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adarmiento says

"Good schools" and "high test scores" are code words for

conformity. Which has a lot of value and we all do it some, but I've rarely envied dedicated conformists to the point of wanting to trade lives.

FunTime says

conformity. Which has a lot of value and we all do it some, but I've rarely envied dedicated conformists to the point of wanting to trade lives.

Yeah right............

adarmiento says

Yeah right............

You're referring to the strength of conformity on humans? I did carefully write "rarely" to show I'm not immune to the pull of conformity.

Well, conformity = less risk. If conformity leads to losses (as in recent housing bubble), all those conformants can sob together and blame someone else, like the government, banks, etc.

adarmiento says

SJ says

Why do API test scores and schools matter so much to real estate prices? Is it possible to buy a nice home at an affordable price in a safe area in California?

I am going to take the bait here. "Good schools" and "high test scores" are code words for white and/or Asian-American affluent neighborhoods. I think that are not-so subtly trying to mean that they are not being over-run by non-Asian minorities.

I think it has to do with crime/safety/gangs issues. Race is purely incidental and secondary.

raindoctor says

Well, conformity = less risk.

When investing, that's not the case though, right? Except I get you're saying less risk because even in a loss, you get an out.

You also end up in a conformed financial status, though. Meaning, you never get ahead. I suppose for most people that's the height of their ambition and being like most other people feel's comfortable. I've always found that terribly uncomfortable and often think of ways to get more autonomy. I realize that's my problem, though! ; )

Well right now just sitting on cash as my gut feeling tells me it is not worth it to pay 800k for a crapbox in the area.