “whiners” who are looking for million-dollar properties to drop to $200K. That’s not the case with any of the bubble-sitters I’m aware of. We’re looking for very ordinary homes — no McMansions and no granite, please! — and just want prices to go to levels that are aligned with historical norms and price/rent ratios. We want prices to go where they would go without all the unprecedented intervention. That is NOT feeling “entitled” by any stretch of the imagination.[/quote]

I understand all of this. I also understand you only have 2-4 zip codes you are shopping in. Nothing wrong with this, CAR. This is the case with most buyers. But the 2-4 zip codes you are limited by are all “move-up” areas. Unless looking for a <1300 sf SFR or condo, first timers do not gravitate to the zips you are shopping in.

You're probably aware that buyers who are not first timers often have 20% - 100% cash at their disposal to make a deal, whether or not they choose to put it all down. It's not at all uncommon for a 2nd, 3rd, 4th or 5th timer, etc to put 30% - 40% down and take out a reasonable mortgage for the balance, according to their age and tax writeoff needs, regardless of how much cash they have at their disposal.

I agree that the areas you are looking in are not typically "all-cash" streets or oceanfront/pano ocean view properties. Most of your competition would be taking mortgages out.

Since what you are probably seeking in on tract, I think you should go to the Megan's law website ASAP and list, one by one, the offenders and their charges, date of offense, etc (does it include this info? . . . haven't looked) for each and every tract you are interested in shopping in, regardless of current inventory available in it. Keep your notes handy and when a property comes on the market you want to view and if you like what you view, go down and research the individual offenders that live nearby BEFORE you place an offer. Get their STORY if you can.

If the site (or crim. file) gives the age or DOB, and the indiv. is now 70+ years old, I don't think I'd worry too much about him being a potential predator to your children.

scaredy is right. We don't have any control over whether a sex-registrant moves in near us AFTER we have already closed escrow.

I know how much you want to buy a home for your family and am just offering some suggestions here.

[bearishgurl]

[quote=CA renter]Also, just want to clarify…I don’t think jp or I are looking for that “special” Del Mar house that everyone else wants to buy.

There is this weird misconception on housing blogs that those of us who complain about the intervention or high prices are simply “whiners” who are looking for million-dollar properties to drop to $200K. That’s not the case with any of the bubble-sitters I’m aware of. We’re looking for very ordinary homes — no McMansions and no granite, please! — and just want prices to go to levels that are aligned with historical norms and price/rent ratios. We want prices to go where they would go without all the unprecedented intervention. That is NOT feeling “entitled” by any stretch of the imagination.[/quote]

I understand all of this. I also understand you only have 2-4 zip codes you are shopping in. Nothing wrong with this, CAR. This is the case with most buyers. But the 2-4 zip codes you are limited by are all “move-up” areas. Unless looking for a <1300 sf SFR or condo, first timers do not gravitate to the zips you are shopping in.

You're probably aware that buyers who are not first timers often have 20% - 100% cash at their disposal to make a deal, whether or not they choose to put it all down. It's not at all uncommon for a 2nd, 3rd, 4th or 5th timer, etc to put 30% - 40% down and take out a reasonable mortgage for the balance, according to their age and tax writeoff needs, regardless of how much cash they have at their disposal.

I agree that the areas you are looking in are not typically "all-cash" streets or oceanfront/pano ocean view properties. Most of your competition would be taking mortgages out.

Since what you are probably seeking in on tract, I think you should go to the Megan's law website ASAP and list, one by one, the offenders and their charges, date of offense, etc (does it include this info? . . . haven't looked) for each and every tract you are interested in shopping in, regardless of current inventory available in it. Keep your notes handy and when a property comes on the market you want to view and if you like what you view, go down and research the individual offenders that live nearby BEFORE you place an offer. Get their STORY if you can.

If the site (or crim. file) gives the age or DOB, and the indiv. is now 70+ years old, I don't think I'd worry too much about him being a potential predator to your children.

scaredy is right. We don't have any control over whether a sex-registrant moves in near us AFTER we have already closed escrow.

