{"database": "surfing", "table": "posts", "is_view": false, "human_description_en": "where thread_id = 10448", "rows": [["207431", "10448", "Cities to Surf and raise a family in that are somewhat affordable?", 1, "mightyrime", "May 16, 2021", "2021-05-16T12:04:58-0400", "Hi Group,\n\n\n\nI live in east oceanside.  I got 2 kids ages 1 and 6.  I have one of those remote jobs that allows me to live anywhere, and if the world gets back to normal i will need to be somewhat close to an airport for business related travel.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAnyway i wont get too long into my story.  We tried to buy a house last year before covid, and both my wifes industry and my industry took a huge hit, wife lost job, i went on reduced salary, had to get a rental.  And our rental is up in 3 months.  The landlord wants to move back in so we are out.  We have been trying to buy in our area recently and have been outbid on 3 houses... badly outbid.  We are starting to look further inland... its still very expensive by national standards, very hot, and like 45 minutes or more to the ocean.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMy wife and I are assessing our situation and we do love north county san diego but, what we can afford is basically in a desert suburb, a major fixer upper, or an area with terrible schools and crime.  And i dont think we have time to wait out the market for more inventory and prices to stabilize.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nI thought this would be a decent forum to ask these questions.\n\n\n\n Do you like where you live? \n\n\n\n Is it close to surfing / you have your surfing crave full-filled in the area.\n\n\n\nHave you raised / would raise a family there?\n\n\n\nAny advice on areas in california if they exist where prices are less than $600k for 3 bedroom house thats not in the hood or the desert?\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAt this point we are open to both coasts as nothing really ties us to socal.  \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThanks all\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nfingers crossed the stars align."], ["207442", "10448", "Cities to Surf and raise a family in that are somewhat affordable?", 2, "Sax-son", "May 16, 2021", "2021-05-16T13:56:49-0400", "This is my opinion only, as a person who has lived most of my life a half block from the ocean, those days of the cheap, easy, free living lifestyle anywhere close to the beach are over. Destroyed by real estate speculators, white flight people that escaped from whatever hell hole they were living in and then trying to change their new beach community to what ever it was they were trying to escape from.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAbout five years ago, I had  finally had it with no parking, congestion, lunatics for neighbors and then on really hot days, people from every nook and cranny flocking to the beach during the summer to try and cool off. In one sense I couldn't blame them, but I realized that the dream was unfortunately over. Too many people in Southern California had reached that threshold. I then made a decision to move completely away from that madness for some peace of mind and calming of my attitude. In addition, the wind in Ventura County was starting to drive me crazy. A bi-product of climate change in my opinion.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAlthough I am a couple hundred miles away from the beach now, I am centrally located to where I am almost equal distance from LA, Ventura, Santa Barbara, the Central Coast, Monterey and Santa Cruz. I am not going to  sit here and tell you that I don't miss the ocean from time to time because I do. However, to live in the insanity now is not worth it to me anymore. To cope with the situation, I now take a few weekly trips out to the coastline on road trips. After about a week of hanging out at the beach and campgrounds, I am ready to head home. My ocean fix has been dealt with.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nIf you are just a fanatic about surfing and having to live next to the ocean, then you have the problem of not living where it is cost affordable. However, if you are a weekender and don't have to paddle out every day, there are plenty of alternatives. The mountain community that I live in now is full of former Huntington Beach, Hermosa Beach, San Diego surfing locals that were priced out of their communities. However, most have found a way to still get to the ocean when they feel the need to. That is my two cents on the subject and good luck with your situation."], ["207447", "10448", "Cities to Surf and raise a family in that are somewhat affordable?", 3, "Artz", "May 16, 2021", "2021-05-16T14:38:10-0400", "Maybe Florida? Central coast of Florida has some affordable housing. Especially compared to California. Surf isn\u2019t all that great but we do have our moments. Also you just might have some extra cash to Fly to a Surf destination. Puerto Rico is Florida\u2019s Hawaii. Flights to Central America are fairly short and reasonable. \n\n\n\n If you need to be close to an Airport. Melbourne isn\u2019t to far from Orlando maybe an hour drive. Coca Beach I think is a little closer.  New Smyrna Beach to Jenson Beach Is pretty much the central coast. Other can fill you in on Northern  Florida."], ["207452", "10448", "Cities to Surf and raise a family in that are somewhat affordable?", 4, "shadydave", "May 16, 2021", "2021-05-16T14:54:44-0400", "I personally feel New England is a great place to live but I grew up here. You need to embrace winter and flat spells but there is a variety of outdoor activities not far from your door step. There are currently a couple of west coast guys living out here that could give an unbiased opinion of New England."], ["207453", "10448", "Cities to Surf and raise a family in that are somewhat affordable?", 5, "Driftwood", "May 16, 2021", "2021-05-16T15:14:42-0400", "Give it a lot of thought. And make sure you and your wife are on the same page.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nLeaving California is easy - getting back less so. Kids get seriously attached to places and friends, jobs and housing have a way of becoming more permanent, housing seems to always go up back home.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nA lot of this is going to come down to how close you want to be to the ocean, and how much surfing plays an essential part in that scenario.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nInteresting cities (and countries) that are safe, have great schools and health care, decent housing markets are easyish to find, ones that are on the coast where you can surf as much and as painlessly as North County are much less so. If you can deal with cold water, New England is killer, as is the Pacific Northwest. Florida seems to have some great areas but I don't know it so I can't comment.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nI don't regret where my kids grew up - great education, very safe childhood, neat combination of forest and only 20 minutes to downtown Bordeaux. 30 minutes to the bay, 45-50 for surf. But... they didn't grow up having bonfires on the beach or surfing/sailing/diving all the time like we did.  Still, they're much better people than I was at their age, and as a Dad, that's where the importance lies for me.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThat being said, conditions here are way less consistent, and I went from maybe 150 sessions a year to less than 50 - some years much less than 50 by making this choice. And there are days/weeks/months when that frankly sucks.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nI guess what I'm trying to say in my usual longwinded way is to be really aware of what you're giving up, and what you're gaining. Then go for it with no regrets and second-thoughts. Except, of course, if it turns out lame and then get the heck back there!\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nGood luck with your decision,"], ["207454", "10448", "Cities to Surf and raise a family in that are somewhat affordable?", 6, "SMUKES", "May 16, 2021", "2021-05-16T15:28:05-0400", "Ever thought about living on a boat? The downside is no equity / deprecating asset. The upsides are too long to list."], ["207461", "10448", "Cities to Surf and raise a family in that are somewhat affordable?", 7, "Driftwood", "May 16, 2021", "2021-05-16T16:05:54-0400", "Funny that you mention a boat. Now that my kids are big (son's sending in his masters applications tonight and my daughter finishes her BA next year) that's exactly what we're considering."], ["207464", "10448", "Cities to Surf and raise a family in that are somewhat affordable?", 8, "SMUKES", "May 16, 2021", "2021-05-16T16:37:19-0400", "Any questions let me know. Negligible prop tax (yes, I do have to pay property tax lol.) Insurance is cheap by housing standards, no lawn, no water or power bill to speak of, my backyard is the ocean, and so on and so on."], ["207470", "10448", "Cities to Surf and raise a family in that are somewhat affordable?", 9, "Doggyfizzle", "May 16, 2021", "2021-05-16T17:23:37-0400", "I live in Ventura, and have lived here for almost 15 years since college in Santa Barbara. \n\n\n\nI love it here, and have loved it here since I came down to Ventura for the very first time in 2004 to see Slayer at the Theater.  So far, I haven\u2019t found anything significant I could say I don\u2019t like about it.  I like the little bit of seedy underbelly, the funky old motels on Thompson, the presence of primary industry from Oil/Ag, and the lack of McMansions and gigantic houses that are crammed into tiny lots that plague much of Southern California.  I can leave my house at 5:30 and be in my wetsuit paddling out at C Street by 5:45.   There\u2019s mellow/good/great/famous places to surf all up/down the coast within 30 minutes drive.  I\u2019ve got a 5 year old son and now that I\u2019ve been here for so long I can\u2019t imagine living anywhere else - decent schools, nice people, not much crime, and good weather (besides the Santa Ana winds as mentioned above).\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nIf snowsports are also a hobby, we\u2019re pretty close to Mammoth/June, and an easy flight from BUR into SLC and into the skis by the afternoon to really get some value from an Ikon Pass.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThe city isn\u2019t very crowded compared to many Southern California towns, especially with the Ag and oil lands that surround the city preventing sprawl.  Sometimes when I come back from a flight and I\u2019m heading home from LAX I get stressed driving on 405/101 because of all the people/buildings/bullshit in LA, and I feel like a weight is lifted off my shoulders when I hit the Conejo grade and head down towards the Oxnard Plain and see the ocean.  I also like that a lot of my friends grew up here and came back after school or the military to live here.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nIs it affordable?  Rents are low relative to prices,  but still range $2000-$4000/month for houses.  