Looking to buy a home in end of 2018 or 2019, Ca or OR (Portland: rental, condos)

[the city]

Hi,

I'm a single professional and at the point where I have saved up enough to put down a huge down payment. I'm in my late 20s and thinking I'm going to buy before I get married. I don't see marriage anytime soon.

I am a junior software developer and IT professional and I can work anywhere. If I do get a place in OR or in CA, I would plan to rent out the other rooms or go through Air Bnb to help pay for the mortage. The area with the cheapest houses around here range from $350,000 to $400,000 for a 1,100 sq. ft. house. Which is pretty good because one co-worker in the East Bay his home of 1,200 sq. ft. goes for $550,000 on zillow.

Since I am still young I'd like to be around other young people. I am guessing my only option being near Portland?

In the case I ever switch jobs I'd like the option to be able to transition to another tech company.

I've visited Portland before because one friend moved there.

I honestly don't want to be into my 60s working to survive in CA. I have heard OR is far better on the middle class and it's the closest to Northern Ca. I have heard OR is very wine touristy and there is lots of hiking. Obviously when I visited it was colder than CA, but it was also sunny when I went to visit. My friend tells me it's not as sunny as CA.

Thank you,

the city

[StealthRabbit]

go one more state north (7 minutes from DWTN Portland,,, and you will be in a NO INCOME tax state (++ during your peek earning yrs).

But... I don't consider a personal residence as an 'asset' / valuable contribution to your wealth. (my personal residence is a VERY poor performing LIABILITY!!! and I am in a very desirable, high equity growth region)

Put the same $$ into a strong cash flowing commercial property and pay rent wherever you happen to want to live!

Paris, Tahiti, Tokyo, Sydney...(Auckland if under age 31!!! in a heartbeat)

Income / commercial / investment props... ALL of your RE expenses are DIRECTLY deductible (including HUGE depreciation amounts) (ask Trump how he made it big (wealth)...)

Primary residence only a pittance of deductibility (not a wealth builder). Unless you are VERY keen (build your own) and take the $250k TAX FREE gains every 24 months...

My own kids (in high home price areas)... I advised to NOT buy a home, instead to rent, while their RE equity WORKS for them (in income tax free states)!! TX and NV have some HIGH returning commercial rental props. (income tax free).

Yes... less sun in PNW than CA (about 70% less sun)

I fly from PDX to CA about 20x / yr just to get a peek at the sun and moon.

[Nell Plotts]

Living in Vancouver would save on income taxes but keep in mind the fact that a govt must pick their resident's pockets to provide services and Vancouver is not known for a thriving singles scene. If you are working as a consultant you will be paying a Business & Occupations tax on your GROSS income at the rate of 0.015. If you are interested in living in WA take a look at Bainbridge Island. It is an active community, just a ferry ride from Seattle. More expensive than Vancouver (comparable to Portland) but for WA a better choice.

If sun or rain is a concern in Oregon take a look at Bend.

Portland has a good software business base. Socially you could look at the condos in the Pearl or close-in NW neighborhoods. The condo developments around the base of the OHSU tram would be a good place to look, the South Waterfront. Be mindful of freeway noise for units with a west exposure. Because of the growth of bioscience in that area I think values will remain stable. Residents in that area are highly likely to be young professionals.

[Cloudy Dayz]

Originally Posted by the city

Hi,

I'm a single professional and at the point where I have saved up enough to put down a huge down payment. I'm in my late 20s and thinking I'm going to buy before I get married. I don't see marriage anytime soon.

I am a junior software developer and IT professional and I can work anywhere. If I do get a place in OR or in CA, I would plan to rent out the other rooms or go through Air Bnb to help pay for the mortage. The area with the cheapest houses around here range from $350,000 to $400,000 for a 1,100 sq. ft. house. Which is pretty good because one co-worker in the East Bay his home of 1,200 sq. ft. goes for $550,000 on zillow.

Since I am still young I'd like to be around other young people. I am guessing my only option being near Portland?

In the case I ever switch jobs I'd like the option to be able to transition to another tech company.

I've visited Portland before because one friend moved there.

I honestly don't want to be into my 60s working to survive in CA. I have heard OR is far better on the middle class and it's the closest to Northern Ca. I have heard OR is very wine touristy and there is lots of hiking. Obviously when I visited it was colder than CA, but it was also sunny when I went to visit. My friend tells me it's not as sunny as CA.

Thank you,

the city

Vancouver Washington, for reasons others have stated. If sun is a factor, look into Arizona.

[the city]

How’s Medford for singles?

[Silverfall]

Originally Posted by the city

How’s Medford for singles?

I'd be looking at Eugene or Portland for singles.

[DKM]

Houses will cost as much or more in Portland and on top of that you get higher income tax, plus higher property taxes and this thing needs to be maintained against the elements and heated most of the year. Welcome to paradise!

[girlieNfamily]

Originally Posted by the city

How’s Medford for singles?

There is a reason Medford's nickname is "Methford".
Portland is definitely not as sunny as where you are now. Please visit Oregon during the winter months... for like a week. To see if this climate agrees with you. The grey skies is no joke and coming from Ca is a big adjustment.
Also, Portland is expensive for the wages that you get paid up here.

[the city]

Originally Posted by girlieNfamily

There is a reason Medford's nickname is "Methford".
Portland is definitely not as sunny as where you are now. Please visit Oregon during the winter months... for like a week. To see if this climate agrees with you. The grey skies is no joke and coming from Ca is a big adjustment.
Also, Portland is expensive for the wages that you get paid up here.

id be on my California wage. Sounds like Portland or Eugene would be a better fit than Medford

[Sherwoody]

Originally Posted by the city

How’s Medford for singles?

About the same as Bakersfield.