[equalizer]

[quote=CA renter]paramount wrote:

And another thing: a good house is one that keeps you and your family safe and warm and is a roof over your head.

If you don’t have 10% down on a 700k house, buy a cheaper house where your down payment is equal to 20%. Or would that house not be good enough for you?

I hear you, paramount, but one of the biggest problems with So Cal is the huge disparity in wealth and income. Back when I was growing up in L.A. during the 70s and 80s, middle-class neighborhoods were the norm. Let me define what I call “middle class”: **safe**, clean neighborhoods where the homes and yards were well-maintained, neighbors watched out for each other, usually one parent stayed home and the other worked in in jobs ranging from mechanic to engineering. The homes would range from 1,300sf to ~2,000sf, and had tile or Formica countertops and regular carpet (no marble floors for us regular folks!).

These days, those neighborhoods are in the minority. You either buy in “the hood” with SFHs filled with multiple families, gang members hanging around in driveways and on street corners, staring people down and making it VERY uncomfortable to let your kids play in the front yard or walk down the street, dirt yards filled with cars, etc…

…OR you’re forced to buy McMansions that have been built as though we are entertaining heads of state with 500sf grand foyers and granite countertops with stainless steel (commercial grade, no doubt!) appliances — for a princely sum of $800K or more.

It’s disgusting, but that’s where we are right now.

Many of us just want a safe, clean neighborhood for our kids. I’m perfectly fine with Formica countertops and linoleum/carpet flooring. We drive very basic cars and don’t wear jewelry or fancy clothing, but we DO want a clean, safe neighborhood with nice neighbors for our family. There is nothing wrong with that. What’s wrong is what people expect you to pay for it.
[/quote]
Wait, you can buy a nice townhouse in PQ or Poway for (overpriced) 500K. Not a SFH, but you asked about safe place for kids, I can find you nice places.

Reminds me of a relative who replied to my hostile question “Why did you buy (at peak in 2005)” with “I dont want to live in a stupid noisy apt my whole life”. So many people justify home purchase because they weigh choice between buying 2500SF house and renting studio apt???

[equalizer]

[quote=tssd888]I have read this site and board for a long time but never registered to comment until now….

I am SHOCKED at some of the comments in this thread from people that make assumptions and attacks claiming to know all about the OP.

It obviously stems from a mix of jealously and bitterness at their own situations. Take the good comments and info and do your best to ignore the others. They serve little purpose in your life, leave them alone to wallow in their own misery.[/quote]

Really? sdude and xbox are some pretty mean dudes, but their posts in this thread are just about the most useful notes they (or anyone) have (has) ever written and I have been here 2.5 years.

That jealousy and bitterness is so 2005, long gone. Most people here already own a house or 4(plex). Don’t confuse sage advise with bitterness.

ncounty4,

So many posts, has anyone asked if it is possible to rent out that house for now and move your family into a rental unit in your favorite town?
Rental wont pay all bills now, but that may be best bet for now. good luck

[equalizer]

[quote=tssd888]I have read this site and board for a long time but never registered to comment until now….

I am SHOCKED at some of the comments in this thread from people that make assumptions and attacks claiming to know all about the OP.

It obviously stems from a mix of jealously and bitterness at their own situations. Take the good comments and info and do your best to ignore the others. They serve little purpose in your life, leave them alone to wallow in their own misery.[/quote]

Really? sdude and xbox are some pretty mean dudes, but their posts in this thread are just about the most useful notes they (or anyone) have (has) ever written and I have been here 2.5 years.

That jealousy and bitterness is so 2005, long gone. Most people here already own a house or 4(plex). Don’t confuse sage advise with bitterness.

ncounty4,

So many posts, has anyone asked if it is possible to rent out that house for now and move your family into a rental unit in your favorite town?
Rental wont pay all bills now, but that may be best bet for now. good luck

[equalizer]

[quote=tssd888]I have read this site and board for a long time but never registered to comment until now….

