[UCGal]

[quote=briansd1]If you travel overseas to some countries, you’d know that cash is still king. The money changers charge you more for travelers’ cheques, ATM or CC. You have to pay transaction fees, conversion fees and commissions if you don’t use cash.

When I travel I always take crisp 100 dollar bills with me.[/quote]
I used to feel the same way – but currency exchange places charge to much.

I use the ATM or credit card. I notify my bank (ATM) and credit card companies ahead of time so the fraud department doesn’t freak out. Never had an issue and it’s WAY cheaper. Capital One used to (not sure if they still do) basically give you the overnight exchange rate with NO surcharges. Other credit card companies might have a 1% surcharge. Currency exchange places usually have 3-5% surcharge built into their rate.

[UCGal]

[quote=briansd1]If you travel overseas to some countries, you’d know that cash is still king. The money changers charge you more for travelers’ cheques, ATM or CC. You have to pay transaction fees, conversion fees and commissions if you don’t use cash.

When I travel I always take crisp 100 dollar bills with me.[/quote]
I used to feel the same way – but currency exchange places charge to much.

I use the ATM or credit card. I notify my bank (ATM) and credit card companies ahead of time so the fraud department doesn’t freak out. Never had an issue and it’s WAY cheaper. Capital One used to (not sure if they still do) basically give you the overnight exchange rate with NO surcharges. Other credit card companies might have a 1% surcharge. Currency exchange places usually have 3-5% surcharge built into their rate.

[UCGal]

[quote=briansd1]If you travel overseas to some countries, you’d know that cash is still king. The money changers charge you more for travelers’ cheques, ATM or CC. You have to pay transaction fees, conversion fees and commissions if you don’t use cash.

When I travel I always take crisp 100 dollar bills with me.[/quote]
I used to feel the same way – but currency exchange places charge to much.

I use the ATM or credit card. I notify my bank (ATM) and credit card companies ahead of time so the fraud department doesn’t freak out. Never had an issue and it’s WAY cheaper. Capital One used to (not sure if they still do) basically give you the overnight exchange rate with NO surcharges. Other credit card companies might have a 1% surcharge. Currency exchange places usually have 3-5% surcharge built into their rate.

[UCGal]

[quote=briansd1]UCGal, I expect an architect’s wife house to be a show place.

I bet your weeds are special plants that are part of the specially designed landscape. ;)[/quote]

I just snorted coffee out my nose reading that. Damn you!

My husband has a good sense of aesthetics. But like mechanics who drive beater cars – he’s an architect who lives in a beater house. We’re trying to harness the kid-slave-labor thing to tackle the weeds – so far it’s been less than successful.

[UCGal]

[quote=briansd1]UCGal, I expect an architect’s wife house to be a show place.

I bet your weeds are special plants that are part of the specially designed landscape. ;)[/quote]

I just snorted coffee out my nose reading that. Damn you!

My husband has a good sense of aesthetics. But like mechanics who drive beater cars – he’s an architect who lives in a beater house. We’re trying to harness the kid-slave-labor thing to tackle the weeds – so far it’s been less than successful.

[UCGal]

[quote=briansd1]UCGal, I expect an architect’s wife house to be a show place.

I bet your weeds are special plants that are part of the specially designed landscape. ;)[/quote]

I just snorted coffee out my nose reading that. Damn you!

My husband has a good sense of aesthetics. But like mechanics who drive beater cars – he’s an architect who lives in a beater house. We’re trying to harness the kid-slave-labor thing to tackle the weeds – so far it’s been less than successful.

[UCGal]

[quote=briansd1]UCGal, I expect an architect’s wife house to be a show place.

I bet your weeds are special plants that are part of the specially designed landscape. ;)[/quote]

I just snorted coffee out my nose reading that. Damn you!

My husband has a good sense of aesthetics. But like mechanics who drive beater cars – he’s an architect who lives in a beater house. We’re trying to harness the kid-slave-labor thing to tackle the weeds – so far it’s been less than successful.

[UCGal]

[quote=briansd1]UCGal, I expect an architect’s wife house to be a show place.

I bet your weeds are special plants that are part of the specially designed landscape. ;)[/quote]

I just snorted coffee out my nose reading that. Damn you!

My husband has a good sense of aesthetics. But like mechanics who drive beater cars – he’s an architect who lives in a beater house. We’re trying to harness the kid-slave-labor thing to tackle the weeds – so far it’s been less than successful.

