Where to buy a house

[DWC]

Born and raised in So Cal. Spent 2 years in Atl. The “brief” period of humidity and cold weather probably isn’t bad if you grow up in it. There’s a reason that that Spring Break is a huge deal there. Bugs, pollen, sweating the second you get out of the shower.. No thanks. (Unless work tells me I’m going back of course).
Plan is to retire in Havasu and keep the so cal house. We’ll see how it goes

 

[Riley1]

On top of all this, Austin is full of libs.

 

[DLC]

Yup, central California still has some good options.

Central Ca is expensive also, brother lives in Paso area and it quite expensive

 

[HPBoats83]

Idaho or southwest Montana


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[DLC]

Born and raised in So Cal. Spent 2 years in Atl. The “brief” period of humidity and cold weather probably isn’t bad if you grow up in it. There’s a reason that that Spring Break is a huge deal there. Bugs, pollen, sweating the second you get out of the shower.. No thanks. (Unless work tells me I’m going back of course).
Plan is to retire in Havasu and keep the so cal house. We’ll see how it goes

We have the same plan but dump the main house. To much up keep to rent! We have a rental duplex that can work if needed. Although an RV is the ticket! Go and stay where you want, cooler or warmer take your pic....

My uncle lives in Bullhead they love it, they are fair compacted, talking Like NO sun at all his name is Jack but you could call him Casper, get up at noon eat breakfast at 1 and head to the casino for dinner or a show tons of entertainment for them.

 

[Wheeler]

St George Utah if you can deal with the Mormons

Bring on the women and Bring'em young.

 

[CarolynandBob]

To live year round, North Georgia. Lake Lanier or Lake Hartwell

Guntersville Lake in North Alabama is worth a look. Haven't been there so not sure about the area.

North Carolina is nice, but it is starting to turn into a blue state. At least that is the way it looks now with a democrat gov. Worried Charlotte will rule the state the way San Fran and L.A. rule CA. Other than that the state is really nice and who knows it could go back red.

Ashville gets cold in the winter. We were just there this summer. High was 72 and was chilly in the morning. Tubed down the French Broad River. I little cold but not bad.

 

[RitcheyRch]

That's the issue my wife and I are having right now. We used to really enjoy the heat and the hotter the better but not anymore. We have been dreading the heat and are ready for the cooler Fall weather.


We have thought about moving to Idaho, North/South Carolina or even Tennessee

Lived in either Tucson or Phoenix my whole Life. I know what hot is and what the Summers are like here. But I'll be damned if the older I get, the hotter it feels. It's not getting hotter, just more uncomfortable.

I shoveled snow once, when I briefly lived in WI. Fuck that noise!

 

[HB2Havasu]

Several others have pretty much the same plan as us with a few exceptions. We’re building a house in Havasu that will be our summer boating vacation home and Snowbird Winter Rental until we retire in approx 10 years.Once we’ve retired we will rent out our SoCal home and use Havasu as our primary residence from Labor Day thru Memorial Day. As long as we can drive safely we will jump in the Moho when it’s Stoopid Hot in Havasu and Boondock Camp in the Sierras, Rockies, etc and rent out the Havasu House as a summer rental while were gone. Once we’re too old to drive we will sell the Havasu House & Moho and move back to the SoCal House (if it hasn’t gone full blown Socialist Retard by then?) so our kids can keep an eye on us until we go to meet our maker. It’s kinda morbid planning your exit but it is what it is!

 

[2FORCEFULL]

Use to live in Atascadero 12 years ago

LOL.... I had to mow the lawn at the fire dept every sat. for a while...my friends would drive by..."Hey DeMello, you miss'd a spot!"..... cruel and unusual punishment !!! but, if you do the crime.... you do the time....I wouldn't say cheep... but... you can still buy there reasonable if you get out a little..templeton would be nice also...wonder if Hope and larrys is still there...Liquor in the front, poker in the rear!

 

[2FORCEFULL]

Never going to live in California again!

with all the working force moving out, I bet there will be a cover charge to drive through there soon....they can only raise the gas price so high,...100 gal fuel tanks is gonna be the mod again to trucks, funny, the farther you get away from cal,. the cheeper the fuel...

