Can I afford to move to San Francisco?

[anon40672407]

Gosh, I love it here! That said, i don’ town horses here anymore. Did my hobby farm down in inland San Diego. But I,ve ridden here at several places, one within a couple miles of the Fremont BART. My SIL rode endurances horses in the hills outside of Berkeley. There are horses all over.

But a hobby farm will not be in reach of mass transit. Mass transit is built in dense population centers, only stands to reason. So you’ll either have to decide to stick w the hobby farm idea and try to negotiate off hours commutes and working from home, or move into the city, live a city lifestyle so you work life is as easy as possible, and commute to boarded horses.

Chickens are allowed in yards in SF, but the goats, burro and horses will need to find other lodging. Housing in the city is very expensive – but it is worth a lot when you are ready to sell, as well. So…

There’so lots of hunter/jumper around here, and dressage both on the peninsula as well as east bay. Eventing at CTETA in Woodside., so various barns cater to those folks. I’ sure north bay also offers many sport interests. I just don’t know them.

[ladyrider]

Just want to chime in against the grain of anybody who says it’s not worth living here… while it’s not without it’s problems, I do LOVE living here. Every time my husband and I think of going someplace else, we just can’t think of anywhere we’d rather be. The weather (a HUGE factor for us, we love being outdoors), the proximity to the coast, the amazing parks and natural scenery, and the SF culture are the primary things that keep us anchored here. Of course we’ve had to make sacrifices and trade-offs. We do not own the house we live in, but we do own two properties further north which we rent out. When I lived on east coast, I had dozens of boarding facilities to choose from, all within 15 minutes of me. And my commute was 15 minuets. Now my horse is a 30 minutes drive away, and my commute is just under an hour by public transit (I use the ferry). Every time I go back to visit my family on the east coast now (they are in Virginia), I either think OH MY GOD IT’S SO COLD… or OH MY GOD IT’S SO HOT AND HUMID…and the gnats!! OH god, the GNATS! And my husband, who is from Scotland, and then Canada, is thrilled to only have to deal with mild rain and no snow! There are many reasons so many people want to live here… you just have to decide if those reasons are enough for you.

[Wonders12]

[QUOTE=alternaria;7892971]
I know I will have a longer commute. We used to live on the east coast so I’m okay with that and would love to be able to use BART rather than drive. [/QUOTE]

Can you clarify what you mean by “a longer commute”?

To me, “a longer commute” into San Francisco is 2 hours one way. But it sounds like that isn’t what you’re ok. If you can define a time, people here could probably be much more helpful.

With your salary, it’s definitely do-able to live in the Bay Area. But you are going to have to make some sacrifices.

Do you have to be in the office every day? If you only commute 2 days per week, the longer commute might be worth it. Similarly, can you work off hours? Overnights, 5am-2pm, 11am-8pm?Otherwise you’re probably looking at boarding all of your animals. There are many boarding facilities in the surrounding area, but they’re not all the greatest for retirees (limited turnout) and will probably not accept a donkey. Having your riding horse close by and your retirees farther away that you visit on the weekends would be much more doable (and is much more common). There are a lot of great places a couple hours out. Also, what is a 2-3 hour commute on weekdays can become a 1-1.5 hour commute on weekends.

I interviewed with a couple who had two homes. One in/near the city where they spent their weeks, and one near Santa Rosa where they kept their horses and spent weekends/vacations/the occasional weekday night. It did mean hiring someone to care for the animals.

Otherwise there a lot of expenses people don’t expect when they move there. Parking and tolls usually top the list for “surprise” fees. You will pay a toll every single day you cross a bridge, and it’s not the $0.50 tolls you see in a lot of places. Last I was there I think it was $6 or $7 a day. That adds up before you even take parking (the real expense) into account. But others gave you better estimates on those prices.

If you are a candidate that companies are willing to fight to get you in for, you can sometimes negotiate fastpass or parking into your benefits package.

Good luck. I love the bay area. I miss it. But living/working in San Francisco is a whole other beast. And as others mentioned, it’s changing. It’s loosing a lot of its “San Francisco-ness”, becoming more crowded, and becoming more… urban?

