Why do people stay in California?

[fintstone]

If single, I would head there with a credit card and camp near the beach. Let my retirement checks and investment returns keep piling up in my account for a year or two. Do some panhandling to pay for what I need. Spend days at the beach fishing and evenings under the stars drinking margaritas. Probably find a way t get free meals. Pick up some cash, under the table gigs. Get a nice hotel now and then when sick of camping.

[group911@aol.co]

I guess you just put up a welcome to Michigan sign at the state line.

Originally Posted by fintstone

Figure out what brings them there...and stop it. It is as simple as that.

[Jeff Hail]

Having grown up in Van Nuys I remember at 16 years old when I got my dl I could drive on Victory Blvd from Burbank (The city) to Topanga Canyon in 20 minutes on city streets by timing all the green lights along the way.

Now you can't even time one green light in the valley and that light takes twenty minutes to the next light. I avoid the 405 south of Burbank Blvd whenever possible which is 100 percent of the time. Morning traffic heading south from Santa Clarita is bad. Everyone in a rush. Its a robber of time.

Since Covid traffic has returned to that of the late 1990's. Still bad but not as much. Some days it feels like weekend traffic during the week.

Many reasons to stay but more reasons come regularly to get out of here. Traffic is last on my list of negatives. Even with everything in the world to do here, great weather, seasons, friends and family its lost its luster.

A slower life is appealing. I used to love to drive around Los Angeles. Now its why drive around L.A?

[wildthing]

Why I stay: job. Kids’ school and friends. Asian supermarkets. Restaurants. Weather. Beach.

Why I want to leave: RE prices. Gun restrictions.

[Zeke]

Originally Posted by fintstone

If single, I would head there with a credit card and camp near the beach. Let my retirement checks and investment returns keep piling up in my account for a year or two. Do some panhandling to pay for what I need. Spend days at the beach fishing and evenings under the stars drinking margaritas. Probably find a way t get free meals. Pick up some cash, under the table gigs. Get a nice hotel now and then when sick of camping.

Sounds good until you actually do it. You'd probably lose your front teeth before long. You'd eventually become ill and need help. Pan handling is a racket and if you don't have a pimp they will bust your balls. Better find a spot that is not someone's corner.

Drinking in public will get you hassled. Making money doing under the table gigs is a pipe dream. You could maybe wash dishes.

[fintstone]

Originally Posted by Zeke

Sounds good until you actually do it. You'd probably lose your front teeth before long. You'd eventually become ill and need help. Pan handling is a racket and if you don't have a pimp they will bust your balls. Better find a spot that is not someone's corner.

Drinking in public will get you hassled. Making money doing under the table gigs is a pipe dream. You could maybe wash dishes.

I have managed to retain my teeth in under some pretty rough circumstances...so not too concerned about that. Nothing insurance will not fix. I think I was more at risk working/commuting late at night in some of the big cities in a suit (with obvious trappings of wealth). Much street violence is drug-related...or against the most vulnerable/stoned or mentally deranged, not sober, healthy guys. I think I would be alright.

I would only need limited panhandling as I already have money...as my bank account would continue to grow at a much faster rate than if I had mortgage, taxes, insurance, utilities, maintenance etc. and other bills. It would just buy my booze. I don't think I would impact the territory of any "pimp"...intentionally. If so, I guess we would have to come to an understanding. Pimps only take advantage of the vulnerable. That is not me.

Why would I drink in public? If so, I would ensure it was nit obvious. It is not like I woud sip my margaritas from a margarita glass. A thermos or opaque water bottle maybe. I would have a nice tent to drink in if I chose...or could simply drink in a bar like everyone else (it is not like I would be an alcoholic passed out on a gutter...any more than I am now).

There are lots of under-table gigs, that is why there are so many illegals in CA and Washington/Oregon.

[group911@aol.co]

"There are lots of under-table gigs, that is why there are so many illegals in CA and Washington/Oregon."
And food on your table.
Let me know when you get that strawberry picking job. I wanna watch.

[varmint]

Originally Posted by fintstone

If single, I would head there with a credit card and camp near the beach. Let my retirement checks and investment returns keep piling up in my account for a year or two. Do some panhandling to pay for what I need. Spend days at the beach fishing and evenings under the stars drinking margaritas. Probably find a way t get free meals. Pick up some cash, under the table gigs. Get a nice hotel now and then when sick of camping.

You’d be surprised how many guys are doing that. Mostly in western national parks.

