A decent living with our income possible? (Sacramento, Davis: fit in, real estate market)

[NewToCA]

I would say that you should be able to find decent housing in the greater Woodland or Dixon areas for around $1500. Getting past the housing cost, California shouldn't be much more expensive than Colorado. I'd probably add about 10% to your remaining monthly expenses, and you should be able to reasonably maintain your lifestyle.

I moved here a few years ago from central Ohio, and those indexes showed this area as being much more expensive than that region. However, I haven't found the cost differences to be that significant once we got past the housing cost (then, not now).

[Pogo]

@CityGirl
Is this just considering you? Cause we are a family of 4.


@NewToCA
Thank you for your opinion. Hmm, this will be a tough decision. I too, actually think we should be ok. But then, what if not *lol*

[Pogo]

I just got news that my husband has indeed got offered the job and the offered a somewhat higher salary, plus he will get a company car. Which helps a lot, cause we would have needed a 2nd car otherwise and that would have just added to our costs. Soooo...well, looks like it will be CA after all. Husband said the area was very nice and green...Colorado is very brown and being originally from Germany, I've always missed the green*lol*

[NewToCA]

Originally Posted by Pogo

I just got news that my husband has indeed got offered the job and the offered a somewhat higher salary, plus he will get a company car. Which helps a lot, cause we would have needed a 2nd car otherwise and that would have just added to our costs. Soooo...well, looks like it will be CA after all. Husband said the area was very nice and green...Colorado is very brown and being originally from Germany, I've always missed the green*lol*

Well good, quite a few posters ask for opinions then never let us know what they end up doing.

As you go through the relocation process, we are always here to offer advice and perspectives.

[CityGirl72]

Originally Posted by Pogo

@CityGirl
Is this just considering you? Cause we are a family of 4.


@NewToCA
Thank you for your opinion. Hmm, this will be a tough decision. I too, actually think we should be ok. But then, what if not *lol*

We are a family of four - Me, Hubby, and two kids, age 8 and 2

[SpanielGirl]

You will do fine on $70K a year. There are plenty of places around Woodland that are possibilities for your family. Just remember, the green thing is a spring thing. We dry out and turn golden brown by July. If you buy rural, remember the defensible area around a house. I have been through many California wildfires and you do not want trees, grass, weeds, etc. near your home. In some communities you can be fined if your property isn't "maintained". Good luck on your move!

[Curmudgeon]

Originally Posted by Pogo

I just got news that my husband has indeed got offered the job and the offered a somewhat higher salary, plus he will get a company car. Which helps a lot, cause we would have needed a 2nd car otherwise and that would have just added to our costs. Soooo...well, looks like it will be CA after all. Husband said the area was very nice and green...Colorado is very brown and being originally from Germany, I've always missed the green*lol*

Pogo, if you're still monitoring this thread, understand that the south-west, including California, is a bit backwards when it comes to weather. In most places it's green during the Spring, Summer and early Fall and brown during the Winter when the leaves have dropped and the grass goes dormant. In California it's green during the Fall and Winter (wet months) but turns brown during the Summer.
Spring is generally pleasant but very short. In the mountains, however, most of the trees are conifers and stay green year-round.

[Ludachris]

Originally Posted by Curmudgeon

Pogo, if you're still monitoring this thread, understand that the south-west, including California, is a bit backwards when it comes to weather. In most places it's green during the Spring, Summer and early Fall and brown during the Winter when the leaves have dropped and the grass goes dormant. In California it's green during the Fall and Winter (wet months) but turns brown during the Summer.
Spring is generally pleasant but very short. In the mountains, however, most of the trees are conifers and stay green year-round.

I've found that Colorado's "brown" in the winter is a slightly more depressing than Northern CA's rainy winters, or even the "golden brown" in the summer. The winters in Northern California were often cloudy and wet half the time, but at least the green made it bearable and even beautiful. Out here in CO, the brown in the winter just tends to add to my displeasure about the cold season, especially when there's little or no snow on the ground (snow covers up the brown and makes it look great, unfortunately, there's only snow on the ground maybe half the winter) - but I'm a summer kind of guy, so that's just me. SoCal has my type of weather, but would require too much compromise for us. I still think NorCal has a very good climate and is extremely beautiful all year round.

[Pogo]

Thanks for all the last replies. So we are indeed moving. We are on the lookout for houses to rent right now. It doesn't necessarily have to be super rural...a nice neighborhood that gives us the feel of being away from the hustle and bustle will do too

Thanks about the tip with the wild fires. Totally didn't think about, but that is of course something to consider.

Hubby will work in the north of Woodland, so basically everything within a 30 minute drive is fine. I am pleasantly surprised at the housing prices actually (except for Davis that is), so we should find something nice in our price range.

Do you guys have any suggestions, which websites besides the obvious ones, we could look for? Maybe any recommendations for real estate agents that are willing to help us find a place to rent? I am sure we will buy in 1-2 years again, after having gotten familiar with the area.

Thanks for all the great help and encouragement so far. you guys rock

[Rob98LS1]

Just wanted to reiterate something here. 70K income is just fine, that is not poverty level. You will be able to find housing for 1200-1800/month, which will be no problem for someone bringing home 50k a year. Plenty left over for other necessities and entertainment,fun.