Has anyone here left California for a more affordable place?

[clickhappy]

I've been in California a few months to try and grow my mainstream business in Silicon Valley and to be honest my social life here has fucking sucked.
The work has been great and great weather, but when the work is over i have *nothing* to do, im really lonely here.
So I feel like I'm doing all this work but sad everyday. So theres no reward for the days im putting in.

I want to move closer to San Francisco but I can't afford it. Ill never ever be able to afford to buy a home or condo here.
Im already starting to think about leaving here and going someplace cheaper, like Texas.

I was wondering if anyone has left California to move to a cheaper place and are you glad you did, or do you regret it?

[wehateporn]

10 reasons why so many people are moving to Texas

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-22649624

[geedub]

Originally Posted by clickhappy

Ill never ever be able to afford to buy a home or condo here.

Thinking like that will hold you back! The grass isn't always greener on the other side, it's what you make of it. If you're bored in California, you'll probably be bored in Texas.. No offense.

[Sly]

If you are bored in California, you are going to be bored anywhere. The problem is you, not where you live.

Go find a hobby and make some friends. Worst case scenario, hang out at a bar, meet some drunks, will provide cheap entertainment!

[Chris]

Originally Posted by wehateporn

10 reasons why so many people are moving to Texas

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-22649624

Everyones coming here.

[Wizzo]

I wasn't very satisfied with California either, though I know many others wouldn't live anywhere else, different places effect people different. At least in Texas you will have more extra cash as California is much more expensive in just about every aspect.

[arock10]

Live somewhere cheap near an airport. Then you can just go anywhere

[KillerK]

Originally Posted by clickhappy

I've been in California a few months to try and grow my mainstream business in Silicon Valley and to be honest my social life here has fucking sucked.
The work has been great and great weather, but when the work is over i have *nothing* to do, im really lonely here.
So I feel like I'm doing all this work but sad everyday. So theres no reward for the days im putting in.

I want to move closer to San Francisco but I can't afford it. Ill never ever be able to afford to buy a home or condo here.
Im already starting to think about leaving here and going someplace cheaper, like Texas.

I was wondering if anyone has left California to move to a cheaper place and are you glad you did, or do you regret it?

Well if you move elsewhere, you will actually meet "nice" people.

[fuzebox]

Originally Posted by clickhappy

Ill never ever be able to afford to buy a home or condo here.

Sucks to be you!

[X Industry Jobs]

Phoenix / Portland / or if you stay in Northern CA, try the east bay, housing gets cheaper and good transportation into SF as well! Good Luck!

[dillonaire]

I love living in San Fran, but it is costly. However, I guess the high cost of living keeps the riff raff and ghetto people level down.

[Jay-Rock]

I moved back to Houston, Texas where its 1/3 of the cost of living.

[Sly]

Originally Posted by Jay-Rock

I moved back to Houston, Texas where its 1/3 of the cost of living.

And 1/1000ths as cool. :-(

[DomainPimpMark]

Originally Posted by arock10

Live somewhere cheap near an airport. Then you can just go anywhere

Vegas Baby 45 min flight to LA, no income tax, dirt cheap real estate. Oh, and great healthcare for those all-night benders

[xNetworx]

If you don't mind 4 months of hellish heat, AZ is cheap and sunny. Nightlife is mainly concentrated in 3 areas. 1 area is college kids and hippies. 1 area is hipsters and gays. the other area is douche bags and a mix of all the other types mentioned.

[96ukssob]

I did, but not exactly for that reason.

I moved to LA in 2004 with NOTHING. Got setup, started bringing in business, had a few clients I did regular work (marketing) with and life was good, but getting crazy expensive!

Originally I was from PA and was always in the back of my mind to stay in Cali or move back. Then the choice was easy when I broke up with my ex-gf and got a notice my rent was going up to over $3,200/mo. for a 2 bd apt in MdR.

Trying to find "help" was nearly impossible, so I said fuck it, back to the east coast.

Costs are significantly lower here, however a bit harder to get in business as it was in LA. Friends & family > LA life any day but I often really miss it and the experience I had there for 4 years.