I am SHOCKED at some of the comments in this thread from people that make assumptions and attacks claiming to know all about the OP.

It obviously stems from a mix of jealously and bitterness at their own situations. Take the good comments and info and do your best to ignore the others. They serve little purpose in your life, leave them alone to wallow in their own misery.[/quote]

Really? sdude and xbox are some pretty mean dudes, but their posts in this thread are just about the most useful notes they (or anyone) have (has) ever written and I have been here 2.5 years.

That jealousy and bitterness is so 2005, long gone. Most people here already own a house or 4(plex). Don’t confuse sage advise with bitterness.

ncounty4,

So many posts, has anyone asked if it is possible to rent out that house for now and move your family into a rental unit in your favorite town?
Rental wont pay all bills now, but that may be best bet for now. good luck

[equalizer]

[quote=tssd888]I have read this site and board for a long time but never registered to comment until now….

I am SHOCKED at some of the comments in this thread from people that make assumptions and attacks claiming to know all about the OP.

It obviously stems from a mix of jealously and bitterness at their own situations. Take the good comments and info and do your best to ignore the others. They serve little purpose in your life, leave them alone to wallow in their own misery.[/quote]

Really? sdude and xbox are some pretty mean dudes, but their posts in this thread are just about the most useful notes they (or anyone) have (has) ever written and I have been here 2.5 years.

That jealousy and bitterness is so 2005, long gone. Most people here already own a house or 4(plex). Don’t confuse sage advise with bitterness.

ncounty4,

So many posts, has anyone asked if it is possible to rent out that house for now and move your family into a rental unit in your favorite town?
Rental wont pay all bills now, but that may be best bet for now. good luck

[equalizer]

[quote=tssd888]I have read this site and board for a long time but never registered to comment until now….

I am SHOCKED at some of the comments in this thread from people that make assumptions and attacks claiming to know all about the OP.

It obviously stems from a mix of jealously and bitterness at their own situations. Take the good comments and info and do your best to ignore the others. They serve little purpose in your life, leave them alone to wallow in their own misery.[/quote]

Really? sdude and xbox are some pretty mean dudes, but their posts in this thread are just about the most useful notes they (or anyone) have (has) ever written and I have been here 2.5 years.

That jealousy and bitterness is so 2005, long gone. Most people here already own a house or 4(plex). Don’t confuse sage advise with bitterness.

ncounty4,

So many posts, has anyone asked if it is possible to rent out that house for now and move your family into a rental unit in your favorite town?
Rental wont pay all bills now, but that may be best bet for now. good luck

[equalizer]

[quote=CA renter]Daniel and davelj,

Thanks for your gracious replies.

People’s beliefs are based on each individual’s personal experience, knowledge, temperament and intelligence.

People who live in developing countries do not have the expenses that we have, nor do they have clean water, clean air, good medical care, reliable infrastructure, etc. They make less money because their standard of living is so much worse than ours.

Do we really want to turn the U.S. into such a place?

IMHO, instead of dragging everyone down to the lowest common denominator, I’d prefer a global policy of fair trade where all companies that wanted to trade internationally are forced to abide by very strict rules regarding wages, benefits and working conditions for their workers.

[/quote]
People dont want to pay higher taxes, so salaries should come down and many people would be financially wiser to move away from expensive areas, even out of state if need be.
During that first grocery strike 5-6 years ago, I commented that the clerks may be overpaid and a friend stated what is wrong with people making a living wage? BAM! Not making value judgements, just dry economic note. Well, all that will slowly change. With Walmart paying 8-10/hr, Vons cant keep paying 25/hr to their senior employees. Many State and federal employees with GED make 60-70K/yr after 15 years. Those easy entry high wage jobs are going away. But we still have overpaid public jobs such as admin in schools, Chula Vista salaries:

http://www.angelfire.com/ca5/best/SummarySalaries.htm

Quite a few jobs in town require security clearance and cant be outsourced. Is that keeping our unemployment rate lower than rest of state?

