Socal FIRE wannabe

[Aiming_4_55]

Quote:

Originally Posted by RetiredAndFree Welcome longranger, from another recent SoCal FIRE'd couple (@48/55) Wondering if days like today make you 100% certain it makes sense.

Hey RetiredAndFree - It makes sense, but does it make cent$
We've spent the week at Disneyland and already rode every ride possible for my kids, height permitting. The weather is nice, no question about it and the Midwest had another rough winter. I'm still having a hard time wrapping my head around the 3-4x real estate cost, but I'm not ready to retire yet either.... silly me at age 45.

[longranger]

Aiming_4_55 the cost of living issues just begin with higher real estate costs. That triggers a painful property tax bill to compliment our high state income and sales taxes. Gas is expensive, traffic is severe and local salaries job for job are often low due to our desirable weather.

Even with all of those financial negatives many Californians want to stay put because of the beautiful climate and proximity to ocean, mountains and relaxed outdoor lifestyle. If my finances at the time of fire are padded enough I may try staying in California but not before checking out other areas of our wonderful country first.

[daylatedollarshort]

Quote:

Originally Posted by longranger Aiming_4_55 the cost of living issues just begin with higher real estate costs. That triggers a painful property tax bill to compliment our high state income and sales taxes. Gas is expensive, traffic is severe and local salaries job for job are often low due to our desirable weather. Even with all of those financial negatives many Californians want to stay put because of the beautiful climate and proximity to ocean, mountains and relaxed outdoor lifestyle. If my finances at the time of fire are padded enough I may try staying in California but not before checking out other areas of our wonderful country first.

I think if you can figure out a way to minimize your taxes and get housing figured out, it doesn't cost too much to live in California compared to many other metro areas of the U.S.. Even within California there are many areas that are not very expensive, like Sacramento. For example, Portland is actually more expensive than Sacramento -

Cost of Living Comparison: compare Sacramento, California to Portland, Oregon

Lower housing costs outside a major metro area (even just an hour out can sometimes really lower prices) may help lower your overall annual expenses, which in turn means you may not have to realize as much of your net worth as taxable income, which in turn lowers your state and federal taxes.

A house outside the commute zone would with a lower price would also lower your property taxes and from then on you'd be covered by Prop 13.

[CaliforniaMan]

Quote:

Originally Posted by daylatedollarshort I think if you can figure out a way to minimize your taxes and get housing figured out, it doesn't cost too much to live in California compared to many other metro areas of the U.S.. Even within California there are many areas that are not very expensive, like Sacramento. For example, Portland is actually more expensive than Sacramento - Cost of Living Comparison: compare Sacramento, California to Portland, Oregon Lower housing costs outside a major metro area (even just an hour out can sometimes really lower prices) may help lower your overall annual expenses, which in turn means you may not have to realize as much of your net worth as taxable income, which in turn lowers your state and federal taxes.

There are some very large differences in real estate prices, taxes etc in north San Diego county. Just 5 miles inland from the ocean there are some very affordable homes in nice neighborhoods. My wife and I actually prefer the weather 4 or 5 miles inland, where we still get the great weather but miss out on the persistent coastal clouds during much of the year, and in general get a lot more sunny days.

We love to travel and spending some time living abroad, but I cannot think of another place in the world for a nicer home base then areas around San Diego. However, you do have to spend some time looking for value. But the proximity of the deserts, mountains, skiing, beaches, goings on in LA, nearness to Las Vegas, Southern Utah (my second favorite place), Mexico, and so much more. Near enough to LA, but far enough away too. And you really cannot beat the weather. We spend much of the year outside, breakfast on our patio watching the humming birds, summer, winter spring and fall. Lots of good outdoor activities.

Sorry to sound so provincial, but I do love it here.

[longranger]

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaliforniaMan There are some very large differences in real estate prices, taxes etc in north San Diego county. Just 5 miles inland from the ocean there are some very affordable homes in nice neighborhoods. My wife and I actually prefer the weather 4 or 5 miles inland, where we still get the great weather but miss out on the persistent coastal clouds during much of the year, and in general get a lot more sunny days. We love to travel and spending some time living abroad, but I cannot think of another place in the world for a nicer home base then areas around San Diego. However, you do have to spend some time looking for value. But the proximity of the deserts, mountains, skiing, beaches, goings on in LA, nearness to Las Vegas, Southern Utah (my second favorite place), Mexico, and so much more. Near enough to LA, but far enough away too. And you really cannot beat the weather. We spend much of the year outside, breakfast on our patio watching the humming birds, summer, winter spring and fall. Lots of good outdoor activities. Sorry to sound so provincial, but I do love it here.

I hear you Californiaman. Been here for 30 years and take the positives for granted. Inland of San Diego, particularly the Vista and Fallbrook areas have some great value. On the other hand if you compare that value to similar homes in Las vegas or Many nice areas in Florida, states with much more favorable tax profiles, CA still looks expensive.

All that said staying here would be ideal for me too as long as my budget will still allow me to travel, spoil family a little and enjoy the great activities this area has to offer. In a weird way it reminds me of car shopping in my 30s. It seemed essential to buy a vehicle that could do all the things the minivan kid mover did for the rare days my van was being serviced. In retrospect a fun car with better MPG or something sporty would have been better for me. Don't want to make a similar mistake in choosing the best place for my home base in retirement.

[daylatedollarshort]

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaliforniaMan There are some very large differences in real estate prices, taxes etc in north San Diego county. Just 5 miles inland from the ocean there are some very affordable homes in nice neighborhoods. My wife and I actually prefer the weather 4 or 5 miles inland, where we still get the great weather but miss out on the persistent coastal clouds during much of the year, and in general get a lot more sunny days. We love to travel and spending some time living abroad, but I cannot think of another place in the world for a nicer home base then areas around San Diego. However, you do have to spend some time looking for value. But the proximity of the deserts, mountains, skiing, beaches, goings on in LA, nearness to Las Vegas, Southern Utah (my second favorite place), Mexico, and so much more. Near enough to LA, but far enough away too. And you really cannot beat the weather. We spend much of the year outside, breakfast on our patio watching the humming birds, summer, winter spring and fall. Lots of good outdoor activities. Sorry to sound so provincial, but I do love it here.

+1 on San Diego. It is one of our favorite vacation spots. It is definitely on our potential list of places to check out. North of San Francisco is also beautiful but from looking at Redfin the area you mention would have less crazy real estate prices.