<p>I never read about a snow storm without saying a word of thanks for living in CA! Today reading about NY as it’s 80 and sunny makes me shiver. I don’t know much about Silicon Valley house prices, but Southern CA prices have gone down this year. Leveled off on the low end and gone down significantly on the higher end. Many predict it will get worse as forclosures are expected to go up enormously in CA this year. It is probably an excellent time to buy in most of the state…</p>
<p>I’m not a parent, but this thread title caught my eye. I currently live in San Jose, a 20 minute drive to Downtown San Jose. (Lived here for 5 years) I don’t know much about traffic, but an year ago, when my family was buying a house, we found that the housing prices were ‘astronomical’ - but it really differs from what neighborhood you choose to live in. The price difference between a good and bad neighborhood could be 100,000 or more, if the market is still around the same. </p>
<p>My mom says that she regrets not renting, so maybe rent first to see how you like it?</p>
<p>But alot of houses are on sale recently, so obviously the market isn’t what it used to be.</p>
<p>But around San Jose, it’s pretty boring if you want to get together during the weekend, haha. The museums are mediocre, there’s not much cultural activity, and basically the only thing to do on weekends is going to the mall. </p>
<p>The weather here is pretty awesome though, and though it gets hot in the summer, it’s nowhere as hot than the summer on the east coast. </p>
<p>If you have a car though, it’s really easy to drive to alot of good places.</p>
<p>DH lived in Cupertino many years ago. DD now attends SCU. I have to say, I would move to CA in a heartbeat, but I think I would choose the San Diego area over the bay area. BUT even coming from overpriced CT, there is no way we could afford the real estate in either place…so unless someone gives us a free house, we won’t be moving west. I like the idea of a smaller lot, smaller house, and some walking to things…but the neighborhoods I saw that I liked in that area (e.g. Palo Alto) are WAY out of our price range. The reality is that our salaries would not increase very much if at all…but our overhead would skyrocket. I think eventually we’ll end up in Greensboro NC.</p>
<p>san jose - uh…it’s diverse but boring and sprawling and farther from San Francisco than you’d think. and it’s probably getting expensive too. that’s all I know</p>
<p>I have certainly heard some people say that renting in this area makes more sense than buying, because often the mortgage/property taxes/insurance is way more than the comparable rental figure on a monthly basis. If the market is stagnant, it makes more sense to invest the money and rent. I also would agree that if possible, you might want to rent first to be sure you like the area you have chosen; but of course moving twice is a pain. </p>
<p>Historically the market just keeps appreciating. However, there were some periods of time–particularly the dot-com boom, where you could have bought at the top of the market and taken a big hit because prices have, for the most part, dropped since then.</p>
<p>The market typically stays strong, and appreciates (with short-term blips up or down), in the “mid” range, which is in the 1-2 million dollar range (I know it is absurd to be talking about that as a “mid” range). At the higher end (high 2-million and up), you can see some wild swings, either in gains or losses. And typically the townhome/condominium market doesn’t produce a lot of appreciation.</p>
<p>When I graduated from law school in 1978, we were all talking in hushed tones about how houses close to Stanford were starting to sell for MORE THAN ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS. It sounded absolutely absurd. How I wish I had had some foresight, and had taken a small inheritance and dumped it into a home then, instead of waiting until 10 years later! We have still done well with our investment, but I could have paid for several college tuitions if I’d been savvier then!</p>
<p>I hear ya’ patient. We lived in a Boston suburb (Belmont) in the early 80’s and were aghast that the houses were nearly $100,000 (!). Hindsight is 20-20.</p>
<p>So, instead we move back to Rochester NY and our house has (maybe) appreciated about $15,000 in 16 years.</p>
<p>Found this thread when doing a search. Very informative and helpful. We are also considering move to CA, but no specific location has chosen yet. I heard San Jose housing is average 700k+, which is way over our budget (~400k). I love the bay area (mainly the weather), but know there is no way we can afford it. So my search has been the suburb of San Jose and Sacramento ( I can work at either location). With our budget, I have no idea how far we need to go.</p>
<p>As a soon-to-be empty nester, we can live with 2-3 bedrooms small house. I do like to have some space between the neighbors, some yard to have some green color, a little space I can grow at least a few tomato,…</p>
<p>Every time I search for house online, I get discouraged. It looks like there is no place left for us late comers.</p>
<p>Insomnia, Sacramento would be a better bet. San Jose housing is absurdly overpriced since it’s smack in the middle of Sillicon Valley. 400K may get you a 1-2 bedroom condo, tops. Keep in mind that Sacramento’s weather is different from the Bay Area’s: scorching summers.</p>
<p>If you’d be satisfied with a 2-3 BR condo, rather than a house, you can find those in the 400s in Morgan Hill, a nice little area about 30 min. south of San Jose. (A work friend is looking there now, so he’s my price consultant. 
