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Some of us prefer living with shorts, t-shirts, and sandals all year round.
And surf.
There is no surf in Chicago.
We have everything they have, plus everything they don't have.
Actually, there is surfing on areas of Lake Michigan depending on weather.
Don't forget, in Phoenix you have to wear oven gloves to drive, and lizards jump in your ass crack for moisture.
I can see making the jump to Phoenix if a person lived inland like Fresno, Bakersfield, Inland Empire or even Sacramento. Why deal with the California dysfunction and high taxes if you don't get the nice weather and proximity to the beach? But seems really hard to make the leap if you are leaving San Diego. Especially if a person is willing to spend $800K on a house?
I was born in Chicago and lived a big chunk of my life in the Midwest, so I know how shitty the weather is for 6 months of the year. Life is too short to suffer indoors all the time.
Amen, me too.
December through February are bad. You're not going to be swimming during those shoulder months (Oct, Nov & March, April), but it's not that bad. I'd call it 3-4 months of shitty weather. $800k will get you a lot in IL, but then your taxes are fucking $20k.
I was in Phoenix 2 years ago in late August and it absolutely sucked to be outside. Also did a visit in mid May one year and I think we caught a hot spell, but it was 115-120 if I recall correctly. Don't care if it's dry heat or not. That's just awful to be in. So AZ has it's limitations weather wise as well during the hot months if you enjoy outdoor activities at all. At least in the midwest you could always cross country ski or even ski/snowboard at your local hill. Hiking in 120 degree temps does not sound pleasant. And I'm not sure what else you'd do besides swim in that weather.
You're just not going to be Socal weather.
December through February are bad. You're not going to be swimming during those shoulder months (Oct, Nov & March, April), but it's not that bad. I'd call it 3-4 months of shitty weather. $800k will get you a lot in IL, but then your taxes are fucking $20k.
I was in Phoenix 2 years ago in late August and it absolutely sucked to be outside. Also did a visit in mid May one year and I think we caught a hot spell, but it was 115-120 if I recall correctly. Don't care if it's dry heat or not. That's just awful to be in. So AZ has it's limitations weather wise as well during the hot months if you enjoy outdoor activities at all. At least in the midwest you could always cross country ski or even ski/snowboard at your local hill. Hiking in 120 degree temps does not sound pleasant. And I'm not sure what else you'd do besides swim in that weather.
You're just not going to be Socal weather.
Spring and Summer is no picnic in the Midwest either. It's hot, humid, buggy and stormy. Always a good chance it will rain on your parade if you have any outdoor plans. I was just back in Indianapolis for 10 days visiting family in July and it rained 5 of the days. Came back with a gazillion bug bites too. Also most of the Midwest is flat as pancake. Very few hills or mountains to enjoy.
I was in Phoenix last month for work and it was terribly hot and HUMID thanks to the Monsoon storms. Thankfully it was just a day trip.
I don't even have an air conditioner at my house. Don't need it.
Spring and Summer is no picnic in the Midwest either. It's hot, humid, buggy and stormy. Always a good chance it will rain on your parade if you have any outdoor plans. I was just back in Indianapolis for 10 days visiting family in July and it rained 5 of the days. Came back with a gazillion bug bites too. Also most of the Midwest is flat as pancake. Very few hills or mountains to enjoy.
I was in Phoenix last month for work and it was terribly hot and HUMID thanks to the Monsoon storms. Thankfully it was just a day trip.
I don't even have an air conditioner at my house. Don't need it.
And that's the thing, if weather is a top 3 concern, I don't really see why you would move out of SoCal once there if you can afford it (I don't know if the OP stated weather was that big a concern). Phoenix schools are likely equal. Phoenix has it's pricey spots as well, although it's substantially cheaper overall. At $800k purchase price though, I'd stay in SoCal.
Monsoon storms are lovely. That August trip I mentioned involved one. We were at Alice Cooper'stown bar. Sign got blown off the front of the building into the street. Couldn't exit the building for a good 20-30 minutes after the rain stopped because there was a foot of water surrounding it. Had to wait until it drained down.
I've actually wondered about the mountain vs flat land perspective. I've always lived in flat land and visited mountainous areas across the country. Is there a chance people that grew up always in mountainous areas are fascinated in a different way about flat areas? There are certain drives I take where I'm even kind of shocked how flat it is. It's a different feeling I guess. Not sure how to explain it. I definitely prefer to see and/or be near mountains. Beaches and blue water are a favorite as well.
I travel to Phoenix for business. I love the city but 5-6mo out of the year is pure hell on earth.
The oven mitt comment above when driving is 100% true.
As someone that's lived on the coast his entire life, that would be a very tough transition for me.