House prices here have gotten a bit stupid (like everywhere), and talking with some friends who are realtors and grew up here, there\u2019s a bit of resentment towards the people from LA that have kind of invaded our town over the last year and have been buying places left and right now that many people have the ability to remote work.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nIf you don\u2019t mind being a little bit further (10 minutes east on 101), you can get a better buy on a place in Camarillo that could come close(r) to your $600k budget - likely a bit newer that would need much less work than some of the old to very old housing stock that\u2019s turned over in Ventura in the last year that hadn\u2019t changed much since the 1950s/1960s.  Camarillo has little to no crime, nice people (bit more of a +R tilt though), very good schools, and pretty good weather."], ["207472", "10448", "Cities to Surf and raise a family in that are somewhat affordable?", 10, "Surfnfish", "May 16, 2021", "2021-05-16T17:38:07-0400", "everything is at max price right now, demand outstripping supply...stock market fully disconnected from fundamentals...housing currently in the highest run-up in history....all the former peak estate run-ups were at some point followed by signficant adjustments, some lasting longer and dropping lower than others...consider finding a good rental, focus on quality of life, ride out the current frenzy, don't chase the market until it cools a bit...take a few trips to places you might be interested in...lot more to life than just home ownership..."], ["207483", "10448", "Cities to Surf and raise a family in that are somewhat affordable?", 11, "Sax-son", "May 17, 2021", "2021-05-16T21:03:33-0400", "Surfnfish said: \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n            consider finding a good rental, focus on quality of life, ride out the current frenzy, don't chase the market until it cools a bit...\n        \n\n\nClick to expand...\n\n\n\n\nI agree! It can't continue to keep going if wages are not keeping up. I don't have a crystal ball, but economics are not making much sense to me right now. Don't get caught holding the bag if the bottom starts to drop out."], ["207484", "10448", "Cities to Surf and raise a family in that are somewhat affordable?", 12, "Ricksurfin", "May 17, 2021", "2021-05-16T21:07:20-0400", "The trouble with moving inland from the beach is you lose that beach vibe. Different mentality that I have trouble dealing with."], ["207487", "10448", "Cities to Surf and raise a family in that are somewhat affordable?", 13, "Nalu", "May 17, 2021", "2021-05-16T21:22:47-0400", "What about Alaska? Land is cheap, the housing market is still somewhat reasonable along the coast, and wetsuit technology these days is such that you can comfortably surf in cold waters year-long."], ["207496", "10448", "Cities to Surf and raise a family in that are somewhat affordable?", 14, "mightyrime", "May 17, 2021", "2021-05-16T22:20:37-0400", "Thanks all for the replies.  Lots of good advise.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nI lived in NYC for 8 years prior to moving to California about 4 years ago.  I agree New England is special.  At one point we looked at a house boat in Long Island like the poster above said!  It did seem great but our firstborn was 2 at the time and could not swim and the winters seemed very cold and damp.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nI would love to wait the market out.  As i do agree the market / economy do not make much sense right now.  I think thats the safest move.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nBut\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMy wife is over it we have been renting for like 11 years now and moved i think 4 times with the next being a 5th move.  She wants to buy a house.  She has never owned a house.  Never been able to decorate a house, never have her own garden.  And i feel i cant deny that from her.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSo now its a balance of we need / want to buy and try to protect ourselves financially.  I think the biggest thing that i have always followed is buy within our means.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nWe are looking further from the coast in all the communities along the I-15 down in socal.  I also love to fish as much as i love to surf.  Lots of good bass lakes not far from the 15.  I am OK not surfing everyday but i think to be full-filled i would need to surf and or fish 3 times a week.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nWe are also thinking the mountains.  As much as i love surfing i could replace with fly fishing / hiking / skiing in somewhere like MOntana.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nIts a wide world\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThanks again...  and if anyone lives in one of those town off the 15 in socal that the really like the area let me know.."], ["207518", "10448", "Cities to Surf and raise a family in that are somewhat affordable?", 15, "PeakMaster", "May 17, 2021", "2021-05-17T06:40:56-0400", "The thing with real estate ownership near the beach is that, while the market might stabilize or even come to a complete standstill,  prices are not going to drop. Not a penny,  no matter what. That's just a fact. Hurricane Sandy devastated coastal NJ and NY, thousands of homes destroyed. Less than 10 years later all rebuilt, all far more expensive. Good for people who bought when it was affordable to them. Out of the question for most now. Reality that's not changing and it doesn't matter which coast. Are there alternatives? Absolutely.  Live inland a few miles and drive. \n\n\n\nI look at the real estate market where we are... Seven Mile Island, CMC,NJ...it's stupid 850 sf.studio selling for $750,000. No inventory which drives prices. People fleeing NYC and Philadelphia during the virus...Seems you have a good plan. Get after it."], ["207519", "10448", "Cities to Surf and raise a family in that are somewhat affordable?", 16, "Macilious", "May 17, 2021", "2021-05-17T08:39:15-0400", "PeakMaster said: \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n            The thing with real estate ownership near the beach is that, while the market might stabilize or even come to a complete standstill,  prices are not going to drop. Not a penny,  no matter what. That's just a fact. Hurricane Sandy devastated coastal NJ and NY, thousands of homes destroyed. Less than 10 years later all rebuilt, all far more expensive. Good for people who bought when it was affordable to them. Out of the question for most now. Reality that's not changing and it doesn't matter which coast. Are there alternatives? Absolutely.  Live inland a few miles and drive.\n\n\n\nI look at the real estate market where we are... Seven Mile Island, CMC,NJ...it's stupid 850 sf.studio selling for $750,000. No inventory which drives prices. People fleeing NYC and Philadelphia during the virus...Seems you have a good plan. Get after it.\n        \n\n\nClick to expand...\n\n\n\n\n\"The Sandy effect\" at NJ Shore was shocking to me.  As the storm approached I thought that my home value would be cut in half...  it was exactly the opposite.  Sandy gave everyone an out.  So all the people that were sitting on old family beach houses were forced to either sell or fix their homes.  A lot of people sold and the people that bought build bigger better houses.  In our town, home prices have pretty much doubled since 2007 and probably tripled since the early 2000's.  It's just insane.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAffordable coastal property is a feckin mirage. If you find a place, send me a DM!\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nI'm in a similar position to OP.  We are currently trying to relocate to Charleston and housing prices have sky rocketed (+30-50%).  We are totally priced out the areas we liked and are now wondering if it's cheaper to stay in NY!  I mean THAT'S COMICAL.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMy advice is happy wife, happy life.  Your responsibility now is to take care of your family.  Get a place your wife likes, good schools, kids in the neighborhood, etc.  Then, figure out how to get our beach time in.  Maybe buy a weekender van or AIR BnB a place at the beach, do surf trips with buddies.  If your wife is settled in a home she's happy in and feels secure you'll have free time.  IF MAMA aint happy, nobody's happy."], ["207524", "10448", "Cities to Surf and raise a family in that are somewhat affordable?", 17, "skurp", "May 17, 2021", "2021-05-17T09:44:25-0400", "Good advice from surfnfish. We're looking to buy our first home in North County as well. In a good position to, but going to rent for another year - don't want to waste our summer with realtors when we could be at the beach and it's just bananas in the market right now. As for spots - the Central Coast of CA is less expensive and has some great surf and more manageable crowds. Really beautiful part of the state, too. It's cold - you'll be in a full suit year round. But some great spots within a 50 miles radius of San Luis Obispo, FWIW."], ["207525", "10448", "Cities to Surf and raise a family in that are somewhat affordable?", 18, "Kdw9736", "May 17, 2021", "2021-05-17T09:44:32-0400", "Similar position to OP, but in NC and haven't been renting as long in the NC triangle area. Don't like to hear that coastal property values only go up, but it does align with what we've seen the past year or so when we peruse houses on Zillow/Realtor.com/etc. Pretty much only seeing old beat-up shacks being listed at our max price range in the obx, totally crazy what people are listing these things for. We're willing to wait but no telling how long."], ["207528", "10448", "Cities to Surf and raise a family in that are somewhat affordable?", 19, "Chilly Willy", "May 17, 2021", "2021-05-17T09:54:02-0400", "Sax-son said: \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n            ...people that escaped from whatever hell hole they were living in and then trying to change their new beach community to what ever it was they were trying to escape from.\n        \n\n\nClick to expand...\n\n\n\n\n^ Astute observation that is a total bullseye.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nNothing to contribute here, but it's a very interesting thread.  I live in a pretty affordable coastal area in a modest house.  Wife and I often debate between our lack of space vs. enjoying our area (vs. also hating some aspects of it).  Reading some of these things makes me appreciate the lifestyle of our location -- a generally short drive to the beach, the ability to walk/bike to go sailing, etc.  Makes me think that maybe it would be a better bet to build an addition than to strive to relocate in the midst of this red hot market and/or give up some of the lifestyle perks."], ["207529", "10448", "Cities to Surf and raise a family in that are somewhat affordable?", 20, "Justino", "May 17, 2021", "2021-05-17T10:06:32-0400", "Ricksurfin said: \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n            The trouble with moving inland from the beach is you lose that beach vibe. Different mentality that I have trouble dealing with.\n        \n\n\nClick to expand...