How did I get the house I got?

[Zeke]

If you've read the other threads where I've commented rather negatively about Long Beach, let me tell you how I landed back in my native city.

I was financially driven out of CA after a particularly nasty lawsuit brought against me by an immigrant helper. This was in '93 and work was non existent for 3 years. My wife had been on disability for the previous 8 years. She got next to nothing for a couple of pretty serious accidents/injuries including falling down a full fight of metal stairs at work. I ended up in Alabama living with the mom-in-law and working as a line carpenter framing, etc. Lot of work for a late forties guy. But I did it.

However, as time went on, my wife said we were leaving AL together or she was leaving me behind. I sure didn't want to stay there. ( I was way over-talented for those folks anyway having done finish work and cabinetry for the rich and famous (god how I hated them) in OC. So, we moved near Las Vegas where anyone can get a job the same day they arrive, any day of the week.

I turned in some nice work on custom homes overlooking beautiful Lake Mead, home of Hoover Dam. Yeah, I turned way too much for 15 bucks an hour when my health insurance was 1/4 of my income and housing was half. Doesn't leave much to live on.

So, I come back to Long Beach because (a) the wife's grown kids are here and (b) there's 500,000 souls living here providing a base for employment in the home improvement biz. Funny, though, I ended up mostly back in OC to make decent money.

Then I get a call from an elderly gentleman about a bath addition on an old house. I went out and looked at it, bid it and did it, rather quickly. The old boy had some money from several other properties. The house was a Spanish Colonial Revival his mother had built in 1930 off some stock plans with some neat custom touches. She had last lived in the house in 1977 and it sat vacant for 20 years with most of the original furniture, rugs and area rugs on original shellacked and waxed hardwood floors. Not only that, the ole boy had redone the drain and waste system in plastic and the water pipes in copper. All new. Fairly new roof, too.

The house had (and still has) all of the original light fixtures and iron drape rods. The mahogany trim in the living and dining rooms escaped being painted over all of the years. During the addition, I didn't even go inside the house until the day we broke thru the window that was to become the door to the new master bath. My jaw dropped at all of the originality; a time capsule. We got to talking a LOT during the construction and this old guy took a liking to me. A lot of that had to do with the fact that I did things thoroughly and the old fashioned way. And, I made a big point of making the addition look as if it had always been there.

He liked my approach and one day told me I should live here instead of him. He seemed to sense that I would take care of his mother's home in the spirit in which it was built. So it came to be, I bought it that week and he never moved in to his new bath.

The next month I had to build him another master bath where he had been living all of those 20 years. He paid me for the 2nd one, too. This home is 77 YO and is very livable, but very period in furnishings, etc. I have remodeled the kitchen to be pretty much 1930's. Has an old Wolf range from the fire house that closed down the street which besides having a modern fridge, (they had a gas fridge after an ice box) and a dishwasher and garbage disposer, none of which the original house would have had. The home tour folks are dying to get this one on the list, but I won't do it.

Now that you've read the story, it's a shame I will have to leave soon because of the overall conditions here in LB. This is too nice of a home to be left here but I can't very well take it with me. I've been in the place 9.5 years and 4 Porsches. It was worth some money a year ago, but has lost 100K in value and is going down as much as 20K a month.

But, I'll do OK if I get far enough away from LA. If not, I will be renter for the rest of my life.

[Moneyguy1]

Milt:

I missed something? Why are you leaving? Because of the drop in home prices or lack of work or some othe reason? The house sounds delightful.

[mjshira]

sorry for your situation.

[Zeke]

Because of the noise from the airport and the lack of dignity in this city. I'm sure the ethos of many communities in the US have a lot more to offer me than the irresponsible transplants that have taken over this city.

When I say irresponsible, I refer to what CA was vs. what it has become. There was an incident today where a Latino type gardener showed up on my street and proceeded to mow and blow his THREE lawn accounts. Hell, one of the accounts was home and had a gaggle of T-Day guests for T-Day dinner. You do know that a lot of folks consider "dinner" to be a mid day meal, right? Anyway, this is a national holiday and no work or noise should be permitted.

Tell that to the student pilots flying over my house all morning and well into the afternoon. Is there no respect left?

