I grew up in Santa Rosa, CA during my teen years until I joined the military. Now here I am 10 years later and I have not set foot in CA. I am in school to be a chiropractor and I am trying to figure out where to finally settle down to live and practice. My wife and I are probably going to divorce and she is from OK. I was stationed in CO and I loved it there. But there is something about CA (weather, ocean, mountains etc) that makes me want to go back there. Unfortunately the only thing keeping me from going back is the cost of living, primarily housing. With prices going way down over the last few years, I am wondering if it may be a good idea to go back to CA, enjoy the weather, scenery etc and take advantage of the lower priced real estate by either just purchasing for myself if the prices return to a normal national average or investing. I will be a doctor when I move out there and will make decent money. My question is this: How do normal people with normal jobs afford to live in CA? Do you own real estate? Do you not live in a decent part of town?
The BikeForums Team
-adv-
This is an archived thread, you can find the full version of this thread, with images, links and more content here.
It's a bad time to buy in an short-term investment sense, but might be a good time if considering holding on to it for the long term.
Even though home prices are falling in many places, they are still much more expensive than in the rest of the US.
I base my quality of life on more than square footage and acreage. I care more about where I live (the surrounding area) then the size/luxury of what I live in.
If you want a nice area, and a nice quality place, you will most likely live in something smaller than you're used to.
johnny99
Standard of living varies a lot from person to person. With Silicon Valley, etc. there are a lot of six figure jobs out here. Even if you are not an engineer or venture capitalist or business executive, those people do pump a lot of money into the economy which helps a lot of other jobs, including doctors.
chirojeremy
Standard of living varies a lot from person to person. With Silicon Valley, etc. there are a lot of six figure jobs out here. Even if you are not an engineer or venture capitalist or business executive, those people do pump a lot of money into the economy which helps a lot of other jobs, including doctors.
Thats a good point. I could target the wealthy for my main client base...
chirojeremy
It's a bad time to buy in an short-term investment sense, but might be a good time if considering holding on to it for the long term.
Even though home prices are falling in many places, they are still much more expensive than in the rest of the US.
I base my quality of life on more than square footage and acreage. I care more about where I live (the surrounding area) then the size/luxury of what I live in.
If you want a nice area, and a nice quality place, you will most likely live in something smaller than you're used to.
square footage is not too important. I would just want to have a nice place in a nice neighborhood.
DiabloScott
I grew up in the frozen tundra of Iowa... in summer it was the steam room mosquito kingdom. All my life I wished I could live in Califorinia; palm trees, beaches, mountains, swimming pools in back yards.
It's worth it. I can't fathom living anywhere else. But I was fortunate enough to buy my house at the bottom 12 years ago.
overthere
I grew up in the frozen tundra of Iowa... in summer it was the steam room mosquito kingdom. All my life I wished I could live in Califorinia; palm trees, beaches, mountains, swimming pools in back yards.
It's worth it. I can't fathom living anywhere else. But I was fortunate enough to buy my house at the bottom 12 years ago.
I did the same; bought low about 12 years ago. And even then, being a single parent and part-time teacher, it was 'barely' ! It's small, it's old, but it's mine. And I can ride pretty much year round, cool delta breezes in the summer when it can get hot here in the Central Valley, and I'm hours from some of the most beautiful areas in the US. Not much disposable income, true. And sometimes I go to realtor.com and see what McMansion my equity could buy somewhere else. :D But I love the climate, and this is where friends and family are.
huytheskigod
Dixon, Woodland, Natomas, Elk Grove are all pretty affordable right now with the drop in the market and living in one of those communities will allow you to work in the Greater Sacramento area. Wealthy client base can be had from people living in the Granite Bay and surrounding areas.
cantdrv55
CA is unaffordable if you live beyond your means. I bought my first house in LA when I was 25 y/o, straight out of the Air Force using my VA loan. Granted homes were lots cheaper 20 years ago but I was only earning $10.30 per hour at my civilian job. If I could afford to buy a house then, so can you now. Just be frugal. You don't have to live a doctor's lifestyle.
steelblue
It is a definitely a challenge living here with the cost of living and housing being so high. Both my wife and I grew up in San Francisco and still live here, so we are use to it. However, for someone from out of state, it is quite a shock.