\n\n\n\n\nThis is true...I grew up in Dana Point and my wife in HB. We live out by Trabuco Canyon, inland OC. We moved out here straight from Pacific Beach and college. Talk about an adjustment. We bought this house in 99 with the intention of moving back to the beach eventually...prices went up, four kids.... stuck out here. Safe and schools are decent. We can get to the beach in less than half an hour. But, I really miss the beach vibe on a daily basis. I would definitely try to stay by a coast if you can pull it off."], ["207533", "10448", "Cities to Surf and raise a family in that are somewhat affordable?", 21, "SdSurferguy", "May 17, 2021", "2021-05-17T10:58:40-0400", "skurp said: \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n            As for spots - the Central Coast of CA is less expensive and has some great surf and more manageable crowds. Really beautiful part of the state, too. It's cold - you'll be in a full suit year round. But some great spots within a 50 miles radius of San Luis Obispo, FWIW.\n        \n\n\nClick to expand...\n\n\n\n\n^ This.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThe problem is no big airport for nationwide nonstop business travel... but direct flights are offered from SLO to Seattle, SFO, LAX, Denver, and Phoenix.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nhttps://santamariavalley.com/"], ["207535", "10448", "Cities to Surf and raise a family in that are somewhat affordable?", 22, "KDenning", "May 17, 2021", "2021-05-17T11:16:37-0400", "Sax-son said: \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n            If you are just a fanatic about surfing and having to live next to the ocean, then you have the problem of not living where it is cost affordable. However, if you are a weekender and don't have to paddle out every day, there are plenty of alternatives. The mountain community that I live in now is full of former Huntington Beach, Hermosa Beach, San Diego surfing locals that were priced out of their communities. However, most have found a way to still get to the ocean when they feel the need to.\n        \n\n\nClick to expand...\n\n\n\n\nMy fiance and I are in this camp now so I feel like I can speak to our reasoning.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nWe'd love to stay in Ventura but rent on our street starts around $3800 without utilities. Buying the same house would be at least $1 million and need an incredible amount of work. We could buy in Ventura for $700,000 but that wouldn't mean that it's safe or updated.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nWe could move 35 minutes inland where it's 108 degrees every day in the summer with nothing to do but drive back to Ventura whenever we want to surf/go to restaurants/feel like we're part of a community and we'd still be lucky to pay less than $600,00. This is my impression of the entire coast of California from SB to SD.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nWe took our money and bought a cabin outside of Lake Tahoe on the way to Sacramento. We'll miss living by the beach. Neither of us has lived more than 30 minutes from the beach in over a decade BUT we'll be happy to take that $2,000/month we'll save and put it towards trips to Hawaii or extended stays back in Ventura living out of one of our vans.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSimple math told us that we could keep working our 9-5 jobs and afford our house in Ventura or buy somewhere more affordable and be our own bosses indefinitely. I love surfing but I love not having to answer to anyone a lot more."], ["207543", "10448", "Cities to Surf and raise a family in that are somewhat affordable?", 23, "Planktom", "May 17, 2021", "2021-05-17T12:00:59-0400", "Good fried of mine and his wife moved from LA to PNW pretty soon after starting a family and are loving life."], ["207565", "10448", "Cities to Surf and raise a family in that are somewhat affordable?", 24, "Sax-son", "May 17, 2021", "2021-05-17T15:07:36-0400", "KDenning said: \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n            My fiance and I are in this camp now so I feel like I can speak to our reasoning.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nWe'd love to stay in Ventura but rent on our street starts around $3800 without utilities. Buying the same house would be at least $1 million and need an incredible amount of work. We could buy in Ventura for $700,000 but that wouldn't mean that it's safe or updated.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nWe could move 35 minutes inland where it's 108 degrees every day in the summer with nothing to do but drive back to Ventura whenever we want to surf/go to restaurants/feel like we're part of a community and we'd still be lucky to pay less than $600,00. This is my impression of the entire coast of California from SB to SD.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nWe took our money and bought a cabin outside of Lake Tahoe on the way to Sacramento. We'll miss living by the beach. Neither of us has lived more than 30 minutes from the beach in over a decade BUT we'll be happy to take that $2,000/month we'll save and put it towards trips to Hawaii or extended stays back in Ventura living out of one of our vans.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSimple math told us that we could keep working our 9-5 jobs and afford our house in Ventura or buy somewhere more affordable and be our own bosses indefinitely. I love surfing but I love not having to answer to anyone a lot more.\n        \n\n\nClick to expand...\n\n\n\n\nI think your reasoning is logical and financially sound. I lived in Ventura and the Oxnard area for almost 56 years and although I still love the area for various reasons, it is definitely not worth what folks are paying for housing. It's just not! If you would be staying there specifically for surfing, that would certainly make that an expensive sport to be involved with.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nI have a friend who was born and raised in Ventura and they moved to Portland, Oregon about 20 years ago. He still has the surfing bug but not quite as much as he was younger primarily due to age. Now retired, he now rents a house for 1 month out of the year in the off season to which all he does is go surfing. He says that he feels like he is still part of the sport while not having to deal with all the pitfalls of living in Southern California. Perhaps you may consider a similar strategy. Believe me that there are many days in VC not worthy of surfing do to wind or other weather. The down time gets pretty costly when you are paying close to $4000.00 per month for housing. At this moment in time, housing anywhere in California is completely insane. I can't see how it continues."], ["207568", "10448", "Cities to Surf and raise a family in that are somewhat affordable?", 25, "Sax-son", "May 17, 2021", "2021-05-17T15:27:09-0400", "Ricksurfin said: \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n            The trouble with moving inland from the beach is you lose that beach vibe. Different mentality that I have trouble dealing with.\n        \n\n\nClick to expand...\n\n\n\n\nNot all beach communities are created equal. There are some really cool one's to be part of. Encinitas, Dana Point, San Clemente and Santa Barbara are the ones that come to mind. I lived at Silverstrand Beach in Oxnard for almost 55 years and aside from some lifelong friends that are disappearing in increasing numbers, there are a lot of loons that you have to deal with. None of which have anything to do with surfing. If you are content with the beach community that you are living in, then by all means try to hang in there. You are one of the lucky ones."], ["207570", "10448", "Cities to Surf and raise a family in that are somewhat affordable?", 26, "Surfnfish", "May 17, 2021", "2021-05-17T15:34:18-0400", "mightyrime said: \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n            It's a wide world\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThanks again...  and if anyone lives in one of those town off the 15 in socal that the really like the area let me know..\n        \n\n\nClick to expand...\n\n\n\n\nRaised our kids in Half Moon Bay, lived there since 71', said I would never leave...surfing and life style paradise...then came the crowds, high tech money and surf transplants/newbies...now just another overly crowded, overly expensive beach town...moved to OR in 06', so glad we did....had a great run on the coast, endless sessions, hella good salmon fishing..turned 70, accepted the accelerating skills downslope and relocated to the mountains south of Bend. Superb fly fishing, mountain biking, river running, ski/board, nothing but open space to the east.  4 hours to the coast, half an hour to a local airport, so surf now a planned affair....and frankly don't miss the pressure of having to be on it all the time...\n\n\n\nBunch of surfers here in Bend, young to old, who make routine beach runs...prefer living the the laid back mountain life, great town to raise kids in...growing fast, however, #1 on the Zoom techies move to....what happens with 8 billion people on a rapidly shrinking rock, from Indo to the PNW, what used to be da kine less so now...\n\n\n\nthing about surfing, do it long enough, score enough waves, all in the bank...just needs the occasional refresh to keep the grins alive...cause once a surfer...."], ["207571", "10448", "Cities to Surf and raise a family in that are somewhat affordable?", 27, "Budthedog", "May 17, 2021", "2021-05-17T15:36:48-0400", "Very interesting thread. I don\u2019t have much to add but I do have a friend who just bought a house in woodland hill - beautiful yard, 3 bedrooms, quiet street - I believe it was low 600s. They\u2019re a 20 minute drive to topanga. Not a beach community but close to the ocean and LA (which you might not like but potentially good for work)."], ["207573", "10448", "Cities to Surf and raise a family in that are somewhat affordable?", 28, "KDenning", "May 17, 2021", "2021-05-17T16:16:09-0400", "To \n@Sax-son\n 's point, we've had a lot of amazing days of waves in Ventura for the last four years but we've had a \nlot\n more days that look like this pic from this morning.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nEven just one month of saving roughly $2,000 on our mortgage is enough to cover a good bit of a really fun trip to Hanalei for a week. That mindset was a big part of our rationale. We'd rather have at least a few fun \"destination\" surf trips a year than sacrifice monthly to have it in the back yard. That's especially easy to say when the back yard looks like it did this morning lol."], ["207575", "10448", "Cities to Surf and raise a family in that are somewhat affordable?", 29, "SMUKES", "May 17, 2021", "2021-05-17T16:38:20-0400", "Institutional investors are killing the quality of life everywhere in the USA especially at the coast. I'll probably upsize the boat to 40'+ at some point but not buy another house. Even thought about going the other direction to an Orion 27 up north and do some exploring in retirement."], ["207576", "10448", "Cities to Surf and raise a family in that are somewhat affordable?", 30, "Sax-son", "May 17, 2021", "2021-05-17T16:45:58-0400", "KDenning said: \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n            To \n@Sax-son\n 's point, we've had a lot of amazing days of waves in Ventura for the last four years but we've had a \nlot\n more days that look like this pic from this morning.