Hey, thanks James. I wonder how the rest of the nation faired today? Was it uncontrolled noise, or a nice holiday?

[mjshira]

Milt

I grew up in Alameda, up in NorCal. So I knew the Cali of the 70-90's. I know it has changed. I've lived all over the nation and Europe and all I can tell you is I learned that you have to make the best of 'where you are'. I miss Cali watching all you guys via Pelican have fun at the track and on the fun runs. Plus I miss the car culture. (we've got hot rods here but its not the same). I'd say make the move that allows you to have the best financial situation for you and your wife. People often don't do this and I have and its worked well so far but it has been tough. I've left a lot of friends behind in Cali, Texas, and NY. Now here in IN I am starting all over again. So I hope you'll find a good solution in all this. And yes, it was quiet in our little subdivision and we don't have Mexican aliens on every corner or people pissing in the public streets. But then it is strange because it is 95% white here and I have yet to get used to that.

[Moneyguy1]

Come on down to sleepy Tucson. A great big City that acts more like a small town We have an air base here, but house prices are stagnant or coming down and there are a LOT of older folks looking for a talented woodworker. The air base is not a problem if you find a place on the northern side of the burg. I live within 4 miles of the base (Southeast side of the City)and don't find it to be a problem. I figure they keep the Mexican Air Force at bay!! Traffic....Phooey. Only folks who have lived nowhere else thinks the traffic is a problem. Most main roads are 6 lanes wide with extra lanes for L.H. and R.H. turns. Been here 7 years and have no desire to go anywhere else. Weather? Oh yeah...Summers are hot, but for the most part the low humidity makes the heat seem less severe. I have spent time in Florida and Alabamand believe me......a temp of 105 with 5% humidity is far more comfortable than a temp of 85 with 85% humidity. Winters are really mild. We had a freak snowstorm last Janulary. 2 1/2 inches of flakes the size of saucers. It was beautiful but the next day most of it was gone except for the plaes in dark shadow. And, if you like snow, there is a ski facility at the top of Mount Lemmon, a 10,000 foot peak about 20 miles from my house. Lots of places to camp, to hike, to explore.....Bisbee, Tombstone, Ajo, Casa Grande, and these are in the southern part of the state. Up north are more wonders.....Weekend trips galore.

Just trying to help here. Besides, if you move here, I could use a good carpenter to assist me in converting a carport into a real, honest garage!!

Keep smilin'

[Zeke]

Alameda. Last I knew that was a very nice upscale community. I hope it still is. I did a quicky tour thru NorCal earlier this year and loved every road, every city. I must have somehow missed all the dregs. I've spent some time in the bay area and the traffic is no better than down here. so that's not really an option any more for me. I have no idea how to get out of here with my skin still intact, but this I must do. One thing I know for sure, if I can afford it, it won't be anyone's paradise. How far can I move grandma from her family? This will be the biggest factor.

[strupgolf]

Being a renter for the rest of your life is no big deal. Hell, there are a lot less headackes that way to say the least. I wasn'[t sure about your post, but if your are a skilled tradesman, you can find work anywhere. I know Long Beach is a great life, or so they say, so what, move away and smell the roses.

[mjshira]

it was a blue collar town when I was a kid, much like LB only north. My Dad was a wrench at United before they went chapter 11. So I know how it is to be broke in Cali, we did it all through growing up as my Mom was a stay at home Mom, God bless her. Anyway, here is the deal, the middle of the country is very under rated. You can afford to live here, 50k a year here is like 100k+ plus on either coast. But you have to accept certain things, you won't get the same variety of food, you won't see a lot of diverse stuff, and there are not a lot of Porsches ;-). I got drafted into being pres of the PCA region here and I made a ton of effort to get people to hang out and the result was about 5 guys that come out of 70 members. It is just different. Most people go to the highschool sports events on a Friday night, have known each other since they were young and generally don't move away, its old school America.

I'd advise you to live where your income can support you. Go against the wave, that is what we've done here.

Good luck

[pwd72s]

Milt? The leader of a cult P-car group we both used to belong to lives in Alameda. I still believe him to be a good guy. Perhaps give him a ring for local knowledge???