My wife and I both work and make decent money, not doctor type money and we live comfortably. Our key is we live within our means. The only debt we have is the mortgage. We don’t buy anything if we can’t pay in full. We pay off our credit card bills monthly and drive ten-year-old cars. Credit card companies hate us because we get to use their money.
Actually, it is not as bad as you think. It is doable. There are millions of people living in California and not everyone is rich. You just have to get over the initial shock and adjust. You becoming a doctor will make the adjustment easier. Just have a rich patient base and charge more.:):D
Good luck to you.
relyt
The Bay Area is great, housing is expensive but not as bad as NYC. Finding a nice house in a nice neighborhood under $500k is hard.
I recommend the Bay Area highly, or San Diego. But not LA, I hate LA :-P
Beaker
Timing is your challenge. "Ordinary people" with "ordinary jobs" that are home owners have most likely been here for a long time. As an MD you'll have an advantage over most, but the hard fact is you need cash for downpayments these days. Consider renting first and take it from there?
OTOH - as a (soon to be single?) guy you'll likely have more flexibility as to where you'll go, and given you're posting on BF, the ability to take advantage of the endless ride possibilties here will make it all worthwhile....if you can get enough time away from your job that is...;)
chirojeremy
I should have plenty of time to get away. My plan is to only work about 20 hours per week eventually...
murphstahoe
prices are cratering in Santa Rosa and Windsor, and Sonoma County is the bomb. We just bought in Healdsburg. Thing is, the sellers are in a little bit of denial so you will have to come in way low (25%) and prepare for a siege. It took us 9 months from start to finish.
Rents there are MUCH cheaper than anything south of San Rafael.
Red Rider
I'm a Realtor in the area, and can point you in a direction that will benefit you. PM me with your info and I'll help hook you up. Because if you want to buys in CA this is an excellent time to buy.
chirojeremy
prices are cratering in Santa Rosa and Windsor, and Sonoma County is the bomb. We just bought in Healdsburg. Thing is, the sellers are in a little bit of denial so you will have to come in way low (25%) and prepare for a siege. It took us 9 months from start to finish.
Rents there are MUCH cheaper than anything south of San Rafael.
I am considering moving back to Sonoma County. It could be a feel good story. Local boy struggles through high school, gets on track, graduates, joins military, gets out after 8 years, continues schooling, becomes doctor and comes back home. I could build an instant practice just off the news paper articles and local news channel stories...
Sasquatchula
I am considering moving back to Sonoma County. It could be a feel good story. Local boy struggles through high school, gets on track, graduates, joins military, gets out after 8 years, continues schooling, becomes doctor and comes back home. I could build an instant practice just off the news paper articles and local news channel stories...
Looking for anyone to ride your coat tails? :)
chirojeremy
Looking for anyone to ride your coat tails? :)
Apsolutely! lol
Bob S
You should spend time checking out the compentition in the areas where you want to move. It is more important to find an area that needs your services before you look for a place to live.
sweetnsourbkr
It's good. :)
roadie gal
I'm up in the Lake Tahoe area. I LOVE it up here. I bought my home in '93. I couldn't afford to buy here now, but the prices are coming down.... somewhat. I've lived in L.A., NYC, Florida. I can't imagine living anywhere else but here.
chirojeremy
You should spend time checking out the compentition in the areas where you want to move. It is more important to find an area that needs your services before you look for a place to live.
Competition does not bother me. Here is the way I see it. Less than 10% of the population has every been treated by a chiropractor. Why fight over that small slice of the pie? I am going for the 90% that have never been to a chiropractor before. Granted it is harder, but that is my goal.
