Crime and cost of living in your area.

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crj1968 said:
I'd probably be looking at Tri-cities Washington area for somewhere close.... But it's getting spendy there too. Unless you want to go east (realtive to the NW)- Missourri, Ohio, Arkansas. I don't know how the job market is there but land is cheap.
You'll have to pass on Idaho Utah Colorado if you want to buy a decent house in a decent 'burb for under $500K.

Do a zillow search via map view and set an upper limit and zoom way out. You'll get a good idea of where to research...

Oh you might check out Detroit too ;)
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I didn’t know you could do that! Thank you.I was putting in one town at a time.
 
A small update: I have PT I need to use up by the end of the year, so I took yesterday and today off spontaneously. Got a little work done on the Swinger.

Took the wife and kids out to Elma, about 45 mins west from me now. It’s a town I know well from my childhood, but it was the first time the wife and kids had been.

Julie really liked it,and the kids had a blast at a local park. After they were tuckered out, we drove around and looked for the bad side of town. No camps, and no zombies. Still just as clean and quaint as it was when I was younger.

It’s an extra 25 minutes to my commute, and the rents are about the same. But I’m considering it. It was so nice to just see normal people, doing normal things. No trash fires in the woods. No druggies running into the road.

I don’t think I can afford property there though, and that is ultimately the goal. So I’m still looking, but it was nice to see normal isn’t so far out of reach.
 
Don’t laugh… Detroit area might be a good investment . I grew up in MN so the cold wouldnt bother me and I think you may see a revitalization of the area . Some beautiful old homes there .
 
newmexguy said:
Post Office is not easy to get into. Most posted "jobs" are temporary (may become permanent if lucky) Part Time (casual) using one's own vehicle perhaps, or seasonal. Highly politicized, especially in a region such as borderland (El Paso County) or all of new mexico. Yes it may be "easier" elsewhere. The Exams seem to have a degree of "trickery" in them, did take two in mid 00's when there were a handful of FT positions opened up in this area (las Cruces NM). Hundreds of Applicants, many with a full Military retirement, for a handful of jobs.
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WOW!!! They are BEGGING people to apply for carrier jobs here. They want full time employees and our PO is down 12 positions that are open with no one to fill them...
 
str12-340 said:
WOW!!! They are BEGGING people to apply for carrier jobs here. They want full time employees and our PO is down 12 positions that are open with no one to fill them...
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How much is the hourly pay, and how much is the cost of a house where you are?

It’s hard to get someone who want to work somewhere they can’t afford to live. $30 an hour isn’t enough to afford the mortgage and property tax on an $800,000 house.
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$350k house up here, runs approx $2300 month mtg. Its ridiculous, and $350 is a full gut house unfortunately.
Wages are higher here, but so are taxes....
 
4spdragtop said:
$350k house up here, runs approx $2300 month mtg. Its ridiculous, and $350 is a full gut house unfortunately.
Wages are higher here, but so are taxes....
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With how much I make, my realistic max is about $250,000. It’s hard to find places where $250k buys you a house AND land. That’s why I started the thread. Georgia looks great, I can find jobs, and property in my price range. But the south is hot and humid in the summer. I tried Florida and Texas, and it’s just not my thing. I’d rather have frozen winters, than hot summers.
 
I know Elma- Been through there a bunch. My mom lives out in Westport, WA. (Grayland actually- and aptly named)

25 minutes extra drive to work is nothing when it comes peace of mind of where you park your family. Wish you the best man. Ive got 3 kids (grown now) and a Julie wife as well. lol
 
crj1968 said:
I know Elma- Been through there a bunch. My mom lives out in Westport, WA. (Grayland actually- and aptly named)

25 minutes extra drive to work is nothing when it comes peace of mind of where you park your family. Wish you the best man. Ive got 3 kids (grown now) and a Julie wife as well. lol
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That’s a good combo!
 
West by God Virginia.... Doors unlocked... heavily armed citizenry. :thumbsup:

But as I told a friend from the PNW... That WA OR region is a different lifestyle from the rest of the world. Everything is a tradeoff.

Hope you find the panacea you seek.
 
WV64Signet said:
West by God Virginia.... Doors unlocked... heavily armed citizenry. :thumbsup:

But as I told a friend from the PNW... That WA OR region is a different lifestyle from the rest of the world. Everything is a tradeoff.

Hope you find the panacea you seek.
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It’s beautiful up here. I’m not sure I fit in with the typical PNW lifestyle, but I sure love the weather and scenery.
 
I hear you, FWIW, your 1st home is rarely your last. Maybe dont look for a house that has "everything ". Find the place your wife feels safe, no matter the shape of it, or the size of land and then plan for an "upgrade" in x amount of time?
MidnightSwinger said:
With how much I make, my realistic max is about $250,000. It’s hard to find places where $250k buys you a house AND land. That’s why I started the thread. Georgia looks great, I can find jobs, and property in my price range. But the south is hot and humid in the summer. I tried Florida and Texas, and it’s just not my thing. I’d rather have frozen winters, than hot summers.
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Looks like you already have some good ideas but just wanted to say, don't bother with Colorado lol. I've been here 16 years and it's lost its charm particularly along the Front Range. Skyrocketing crime, homeless people, housing prices are not only ridiculous but just finding a house in the first place is almost impossible. One thing I liked is CO used to be in-between politically, some years red some years blue but after this last election it's clear what direction it's going (Kalifornia 2.0).