I know how much you want to buy a home for your family and am just offering some suggestions here.

[bearishgurl]

[quote=CA renter]Also, just want to clarify…I don’t think jp or I are looking for that “special” Del Mar house that everyone else wants to buy.

There is this weird misconception on housing blogs that those of us who complain about the intervention or high prices are simply “whiners” who are looking for million-dollar properties to drop to $200K. That’s not the case with any of the bubble-sitters I’m aware of. We’re looking for very ordinary homes — no McMansions and no granite, please! — and just want prices to go to levels that are aligned with historical norms and price/rent ratios. We want prices to go where they would go without all the unprecedented intervention. That is NOT feeling “entitled” by any stretch of the imagination.[/quote]

I understand all of this. I also understand you only have 2-4 zip codes you are shopping in. Nothing wrong with this, CAR. This is the case with most buyers. But the 2-4 zip codes you are limited by are all “move-up” areas. Unless looking for a <1300 sf SFR or condo, first timers do not gravitate to the zips you are shopping in.

You're probably aware that buyers who are not first timers often have 20% - 100% cash at their disposal to make a deal, whether or not they choose to put it all down. It's not at all uncommon for a 2nd, 3rd, 4th or 5th timer, etc to put 30% - 40% down and take out a reasonable mortgage for the balance, according to their age and tax writeoff needs, regardless of how much cash they have at their disposal.

I agree that the areas you are looking in are not typically "all-cash" streets or oceanfront/pano ocean view properties. Most of your competition would be taking mortgages out.

Since what you are probably seeking in on tract, I think you should go to the Megan's law website ASAP and list, one by one, the offenders and their charges, date of offense, etc (does it include this info? . . . haven't looked) for each and every tract you are interested in shopping in, regardless of current inventory available in it. Keep your notes handy and when a property comes on the market you want to view and if you like what you view, go down and research the individual offenders that live nearby BEFORE you place an offer. Get their STORY if you can.

If the site (or crim. file) gives the age or DOB, and the indiv. is now 70+ years old, I don't think I'd worry too much about him being a potential predator to your children.

scaredy is right. We don't have any control over whether a sex-registrant moves in near us AFTER we have already closed escrow.

I know how much you want to buy a home for your family and am just offering some suggestions here.

[bearishgurl]

[quote=CA renter]Also, just want to clarify…I don’t think jp or I are looking for that “special” Del Mar house that everyone else wants to buy.

There is this weird misconception on housing blogs that those of us who complain about the intervention or high prices are simply “whiners” who are looking for million-dollar properties to drop to $200K. That’s not the case with any of the bubble-sitters I’m aware of. We’re looking for very ordinary homes — no McMansions and no granite, please! — and just want prices to go to levels that are aligned with historical norms and price/rent ratios. We want prices to go where they would go without all the unprecedented intervention. That is NOT feeling “entitled” by any stretch of the imagination.[/quote]

I understand all of this. I also understand you only have 2-4 zip codes you are shopping in. Nothing wrong with this, CAR. This is the case with most buyers. But the 2-4 zip codes you are limited by are all “move-up” areas. Unless looking for a <1300 sf SFR or condo, first timers do not gravitate to the zips you are shopping in.

You're probably aware that buyers who are not first timers often have 20% - 100% cash at their disposal to make a deal, whether or not they choose to put it all down. It's not at all uncommon for a 2nd, 3rd, 4th or 5th timer, etc to put 30% - 40% down and take out a reasonable mortgage for the balance, according to their age and tax writeoff needs, regardless of how much cash they have at their disposal.

I agree that the areas you are looking in are not typically "all-cash" streets or oceanfront/pano ocean view properties. Most of your competition would be taking mortgages out.

Since what you are probably seeking in on tract, I think you should go to the Megan's law website ASAP and list, one by one, the offenders and their charges, date of offense, etc (does it include this info? . . . haven't looked) for each and every tract you are interested in shopping in, regardless of current inventory available in it. Keep your notes handy and when a property comes on the market you want to view and if you like what you view, go down and research the individual offenders that live nearby BEFORE you place an offer. Get their STORY if you can.

