Seeing the Wealth Leave California, Firsthand
This past weekend I went over the Sierra to visit my brother and dad in the Reno area. I’m the last family member left in California. As I’ve mentioned here, I’ve noticed the decline in California. The poverty is just creeping through previously nice areas. We’ve got the tent cities, boarded up houses, crime, etc. In my recent visits to the Reno area I couldn’t help but notice the construction. They are building new developments as fast as they can over there. The homes are being filled by Californians escaping our state. Being an engineer, I’ve noticed that the quality of the homes being built are much better than what was built around my area when we had our building boom in the 90s.
We are a golfing family so we are interested in communities with easy access to golf. The very old course, Washoe Golf Course, is in the SW corner of Reno with an older neighborhood built around it. A year ago, nice homes there could be had for $300K. Now, they’re around $500K – a huge increase in price is occurring as housing costs in “the World’s Biggest Little City” are actually now higher than what we find in our area in California. All this has been a little surprising to see.
But, the big surprise was Sunday when I took my family to watch the PGA Barracuda Championship at Montreux Golf Country Club in the hills south of Reno. I grew up in, arguably, the richest part of the S.F. Bay Area. But, I was shocked at the homes in Montreux. They were absolutely amazing. As we drove out my wife and kids asked me to drive around the community more just to look at the homes in that beautiful place in the pines. I felt like one of the Beverly Hillbillies driving through. I paid extra to park inside the community for the tournament and when the lady at gate greeted us on the way in I said, “Do you allow pickups in here?” and we all laughed. I think what I saw was clearly a representation of wealth that’s left California. It was really something. It’s not like the Reno area has a history of tons of high-paid employment opportunities. This is obviously wealth removed from California in order to keep it safe. It was really an eye-opening weekend…
We are a golfing family so we are interested in communities with easy access to golf. The very old course, Washoe Golf Course, is in the SW corner of Reno with an older neighborhood built around it. A year ago, nice homes there could be had for $300K. Now, they’re around $500K – a huge increase in price is occurring as housing costs in “the World’s Biggest Little City” are actually now higher than what we find in our area in California. All this has been a little surprising to see.
But, the big surprise was Sunday when I took my family to watch the PGA Barracuda Championship at Montreux Golf Country Club in the hills south of Reno. I grew up in, arguably, the richest part of the S.F. Bay Area. But, I was shocked at the homes in Montreux. They were absolutely amazing. As we drove out my wife and kids asked me to drive around the community more just to look at the homes in that beautiful place in the pines. I felt like one of the Beverly Hillbillies driving through. I paid extra to park inside the community for the tournament and when the lady at gate greeted us on the way in I said, “Do you allow pickups in here?” and we all laughed. I think what I saw was clearly a representation of wealth that’s left California. It was really something. It’s not like the Reno area has a history of tons of high-paid employment opportunities. This is obviously wealth removed from California in order to keep it safe. It was really an eye-opening weekend…
That income tax discount is instead taken in property taxes.
$300k still sounds expensive to me, jb.
Even at todays low rates, the monthly payment will be between 1500 and 2000 per month (incl taxes and insurance.)
Not "reasonable".
Yes, Reno is much worse.
The fed thinks its not a problem that the USD has lost 54% of its value in 30 years. They are wrong.
And I don't really mind the humidity most of the time. If I was to build a house this year in the US your area would be at or near the top of my list.
Now about alligators?.........
pieces but it will never happen because progressives have power. It is very sad to see the place I lived most of my life, being destroyed.
Roger..
Why?
All the smart people are leaving!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vUgzI...
I'm reminded of when I lived in Seattle the last time. I'd hear somebody griping about how Californians were coming in a messing the place up. I'd ask, "Where are you from?" 9 times out of 10 is was, "Oh...California." Haha...
GO THE HELL BACK! If it was so frigging great up there why the hell did you leave?
Plus the greater good of Altruism is a powerful draw socially.
It's the idealistic, lefty lower-middle class export that you have to worry about. Haha! They'll show up in your town and really start meddling.
bit by the greater good bug . Their bite is worse than the state bird.https://www.flickr.com/photos/adam79/5526654883
If ever in Eagan lets have a cup of coffee.
The irony is that many working middle, and upper-middle class Californians have been leaving for a more affordable existence elsewhere. But, that's disappearing. Housing over the hill certainly costs more now than what our housing costs in my area of Cal. Parts of Colorado, ditto. Texas housing costs are rapidly climbing, and traffic in Austin is reportedly some of the worst in the nation. It reminds me of when I moved back to Seattle in 1990 right after college after spending much of my youth there. I didn't recognize the place and only lasted a couple years after returning to California for less-crowded places...Go figure.
Did Hitlery lose the election in ANY big city?
Trump won in:
Phoenix
Jacksonville FL
Fort Worth
Oklahoma City
Tulsa
Wichita
Melbourne FL
Hillary won in:
Houston
Dallas
Atlanta
El Paso
Denver
Salt Lake
Miami
Philadelphia
Charleston SC
Birmingham
New Orleans
New York
Chicago
Detroit
Los Angeles
San Francisco
San Antonio
San Diego
San Jose
Indianapolis
Tampa-St Petersburg
Cleveland
Columbus OH
Cincinnati
Charlotte
Raleigh
Memphis
Nashville
Detroit
Seattle
Boston
Baltimore
Louisville
Lexington KY
Portland OR
Las Vegas
Milwaukee
Albuquerque
Tucson
Kansas City
St Louis
Omaha
Minneapolis
Pittsburgh
Orlando
and the Dark Center
This all just adds to the horribly distorted demographics that now constitutes Nevada. Between Vegas, and the Reno - Carson areas being overrun by newcomers, the rest of us in rural Nevada are hopelessly outvoted. What used to be a wonderfully free and libertarian based culture in this State is gone. My corner of the state in Elko County is still strongly conservative, but hopelessly outnumbered by Clark and Washoe Counties. This is a growing embarrassment, with voting for Harry Reid for years then Obama, Hillary, and now a democrat controlled legislature, and a lame duck rino Gov Sand-no-balls. I just filed the first time paperwork for the new Nevada Commerce Tax for my new business two weeks ago. Something the rino state legislature and rino Governor gave us in 2015.
The Sierra Nevada still is a rain shadow but is no longer the people shadow it used to be.
For a real eye opener - look at Incline Village, CA and Nevada - Condo on the California side = about $400k, across the street in Nevada = $700k+.