From: dim@soda.csua.berkeley.edu (D. Gerasimatos)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers.house
Subject: Re: Cost of Living in San Jose, California vs. Boston, MA
Date: Wed, 7 Jul 2004 22:14:39 +0000 (UTC)
Originator: dim@soda.csua.berkeley.edu (D. Gerasimatos)

In article <9e4494ce.0407071115.1029a79d@posting.google.com>,
Sandra  wrote:
>
>  We stay near Boston, MA but have been thinking of moving to
>california, Silicon Valley in the near future. Currently only my
>Husband has a job (SW Eng.) . I expect to take up a job aswell
>hopefully next year (I am a fresher, MS Comp. Sc. graduate) and till
>now haven't been successful in my job hunt in Boston. We are expecting
>our first child end of this year.
>  We have been renting an apartment for the last couple of years
>($900, 2 BR) and intend to buy a individual house or townhouse (3 BR)
>whereever we stay (ie Boston or CA). Excluding the mortage, there are
>the other costs of insurance, taxes, food, child Day care (If I get a
>job), later a good school (public or private - depending on the area
>and school district rating we buy the house in). Plus there are
>hundreds of other expenses which I may not have mentioned...
>   With that background, plus the fact that savings is important also
>and if I don't get a job is it better to stay in Boston or is moving
>to CA not such a bad idea???? Personally, we would prefer to move to
>CA, Silicon valley area but we are confused on the cost of living over
>there...How much difference can we realistically expect? We have a
>budget of 400-450K max. on the house if not lesser.. I think you can
>get pretty good 3-4 BR houses in a OK-good school district in Boston
>and surroundings (or am i mad to think that ???)...Whats the scenario
>in California???
>   Pls. help us on this. We need to make a decision pretty soon. Also
>can husband or myself expect to earn more if we are near the Silicon
>area :)...how about job prospects?
>Thanks a lot. Waiting eagerly for your response.


My opinion in a nutshell:


1. It's hard to get a more expensive cost-of-living than in California.
   Yes, places like NYC, Hawaii, Boston, and Connecticut are expensive.
   Overall, though, when you factor in quality-of-life issues there is no
   way the urban areas in California will be cheaper than Boston - especially 
   not Silicon Valley. 


2. You will indeed find more and better jobs in your field in Silicon
   Valley. I am sure you will make more eventually, but the difference may
   not be great once you factor in cost-of-living.


3. I personally detest cold weather and would leave Boston ASAP for a studio
   apartment in a low-rent area in California, if that's what I had to do.
   You said you prefer California, so that's what I'd try to do.


Dimitri