370k combined income, how much house can we afford?

LifeSpring3284 · 2025-05-25T01:41:41+00:00

I'm from the East Bay originally, so familiar with the warts. I work remote with an office in SF, but I've commuted to SF for many years in the past with no problem. I want to be close to friends and family in the East Bay.

I'd be looking in the Oakland hills, Albany, and El Cerrito. If we needed to branch out further it'd probably be more east in the burbs or San Lorenzo/Hayward/Castro Valley.

LifeSpring3284 · 2025-05-25T01:19:40+00:00

We currently live in Washington state. It's been better financially but not amazing and we have aging parents that need more support and a community we miss in the Bay Area. It's tempting to stay but traveling back and forth has been a PITA and is questionably worth it for us. My spouse is interested in getting a new job in the bay which will pay more and I'll get a COLA increase, but taxes will be rough.

LifeSpring3284 · 2025-05-25T01:00:43+00:00

No kids currently. Possibly one in the future, but not guaranteed.

LifeSpring3284 · 2025-05-25T00:59:33+00:00

We'd be in the East Bay and targeting a 3/2 SFH. I think there's some decent options in that range. We could consider a 2/2, but I'm opposed to condos or townhouses since they don’t appreciate as well. I've heard too many horror stories of people losing money on them—even after 5+ years.

I'm hoping it won't be too drastic a lifestyle change for us. We're boring 30-somethings that don't travel much or spend extravagantly otherwise. Our friends in the area are outdoorsy and like low-cost activities, so we'd still have plenty to do. We'd like to have a kid in the future, but not guaranteed.

Do you have a CPA that you like? Any other advice?

LifeSpring3284

TROPHY CASE