I'm moving to Commiefornia

[Big A]

I've often wondered what the real difference is, with the state income tax, higher gas prices, etc.

As a country we spend our taxes on those "without." In CA it's 10x worse. Being that my customers are the state agencies, I'm well aware of how "broke" they are, and in my humble opinion, they spend WAY too much tax money on public programs. Most of the people recieving benefits are not even tax paying legal residents, yet the government agencies are reducing the work force, and instituting fulough Fridays (days off without pay).

It's a beautiful place to live, but the politics out here are bass-ackwards.

[slow99]

I've often wondered what the real difference is, with the state income tax, higher gas prices, etc.

It isn't that bad. Everything is pretty much the same, except for gas (which I hardly drive, living in the city) and real estate. Real estate prices are about 4-5x what they are in Dallas, from what I've seen. One floor - the 3rd floor - of the building next to me is on the market. $899k for a 2 bedroom, 1 bathroom, 1500 sq foot flat. From what I've seen, salary adjustments more than make up for it. San Francisco is rent controlled as well, which helps. What I tell people is to figure roughly $20k more for annual cost of living in SF and you're on equal footing (assuming you're renting). I know my offer was way higher than that, compared to what I was seeing elsewhere. My wife also got a job out here for a substantial raise over what she was making in Dallas for an equivalent position. As far as the state income tax goes, it's 10% but you can deduct it from your Federal Income Tax commitment, so it ends up not being too bad.

[SMKR]

Wish me luck! I accepted a job offer with my current employer and will be moving in the next few months, traveling back and forth until then.

Anyone have any advice on selling a house? I'm also curious how state income tax works, epsecially if I move mid year?

I have always loved Southern California, not many places where you can surf in the morning and snowboard the same day.

I think it's a good time to buy a house out there, it seems the housing market may have bottomed out.

A big year of changes for me... just got married now we're moving. Figures, right at the same time In-N-Out comes here

Good luck man!

Let me know if you need a place to live in the Los Angeles area. I've got a 3/2/2 in the San Fermando Valley that I lease out and it is coming up for renewal.

[clevelandkid]

nothing wrong with temecula. wish my boy would have kept his house there when hemmet was cow country. bought for 165, sold for 300 - worth 5 now.. enjoy

[Big A]

nothing wrong with temecula. wish my boy would have kept his house there when hemmet was cow country. bought for 165, sold for 300 - worth 5 now.. enjoy

Hemet is another customer of ours. Not that I can give any kind of hook up, just saying.

300k to 5k? Seriously? I know that there have been several neighborhoods that tanked, but not to that extreme.


Unless you meant 500k, and I didn't think that the market had come up that much. At least I hope not, because I'm looking to buy.

[Sean88gt]

Hemet is home to scientology. I had a customer down there and inquired about the gigantic fucking mansions on the side of the mountain.

Despite the politics, I'd live in Cali immediately if given the chance.

[sosoe]

I left 2 1/2yrs ago, and dont see myself going back besides visiting Family. Houses are expensive, gas, taxes, over populated, etc Plus I cant miss the beach since I hardly went.

[projectPONY]

Temecula, really? Carlsbad, La Jolla, San Clemente, or Escondido air be my choices. Real estate would be a bit higher in these areas but well worth it.





sent from htc EVO, the iCrap killer.

[Big A]

Temecula, really? Carlsbad, La Jolla, San Clemente, or Escondido air be my choices. Real estate would be a bit higher in these areas but well worth it.





sent from htc EVO, the iCrap killer.

"La Jolla"

That would be your choice? It's one of the most expensive places to live in the area. Have fun paying 2 grand for a one bedroom apartment.

Carlsbad and San Clemente are a bit more reasonable, depending on how much you'll be spending in LA versus SD. Both are good places to call home.

[UserX]

Being that you mention LA and San Diego, have you consiered Carlsbad or San Clemente? Both are customers of mine (Murrieta too), if you want more house for your money, travel east. The farther away from the ocean you get, the better the prices are.

I have not looked in Carlsbad or San Clemente, but I'll check em out. Thanks for the input. You're right about the houses getting cheaper as you move inland, but I don't want to be too far in.

[UserX]

It isn't that bad. Everything is pretty much the same, except for gas (which I hardly drive, living in the city) and real estate. Real estate prices are about 4-5x what they are in Dallas, from what I've seen. One floor - the 3rd floor - of the building next to me is on the market. $899k for a 2 bedroom, 1 bathroom, 1500 sq foot flat. From what I've seen, salary adjustments more than make up for it. San Francisco is rent controlled as well, which helps. What I tell people is to figure roughly $20k more for annual cost of living in SF and you're on equal footing (assuming you're renting). I know my offer was way higher than that, compared to what I was seeing elsewhere. My wife also got a job out here for a substantial raise over what she was making in Dallas for an equivalent position. As far as the state income tax goes, it's 10% but you can deduct it from your Federal Income Tax commitment, so it ends up not being too bad.

I don't think it will be too bad either... the property tax is much lower there, 1% most places. And believe it or not there are quite a few houses with no HOA (big win in my book). Gas is not a concern as I will be expensing it.

[UserX]

Good luck man!

Let me know if you need a place to live in the Los Angeles area. I've got a 3/2/2 in the San Fermando Valley that I lease out and it is coming up for renewal.

Dude I just might do that. I think I'm gonna need a rental temporarily until I find a house, I doubt it will work out where I sell my house here and move right into another house there.

[slow99]

I don't think it will be too bad either... the property tax is much lower there, 1% most places. And believe it or not there are quite a few houses with no HOA (big win in my book). Gas is not a concern as I will be expensing it.

Yep, property tax is 1 - 1.5% to most guys I've spoken with. Deducting state income tax from Federal is huge.

[slow99]

Have fun paying 2 grand for a one bedroom apartment.

Sounds like a steal.

[UserX]

"La Jolla"

That would be your choice? It's one of the most expensive places to live in the area. Have fun paying 2 grand for a one bedroom apartment.

Carlsbad and San Clemente are a bit more reasonable, depending on how much you'll be spending in LA versus SD. Both are good places to call home.

I was gonna say the same... La Jolla is rediculous... I think Temecula is nice. And right now, I think for $350K you can buy just as nice house there as you can here. Difference is that 4 years ago that $350K house was selling for $650K, and I think they will creep back up close to that, although slowly. That's what I'm hoping for anyway.