patrick.net

SubOink says

I would love to live in Hawaii…but I cannot work there.

I think I get what you're saying, but would change "can not" to "will not." If you're profession was surfboard shaping, you'd probably work there.

I loved my one trip to Maui, but there's a long list of reasons not to move there including the difficulty of replacing the work I enjoy here in San Francisco in high tech. Also proximity to family, distance to rest of U.S., and a terrible golf game that definitely needs work before moving to Hawaii.

SubOink says

Also, I wasn’t even talking about recruiting etc…I am talking about the potential demand to live in CA

I think you misunderstood what I said. I mean that recruiters hired by companies in CA. that have current openings and are actively looking for people to fill them don't bother to look outside CA. because they say nobody from other parts of the country ever accept the offers. If there was so much demand and so many people looking to move to CA., I wouldn't expect that to be the case....

tatupu70 says

I mean that recruiters hired by companies in CA. that have current openings and are actively looking for people to fill them don’t bother to look outside CA.

Yeah, i don't think the economics of that situation work out for people who don't really want to live in California. If the standard of living fits, then great, but if you value a gigantic house you own and other such nonsense, then it probably won't work to sell your place in most other states and move to California.

There are, of course, many who dream of living here because life here is incomparable.

tatupu70 says

SubOink says

Also, I wasn’t even talking about recruiting etc…I am talking about the potential demand to live in CA

I think you misunderstood what I said. I mean that recruiters hired by companies in CA. that have current openings and are actively looking for people to fill them don’t bother to look outside CA. because they say nobody from other parts of the country ever accept the offers. If there was so much demand and so many people looking to move to CA., I wouldn’t expect that to be the case….

Yeah, not sure. I haven't heard about what you said. Would need to verify that because all I know are the many people that show up here and are looking for work. The fact that house prices and standard of living expenses are where they are in CA, show you how many people desire to be here, otherwise everybody would just pack their bags and move to Oregon and prices would crash in the ground. A house in Beverly Hills should be $100k by now...with all that nasty traffic and sunshine.

Let's see how many people in their 20's - 40's would want to leave CA and move somewhere else?

uni6jon2 says

There are, of course, many who dream of living here because life here is incomparable.

SubOink says

Let’s see how many people in their 20’s - 40’s would want to leave CA and move somewhere else?

OK--I give up. You guys win. CA is utopia. Everyone would live there if only they could. If someone lives in OH, it's only because they can't afford to live in CA.

tatupu70 says

If someone lives in OH, it’s only because they can’t afford to live in CA.

No, I think some of them love OH! Some people living in CA hate it here! We're humans! Happiness is momentary, so enjoy the moments wherever you get them.

Man, this CA living is really making me a hippy...

tatupu70 says

If someone lives in OH, it’s only because they can’t afford to live in CA.

Just like the Kate Perry Song "O-Hi-o Gurls, we're unforgettable..."

:)

I feel for you tatupu, its hard to argue with paradise...

uni6jon2 says

I’m confused after reading what you wrote. Are you saying life can’t be a postcard? I’m not reading your second sentence as support for your first.

I'm saying that it's superficial. Whatever CA-lovers think is unique or wonderful about their state, they can find it elsewhere throughout the country. There's nothing terribly special about CA. A lot of people themselves that there is though, probably so they can justify paying a ridiculous amount of money to live there.

SubOink says

tatupu70 says

If someone lives in OH, it’s only because they can’t afford to live in CA.

Just like the Kate Perry Song “O-Hi-o Gurls, we’re unforgettable…”

I feel for you tatupu, its hard to argue with paradise…

lol--when you have to quote Katy Perry to make your argument, I think I've won...

klarek says

I’m saying that it’s superficial. Whatever CA-lovers think is unique or wonderful about their state, they can find it elsewhere throughout the country. There’s nothing terribly special about CA. A lot of people themselves that there is though, probably so they can justify paying a ridiculous amount of money to live there.

Your own argument proves the point about CA. If you need to take the other 49 states together to find what you can find it 1 state, I'd say that 1 state is special. Yes, CO has great mountains but no coast. Sure, FL has nice beaches but not much in terms of mountains. There's lots of corn in IL, but mountains are non-existent and Lake Michigan doesn't really count as an ocean/beach. NY is quite diverse with a big city, jobs, mountains, beaches close by, but the weather is pretty crappy, and if you factor in cost of living, it's just as high if not higher than most of CA. You have one state that has just about everything for everyone.

Having said that, to each his own, just be happy where you are.

ch_tah says

Your own argument proves the point about CA. If you need to take the other 49 states together to find what you can find it 1 state, I’d say that 1 state is special.

I didn't say you'd need all 49 to find what's in CA. It's so large that it's hard to believe the people living there think there's any connection between the Redwood Forest, Long Beach, and the Palm Desert other than the imaginary line drawn around them and being under the jurisdiction of incompetent legislators.

Having said that, to each his own, just be happy where you are.

I am. I could go on about how Virginia is the nicest state with mountains, beaches, foliage, etc., but those are postcard sentiments and there isn't anything terribly unique about them. That was my point about California.

