5 ms·

Exactly. There's also plenty of affordable housing stock in Chicago and LA, as long as you don't expect to live on the lake/ocean, don't expect a big suburban h

by 60654 10y ago

Exactly. There's also plenty of affordable housing stock in Chicago and LA, as long as you don't expect to live on the lake/ocean, don't expect a big suburban house, etc. That's the thing about big cities, there's usually a huge variety of housing at all price points - with a variety of pros and cons for sure, but the lack of housing at a variety of prices is typically not an issue.

mixmastamyk 10y ago
> There's also plenty of affordable housing stock in LA... Hahaha, I suppose if you're willing to live in near skid-row conditions.
- sologoub 10y ago
  That's entirely untrue - you can find plenty of decent affordable neighborhoods in LA that have nothing in common with skid row. What you have to compromise on is traffic/long commute.
  - mixmastamyk 10y ago
    You'll have to be a lot more specific, and I currently work from home. We also have a school-aged child.
    - sologoub 10y ago
      Neighborhoods in LA vary greatly and depend on what you value. For example, if you want good schools, yard and say house under 700k, and want to commute to Santa Monica. Your best bet is West San Fernando Valley, such as Woodland Hills and parts of Calabasas. Thousand Oaks would reduce house costs to 400-600k, but add 20-30 mins to an already hour-long drive. Forget public transit. If you don't need to go to SM/Venice/West LA, then going south might be better. Orange County has a lot to offer and probably a bit cheaper. If you are ok with Condos/Townhomes, either direction, 2-3 br condo can be had for less than 400k, sometimes less than 300k. Most condos on the west side are more like 600-900k and above, so the drive can save you 50%, but it really sucks. (Did the drive for 6 years.)
      - mixmastamyk 10y ago
        Hmm, a few of these are not even in the same county, 700k too rich. Middle-class is more like 300k. Most choices around say, 300k are around Downtown or South Central and have bars on the windows, which is what I was slightly exaggerating by calling them "near skid-row." I'm guessing nearby schools are in similar condition. http://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-search/Los-Angeles_CA/type-condo-townhome-row-home-co-op/price-300000-na/sby-1 http://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-search/Los-Angeles... https://www.zillow.com/mortgage-calculator/house-affordability/ https://www.zillow.com/mortgage-calculator/house-affordabili... There's also has been a homeless explosion in the last three years. http://www.cnn.com/2015/09/22/us/los-angeles-homelessness/ http://www.cnn.com/2015/09/22/us/los-angeles-homelessness/ As mentioned, our rent went up by 7% this year, and has gone up in the area 30-40% in the last 4 years.
        sologoub 10y ago
        Greater LA area covers at least 3 counties. How's that a problem? If you want sub 300k in a safe area with shorter commute, then you have to stick to condos. If you have to have a house, commute is required. Valencia, Santa Clarita, Sylmar, all have houses in $300k or less. Homeless explosion has as much to do with inadequate mental health care as any economic situation. Homelessness is such a complex topic that no comment on a thread could ever do it justice. Try talking a chronically homeless person into accepting a free apartment - you'd be surprised at the answer and concerns.
- zebraflask 10y ago
  Amusing comment. Not quite that dire, but the most affordable SFRs do tend to be in neighborhoods that either have few amenities, or are right on the edge of (or in) neighborhoods where you don't want to lounge outside at night. Otherwise, there is a glut of condos almost anywhere you look, if you're okay with living in a condo and paying HOA dues every month - which is the problem with condos, the HOA dues can easily take something affordable and push it to the edge of affordability or beyond. I've been looking recently, speaking from current experience.

by 60654 10y ago

mixmastamyk 10y ago

> There's also plenty of affordable housing stock in LA... Hahaha, I suppose if you're willing to live in near skid-row conditions.

sologoub 10y ago
That's entirely untrue - you can find plenty of decent affordable neighborhoods in LA that have nothing in common with skid row. What you have to compromise on is traffic/long commute.
- mixmastamyk 10y ago
  You'll have to be a lot more specific, and I currently work from home. We also have a school-aged child.
  - sologoub 10y ago
    Neighborhoods in LA vary greatly and depend on what you value. For example, if you want good schools, yard and say house under 700k, and want to commute to Santa Monica. Your best bet is West San Fernando Valley, such as Woodland Hills and parts of Calabasas. Thousand Oaks would reduce house costs to 400-600k, but add 20-30 mins to an already hour-long drive. Forget public transit. If you don't need to go to SM/Venice/West LA, then going south might be better. Orange County has a lot to offer and probably a bit cheaper. If you are ok with Condos/Townhomes, either direction, 2-3 br condo can be had for less than 400k, sometimes less than 300k. Most condos on the west side are more like 600-900k and above, so the drive can save you 50%, but it really sucks. (Did the drive for 6 years.)
    - mixmastamyk 10y ago
      Hmm, a few of these are not even in the same county, 700k too rich. Middle-class is more like 300k. Most choices around say, 300k are around Downtown or South Central and have bars on the windows, which is what I was slightly exaggerating by calling them "near skid-row." I'm guessing nearby schools are in similar condition. http://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-search/Los-Angeles_CA/type-condo-townhome-row-home-co-op/price-300000-na/sby-1 http://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-search/Los-Angeles... https://www.zillow.com/mortgage-calculator/house-affordability/ https://www.zillow.com/mortgage-calculator/house-affordabili... There's also has been a homeless explosion in the last three years. http://www.cnn.com/2015/09/22/us/los-angeles-homelessness/ http://www.cnn.com/2015/09/22/us/los-angeles-homelessness/ As mentioned, our rent went up by 7% this year, and has gone up in the area 30-40% in the last 4 years.
      - sologoub 10y ago
        Greater LA area covers at least 3 counties. How's that a problem? If you want sub 300k in a safe area with shorter commute, then you have to stick to condos. If you have to have a house, commute is required. Valencia, Santa Clarita, Sylmar, all have houses in $300k or less. Homeless explosion has as much to do with inadequate mental health care as any economic situation. Homelessness is such a complex topic that no comment on a thread could ever do it justice. Try talking a chronically homeless person into accepting a free apartment - you'd be surprised at the answer and concerns.
zebraflask 10y ago
Amusing comment. Not quite that dire, but the most affordable SFRs do tend to be in neighborhoods that either have few amenities, or are right on the edge of (or in) neighborhoods where you don't want to lounge outside at night. Otherwise, there is a glut of condos almost anywhere you look, if you're okay with living in a condo and paying HOA dues every month - which is the problem with condos, the HOA dues can easily take something affordable and push it to the edge of affordability or beyond. I've been looking recently, speaking from current experience.