Good base in US?

[r2somewhere]

Currently, wife and I are both working in California. But with the current economy, who knows how long this will last. I have been looking to jump ship for many months and no luck. If I or spouse, lose our jobs, we might be jobless for a while.

So for a plan B, I am thinking of leaving California to have a cheap base for 6 months of the year (to maintain GC) and then spend 6 months in India or traveling.

Whats a good base for the US stint in this case? Most major cities now seem to have sky high rents. I dont see 2 bedroom below $2000 per month in any major city including states like FL and TX. Does everyone here own their homes? Any tips for renting and living part time in US?

[SAPPORO]

You can consider Tampa area especially around https://www.usf.edu/. I just bought a decent but old 2 bed condo with the tenant paying just $1,350. I am sure you can get fancier ones for under $2K. The trick is to look in condo communities and not in apartment complexes. A lot of people bought condos for 30K-40k during the GFC and they don't mind renting for lesser than market rent.

[Razz R]

i used to live in Pittsburgh,pa in my previous life and back then it used to be a very affordable city with comfortable std of living.. am sure things have gone up now - but you may still find decent accomodations if you look into the above privately owned condo market.. i used to rent from a nice old lady a 2 bedroom condo for $575 but that was a while back..

[nodegree]

I second the FL suggestion. You can also look into Dallas/Austin/Houston TX exurbs but hard to find condos out there. Good thing about TX/FL - not having to deal with state income taxes.

Also, where in CA are you located? If your income in the future is going to be insignificant, you can just move to a different place in CA (think central CA or more inland).

[r2somewhere]

Thank you for all the good suggestions. Renting by owner sounds good. What sites other than Zillow do people use to find such deals?

[Returning_Indian]

You can get a re-entry permit and be 2yrs outside US and still maintain GC. By then job market will improve anyhow. Alternatively, just buy a place and call it home. And not worry about renting, moving etc. I would buy a place in beautiful Montana and spend months during summer. During winter you can live in India as weather is nice.

HOA fees on condo can be very high. Sometimes more than rent (if not included).

[SAPPORO]

Thank you for all the good suggestions. Renting by owner sounds good. What sites other than Zillow do people use to find such deals?

Zillow is probably the only web site that you need to use. Most landlords including me advertise only on Zillow.

[Srini234]

Thanks for starting on this topic. It's been pretty toxic area Bay area has been with job extending month by month.

I am thinking getting into to govt jobs and another 1 or 2 year till my children has a job. Sustaining been difficult. Will look at Tampa as option

[r2somewhere]

Thanks for starting on this topic. It's been pretty toxic area Bay area has been with job extending month by month.

I am thinking getting into to govt jobs and another 1 or 2 year till my children has a job. Sustaining been difficult. Will look at Tampa as option

How do you find Govt jobs? And can those be done on just a GC?

[wd40]

Thanks for starting on this topic. It's been pretty toxic area Bay area has been with job extending month by month.

I am thinking getting into to govt jobs and another 1 or 2 year till my children has a job. Sustaining been difficult. Will look at Tampa as option

I think this is a cautionary tale many people would want to avoid. You seem to have done everything right. You did R2I when you were young, put your kids in CBSE school and made sure they got accustomed to Indian conditions. I wonder how then did you children get the whiff to do undergrad abroad? The USC should have been a trump card, which you should have carefully hidden in the locker to be taken out only in case of emergency.