Want to live in California but concerned about the high cost of living?
340544
Phoenix & Scottsdale, AZ have become the new CA (we have so many Californians moving here).  Growing Robust economy many companies moved & moving here (i.e. Dial, Motorola, Intel etc).  Housing is still very affordable in comparison.  When ppl get here they are shocked to find outsid eof the cities, you have forests & snow & ski resorts.  There are many very big lakes & its 4-5 hours from Vegas.  Heres some more cool stuff about AZ http://websearch.fineliving.com/fine/web/searchResults?Site=FINE&searchType=Site&searchString=Az
265378
It's definitely not in California. I'll guess that because of being a bit more northern, Washington would be more affordable than Oregon, but not much.
688028
been in l.a. all of my life, it is really not that expensive, it depends on your level of education, and if you dont make costly mistakes.  DID'NT YOU SAY USA
24208
I agree with Angel. \n\nIt depends if you like living in CA...\n\nBuying is always better if you can afford to. You will build equity in your home and also enjoy nice tax breaks. It's basically "forced" savings :)\nRenting is basically paying someone else's mortgage. \n\nIt's always better to buy the smallest home in the best neighborhood...as opposed to the best house in the worst neighborhood.
973506
Los Angeles rent is EXTREMELY high.\n\nBut you do have several options:\n\nGet a roommate in a good neighborhood.\nGet a place on your own in a bad neighborhood.\nSee if you can sublet in a rent controlled area.
914861
Irvine Ca - From $40 to $1090 a month.\n\nRegards
491242
Actually, Denver can be somewhat pricy compared to other regions.  But still far cheaper (almost 40%) than Cali.  I live in Utah where it is a little cheaper than Denver but closer to Cali if I want to visit the ocean.  And you may want to think of gas prices if you plan on visiting "home" often.  Try this link..\n\nhttp://www.bankrate.com/brm/movecalc.asp\n\nYou can also put in 2 different cities you are thinking of moving to to compare them.  If you pt in Denver and Salt Lake you will see Salt Lake is only 4.5% lower in cost of living than Denver.  You also need to look at job availability and average pay and things like that.  \n\nI like this site because it gives you a big list of items it compares.  from housing to dr. visits to parmesean cheese.  Try it out!
721339
Yup, it's expensive here.  But as a result, people get paid more here, too.  People who earn $50,000/year here usually get less than $40,000 in the midwest.  But they would get $60,000 in Manhattan!\n\nAnd there are many areas that are some distance from downtown LA (as much as 80 miles) where homes are much cheaper (1/3 or 1/4 the price for much bigger houses!) and work is still plentiful.\n\nI think, that the weather better in Southern California then anywhere else in the USA.  The temperature rarely drops much below freezing, and hot summers are generally easier to deal with than snowy winters so common in other parts of the US.  Our hot summers are dry, which is more comfy than the 90 degrees/90% humidity so common in the South.  If you like it cold, we've got mountains.  Like it hot, we've got deserts.\n\nSouthern Cal has a great mix of stuff.  Big city life, with plentiful jobs, culture, activity.  But also natural activity - many people have outdoor and natural hobbies - surfing and skiing is usually under 100 miles away from each other!\n\nNorthern California offers much of the same, but I'm not as familiar with it.  But it also is a great place to live, work and have fun.\n\nIt's not worth it to everyone - it's a lot more crowded than it used to be, and that makes traffic a real bear.  Immigration has torn up some areas.  But I can't see myself living anywhere else as nice.
573804
to get more freebees such as welfare etc.  \n\nif 12 million more come how will we pay for their free schooling, free healthcare, etc?  \n\nIllegal aliens cost california 10 billion a year over what they pay in taxes.  somethings gotta give.  a big fear among california's citizens is that prop 13 could get turned over and then the gov could tax renters and homeowners what they want to pay for all the services these people need. get ready to lube up and grab your ankles because thats the govs biggest fantasy! the govs got enough of my money and too much of yours!
