This past weekend I was watched 2 episodes of TLC’s My First Home.  In the first episode was a couple lived in North Hollywood with a budget of 350,000. The second episode was a couple who lived in Washougal, Washington with a budget of 250,000.  Who got a better deal???

It’s hard to say.  The couple living in North Hollywood had a lot of requirements.  A 3 bedroom 2 bath, a yard, and close to where they worked.  The couple in Washougal had similar requirements, but instead of a yard they wanted “acreage.”  Yeah, I’m pretty sure “acreage” is not in most So Cal residents’ vocabulary.

Both couples stuck to their budgets and wouldn’t budge on their requirements. They held out as long as they could until finally each couple got their dream homes.  The couple in North Hollywood got a deal on a house they liked in Sun Valley at 345,000 and the couple in Washougal got their house for 240,000 with “acreage!”

To say who got a better deal is like comparing apples to oranges.  Sure you have this cute house in the Washington with beautiful acreage in your backyard, but if you’re a city person it may not be the best deal.  The couple in California may have gotten a really good deal for the area they live in considering its only 20 minutes from LA.

Source: TLC

NIECEE’s TAKE AWAYS:

Am I Overpaying For Where I Live? I’ve seen house prices in Arizona for 400,000 that can buy you a 4 bedroom house with a golf course in your backyard.  Sure if I was 70 years old and retired I may like it.  Shoot my Dad is 72 and he wouldn’t like it! And he’s a golf fan!  Even if I went further east towards San Bernardino I might find a nice house, but I wouldn’t be happy.  Sure I’m paying a 1,000/month for a tiny 1 bedroom apartment in Long Beach, but at least I’m only 30 minutes away from downtown LA and 10-20 minutes away from Orange County.  Plus living across the street from the ocean helps with the allergies