CA renter: Simple way to try to level field is to impose fees such as TV recylce fees upon purchase.

[equalizer]

[quote=CA renter]Daniel and davelj,

Thanks for your gracious replies.

People’s beliefs are based on each individual’s personal experience, knowledge, temperament and intelligence.

People who live in developing countries do not have the expenses that we have, nor do they have clean water, clean air, good medical care, reliable infrastructure, etc. They make less money because their standard of living is so much worse than ours.

Do we really want to turn the U.S. into such a place?

IMHO, instead of dragging everyone down to the lowest common denominator, I’d prefer a global policy of fair trade where all companies that wanted to trade internationally are forced to abide by very strict rules regarding wages, benefits and working conditions for their workers.

[/quote]
People dont want to pay higher taxes, so salaries should come down and many people would be financially wiser to move away from expensive areas, even out of state if need be.
During that first grocery strike 5-6 years ago, I commented that the clerks may be overpaid and a friend stated what is wrong with people making a living wage? BAM! Not making value judgements, just dry economic note. Well, all that will slowly change. With Walmart paying 8-10/hr, Vons cant keep paying 25/hr to their senior employees. Many State and federal employees with GED make 60-70K/yr after 15 years. Those easy entry high wage jobs are going away. But we still have overpaid public jobs such as admin in schools, Chula Vista salaries:

http://www.angelfire.com/ca5/best/SummarySalaries.htm

Quite a few jobs in town require security clearance and cant be outsourced. Is that keeping our unemployment rate lower than rest of state?

CA renter: Simple way to try to level field is to impose fees such as TV recylce fees upon purchase.

[equalizer]

[quote=CA renter]Daniel and davelj,

Thanks for your gracious replies.

People’s beliefs are based on each individual’s personal experience, knowledge, temperament and intelligence.

People who live in developing countries do not have the expenses that we have, nor do they have clean water, clean air, good medical care, reliable infrastructure, etc. They make less money because their standard of living is so much worse than ours.

Do we really want to turn the U.S. into such a place?

IMHO, instead of dragging everyone down to the lowest common denominator, I’d prefer a global policy of fair trade where all companies that wanted to trade internationally are forced to abide by very strict rules regarding wages, benefits and working conditions for their workers.

[/quote]
People dont want to pay higher taxes, so salaries should come down and many people would be financially wiser to move away from expensive areas, even out of state if need be.
During that first grocery strike 5-6 years ago, I commented that the clerks may be overpaid and a friend stated what is wrong with people making a living wage? BAM! Not making value judgements, just dry economic note. Well, all that will slowly change. With Walmart paying 8-10/hr, Vons cant keep paying 25/hr to their senior employees. Many State and federal employees with GED make 60-70K/yr after 15 years. Those easy entry high wage jobs are going away. But we still have overpaid public jobs such as admin in schools, Chula Vista salaries:

http://www.angelfire.com/ca5/best/SummarySalaries.htm

Quite a few jobs in town require security clearance and cant be outsourced. Is that keeping our unemployment rate lower than rest of state?

CA renter: Simple way to try to level field is to impose fees such as TV recylce fees upon purchase.

[equalizer]

[quote=CA renter]Daniel and davelj,

Thanks for your gracious replies.

People’s beliefs are based on each individual’s personal experience, knowledge, temperament and intelligence.

People who live in developing countries do not have the expenses that we have, nor do they have clean water, clean air, good medical care, reliable infrastructure, etc. They make less money because their standard of living is so much worse than ours.

Do we really want to turn the U.S. into such a place?

IMHO, instead of dragging everyone down to the lowest common denominator, I’d prefer a global policy of fair trade where all companies that wanted to trade internationally are forced to abide by very strict rules regarding wages, benefits and working conditions for their workers.

