If you had the chance to move to northern Cali, would you?

My wife got a really good job offer in the Silicon Valley area today. I have never been there and don't know anyone there. Given the chance (exspenses paid) would you make the move? Why or why not? I currently live just outside of Seattle on about 3 acres. Had planned to build a shop, but that hasn't happened yet. I'm looking any insightfull information on the area and the hot rodding community in the area. Thanks!

Chris

 

NOPE

 

Price the real estate there. I tried because I thought I was going to be transferred, sticker shock. Keep your current property of you do go, you'll be back.

But honestly, I agree with the Reader's Digest version of my answer given above.

 

From what I understand the Silicon Valley area is $$$$$, but really nice.

 

I am with BobK, Nope.

 

N O !!!!

 

I agree with Bob! You are on three acres right now-you would be lucky to find any property anywhere near that in size for anything less than $500k! And then you are going to have to deal with traffic that goes from bad to really bad to "I want to slit my wrists if I have to sit in one more traffic jam" bad. Then you have to deal with the heartland of the "nuts and flakes". Every tree hugger, koombaya singing nut case from every corner of the globe has flocked to this area like moths to a flame. Don't get me wrong, the area itself is really quite attractive. However, the crazy money it would take to live there, combined with the nut cases that are already there would, and should, prevent any real car guy from wanting to sacrifice himself there.
Other than that, I have no real feelings about this place. By the way, I just returned from visiting my much younger brother who was recovering from open heart surgery and who lives about one block from Berkley. I thought after only one week that I must have been extra bad to be punished like that. I couldn't wait to get back to upstate NY!!! How's that for crazy?

 

Fuck Nope.

California is horrendously expensive to live--highest gas prices in the country, most intrusive government and laws, car registration costs your left nut, insurance is through the roof, and the list goes on. And on.

NorCal is scenic enough I s'pose, but it's still a fortune.
Take a trip and visit--look at what cost of living is, too. There are some websites (don't know name but have used them) that will compare what it costs to live between two cities.

I've also seen things on TV about the costs of living in Silicon Valley--I'm sure it was an extreme case, but they showed one guy who was living in a homeless shelter with his wife and two kids: and had an income of $275K. I shit you not, over a quarter mil, living in a homeless shelter! That was about three years ago that I saw that special, but still.

I think the best thing about California is when I'm on the plane heading home.
That's just all my opinion, and when I thought about a job transfer it was to LA which is a whole 'nuther situation, but there isn't a Brinks truck big enough to get me to move to that side of the Rockies.
-Brad

 

I've lived in the bay area most my life, and I like it. Good place to be a hot rodder too. But I'm thinking about moving because of the real estate prices. Home prices start at about $500k, and for that you won't have room for a shop. And even if your willing to spend 2-4 hours a day commuting, your looking at $400k for a starter home here.

 

I was born and raised there (Cupertino). I left for college in SoCal (1990), and pretty much don't go back. I must say however, that I appreciate it much more now than I did then. It was like the second most expensive place to live, just behind NYC about 4 years ago. My parents bought back in 1974 or so, and sold a few years back. Unfortunately their house was on the market during the tech wreck...so they only profited about 900K

Not that I can answer many of your questions, but PM me if you want.

 

Nope to ritsy for me. i prefer the dirty south

 

I had to leave because of the housing prices. can not touch a house for under $500k (less then .3 arce lot) within 40 miles of it, go out about 60 or 70 miles and you can start finding a place in the 400k range (700k plus ityou want an arce.. and then that may be tough). Rent is also crazy... so if she got a big salary you are going to be Ok... the job market is not very good either, lots of out of work folks up there, between computer and airline industries...

Plus side, the weather is alot better then Seattle, i do not think the hotrod scene is any better (I lived in Seattle for a number of years and go back to see friends and attend shows)

 

NO SIR! HRP

 

Go to realtor.com, or mlslistings.com, an check out the prices. And keep in mind that most homes around here sell for more than the asking price!

 

[ QUOTE ]
Every tree hugger, koombaya singing nut case from every corner of the globe has flocked to this area like moths to a flame.

[/ QUOTE ]

If you are a Republican stay away from that area....It's liberal central.

 

Nope, My dad has a place outside of Seattle in Poulsbo near Silverdale and when I visited earlier this year it was amazing. Would live there in a heartbeat. Cali could be fun but way to expensive and I wouldn't want to deal with the "cali" attitude. I really want to move up to the NW.

