Remote California coastal town where you can still buy a house for $400,000

A remote town about six hours north of San Francisco might be the only spot left on California’s coast where aspiring homeowners can snatch an affordable beach house under $400,000.

A remote town about six hours north of San Francisco might be the only spot left on California’s coast where aspiring homeowners can snatch an affordable beach house under $400,000. 

Crescent City, a small town of about 7,000 people, is California’s northernmost county with about 80% of the region being made up of state or national parks. 

“It’s a bit like living on an island,” Adam Goldstein, who moved to the rugged coastal town about eight years ago, told the San Francisco Chronicle. 

The average price for homes that are within walking distance or a short drive from the beach in Crescent City is $353,000 — far lower than any of other costal town, according to an analysis by the Chronicle. 

A 4 bedroom 2 bathroom home that is just over 1,300 square feet is listed on Zillow for $325,000. 

Another home that sits on 1,147 square feet and has 3 beds and 1 bath is going for $315,00. 

While the homes are far cheaper than the millions of dollars people would have to spend to get property in other coastal cities like Malibu or Santa Monica, it is still pricey for the residents who live in the area and have poverty rates higher than the state average. 

“It is quote-unquote affordable,” Eric Wier, Crescent City manager told the Chronicle. “But that doesn’t mean it’s affordable for the people who live here.”

Low wages, coupled with limited economic opportunities make it difficult for residents to afford a home, especially when the median value has more than tripled since 2000, the paper reported. 

“That’s what’s making it difficult for us, we’re really dependent on the out-of-area buyer,” Kurt Stremberg, a longtime real estate agent told the paper.

The area is also not without its geological challenges — while boasting stunning ocean views, there are only two roads in or out with sections frequently shutting down due to storms and landslides. 

Highway 101’s Last Chance Grade shuts down on average nine times a year, according to the Chronicle, and the only other option is a detour that adds another hour to the drive. 

But the city has plans to build a $3 billion dollar tunnel in hopes of fixing the problem and Cindy Vosburg, director of the local chamber of commerce told the Chronicle a state jobs initiative is injecting millions of dollars to revive the city’s infrastructure and bring new life to the area. 

“Just like any other community we go through the highs and lows — and right now we’re at a high,” Vosburg said.  

So, the secret affordable coastal town might not be so secret in the near future. 

“We have redwoods, we have the ocean, we have this amazing setting, and we need to lean into it,” Wier told the paper. 

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