When Maricela and her husband migrated to the U.S. to give their daughters more opportunities in life, they didn’t expect housing to be easier for them to attain than their children.
They’ve lived here 25 years, and 18 years ago they bought their family’s humble home in Petaluma, something Marciela said they wouldn’t be able to afford at today’s high prices. Her worry now is that her four daughters won’t be able to live in Sonoma County, where she settled to raise her children and where she would like to stay.
It’s hard for Maricela to believe that her daughters — who have degrees and jobs — can’t find a place to live. “How could it have been easier for a migrant couple with no job experience and a language and culture barrier, to find a decent place to live, than educated American young adults?”
Even though Marciela and her husband commute outside the county for work, they don’t wish to leave their home in Petaluma. As much as they love Sonoma County, Marciela’s number one issue with the area is housing. She said it’s disappointing, and home and rental prices are ridiculous and way out of reach.
“We got lucky, but the chances are against my daughters and my friends — I don’t think they will be as lucky.