SV housing & relocation

[robyn <robyn -at- MAIL -dot- GOT -dot- NET>]

Regarding Relocation:
I've always found that relocation, if necessary, should be included. If
you're looking for a job in another area, i.e. actively wanting to move
and trying to find something, then it may be in your best interest to
pay for the relocation yourself, and take a tax write-off. If they're
pursuing you, then they should pay relo costs.

Regarding Silicon Valley:
I live in San Jose, near Los Gatos. A little outside of Silicon Valley
really. Houses in my neighborhood are about 1600 square feet, 3 br, 2
ba, and go for *at least* 300K. And the commute to most SV locations is
still about half an hour without any traffic.

I rent my house, 3 br, 2 ba, for $2175/mo. This was the cheapest 3
bedroom we found. We looked all down the Peninsula - from San Mateo to
San Jose. Our two br. townhouse was $1600/mo and it was right next to
the CalTrain tracks. The San Jose Mercury News routinely talks about how
steep the prices are for housing here, how teachers can't afford to live
here, how service jobs are so difficult to fill because the wages are
too low for anyone to afford housing.

Houses in Fremont are also abouve $200K. Someone from work just bought
one there, and was bringing in real estate docs all the time. In the
true East Bay, about 60+ miles from Silicon Valley, houses are cheaper
and come with more land. And less smog too. Even Santa Cruz is cheaper
than here, but you have to commute over 17 everyday.

So, about relocation: if you're relocating to Silicon Valley, do read
the San Jose Mercury News. The reporting isn't wonderful, but the local
news is pretty good. True, people make more money here, but you'll spend
it almost faster than you can make it.

--
-robyn
home email: robyn -at- mail -dot- got -dot- net
send time critical email to robyn -at- hotmail -dot- com
(oh, and i'm also thetechwriter -at- hotmail -dot- com)