411617
It makes sense to at least research the possibility of relocating to higher ground.  Like the middle of the continent!  I can definitely see the advantage, if you do get any kind of settlement on the value of your home and its contents.  But do think about where you want to go.\n\nWhat sort of job would you be looking for?  Are there things you could research on line about the job market in various locations that look good to you?  What are the major economic indicators -- cost of living, density of population, major industries -- that matter most to you?  And what are the quality of life aspects that matter most to you?\n\nFor example, I live in Santa Cruz County, California.  It is a lovely county, and you might be very tempted.  But do, please, have a look at everything you can about it before you are lured here (or any other example).  Because while it is undeniably one of the nicest places in the world to live, it is equally undeniable that it is one of the most expensive, as well.  Yes, Hawaii is even more expensive; but in the 48 contiguous states, central California is about as close to heaven as you can get; and I'm high up in the Santa Cruz Mountains, closer yet to heaven.  And the people around me who drive those lovely new BMWs and Porsches start out driving over the hill to Silicon Valley long about 4:00 a.m.\n\nNice, but you hardly ever get to see the place in daylight when you're working over the hill.  And that's where the money is.  Silicon Valley.  We have a little mini-Silicon Valley on this side of the hill, though.  It's called Scotts Valley.  If you are interested in high tech, look up what you can about that up-and-at-em little high tech haven in the Santa Cruz Mountains.\n\nSee, it all depends on what's important to you.  And that's why we have an Internet where we can research before we leap!  Indeed, you can also go a long way in job search before you leap.
1166254
try looking on the california web site.
26733
California is among the most overheated markets in real estate so buying now MAY get you into a financial mess by overpaying. Renting is always a waste of money. If you can get LAND at a reasonable price then building a home will avoid the profit you would pay a homeowner for an existing home. That's just my opinion.\n\nImran
385079
In conjunction with Tom Joad's answer - you also have to consider the market. Obviously, California will have higher prices per sq.ft. than Arizona, and I believe Texas will be higher than AZ as well, though not as high as California. Also, what part of CA? Location is the key. Case in point - take Boston. I can say commercial space in the Back Bay of Boston runs an average of $48/sq.ft., yet right down the street in the Theatre District, it runs at an average of about $39/sq.ft. So, be more specific, I guess is what I am saying. Name the market, and you might get a clearer understanding and answer.
177565
I live in Missouri and I wouldn't be able to live in $9 an hour here so I know in California (where cost of living is much higher) you wouldn't be able to do so.
1025294
CA is soooo expensive. It's true. The housing prices are hyperinflated....as for job opportunities....it's hard to tell without knowing what your background is. CA is also overpopulated.\nI'm a former CA girl.
561174
Welcome to San Francisco, our city by the Bay.\nMy Mother and Grandfather (born is 1887) were born here.\nI do not like the cold summers or fog so I live in the warmer Silicon Valley (Santa Clara County).\n\nFind a job and a reasonable priced place to live:\n\nwww.craigslist.org\n\nconsider being a apt manager for cheap rent..\n\nAlso self storage places often have apt. and they need someone  to live in these apt...for security etc.
196315
I wouldn't suggest it unless you are buying a home that you intend to live in for a long time, not for an investment. California is beautiful, but it's so overinflated. I believe that people will continue to buy in California, even if the "bubble" burts because it's such a great place to live, but I don't think the houses are going to increase at the pace they have in the past few years. It will have to correct itself.\n\nIf you are just looking for an investment, consider Phoenix, Tucson or Las Vegas. They are the ones that are increasing so fast now. \n\nI would recommend that anyone check out Rancho Sahuarita. It's south of Tucson, a planned community that is like a resort area. Houses are very well priced, especially compared to California, and they expect the area to quadruple in size over the next 15 years. The community is really, really nice, all new homes in several different price ranges. It's extremely family oriented, only 19 minutes from Tucson but not at all like Tucson (this is a small community of about 17,000 people right now). It has it's own water park, lake, rec center and community activities that are private...just for people who live in Rancho Sahuarita. There is a commercial center (small) built like a town sqauare and condusive to walking. Their are hiking trails and wide sidewalks an one or two active adult designated areas. It's close to shopping, a 6 screen theater, bowling, plus the culture of Tucson, the University of Arizona, Madera Canyon and more. \n\nAlthough I don't live there (I live in nearby Green Valley, an active adult community), I'm thinking of going in with my daughter to purchase a home as an investment for me and to privide a chance for her to live in her own home. She lives in California and can't buy a house there. She's a single mom and could never afford to buy in California. She's planning to move in July. \n\nYou should check it out. There is information on line.