life is funny sometimes

[smslavin]

I think its great that you guys are thinking about your kid's future here and what you can do to give them more room to grow.

Thanks. This isn't the easiest decision to make and the grandparents are making it overly difficult. Nothing like a good guilt trip from a Jewish mother...

[DennisDawg]

I read your post and about the hard times you have been through. You are just doing the best you can and that is good. So, I think that you are thinking and planning for a future is great, because you are still trying and because of that, I am sure it will work out.

When my wife and then I lost our jobs, we were lucky in a way, in that my daughter had already grown up and moved out. So we only needed to look after ourselves. But, our lives underwent a lot of change and fast and we didn’t have a lot of control over it all . . . maybe we still don’t. Luckily we came through it still OK though but planning the future more became a priority. The experience does that to you.

As of now, I still love California and will not move anytime soon. I was born in Cleveland, a bucket of rust next to a dirty lake on a dirtier river without much hope then and far less now. So, my perspective is different. But, if I had to leave California, I’d probably move to Arizona because it has more of what I love in the outdoors, is still in the west and more in line with how I like to live than most places. Because I’d need a job (software like you), I’d likely end up near Phoenix or maybe Tucson (I know a guy out there doing development).

Someone mentioned Prescott. I have been there many times over the years. When I worked in the field, Yavapai Regional Medical Center was one of my customers. I used to stay in the Hassayampa Inn, very historic and pretty, or the old Vendome hotel, little, personal and historic. A great town . .. but not many tech jobs there.

Sedona is a great town, and very pretty but just about as pricey as Sothern California and again, not a lot of tech jobs.

Flagstaff might have something?

Then again, I do not know what you want to do for a living. Maybe you do not need to leave California. If you want to do contract development or something, you could live anyplace. The Big Bear area or even just up the hill a little in Crestline or Blue Jay is much less expensive than down below. There are folks who commute from the lowers ones to the flatland below.

Just thoughts . . . random ones . . .

[OLLIE]

Man Sean... I just now saw this thread. Colorado is a beautiful place. I know it well. I have family in Brush, Colorado Springs, Denver, Montrose, Grand Junction, Norwood, and the Boulder area. My heart has been in the Rockies or someplace like them since I was a kid. I spent a few of my summers up there in the Telluride, Grand Junction, Pueblo, and Montrose area. I'm from Nebraska which is a lot like the western plains of Colorado that Brusk is located in.

Anyone that has had any time to get know me knows I hate the California lifestyle, not the geography but the lifestyle. I want out. The only thing keeping me here is my family. My wife won't relocate. The only place she has considerd was Everrett, WA. She won't leave her family. We just lost our house at the end of the year last year and are now in a rental ourselves. Thankfully I do not have to worry about job security at this time and my job does pay well considering. I make enough to allow my wife to be a stay-at-home mom. With the kind of job she could get her pay wouldn't even cover the day care bill so why even bother. But as soon as I can convince my wife to pack her bags, we're out of here. I just doubt that will ever happen.

I wish you and your family all the luck in the world and will keep you in my prayers. It's great that your wife will entertain the notion of leaving.

[smslavin]

Thanks for the well wishes Ollie.

We were up in Evergreen for the last couple of weeks, staying with friends, looking for a place to live, checking on schools, etc. It's beautiful. The area is awesome and we met some really great people. I went for a few trail runs up in the mountains and besides having my ass handed to me by the altitude, I really enjoyed it. It had been a long time since I'd been able to experience the quietness of a fresh snow fall. I hadn't realized how much I missed it.

Once the hiring process on my new job comes to a close, and we find a place to live, we're heading up. Bec and I both are in a state of reverse sticker shock from the few houses we did see. Can't beat the price of gas of either, it was almost a dollar less.

Bec hasn't really lived anywhere besides SoCal, except for a short time in Seattle while I was working for Microsoft. This will all be new for her, especially the weather. She's a bit worried/stressed/nervous but she always makes quick friends. I did tell her we'd have to find a huge open parking lot so I could teach her how to slide her car.

Hope we can get together for a few more runs before we move.

[OLLIE]

Based on your job search, what are you finding for the difference in what you can make here compared to what you can make there? One of the problems many run into is that although houses cost less and cost of living is less, their income change is comparable and they end up in the same financial status. Hope that makes sense.

[smslavin]

Based on your job search, what are you finding for the difference in what you can make here compared to what you can make there? One of the problems many run into is that although houses cost less and cost of living is less, their income change is comparable and they end up in the same financial status. Hope that makes sense.

Yep, I took a hard look at all of that. The offered salary isn't changing based on my geography as the position isn't tied to a physical office. Their only requirement was that I be near an international airport. The equivalent salary in the Denver area for what they are paying me is $30k less. I'm coming out ahead. Way ahead when I take into account the quarterly commission check and the cost of living difference.

[smslavin]

Well. As the title implies, life is funny. With the huge spring tides we're having, there's been some epic lows and a ton of beach. Bec and I have had several long walks the past few days with Piper running out ahead. While we loved Colorado and financially it makes so much sense, we've decided to stay put and complete each test as it's presented to us. The girls are dialed in here. Uprooting them at this time probably isn't the best option. Needless to say, the grandparents are more than stoked that their granddaughters are staying put.

[BorregoWrangler]

While we loved Colorado and financially it makes so much sense, we've decided to stay put and complete each test as it's presented to us.

Well that means we'll still be able to get out on the trails together!

[ssc]

Sean,

As they say, when a door closes, take a look around. Usually a window opens up, though it may take a bit of time and effort to locate. I find much comfort in having my family close. It sounds like you are surrounded by caring family and friends. That is something that money can't buy. Hang in there, it has been trying times for us all.

Cheers, Steve