Last couple months I've been applying to jobs in Texas but haven't had much luck in finding the kind of job I want. Last week I started searching for jobs specifically on the type of position more than location, I just don't want to live in an expensive place with frigid winters so basically anywhere south of CO whether east, west or central. I used to put up with the cold here because of skiing but that's not very practical or affordable for me anymore and it's such a drag trying to wrench on my cars in a small cold-*** garage. Might come back here in the future but it'll be after I have money and it'll likely be on the Western Slope.
 
barbee6043 said:
Partly because you live the the friggin city!!!! We live in the Tx. sticks, with homestead exemption and ag exemption and being over 65 prop. taxe are plenty low. Way lower back in good ole Missouri....but...
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I am fully aware I live in the big chitty however it wasn’t like this 15-20 years ago….. all of our kids and grandkids are here so I am going to ride it out.
 
MidnightSwinger said:
With how much I make, my realistic max is about $250,000. It’s hard to find places where $250k buys you a house AND land. That’s why I started the thread. Georgia looks great, I can find jobs, and property in my price range. But the south is hot and humid in the summer. I tried Florida and Texas, and it’s just not my thing. I’d rather have frozen winters, than hot summers.
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I was raised in Ga. Just s hot and humid as Fl and parts of Tx. Anywher East of Mississippi will be humid, the NE not a much but.... you want perfect weather, cheap r/e and good pay. Good luck.
 
barbee6043 said:
Hey guy, you are the one asking about weather and info. I apologize, I should have simply said I doubt you will find the perfect area.
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I never asked about weather,guy.I never once said I need perfect weather. I did respond to someone (not you) that the south is too hot and humid. That’s a fact,guy.

Not a single thing you have posted in this thread has been constructive or helpful. Your opinion, and your presence is unwanted.

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MidnightSwinger said:
**** me for wanting a good life for my family right?
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Calm yourself down pal, Barbee6043 is a stand up member here. You want a better life for your family, thats something commendable and I hope you find the right place but not ever reply is going to be helpful or what you want to read. Guys are throwing out ideas
I see things as a compromise, try and get the best all around deal but nothing is ever 100% and I think that may be what Barbee was the point he was trying to make
My thing is living were the work is, were you can develop skills and maybe nail down a decent job with good benefits
Than maybe hustle after-hours and weekends.....put the old car in the garage and cover it up, time for that down the road.....
Was always on top of kids, involved in sports/dance/ theatre. Wife kept on their school work. Living in the country is great but today thats no guarantee in todays day and age
best of luck to ya
 
Steve welder said:
Calm yourself down pal, Barbee6043 is a stand up member here. You want a better life for your family, thats something commendable and I hope you find the right place but not ever reply is going to be helpful or what you want to read. Guys are throwing out ideas
I see things as a compromise, try and get the best all around deal but nothing is ever 100% and I think that may be what Barbee was the point he was trying to make
My thing is living were the work is, were you can develop skills and maybe nail down a decent job with good benefits
Than maybe hustle after-hours and weekends.....put the old car in the garage and cover it up, time for that down the road.....
Was always on top of kids, involved in sports/dance/ theatre. Wife kept on their school work. Living in the country is great but today thats no guarantee in todays day and age
best of luck to ya
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Don’t tell me to calm down Pal. I dont care if you think he is a stand up member, the way he was responding was condescending.


I have no issue with reading differing ideas and opinions, as long as we keep it mutually respectful.

Calling me Pal or him calling my guy is disrespect, plain and simple. I have a name, it’s Jared, I use it repeatedly. If you don’t know that or want to remember that, you can refer to me by my handle, MidnightSwinger. If that doesn’t suit you, sir works just fine.

If I wasn’t open to ideas, why would I start this thread? So far I’ve looked into Indiana, Idaho and North Dakota, all based on member suggestion.

My original question was: where do you live, cost of living and crime rate. He never answered my question. He just interjected with his drivel and repeating what others have already said. Completely useless.

You initially offered some decent advice, I appreciate that. But don’t call me pal.
 
MidnightSwinger said:
Don’t tell me to calm down Pal. I dont care if you think he is a stand up member, the way he was responding was condescending.


I have no issue with reading differing ideas and opinions, as long as we keep it mutually respectful.

Calling me Pal or him calling my guy is disrespect, plain and simple. I have a name, it’s Jared, I use it repeatedly. If you don’t know that or want to remember that, you can refer to me by my handle, MidnightSwinger. If that doesn’t suit you, sir works just fine.

If I wasn’t open to ideas, why would I start this thread? So far I’ve looked into Indiana, Idaho and North Dakota, all based on member suggestion.

My original question was: where do you live, cost of living and crime rate. He never answered my question. He just interjected with his drivel and repeating what others have already said. Completely useless.

You initially offered some decent advice, I appreciate that. But don’t call me pal.
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You reply to him was unwarranted, he was trying to help you.
 
MidnightSwinger said:
I never asked about weather,guy.I never once said I need perfect weather. I did respond to someone (not you) that the south is too hot and humid. That’s a fact,guy.

Not a single thing you have posted in this thread has been constructive or helpful. Your opinion, and your presence is unwanted.

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I suggest you suck it up ButterCup. You asked about opinions of your situation. Thats what you get. Go back and re read my opinions. Out of here Bubba.
 
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