[/quote]
People dont want to pay higher taxes, so salaries should come down and many people would be financially wiser to move away from expensive areas, even out of state if need be.
During that first grocery strike 5-6 years ago, I commented that the clerks may be overpaid and a friend stated what is wrong with people making a living wage? BAM! Not making value judgements, just dry economic note. Well, all that will slowly change. With Walmart paying 8-10/hr, Vons cant keep paying 25/hr to their senior employees. Many State and federal employees with GED make 60-70K/yr after 15 years. Those easy entry high wage jobs are going away. But we still have overpaid public jobs such as admin in schools, Chula Vista salaries:

http://www.angelfire.com/ca5/best/SummarySalaries.htm

Quite a few jobs in town require security clearance and cant be outsourced. Is that keeping our unemployment rate lower than rest of state?

CA renter: Simple way to try to level field is to impose fees such as TV recylce fees upon purchase.

[equalizer]

[quote=CA renter]Daniel and davelj,

Thanks for your gracious replies.

People’s beliefs are based on each individual’s personal experience, knowledge, temperament and intelligence.

People who live in developing countries do not have the expenses that we have, nor do they have clean water, clean air, good medical care, reliable infrastructure, etc. They make less money because their standard of living is so much worse than ours.

Do we really want to turn the U.S. into such a place?

IMHO, instead of dragging everyone down to the lowest common denominator, I’d prefer a global policy of fair trade where all companies that wanted to trade internationally are forced to abide by very strict rules regarding wages, benefits and working conditions for their workers.

[/quote]
People dont want to pay higher taxes, so salaries should come down and many people would be financially wiser to move away from expensive areas, even out of state if need be.
During that first grocery strike 5-6 years ago, I commented that the clerks may be overpaid and a friend stated what is wrong with people making a living wage? BAM! Not making value judgements, just dry economic note. Well, all that will slowly change. With Walmart paying 8-10/hr, Vons cant keep paying 25/hr to their senior employees. Many State and federal employees with GED make 60-70K/yr after 15 years. Those easy entry high wage jobs are going away. But we still have overpaid public jobs such as admin in schools, Chula Vista salaries:

http://www.angelfire.com/ca5/best/SummarySalaries.htm

Quite a few jobs in town require security clearance and cant be outsourced. Is that keeping our unemployment rate lower than rest of state?

CA renter: Simple way to try to level field is to impose fees such as TV recylce fees upon purchase.

[equalizer]

[quote=Allan from Fallbrook]Paramount: Amen to that, and well said. Your comments got me to thinking about the interviews with the parents of the Columbine shooters. All were upwardly mobile and upper-middle class and, in each and every instance, both parents worked. Not because they needed to, but because they wanted the BMW and the nice house and all the trappings of “success”.

Problem is, they spent no time with their kids and failed to recognize (in one instance) that their son was building bombs in the basement! How the f**k do you miss that?

These kids were ignored by their parents, who were so completely consumed by the consumer culture that they failed to notice what was happening in their own homes.

Screw the lifestyle. Your family is always more important. And I think, societally speaking, that we’re about to discover that again. Along with our values.[/quote]
Allan,

If the other parents line up in front of school with their shiny Beemers, you want Piggs to show up in a minivan?? That is pure child abuse, trauma for life. The kid could end up sky jumping with Marines.

Many moons ago I was with group of Marines who got me to jump at 13,000ft, but then they upped the ante and wanted me to cliff jump into a pond on north coast of oahu. Just as well I balked as owner chased us out due to Five 0 on his tail for allowing kids getting hurt in said pond. Damn, I got kicked out of boot camp in 2 hrs! Makes no sense, I walked home from school in Chicago, in blinding snowstorm across the frozen tundra. Chilly 65 degrees can turn anyone into a wuss.

[equalizer]

[quote=Allan from Fallbrook]Paramount: Amen to that, and well said. Your comments got me to thinking about the interviews with the parents of the Columbine shooters. All were upwardly mobile and upper-middle class and, in each and every instance, both parents worked. Not because they needed to, but because they wanted the BMW and the nice house and all the trappings of “success”.