[UCGal]

[quote=Jim Jones][quote=JC]Anyone ditched their vehicle for different ways to get around? Any tips? I’m trying the biking thing, but would be interested to hear about other modes too (i.e. public transport).[/quote]

When gas hits $4+ this summer or some Middle Eastern drama takes center stage.

http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/electric_bikes/

I think electric assist bikes may have the ability to bride the gap between regular rides and those who would commute if San Diego was much flatter. I personally would purchase one of commuting stated to break the bank. I ride in to work a few times per month. Using an electric assist would make it possible to do daily even with a 17 mile ride each way.[/quote]
My neighbor down the street has an electric assist bike. Since his commute is all hills, he didn’t want to get to work sweaty. He LOVES it… passes all the cars when he goes to the front of the queue at red lights, then they pass him up… It takes him the same amount of time as when he drives.

[UCGal]

[quote=Jim Jones][quote=JC]Anyone ditched their vehicle for different ways to get around? Any tips? I’m trying the biking thing, but would be interested to hear about other modes too (i.e. public transport).[/quote]

When gas hits $4+ this summer or some Middle Eastern drama takes center stage.

http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/electric_bikes/

I think electric assist bikes may have the ability to bride the gap between regular rides and those who would commute if San Diego was much flatter. I personally would purchase one of commuting stated to break the bank. I ride in to work a few times per month. Using an electric assist would make it possible to do daily even with a 17 mile ride each way.[/quote]
My neighbor down the street has an electric assist bike. Since his commute is all hills, he didn’t want to get to work sweaty. He LOVES it… passes all the cars when he goes to the front of the queue at red lights, then they pass him up… It takes him the same amount of time as when he drives.

[UCGal]

[quote=Jim Jones][quote=JC]Anyone ditched their vehicle for different ways to get around? Any tips? I’m trying the biking thing, but would be interested to hear about other modes too (i.e. public transport).[/quote]

When gas hits $4+ this summer or some Middle Eastern drama takes center stage.

http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/electric_bikes/

I think electric assist bikes may have the ability to bride the gap between regular rides and those who would commute if San Diego was much flatter. I personally would purchase one of commuting stated to break the bank. I ride in to work a few times per month. Using an electric assist would make it possible to do daily even with a 17 mile ride each way.[/quote]
My neighbor down the street has an electric assist bike. Since his commute is all hills, he didn’t want to get to work sweaty. He LOVES it… passes all the cars when he goes to the front of the queue at red lights, then they pass him up… It takes him the same amount of time as when he drives.

[UCGal]

[quote=Jim Jones][quote=JC]Anyone ditched their vehicle for different ways to get around? Any tips? I’m trying the biking thing, but would be interested to hear about other modes too (i.e. public transport).[/quote]

When gas hits $4+ this summer or some Middle Eastern drama takes center stage.

http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/electric_bikes/

I think electric assist bikes may have the ability to bride the gap between regular rides and those who would commute if San Diego was much flatter. I personally would purchase one of commuting stated to break the bank. I ride in to work a few times per month. Using an electric assist would make it possible to do daily even with a 17 mile ride each way.[/quote]
My neighbor down the street has an electric assist bike. Since his commute is all hills, he didn’t want to get to work sweaty. He LOVES it… passes all the cars when he goes to the front of the queue at red lights, then they pass him up… It takes him the same amount of time as when he drives.

[UCGal]

[quote=Jim Jones][quote=JC]Anyone ditched their vehicle for different ways to get around? Any tips? I’m trying the biking thing, but would be interested to hear about other modes too (i.e. public transport).[/quote]

When gas hits $4+ this summer or some Middle Eastern drama takes center stage.

http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/electric_bikes/

I think electric assist bikes may have the ability to bride the gap between regular rides and those who would commute if San Diego was much flatter. I personally would purchase one of commuting stated to break the bank. I ride in to work a few times per month. Using an electric assist would make it possible to do daily even with a 17 mile ride each way.[/quote]
My neighbor down the street has an electric assist bike. Since his commute is all hills, he didn’t want to get to work sweaty. He LOVES it… passes all the cars when he goes to the front of the queue at red lights, then they pass him up… It takes him the same amount of time as when he drives.

[UCGal]

[quote=Russell]Went speechless there for a moment.

I am also a native Southern Californian. Sometimes I wonder if the shine wearing off of California isn’t more attributed to innocence lost and the hardships the responsibilities we bring on as adults. I think it has as much to do with this as with the hordes of invaders from other states.