 

[2FORCEFULL]

California is a disease, and it spreads like sitting next to a guy with the flu on the bus..every state that borders cal... is coming down with the same disease...ARIFORNIA ,.... look at your vech. reg....they added 32 bucks for Public Satety fee,..sure everyone bitched about it.... but they still are charging it..I think the public is safe enough my self...paying 32 bucks a car has not made anyone safer.... they have less money, so now they drive with stolen plates and no insurance...

 

[Nailhead]

I’ve been looking at TN. I liked everything about TX but the property taxes. The biggest downside to Havi is getting family in and out for holidays or vacations.

We were doing the same thing until we discovered the property taxes. Found a couple of great places on the water with boat lifts.

 

[Duffster]

QUOTE="RiverDave, post: 3448495, member: 2"]Gets cold there in the winter / snow / ice etc..

If you could deal with the bugs, I'd look at North Carolina. It has a climate that is fairly close to So Cal. Just more humidity and a little hotter.

RD[/QUOTE]

The only issue with bugs out here in North Carolina is that they make a lot of noise during the warmer months at night and sound freaky and that’s pretty much it and normal exterminator maintenance. Yes a it’s a little warmer due to the humidity but not as bad as the baking 118° Havasu heat. The last few days out here have been in the 70’s with some cool afternoon thunderstorms. You don’t need to water anything outside due to all the rain so everything stays green. As for Lake Norman no speed limit and 500mi of shoreline with lots of boat up restaurants and dive-bars and gas docks.

It’s just way more affordable out here and the locals seem to show more patriotism with flags on houses and just being nice. I lived in so-cal my entire life moved out here this past May and so far it’s been a very cool experience.

 

[Duffster]

North Carolina - areas that surround Lake Norman. Cornelius, Davidson, Denver NC, Huntersville & Mooresville.
Humid for a few months, gets a dusting of snow in winter, but about as "So Cal" as your gonna get for cheap(er).

Yep gas in Mooresville is currently 2.39 all around town.

 

[2FORCEFULL]

I don't know if it AGE, or airconditioning,,, but I don't seem to take the heat as well...when I was younger, worked in the heat all day...so stayed more use to it I guess...never even had AC in my truck...now, I stay in the AC everywhere I go....when I have to go out in the heat.... I melt..

 

[Duffster]

I own a house in Phoenix, and a cabin in the mountain's near Flagstaff. It's very similar to owning a beach house in Newport, and a cabin on lake arrowhead, or a home in Palo Alto, and a cabin in Tahoe.

The key is keeping both places within a 2-4 hour drive during weekend traffic.

Best of both worlds (home prices/lake access), Lake Elsinore/ Canyon Lake area is not all so bad.

I lived in Canyon Lake on the water with a slip in the backyard golf cart etc it takes about a year then the coolness wears off. The place is very cramped and political with lots of old people making rules.

 

[Duffster]

I don't know if it AGE, or airconditioning,,, but I don't seem to take the heat as well...when I was younger, worked in the heat all day...so stayed more use to it I guess...never even had AC in my truck...now, I stay in the AC everywhere I go....when I have to go out in the heat.... I melt..

You got to stay cool. Out here in NC I run my AC 24/7 and my power bill is less that $200 a month and that’s cooling a 3100sq ft house. In California I was paying around $400-500 during the summer months.

 

[BONER]

That's the issue my wife and I are having right now. We used to really enjoy the heat and the hotter the better but not anymore. We have been dreading the heat and are ready for the cooler Fall weather.


We have thought about moving to Idaho, North/South Carolina or even Tennessee

I got the opportunity to go to Coeur D'Alene in May. I've been all over this Country. Kinda why I've preferred the Heat. CDA is badass. And if you only hang out for 3 or 4 Months, good chance you won't see Snow.

I've also spent some time during the Summer in the Mid West and back East. Humidity is fucking stupid. Wouldn't catch me hanging out in that shit for fun. And in a majority of areas East of the Rockies, it's gonna get cold as shit and Snow. Pass.

 

[framer1]

grover beach, Atascadero, paso robles, santa margarita,[/Q


Paso Robles is closed...…...

 

[Rajobigguy]

Great weather, boating friendly and affordable housing? Pick two.

 

[DrunkenSailor]

Page az.

