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- Thread starter JAM
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Banks
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Hey, thanks. I am going to check into that. Every little bit helps.
I'm trying to downsize my monthly expenditures now. I am seriously on the verge of retiring, selling my home, and moving.
I was considering Vegas, because of Keith, but I don't think I could get used to looking out my window and seeing this 24/7: Vegas terrain.
I like trees and flowers and bushes and GREEN. I like the change of seasons. I love the autumn foliage, snow, spring flowers, and a blue sky with clouds in the summertime.
JAM, a few years ago I decided that I was going a little too far and, more or less, drinking my spending money away and doing other stupid things that gave me back nothing. So, I decided to get a car payment! Yeah, well, at least it doesn't give me as bad a hangover. I didn't realize it was classified as a sports car, nor did I take into account the impact a driving-while-suspended(all stemming from a forgotten fix-it ticket) would have on my insurance.
I started rolling my own cigarettes for $15/mo instead of $120. I downgraded my phone, though now I've got a Virgin Mobile G3 phone for $35/mo instead of $55/mo for a crappy flip-phone - I saw a commercial the other day for $30 for unlimited text, data and 300 or 400 minutes. Recently got my girlfriend the same thing, the phone costing $120. The internet isn't exactly lightening fast on it, but it uses our wireless at home so it's quite a bit quicker there and I never run the risk of a slowdown because I never get close to the 2gb or whatever of data. I also started cooking quite a bit, so now I eat much better while saving money(and impressing myself). Lately, I've been making big batches of breakfast burritos for us, decent ones that run about 60-cents a piece after all's said and done.
Nowadays, I'm saving a bit more money with my student loan almost done, my insurance and car payments way down(and credit score up). I don't live by myself, so my rent's lower as well. I now have good food in the fridge, good beer and can afford to do things with the little lady. I can deal with a cheap cue stick if it means I'll be able to buy my girl a membership to the zoo and put a big smile on her face. We're both happy that way.
On to the relocation idea.. after living in Palm Springs, Portland is really nice even though I could do without some of the childish behaviour. If you can deal with rain, it's pretty easy up here. Maine was nice when I lived back there, but it is so far removed from everything else and the jobs aren't as available. L.A. had everything I wanted.. and everything I didn't, including a few million too many people. On my way to work, I drive along the Willamette River that splits Portland in two, then along the Columbia River(featured on River Monsters for its sturgeon) and I pass a wildlife refuge and see herons, hawks and other critters. It reminds me why I'm in no big rush to go anywhere. I like a nice country setting, but this will do for now.
One downfall is that the pool scene here is lacking in, well, just about every way from what I've heard.Ok, enough rambling from me for now..
Oh, and I read the forum on my phone, but if I'm going to post I use a computer.
3rd option...
Both equally.... :thumbup:
Both equally.... :thumbup:
How interesting. I would love to live where you do. It sounds so cool. My brother lives in Cathedral City, and my other brother lives up north in Happy Camp. Each one tells me they like it for various reasons. Happy Camp seems so isolated, and Cathedral City seems hot. LOL Where you live sounds like a happy middle ground. You're so lucky! :smile:JAM, a few years ago I decided that I was going a little too far and, more or less, drinking my spending money away and doing other stupid things that gave me back nothing. So, I decided to get a car payment! Yeah, well, at least it doesn't give me as bad a hangover. I didn't realize it was classified as a sports car, nor did I take into account the impact a driving-while-suspended(all stemming from a forgotten fix-it ticket) would have on my insurance.
I started rolling my own cigarettes for $15/mo instead of $120. I downgraded my phone, though now I've got a Virgin Mobile G3 phone for $35/mo instead of $55/mo for a crappy flip-phone - I saw a commercial the other day for $30 for unlimited text, data and 300 or 400 minutes. Recently got my girlfriend the same thing, the phone costing $120. The internet isn't exactly lightening fast on it, but it uses our wireless at home so it's quite a bit quicker there and I never run the risk of a slowdown because I never get close to the 2gb or whatever of data. I also started cooking quite a bit, so now I eat much better while saving money(and impressing myself). Lately, I've been making big batches of breakfast burritos for us, decent ones that run about 60-cents a piece after all's said and done.
Nowadays, I'm saving a bit more money with my student loan almost done, my insurance and car payments way down(and credit score up). I don't live by myself, so my rent's lower as well. I now have good food in the fridge, good beer and can afford to do things with the little lady. I can deal with a cheap cue stick if it means I'll be able to buy my girl a membership to the zoo and put a big smile on her face. We're both happy that way.
On to the relocation idea.. after living in Palm Springs, Portland is really nice even though I could do without some of the childish behaviour. If you can deal with rain, it's pretty easy up here. Maine was nice when I lived back there, but it is so far removed from everything else and the jobs aren't as available. L.A. had everything I wanted.. and everything I didn't, including a few million too many people. On my way to work, I drive along the Willamette River that splits Portland in two, then along the Columbia River(featured on River Monsters for its sturgeon) and I pass a wildlife refuge and see herons, hawks and other critters. It reminds me why I'm in no big rush to go anywhere. I like a nice country setting, but this will do for now.
Ok, enough rambling from me for now..
Oh, and I read the forum on my phone, but if I'm going to post I use a computer.
Banks
Banned
That's kind of how I view it, a sort of middle ground between SoCal and Maine. We get a dusting of snow once in a while in the winter and the summer can hit up to 100 a couple of days but that's about it without breaking some kind of record. It drizzles a lot, but to have so many rivers and so much greenery you just have to accept it. My first year, I was driving around and saw kids playing in the rain.. figured, well, if they can do it so can I. Lots of places to go and things to do, coast is about 90min away, Mt. Hood is about the same, Seattle's a few hours to the North and there's always strange goings-on around here.
Cat City.. bleh. I see that as the place you pass between Palm Desert and Palm Springs. Maybe they have the movie theater or something, too. The speed limits of 55mph on surface streets were great, but 100-120 weather for 4 months got old real quick. I've always lived pretty close to water and the desert just wasn't cutting it.
Happy Camp.. my vacation road trip in May was great and I was surprised at how beautiful NorCal is, but it's just like you said.. there's nothing around.
If you ever want to check it out or get away for the weekend, let me know and I'll let you know more. The two main independent weeklies are Willamette Week and the Mercury. Good stuff and weird stuff abounds. If you want to know more, just watch Portlandia, because it's really not far off.