I bailed out of the Bay Area after the last recession. (I'd spent $200K in 2007 dollars) on a toxic 4 year money pit renovation another $100K on mortgage for an unlivable space while I was fixing it DIY and got so stressed out living in the chaos and the money stress that I got sick too, really exhausted then the recession hit. I had $500K of mortgage debt on it at the time. A month after I sold it, it dropped in value $300K. I sold it at break even (nothing for the 4 years of work) limped out of the Bay Area, went to Portland and lived with roomates (too depressing and weird) Ashland ( nice place but a bit spendy) and eventually bought a $135K house in CA North State putting half down on a 15 year 3% mortgage ($625 a month) that I've fixed up in a bit at a time for the last 6 years (no more debt) into a beautiful zen space mountain cabin with a woodstove. Installed solar with my Dad with panels and racks from wholesale (unbound) solar ($7K for the whole system) and have no electric bill for 6 months each year. Put up a 12' yurt (119 square feet so technically a shed - no permit necessary) in the yard for $12K that I can power with a removeable 20 amp extension cord and a tiny hobbit wood stove and now have another bay area refugee (Santa Cruz fire) living in it with his dog and paying $250 a month in rent. He's a great builder and is helping me finish my ADU that I'm designing and building myself with all the trade skills I learned (electric/plumbing carpentry/timber framing etc) and will live in and rent the house. I earn $60K a year in contracted (guaranteed) income from a self-employed IT business that I built while I was too exhausted to get a job and also do handyman/carpentry projects around town and my entire yearly housing cost is now $4,800 per year and It'll be paid off in 5 years. 12 years ago I had an out of rhythm heart, chronic fatigue and a repetitive stress injury and a $1700 rent. This year I climbed mount Shasta and back-country ski for free! Perseverance is the name of the game.