[gduke2010]

Originally Posted by group911@aol.co

"There are lots of under-table gigs, that is why there are so many illegals in CA and Washington/Oregon."
And food on your table.
Let me know when you get that strawberry picking job. I wanna watch.

I was working in Alpine Meadows a couple years ago, and there are many retired carpenters doing small jobs for cash. Under the table cash just to survive.

[gduke2010]

Originally Posted by gduke2010

I was working in Alpine Meadows a couple years ago, and there are many retired carpenters doing small jobs for cash. Under the table cash just to survive.

The underground economy will grow as taxes and regulations make living a normal life more difficult.

[varmint]

Originally Posted by gduke2010

I was working in Alpine Meadows a couple years ago, and there are many retired carpenters doing small jobs for cash. Under the table cash just to survive.

Can’t find a handyman around here. They’re like Bigfoot.

[stevej37]

^^^ Where is here?

[varmint]

alaska,

there are addicts just out of jail and full on contractors doing major projects. nothing in between.


our old handyman was near seventy. he drove up from idaho every summer. hung out, fished and did enough work to cover his trip.

[Zeke]

Originally Posted by fintstone

I have managed to retain my teeth in under some pretty rough circumstances...so not too concerned about that. Nothing insurance will not fix. I think I was more at risk working/commuting late at night in some of the big cities in a suit (with obvious trappings of wealth). Much street violence is drug-related...or against the most vulnerable/stoned or mentally deranged, not sober, healthy guys. I think I would be alright.

I would only need limited panhandling as I already have money...as my bank account would continue to grow at a much faster rate than if I had mortgage, taxes, insurance, utilities, maintenance etc. and other bills. It would just buy my booze. I don't think I would impact the territory of any "pimp"...intentionally. If so, I guess we would have to come to an understanding. Pimps only take advantage of the vulnerable. That is not me.

Why would I drink in public? If so, I would ensure it was nit obvious. It is not like I woud sip my margaritas from a margarita glass. A thermos or opaque water bottle maybe. I would have a nice tent to drink in if I chose...or could simply drink in a bar like everyone else (it is not like I would be an alcoholic passed out on a gutter...any more than I am now).

There are lots of under-table gigs, that is why there are so many illegals in CA and Washington/Oregon.

Come on down then. I live in the middle of it all but you seem to have a handle on how you can work it. Let me know where to take my camera.

[wdfifteen]

Originally Posted by fintstone

If single, I would head there with a credit card and camp near the beach. Let my retirement checks and investment returns keep piling up in my account for a year or two. Do some panhandling to pay for what I need. .

I would never beg. I have too much pride to ask someone for a handout. I guess for some it's all about how to milk the rest of society for as much as you can get.

[fintstone]

Originally Posted by group911@aol.co

"There are lots of under-table gigs, that is why there are so many illegals in CA and Washington/Oregon."
And food on your table.
Let me know when you get that strawberry picking job. I wanna watch.

I have picked strawberries...tomatoes, apples, berries...corn, beans...you name it. What is your point? Do you think only poor Mexicans can do that type work?

[fintstone]

Originally Posted by Zeke

Come on down then. I live in the middle of it all but you seem to have a handle on how you can work it. Let me know where to take my camera.

I have no doubt I could "handle it" as many do...without the benefit of my savings and education to finance it.

[wdfifteen]

Originally Posted by Sooner or later

Different strokes for different folks.

Where I live many wouldn't consider it "decent". Though it is my perfect place. Low cost of living. A traffic jam is sitting through one traffic light. A fully open economy. Instead of a 5 star restaurant I can be dove hunting or fishing within 30 minutes of leaving the house. I can see turkey or deer in my front yard while the red tail hawk or Mississippi Kite (or even a buzzard) circles my house.

Your slice of heaven may be the big city life. Mine happens to be SW Oklahoma.

Sounds like more that "decent" to me.
Rural midwestern life is what I chose.
No regrets.

[fintstone]

Originally Posted by wdfifteen

I would never beg. I have too much pride to ask someone for a handout. I guess for some it's all about how to milk the rest of society for as much as you can get.

Who is talking about begging? In California, panhandling is an esteemed profession and homelessness a noble pursuit. All one needs is a cup at their feet while they nap in the sunshine. It is a service to give liberals someone that appears worse off then them to feel sorry for. Make me a sign that says..."will work for margarita money."

[fintstone]

Originally Posted by varmint

alaska,

there are addicts just out of jail and full on contractors doing major projects. nothing in between.


our old handyman was near seventy. he drove up from idaho every summer. hung out, fished and did enough work to cover his trip.

Yep. Anyone that wants to work can find more than they can handle.