California.... I don't like living here!

[Gary - K7GLD]

My girlfriend(well ex now B/C of the distance between us) wants me to move out to Snohomish WA. with her,



Ive been to the left coast once in portland and that was nice.



Snohomish sounds like it would be a wonderful place to live but what would i do out there for work





Gary got any more pics to pesuade me?? :-laf



Michael

For sure, MANY of the alternates to California that look attractive as places to buy property, live and enjoy, do NOT provide equally attractive prospects where work, raising a family, and abundant income are concerned. My own John Day area is no different in that regard - few skilled level jobs are available, and unless a fellow wants to buy a 100+ acre piece of ranch land for raising beef cattle, income prospects are few and far between.



But it IS an excellent retirement spot that IS good for those of us in our "Golden Years", with cash reserves available after selling some of those equally "Golden" California properties, replacing them FAR cheaper in other areas, and combining what's left with whatever retirement and other reserves as a comfortable living income.



In that regard, folks like us are a big PLUS for the local economy - we support the basic economical infrastructure, support local merchants who provide goods and services - yet are NOT an additional burden on the school system, jobs market, or law enforcement - we are a stable source of cash flow that provides many pluses for the area - with FEW added demands on local sources in terms of what it costs to support our existence.



For most, it's not a project done on a whim or impulse - it requires advance planning and good investment of income and Capital growth in many earlier decades to make it work out as to allow somewhere near the same lifestyle enjoyed in those earlier years.



We were lucky, making good real estate investments and growing equity during our younger and good earning years - to the point where we now live BETTER here on the returns from investments, own EVERYTHING we have, and are virtually free to go when or where we please, and buy virtually anything within reason that attracts us - no, not rich by any means, but entirely COMFORTABLE!



Sure, we appreciate the advantages those earlier California years provided in terms of financial success - just too bad other elements of the state eventually made it undesirable to return the favor, and remain there for the remainder of our years.



NOW, as to comments and more pics - and those Sun lovers who sorta detest the subject of snow and colder weather - it's all in your perspective, and what you consider "limits" of enjoyment in changing seasons. When I was a kid growing up in the central valley of California, a trip to the snow was only an occasional thing, done purely for recreation and enjoyment - tobogganing, skiing and such. My wife lived in the Denver Colorado area - and enjoyed Winter in much the same way. Here, in this area, this what locals do on a snowy Winter day:



#ad




And THIS:



#ad




NOW, they don't seem to be suffering TOO much, do they? :-laf



In this area, Winter weather recreational activities are looked forward to with eager anticipation - and most residents have a good collection of ATV's for summer, and snowmobiles for winter. BUT yeah, if your major outdoor activity is surfing, better stay along that warm southern California seashore... :-laf:-laf

 

[Buck88]

I can't speak for CA past LA County. But as for So. Cal, I just dont fit in here. Nobody listens to Country, nobody hunts, everybody drives ricers, and if they have a problem with you they're gonna go get ten of their freinds. I'm beginning to think ol' Hank was wrong about a country boy surviving... at least here. Soon as I finish school, I'm gone!

 

[Regcabguy]

California

There are two country stations here in SD that do real well in the ratings and have been on the air forever. As far as anticipating ten buddy's(compadres as they say around here)on your back after you've had a scuffle,well we all know where that originated from. This place was a dream to grow up in: ocean to the west,mountains to the east,a friendly and reasonably safe Mexico to the south and of course lovely LA to the north. Things have definitely changed and not for the better. Luckily for me,the house is just about paid for,Howard Jarvis has limited the state's ability to tax me to death(correction in property values will bring those down further)the air is much cleaner than in my youth(unleaded fuel and emission controls have cleaned up us and our giant neighbor to the north)and we do indeed have surf although that's getting crowded too. My house would fit in Gary's driveway,but it is home. I couldn't imagine starting out here from fresh as it is indeed expensive. They call it the sunshine tax. By the way,solid ice on our car this morning! It's not always warm.

