Where/how to buy a vacation cabin around SoCal or Central Cal?

[dvalley]

I've had this itch to buy a cheap vacation cabin within say 4-5hrs driving distance of SoCal or Central Cal. Areas that see some snow is a bonus. The idea being that I can rehab/fix it etc just as a fun project since I enjoy that sort of thing. Unfortunately cheap and california don't go together

I do see some inexpensive properties (around $120k range) but the areas look very questionable. I also see tons of cute/tiny/updated cabins for rent on AirBnB that are in the woods etc that I'd love to own but not sure how to go about finding them. So far I've pulled up zillow and used the map to point and shoot at certain areas randomly but that's probably not the best way to go about searching for them.

 

[kgtest]

Living in the woods sucks. I know because I have over 100 mature trees in my yard lol. Visiting the woods might be different.

 

[dvalley]

I grew up backpacking and camping my whole life. I've rented cabins on several occasions. I really enjoy being away from the city life like that. Now I might not enjoy it if I lived there permanently but as a vacation cabin I really think I'd like it especially if it needs some work/fixing up.

 

[cathy63]

I think you need to pick an area that you like and then get hold of a local real estate agent. Maybe something on Mt. Palomar or in the Big Bear / Lake Arrowhead area?

 

[MuirWannabe]

I’m not a Californian. But after hiking the PCT, I can say I loved certain trail towns I visited. Among these were Idylwild, Wrightwood, Julian. Further north, I loved Lone Pine, Bishop, Mammoth, Tahoe/Truckee area. Lots of areas near the Sierra Buttes outside of Sierra City area as well.
All these places seem very nice to me.

 

[cbo111]

Tehachapi is a nice little mountain town at 4,000'. I lived there for many years. There are a number of properties in the pines above town, up to around 6500' that get snow in the winter. Cheaper than Big Bear for sure.

 

[RobbieB]

A co-worker's uncle had a cabin in the sierras. I found out because I asked why he had a couple cues and a set of pool balls in his trunk. He said you have to take everything you don't want stolen when you leave.

And leave the door open or the bums will break the windows. Yup, nothing but woods for miles. People are going to live there when you're not.

 

[dvalley]

Tehachapi is a nice little mountain town at 4,000'. I lived there for many years. There are a number of properties in the pines above town, up to around 6500' that get snow in the winter. Cheaper than Big Bear for sure.

I'll check it out, thanks!

A co-worker's uncle had a cabin in the sierras. I found out because I asked why he had a couple cues and a set of pool balls in his trunk. He said you have to take everything you don't want stolen when you leave.

And leave the door open or the bums will break the windows. Yup, nothing but woods for miles. People are going to live there when you're not.

That's my biggest concern and what I want to avoid...the Sierras has had that as a big problem for a while, even when I go backpacking there I'm always on guard. Tons of growers and people straight out of the movie Deliverance. Too bad because it's so nice and scenic there.

I’m not a Californian. But after hiking the PCT, I can say I loved certain trail towns I visited. Among these were Idylwild, Wrightwood, Julian. Further north, I loved Lone Pine, Bishop, Mammoth, Tahoe/Truckee area. Lots of areas near the Sierra Buttes outside of Sierra City area as well.
All these places seem very nice to me.

Thanks, I've been to most of those and you're right they're nice. Lone Pine, Bishop get super hot though practically unusable from Apr/May until Oct/Nov. Mammoth/Tahoe are pricey.

I think you need to pick an area that you like and then get hold of a local real estate agent. Maybe something on Mt. Palomar or in the Big Bear / Lake Arrowhead area?

I agree, unfortunately, all the popular areas like the ones you mentioned are pricey now even for a little cabin.

 

[Sirka]

I’m not a Californian. But after hiking the PCT, I can say I loved certain trail towns I visited. Among these were Idylwild, Wrightwood, Julian. Further north, I loved Lone Pine, Bishop, Mammoth, Tahoe/Truckee area. Lots of areas near the Sierra Buttes outside of Sierra City area as well.
All these places seem very nice to me.

Wrightwood is nice, but not very cheap anymore [emoji41]

 

[Freedom56]

Some suggestions.... Try Mariposa California, or Lake Arrowhead, or Big Bear.

 

[MacsNMore]

Perhaps the Pine Mountain Club or Frazier Park area suits your interest. Check out Zillow.com for prices.