Looking for a fresh start...

[Paul491]

Just a quick note to solict a few suggestions and ideas from my Porsche friends.

I am in the process of relocating from Arizona to the West Coast due to a "friendly" divorce and looking for a fresh start.

I've been successful in the areas of Sales and Marketing although I can always fall back on my experience in design and fabrication. It is my hope this note will find its way to a good company in need of a team player with a clear, creative mind and an optimistic, outgoing personality. I need to find work very soon. Any position in any location will be seriously considered. Please feel free to contact me directly at: 520-440-9117

Reality check: The "ex" has the house and most everything else... The good news? Hey, I still have the car she loved to hate - the Porsche!

Looking forward to hearing from you. Thanks!

[pwd72s]

I have absolutley zero influence in OR industry. But if it's the West Coast in general you are looking at? Avoid socialist California. Ditto Oregon, for we have been raped and murdered by the lefties imported fom the east coast. Perhaps Washington state? On the other hand, if being a bureaucrat is what you do? Go for California or Oregon.

[motion]

That didn't take long.

[pwd72s]

So? Not taking Long makes my comments untrue?

[Moneyguy1]

Motion:

If the person doing the relocation is not familiar with economics of the far left coast, he or she could be in for a huge surprise to find that a broomcloset in Frisco or LA will run $1k a month for rent. Article from Associated Press today Saturday explains a LOT about housing. 1,100 square feet for $400,000? Bids to get the property $20k and more over asking price? People with $140k annual income being priced out of the market as first time buyers?

I would rather the individual be informed about the conditions than accept what seems to be a fair salary and find it is inadequate.

[pwd72s]

Good advice Bob...I recently read an article...the gist of which was that the recently hired city manager of Aspen, Colorado quit his job. He quickly discovered that he couldn't enjoy a decent lifestyle there, despite the 6 figure annual income.

[Paul491]

Geeezzzzz... I grew up in So. Cal and have been living here in AZ for quite awhile. I had no idea it's gotten this bad.

This is the first chance in many years I've had to get back to the coast. I have friends and relatives in San Diego, Santa Clairita, Morro Bay, San Fransco and Redding. Which place would give me the best chance?

I don't require much space and could live in an efficiency apt or guest house. What's the prices like on those? I will also need to find a good enough job to send an extra grand from my wages back to AZ EVERY month... Do I have a chance????

I appreciate your ideas and candid comments.

Thanks

[pwd72s]

Paul, I'm not 100% familiar with all the economic nuances of the California locations you mentioned...but if I had to take a guess? Among those, Redding would be a good place for a "working stiff" guy to make a new start, at least as far as cost of living goes...it's north of the really crazy areas...and has a big plus of not being too far from Thunderhill!

[Paul491]

Actually, I've always liked the idea of living on the Oregon Coast, but I really don't know anyone up there... How's the employment and income potential vs. living expenses?

[JavaBrewer]

Paul,

I suggest you contact a realtor in the area and discuss with them your goals and financial situation. What ever you do DON'T DO THIS!

[ubiquity0]

Originally posted by Moneyguy1
Bids to get the property $20k and more over asking price? People with $140k annual income being priced out of the market as first time buyers?

A $20k bid over asking price would be scoffed at here. $100k is pretty common. Recently a 'cottage' went for $240k over asking ($390k)

[Paul491]

Yikes!!! Reading that article out of San Diego is a real eye opener. According to it, my chances of being a home owner are not very good... but that's ok. I don't mind renting. At this point, the main factor determining location will be where I can find employment. Hopefully, one of you guys will mention my plight to someone who can use a good sales rep and I'll be "in".

The main thing I need is a decent job. Even if I wind up living in a studio apt or guest house in a back yard - no problem. My needs are simple: As long as I make enough $$ to send off a grand a month to the "ex" AND keep my 911. I'll be a happy camper...

[Moses]

If I were young and single, Redding would be near the bottom of my list. Put it this way, you can have dinner in Redding's finest restaurants barefoot. No problem. Summer temps top 110 degrees. If boating on Lake Shasta drunk out of your wits sounds like a great weekend, give Redding a try. Me? I'd rather rent in San Diego or San Francisco.