 

[Waffles]

Put me down as someone looking to move out east. Ive been window shopping in Chattanooga, Knoxville, La Vergne, Brentwood, etc etc for the last couple of years now. I was born and raised in Orange County but the more time passes and see this state degrade, the faster i want to get out of this shithole. Ive never considered NC but im glad i opened this thread to add it to my considerations.

 

[sirbob]

Isn't it drought, flood, drought, flood, mixed with humid ass temperatures all summer regardless?

Having lived in Austin I’d say it’s nowhere near as bad as Huston etc. humidity wise. Re the lake level - Horseshoe Bay is a constant level lake - people have fixed boat houses and slips under the houses. The level can change but they make every effort to manage it and keep it constant.

Lake Travis - right below Horseshoe can get dry as a bone and your dock can sit in dirt for years - that doesn’t really happen at Horseshoe Bay.

FWIW...

 

[srttruck]

Southern Idaho, Snake river area.

Idaho is closed, New York would be a great option.

 

[dnewps]

North Carolina - areas that surround Lake Norman. Cornelius, Davidson, Denver NC, Huntersville & Mooresville.
Humid for a few months, gets a dusting of snow in winter, but about as "So Cal" as your gonna get for cheap(er).

Moved from Santa Clarita to Mooresville...haven’t been back since I moved 5 years ago...not even to visit.

 

[PlanB]

Having lived in Austin I’d say it’s nowhere near as bad as Huston etc. humidity wise. Re the lake level - Horseshoe Bay is a constant level lake - people have fixed boat houses and slips under the houses. The level can change but they make every effort to manage it and keep it constant.

Lake Travis - right below Horseshoe can get dry as a bone and your dock can sit in dirt for years - that doesn’t really happen at Horseshoe Bay.

FWIW...

Houston is ridiculous, but Austin is bad IMO. I was stationed in Texas while in the Army (Hood) and went back a few years ago for a reunion (stayed in Austin). It was mid June, and the temp was 95-100 with humidity in the 70's. My wife loved it for about a day, then decided the humidity sucked. I will take Arizona dry heat over the humid heat in Texas.

 

[Bigbore500r]

Moved from Santa Clarita to Mooresville...haven’t been back since I moved 5 years ago...not even to visit.

That's a nice area, ill be up there in December. But.....Cornelius is the Santa Clarita of NC lol

 

[guest hs]

I was looking around Lake Norman or Lake of the Ozarks maybe Chattanooga. Looking for a large lot, lots of greenery 2-3 bed room house with at least two car garage not far from a lake. I would love my own pond on the property so I can run my Rc Boats on.

 

[Racey]

Number one question, can you deal with bugs? no-see-ums

This will be a huge factor narrowing down acceptable places, I love cooler and wooded places, and don't mind the humidity enough to write somwhere off be because of it, but i get absolutely eaten alive by bugs, i don't know if you end up getting immunity from it over time or what, but if that was a daily thing i couldn't do it.

 

[Taboma]

Having lived in Austin I’d say it’s nowhere near as bad as Huston etc. humidity wise. Re the lake level - Horseshoe Bay is a constant level lake - people have fixed boat houses and slips under the houses. The level can change but they make every effort to manage it and keep it constant.

Lake Travis - right below Horseshoe can get dry as a bone and your dock can sit in dirt for years - that doesn’t really happen at Horseshoe Bay.

FWIW...

While researching lake LBJ (Horseshoe) I stumbled across last October when it seems the normally constant level of that lake got a bit wonky Lake houses are sure cheaper in the Carolinas

 

[Duffster]

The only thing that sucks about North Carolina is the lack of good baja style mexican food.

 

[Duffster]

That's a nice area, ill be up there in December. But.....Cornelius is the Santa Clarita of NC lol

Cornelius is cool and has some decent brewery’s

 

[waterhorse]

Orcutt Ca. (Central Coast) We have been struggling through mid to high 70s temps for months. Real Estate is reasonable. Traffic is nearly non existent. 1-1/2 hours to Naci or San Antonio lakes, 30 min to Lopez lake. 15 t0 20 miles to Oceano and Pismo.