If the site (or crim. file) gives the age or DOB, and the indiv. is now 70+ years old, I don't think I'd worry too much about him being a potential predator to your children.

scaredy is right. We don't have any control over whether a sex-registrant moves in near us AFTER we have already closed escrow.

I know how much you want to buy a home for your family and am just offering some suggestions here.

[bearishgurl]

[quote=jstoesz] . . . Like I said though, La Mesa was at the top of the list. But even there a crappy house is at least 300 vs. 100 for a similar crap hole in MN. They do not compete. . . [/quote]

jstoesz, if you don’t mind my asking, what other areas in SD County did you consider purchasing in besides La Mesa before you guys decided to relocate instead? And what was/is your price range?? And by chance, were your desired terms FHA or VA?

Pls forgive if missed a thread somewhere where you already posted your list of desired areas.

[bearishgurl]

[quote=jstoesz] . . . Like I said though, La Mesa was at the top of the list. But even there a crappy house is at least 300 vs. 100 for a similar crap hole in MN. They do not compete. . . [/quote]

jstoesz, if you don’t mind my asking, what other areas in SD County did you consider purchasing in besides La Mesa before you guys decided to relocate instead? And what was/is your price range?? And by chance, were your desired terms FHA or VA?

Pls forgive if missed a thread somewhere where you already posted your list of desired areas.

[bearishgurl]

[quote=jstoesz] . . . Like I said though, La Mesa was at the top of the list. But even there a crappy house is at least 300 vs. 100 for a similar crap hole in MN. They do not compete. . . [/quote]

jstoesz, if you don’t mind my asking, what other areas in SD County did you consider purchasing in besides La Mesa before you guys decided to relocate instead? And what was/is your price range?? And by chance, were your desired terms FHA or VA?

Pls forgive if missed a thread somewhere where you already posted your list of desired areas.

[bearishgurl]

[quote=jstoesz] . . . Like I said though, La Mesa was at the top of the list. But even there a crappy house is at least 300 vs. 100 for a similar crap hole in MN. They do not compete. . . [/quote]

jstoesz, if you don’t mind my asking, what other areas in SD County did you consider purchasing in besides La Mesa before you guys decided to relocate instead? And what was/is your price range?? And by chance, were your desired terms FHA or VA?

Pls forgive if missed a thread somewhere where you already posted your list of desired areas.

[bearishgurl]

[quote=jstoesz] . . . Like I said though, La Mesa was at the top of the list. But even there a crappy house is at least 300 vs. 100 for a similar crap hole in MN. They do not compete. . . [/quote]

jstoesz, if you don’t mind my asking, what other areas in SD County did you consider purchasing in besides La Mesa before you guys decided to relocate instead? And what was/is your price range?? And by chance, were your desired terms FHA or VA?

Pls forgive if missed a thread somewhere where you already posted your list of desired areas.

[protorio]

[quote=jpinpb]Sure I can afford to live in the outskirts or ghetto. Just b/c I can afford it, doesn’t mean it is a good financial move, or even safe move.

There are some pretty cheap homes that have come up in City Heights that are close to 2001 pricing. Just b/c I can afford it doesn’t mean I should buy there just for the sake of living in San Diego. While I’m not aspiring to live in Del Mar or La Jolla, I’d like to do better than City Heights.

For me, I guess as long as I can rent somewhere decent, then buying isn’t an urgency. It would be nice to find something to buy close to what I’m renting in my area.[/quote]

I agree that if rent is really cheaper than buying, there’s no urgency.

But I’m talking about quiet family neighborhoods in communities where many life-long SD folks live: San Carlos, Allied Gardens, La Mesa. And I know there are modest and descent neighborhoods in Linda Vista, National City, College, Lemon Grove, etc.

City Heights and Southeast are mostly families. There are problems, but SD does not have a ghetto. Ask anyone from Philly.

Friends of mine who’ve moved here from elsewhere will take nothing but costal. They say, “I came all the way from ___, and I have to live on the beach.” Maybe San Diego natives take the beach for granted, but I’ve never felt the need to live on the beach (or any “aspirant” neighborhood), and to leverage my life and $$ in unhealthy ways to achieve it.