Problem is, they spent no time with their kids and failed to recognize (in one instance) that their son was building bombs in the basement! How the f**k do you miss that?

These kids were ignored by their parents, who were so completely consumed by the consumer culture that they failed to notice what was happening in their own homes.

Screw the lifestyle. Your family is always more important. And I think, societally speaking, that we’re about to discover that again. Along with our values.[/quote]
Allan,

If the other parents line up in front of school with their shiny Beemers, you want Piggs to show up in a minivan?? That is pure child abuse, trauma for life. The kid could end up sky jumping with Marines.

Many moons ago I was with group of Marines who got me to jump at 13,000ft, but then they upped the ante and wanted me to cliff jump into a pond on north coast of oahu. Just as well I balked as owner chased us out due to Five 0 on his tail for allowing kids getting hurt in said pond. Damn, I got kicked out of boot camp in 2 hrs! Makes no sense, I walked home from school in Chicago, in blinding snowstorm across the frozen tundra. Chilly 65 degrees can turn anyone into a wuss.

[equalizer]

[quote=Allan from Fallbrook]Paramount: Amen to that, and well said. Your comments got me to thinking about the interviews with the parents of the Columbine shooters. All were upwardly mobile and upper-middle class and, in each and every instance, both parents worked. Not because they needed to, but because they wanted the BMW and the nice house and all the trappings of “success”.

Problem is, they spent no time with their kids and failed to recognize (in one instance) that their son was building bombs in the basement! How the f**k do you miss that?

These kids were ignored by their parents, who were so completely consumed by the consumer culture that they failed to notice what was happening in their own homes.

Screw the lifestyle. Your family is always more important. And I think, societally speaking, that we’re about to discover that again. Along with our values.[/quote]
Allan,

If the other parents line up in front of school with their shiny Beemers, you want Piggs to show up in a minivan?? That is pure child abuse, trauma for life. The kid could end up sky jumping with Marines.

Many moons ago I was with group of Marines who got me to jump at 13,000ft, but then they upped the ante and wanted me to cliff jump into a pond on north coast of oahu. Just as well I balked as owner chased us out due to Five 0 on his tail for allowing kids getting hurt in said pond. Damn, I got kicked out of boot camp in 2 hrs! Makes no sense, I walked home from school in Chicago, in blinding snowstorm across the frozen tundra. Chilly 65 degrees can turn anyone into a wuss.

[equalizer]

[quote=Allan from Fallbrook]Paramount: Amen to that, and well said. Your comments got me to thinking about the interviews with the parents of the Columbine shooters. All were upwardly mobile and upper-middle class and, in each and every instance, both parents worked. Not because they needed to, but because they wanted the BMW and the nice house and all the trappings of “success”.

Problem is, they spent no time with their kids and failed to recognize (in one instance) that their son was building bombs in the basement! How the f**k do you miss that?

These kids were ignored by their parents, who were so completely consumed by the consumer culture that they failed to notice what was happening in their own homes.

Screw the lifestyle. Your family is always more important. And I think, societally speaking, that we’re about to discover that again. Along with our values.[/quote]
Allan,

If the other parents line up in front of school with their shiny Beemers, you want Piggs to show up in a minivan?? That is pure child abuse, trauma for life. The kid could end up sky jumping with Marines.

Many moons ago I was with group of Marines who got me to jump at 13,000ft, but then they upped the ante and wanted me to cliff jump into a pond on north coast of oahu. Just as well I balked as owner chased us out due to Five 0 on his tail for allowing kids getting hurt in said pond. Damn, I got kicked out of boot camp in 2 hrs! Makes no sense, I walked home from school in Chicago, in blinding snowstorm across the frozen tundra. Chilly 65 degrees can turn anyone into a wuss.

[Author]

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