Would you move to Monterey, CA?

[Anonymous]

Hi Folks, looking for some advice. I just received word that I may have an option to work in Monterey, CA. I have visited Monterey before with DH and we thought it was paradise, however I am not sure what it would be like living there with a family. We currently live in a nice house and neighborhood in DC, and are happy with things here.

Some background, we have a toddler, our current HHI is 350k, and my salary will be increasing 5-10% over the next 5 years and maybe more if we move to CA as there are more opportunities in my field in CA. DH works from home and can live anywhere.

What has me torn is whether or not we could afford to live out there and if our quality of life would increase or decrease given our income level.

[Anonymous]

In a heartbeat!!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In a heartbeat!!!

+1 Former Bay Area resident. At that amount, you will be fine.

[Anonymous]

Absolutely I would. You will be fine at the income IMO and experience.

[Anonymous]

Look at Pacific Grove.

[Anonymous]

Yes! I'm jealous.

[Anonymous]

You can afford Monterey with your HHI. It is paradise and you should not miss this chance. The schools aren’t super though, so you might be looking at privates.

[Anonymous]

Much nicer place for your kids to grow up but, yes, I'd be sure I had a plan with respect to schools first.

[Anonymous]

Yes, I would. I don't know how the sense of community is, though.

[Anonymous]

Absolutely. Then again, I'm a CA native who hates living in the DC area. Go!

[Anonymous]

Yes. Without a doubt or a second guess, or anything like that. Go and enjoy and get out of this hell hole, OP! Run!

[Anonymous]

Hell YEAH! I'm from NoCal and anyone who could would move there with the drop of hat. Quality of life increases in California.

Anonymous wrote:Hi Folks, looking for some advice. I just received word that I may have an option to work in Monterey, CA. I have visited Monterey before with DH and we thought it was paradise, however I am not sure what it would be like living there with a family. We currently live in a nice house and neighborhood in DC, and are happy with things here.

Some background, we have a toddler, our current HHI is 350k, and my salary will be increasing 5-10% over the next 5 years and maybe more if we move to CA as there are more opportunities in my field in CA. DH works from home and can live anywhere.

What has me torn is whether or not we could afford to live out there and if our quality of life would increase or decrease given our income level.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Absolutely. Then again, I'm a CA native who hates living in the DC area. Go!

+1

[Anonymous]

I grew up there. It is a beautiful place but definitely kind of cut off from any big cities. You have to drive over an hour to get to a major city and usually there is a lot of traffic to get in/out of the peninsula . The Monterey public schools are not great but they have good privates. Pacific Grove and Carmel have decent schools. With your income you will be fine. Summers are often overcast and not very warm (that’s the only thing that I dislike about the area).

[Anonymous]

My grandparents lived there. It seemed great for retirees, but harder to imagine raising kids. There is beautiful scenery, but I would not like to be so far from a city. I haven’t found Carmel especially kid friendly on our visits, but maybe we are in the touristy parts.