[protorio]

[quote=jpinpb]Sure I can afford to live in the outskirts or ghetto. Just b/c I can afford it, doesn’t mean it is a good financial move, or even safe move.

There are some pretty cheap homes that have come up in City Heights that are close to 2001 pricing. Just b/c I can afford it doesn’t mean I should buy there just for the sake of living in San Diego. While I’m not aspiring to live in Del Mar or La Jolla, I’d like to do better than City Heights.

For me, I guess as long as I can rent somewhere decent, then buying isn’t an urgency. It would be nice to find something to buy close to what I’m renting in my area.[/quote]

I agree that if rent is really cheaper than buying, there’s no urgency.

But I’m talking about quiet family neighborhoods in communities where many life-long SD folks live: San Carlos, Allied Gardens, La Mesa. And I know there are modest and descent neighborhoods in Linda Vista, National City, College, Lemon Grove, etc.

City Heights and Southeast are mostly families. There are problems, but SD does not have a ghetto. Ask anyone from Philly.

Friends of mine who’ve moved here from elsewhere will take nothing but costal. They say, “I came all the way from ___, and I have to live on the beach.” Maybe San Diego natives take the beach for granted, but I’ve never felt the need to live on the beach (or any “aspirant” neighborhood), and to leverage my life and $$ in unhealthy ways to achieve it.

[protorio]

[quote=jpinpb]Sure I can afford to live in the outskirts or ghetto. Just b/c I can afford it, doesn’t mean it is a good financial move, or even safe move.

There are some pretty cheap homes that have come up in City Heights that are close to 2001 pricing. Just b/c I can afford it doesn’t mean I should buy there just for the sake of living in San Diego. While I’m not aspiring to live in Del Mar or La Jolla, I’d like to do better than City Heights.

For me, I guess as long as I can rent somewhere decent, then buying isn’t an urgency. It would be nice to find something to buy close to what I’m renting in my area.[/quote]

I agree that if rent is really cheaper than buying, there’s no urgency.

But I’m talking about quiet family neighborhoods in communities where many life-long SD folks live: San Carlos, Allied Gardens, La Mesa. And I know there are modest and descent neighborhoods in Linda Vista, National City, College, Lemon Grove, etc.

City Heights and Southeast are mostly families. There are problems, but SD does not have a ghetto. Ask anyone from Philly.

Friends of mine who’ve moved here from elsewhere will take nothing but costal. They say, “I came all the way from ___, and I have to live on the beach.” Maybe San Diego natives take the beach for granted, but I’ve never felt the need to live on the beach (or any “aspirant” neighborhood), and to leverage my life and $$ in unhealthy ways to achieve it.

[protorio]

[quote=jpinpb]Sure I can afford to live in the outskirts or ghetto. Just b/c I can afford it, doesn’t mean it is a good financial move, or even safe move.

There are some pretty cheap homes that have come up in City Heights that are close to 2001 pricing. Just b/c I can afford it doesn’t mean I should buy there just for the sake of living in San Diego. While I’m not aspiring to live in Del Mar or La Jolla, I’d like to do better than City Heights.

For me, I guess as long as I can rent somewhere decent, then buying isn’t an urgency. It would be nice to find something to buy close to what I’m renting in my area.[/quote]

I agree that if rent is really cheaper than buying, there’s no urgency.

But I’m talking about quiet family neighborhoods in communities where many life-long SD folks live: San Carlos, Allied Gardens, La Mesa. And I know there are modest and descent neighborhoods in Linda Vista, National City, College, Lemon Grove, etc.

City Heights and Southeast are mostly families. There are problems, but SD does not have a ghetto. Ask anyone from Philly.

Friends of mine who’ve moved here from elsewhere will take nothing but costal. They say, “I came all the way from ___, and I have to live on the beach.” Maybe San Diego natives take the beach for granted, but I’ve never felt the need to live on the beach (or any “aspirant” neighborhood), and to leverage my life and $$ in unhealthy ways to achieve it.

[Author]

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