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Weather is great, but the rental market is horribl - 3/30/2008
I have lived in California since 1974 - the first 30 years in Los Angeles County. L. A. was great when I first moved there in '74, but by the time we left it was far too overcrowded and dirty with some of the worst smog levels in the nation. I developed asthma during my 30 years in that area - something I will have for the rest of my life thank you very much!
We began our move north by living in Santa Barbara for one year. Lovely place to live . . but . . you had better move there with money in the bank and not look to make tons of money once you move there. The job market is limited and job specific. Salaries can be on the low side because the overall size of the town is small and isolated away from large cities. My husband had changed careers and his first job in his new computer drafting position paid below the national average. Great company to work for, but not big on giving out substantial raises. If the roads in and out of Santa Barbara get washed out, like they did that year due to the torrential rains, you are stuck there. The only way in and out would be by boat or plane. So, we decided to move further north to the San Francisco area. many more jobs and a higher pay scale.
First town we lived in is called Daly City on the Peninsula. Now, the Peninsula is not very large and about 6 miles across where the City of Daly goes from the Pacific Ocean to the San Francisco Bay. The Pacific Ocean side is the better part to live in and the newest. But, it is the land of waves and waves of houses as far as the eye can see. Remember that song from the 60s about the 'ticky tacky houses'? Well, that is Daly City. It is also one of the foggiest cities on the Pacifica Ocean side - thick fog more than 50% of the time in the winter months. We lasted 6 months and needed to go to a less congested, sunnier area where there was nature around us.
So, we moved to Pacifica - a bit further south on the Peninsula in San Mateo County. We are about 7 - 12 miles to the S. F. Bay depending on what part of Pacifica you reside. But - once again you are isolated away from a major city to some degree. Take Route 1 North you will get to Daly City in about 10 - 20 minutes depending on traffic. Getting into downtown S. F. can be a bit more tricky. 20 minutes on a good day. A lot longer on a bad one. Easier to take the Bart - which is a subway train.
Pacifica is only 50 years young. It is a sleepy, little beach town that has not been overdeveloped. The beaches are like they were hundreds of years ago in many areas. The further south you go the more remote. You are able to get across the mountain ranges in only a few places from Pacifica all the way down to Santa Cruz. Make sure you buy gas before you leave to do that drive! When Route 1 was washed out just south of Pacifica about a year or so ago Pacifica almost became a ghost town. There was only two ways out of Pacifica - Route 1 North or across the mountains on Sharp Park Road. The old timers here in Pacifica do not want development and are managing to keep it from happening here. So you are stuck if you need a variety of clothes, shoes, stores you might find at a large shopping facility like a mall - sorry - you have to drive to find them in another town. With gas at almost $4 per gallon that can get expensive. But, it is the price you pay for the untouched, natural beauty of this small town. The weather cannot be beat. Stays cooler 95% of the year. When cities are burning hot in the summer we will be about 70 degrees or less! Hot days happen, but for only about a month overall in a year's time. We live in an area called Vallemar which is a valley surrounded by protected parks of trees and wildlife. I love it here.
So, that is it about the area, but the rents are sky high! Northern CA has suffered the highest rate of foreclosures in the country and as people's mortgages go through the roof so do the rents. We pay $2200 for a house per month! So, beware all who want to move here! You had better have the cash to pay higher rents than the national average - much higher! Lots of not so nice landlords can go with that, too. So, study up on the local rental laws and regulations so you are not taken advantage of like we were when we moved into the first house in Daly City. There's sort of Rent Control in some areas. There are many waivers you need to sign letting you know of possible mold, lead paint and asbestos in the house/apt., but also one about any registered sexual offenders living in the neighborhood. So, beware and educate yourself of the area before you move here.
The housing market is slowly declining in some areas, crashing in others further inland. But, this is one of the most expensive areas in the U. S. to live. I check rents weekly and they just seem to keep going up! So, knowledge is power and buyer beware when you move to any part of California! The entire state is grossly overpriced! You definitely do not get what you think is a fair price like you can find in all other parts of the country - except NYC. It is about 35% less expensive to live in Boston! So, come here if you want to, but like I said - get on line and learn as much as you can about what is here and how much it is going to cost you so you are not suffering from sticker shock once you have made the huge move and expense to come here.
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