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nEven just one month of saving roughly $2,000 on our mortgage is enough to cover a good bit of a really fun trip to Hanalei for a week. That mindset was a big part of our rationale. We'd rather have at least a few fun \"destination\" surf trips a year than sacrifice monthly to have it in the back yard. That's especially easy to say when the back yard looks like it did this morning lol.\n\n\n\n\nView attachment 30621\n\n\n\n\nClick to expand...\n\n\n\n\nThere you go! Thinking outside the box and realizing there is more that one way to address the situation.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n When I was still living at the beach, my neighbors down the street were heavily involved in the surfing industry, she had been a professional snow boarder and he was a glasser at Channel Islands Surfboards. He was starting to have some health related issues as a result of that craft and she decided that she needed her husband around to help her raise their kids. She put her foot down and they all packed up and moved up to Oregon where she was from. They realized that they were on a financially unhealthy treadmill to maintain a lifestyle living at the beach and away they went. I was impressed with their priorities."], ["207577", "10448", "Cities to Surf and raise a family in that are somewhat affordable?", 31, "Maine Logger", "May 17, 2021", "2021-05-17T16:45:59-0400", "I drive an hour to the beach and it\u2019s  doable. I work from home and am happy to get off the property to surf once a week (if it\u2019s good enough) with an very occasional 2x a week. Up here that\u2019s about all we get anyway, even in the winter.  Being out in the country a bit where everything  is 20-30 minutes away makes an hour seem not so bad. I do crave to be able to surf regularly but that will have to be reserved for vacations."], ["207578", "10448", "Cities to Surf and raise a family in that are somewhat affordable?", 32, "Sax-son", "May 17, 2021", "2021-05-17T16:52:45-0400", "Surfnfish said: \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n            Raised our kids in Half Moon Bay, lived there since 71', said I would never leave...surfing and life style paradise...then came the crowds, high tech money and surf transplants/newbies...now just another overly crowded, overly expensive beach town..\n        \n\n\nClick to expand...\n\n\n\n\nThat's too bad! I really liked that town. It had a cool vibe to it, but I haven't been there since around 1983 or so. I am sure it's a lot different now."], ["207583", "10448", "Cities to Surf and raise a family in that are somewhat affordable?", 33, "Surfnfish", "May 17, 2021", "2021-05-17T17:25:38-0400", "SMUKES said: \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n            Institutional investors are killing the quality of life everywhere in the USA especially at the coast. I'll probably upsize the boat to 40'+ at some point but not buy another house. Even thought about going the other direction to an Orion 27 up north and do some exploring in retirement.\n        \n\n\nClick to expand...\n\n\n\n\nthe inland passge from B.C. to AK via small boat remains on my bucket list"], ["207629", "10448", "Cities to Surf and raise a family in that are somewhat affordable?", 34, "garagefull", "May 18, 2021", "2021-05-17T22:42:55-0400", "If you want a place with good schools, I would look at college towns. The teachers usually have kids in the school system, so the schools tend to be better than average. Plus there tends to be more of a culture vibe than in non college towns. But trying to find an affordable coastal college town in CA isn't easy. At least between San Diego and San Francisco. San Luis Obispo is nice but the housing isn't cheap. However, if you move out from SLO to Atascadero, the prices drop off. I don't know how the schools are there, but you are only half hour to Morro Bay. The surf isn't what it is in San Diego or Santa Cruz, but there are waves."], ["207630", "10448", "Cities to Surf and raise a family in that are somewhat affordable?", 35, "robsawyer", "May 18, 2021", "2021-05-17T23:04:47-0400", "Texas. Corpus, south padre or surfside / Galveston. Don\u2019t tell anyone else... but it\u2019s easy living. There is cheap land. The surf gets fun (when it\u2019s not blown out) and when surf is blown, fishing is good."], ["207646", "10448", "Cities to Surf and raise a family in that are somewhat affordable?", 36, "Planktom", "May 18, 2021", "2021-05-18T08:18:40-0400", "@mightyrime\n Just to clarify - can you literally live 'anywhere'?\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nA former work colleague of mine works freelance on behalf of a number of UK-based charities, but lives full-time in Fiji.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nJust saying....!"], ["207647", "10448", "Cities to Surf and raise a family in that are somewhat affordable?", 37, "PeakMaster", "May 18, 2021", "2021-05-18T08:41:06-0400", "robsawyer said: \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n            Texas. Corpus, south padre or surfside / Galveston. Don't tell anyone else... but it's easy living. There is cheap land. The surf gets fun (when it's not blown out) and when surf is blown, fishing is good.\n        \n\n\nClick to expand...\n\n\n\n\nAlways looked interesting to me. A lot of plusses."], ["207648", "10448", "Cities to Surf and raise a family in that are somewhat affordable?", 38, "cheyneskeezer", "May 18, 2021", "2021-05-18T08:57:07-0400", "we were very fortunate to be able to get into a place in long beach on the border of los al and seal back in 2011. we thought what we paid then was stressful and high. Now look at it. You are right it is crazy. our house was a total fixer upper 2 bed 1 bath 900 sqft now its just about completely done 10 years later and a 3b2bath. im 7 mins from the beach and believe it or not long beach is a great little city if you find the right area. That said prices are INSANE right now. but every now and then i see a place for 600-650 up here. Just know buying a house will never be comfortable itll always seem way to much and always make you think how are we gonna do this. But it usually works out. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nBut with that all said If i could work remote and not have to stay close to the LA basin for work to be busy. Id be gone. south oregon coast, Nor cal coast, or completely away from coast all together Idaho/Montana/ Wyoming\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nhave you thought about perhaps buying a rental or two somewhere you might want to retire and continue to rent here? just as a investment. ?"], ["207649", "10448", "Cities to Surf and raise a family in that are somewhat affordable?", 39, "cheyneskeezer", "May 18, 2021", "2021-05-18T09:01:41-0400", "also cannon beach always alures me some pretty rad houses for around ur budget"], ["207651", "10448", "Cities to Surf and raise a family in that are somewhat affordable?", 40, "PeakMaster", "May 18, 2021", "2021-05-18T09:07:43-0400", "Chilly Willy said: \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n            ^ Astute observation that is a total bullseye.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nNothing to contribute here, but it's a very interesting thread.  I live in a pretty affordable coastal area in a modest house.  Wife and I often debate between our lack of space vs. enjoying our area (vs. also hating some aspects of it).  Reading some of these things makes me appreciate the lifestyle of our location -- a generally short drive to the beach, the ability to walk/bike to go sailing, etc.  Makes me think that maybe it would be a better bet to build an addition than to strive to relocate in the midst of this red hot market and/or give up some of the lifestyle perks.\n        \n\n\nClick to expand...\n\n\n\n\nLove it or list it. You decided to love it...smart. What few folks don't realize is that this beach town real estate market isn't a bubble.  It might level off but it will never drop."], ["207654", "10448", "Cities to Surf and raise a family in that are somewhat affordable?", 41, "Planktom", "May 18, 2021", "2021-05-18T09:14:57-0400", "cheyneskeezer said: \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n            have you thought about perhaps buying a rental or two somewhere you might want to retire and continue to rent here? just as a investment. ?\n        \n\n\nClick to expand...\n\n\n\n\nWas going to ask a similar question - i.e. buy a small place in the 'ideal' beach loc and then rent (hopefully cheaper) elsewhere, whilst using the beach property as an asset - AirBnB etc. Keeps 'a foot in the door' on the coast and possibly brings in a little surplus, but this would deny the joys (cough, choke) of home ownership....\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nA similar thing has happened with prices in the UK. I live a similar distance to the beach as you Cheyne and a fixer upper just a few houses away went for almost twice as much as we paid for our place about 8yrs ago. The past 12 months has been crazy."], ["207655", "10448", "Cities to Surf and raise a family in that are somewhat affordable?", 42, "Artz", "May 18, 2021", "2021-05-18T10:03:34-0400", "If you could live the life of an X-Pat. There are a few places that come to mind. Right now Costa Rica is looking good. Prices on homes are down. An old friend of mine moved there about 30 years ago. Raised a Family made a living. Last time we talked he said he was slowing down only goes Surfing 2 or 3 days a week. There is also Puerto Rica still in America. lots of surf good off shore fishing."], ["207661", "10448", "Cities to Surf and raise a family in that are somewhat affordable?", 43, "Landlord", "May 18, 2021", "2021-05-18T10:18:49-0400", "New England will be great for everything but surfing. When the points fire it can be excellent ,however coastal  ocean access/ parking is poor at best for all but wealthy elitist during the summer months/ hurricane swells.  Gated / Guarded communities are common and zip code specific beach passes are the norm.  Park and play beaches exist but you\u2019ll be surfing with a herd of fair weather friends. \n\n\n\nWinter is exact opposite- things are far more approachable if you can stomach the cold. Surfing  3 x per week will not  be happening often. After 35 years of cold water dedication the highest number of sessions rarely tops 120 sessions per year and that\u2019s chasing a crap load of sub par days and getting after any ripple. Flex time with work is required or you\u2019ll miss out on those tight windows for waves. Having a boat ( or friends with boats ) and a bike is mandatory to access those dreamy uncrowded spots. We\u2019re moving to OBSF ( my girls home town) in a few years and preparing for financial ruin."], ["207666", "10448", "Cities to Surf and raise a family in that are somewhat affordable?", 44, "Gretsch", "May 18, 2021", "2021-05-18T11:36:27-0400", "robsawyer said: \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n            Texas. Corpus, south padre or surfside / Galveston. Don't tell anyone else... but it's easy living. There is cheap land. The surf gets fun (when it's not blown out) and when surf is blown, fishing is good.