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But… what if you really like living in SF/SV? :( It’s just such a bummer that the absolute worst financial decision of my life is to live in my favorite place

by ketzo 4y ago

But… what if you really like living in SF/SV? :( It’s just such a bummer that the absolute worst financial decision of my life is to live in my favorite place in the world. I get it, it’s how the world works, but it sucks to choose between daily happiness and financial security.

linguae 4y ago
I sympathize with you as a lifelong Californian (grew up in Sacramento, educated in San Luis Obispo and Santa Cruz, working in Silicon Valley). I love the desirable coastal parts of California (basically anything from Sonoma County all the way down to San Diego). If money weren't an object, I'd own a home in either Aptos or Pacific Grove. I currently rent in Capitola, and it's the best place I've lived in California. I love the tranquility of the town while having somewhat easy access to Silicon Valley and its amenities and opportunities. However, I simply don't make enough money to purchase a home near the coast unless I move to Humboldt or Del Norte counties, which are far from any urban centers. Unfortunately with the exception of Sacramento (which is getting pricey as of late) California doesn't have a lot of middle ground between its really desirable yet expensive places and places that are affordable but less desirable. The Sacramento area seems like a reasonable compromise for me. I can comfortably afford Fresno's and Bakersfield's nicest suburbs, but I don't know if I'd be happy in those cities. Much of the rest of the state is quite isolated from major metro areas; this has implications regarding educational opportunities for children and health care quality and availability. I don't see myself settling down and raising a family in many of California's more isolated areas due to this, though it may be a nice adventure visiting these isolated areas for recreation. I don't know what I'm going to end up doing....maybe I'll end up marrying a woman from Vermont and end up moving there in a few years XD. But I completely sympathize with you and the crazy housing market we're contending with.
- imagetic 4y ago
  Don't tell people about it here!
- thehappypm 4y ago
  One of my good friends lives in Sacramento and he hates it. It has none of what makes California amazing.. the weather is too hot, there’s no beaches, no mountains, not really a good urban center either. And crime.
  - iancmceachern 4y ago
    I've lived there and it's amazing, so many cool things, it's right on one of the largest navigable river deltas in the world, the farm fresh food is amazing, the art and music scenes are pretty great, on and on....
  - kevmarsden 4y ago
    I lived in SoCal for 30+ year and now live in a Sacramento suburb. I previously had a pretty snobby view of Sacramento, but after living here for nine years I think it's the most underrated city in California. The restaurants aren't up to par with the bigger CA cities and it does get hot in the summer, but overall it's a great location. One of the big benefits is that there are so many options for day trips. Visiting Lake Tahoe and the surrounding mountains is an easy day trip. Visiting SF or the beaches is doable in a day. Napa is close. For hikers, runners, and bikers there are tons of bikes paths and hiking trails all over the Sacramento region. And there are a lot of neat places in the nearby Sierra foothills. To summarize: If you prioritize nightlife, music, and food, Sacramento might not be the best fit, but if you prioritize affordability (relatively speaking) and getting outside, it's hard to beat the Sacramento area.
    - thehappypm 4y ago
      That reminds me of Connecticut: there’s a little cool stuff in it, but the big thing people love to tell you is how close it is to other, better places like New York, Boston, and Vermont.

by ketzo 4y ago

linguae 4y ago

I sympathize with you as a lifelong Californian (grew up in Sacramento, educated in San Luis Obispo and Santa Cruz, working in Silicon Valley). I love the desirable coastal parts of California (basically anything from Sonoma County all the way down to San Diego). If money weren't an object, I'd own a home in either Aptos or Pacific Grove. I currently rent in Capitola, and it's the best place I've lived in California. I love the tranquility of the town while having somewhat easy access to Silicon Valley and its amenities and opportunities. However, I simply don't make enough money to purchase a home near the coast unless I move to Humboldt or Del Norte counties, which are far from any urban centers. Unfortunately with the exception of Sacramento (which is getting pricey as of late) California doesn't have a lot of middle ground between its really desirable yet expensive places and places that are affordable but less desirable. The Sacramento area seems like a reasonable compromise for me. I can comfortably afford Fresno's and Bakersfield's nicest suburbs, but I don't know if I'd be happy in those cities. Much of the rest of the state is quite isolated from major metro areas; this has implications regarding educational opportunities for children and health care quality and availability. I don't see myself settling down and raising a family in many of California's more isolated areas due to this, though it may be a nice adventure visiting these isolated areas for recreation. I don't know what I'm going to end up doing....maybe I'll end up marrying a woman from Vermont and end up moving there in a few years XD. But I completely sympathize with you and the crazy housing market we're contending with.

imagetic 4y ago
Don't tell people about it here!
thehappypm 4y ago
One of my good friends lives in Sacramento and he hates it. It has none of what makes California amazing.. the weather is too hot, there’s no beaches, no mountains, not really a good urban center either. And crime.
- iancmceachern 4y ago
  I've lived there and it's amazing, so many cool things, it's right on one of the largest navigable river deltas in the world, the farm fresh food is amazing, the art and music scenes are pretty great, on and on....
- kevmarsden 4y ago
  I lived in SoCal for 30+ year and now live in a Sacramento suburb. I previously had a pretty snobby view of Sacramento, but after living here for nine years I think it's the most underrated city in California. The restaurants aren't up to par with the bigger CA cities and it does get hot in the summer, but overall it's a great location. One of the big benefits is that there are so many options for day trips. Visiting Lake Tahoe and the surrounding mountains is an easy day trip. Visiting SF or the beaches is doable in a day. Napa is close. For hikers, runners, and bikers there are tons of bikes paths and hiking trails all over the Sacramento region. And there are a lot of neat places in the nearby Sierra foothills. To summarize: If you prioritize nightlife, music, and food, Sacramento might not be the best fit, but if you prioritize affordability (relatively speaking) and getting outside, it's hard to beat the Sacramento area.
  - thehappypm 4y ago
    That reminds me of Connecticut: there’s a little cool stuff in it, but the big thing people love to tell you is how close it is to other, better places like New York, Boston, and Vermont.