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

By the way,solid ice on our car this morning! It's not always warm.

I'd love to display some car pics from this morning around our place, but have already posted enough snow pics... :-laf:-laf



One thing rarely mentioned as far as leaving California, and then maybe wanting to return later - for the most part, that's pretty much economically impossible. We did well on the exchange of homes, Oregon's East side, as vs central California - but no realistic way, especially as a retired old coot, to return to the same price class home we sold to move here.



NO problem, since we have no attractions or intentions of returning for anything other than brief visits. But for others wanting the possibility of a return if their chosen new home/state doesn't work out as expected, often the increasing expense of home costs in most of California effectively locks the door behind those who have left - unless they have large $$$ reserves they are willing to pay to make the move back - or perhaps buy a lesser home than what they left.



Something to be aware of, and think about...

 

[mhenon]

... By the way,solid ice on our car this morning! It's not always warm.

Sorry Bob... ice on the windshield or not. . this is warm. We're visiting our daughter, just outside LA, and it's actually been cool and wet the past few days. Given what we just left in Idaho. . this is a regular heatwave. The snow is in the mountains (where it belongs) and it's like 62 deg outside. Perfect!

Can't say much for LA though. People drive like maniacs down here. A little scary when you come from a town with a total population of 900. We'll be moving on to Austin, Tx to visit our other daughter. From what I hear it's in the mid-60's down there too.

I love Idaho in the summer but am glad my kids are living in the southern part of the country. They seem to like mom and dad coming down to visit (sure they do. . we pay for everything!!!) and we enjoy getting out of the snow for a few months. The best of both worlds in a way!

Gotta run... it's way to nice to be inside on the computer. Mike

 

[Regcabguy]

Sorry Bob... ice on the windshield or not. . this is warm. We're visiting our daughter, just outside LA, and it's actually been cool and wet the past few days. Given what we just left in Idaho. . this is a regular heatwave. The snow is in the mountains (where it belongs) and it's like 62 deg outside. Perfect!

Can't say much for LA though. People drive like maniacs down here. A little scary when you come from a town with a total population of 900. We'll be moving on to Austin, Tx to visit our other daughter. From what I hear it's in the mid-60's down there too.

I love Idaho in the summer but am glad my kids are living in the southern part of the country. They seem to like mom and dad coming down to visit (sure they do. . we pay for everything!!!) and we enjoy getting out of the snow for a few months. The best of both worlds in a way!

Gotta run... it's way to nice to be inside on the computer. Mike

Anytime I've gotta put jeans on,it's cold for me. I work in shorts 10-11 months of the year. You're accurate about the driving style here. I spent eight days in Kona, Hi in Nov. I had to run up to Encinitas on I-5 the day after arrival,a distance of maybe twenty miles. Immediately had to put on my "nazi" face in order to survive. My theory is that the folks you see driving so erratically are hustlin' to their next job in order to continue living beyond their means. Most residents are not native to this area. We had driver education and training in school in the 60's,something the schools eliminated. When I speak to tourists from NYC or Chicago,however,they comment glowingly on the road courtesy here? Everything's relevant to where you live I guess. Incidentally,road manners were pretty pathetic on my yoyages up to Oregon and WA on I-5 also. It may be the curse of I-5. Enjoy the "warm weather".

 

[Buck88]

There are two country stations here in SD that do real well in the ratings and have been on the air forever. As far as anticipating ten buddy's(compadres as they say around here)on your back after you've had a scuffle,well we all know where that originated from. This place was a dream to grow up in: ocean to the west,mountains to the east,a friendly and reasonably safe Mexico to the south and of course lovely LA to the north. Things have definitely changed and not for the better. Luckily for me,the house is just about paid for,Howard Jarvis has limited the state's ability to tax me to death(correction in property values will bring those down further)the air is much cleaner than in my youth(unleaded fuel and emission controls have cleaned up us and our giant neighbor to the north)and we do indeed have surf although that's getting crowded too. My house would fit in Gary's driveway,but it is home. I couldn't imagine starting out here from fresh as it is indeed expensive. They call it the sunshine tax. By the way,solid ice on our car this morning! It's not always warm.