\n        \n\n\nClick to expand...\n\n\n\n\nCaught my first waves at Quintana, Surfside and 47th St. \n\n\n\nI'll always love the upper coast."], ["207669", "10448", "Cities to Surf and raise a family in that are somewhat affordable?", 45, "Sax-son", "May 18, 2021", "2021-05-18T11:52:52-0400", "I know that I will get some flack for this, but this is a bigger problem for surfers who are still young enough to paddle out on a daily basis. I am almost 70 years old now, I still like to get out from time to time but I am nowhere near the physical shape that I was when I was 40 or even 50 years old. OK, you read the stories about the determined senior citizen who by hell or high water is going to get out there in the lineup no matter what. That's great if you can pull that off, but it is more the exception than the norm. I have had way more of my share of waves so I didn't miss out on anything. I lived the dream.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nYoung surfers will do what it takes because when you are younger, you can adapt. It's no big deal for you to share living space with others to live your dream. Once you get married, get a real job and start having kids, that puts a whole different dynamic on the situation. That's where we are today."], ["207672", "10448", "Cities to Surf and raise a family in that are somewhat affordable?", 46, "J.gull", "May 18, 2021", "2021-05-18T12:06:24-0400", "I'm a realtor in the Santa Barbara area and think Ventura, Carp and Goleta are great options. Given, there's little inventory at the moment with very high demand from people in larger cities moving here, there are pockets you can still find solid deals  just outside of major towns like Santa Barbara. Solvang is a cheaper option depending on if your willing to drive a little more to go surf. I lived in Costa Mesa for a while and that is also a great option because its barely inland from newport while still being a pretty nice area. My 2 cents is don't try to time the market. People come to me a lot saying they are just going to wait for a dip, or the market to crash, and even with the craziness going on, it doesn't look like it will happen at least any time soon. Condos can also be a great option if the you do your homework beforehand."], ["207675", "10448", "Cities to Surf and raise a family in that are somewhat affordable?", 47, "Belchfire1", "May 18, 2021", "2021-05-18T12:29:33-0400", "Hey man, if you're in oside why not check out east county SD? Santee, La Mesa, etc. I have a friend that lives down there. Pretty affordable all considering it's SD and he's really only 30 mins from OB cliffs, etc. At least it's still close to your current place. \n\n\n\nDon't rule out a condo, we bought one 3 years ago in Encinitas, sold it this winter for way more than we paid and was able to take the equity and buy a house down the street. I never wanted a condo, but that's what it took to get us into a house. It's possible. Best of luck."], ["207686", "10448", "Cities to Surf and raise a family in that are somewhat affordable?", 48, "ridgeline", "May 18, 2021", "2021-05-18T14:09:44-0400", "Lots of great insight here; thoroughly enjoying this thread.  I'm same boat but on east coast - open to west coast. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAmidst looking for a home over the last year and a half, we're getting booted from our apartment in August, and have made offers on 14+ houses, 1 of which accepted which needed a total reno & mold which wasn't doable for us.   Just learned of another lost bid. Incredibly discouraging but the search continues.... its a nightmare out there.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nBest of luck to everyone in this sinking ship."], ["207687", "10448", "Cities to Surf and raise a family in that are somewhat affordable?", 49, "PeakMaster", "May 18, 2021", "2021-05-18T14:12:01-0400", "Sax-son said: \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n            I know that I will get some flack for this, but this is a bigger problem for surfers who are still young enough to paddle out on a daily basis. I am almost 70 years old now, I still like to get out from time to time but I am nowhere near the physical shape that I was when I was 40 or even 50 years old. OK, you read the stories about the determined senior citizen who by hell or high water is going to get out there in the lineup no matter what. That's great if you can pull that off, but it is more the exception than the norm. I have had way more of my share of waves so I didn't miss out on anything. I lived the dream.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nYoung surfers will do what it takes because when you are younger, you can adapt. It's no big deal for you to share living space with others to live your dream. Once you get married, get a real job and start having kids, that puts a whole different dynamic on the situation. That's where we are today.\n        \n\n\nClick to expand...\n\n\n\n\nWhy would you catch shit for a perfectly logical perspective?"], ["207688", "10448", "Cities to Surf and raise a family in that are somewhat affordable?", 50, "PeakMaster", "May 18, 2021", "2021-05-18T14:13:04-0400", "ridgeline said: \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n            Lots of great insight here; thoroughly enjoying this thread.  I'm same boat but on east coast - open to west coast.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAmidst looking for a home over the last year and a half, we're getting booted from our apartment in August, and have made offers on 14+ houses, 1 of which accepted which needed a total reno & mold which wasn't doable for us.   Just learned of another lost bid. Incredibly discouraging but the search continues.... its a nightmare out there.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nBest of luck to everyone in this sinking ship.\n        \n\n\nClick to expand...\n\n\n\n\nWhere are you looking?"], ["207691", "10448", "Cities to Surf and raise a family in that are somewhat affordable?", 51, "Fishface", "May 18, 2021", "2021-05-18T14:23:26-0400", "housing prices go up and down... What we are seeing right now is ultra low interest rates, low inventory and with mortgage forbearance and halts to evictions.\n\n\n\nData is showing well over 3 million homes being 90 days past due.   There really isnt an incentive for people to sell unless they are moving out of state or upgrading from a smaller house.\n\n\n\nThe people not paying arent getting foreclosed.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nI am a mortgage loan officer and have 25 preapprovals with clients putting offers in left and right.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nOnce these covid restrictions on housing lift - there may be more supply which will stabilize the market.\n\n\n\nAlso, the non stop printing of money by the feds to fund these covid stimulus packages will lead to inflation and that will result in higher interest rates which will knock down affordability of these homes.\n\n\n\nThat could lead to lower prices but the payments would be the same.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nOne piece of advice. Lenders will only loan on the lower of the purchase price or the appraisal amount. So if youre putting in a high offer and the appraisal is lower be prepared to come in with that extra cash...."], ["207693", "10448", "Cities to Surf and raise a family in that are somewhat affordable?", 52, "JBorbone", "May 18, 2021", "2021-05-18T14:37:23-0400", "Macilious said: \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n            \"The Sandy effect\" at NJ Shore was shocking to me.  As the storm approached I thought that my home value would be cut in half...  it was exactly the opposite.  Sandy gave everyone an out.  So all the people that were sitting on old family beach houses were forced to either sell or fix their homes.  A lot of people sold and the people that bought build bigger better houses.  In our town, home prices have pretty much doubled since 2007 and probably tripled since the early 2000's.  It's just insane.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAffordable coastal property is a feckin mirage. If you find a place, send me a DM!\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nI'm in a similar position to OP.  We are currently trying to relocate to Charleston and housing prices have sky rocketed (+30-50%).  We are totally priced out the areas we liked and are now wondering if it's cheaper to stay in NY!  I mean THAT'S COMICAL.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMy advice is happy wife, happy life.  Your responsibility now is to take care of your family.  Get a place your wife likes, good schools, kids in the neighborhood, etc.  Then, figure out how to get our beach time in.  Maybe buy a weekender van or AIR BnB a place at the beach, do surf trips with buddies.  If your wife is settled in a home she's happy in and feels secure you'll have free time.  IF MAMA aint happy, nobody's happy.\n        \n\n\nClick to expand...\n\n\n\n\n@Macilious\n Chris - you're spot on with that Sandy reference! From Seaside Park all the way up to Sandy Hook, everything retained 100% of value +! (BTW - Epic meeting you that day in Avon! That got me super stoked, such a small world!!!)\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nOP \n@mightyrime\n - Check out St Augustine FL if you're willing to leave CA, we just settled here. I spent 18 months doing exactly what you're doing with a massive spreadsheet tracking all the pros and cons, social/financial/misc. We spent time up and down the coast of CA meeting with realtors from Mill Valley area all the way down to La Jolla, and out east from Portland ME suburbs all the way down to Palm Beach county. After meeting with probably upwards of 50 realtors and nearly 2 years of searching we found the spot and it's perfect. Good weather, good waves, good people, good schools (best in FL, fair compared to New England standards), good value. Win-Win."], ["207701", "10448", "Cities to Surf and raise a family in that are somewhat affordable?", 53, "Zzz", "May 18, 2021", "2021-05-18T16:05:00-0400", "shadydave said: \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n            I personally feel New England is a great place to live but I grew up here. You need to embrace winter and flat spells but there is a variety of outdoor activities not far from your door step. There are currently a couple of west coast guys living out here that could give an unbiased opinion of New England.\n        \n\n\nClick to expand...\n\n\n\n\nDon't know if I'm one of the guys referred to here but I've been in MA for a while and haven't surfed much.  To be honest, my whole surfing life in SD had changed due to Covid crowds and I was going at out of my way to avoid crowds before I came back East. Mostly surfing closed out beach break alone at dawn.  There are definitely waves here and in time I may get into more of a routine but it's really quite a drive (an hour or more) from where I am to any kind of surf. I'm also going to be going back and forth to SD starting shortly and will hopefully surf more there.