It's a sign of territorial insecurity for people to puff up their own spot of land. It's most prominent in real estate. The most common answers I hear from people complaining about not being able to sell their house, then trying to justify their asking price (defend their imagined value) is: "My lot/view/street/neighborhood/town/zip/county/state/country is special". Sometimes it's based on their justification for choosing that spot, more often I believe it's nothing more than post purchase dissonance, something they've conned themselves into believing after the purchase to justify non-existing judgments made before the purchase (and by purchase I mean any sort of territorial claim).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Post-purchase_rationalization

I guess with your pessimistic view of everything, nothing is special, and the only reason why people are proud of their territory is insecurity. On the other hand, for those of us with a cheerier view of life, many people are proud because they enjoy where they are.

ch_tah says

I guess with your pessimistic view of everything

Suggest you do a road trip and drive outside the state. You will find great places and people who very happy where there at with no motivation, need or desire to move to California.

thomas.wong1986 says

Suggest you do a road trip and drive outside the state. You will find great places and people who very happy where there at with no motivation, need or desire to move to California.

Considering I'm not from CA originally and have lived in several states besides CA, do I really need to do a road trip? I never said everyone needs to live in CA. I would imagine most people are happy where they live. As usual, I'm not sure what your point is.

ch_tah says

You have one state that has just about everything for everyone.

Welcome to the jungle
We got fun 'n' games
We got everything you want
Honey we know the names
We are the people that can find
Whatever you may need
If you got the money honey
We got your disease

thomas.wong1986 says

Welcome to the jungle
We got fun ‘n’ games
We got everything you want
Honey we know the names
We are the people that can find
Whatever you may need
If you got the money honey
We got your disease

That's so beautiful... is it Emily Dickinson?

ch_tah says

thomas.wong1986 says

Suggest you do a road trip and drive outside the state. You will find great places and people who very happy where there at with no motivation, need or desire to move to California.

Considering I’m not from CA originally and have lived in several states besides CA, do I really need to do a road trip? I never said everyone needs to live in CA. I would imagine most people are happy where they live. As usual, I’m not sure what your point is.

Same here. And most road trips I do now are within CA. No reason to go anywhere else. Ok, an occasional Sedona, Grand Canyon Camping trip is a must and some boating on lake Havesu + Vegas is a fun weekend. Little Napa Valley Wine Country and Yosemite are within our borders, Lake Tahoe...San Diego...

Gotta go...have to plan another trip now...

Klarek, you are too negative. You gotta let something positive come into your life. It works. Try it. Negativity only attracts more negativity. It's a downward spiral. Try the "glas is half full" approach.

tatupu70 says

Just like the Kate Perry Song “O-Hi-o Gurls, we’re unforgettable…”

I feel for you tatupu, its hard to argue with paradise…
lol–when you have to quote Katy Perry to make your argument, I think I’ve won…

would the beach boys be a better suit for you?

SubOink says

Klarek, you are too negative.

I am just realistic. I don't find blissful ignorance as a substitution for happiness. Works for some people, not for me.

terriDeaner says

That’s so beautiful… is it Emily Dickinson?

Nope! Guns and F*****G Roses, Baby.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fumj2SVsKbE

thomas.wong1986 says

terriDeaner says

That’s so beautiful… is it Emily Dickinson?

Nope! Guns and F*****G Roses, Baby.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fumj2SVsKbE

That's why it sounded so familiar! I should have known... after all Emily Dickinson uses 'fuck' or 'fucking' or 'dogshit' in every other line of her poetry, anyhow.

Lived in Sf for 7 years, hated it for the most part.

The Michelin star raters couldn't find anything to like about the silly pretentious town. They think they have good food but it's nonsense.

The weather is practically identical to Seattle, but no one living there will admit it.
And I definitely don't miss the wafting of wildfire smoke.

The locals are frequently grumpy, probably due to indebtedness.

Good produce though.

uffthefluff says

The weather is practically identical to Seattle, but no one living there will admit it.

there's no comparison.

san francisco has much better weather - unless you prefer less sunshine, colder temperatures, more rain and more snow.

http://www.wrcc.dri.edu/htmlfiles/westcomp.ovc.html
seattle 226 cloudy days
san francisco 105 cloudy days

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Francisco#Climate
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seattle#Climate
seattle rain 967 mm
san francisco rain 565 mm

seattle snow 30cm
san francisco snow none

sf temperature is also about 6-7 degrees higher than seattle for the average high and the average low.

uffthefluff says

Lived in Sf for 7 years, hated it for the most part.
The Michelin star raters couldn’t find anything to like about the silly pretentious town. They think they have good food but it’s nonsense.
The weather is practically identical to Seattle, but no one living there will admit it.

And I definitely don’t miss the wafting of wildfire smoke.
The locals are frequently grumpy, probably due to indebtedness.
Good produce though.

So basically, the girl you met in SF dumped you and you were mad and went back to Seattle...sorry to hear that!

...just kidding...

klarek says

SubOink says

Klarek, you are too negative.

