California is a failed state

[Tyler]

Anyways, I don't think it makes sense to use a million dollar Redwood City house as a baseline when there are far cheaper cities within the bay area proper (if the point is to have a big house for less). 

The point is not that cheaper homes cannot be found in the Bay Area.  It's that there are far cheaper places comparable (or preferable!) to the million dollar Redwood City bungalows in very nice cities elsewhere.  Expenses are a choice, and the world is larger and far more interesting than the insular west coast bubble.

BTW, very nice job on your own expenses.  That's impressive.

[dragoncar]

Anyways, I don't think it makes sense to use a million dollar Redwood City house as a baseline when there are far cheaper cities within the bay area proper (if the point is to have a big house for less). 

The point is not that cheaper homes cannot be found in the Bay Area.  It's that there are far cheaper places comparable (or preferable!) to the million dollar Redwood City bungalows in very nice cities elsewhere.  Expenses are a choice, and the world is larger and far more interesting than the insular west coast bubble.

BTW, very nice job on your own expenses.  That's impressive.

Oh I agree and may someday leave for cheaper pastures.  But I doubt most people would come out ahead moving to Texas and flying here every week vs just moving to the east bay.  Maybe it would work with a monthly visit.

[Pointedstick]

That's really impressive, dragoncar. If you're comfortable sharing, I think folks might be interested in a breakdown of your typical expenses.

[dragoncar]

That's really impressive, dragoncar. If you're comfortable sharing, I think folks might be interested in a breakdown of your typical expenses.

Well I did get lucky with some timing... Carrying costs for housing (rent equivalent) are $1200 including taxes and all utilities.  That's the biggest point.  I have a very small place,  but could obviously go way bigger outside of SF proper.

cell is $10, car $100 (estimated since I have an old car that is reliable but does need occasional repairs... No collision high liability and I also rarely drive), food around $200, health plan around $100 (through work but same cost as a ehealthinsurance plan last year)

That leaves $200 for misc, but I subscribe to ERE/MMM  type lifestyle.

Obviously this is for a single guy.  I don't budget per se but I do track expenses and look at the annual numbers divided by 12.  It actually used to be far less as I was renting a room for $500 but wanted to move closer to work to shorten my commute.

[Pointedstick]

Are you implying that you actually managed to buy a house or a condo or something in the SF bay area? That is pretty impressive, assuming it's in a reasonably nice area. Did you swoop into a really good deal when the real estate bubble popped?

[dragoncar]

Are you implying that you actually managed to buy a house or a condo or something in the SF bay area? That is pretty impressive, assuming it's in a reasonably nice area. Did you swoop into a really good deal when the real estate bubble popped?

Yes, at a historically low interest rate.  It's not in a "bad" part of town.

edit:  but again, it was luck not real estate prowess.  A few months later the same unit one floor up sold for 30% more.