Remember when your entire little league team could ride in the back of a pick-up truck for ice-cream…or when you could ride your bike around town to various gas stations…no helmet on and ask the gas attendants for stickers for your bike…when you didn’t know how ill a lot of people are or how bad everyone in government is?

When I get up early and take my kids to walk from dead mans down to the cove, for instance, I understand that nothing has really changed but perception. They can’t perceive kelp beds almost empty of sea life or barren sand where there used to be pismo clams or see that the abalone are gone. They don’t know how freakish these big box stores and strip mall after strip mall with the same 10 stores in them are. It’s all exciting. California is just as wonderful to them as it was to me…and I still like it O.K.[/quote]

Echoing this.

I was born in San Diego – grew up here, went to SDSU, moved out in 1990 in my late 20’s. (yes, I’m old.) I’ve lived in 3 other states – and was out of San Diego for almost 12 years. 3 years in the Northwest, just shy of 9 years outside Philly, and a few months in Atlanta. (That was NOT a good fit for me. Crime too high!!! in 3 months I made 3 police reports for thefts/car break ins.)

When I left San Diego it was in large part because of the collapsing defense industry reducing jobs for engineers. Plus houses were too expensive for an engineer to afford.

Washington State is wonderful – no income tax, lots of outdoor activities… you just have to do the biking/hiking/kayaking in the rain! But I liked it.

Philly has the seasons, the culture, the cheap flights to Europe, the opportunity to go see opera and broadway shows in NYC on the weekends… I liked it too.

But, now that I’m back – I like that I can take my kids to the beach year round. Sure they have to wear wetsuits to boogie board during the winter, but the air temp is still warm. I like that we NEVER get housebound due to weather. Weather is a big factor in the quality of life here. It doesn’t get too hot and humid in the summer if you live close enough to the coast. It doesn’t get freezing in the winter.

Having lived in 4 regions of the country I can definitively say I like San Diego best. But that’s just for me. My brother liked Colorado best. My best friend likes WA state best. Everyone has their preference.

[UCGal]

[quote=Russell]Went speechless there for a moment.

I am also a native Southern Californian. Sometimes I wonder if the shine wearing off of California isn’t more attributed to innocence lost and the hardships the responsibilities we bring on as adults. I think it has as much to do with this as with the hordes of invaders from other states.

Remember when your entire little league team could ride in the back of a pick-up truck for ice-cream…or when you could ride your bike around town to various gas stations…no helmet on and ask the gas attendants for stickers for your bike…when you didn’t know how ill a lot of people are or how bad everyone in government is?

When I get up early and take my kids to walk from dead mans down to the cove, for instance, I understand that nothing has really changed but perception. They can’t perceive kelp beds almost empty of sea life or barren sand where there used to be pismo clams or see that the abalone are gone. They don’t know how freakish these big box stores and strip mall after strip mall with the same 10 stores in them are. It’s all exciting. California is just as wonderful to them as it was to me…and I still like it O.K.[/quote]

Echoing this.

I was born in San Diego – grew up here, went to SDSU, moved out in 1990 in my late 20’s. (yes, I’m old.) I’ve lived in 3 other states – and was out of San Diego for almost 12 years. 3 years in the Northwest, just shy of 9 years outside Philly, and a few months in Atlanta. (That was NOT a good fit for me. Crime too high!!! in 3 months I made 3 police reports for thefts/car break ins.)

When I left San Diego it was in large part because of the collapsing defense industry reducing jobs for engineers. Plus houses were too expensive for an engineer to afford.

Washington State is wonderful – no income tax, lots of outdoor activities… you just have to do the biking/hiking/kayaking in the rain! But I liked it.

Philly has the seasons, the culture, the cheap flights to Europe, the opportunity to go see opera and broadway shows in NYC on the weekends… I liked it too.

But, now that I’m back – I like that I can take my kids to the beach year round. Sure they have to wear wetsuits to boogie board during the winter, but the air temp is still warm. I like that we NEVER get housebound due to weather. Weather is a big factor in the quality of life here. It doesn’t get too hot and humid in the summer if you live close enough to the coast. It doesn’t get freezing in the winter.

Having lived in 4 regions of the country I can definitively say I like San Diego best. But that’s just for me. My brother liked Colorado best. My best friend likes WA state best. Everyone has their preference.

[Author]

Posts