\n\n\n\nThere are lots of great things about living here (I have a wonderful farm across the street from my house, my kid can walk to school soon, the tap water tastes way better than in SD, the seasons change in a more meaningful way...) and you can definitely surf.  But if you are super amped on living the coastal surf life without the cost and other issues I'd look internationally."], ["207705", "10448", "Cities to Surf and raise a family in that are somewhat affordable?", 54, "KDenning", "May 18, 2021", "2021-05-18T16:34:41-0400", "JBorbone said: \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n            Check out St Augustine FL if you're willing to leave CA\n        \n\n\nClick to expand...\n\n\n\n\nMy parents moved us to Juno Beach (just south of Jupiter Beach) my freshman year of high school so I had four years in southern Florida before I moved to St. Augustine for undergrad and grad school (6 years total from 2009 - 2015.)\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSt. Augustine is the only place \nnot \"\nout west\" that I'd consider living. We've spent four years in Ventura  but every summer we leave and live out of one of our van builds before we sell it and bounce around between high country in Colorado to see my folks, a few weeks in Idaho, a few weeks in Tahoe, and usually Montana and Wyoming too.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAfter all of that traveling and checking out just about every spot on the coast between Santa Barbara and Ensenada, we would always be happy to go back to St. Augustine! Great, local food. Great sense of community. The surf is generally at least fun and sometimes it's \nreally \na lot of fun! If you're comparing coastal CA to coastal St. Augustine it's an absolute no-brainer depending on what you do for work.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nFor what it's worth there is not a better taco in this country than Mojos on the boulevard. People can argue with me until they're blue in the face but until someone on here can say \"I've had Mojos tacos and I think _____ is better\" I'll stand behind that."], ["207711", "10448", "Cities to Surf and raise a family in that are somewhat affordable?", 55, "PeakMaster", "May 18, 2021", "2021-05-18T17:13:58-0400", "Fishface said: \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n            housing prices go up and down... What we are seeing right now is ultra low interest rates, low inventory and with mortgage forbearance and halts to evictions.\n\n\n\nData is showing well over 3 million homes being 90 days past due.   There really isnt an incentive for people to sell unless they are moving out of state or upgrading from a smaller house.\n\n\n\nThe people not paying arent getting foreclosed.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nI am a mortgage loan officer and have 25 preapprovals with clients putting offers in left and right.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nOnce these covid restrictions on housing lift - there may be more supply which will stabilize the market.\n\n\n\nAlso, the non stop printing of money by the feds to fund these covid stimulus packages will lead to inflation and that will result in higher interest rates which will knock down affordability of these homes.\n\n\n\nThat could lead to lower prices but the payments would be the same.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nOne piece of advice. Lenders will only loan on the lower of the purchase price or the appraisal amount. So if youre putting in a high offer and the appraisal is lower be prepared to come in with that extra cash....\n        \n\n\nClick to expand...\n\n\n\n\nYour advice is sound but irrelevant to beach communities. Real estate within 1 mile of any beach,  any coast is/ has skyrocketed. It will never come back to a lower price,"], ["207713", "10448", "Cities to Surf and raise a family in that are somewhat affordable?", 56, "Proper_Mode", "May 18, 2021", "2021-05-18T17:40:11-0400", "Tofino?"], ["207714", "10448", "Cities to Surf and raise a family in that are somewhat affordable?", 57, "Fishface", "May 18, 2021", "2021-05-18T17:51:53-0400", "PeakMaster said: \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n            Your advice is sound but irrelevant to beach communities. Real estate within 1 mile of any beach,  any coast is/ has skyrocketed. It will never come back to a lower price,\n        \n\n\nClick to expand...\n\n\n\n\nI think anyone within 5 miles of the coast can surf twice a day... You def see more price fluctuations a mile out\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nIn San Diego that would be East of the I-5 freeway"], ["207716", "10448", "Cities to Surf and raise a family in that are somewhat affordable?", 58, "endoftheroad", "May 18, 2021", "2021-05-18T18:02:42-0400", "Proper_Mode said: \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n            Tofino?\n        \n\n\nClick to expand...\n\n\n\n\n   Vancouver Island real estate has gone thru the roof as well..   Tofino is ridiculous.  Comparable to any US beach town..      Oregon and Washington way cheaper\n\n\n\n  This  beachfront 22 yr old condo was listed for 1.4M Canadian. It sold for 2.4, a million over asking  :/"], ["207717", "10448", "Cities to Surf and raise a family in that are somewhat affordable?", 59, "SdSurferguy", "May 18, 2021", "2021-05-18T18:11:59-0400", "https://www.zillow.com/lemoore-ca/"], ["207750", "10448", "Cities to Surf and raise a family in that are somewhat affordable?", 60, "Sax-son", "May 19, 2021", "2021-05-19T00:41:26-0400", "I don't want to be a killjoy here, but in order to afford mortgage payments on a $700,000.00 house, your family has to be pulling in at least $120,000 per year and that is assuming that you have no other debt. If you are making that kind of money or more, no problem. However, most surfers I know don't come anywhere close to that. Realistically, most families can only afford a house around $350,000.00, Good luck finding a house anywhere close to a costal community for that price."], ["207770", "10448", "Cities to Surf and raise a family in that are somewhat affordable?", 61, "Artz", "May 19, 2021", "2021-05-19T10:23:22-0400", "JBorbone said: \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n@Macilious\n Chris - you're spot on with that Sandy reference! From Seaside Park all the way up to Sandy Hook, everything retained 100% of value +! (BTW - Epic meeting you that day in Avon! That got me super stoked, such a small world!!!)\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nOP \n@mightyrime\n - Check out St Augustine FL if you're willing to leave CA, we just settled here. I spent 18 months doing exactly what you're doing with a massive spreadsheet tracking all the pros and cons, social/financial/misc. We spent time up and down the coast of CA meeting with realtors from Mill Valley area all the way down to La Jolla, and out east from Portland ME suburbs all the way down to Palm Beach county. After meeting with probably upwards of 50 realtors and nearly 2 years of searching we found the spot and it's perfect. Good weather, good waves, good people, good schools (best in FL, fair compared to New England standards), good value. Win-Win.\n        \n\n\nClick to expand...\n\n\n\n\n When we made are move to the east coast of Florida. St Augustine Fl. Was high on our list. Sent a lot of time there. It's a very nice community. Lots to do. Fishing Golf and of course Surfing. We liked the area. If you are going to be in Florida I don't think you can get much better then St Augustine."], ["207972", "10448", "Cities to Surf and raise a family in that are somewhat affordable?", 62, "H2OBO", "May 21, 2021", "2021-05-21T13:09:40-0400", "Deep valley, back gate, and parts of vista could work. Those rural  properties south off melrose/78 are cool, wooded, still a bargain , wont be for long.  And not far from beaches, 10 min.  And good baja is only 1.5 hrs away, I would be sad to lose that!  My buddy got one off Douglas and coco palms 3 years ago for 330K, probably worth 430k. now.  South O probably outa range.  The neighbors house just sold last week , listed at 998k, they accepted a 1.2M offer within 5days, and 18 offers. Nuts.  Its only a 3/2 1800sqft.  Thats Cassidy/hunsaker area.  Id ride it out as a renter and build your income getting ready for the next optimal time to buy, when things settle."], ["207993", "10448", "Cities to Surf and raise a family in that are somewhat affordable?", 63, "takedown", "May 21, 2021", "2021-05-21T15:58:50-0400", "@H2OBO\n thanks for the pointers, got me thinking now to check those out.  Living near the coast would be great."], ["207997", "10448", "Cities to Surf and raise a family in that are somewhat affordable?", 64, "Surfnfish", "May 21, 2021", "2021-05-21T16:47:49-0400", "if you were 55..\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nhttps://www.realtor.com/realestatea...ateandhomes-detail/3890-Vista-Campana-S-Unit-34_Oceanside_CA_92057_M18417-84974"], ["207998", "10448", "Cities to Surf and raise a family in that are somewhat affordable?", 65, "XXX", "May 21, 2021", "2021-05-21T16:57:53-0400", "Surfnfish said: \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n            if you were 55..\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nhttps://www.realtor.com/realestatea...ateandhomes-detail/3890-Vista-Campana-S-Unit-34_Oceanside_CA_92057_M18417-84974\n\n\n\n\nClick to expand...\n\n\n\n\nI looked around SE border of Pendleton a while back: San Marcos??  I could see it working, but am spoiled by my 5 minute commute to surf. No idea about the schools."], ["208032", "10448", "Cities to Surf and raise a family in that are somewhat affordable?", 66, "KDenning", "May 22, 2021", "2021-05-22T09:58:26-0400", "The size of this fridge (and freezer??) is astounding.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nImage processing. Refresh page to view"], ["208038", "10448", "Cities to Surf and raise a family in that are somewhat affordable?", 67, "Sax-son", "May 22, 2021", "2021-05-22T11:12:06-0400", "KDenning said: \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n            The size of this fridge (and freezer??) is astounding.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nView attachment 30736\n\n\n\n\nClick to expand...\n\n\n\n\nYes it is! Hopefully after paying your monthly mortgage payment, you have enough money left to buy food for it."], ["208052", "10448", "Cities to Surf and raise a family in that are somewhat affordable?", 68, "Artz", "May 22, 2021", "2021-05-22T13:57:06-0400", "Just checked my old Neighborhood in Encinitas. In Encinitas. My old home was 1600 sq foot. 3 bd 2 by.  Now worth over 1 million.  No ocean views but a very nice view of Ranch Santa Fe. Crazy prices."], ["208059", "10448", "Cities to Surf and raise a family in that are somewhat affordable?", 69, "Sax-son", "May 22, 2021", "2021-05-22T15:45:12-0400", "Artz said: \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n            Just checked my old Neighborhood in Encinitas. In Encinitas. My old home was 1600 sq foot. 3 bd 2 by.  Now worth over 1 million.  No ocean views but a very nice view of Ranch Santa Fe. Crazy prices.\n        \n\n\nClick to expand...