Housing options in Bayarea Outskirts
Living in bayarea for almost 3 years now and in US for about 8 years. Not being able to buy a house even far away places from bayarea is making me feel miserable and sad. I am married with no kids, spouse doesn’t work. And unfortunately having my spouse work is not an option. My office is in South Bay closer to Palo Alto, and my company doesn’t allow relocations or remote. The job market being so brutal, I don’t see any hopes in the near future in securing a remote job or any getting into any decent company in LCOL areas. I’m already considering more distant places to live and buy a home. I need to commute 2 days a week. I’m seeing prices skyrocketing in some of the places like Tracy and Manteca. Mountain House and Tracy already seems out of my range. My budget is at around 800-850k and this is already a stretch. I understand that both are in the middle of nowhere and far away from bay area. And the commute even for 2 days will be hectic, but I don’t see any other options. My main goal of buying a house is to build equity, and live in a decent single family house for couple of years, and then eventually move to LCOL area or get a better job in bay and move closer. I don’t have the money to buy any further closer to bay, and I’m not interested in buying a old small house in an expensive area. Has anyone been trough similar experiences share your thoughts on this? Are there are any good options apart from Tracy or Manteca? TC: 185k YOE: 7 #housing #bayarea #tracy #manteca
Look more towards Gilroy, for homes in your price range.
Not seeing that many options in Gilroy too. Feels like missed the bus for many of these options.
Did you consider Morgan hill?
Yes, I don’t see any single family houses in my range.
You must be kidding with that TC. Get your wife to work. Otherwise stop torturing yourself, move as close to work as possible and rent until you get a decent job. Ffs house is not possible with what you make.
Unfortunately having my spouse work is not an option. Whats ffs house?
Ffs = for f****s sake
You only have 7 yoe. No need to buy. Rent. Increase your income, have your spouse Increase theirs. Buy in a good location many years from now when you are ready.
I agree, but it feels like losing money on renting when it could be used to build equity. And, unfortunately having my spouse work is not an option for me.
Why not? Yep it's a bummer but gotta do it. There are times when we have to work for someone else, rent from someone else, buy from someone else etc.
You can find affordable houses near Portifino Dr, Pittsburg, CA- 94565. Also there are lots of newly constructed houses available and it’s very close to the Bart and have good connectivity. It’s contra costa county.
This. San Marco in Pittsburg is near Bart and in your price range. Since you don’t have kids you don’t have to worry about schools just yet.
This one for example: https://redf.in/LjNpiP
Dunno about ur current nw. But with your current TC alone, don’t even entertain thoughts about buying anywhere in Bay Area.
NW is not that high, just have enough for 10 to 15% down payment and some equity. And I am not at all thinking within the bay, wanted to see if there any chance in far surburbs.
I feel for you dude. I don’t have an answer but I’m in a similar position - changed careers and my salary is shite at $160k. Lived in the Bay for 6 years and am trying to find a higher paying job for 1+ years, while the rent keeps on increasing and there’s no sight of me buying a home. Eventually next year will consider moving out unfortunately - even though I know no one outside the bay.
Same here. I would like to move to a LCOL area right away if I were to get an opportunity, but it's been really hard to make the switch. I've been trying for more than 6 months now.
Nah, don’t buy without kids. Even more miserable
For your situation I suggest you are better off renting. Any comparable house would be much more to buy than rent at current interest rates and since you don’t plan to stay too long you may not get the benefit of price appreciation after commission, closing costs and transaction fees. Buying is much harder to justify at the current interest rates. Look up a rent vs buy calculator online for your particular situation.
Wouldn't it be much more difficult to afford when interest rates go down, and housing prices skyrocket again?
Maybe, I’m no longer living in the Bay Area so I can’t say for sure. I moved to LCOL which I think may honestly be the only smart move. Feels like in the Bay you are stuck between a rock (high interest) and a hard place (high prices). When there are no good moves sometimes it is best not to play.
Do not move to Sonoma county unless you want to be surrounded by people about to die or families with three kids.
Any other issues apart from this? I also heard crime rate is bit high in Vallejo and surrounding areas.
That’s nearly everywhere residential.