Would I do it again? Fuck yeah! was a great time and met some really awesome people and got me to where I am today.

Now... I have a 2700 sq ft office for 1/6th of what I was paying. people here are more willing to stick to a job and be loyal. costs are less and the dollar goes a bit "further" here. However, not as many hot women, no one drives insane cars and I hate the winter time

[clickhappy]

Originally Posted by geedub

Thinking like that will hold you back! The grass isn't always greener on the other side, it's what you make of it. If you're bored in California, you'll probably be bored in Texas.. No offense.

Just realistic. The average proce for a home in Cupertino is $1.3 mil
in Sunnyvale is $900k
in Palo Alto its $1.7 mil
http://www.zillow.com/local-info/CA-...-value/r_4281/

[Nikki_Licks]

Phoenix sucks, avoid it at all costs.....

[Wizzo]

Originally Posted by Sly

And 1/1000ths as cool. :-(

I guess if you call paying car registration of $1500 vs $60 cool, or paying 11% state income tax vs. 0 cool, and the list could go on for days...

[xNetworx]

Originally Posted by Wizzo

I guess if you call paying car registration of $1500 vs $60 cool, or paying 11% state income tax vs. 0 cool, and the list could go on for days...

[Sly]

Originally Posted by Wizzo

I guess if you call paying car registration of $1500 vs $60 cool, or paying 11% state income tax vs. 0 cool, and the list could go on for days...

I've lived in Austin for two years. Met a lot of people that are from Houston or lived in Houston. I have not visited there myself, but I have yet to hear one good thing about Houston from anyone. :-)

Of course, they all could be wrong? but that's pretty bad!

[Wizzo]

Originally Posted by Sly

I've lived in Austin for two years. Met a lot of people that are from Houston or lived in Houston. I have not visited there myself, but I have yet to hear one good thing about Houston from anyone. :-)

Of course, they all could be wrong… but that's pretty bad!

Houston is a BIG place, so there's a lot of different experiences. I could drive on the freeway, no traffic drive to a friend's house that is hour away and we both live in Houston. So a lot depends on what sort of environment you want to live in. There's a lot of Houston I wouldn't want to live in because I like space, but still think there's just about something for everyone except those that like mountains or extreme cold.

One other thing I like about it, is I could go to different restaurant every night for at least month within 10miles of my house and never have to eat at a chain or a place twice. Everywhere else I've lived seemed chain restaurants were much more popular. We have them but there's enough other choices to avoid them because TGI Fridays and Applebees are for sure not cool...

[Sly]

Originally Posted by Wizzo

Houston is a BIG place, so there's alot of different experiences. I could drive on the freeway, no traffic drive to a friend's house that is hour away and we both live in Houston. So a lot depends on what sort of environment you want to live in. There's alot of Houston I wouldn't want to live in because I like space, but still think there's just about something for everyone except those that like mountains or extreme cold.

On the flip side, I could sit in traffic for an hour and go two blocks!

I'm convinced traffic is far worse here than it was in San Diego?

[Vendzilla]

I live in LA and I get out and have fun all the time. I went to a cigar lounge. Some a cigar, made some new friends.
Tomorrow, riding the Harley with friends to Camarillo for breakfast, then to Santa Barbara to see the zoo. My gf said we are going to stay at some special place tomorrow night, I just leave that to her.

[Vendzilla]

Originally Posted by Sly

On the flip side, I could sit in traffic for an hour and go two blocks!

I'm convinced traffic is far worse here than it was in San Diego?

Splitting lanes on a Harley is fun!

[MK Ultra]

I came back home to Ca. last year after being on the east coast for over 20 years and for the life of me I can't remember whatever possessed me to leave in the first place.
Yeah taxes are high, cost of living is out of control and the state government is a bunch of left wing liberals run amuck but there is no part of the country I would rather live.

Get out of the San Jose - Sunnyvale area, I spent a lot of time there 25 years ago and hated it.
I live on the Central Coast love it, small towns with awesome weather from San Simeon and Cambria down to bigger places like Santa Barbara (a bit expensive but nice) Oxnard, Ventura, Camarillo, all are awesome places to live.