Up here in the NW, "luxury homes" are being auctioned off. But I wouldn't trade our '70's ranch for any of them with an opening bid of $250,000.

Obviously, the real estate boom has busted. But then, "location-location-location" also involves family and live ability considerations.

Choose carefully...

[Danny_Ocean]

C'mon over to Las Cruces. Polite people, no crowds (and the weather is more tolerable than AZ). Tons of older homes with character, from 1880's adobes to turn-of-the-century Praire farmhouses on acreage. Oh...our airport is 10 miles outside of town, in the middle of nowhere. If you want to see/hear planes, you'll have to drive there.

Here's a sample listing showing what you get for the $$$:

http://homes.realtor.com/search/listingdetail.aspx?ctid=263&mnp=20&mxp=20&typ=1&sid=cb7d243bd2d146a2809133c5c664d36c&pg=17&lid=1088975413&lsn=167&srcnt=285#Detail

And, if fixer-uppers aren't for you, there are many new developments in which homes can be had for $145k ~ $165k (but then you'll have to put up with neighbors). I purchased a new home on two acres, 6 mi. outside of town...here are my neighbors:

P.S. - no smog checks!

[RoninLB]

I find a place to cool out for a few months after packing it in.

This happens to be a big beautiful exciting country awaiting all.

[RoninLB]

Originally Posted by Danny_Ocean

C'mon over to Las Cruces. Polite people, no crowds

NM is a great state. Great people, great forests, great 911 driving, and can be great weather. Personally I like Reserve, NW of Las Cruces in the Gila. Pop 275, 3rd largest county in US w/a pop of 1,800.

And it's about 175mi to nearest airport.

[Shuie]

Id suggest Baton Rouge, but it kinda sucks here too

[Danny_Ocean]

Originally Posted by RoninLB

NM is a great state. Great people, great forests, great 911 driving, and can be great weather. Personally I like Reserve, NW of Las Cruces in the Gila. Pop 275, 3rd largest county in US w/a pop of 1,800.

And it's about 175mi to nearest airport.

Oh...don't forget Arroyo Seco Raceway in Deming:

http://www.arroyosecoraceway.com/index.html

[mjshira]

Cris is a great guy.

[Laneco]

Milt
Come to Southern Oregon. The climate is pretty mild, we call it Oregon's Banana Belt as it gets much less rain than the north area of the state. Great driving roads, affordable housing, a market for your upscale skills. Beautiful mountains everywhere, nearby skiing, but no snow in the valley floor (maybe once a year). A decent little airport. This is where and water out of the faucet that tastes better than any of the fancy crap you buy in the stores.

An aside story... A couple of years ago there was an article in the paper about a fellow who had an auto repair shop. He was obviously self employed and had bought insurance for himself and family. Just your basic work 70 hours a week and raise your kids kind of guy. Then he needs a liver transplant and the insurance considers it an "experimental" procedure and won't cover it. He'll die without it. There was going to be a meeting for a fundraiser to help cover the cost of the transplant. I decided to go and got there rather early. In striking up conversation with people in the room, it turned out that most of the roomful of people had NEVER met this guy - wouldn't know him from Adam. They (we) all decided to shop up and raise money for this complete stranger...

That's what living here is like Milt. You need help and a roomful of strangers pitch in for you. Think about it.

Oh, and the guys operation was successful. He's been raising his family and walked his eldest daughter down the aisle at her wedding.

angela

[Jeff Alton]

Milt don't move yet, read my email I just sent. (yes I was very tardy replying) You don't seem like the type to throw the towel in until it is time to do so.....

Good luck in what ever you decide.

Oh, and there is still a booming housing and renovation market up here going on...... Plus with your skills in other areas, there is plenty of good paying work.

Cheers

[red-beard]

I'm not sure if you'd like Houston, but Austin might just be the Texas city for the Left Coasters.

[notfarnow]

That's a heartbreaker. I love my house... my wife and I hope to never, ever move. It's our dreamhouse... old and wonky with lots of character, in a great neighborhood.

It would kill me if the area changed so much we had to leave. Can't imagine what that would be like.