I can't believe the housing and fuel costs out there... 
!
Housing costs have Californians ready to bolt
Leaving state becomes more enticing, survey finds
By Lori Weisberg
UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER
November 18, 2004
One in four Californians say they would seriously consider pulling up stakes because of high housing prices, according to a statewide survey released today.
While the vast majority of residents say they are pleased with their neighborhoods, 24 percent said the cost of their housing has reached a point where they would consider moving. More than half of those said they would leave the state.
In San Diego and Orange counties, that sentiment is even stronger, with 29 percent indicating a strong interest in moving; two-thirds of the willing movers said their choice would be to relocate outside California.
"The smart ones are selling and moving up or out," said Pacific Beach retiree George Tully, who was among those interviewed for the housing survey.
While there has been no shortage of stories about the growing number of real estate refugees exiting the state for more affordable regions, this latest survey puts a statistical face on the increasing uneasiness about the steep cost of housing.
The poll, which was conducted by the San Francisco-based Public Policy Institute of California, queried 2,502 Californians last month on housing issues. Collaborating on the telephone survey were The William and Flora Hewlett, The James Irvine and The David and Lucile Packard foundations.
The responses from renters as well as homeowners sends a clear message: The high cost of housing is making California a less-desirable place to live.
"That is a significant number (24 percent) we found for people saying they'd move outside of their region or outside the state," survey director Mark Baldassare said. "While the housing market has benefited a lot of homeowners, it's put a lot of doubts in renters as to whether they'll ever be able to own a home. And for homeowners, it's a question of whether they'll be able to find a home and neighborhood they'd like to live in."
Read the rest: http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/state/20041118-9999-1n18housing.html
!Housing costs have Californians ready to bolt
Leaving state becomes more enticing, survey finds
By Lori Weisberg
UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER
November 18, 2004
One in four Californians say they would seriously consider pulling up stakes because of high housing prices, according to a statewide survey released today.
While the vast majority of residents say they are pleased with their neighborhoods, 24 percent said the cost of their housing has reached a point where they would consider moving. More than half of those said they would leave the state.
In San Diego and Orange counties, that sentiment is even stronger, with 29 percent indicating a strong interest in moving; two-thirds of the willing movers said their choice would be to relocate outside California.
"The smart ones are selling and moving up or out," said Pacific Beach retiree George Tully, who was among those interviewed for the housing survey.
While there has been no shortage of stories about the growing number of real estate refugees exiting the state for more affordable regions, this latest survey puts a statistical face on the increasing uneasiness about the steep cost of housing.
The poll, which was conducted by the San Francisco-based Public Policy Institute of California, queried 2,502 Californians last month on housing issues. Collaborating on the telephone survey were The William and Flora Hewlett, The James Irvine and The David and Lucile Packard foundations.
The responses from renters as well as homeowners sends a clear message: The high cost of housing is making California a less-desirable place to live.
"That is a significant number (24 percent) we found for people saying they'd move outside of their region or outside the state," survey director Mark Baldassare said. "While the housing market has benefited a lot of homeowners, it's put a lot of doubts in renters as to whether they'll ever be able to own a home. And for homeowners, it's a question of whether they'll be able to find a home and neighborhood they'd like to live in."
Read the rest: http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/state/20041118-9999-1n18housing.html