 

I've lived in Northern Ca most of my life, and in the Bay Area for the past 15 years. It is incredibly, horribly expensive- Its depressing. A decent starter home, maybe 1200 - 1500 sq feet starts at around $650,000 now in a decent neighborhood in the East Bay. Silicon Valley will be priced even higher. Its gone up about 20% just in the last year!!!!! We pay more for groceries, gas, bridge tolls, tickets, you name it. They've milked the lower and middle class into poverty around here.

Switchblade is wrong about the "cali" attitude though- Most people in the car scene in Northern Ca are very, very cool- IMHO there are less scenesters than in So Cal.

If I didn't have a great job and family here, I would move somewhere cheaper, with less people and more space in a heart beat- We do however, have great weather, amazing views, lots of car events, and your only a few miles from snow, desert, mountains or ocean- Take your pick.

 

for [you]- I dont know what to tell you......for me-Id do it in a heartbeat.......IF I could turn back time to 1967

 

Well, since I am one of the few that actually LIVES here in the SF bay area, I can say this:
1) Expensive as can get for housing and general cost of living, as others have said
2) Great weather most of the time and lots of cool car stuff to do
3) SF Bay Area is a liberal controlled hell if you are not ultra-left wing liberal. My location says it all "land of fruits and nuts"
4) Many people think a 1.5 hour commute is acceptable
5) You can live south of silicon valley and the cost is less than right on the middle of it.
6) Lots of HAMBers in the area

Any questions feel free to PM or email me. Terry

 

Christ, NO!! I live in a town of 50 people, and think that's too many.

 

being a extreme liberal I love the people especialy Terry LOL. I want to move so bad I have lived here my whole life. It is depressing a rat race that never ends hot rodding is the only thing that keeps me sane. And my new girl freind that I am in love with.

 

.......not for all the fucking tea in China.......

 

I keep meeting people who are moving HERE from norcal,I was out there in the spring and really liked it, the weather is great and the guys I met( Vultures) were awesome,but damn I dont know how people can afford it

 

I'll sell ya a nice fixer upper about 1 hr from san jose (easy commute) probably go about 600K ...but I have a nice view of 3 different oil refineries!!!! and some nice scenery past those.
I'll sell ya a nice 7000 sq. ft. shop too....I'm moving to Texas! Too fucking expensive here...oh yea...if you have kids...the school systems are broke,the teachers are leaving for cheaper areas,they have even cut the honors classes at my kids high school...just more reasons to say screw this place!
Great people though...all the rodders here are great!

 

No way!!! I'm trying to get out now born and raised here yoy will get no shop, a garage you can make no noise in and so much traffic that you cant get anywhere. I am looking to move to spokane hopefully soon! found a great property with a huge shop. Its getting more crowded every day, I will miss the weather if I move up to spokane but all winter in the garge sounds pretty cool to me!

 

I'd say visit before you commit if its at all possible. I've lived in S. CA and N. CA and I just don't like N. CA in a live there kinda way. Too expensive and too crowded. I have been to some awesome car shows up there though.

 

Well...lemme say this.Unless your wife makes a 6 figure income and you work two FULL TIME jobs.DONT BOTHER!I just moved from NOR CAl 3 months ago because the cost of living is just too high.BUT...ultimately...Its your choice.BUT my old next dor neigbor used to leave his hose at 2:30am to beat traffic to work.he would get to his job by 4:30am and sleep in his car till 7:00am when he reported for work.all that to drive 65 miles one way.If thats your idea of a good life.more power to ya!But BEING BORN AND RAISED IN NOR CAL..Im with them HELL NO!!!!!

 

I've lived here since '73. Everyone is right: it is very expensive to buy property here, and I'm a realtor talking..and it is not as nice as it used to be. ...But it still is awful nice. No place is without it's disadvantages, and the things that are good here are world-class good.

If your wife's job pays enough that you can move without taking a cut in your standard of living (and I'm not just talking lot-size here), you should do it.

 

Dont get me wrong here...Im not saying California isnt a Great place to be...Its just too DAMN expensive to live for a middle class family....And I was in STOCKTON Ca.Nothing under $300.000.00 unless you live in the Ghetto! Even Acreage out there is OUTLANDISH!a Friend priced 4.5 acres for $975.000.BARE LAND

 

if the job offer includes a salary of $1,000,000 a year it might be worth it...