Down & Out In Silicon Valley - Like striking it rich, being 'almost homeless' can happen to anyone

sfgate.com/San Francisco Chronicle ^ | Sunday, October 13, 2002 | Stephanie Salter, Insight Staff Writer

[scripter]

Maybe losing a $300,000 home is worse than losing a $70,000 home.

$300,000 home? The median price is over $500,000 in Santa Clara County. The $300,000 homes are what we moved out of, with 5 murders in one year within 1/4 radius of our home. Your point is understood but folks are losing homes worth much more than $300,000 (if that was your point).

[nmh]

Maybe next time they'll read the handwriting on the wall and put some money aside for a rainy day instead of spending it. I can't feel sorry for people like this. Financial collapse doesn't happen over night. They let it happen and it couldn't have happened to a more appropriate person - one with no compassion or regard for others - only themselves wadddling in self pity.

[scripter]

I'm Corral Hollow, 11th and Byron. That's as much info as I want to give in this forum :-)

[clamper1797]

I'm in Disco ... on the water ... $300,000 wouldn't by a small condo

[luckystarmom]

That's how much rent for a modest apartment goes for in Silicon Valley.

We're lucky we bought a home many years ago in Silicon Valley. We couldn't afford to rent a place in this area, now. A small 2 bedroom apartment would rent for more than our mortgage on our spacious 4 bedroom house.

[potlatch]

I can't believe the callousness of some freepers.

I, also, was surprised while reading through the whole first half of this thread, and spoke up [a little bit]. I think they were more concerned about the article being a fabrication, than what if it were really true.

We are so blessed in this country - our poor live comfortibly compared to many countries. I've heard a lot of griping about what's going on.

We are spoiled. My parents grew up during 'the depression and WW2, and had to stand in line for certain foods and had stamps for only so much gasoline, etc. We haven't experienced that.

I think the time has come for people to forget 'trying to keep up with the Smiths', and just be grateful to have a job, food and a roof over their heads!! Now, I'll get down off my soapbox!

[avenir]

I paid off my debts, stopped using credit cards completely and quit buying almost everything plus I decided to get used to working two jobs.

I could learn a thing or two from you! Looks like I'm headed in the same direction, and in my case it's all my fault.

[clamper1797]

Pheasant Hill ... before the tracks. Wish they would hurry up with 11th.

[luckystarmom]

And many of us are married to someone that refuses to leave the area.

[Roscoe]

At least now I have a backup in real estate or finance.

Census projections have California's population continuing to swell for the next twenty years, so I think you'll have plenty of opportunities. Good luck.

[scripter]

Employers know this and WILL NOT HIRE these people for this (among many others) reason.

I've often heard that's the case. There are many tractor trailer job openings in our local paper. I actually applied for one of those jobs a few times earlier this year but they never bothered to call back, and they were "desperate for drivers". The wife would rather move than have me gone that much anyway...

[scripter]

Wish they would hurry up with 11th.

They opened up west bound 11th this weekend. It through me off during a left turn from Corral Hollow!

[clamper1797]

And many of us are married to someone that refuses to leave the area.

Or roots or family etc. Running away from the problem does NOT solve it Hi tech workers should not be the new migrant worker in a new "Grapes of Wrath".

Especially when these multitutes of foreign workers here in OUR country who have THEIR jobs

[FITZ]

Really you only ever have yourself to blame but sometimes a little bad luck too. The way I took care of my credit cards is I listened to what a friend told me. You look at how many you have: 1. stop using them, 2. pay the minimum on all but the lowest and pay at least double but more if you can on that until it's gone. 3. then you take what you paid on the lowest and add it to what you were paying on the next lowest until you get them all gone.

For some reason that works ---before my inclination was to work on the highest one first and they'd never be gone.

[Roscoe]

Running away from the problem does NOT solve it Hi tech workers should not be the new migrant worker in a new "Grapes of Wrath".

Good analogy.

[clamper1797]

Hey Roscoe ... thanks

[scripter]

I'm in Disco ... on the water ... $300,000 wouldn't by a small condo

I grew up in Santa Cruz and didn't know this area too well when we had to move out of that murder filled neighborhood in San Jose. Had I realized how close "Disco" was, I would have moved there. Been there once with a place on the water and fell in love.

[avenir]

Thanks, Fitz.

[clamper1797]

My last house was on West Cliff Drive down from Boardwalk in Santa Cruz (on the water)

[scripter]

Hey Roscoe ... thanks

Excellent analogy indeed.