I am just realistic. I don’t find blissful ignorance as a substitution for happiness. Works for some people, not for me.

No, you are negative. There is blissful ignorance and being euphoric - there is the middle of being somewhat in the middle (realistic) - and then there is negative. You know which one you are. It's not the middle, you are on the opposite side of euphoria. Just as bad, just as wrong. Being negative or positive is a mindset.
Some people are always downers and the funny part is, they always claim that they are just realistic. The weather is too hot, or too humid, or too dry or too cold. Food is too spicey and too hot, or too cold or too lame. Always negative. It's the best way to get very sick. Try being positive. The world is really not that shabby of a place. You have between 60-100 years in your lifetime to enjoy this life - enjoy it. It's hard, I struggle with it too many times but you gotta be positive.

Shit, I sound like the love guru now...never mind. It all sucks!
:)

SubOink says

Shit, I sound like the love guru now…never mind. It all sucks!

I didn't say anything sucks. Post-purchase rationalization is a psychological phenomenon. I make mention of this, that housing prices are unsustainably high, or that renting is a valid alternative to owning.... and you assume that there is something wrong with me. That is funny. Don't assume somebody is unhappy just because you're living in a fantasy world and they refuse to validate it for you.

klarek says

SubOink says

Shit, I sound like the love guru now…never mind. It all sucks!

I didn’t say anything sucks. Post-purchase rationalization is a psychological phenomenon. I make mention of this, that housing prices are unsustainably high, or that renting is a valid alternative to owning…. and you assume that there is something wrong with me. That is funny. Don’t assume somebody is unhappy just because you’re living in a fantasy world and they refuse to validate it for you.

Like someone here accused you and me of being jealous because some one owns.

klarek says

Post-purchase rationalization is a psychological phenomenon

Yes, its also called buyers remorse and some people have it after buying a hose for $45 at Home Depot. Or after signing a lease on a property for 2 years, or buying a car. I don't know what it has to do with the discussion of buying a house or renting. You can have remorse for both - so what you are saying is that buyers have such deep remorse because you are really right and now they come here and try to argue that it was a good step?? So then, renters that have signed leases come here and do the same?

A little far fetched for somebody that claims to be "realistic", I think.

It's one thing to go and buy a mountainbike for $5k and then realizing that oops, maybe I should have bought one for $3k...but to make the assumption that somebody that has been going thru the process of a home purchase has buyers remorse is laughable. You don't buy a house on impulse. It takes months of back and forth to buy a house, enough time for buyers remorse to kick in and you either deal with it (or don't have it at all because you are confident in your decision) For example, our purchase has been 8 years in the making really. Carefully watching the market, saving downpayment, looking at listings, abusing a ton of realtors on the way...then getting a loan, putting in an offer, counter offering, back and forth, weeks and weeks go by. By the way, it is not easy to get a loan these days. Banks have serious conditions especially when you are self employed. It takes preparation. Your tax returns have to be 100% impeccable at this point. The game has completely changed. Lending is what it should have always been. I didn't buy a house and as I am moving in I am going "Oh, shit, honey...wait a minute...did you say 30 years??? SHiiiit..I didn't realize that" - You're far away from reality. Buying a house is one of the biggest decisions in life and you think that people just go out and get one, like you get a cheeseburger. The game has totally been changed. New regulations are in place. I think its great. Finally. Only took a major crisis to get here...and of course, its not over yet. We're in unchartered territory so nobody can predict the future. Not even you.

klarek says

I didn’t say anything sucks. Post-purchase rationalization is a psychological phenomenon. I make mention of this, that housing prices are unsustainably high, or that renting is a valid alternative to owning…. and you assume that there is something wrong with me. That is funny. Don’t assume somebody is unhappy just because you’re living in a fantasy world and they refuse to validate it for you.

Do you really think you aren't overly negative? You make Eeyore look like Richard Simmons.

I hope you're happy. Now get on with your life and make that home your nest. And yes, I hope you don't lose your job or get sick or divorced, or have to move under duress. But this is all a fact of life. and not a bubble that real estate agents created. Companies downsize, businesses do away with pensions, people get sick and have no insurance. Those are real issues that get me mad too. Oh - and make sure you stay 30 or 40, but never get to 50 cuz you'll be out of a job that (if you're lucky) you gave everything to and lost because your too old...

But what are you gonna do? Sit around and write comments on blogs about how everybody is getting screwed and soulless wannabes are taking over?

Go for a hike and love your family...

I'm another Bull who was a former bear ( Check my posts/comments more than few years back).

I just love going to my house, sitting in the yard , Planting Toamtoes and veggies. Could not be more happier.

"Zillow appraisal is 750-830K"

- Don't trust Zillow to be an appraisal. It just gives you an idea. If your house is by HT power lines or major road or in a cul-de-sac, Zillow price does not reflect that part. They go by living space, lot size, age of house and all that stuff that has no price variance based on location. Also, the school scores is above 930. That affects the price a lot. Especially in Cambrian where one side of the street may have 930 plus school scores and another side under a school with 800 plus. If the house is not on a major road and not near HT power lines, I guess it is a good buy.