3 ms·

If I were investing in property today, I'd be buying waterfront property a 45-60 minute drive away from a vibrant coastal city. I agree with you that self-drivi

If I were investing in property today, I'd be buying waterfront property a 45-60 minute drive away from a vibrant coastal city. I agree with you that self-driving cars will increase sprawl -- people will feel less of a need to live in the city center if they can still get there with little expense or fuss. Having views of the water, on the other hand, will be just as attractive as ever, and may replace living downtown as a symbol of wealth.

ghaff 9y ago
By and large those locations are already pretty expensive. Marin County and Half Moon Bay in California are no bargains. Even further out, nor is Santa Cruz. The North and South Shores of Massachusetts are pretty expensive as well.
- kcorbitt 9y ago
  There are still relative bargains to be found in the Bay Area matching my criteria. My rent went up when I moved recently from Pacifica to San Bruno, despite the fact that San Bruno is a suburban wasteland with nothing to recommend it beyond proximity to freeways. That said, I wouldn't recommend buying property anywhere in the Bay Area at current valuations. The specific coastal city I had in mind when formulating my above strategy was actually Barcelona.
- yellowapple 9y ago
  California in general is pretty expensive, comparatively speaking. You might find better deals in the Central Valley, but that's about it AFAICT.
WalterSear 9y ago
I'd go out further. 2 hours each way is nothing at the beginning and end of the day, if you are able to work the whole time. Schedule all meetings from 11-3, and you leave at 9 and be home by 5.
- ghaff 9y ago
  Speaking as someone who had a long commuter rail trip for a period, it's still a big chunk out of your day. And, if this sort of thing really became widespread, it's a good bet that you won't be the only one doing it. So what's a one hour commute today could well turn into a two hour commute.

ghaff 9y ago

By and large those locations are already pretty expensive. Marin County and Half Moon Bay in California are no bargains. Even further out, nor is Santa Cruz. The North and South Shores of Massachusetts are pretty expensive as well.

kcorbitt 9y ago
There are still relative bargains to be found in the Bay Area matching my criteria. My rent went up when I moved recently from Pacifica to San Bruno, despite the fact that San Bruno is a suburban wasteland with nothing to recommend it beyond proximity to freeways. That said, I wouldn't recommend buying property anywhere in the Bay Area at current valuations. The specific coastal city I had in mind when formulating my above strategy was actually Barcelona.
yellowapple 9y ago
California in general is pretty expensive, comparatively speaking. You might find better deals in the Central Valley, but that's about it AFAICT.

WalterSear 9y ago

I'd go out further. 2 hours each way is nothing at the beginning and end of the day, if you are able to work the whole time. Schedule all meetings from 11-3, and you leave at 9 and be home by 5.

ghaff 9y ago
Speaking as someone who had a long commuter rail trip for a period, it's still a big chunk out of your day. And, if this sort of thing really became widespread, it's a good bet that you won't be the only one doing it. So what's a one hour commute today could well turn into a two hour commute.