Originally Posted by Vendzilla

Tomorrow, riding the Harley with friends to Camarillo for breakfast, then to Santa Barbara to see the zoo. My gf said we are going to stay at some special place tomorrow night, I just leave that to her.

Vendzilla I'm going to be spending this weekend in the mountains, taking the bike up to the Ponderosa Lodge in Quaking Aspen.
http://www.brewersponderosalodge.com/
http://goo.gl/maps/BEXrc

It's a pretty cool family run place with a bar, restaurant, store and lodge all in one building, they only have two rooms they rent out but surprisingly getting a reservation was not a problem at all.

And they are actually having a live band Saturday Night

It would be a sweet weekend run from The Valley, http://goo.gl/maps/lKfVC
I'll let you know how it goes.

[dillonaire]

Originally Posted by Wizzo

One other thing I like about it, is I could go to different restaurant every night for at least month within 10miles of my house and never have to eat at a chain or a place twice. Everywhere else I've lived seemed chain restaurants were much more popular. We have them but there's enough other choices to avoid them because TGI Fridays and Applebees are for sure not cool...

That is a huge plus. In SF you can eat at a different restaurant everyday for 2 years and never repeat the same spot twice.

[clickhappy]

Originally Posted by Sly

On the flip side, I could sit in traffic for an hour and go two blocks!

I'm convinced traffic is far worse here than it was in San Diego?

im confused, are you in Austin now, or CA now?

[Vendzilla]

Originally Posted by MK Ultra

I came back home to Ca. last year after being on the east coast for over 20 years and for the life of me I can't remember whatever possessed me to leave in the first place.
Yeah taxes are high, cost of living is out of control and the state government is a bunch of left wing liberals run amuck but there is no part of the country I would rather live.

Get out of the San Jose - Sunnyvale area, I spent a lot of time there 25 years ago and hated it.
I live on the Central Coast love it, small towns with awesome weather from San Simeon and Cambria down to bigger places like Santa Barbara (a bit expensive but nice) Oxnard, Ventura, Camarillo, all are awesome places to live.





Vendzilla I'm going to be spending this weekend in the mountains, taking the bike up to the Ponderosa Lodge in Quaking Aspen.
http://www.brewersponderosalodge.com/
http://goo.gl/maps/BEXrc

It's a pretty cool family run place with a bar, restaurant, store and lodge all in one building, they only have two rooms they rent out but surprisingly getting a reservation was not a problem at all.

And they are actually having a live band Saturday Night

It would be a sweet weekend run from The Valley, http://goo.gl/maps/lKfVC
I'll let you know how it goes.

Nice, have to put that down as a future run, I'll be going to the Santa Barbara zoo today, stopping in Camarillo for Breakfast

[Sly]

Originally Posted by clickhappy

im confused, are you in Austin now, or CA now?

Austin. Lived in San Diego for six years. I like Texas/Austin, but I like California better. Will stay here for a few more years, then probably go back to San Diego. Love that place.

[Marcus Aurelius]

Originally Posted by clickhappy

I've been in California a few months to try and grow my mainstream business in Silicon Valley and to be honest my social life here has fucking sucked.
The work has been great and great weather, but when the work is over i have *nothing* to do, im really lonely here.
So I feel like I'm doing all this work but sad everyday. So theres no reward for the days im putting in.

I want to move closer to San Francisco but I can't afford it. Ill never ever be able to afford to buy a home or condo here.
Im already starting to think about leaving here and going someplace cheaper, like Texas.

I was wondering if anyone has left California to move to a cheaper place and are you glad you did, or do you regret it?

I made that exact move, California to Texas, and while there are things I miss, I don't regret it at all and I would never move back. I'd rather be in Austin than SV any time. Way better quality of life and you get used to the heat.

..and I also know several other folks who have since relocated and seen their careers flourish

[LAJ]

Fuck yeah... Austin Texas. Moved here nearly 10 years ago and have zero regrets. Was actually in LA a month ago... had a great time, but was reminded why it was such a good idea to leave.

[Phoenix]

Focus on making money. You will find people are the same everywhere.
Take control. Can't afford something? Make more money. No friends? Make one.
Life is really that simple.