I think age has a lot to do with my complaint about the music. I'm 20 years old, and finishing up my second semester in College. Out of all the people I've met through class, only two listen to country, one's from Illinois and the other is from Northern Cal. They feel the same way I do, and as soon as they get out of the Marines, they're headed home.



Bob, its great that you enjoy your home here, and I dont mean to talk trash on So. Cal. , but its not for me. My family is from El Cajon, and my dad has told me stories about growing up there (now live in Temecula). 40 years ago, I would've stuck around, but today isnt the same. I belong back up in the hills somewhere.

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

Incidentally,road manners were pretty pathetic on my yoyages up to Oregon and WA on I-5 also.

Bob, it was undoubtedly all those "Illegal Alien" Californians and other out-of-staters - all uptight over seeing what they were missing by not living up here in God's country! :-laf:-laf

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

AH, here's yet ANOTHER in a long stream of reasons, to be happy we're no longer Californians!



ContraCostaTimes.com - Berkeley council tells Marines to leave



Sure must make Marines everywhere PROUD to serve wherever, whenever needed whatever it costs on blood or lives - to protect the lives and well-being of folks like those in Berkley...



We have some of the same weirdo Liberals up here in Oregon tho', in Eugene - something in our educational system seems to rot the mind, robbing it of all common sense and moral decency...



But NONE are as rotten and brain dead as those in Berserkeley...

 

[WDixon27]

nice, do these azzholes do soldier funerals too

AH, here's yet ANOTHER in a long stream of reasons, to be happy we're no longer Californians!



ContraCostaTimes.com - Berkeley council tells Marines to leave



Sure must make Marines everywhere PROUD to serve wherever, whenever needed whatever it costs on blood or lives - to protect the lives and well-being of folks like those in Berkley...



We have some of the same weirdo Liberals up here in Oregon tho', in Eugene - something in our educational system seems to rot the mind, robbing it of all common sense and moral decency...



But NONE are as rotten and brain dead as those in Berserkeley...

 

[JustinClark]

WOW! That is insane! #@$%! To all military personnel and especially Marines right now, THANK YOU for your service. I can't say more. Wow.

 

[foolkiller]

EDIT; post was no good... ... result of ruffled feathers.

 

[foolkiller]

the weather is the ONLY thing i like about this place by the way.

 

[CTD 600]

Yes I have looked further into the qualifications of being retrofitted and none of my vehicles apply... so if that is the case then why did they send me that card in the mail?



I'll give them more info when the ask again. I believe they will be suprised that the emissions will be lower than a gasoline engine becuase of "custom made fuel" that I am working on. hehe



In the meantime I'll just frame my little green postcard and wait. :-laf

 

[daveshoe]

Hey WD

The pipe dream of not making things for Kalifornia has taken place --at least in one instance. Barret rifles will not furnish service to any government agency in california for it's . 50 caliber weapons. "No soup for you!!"

 

[Cummins Cowboy]

back to the subject, My dad owns a machine that crushes rocks and concrete and seperates out the rebar etc. this machine is in california and is apparently registered there, he wants to sell the machine and he claims that the title cannot be transferred to anyone within the state unless the engine is replaced with a new clean "california" engine. does anyone know about this or not, I said what if you transfered the title to an out of state company and then sold it back to a california company, would it still have to have an engine change

 

[Buck88]

From what I heard in my Diesel Technologies Class, California is trying to pass a bill, or has passed (I dont know which) that gives older diesel owners OTR trucks and off-highway tractors and such, a $90,000 grant to re-power their vehicles. I know of two guys around here that went through the process. I dont know if it was their choice, or the governments. Apperantly there is a CAT dealership in San Diego that has several older diesel engines sitting out in a "scrap yard". My instructor in the class helped re-wire the two machines that I know of.