[Pocket_Pony]

For what you wrote in your first post that you want I’d say no. If you’re willing to move your retirees out of the area (or at least further out than the immediate “horsey” areas) then you’ll pay less for their retirement. Honestly, having grown up there and seeing what it is like now, it is so not worth it to me. Yes, it is a beautiful place, yes the weather is nice, but it is a soul-sucking place to live, IMHO - at least if you grew up there and know what it used to be like.

EVERYTHING is a competition. You’ll see houses that seem to be priced “well” or “fairly” but it is really a ploy to get multiple offers (in which case the selling price is much higher) and unless you have a VERY strong offer (all cash, quick close, no contingencies), you’re not going to get one of those.

Getting a parking spot to go to the grocery store is a competition. Waiting in line for public transportation is a competition, getting a table in a restaurant, finding a place to live, etc.

I grew up on the Peninsula when - yes, it is true (and I drive Mr. PoPo crazy when I say this because everyone who grew up where I did says the same thing) - there were apricot orchards everywhere. Lived there after college, worked and bought a house, and left 10 years ago for the country. I hate horse keeping there, the grind, the whole “Silicon Valley” thing. Ugh. It is like LA, but for business people. To me, the quality of life (lower because of work + commuting time + cost of living) is so not worth it. But everyone is different!

[Appsolute]

[QUOTE=Pocket Pony;7893785]
Yes, it is a beautiful place, yes the weather is nice, but it is a soul-sucking place to live, IMHO - at least if you grew up there and know what it used to be like.

EVERYTHING is a competition. ![/QUOTE]

Oh this SO MUCH THIS!!

Thats why I said “rat race” earlier. Caltrain? It used to be a nice easy way to commute. Now?! Now I must got off Muni which I rode from the FiDi (because Caltrain does not go down town) and SPRINT to the train (so I can hopefully fit on).

Then I need to get into the huge MOB of pushing, pressing people - hoping that I can actually GET ON the train, because these days, its been so jam packed, that people can’t physically get on. Oh, and if I miss that train? Its another hour - meaning I will have a 2.5 -3 hour ONE WAY commute home. People muble about how it reminds them of their time in Taiwan or India.

Looks cozy doesn’t it? The top picture is a joke - but the aisle show the typical scene on the train.

Resturant reservations are a competition. Getting into a bar is a competition (unless you show up very early, get ready to wait outside in a line), like Pocket Pony says - the grocery stores are packed, there is traffic everywhere…

Not a week goes by that I don’t comment that there are too many god damned people in the bay area now.

It might not be so troubling if you have no idea of how it “used to be”. Because it didn’t used to be like this.

There are MANY reasons to be here. The weather is wonderful, the art, food, and culture are things I enjoy.

But as each year passes - and as it keeps getting more and more insane, I find myself praying for a “bust” soon, please soon! Otherwise, I am going to have to leave my home, and try to find a life somewhere else.

I saw the dot com boom, and the traffic and cost of living rises that came with it. And the BUST - and a return to normalcy.

No idea if it will happen again, but I hope it does.

[anon40672407]

I don! T know what people are talking about. I just got on the train and am posting from it. Friday afternoon. No pushing and shoving. I suppose 7f this was a Gameday train, maybe…

[Appsolute]

Well - thats because lucky you is heading home at 2:40 in the afternoon!!

Start taking the 5:33 and report back.

This is a KNOWN problem!

Longer Trains May Be No Match for Growing Caltrain Crowd

Caltrain’s rush hour trains have never been more crowded, which isn’t just uncomfortable for riders…During a typical weekday on Caltrain, the number of trains with more passengers than seats (with passengers left standing) has increased from just two during summer 2010 to over ten trains in summer 2013. The agency estimates that standees account for 10 to 20 percent of passengers on the busiest winter trains, and 30 to 40 percent during the summer.

On several occasions FIGHTS have broken out as people try their darnest to get on the over packed trains. The 5:33’s first stop is at Milbrae - its common to hear shouting as people try desperately to get on even though the train is already filled well past capacity.

THIS is what it is like on most 5:33 pm bullets! Its THIS PACKED daily!

Of course, I could take a “local” train that would be less packed - then my commute would be 2.5 hours!

I ride the 6:45 train in the morning - which is a good thing because the San Jose parking lot fills by 7 am.