[baddog]

Originally Posted by gamelinkjeff

I love living in San Fran, but it is costly. However, I guess the high cost of living keeps the riff raff and ghetto people level down.

Originally Posted by Wizzo

Houston is a BIG place, so there's a lot of different experiences. I could drive on the freeway, no traffic drive to a friend's house that is hour away and we both live in Houston.

hmmm, one of my scariest experiences on a motorcycle was rush hour in Houston, in the rain. Lots of traffic . . . very fast, but lots of traffic.

Originally Posted by Sly

Austin. Lived in San Diego for six years. I like Texas/Austin, but I like California better. Will stay here for a few more years, then probably go back to San Diego. Love that place.

Austin is the best TX has to offer, but it will never compare with San Diego.

[clickhappy]

I was apartment hunting on Craigslist and i read this ad. Someone looking for a safe place to sleep in their car.
Really made me sad:

---------------
Place to sleep in my car around S.F.? 08/17 16:33:28

Moved to San Fran for a job and I can't find housing. Is there a place that will be safe to sleep in my car until I find a place to stay? (:-0 Maybe somewhere in the south bay, Daly City, Pacifica etc.? Hotels are beyond my budget, and hostels are all booked up for a few weeks.. I need to be to work @ 4am so I need to find somewhere I can start sleeping around 7pm. Any suggestions?

---------------

[LAJ]

Originally Posted by baddog

Austin is the best TX has to offer, but it will never compare with San Diego.

I despise San Diego. Visited there often when I lived in LA. I'll take Austin thank you.

[baddog]

Originally Posted by LAJ

I despise San Diego. Visited there often when I lived in LA. I'll take Austin thank you.

I'll take whatever negative thing you can find about San Diego and take it over the 100% humidity and 100% precipitation offered by Austin. Truth be told, I never even heard of 100% precipitation until I got to Austin. Naturally, I was on a motorcycle. No one suggested I bring SCUBA gear with me.

[LAJ]

A city is MUCH more than its weather. And FWIW Austin isn't even a humid city when you compare it to pretty much the entire midwest, east coast and southeast U.S. It's like 25% here right now. I can "find" plenty wrong with SD ;)

[baddog]

Originally Posted by LAJ

I can "find" plenty wrong with SD ;)

For instance?

[PornDiscounts-V]

Ditch brick and mortar and work solely on the internet. Then you can live anywhere.

[LAJ]

Originally Posted by baddog

For instance?

Pollution, very bad traffic, ridiculous cost of living, rudeness, overt conservatism... granted there are plenty of nice people and scenery there, but the city doesn't give me warm fuzzies anymore. Haven't been back since 2006 and don't miss it.

[baddog]

Originally Posted by LAJ

Pollution, very bad traffic, ridiculous cost of living, rudeness, overt conservatism... granted there are plenty of nice people and scenery there, but the city doesn't give me warm fuzzies anymore. Haven't been back since 2006 and don't miss it.

fair enough

[fuzebox]

Originally Posted by LAJ

Pollution, very bad traffic, ridiculous cost of living, rudeness, overt conservatism... granted there are plenty of nice people and scenery there, but the city doesn't give me warm fuzzies anymore. Haven't been back since 2006 and don't miss it.

I was surprised at just how friendly everyone is in SD!

[Sly]

Originally Posted by LAJ

Pollution, very bad traffic, ridiculous cost of living, rudeness, overt conservatism... granted there are plenty of nice people and scenery there, but the city doesn't give me warm fuzzies anymore. Haven't been back since 2006 and don't miss it.

I've lived in the Midwest, San Diego, and Austin. We have had drastically different experiences.

[baddog]

Originally Posted by Sly

I've lived in the Midwest, San Diego, and Austin. We have had drastically different experiences.

I was thinking his SD experience was not mine, but we may have hung at different parts of town. And I did Google SD air quality and apparently parts of town have issues.

[LAJ]

As well I've lived all over the midwest, LA and Austin. Everyone's mileage will vary, but hands down (for me at least), Austin destroys anywhere else I've ever lived.