I'll try to get some more info.

 

[Buck88]

WOW! That is insane! #@$%! To all military personnel and especially Marines right now, THANK YOU for your service. I can't say more. Wow.

I couldn't agree more! I think a lot of people take their freedom for granted, especially those in San Fran, and Berkely, nicknamed Baghdad by the Bay.



"Freedom isnt free, but the US Armed Forces will pay for most of it" - Anonymous

 

[Cummins Cowboy]

From what I heard in my Diesel Technologies Class, California is trying to pass a bill, or has passed (I dont know which) that gives older diesel owners OTR trucks and off-highway tractors and such, a $90,000 grant to re-power their vehicles. I know of two guys around here that went through the process. I dont know if it was their choice, or the governments. Apperantly there is a CAT dealership in San Diego that has several older diesel engines sitting out in a "scrap yard". My instructor in the class helped re-wire the two machines that I know of.



I'll try to get some more info.

if you could find out more about this it would be helpful

 

[HBarlow]

My email to these idiots.....



Hello,



I recently read an article about your efforts to boot the Military Recruiters out of your bay area.



I have to disclose that I am a 12 year veteran in the U. S. Navy and college educated.



I'll attempt not to rant here and simply state the two problems I have with your cause.



1. You are protesting the wrong people.



Frankly, I have problems with this war myself. Problem is that I, and the Marines, promised to God and Country (YOU) that I'd obey orders to carry out the mission and depend on the American public to elect the right people into office and to pressure those who decide why and when we go to war to make the right decisions and protest the appropriate officials otherwise. It is not the Marines that decide if the nation goes to war. What on earth do you think you are going to accomplish by picketing them? It will do NOTHING to stop this war. Go to Washington for that. But it's more convenient for you to find an easier target closer to home so you can go vent your frustrations on the wrong people and make it home for dinner, isn't it? These Marines are willing to DIE TO PROTECT YOUR SELFISH ARSE. Go down to that recruit depot and apologize to the Marines and tell them you're going to Washington to get them out of this war and be the citizens you really want to be.



The Marines will follow orders just like they are supposed to do and recruiters orders are to find Americans that are willing to defend the nation. You may stop them from doing that in your area..... but you won't stop them from carrying out their orders..... which brings up the next issue.



2. You think your children are above serving the country.



Most do but they aren't so arrogant as to broadcast it to the nation. By protesting recruitment specific to your region, you are telling the rest of the country that their children should go risk their lives to defend your community while your children are above this. What are you thinking? You can't possibly believe you will ever get support outside of the bay area like this. That is straight unedited Elitism. Maybe we should let the Berkeley area fall under Iranian rule... . or better yet, lets have a warlord from Africa run the show there. Bet you could find a way to be proud of the Marines then.



Please continue your fight for peace but YOU WILL NOT STOP THE WAR LIKE THIS DUMMIES. Find another way, for the Marine's sake.



Any youth in your area that has interest in serving their country, and they are there whether you like it or not, will simply go to the next town to enlist.



This country NEEDS activists badly right now. By all means act... ... . WISELY.



The question is; Are you so blinded by your current efforts that you can't find a way to correct your methods? I can only imagine how much energy you are wasting on this thing.



Somebody at CODEpink needs to sit down with the group and apply some common sense to your efforts. As it is, you are just going to be viewed as nutcases with too much time on their hands.



Keep in mind folks, you are getting this input from a very reasonable, educated, and down to earth guy. And he wouldn't support your causes if it was the only cause, based on your arrogance alone.



As a service member who has spent way too much time in the gulf region, find another way... . a way that will work.



I promise to you that I will continue to serve your nation diligently.



Peace, Jeff Croslin

Remarks edited out.



Harvey