Anyone live next to Travis AFB, CA? *Input needed*

Leland Pate · 05-25-2005, 02:54 PM

I am considering putting in for an assignemtn at Travis AFB, CA. I am trying to find out if I can comfortably live in the area on the salary I make. I get $1500 for housing and from what I've seen, that will just barely scratch you into the rental housing market.

I'd really like to know more about average utility prices in the area as I've heard they are killer (electric/gas, ect.) Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Lee

cbeers · 05-25-2005, 03:24 PM

Hey Lee,

I can't answer specifically for Travis area, but you are right about high rental prices. The market is definitely softening, but still expensive. I would say that for $1500 you can get an average 3/2 kind of house, maybe more. Utilities are not so bad if you don't run the A/C all the time. Travis area is basically central valley territory, so it gets hot. A lot. Depends on you and what you like/can handle.

The good news is that you would be centrally located to a lot of great things. Beach, go west. Mountains, go east. The bay area has every possible resource available, just have to deal with crowds....

Anyway, I would go online and dig around a little and see what's out there.

-Chris

TWork · 05-25-2005, 03:50 PM

Lee --

I lived in Vacaville growing up. My dad was stationed at Travis for a number of years before he retired. My folks still live there.

The local paper is called the Vacaville Reporter. May want to see if they have a website with local ads for rentals. I think $1500/mo can probably get you a decent house in the area. Most of the towns near Travis are "commuter" towns for the most part. Many of the people living there commute either toward the SF area or toward Sacramento. Its a decent area, but housing prices like everywhere else in California has gone up substantially in the last 5-10 years. Entry level housing prices are above $300k these days.

As Chris said, its a good location in Nor Cal. Nothing real close, but lots of stuff to do if you're willing to drive a hour or more. Napa Valley, SF, Tahoe. I argue some of the best mountain biking you'll find in the world is within 90 minutes from there. There's a great race track (Thunderhill) within 70 miles from there for DE as well.

Feel free to PM if there's anything I can do for you to help out.

T.

TWork · 05-25-2005, 03:51 PM

Oh, and I haven't asked my folks what they pay for utilities recently, but I'm guessing they pay $100-120/mo for gas and electric for a modest-sized home.

arcsine · 05-25-2005, 03:56 PM

I lived at Travis for four years while my father was stationed there 30 years ago but we lived on base. Yup, it gets hot and the wind blows a lot. Fairfield is just outside the main gate and Vacaville is not far away (neat fact: Charles Manson has been living at the mental facility in Vacaville for a while. The houses right across the street from the facility may be cheap.). Location is nice being central to bay area and mountains. A few lakes nearby, or used to be if they have not dried up.

vash · vash's Garage

do it leland! you will be fine. 15 hundred will get you a decent home to rent. i think my coworker rents one out for a bit less than that. what you are gonna get hosed on is gasoline. get ready to breath into a paper bag the first time you fill up. bring your bikes your cars, (your family?) and have a great time. it would be nice to have you in the hood. we will even help you along to get californianed nicely.

cantdrv55 · 05-25-2005, 09:38 PM

Leland, I go to Travis AFB at least three times a month. The hospital lab on base is a huge customer of mine. I live in the neighboring town, Benicia, where I grew up. IMO, it's much nicer there than Fairfield but it's also pricier. If you have kids, you'd want to send them to Benicia schools as they scored quite a bit higher than the other schools in Solano Cty.

Let me know if you want me to scope out neighborhoods, apartment complexes, etc for you. I'd be more than happy to do so. Oh yeah, I'm ex-Air Force and I'd have to say base housing at Travis is much nicer than the ones I lived in while I was in the military.

I'm biased but there are only two other places in CA where I would want to live besides the SF Bay Area and that is San Diego and Eureka.