For those paying attention - this means I board the train at 6:45 AM and get back to San Jose at 6:45 PM - yep, 12 hours to do an 8-5 shift at the office in the FiDi.

(and game days are not a problem, most games start at 7pm - so the crowd is coming from the opposite way of the commute)

OP - if you are able to work from 9:30 am to 2:30 pm daily, the commute might not be bad up and down the peninsula.

[west5]

I know this is off topic but Appsolute the photo of Appsolute chocklate is just STUNNING.

[Appsolute]

Well - speaking of bay area, if anyone out here wants some photos of their horse, I really recommend Kathy!

https://www.facebook.com/KathyColmanPhotography

[KateKat]

[QUOTE=Appsolute;7893830]

But as each year passes - and as it keeps getting more and more insane, I find myself praying for a “bust” soon, please soon! Otherwise, I am going to have to leave my home, and try to find a life somewhere else.

I saw the dot com boom, and the traffic and cost of living rises that came with it. And the BUST - and a return to normalcy.

No idea if it will happen again, but I hope it does.[/QUOTE]

Come to Sacramento It’s where I ended up because I do love CA…I just did not want to be in the Bay Area. It makes me sad too because it is a location that obviously holds a special place in my heart having grown up there.

The one thing I am grateful for though is both my parents bought real estate there when it was affordable. My mom has owned her house since the 70’s, and my dad made some really smart investments in the mid 90’s. So basically, because of the insane housing market, both should be set when they are no longer able to care for themselves-all we have to do is sell the houses and they will have enough to support them for the rest of their lives and then some…

[poltroon]

Sometimes I commute between Walnut Creek and Berkeley for a week or so via BART. There’s some time involved but time on the train is not wasted time like time driving is - you can read, check email, etc. Ideally, if you can arrange your day so you don’t commute at peak hours, it’s a bit more comfortable.

Lafayette and Orinda are gorgeous areas. There are some decent places to board in the canyons there too, and quite a bit of open space. As noted, horsekeeping is not like in the east, and that 3 acre parcel may be a situation where you can keep horses but you have limited setup for riding from there, or it might be great, with ridden access to trails. There are great horse trails in the Orinda, Walnut Creek, Mt. Diablo areas.

It’s not necessary for you to live near a BART station to take advantage of it, of course. If you have to drive a half hour to BART and then can take it into the city that will still be a dramatic advantage over driving your car all the way in.

If you haven’t been here in a while, I suggest you come out for a visit. See if it is what you’re looking for. Maybe get a hotel in Walnut Creek and BART in to the city and see how it feels.

I live two and a half hours north, but fortunately, I am able to telecommute most of the time.

[Beentheredonethat]

What everyone said. I’ve lived here my whole life.

Orinda is very upscale and nice, but super hilly, and the best you’ll do is keep a horse in your backyard. There aren’t any real barns right there. t’s going to require another drive. You’re also sort of trapped between the hills and freeway and Caldecott tunnel and 680/24 interchange, so getting in and out of there is not so fun. I I’d say you’re biggest problem is going to be having access to your horses and actually being able to ride if you work in SF and have normal hours.

It depends on what you want and what’s important. I got caught in the pouring rain tonight riding, but it wasn’t cold. It’s between 50 and 70 degrees most of the year. (Go inland into the valley, and add or minus 20 degrees from that.) We don’t have to buy stuff to deal with very cold weather for the house, car, horse. or body. We don’t have hurricanes, tornados, or arctic winds (except in the water around here.) It only floods in certain places.

The economy is getting much better, and the traffic is much worse. You plan your day around it. I live 8 miles from work, and the barn is between home and work. It usually takes me 30 to 40 minutes to get to and from work.

There are a huge variety of people around here, and access to everything. It’s a great place to travel out of, as airports connect to everywhere.

If you’re interested in moving, I’d sure come and visit for awhile and get an idea of what you’re looking at.

[arbiter]

I apologize. I haven’t read the whole thread. But is it still possible to keep horses on water company land in the East Bay? When I was a grad. student at Cal, many many years ago (the eighties), one of my professors kept two horses there, and another at (I think) Grizzly Peak stables.

My short answer would be NO. The Bay Area is great if you have no pets or children.