\n\n\n\n\nDig this! My great grandmother owned 14 acres up on Crest Drive if you know where that is in Leucadia. My grandparents owned the adjacent 3 acre parcel on the same street. My grandparents moved in 1958 and my great grandmother died in 1964. My uncle held on to the property until the late 1960's before selling it. He had offered it to my mother, but she had recently got a new job in Ventura County and didn't think she could swing it as she was a single mom raising 3 kids. Encinitas and Leucadia were among my fondest childhood memories. Seems like a lifetime ago now. I do remember Swami's being there though. I don't have a clue of what it could be worth now."], ["208060", "10448", "Cities to Surf and raise a family in that are somewhat affordable?", 70, "XXX", "May 22, 2021", "2021-05-22T15:55:02-0400", "Sax-son said: \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n            Dig this! My great grandmother owned 14 acres up on Crest Drive if you know where that is in Leucadia. My grandparents owned the adjacent 3 acre parcel on the same street. My grandparents moved in 1958 and my great grandmother died in 1964. My uncle held on to the property until the late 1960's before selling it.\n        \n\n\nClick to expand...\n\n\n\n\nBest friend in High School grew up on about 5 acres of avocado orchard. He didn't make out of the 70's.  His Aunty had over twice the acreage in avos in what is now the 'design' district in Solana Beach."], ["208082", "10448", "Cities to Surf and raise a family in that are somewhat affordable?", 71, "Bravoaloha", "May 23, 2021", "2021-05-22T22:03:51-0400", "SdSurferguy said: \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nhttps://www.zillow.com/lemoore-ca/\n\n\n\n\nClick to expand...\n\n\n\n\nI think this is the first time I have actually laughed out loud at a post on JB\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nGreat thread. I am a Jersey Boy and I'm hoping someday I can own a home close to the water.."], ["208169", "10448", "Cities to Surf and raise a family in that are somewhat affordable?", 72, "Dawnpatrol", "May 24, 2021", "2021-05-24T11:55:05-0400", "Surfnfish said: \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n            if you were 55..\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nhttps://www.realtor.com/realestatea...ateandhomes-detail/3890-Vista-Campana-S-Unit-34_Oceanside_CA_92057_M18417-84974\n\n\n\n\nClick to expand...\n\n\n\n\nOceana!  Surf buddy of mine from Dana Point (retired) bought here five years ago.  A complete remodel for 260K.  I thought if I were to leave the PNW (going on 50 years now) and moved back to California for surf, this would be the place.  Good amenities, Emerald Isle Golf Course (if your into banging a little white ball around) a great little cafe with great burgers and beers, and drum roll please..............................within a half an hour of San'O (if the traffic allows).  Down side, fires.  Being next to Pendleton and sitting on a dry arid mesa without a safe zone around it would be concerning."], ["208172", "10448", "Cities to Surf and raise a family in that are somewhat affordable?", 73, "Sax-son", "May 24, 2021", "2021-05-24T12:29:07-0400", "Dawnpatrol said: \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n            Oceana!  Surf buddy of mine from Dana Point (retired) bought here five years ago.  A complete remodel for 260K.  I thought if I were to leave the PNW (going on 50 years now) and moved back to California for surf, this would be the place.  Good amenities, Emerald Isle Golf Course (if your into banging a little white ball around) a great little cafe with great burgers and beers, and drum roll please..............................within a half an hour of San'O (if the traffic allows).  Down side, fires.  Being next to Pendleton and sitting on a dry arid mesa without a safe zone around it would be concerning.\n        \n\n\nClick to expand...\n\n\n\n\nAlthough I haven't lived in that area since the age of 12, I still like that North County vibe.  I was down there last year and although it has grown a lot, it was still really cool. That to me is what is important. The surf sports are secondary to that."], ["208232", "10448", "Cities to Surf and raise a family in that are somewhat affordable?", 74, "mightyrime", "May 24, 2021", "2021-05-24T18:16:37-0400", "As an update we have 3 offers in on houses in Oceanside / Vista within our budget.  Fingers crossed one gets accepted.  \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nOn a side note we went to a couple open houses over the weekend and it was packed...  Packed with people younger than me driving new teslas and BMWs... i dont think i stand a chance against them.  Hopefully the houses we are bidding are a bit too suburban and far from the beach for their rich tastes."], ["208246", "10448", "Cities to Surf and raise a family in that are somewhat affordable?", 75, "PeakMaster", "May 24, 2021", "2021-05-24T19:06:09-0400", "Clowns still not getting it.\n\n\n\n Reality check: unless you can leverage a million plus and sustain it as in a mortgage...or pay cash, you ain't owning property within walking distance(1 mile or less)of the beach. Not on the west coast and not on the east coast. That's just a fact that's not going away in anyone who is reading this  lifetime. \n\n\n\nAll the reminiscing, nostalgia, anecdotes of Aunt Connie owning this place 4 decades ago or whatever the fuck, are memories irrelevant to the OP's question.\n\n\n\nEither you have the scrilla by whatever means, you inherit, or you bought at the right time( as fate would have it for me)...you need to come up with a plan B."], ["208248", "10448", "Cities to Surf and raise a family in that are somewhat affordable?", 76, "takedown", "May 24, 2021", "2021-05-24T19:19:50-0400", "Plenty of places in the Northwest with walking distance to the beach for less than a million.  Even easier if you are willing to build.  We investigated it and started to get serious about it, but decided to stay inland for other reasons.  All hope is not lost if people are willing to leave what they know."], ["208251", "10448", "Cities to Surf and raise a family in that are somewhat affordable?", 77, "Sax-son", "May 24, 2021", "2021-05-24T19:25:55-0400", "PeakMaster said: \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n            Clowns still not getting it.\n\n\n\nReality check: unless you can leverage a million plus and sustain it as in a mortgage...or pay cash, you ain't owning property within walking distance(1 mile or less)of the beach. Not on the west coast and not on the east coast. That's just a fact that's not going away in anyone who is reading this  lifetime.\n\n\n\nAll the reminiscing, nostalgia, anecdotes of Aunt Connie owning this place 4 decades ago or whatever the fuck, are memories irrelevant to the OP's question.\n\n\n\nEither you have the scrilla by whatever means, you inherit, or you bought at the right time( as fate would have it for me)...you need to come up with a plan B.\n        \n\n\nClick to expand...\n\n\n\n\nWho cares what you think? There is enough info on here for the OP to get a clue on. Everybody here knows the beach property is way past most folks ability to purchase it.  He will inevitable have to come up his plan B. Unfortunately, the only clown I see on this particular thread is you."], ["208254", "10448", "Cities to Surf and raise a family in that are somewhat affordable?", 78, "Nalu", "May 24, 2021", "2021-05-24T19:38:05-0400", "takedown said: \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n            Plenty of places in the Northwest with walking distance to the beach for less than a million.  Even easier if you are willing to build.\n        \n\n\nClick to expand...\n\n\n\n\nAbsolutely! I own land on the Sonoma/Mendocino coast and am in the process of building a house within that budget. It's 300 feet from the shore, on a cliff (rock solid) with unobstructed ocean views, a short 5min bike ride to the nearest beach and a 10-15min bike ride to a great surf spot."], ["208264", "10448", "Cities to Surf and raise a family in that are somewhat affordable?", 79, "H2OBO", "May 25, 2021", "2021-05-24T20:05:43-0400", "Sax-son said: \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n            Who cares what you think? There is enough info on here for the OP to get a clue on. Everybody here knows the beach property is way past most folks ability to purchase it.  He will inevitable have to come up his plan B. Unfortunately, the only clown I see on this particular thread is you.\n        \n\n\nClick to expand...\n\n\n\n\nSassy!"], ["208265", "10448", "Cities to Surf and raise a family in that are somewhat affordable?", 80, "PeakMaster", "May 25, 2021", "2021-05-24T20:21:17-0400", "Sax-son said: \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n            Who cares what you think? There is enough info on here for the OP to get a clue on. Everybody here knows the beach property is way past most folks ability to purchase it.  He will inevitable have to come up his plan B. Unfortunately, the only clown I see on this particular thread is you.\n        \n\n\nClick to expand...\n\n\n\n\nHe certainly does have enough info.  Nothing you contributed with your anecdotal horseshit and storytelling helped though. Or the other asswipes telling him to move to Costa Rica or some other 3rd world shithole with young kids and a wife you dumbshit. \n\n\n\nKeep those cards and letters comin' sweet pea!"], ["208270", "10448", "Cities to Surf and raise a family in that are somewhat affordable?", 81, "Sax-son", "May 25, 2021", "2021-05-24T20:38:12-0400", "PeakMaster said: \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n            He certainly does have enough info. Nothing you contributed with your anecdotal horseshit and storytelling helped though.\n        \n\n\nClick to expand...\n\n\n\n\nPerhaps not! But what did you contribute?"], ["208272", "10448", "Cities to Surf and raise a family in that are somewhat affordable?", 82, "PeakMaster", "May 25, 2021", "2021-05-24T20:46:45-0400", "Sax-son said: \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n            Perhaps not! But what did you contribute?\n        \n\n\nClick to expand...\n\n\n\n\nMy big knowledge and clearly stated, accurate expectations"], ["208285", "10448", "Cities to Surf and raise a family in that are somewhat affordable?", 83, "mightyrime", "May 25, 2021", "2021-05-24T22:36:12-0400", "As the original poster can I suggest we keep it mellow and friendly.  I appreciate all the comments.  I learned a few things but it mostly solidified what I already knew.  I will say through my research there are quite a few places within a 30 minute drive to the beach within my budget.. and 30 minutes is close enough for me."], ["208286", "10448", "Cities to Surf and raise a family in that are somewhat affordable?", 84, "Artz", "May 25, 2021", "2021-05-24T22:46:13-0400", "Leve it to peasy to start a shit fight.  N fact there are places that you can live close to the Coast for less then 1 million.  \n\n\n\nlooked at a place that is only about 10 minutes from the Beach. I could ride my bike to a nice little break. A better surf spot is about 15 minutes away driving on A1A. \n\n\n\n Cocoa Beach also is an opportunity. Big boom in the 1960s then a bust when the space program took a hit. Pretty rundown lots of drug related crime. Looks like now it is turning around."], ["208310", "10448", "Cities to Surf and raise a family in that are somewhat affordable?", 85, "Surfnfish", "May 25, 2021", "2021-05-25T12:03:44-0400", "as to those precious ocean views...house we raised the kids in, morning coffee was at the kitchen table with an expansive view of the harbor and inside reef of Mavericks...these days, a 2M house blocks that view.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nall a matter of value choices...if you want what everyone else wants, better dig deep...conversely, willing to change up some priorities and take a different approach...\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSpacious ocean view home for 550K available right now a 5 min walk and overlooking one of my fave lineups in OR, within a town of 6,000 folks...decent pads a 5 min drive for 400K...surf can range from ultra friendly LB fun to how deep or big are you willing to go ...to this day, still easy to find a fun session in the area by yourself, more likely you'll be looking for a few friends to surf with...and it all comes with 100\" of rain a year, great salmon and steelhead fishing, nearest city an hour away, major airport two hours...\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nall about choices..\n\n\n    \n\n\n\n\nImage processing. Refresh page to view\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nImage processing. Refresh page to view\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nImage processing. Refresh page to view"], ["208336", "10448", "Cities to Surf and raise a family in that are somewhat affordable?", 86, "Planktom", "May 25, 2021", "2021-05-25T17:06:12-0400", "Nice...."], ["208344", "10448", "Cities to Surf and raise a family in that are somewhat affordable?", 87, "KDenning", "May 25, 2021", "2021-05-25T18:40:47-0400", "PeakMaster said: \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n            Clowns still not getting it.\n        \n\n\nClick to expand...\n\n\n\n\nI know this is supposed to be a parody asshole account or whatever but I don't think anyone asked if it helped to have a good amount of money to live close to an ocean. I think that's implied.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAppreciate the input though! I'm sure it helped a lot of members that are in the same boat."], ["208354", "10448", "Cities to Surf and raise a family in that are somewhat affordable?", 88, "dubstar", "May 26, 2021", "2021-05-25T20:08:38-0400", "Numerous places under a million here in Long Beach, New York within walking / biking distance. The main issues are:\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n1) the current bidding war necessitates that you must have an inside track or be able to pay above market\n\n\n\n2) taxes\n\n\n\n3) most of the lower end properties will require extensive work\n\n\n\n4) luck"], ["208357", "10448", "Cities to Surf and raise a family in that are somewhat affordable?", 89, "ekim", "May 26, 2021", "2021-05-25T20:32:37-0400", "Tried to move to Australia in the 90's.  Wife at the time was from OZ but she wanted to stay here? Now I'm stuck 1 1/2 hour drive to the beach. My vote is Alaska."], ["208518", "10448", "Cities to Surf and raise a family in that are somewhat affordable?", 90, "mightyrime", "May 27, 2021", "2021-05-27T14:23:29-0400", "As an update to the socal situation.  We put offers on 4 houses in the past week.  2 went for over $65k over the already overly inflated asking price.  1 was accepted for our budget but needed major work, which between 2 kids, full time job etc... i dont want that.. I would rather surf if i have free time.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nand lastly we found a house 2 blocks from our house not yet on market.  its smaller than we want but immaculate.  Also over budget but not by much...  I think we are going for it.  17 minutes from my front door to oceanside harbor parking lot... which is awesome.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nfingers crossed... because if this one does not happen i think we are out of the game and looking for a rental.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nstressssss"], ["208564", "10448", "Cities to Surf and raise a family in that are somewhat affordable?", 91, "Sax-son", "May 27, 2021", "2021-05-27T19:52:23-0400", "We will keep good thoughts and wishes so hopefully this will happen for you and your family."], ["208566", "10448", "Cities to Surf and raise a family in that are somewhat affordable?", 92, "takedown", "May 28, 2021", "2021-05-27T20:05:45-0400", "@mightyrime\n have you looked at any of the mobile homes in leucadia?  I don't know if it would work for you because you don't get much land, but I've been in several that have been renovated and they end up being pretty nice little homes, blocks from beacons.  The land lease is not cheap, but maybe it would be worth it as a middle ground between rent and buying.  Then maybe when things cool off you could sell and buy somewhere else.  I thought of it when I saw a friend of mine who sells in that area had posted about one she just did a deal on.  Another friend rented one for several years and it was really nice to visit him there.  I'd live in one in a heartbeat if I was down south.  GL!"], ["208569", "10448", "Cities to Surf and raise a family in that are somewhat affordable?", 93, "GETWET", "May 28, 2021", "2021-05-27T20:10:35-0400", "Hang in there.\n\n\n\nMy buddy retired to Oceanside about 12years ago from the bay area. About 15 min drive to the Harbor n the Pier. Maybe 20 minutes to Terra Mar and another 10 to Cardiff. \n\n\n\nI would visit him frequently. Beautiful place to chase surf. There is a good chance the prices will become more reasonable.\n\n\n\nHe bought low, it went up, up, up, Then it came back more realistic.  Now its back up. \n\n\n\nWait it out with a rental is not a bad choice.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nGood Luck"], ["208573", "10448", "Cities to Surf and raise a family in that are somewhat affordable?", 94, "Sax-son", "May 28, 2021", "2021-05-27T20:29:35-0400", "GETWET said: \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n            here is a good chance the prices will become more reasonable.\n\n\n\nHe bought low, it went up, up, up, Then it came back more realistic. Now its back up.\n        \n\n\nClick to expand...\n\n\n\n\nI don't have any crystal ball, but I have experienced about a half dozen or so real estate booms since the mid 1970's and they seem to fit a particular pattern. At first, it's like a world gone mad and a buying frenzy, then the prices start going way beyond most folks budgets, then if interest rates start to to creep up, buyers start getting cold feet and then the bottom drops out. My idea is more of buying when the prices are lower even if interest rates are higher. Once you get a mortgage you can refinance later at a lower rate. Perhaps that is not happening at the moment, but nothing can continue climbing and climbing. One caveat though, they never go back down to where they were. They seem to settle back somewhere in the middle."], ["208582", "10448", "Cities to Surf and raise a family in that are somewhat affordable?", 95, "Ricksurfin", "May 28, 2021", "2021-05-27T22:53:46-0400", "And, coastal properties don\u2019t seem to drop out as much when the market dips."], ["208592", "10448", "Cities to Surf and raise a family in that are somewhat affordable?", 96, "ekim", "May 28, 2021", "2021-05-28T02:42:42-0400", "I scored my house by swinging by and saying hi to the owner. I told him I'd put an offer on it and he said something like, \"are you gonna want me to fix the roof on the garage?\" I said if you take my offer you can leave it as is. Helped that he was a fellow motorcyclist and I was on my bike. Just got lucky? Good luck to you."], ["208595", "10448", "Cities to Surf and raise a family in that are somewhat affordable?", 97, "PeakMaster", "May 28, 2021", "2021-05-28T05:34:31-0400", "Ricksurfin said: \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n            And, coastal properties don't seem to drop out as much when the market dips.\n        \n\n\nClick to expand...\n\n\n\n\nThey don't drop at all. At best, they don't increase or the rate of increase slows a bit."], ["208601", "10448", "Cities to Surf and raise a family in that are somewhat affordable?", 98, "txgrinder", "May 28, 2021", "2021-05-28T08:18:32-0400", "robsawyer said: \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n            Texas. Corpus, south padre or surfside / Galveston. Don't tell anyone else... but it's easy living. There is cheap land. The surf gets fun (when it's not blown out) and when surf is blown, fishing is good.\n        \n\n\nClick to expand...\n\n\n\n\nThis pretty much....and I ain't advertising it. So much of where we  choose to live can affect personal lifestyle beliefs as well....and that can be a major plus or a major minus."], ["208610", "10448", "Cities to Surf and raise a family in that are somewhat affordable?", 99, "SMUKES", "May 28, 2021", "2021-05-28T10:31:32-0400", "ekim said: \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n            Tried to move to Australia in the 90's.  Wife at the time was from OZ but she wanted to stay here? Now I'm stuck 1 1/2 hour drive to the beach. My vote is Alaska.\n        \n\n\nClick to expand...\n\n\n\n\nI did the same thing lol. Lived in Cronulla.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n                    ekim said: \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n            Tried to move to Australia in the 90's.  Wife at the time was from OZ but she wanted to stay here? Now I'm stuck 1 1/2 hour drive to the beach. My vote is Alaska.\n        \n\n\nClick to expand..."], ["208698", "10448", "Cities to Surf and raise a family in that are somewhat affordable?", 100, "PeakMaster", "May 29, 2021", "2021-05-29T06:40:57-0400", "txgrinder said: \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n            This pretty much....and I ain't advertising it. So much of where we  choose to live can affect personal lifestyle beliefs as well....and that can be a major plus or a major minus.\n        \n\n\nClick to expand...\n\n\n\n\nPrecisely.  It's the single most important decision. Where you live dictates how you will live."]], "truncated": false, "filtered_table_rows_count": 225, "expanded_columns": [], "expandable_columns": [[{"column": "thread_id", "other_table": "threads", "other_column": "thread_id"}, null]], "columns": ["post_id", "thread_id", "thread_title", "post_number", "author_username", "post_date", "post_date_iso", "post_body"], "primary_keys": ["post_id"], "units": {}, "query": {"sql": "select post_id, thread_id, thread_title, post_number, author_username, post_date, post_date_iso, post_body from posts where \"thread_id\" = :p0 order by post_id limit 101", "params": {"p0": "10448"}}, "facet_results": {}, "suggested_facets": [{"name": "post_date", "toggle_url": "http://www.surf-archive.org/surfing/posts.json?thread_id=10448&_facet=post_date"}], "next": "208698", "next_url": "http://www.surf-archive.org/surfing/posts.json?thread_id=10448&_next=208698", "private": false, "allow_execute_sql": true, "query_ms": 9.758647000126075, "license": "Public Domain"}