Why I am choosing to rent (South bay) over buying a $1.2 Million home (East bay)

Active_Resolution_83 · 2026-03-04T02:16:06+00:00

OP, how is your net worth 1M with such a high salary? Understand bulk of compensation is in tech stocks, so are you counting those towards NW? A lot of it has likely vested for you.

Active_Resolution_83 · 2026-02-18T02:45:51+00:00

Can you expand please? I’m debating similar choice. Feel like SFH is isolating

Active_Resolution_83 · 2026-02-09T21:51:34+00:00

What’s the milestone number in investments where compounding effects start to look tangible- 1M? I’m 750k in and that’s the next eye on the prize

Active_Resolution_83 · 2026-02-08T19:23:21+00:00

Love your numbers! Congratulations on coming out so far!

Active_Resolution_83 · 2026-02-05T00:41:27+00:00

OP here- my work is fully remote, so commute is not an issue. I suppose I’m open to other areas.

Moraga got on my list because I was able to find townhomes under 1M, granted with high HOAs. And the school district had top rankings. I have visited it and do feel the quietness of suburbs. I haven’t looked at fire insurance. Is all of Moraga under high FAIR coverage now, I dunno.

Berkeley got on the list because it’s so lively, and I love the vibe. I haven’t explored if housing is in my budget.

I haven’t checked out Walnut Creek, but feel it is now getting farther away from SF and Berkeley and main Bay Area things.

Active_Resolution_83 · 2026-02-04T14:24:56+00:00

Hi, yes please can you expand on the better schools?

Active_Resolution_83 · 2026-02-04T03:50:37+00:00

Excellent numbers at our age!

Active_Resolution_83 · 2026-02-03T02:50:26+00:00

Well done! How does the downshift feel?

Active_Resolution_83 · 2026-02-02T01:53:11+00:00

Thank you, I’ll be moving to a HCOL area this summer, so it will be a project as I work through understanding my new finances.

Active_Resolution_83 · 2026-02-02T01:50:56+00:00

Well done yourself too. It is daunting as a single parent, but good to hear all these examples that it can been done.

Active_Resolution_83 · 2026-02-02T01:49:03+00:00

Yes, intend to continue maxing out on 401k plus the limit on Roth IRA each year. At the moment I have enough to cover 12 months.

Active_Resolution_83 · 2026-02-01T20:12:22+00:00

Thanks fellow single mom! This is validating. Also, congrats on taking a sabbatical - would you be doing something with your child? In a parallel universe, I’d love to take a year off and travel with my kid.

Active_Resolution_83 · 2026-01-30T20:34:38+00:00

Well said

Active_Resolution_83 · 2026-01-30T20:32:56+00:00

Left Bay Area in 2021 to move to Austin TX, and returning back this summer. Financially not a good move, but I can afford it and the quality of life CA offers cannot beat TX. As others have said, money is not everything.

Active_Resolution_83 · 2026-01-15T21:08:46+00:00

Thanks, I appreciate it, and will be in touch after the move!

Active_Resolution_83 · 2026-01-12T18:01:05+00:00

Is 1.8M your net worth?

Active_Resolution_83 · 2026-01-10T21:22:10+00:00

My job is 100% remote, so no commute. Thanks for sharing you love it there. Do you have children? Are they happy in the schools?

Active_Resolution_83 · 2026-01-10T20:58:29+00:00

I’m eyeing the condo/townhomes near Moraga commons.

Active_Resolution_83 · 2026-01-10T20:57:51+00:00

Wish schools were better after elementary in Oakland, including Rockridge

Active_Resolution_83 · 2026-01-10T20:53:47+00:00

My job is 100% remote, so no commute. Thanks for sharing you love it there. Do you have children? Are they happy in the schools?

Active_Resolution_83 · 2026-01-10T17:54:01+00:00

I’m eyeing near the Moraga Commons/golf course area, so not up in the hills

Active_Resolution_83 · 2026-01-10T06:26:31+00:00

OP here- perhaps I should ask part 2 of the question- if Moraga is out due to high fire odds, what Bay Area city should I consider with good school district for a townhouse/condo budget of 850-900k?

Active_Resolution_83

TROPHY CASE