[spdrun]

This doesn’t mean that all US based assets increase in value linearly and ahead of inflation.

[spdrun]

^^^ that’s the stereotype. I know people who’ve moved out of the US and married locally, or moved out of the US with their spouse after marrying. They don’t spend a hell of a lot of time in the US any more, especially since the US has made travel a royal PiTA.

There are people who are actually happy outside of the US, believe it or not.

[spdrun]

If the dating market in San Diego is so fucked up that women won’t date a guy with a condo in an OK area (92116, 92126) and two other rental condos because of where he lives, maybe it’s best to leave San Diego. Or develop a personality that makes people want to date you.

Or date women from even less upscale areas 😉

[spdrun]

In NYC, foreign buyers (with no roots in the US) are a tiny % of the market. Most co-ops won’t sell to non-occupiers or rental investors, and 90% of apartments are in co-ops. The publicity about sky-high prices is due to a small % of condos, not the average apartment.

The NYC suburbs (other than very expensive ones) are still full of foreclosures and shorts. Down 20-25% over 2006. Thankfully!

Most people in foreclosure are not victims but rather fools.

[spdrun]

Leverage amplifies gains as well as losses. You bought low with leverage. Current people would be buying high, till the next beautiful opportunity.

[spdrun]

Can you still get either with a real 3-pedal gearbox, or do they only cater to the morbidly obese /w bad knees?

[spdrun]

(1) Date/marry someone who’s “internationally flexible” and who’d consider moving around the world with you. Or try to meet someone locally — there.
(2) I’d assume $500k would go a long way in purchasing investment property in certain non-US places (depending on local rules), making the “high paying job” less needed.

[spdrun]

There are no 1/1 condos in 92126 even approaching $300k. Decent building or not. None above $225k.

92116 has plenty below $300k. 92104 is closest to $300k, but even there, $300k is more like 2/2 territory.

For $250k, you can live in OB…
http://www.sdlookup.com/MLS-160030522-4344_Montalvo_St_1_San_Diego_CA_92107

Of course my definition of decent building is likely different from yours. It basically consists of low HOA and well-maintained.

[spdrun]

Who cares about ghetto if you’re renting it out? Tenants are just ATMs on the hoof. The only consideration in buying a rental are expenses, rent, and ease of finding tenants. No need for it to be a palace.

I don’t see any 1/1 condos in 92126 over $225k, by the way. Anything approaching $300k is a 2/2.

Even 92104/92116 has some 1/1 inventory in the low 200s.

[spdrun]

If Mexicans, Puerto Ricans, West Indians, Chinese, Irish, Italians can have their own parades, why not gay pride?

As far as flaunting it, would you be offended by a straight couple hugging and kissing in public?

[spdrun]

Condo bought for $160k in SD = $160/mo tax, $250/mo HOA, liability insurance $10/mo. Maintenance is chump change if you do the work yourself — you can buy appliances off of CL or from Habitat for next to nothing and the HOA deals with the outside.

Rents for $1100/mo. About 5% net return. 5% return on $320k is $16,000/yr or $1333/mo. Doesn’t seem like much, but it’s taxed pretty low due to depreciation, deductions, etc.

If you live in another condo which costs you ~$420/mo to upkeep, pay $500/mo for health insurance, you still have something left over, enough for food if you cook for yourself.

Any job that you work at is basically going towards your car, clothes, recreation, travel, savings, etc. Pretty nice. If you really come to San Diego with $500k cash, you can be very happy for the rest of your life if you throw what’s expected of you out the window.

EDIT: speaking of abroad, what are return rates on rental properties (condos, I guess, for non-citizens) in Mexico, in areas that are relatively safe and easily accessible from SD?

[spdrun]

Haha, there are more women than men, so there’s room for lesbians too.

[spdrun]

Nothing wrong /w being outside the US, but…

$500k cash buys you a very nice triplex or quad in many parts of the US. Live in one unit, take income off the other two. No mortgage, positive cash flow. If you live frugally (used car, etc) you could afford to basically do what you want, work part-time, travel a lot, and enjoy the shit out of life.

Interestingly, you could also pick up a duplex or triplex for $500k in the less nice parts of San Diego County and do the same thing. Or 3 condos, which would amount to similar/better cash flow.

e.g.
http://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/1811-E-Grand-Ave-Unit-166_Escondido_CA_92027_M29610-44812

[spdrun]

As a straight man, I like gay men. Anyone voluntarily taking themselves out of the competition for dating has my blessing 🙂

[spdrun]

Hopefully Mel the Skell will either be replaced or fall victim to the Dennis Hastert disease next year. Ed De Marco was much better about not giving loans to unqualified bums.

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