[Centurion2000]

I will NEVER understand how housing could be half a million when the ONLY known benefit to living out there is the weather.

Why would nice weather, illegals overrunning the country and earthquakes be worth half a million in cash?

[AprilfromTexas]

I don't have any difficulty passing on it, I already live in paradise.

[SF Republican]

Why would nice weather, illegals overrunning the country and earthquakes be worth half a million in cash? - It just IS. All things are relative; we could not afford a 1/2 million $ house unless you are making comparable money. Napa, Mendocino, Yosemite, and Tahoe are just a few reasons it is great to be in NorCal. One seldom sees illegals, we see housekeepers, busboys, and gardeners working. The earthquakes last 5 seconds and happen once every few years, seldom are they strong right where you are. Having said that my home value is up 35% in three years. If it wants to stay flat, that is okay with me.

[stuartcr]

Jobs and wages? Somebody has to be making enough money to pay these prices.

[RockinRight]

See post 59.

[Joan Kerrey]

Why would nice weather, illegals overrunning the country and earthquakes be worth half a million in cash?

earthquakes in California haven't killed nearly as many people as the weather in most other states. We're closer to illegal's entry but the problem is no worse than many other states. The illegals are moving north and east also.

So when you toss out weather and illegals as a serious problem only experienced in California then weather must be the reason that our state is so attractive. 10 months out of the year I have breakfast on my outdoor patio, wear shorts and short sleeves. My patio door and windows are often open as well during the 10 months. The two hot months are spent between my pool and air conditioned home.

California is heaven. Whereever you live you are close to desert, mountains, ocean, tropical cliimates, woods, swimming, skiing, hiking and boating.

Prop 13, thank God, was passed by voters preventing politicians from robbing us blind through property taxes.

The only terrible thing about California are left wing nuts and our state legislators.

[Chuck Dent]

Why would nice weather, illegals overrunning the country and earthquakes be worth half a million in cash?

To paraphrase JP Morgan "If you have to ask, you can't understand it".

It just isn't 'nice' weather - it's perfect weather ie not too hot, not too cold, not too humid, not too dry. This means one can live every day of the year - there are practically -0- days where one has to close up their windows & turn on the a/c and/or heat.

Calif lies in between the Pac northwest where it rains every day, and Baja where it almost never rains. Those earthquakes create both mountains & valleys, which, when combined with just the right amount of precipatation, makes California one of the most beautiful places on earth.