[poltroon]

@arbiter;7894339

I apologize. I haven’t read the whole thread. But is it still possible to keep horses on water company land in the East Bay? When I was a grad. student at Cal, many many years ago (the eighties), one of my professors kept two horses there, and another at (I think) Grizzly Peak stables.

Yes, it is. It’s a very sweet deal, but it’s a co-op, so you have to put in sweat equity, and it’s got a waiting list. My daughter’s horse came from there last year. We had a very fun trail ride with amazing views.

[mvp]

[QUOTE=Appsolute;7893844]

THIS is what it is like on most 5:33 pm bullets! Its THIS PACKED daily! [/QUOTE]

Holy Sweet Unrecognizeable Jesus!

I grew up in the Bay Area and knew I could never go back. I rode between Burlingame and Woodside to ride, my own personal commute. I never saw CalTrain packed like that. Oh, and I commuted some on MetroNorth (New York’s and Connecticut’s answers to the San Francisco peninsula. There I did commute in the usual directions, am and pm. And those trains were never as full.

My mother’s family had been in Cali since the Gold Rush. A 5th generation Californian, I hated to leave but I can’t afford to go back there now. I watched a couple of real estate bubbles there and was shocked at the prices, plus peoples’ willingness to put such a large percentage of their pay into housing (not to mention a horrific commute which means the bread winner(s) only see the house in the dark).

Bottom line: I would not choose to move to California if my job were in downtown San Francisco and I wanted to keep horses. You’d have to be paid a heck of a lot more than $350-400K/year to keep horses in a way that’s as enjoyable as in other parts of the country better designed for horsing.

[Faye]

[QUOTE=Appsolute;7893989]
Well - speaking of bay area, if anyone out here wants some photos of their horse, I really recommend Kathy!

https://www.facebook.com/KathyColmanPhotography[/QUOTE]

OMG, that picture!! Stunning!!

To stay on topic, I live in the peninsula, portola valley, woodside are great horsie areas, but $$$$$$$

[SharonA]

You know, OP, if these are your dream jobs, it is one option to give your animals into the care of a good friend for a year or two and go take the dream job, rent an apartment in downtown San Francisco, and be city folks for a year or two. Then you could always reassess.

It is very hard when different dreams collide. But, you sounded so excited about the job potential. I always say, “you can have it all; just not all at once.” If you were offered the jobs, and you did have a safe loving place to keep your buddies for a couple years, it’s just something to consider. JMHO.

[KLCarp]

[QUOTE=oliverreed;7893380]
Please don’t think I am being snide but I was prepared to give OP a one word answer - No. And I haven’t lived there for a number of years.[/QUOTE]

That was exactly my thought too. Her first lines about her salary made it seem plausible though, until she mentioned all the animals. All the upkeep, plus the commute, makes me say that its probably not the ideal location for her and all the animals.

ETA: what is oakland looking like these days? All my friends who were proper city folk have now moved out there to have kids…does the same go for horses?

[alternaria]

Wow everyone, I really appreciate all the advice. I really feel like I’ve gotten a pretty good flavor of living in this area, good and bad :yes:. You’ve made it clear that it is hard to have horses at home - harder than I’d appreciated based on east coast cities. (I wonder if that’s because those cities are older and so some scattered old properties have just remained?) And that has led me to an epiphany: why do I think I have to keep the horses at home? I love them all, of course, and am responsible for them living out good lives. But heck, why do I think I’m the one that has to scoop their poop and scrub their buckets? I enjoy seeing them out the window, but it’s clear it would be better for them IF we move to the bay area that they be somewhere farther out.

I already know I prefer boarding my riding horse since that way I can have a nice ring and trainers and people to hang out with. So I guess I should rethink my requirements and look into the feasibility of retirement board for the oldies at a distance where I can visit maybe once a month.

Anyone with knowledge on retirement board I’d guess up to around three or so hours away?
How about a low drama eventing barn?

Thank you all so, so much!!

[KLCarp]

I think that is totally the way to go (boarding, with the retirement farms.) As someone said, Woodside is beautiful, and Portola Valley has a ton of farms. If you want to go North, there are a ton of places in Petaluma.

This is a good website that has a lot of listings in the area…http://www.bayequest.info

It is a seriously beautiful place to live, and if I had the cash I’d move back in a heart beat!