The biggest problem with Sacramento is that the difference between a wonderful neighborhood and a dumpy one can literally be the distance of one street. There is often no clear-cut "good" side of town and "bad" side of town. You can have a dumpy area, and then right smack dab in the middle of it will be this island of prosperity and a desirable neighborhood to go with it - if you're a local, think Pocket area (nice) right next door to Meadowview (horrible). I don't know if this is unique to a "diverse" city like Sacramento, or if every city sees this issue, but in an environment like that, it is not easy finding a house that meets our every desire. It seems that every house we look at in the listings has one positive, but two or three negatives. Examples abound of what we have been up against:
- Beautiful house with a big lot in a dumpy neighborhood or on a busy street (lots of these)
- Great neighborhood, but a dumpy house on a tiny lot (big price tag anyway)
- Great neighborhood, beautiful house, but a tiny lot (again, big price tag)
- Great house, great neighborhood, great price, tiny lot, in the suburbs, terrible commute
- Great neighborhood, beautiful house, big lot, but the public schools stink (lots of these too)
My wife and I know that it will be just a matter of time before we find the house that is just right for us and our kids. We just hope that when we find it, our current house will at least be almost out of escrow! In today's market, who knows when that will happen.
Good Day to You, Sir
4 comments:
I say, take a #5 house and homeschool. But then again, I'm biased.
Charity
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Las Vegas is the same way as far as good and bad neighborhoods go. But since you teach can't you get a zone variance and send your kids to whatever school you want?
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