 

[84miller]

Looking myself and it is hard to find an answer. Pretty much stuck. Own a place in Carlsbad CA and a Mobile Home in Parker. Retired and go back and forth. Can not beat the weather in Carlsbad, year round is perfect. Do, however, hate the politics of CA, and the basic take over of the liberal dems. Hell, you can even get a republican candidate on the ticket to even attempt to vote a reasonable person to fix it. Any how, price wise I am very good, property taxes and all. Good thread and giving me ideas. If I had any suggestion. Get a place that is a major tourist/goto/vacation area. There is always something going on in the Carlsbad and Parker area allowing me something to do if I choose, it makes a difference for me. I go to boat races/shows/surf comps/street fairs/car shows, all pretty much free to do.

 

[sirbob]

Houston is ridiculous, but Austin is bad IMO. I was stationed in Texas while in the Army (Hood) and went back a few years ago for a reunion (stayed in Austin). It was mid June, and the temp was 95-100 with humidity in the 70's. My wife loved it for about a day, then decided the humidity sucked. I will take Arizona dry heat over the humid heat in Texas.

Now I’m not saying Austin is like Az!!! Lol

While researching lake LBJ (Horseshoe) I stumbled across last October when it seems the normally constant level of that lake got a bit wonky Lake houses are sure cheaper in the Carolinas
View attachment 792118

I did say they they make an effort to keep level -

 

[2FORCEFULL]

Looking myself and it is hard to find an answer. Pretty much stuck. Own a place in Carlsbad CA and a Mobile Home in Parker. Retired and go back and forth. Can not beat the weather in Carlsbad, year round is perfect. Do, however, hate the politics of CA, and the basic take over of the liberal dems. Hell, you can even get a republican candidate on the ticket to even attempt to vote a reasonable person to fix it. Any how, price wise I am very good, property taxes and all. Good thread and giving me ideas. If I had any suggestion. Get a place that is a major tourist/goto/vacation area. There is always something going on in the Carlsbad and Parker area allowing me something to do if I choose, it makes a difference for me. I go to boat races/shows/surf comps/street fairs/car shows, all pretty much free to do.

I like your thinking,... we had a cabin at lee canyon...while being built,..busy working... cool A frame with a big deck looking at the ski run and tops of the big pines....when the cabin was done... we'd get bord out of our wits....staring out at the same trees wasn't for me...that's why I wanna do the rv thing...go some where, do every thing and leave ….

 

[YoPengo]

The only thing that sucks about North Carolina is the lack of good baja style mexican food.

Great place up in Boone and the new Cantina 1511 is really good. I did a lot of research and ended up in NC for a reason. Love it here.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[Taboma]

Now I’m not saying Austin is like Az!!! Lol




I did say they they make an effort to keep level -

Yes I fully realize that --- A. I'm spoiled with the minor variations of Havasu and never having suffered flood conditions. But I do recall Parker suffering some minor (By comparison) flooding in 83'. --- and B. I've noticed many Texas lakes, despite the oft spoken of awesomeness of Texas, going from flooding one year to dried up mud hole the following.
OH and C. Most lakes I've researched back east, like lake Hartwell in GA. and many if not all of the Tennesse, Kentucky TVA lakes have normal winter/summer elevation changes of easily 14', leaving some bays winter mud holes.
I do find myself wondering if you're seasonal home owners (Winter Florida, summers Tennessee as an example) who might be absent during these seasonal changes cope with their moving their docks.
Perhaps something @CarolynandBob can weigh in on, since I'm sure this is something Bob has considered with his recent purchase.

 

[Andy B.]

Great place up in Boone and the new Cantina 1511 is really good. I did a lot of research and ended up in NC for a reason. Love it here.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

How are the bugs?

 

[AJ13]

I like the cold... sandpoint Idaho. Super neat town. There is a bridge over the lake to get there. It's a resort community so it takes big bucks.

Sandpoint Idaho would be my #1 pick.

 

[Duffster]

Great place up in Boone and the new Cantina 1511 is really good. I did a lot of research and ended up in NC for a reason. Love it here.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Cantina 1511 has excellent margaritas but I didn’t think the food was that good it was like Texmex bbq style. However we did find a decent place just up the 150 River Hwy called MI Tierrita that’s a Mexican market and restaurant but it’s pretty much a takeout place unless you want to drink beer and watch soccer with the locals. Out here you have to pretty much settle for good. We hit up Apps & Taps every so often but the boats need to get louder.