[Moses]

Also, if you hope to attract one of the rare women under 200 pounds, you will need to have your 911 fitted with a gun rack.

[nostatic]

while housing is a consideration, you gotta consider the job...no job, no live.

Despite Paul's warning, I think there are possibilities in a lot of places...depends on the industry. You might consider Portland. I have friends up there, and they are very happy, and the local economy seems strong (and housing prices aren't nuts).

In CA, SD, LA, and SF are about a wash. I'm with Moses on Redding...I'd take a pass.

Personally, I think that everyone should live in SF for some chunk of time, even better if they are single and no kids. But I'm talking in San Francisco city proper...not just the bay area. If you can find a job somewhere, get a studio in the Sunset or Noe Valley and live it up.

San Diego would probably be my second choice, but I'm jaded as I grew up there and it isn't the same as it was. Still a beautiful place, and you can find an apartment in any number of cool neighborhoods (there are regentrification areas that are pretty hip).

If *I* were to move right now, I would go to the central coast (assuming there was a job). To me that is the last bit of not-totally-screwed-up California. But it is hard to find a gig there.

[kach22i]

It's not so much what you can earn, it's what you can keep.

http://www.taxfoundation.org/oregon/

[Paul491]

I'm right with you, Nostatic. "No job, no live..."

Okay to make things easier ( I hope), maybe you guys should be filled in on my background... I have 11 years experience with Bombardier Aviation Services/Learjet Tucson. The last 4 yrs. as a Service Sales Rep for Learjet specializing in Interiors and Paint. Prior to my promotion, I was Lead Interior Tech at the Challenger Service Center. In the late eighties and early nineties, I was employed by Lockheed as an Interior Mechanic to refurbish and modify commercial jets. For a time, Swimming Pool Design/Sales proved profitable, as well as Plastics Sales for Southwest Plastics. My experience may be varied but are consistant in the areas of sales and fabrication. I consider myself to be well seasoned and ready to handle new challenges. Two things I value most are integrity and honesty. They are a must for establishing strong and lasting customer relations. As a result, I have always had a "knack" for closing the tough ones.

By trade, I am a Cabinet and Furniture designer/fabricator. I’ve produced various projects from antique reproductions, 32mm Euro-Style cabinetry to full scale Learjet Prototype Cabins, including designing and crafting production fixtures for caseworks manufacturing. As a sidenote: I was awarded a U.S. Patent for my abrasive tool design. Being a "hands on" kind of guy, I couldn't bare parting with my shop equipment, so I recently purchased a 22' commercial box truck with a hydraulic lift to store my shop for future use. Hey, it's always a good thing to have when one needs to do a little R&D work, eh?

Although I’m considered a highly-skilled fabricator, it's been noted by my calegues that customer relations, product presentations, contract negotiations and sales in general are my best suit.

I hope this helps.

[pwd72s]

Originally posted by Paul491
Actually, I've always liked the idea of living in Oregon Coast, but I really don't know anyone up there... How's the employment and income potential vs. living expenses?

The rub with the Oregon coast? Little industry to speak of, other than tourism...which means most jobs are low wage, outside of the management positions, or perhaps banking executive, that sort of thing. As an earlier thread pointed out, Oregon has a very high income tax, high property tax, most fees and licenses also high...but, no sales tax. Also, though it's a beautiful area during the summer, the winter can drive people used to sunnier climates away. In a nutshell, the Oregon Coast would be a great place to retire to, and many do...

(edit) Just remembered a website Cindy & I played on some time ago. You might try:
www.findyourspot.com

[jbryant]

Paul,

Have you thought about the East coast? Northern VA is in need of your skills. The housing is not cheap...but it is still not in the CA range. Also, we are not taxed, etc to death.
Yes, its true... we do not have the women SOCAL has...but we have enough.

[pwd72s]

Originally posted by jbryant
Paul,

Have you thought about the East coast? Northern VA is in need of your skills. The housing is not cheap...but it is still not in the CA range. Also, we are not taxed, etc to death.
Yes, its true... we do not have the women SOCAL has...but we have enough.

I agree...it's a big beautiful USA out there, and one man's version of paradise can be another man's hell. Last time I looked, females made up approx. half of the population, and many of them are good looking!