As far as chosing where to practice my dad always said "You either practice where you want to live and work hard at being successful, or you practice where you can be successful so you can live where you want to live"
He chose to initially practice in Tracy, CA I believe, but then later chose to go to Guam where the Dr/PT ratio was nearly 1/25,000
johnny99
The Bay Area is great, housing is expensive but not as bad as NYC. Finding a nice house in a nice neighborhood under $500k is hard.
I recommend the Bay Area highly, or San Diego. But not LA, I hate LA :-P
Here in Silicon Valley, the worst house in the worst neighborhood will cost you more then $500K. Prices are lower in some parts of the east bay and far south bay. Sonoma County is cheaper, too, but that is so far away that most people do not consider it to be part of the "Bay Area".
If you don't need to be near a big city, you can find towns farther up the coast with great weather and more moderate home prices.
SkyeC
I live within my means and do fine; that includes not seeing a chiropractor! *zing* :)
chirojeremy
Here in Silicon Valley, the worst house in the worst neighborhood will cost you more then $500K. Prices are lower in some parts of the east bay and far south bay. Sonoma County is cheaper, too, but that is so far away that most people do not consider it to be part of the "Bay Area".
If you don't need to be near a big city, you can find towns farther up the coast with great weather and more moderate home prices.
I definately dont need to be near a big city. In fact, some of the most successful chiros are in towns of less than 10,000 people...
jonathanb715
I grew up in Santa Rosa, CA during my teen years until I joined the military. Now here I am 10 years later and I have not set foot in CA. I am in school to be a chiropractor and I am trying to figure out where to finally settle down to live and practice. My wife and I are probably going to divorce and she is from OK. I was stationed in CO and I loved it there. But there is something about CA (weather, ocean, mountains etc) that makes me want to go back there. Unfortunately the only thing keeping me from going back is the cost of living, primarily housing. With prices going way down over the last few years, I am wondering if it may be a good idea to go back to CA, enjoy the weather, scenery etc and take advantage of the lower priced real estate by either just purchasing for myself if the prices return to a normal national average or investing. I will be a doctor when I move out there and will make decent money. My question is this: How do normal people with normal jobs afford to live in CA? Do you own real estate? Do you not live in a decent part of town?
Oh, it definitely sucks here. All the people from {fill in the blank} have ruined the place!:)
The weather suits me, SF is a great city, wine country, great skiing, better cycling - it's definitely a nice place to live (and I've lived in 4 states and 3 countries besides here).
JB
jimx200
I grew up in Santa Rosa, CA during my teen years until I joined the military. Now here I am 10 years later and I have not set foot in CA. I am in school to be a chiropractor and I am trying to figure out where to finally settle down to live and practice. My wife and I are probably going to divorce and she is from OK. I was stationed in CO and I loved it there. But there is something about CA (weather, ocean, mountains etc) that makes me want to go back there. Unfortunately the only thing keeping me from going back is the cost of living, primarily housing. With prices going way down over the last few years, I am wondering if it may be a good idea to go back to CA, enjoy the weather, scenery etc and take advantage of the lower priced real estate by either just purchasing for myself if the prices return to a normal national average or investing. I will be a doctor when I move out there and will make decent money. My question is this: How do normal people with normal jobs afford to live in CA? Do you own real estate? Do you not live in a decent part of town?
Uhhh, you are aware that insurance reimbursement for chiros is nill, nada, zilch and the vast majority of your manipulations will be cash only? Many chiros have left the state or are seeing revenues fall.
chirojeremy
Uhhh, you are aware that insurance reimbursement for chiros is nill, nada, zilch and the vast majority of your manipulations will be cash only? Many chiros have left the state or are seeing revenues fall.
I do remember hearing something about that, but I think that is for workman's compensation. Either way, if I have a cash practice, that is not a problem with me...
cantdrv55
Cash only practice? I can't imagine getting medical attention and paying 100% out of pocket and in cash at that. I guess if you gotta get aligned...