We're near Whole Foods""I just use Lyft to get to work""It's a lot quieter""I love the BBQ & Beer garden""Parking is easy"It is a place that has and, I believe, will continue to be on the up and up.Every quote above is the ingredient for tech hipsters and some high prices.Now, if your buddy's place isn't dated / could collapse during the next little earthquake / on landfill, then I would certainly consider it!

(Think earthquake, flood or tornado)Yes, you can still invest in such a market, but know your exit strategy and buy at the right price.  

I was ultimately presented with an $1,800 quote to replace a 40 gallon electric water heater, which included installing a new mounting pad and earthquake straps.

Soon after I found myself working in the aftermath of the '94 Northridge Earthquake whence it became incumbant on me to remove and store an inordinate amount of damaged manufactured homes and since I had the only 10 acre construction yard in Simi Valley I was asked by insurance companies and FEMA to store them on my property. 

On top of that are the external forces, like earthquakes, inflation, and politics, all of which can have a huge impact on a place that serves as a hub of our economy.  

I researched everything from crime rates and local attractions to earthquakes and flood zones. 

That said, we're probably talking 10% more expensive, nothing ridiculous.This will also depend on jurisdiction -- in some places, you'll have additional regulation for things like major snow threats, earthquake threats, flooding threats, etc. 

I saw a 12 unit property a few months back over in Little Haiti (I think) that was going for $800k.

I then called my insurance company to have the homeowner and earthquake policies cancelled.

A VA team based out of Haiti found via Elance.