 

[Duffster]

How are the bugs?

The bug are not an issue but my property is pretty much cleared except for grass. They are crazy loud at night though.

 

[CarolynandBob]

Yes I fully realize that --- A. I'm spoiled with the minor variations of Havasu and never having suffered flood conditions. But I do recall Parker suffering some minor (By comparison) flooding in 83'. --- and B. I've noticed many Texas lakes, despite the oft spoken of awesomeness of Texas, going from flooding one year to dried up mud hole the following.
OH and C. Most lakes I've researched back east, like lake Hartwell in GA. and many if not all of the Tennesse, Kentucky TVA lakes have normal winter/summer elevation changes of easily 14', leaving some bays winter mud holes.
I do find myself wondering if you're seasonal home owners (Winter Florida, summers Tennessee as an example) who might be absent during these seasonal changes cope with their moving their docks.
Perhaps something @CarolynandBob can weigh in on, since I'm sure this is something Bob has considered with his recent purchase.

Our dock will be in the mud mid September. Do not have to take it out. It is on posts and just slides down and sits on the mud. We will be there from May 1 - last week of Sept, so we can boat 4 ish months. We will pull boat right after labor day. It is big money to get deep water all year on most of Tennessee lakes. They draw it down so much for the run off in the spring.

I few other things to note about the TVA. If the property doesn't already have a dock make sure you can get a permit for one before you buy.
The top of the damn is 375', so no permanent building allow lower than I think 395'.
The first 100 yards or so from the water is owned by the TVA. You have access rights to the water and it is all woods. Can trim the trees up but not cut down without a permit. You do not have to maintain it but most clean it up in the spring from the run off. It is not added to your property tax yet you get to use it. The place we are buying is 8 acres, but with the TVA land it is more like 9.5. Some say TVA "won't let you do anything". Most people in the lake business say TVA just want you to ask and pay for the $100 permit.

If you want a year round place i would look at other lakes that don't draw down that much.

 

[brgrcru]

N Carolina , Winston / Salem area , blue ridge mountains. lakes, thunder storms, awesome.

 

[Danger Dave]

Columbus, Ohio or the surrounding areas.

 

[Taboma]

Our dock will be in the mud mid September. Do not have to take it out. It is on posts and just slides down and sits on the mud. We will be there from May 1 - last week of Sept, so we can boat 4 ish months. We will pull boat right after labor day. It is big money to get deep water all year on most of Tennessee lakes. They draw it down so much for the run off in the spring.

I few other things to note about the TVA. If the property doesn't already have a dock make sure you can get a permit for one before you buy.
The top of the damn is 375', so no permanent building allow lower than I think 395'.
The first 100 yards or so from the water is owned by the TVA. You have access rights to the water and it is all woods. Can trim the trees up but not cut down without a permit. You do not have to maintain it but most clean it up in the spring from the run off. It is not added to your property tax yet you get to use it. The place we are buying is 8 acres, but with the TVA land it is more like 9.5. Some say TVA "won't let you do anything". Most people in the lake business say TVA just want you to ask and pay for the $100 permit.

If you want a year round place i would look at other lakes that don't draw down that much.

Excellent information, thank you !! That explains the huge lake setbacks I've noticed.

 

[Boozer]

Charlotte or Raleigh NC. You’re far enough Inland that the humidity is not unbearable w/ Charlotte being the less humid of the two.

You’ll get 4 seasons but they’re very mild compared to most other places. The cost of living has gone up quite a bit over the last few years but it’s still a bargain compared to California.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Waterjunky]

You all are forgetting one key place on this list that meets all the requirements listed (except for the California stupid politics). The delta. Very rare for frost, temps over 100 are just a few days a year. Boating is , well..... its the delta. Its almost unlimited. Prices for houses are quite reasonable by California standards and generally the people are friendly.
All of this is why I am living there. Are there other great places? Of course! The wife and I need to stay in California for work currently so we pick the best available. When we retire we will probably have several simple small places and move around seasonally. And yes, we will be based out side of California.

 

[rvrrun]

The only thing that sucks about North Carolina is the lack of good baja style mexican food.

My SIL lives in NC, and the first thing they do when they get here is head for in n out or Supermex.