We are worried about living in the Phoenix heat, but I'm sick of not having a nice house and paying so much in taxes. $800K does not buy you a nice house in a nice area in San Diego...sorry. I just don't see it when I'm on Redfin.
CA politics and taxes blow chunks, and I'm worried about building long term wealth with how much CA wants to tax me. It's a hard decision
Well, we ended up staying in San Diego. We're going to continue renting and amassing cash for when the next crash happens.
Well, we ended up staying in San Diego. We're going to continue renting and amassing cash for when the next crash happens.
Would you surf the waters of San Diego? Pollution keeps getting worse. And then there is hep, hep, hep-a-ti-tis.
Blurtman says
Would you surf the waters of San Diego? Pollution keeps getting worse. And then there is hep, hep, hep-a-ti-tis.
This is why we should round up all the homeless and send them to Detroit. They will fit right in.
Best deal is if you can find a seller you can work with directly, use a lawyer and cut out the bullshit. Personally $800k sounds really pricey for a place in the desert.
anonymous saysWell, we ended up staying in San Diego. We're going to continue renting and amassing cash for when the next crash happens.
Famous life-long renter words
Would you surf the waters of San Diego? Pollution keeps getting worse. And then there is hep, hep, hep-a-ti-tis.
Blurtman saysWould you surf the waters of San Diego? Pollution keeps getting worse. And then there is hep, hep, hep-a-ti-tis.
I surf once or twice a week in PB. Never caught anything.
anonymous saysLet's see. $3200/month to rent, or $4500/month + $180000 down payment to own. I think I'll try avoid getting a swift kick to the nuts.Well, we ended up staying in San Diego. We're going to continue renting and amassing cash for when the next crash happens.
Famous life-long renter words.
Let's see. $3200/month to rent, or $4500/month + $180000 down payment to own. I think I'll try avoid getting a swift kick to the nuts.
Do the NYT on it before you make such a swift determination. I bet it is cheaper to own if you plan on being there for 10+ years.You may be right, but who knows how long I'll be here. I'm not a dentist with my own practice nor do I work for the government where I know I want to retire. I'm a corporate executive with less job security and with also a desire to jump companies if something much better comes along. I don't want to be under water because I bought at a peak, which is my biggest fear, and I don't want to have to wait 10-15 years to break even on selling my house.
Strategist saysYou will be renting for a long long time.Talk to someone who bought in 2005.
I don't want to be under water because I bought at a peak, which is my biggest fear
just any guy saysStrategist saysYou will be renting for a long long time.Talk to someone who bought in 2005.
My gardener did. He bought a house with no money down, stayed free for more than 2 years before they kicked him out. Lucky bastard.
If the 2005 buyer could afford it, in most places he is above water now.
30 year clock to freedom.
Calculated against inflation? Guessing not.
somecrappynumber says30 year clock to freedom.
If freedom can only be purchased with 30 years of slavery, it's not worth shit. 30 year originated for vets, 15 used to be standard. For responsible people, 15 is still standard.
As such, if you examine your words, I think you will agree with others that you very well could be renting for a long time - perhaps forever. I am not saying this is bad however - just be very self aware of what your risk tolerance is. You may just find that buying is not right for you. Likewise, understand that if you don't buy, you very well will be nibbled to death in rent increases where you have no choice to move away. This choice isn't great either, but again, its all about self awareness IMO.
My gardener did. He bought a house with no money down, stayed free for more than 2 years before they kicked him out. Lucky bastard.
If the 2005 buyer could afford it, in most places he is above water now. And he is now 12 years into his note - 18 years til being payment fee and eating through principal at a very fast rate. I'm sure the first years of worry sucked, but he would much rather be where he is now than having rented for 12 years and NOW thinking about starting that 30 year clock to freedom.
very few people who rent for 40-50 or 60 years would call a mere 30 year payment term "slavery"
Sorry, to be clear I don't consider rent slavery, because it doesn't involve debt and it's much easier to leave a rental than a house you still owe on.
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Well, my family and I are considering leaving San Diego area and moving to Phoenix. We've never owned a home and I have always felt CA is just way too expensive to buy even though I make an executive salary. Now that I'm considering a job in Phoenix making even more money than in San Diego, we're looking at finally buying a big, fine-ass house with a pool for around $800K with 20% down.
Questions:
- Do you think I'm stupid for buying because a recession could be coming? Should I rent instead? Seems like Phoenix house prices haven't come close to recovering from the 2006 peak.
- If I buy a house, what lender should I use? I've considered SoFi because it's easy and online, but is that a mistake?
- Should I get a buyer agent? What if I find the house I want on my own through Redfin?
- Any other tips for a first-time homebuyer?
Thanks everyone.
#housing