)</p>
<p>Stumbled on this thread. I have lived in SJ for 20 years, but am a NY native and went to school in upstate NY. Most of what has been said on this thread is true, both good and bad but let me add a couple of things:</p>
<p>The quality of schools districts varies incredibly. Make sure you do careful research. Generally the better the district the more expensive the housing. </p>
<p>There is no sense of community in San Jose. Too many faceless neighborhoods and recently arrived ethnic groups. Interesting ethnic food (mostly in strip malls) but a definite pattern of self-segregation.</p>
<p>Culture is second or third rate for a city of 1 million people. High tech money does not seem to endow the San Jose arts scene. </p>
<p>Public services underfunded despite a fairly high tax rate. Pot holed streets and poor park facilities.</p>
<p>Housing expensive, yes, and so is everything else, gas, services etc.</p>
<p>In summary, good weather and good food. Moset else is negative.</p>
<p>San Jose is a big city surrounded by (and attached to) suburb after suburb. Prices are varied. For example, the closer you are to Palo Alto or Mountain View, the more expensive. In San Jose proper, there are older (and maybe less desirable neighborhoods). San Jose is less expensive than SF area. What are you looking for? San Jose is a car-oriented city. People live in the suburbs and drive.</p>
<p>Insomnia: Sacramento is a booming city. There is a lot of new development in the suburbs. It is much nicer city than San Jose, but is VERY hot in the summer and colder in the winter.</p>
<p>Thanks for all the input. Funny about “scorching summers” in Sacramento, one of my co-worker who lives in that area swears that the summer is not bad at all because of the dry heat and weekly cool breeze from the valley. I heard the housing around Sacramento has gone up more than 700% in the past 10 years, while mine is only ~20% increase.</p>
<p>I don’t mind cold at all. I guess hot is ok too, being that I am on the southeast currently. But I would love to have some space (lot size), and not too far from city (commute, job market,…etc.). Ohhh, only if I have plenty money. We are a bit old to carry a huge mortgage.</p>
<p>I hear you, insomnia. My plan, once the kids are out of the house, is to move back to the Bay Area - specifically Berkeley/Oakland. A realistic look at the prices make me think I should stay put in Denver, and get my BA fix by subletting a place for a semester every few years… All those of you who live in the BA – I envy you. I know, I know: traffic, prices, natural calamities. But oh, that view… that amazing city… that amazing energizing atmosphere… and oh the amazing food!</p>
<p>Sacramento has easy access to Napa and Sonoma for some great wine tasting. Also, skiing is close and Yosemite is a few hours drive. Its not the Bay area, but it has it’s advantages ($)</p>
<p>haha, weenie. Before reading your actual post, I was about to respond to the question title by suggesting that you ask Dionne Warwick. ;)</p>
<p>Recently (about a week ago) some statistics came out, revealing both San Jose & SF to be somewhat “overpriced” with regard to housing <em>value</em> relative to setting. (I think SJ more so than SF). Not meaning to offend any SJ residents here, just being the messenger.</p>
<p>Can anyone recommend some good Realtors in San Jose and Sacramento area? I will be in CA next week, want to check out the house market. Thanks</p>
<p>Sacramento is hot and humid. I was told they had to spray there because of the mosquitoes. It’s definitely not dry-heat like most places in California.</p>
<p>Another area to look is the East Bay. I live in the Fremont/Newark area which can be a lot more affordable than rest of the Bay Area. A short drive across the Dumbarton bridge puts me in Palo Alto…where I could never afford to live.
PS-Alumother…if you are still reading this thread…my Dad was also a prof at Stanford and I grew up there the same time you did (if you were 4 in 1960 we are the same age). Did you live on campus? We probably know eachother…</p>
<p>Still reading. We didn’t live on campus. But we might know eachother anyway:). However I went to the alternative school in the area, and then off to hippie boarding school, so don’t have the childhood friends roots I might have.</p>
<p>But that makes you native or close to. Congrats!</p>