 Quality of Life
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OP
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So, I'm sitting here with my lovely wife and one of her favs, House Hunters, is on HGTV while I'm checking out the latest old motorcycles in Motorcycle Classics.
The hunting couple is in NYC. They are looking at one bedroom or 'studio'. Their budget is $600K. They discuss how much they love the 'quality of life' living in NYC affords them.
Sooo...their realtor is showing them a series of reclaimed jail cells overlooking warehouses (which, if there is a sewer or tree in sight, they simply gush about the view).
Most of their choices look like the dumps I lived in while attending college. If there is anything green in sight you'd think they were Fletcher Christian first viewing the Canary Islands.
In addition to paying their $600K there are also HOA dues, etc., so they are pretty much paying $700K. They don't even end up in Manhattan, they are in Brooklyn.
I can only figure they are doing this because they get paid 88 gazillion dollars a year and they can leave this squalor in a year. But I know this isn't true. I've checked the salaries. They aren't that much more. My wife actually makes 10% more than the NYC average for her job. I'm about the same. When I was younger and a paramedic our system was named the National System of the Year. NYC recruiters showed up. They offered the SAME salary plus free housing for ONE year. I did the math. My salary would give me money for one third the rent of a one bedroom apartment.
Why would anyone live like that? The crazy thing is, if you ask an average New Yorker they think they are living in paradise. It's so sad.
For that, we live in a gorgeous mountain cabin. Five times the size of any place this couple looked at at less than half their budget. We have distant mountain views. Total privacy. Heck, Tiger Woods built a house down the road. Gladys Knight (sans Pips) live 200 yards away. If we ate out twice a week (we don't) we'd never run out of new restaurants or new music in Asheville. We have great schools. Low crime. People come from all over the world to be here.
I can have ten times the quality of life that people who are sentenced to NYC have to endure. Yet they seem to think they are on top of the world be cause they can buy the latest Coach purse first.
WTF is the appeal?
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Re: Quality of Life
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Joined: Aug 2009
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Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
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They've never had true Southern Fried Chicken.
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Re: Quality of Life
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Joined: Aug 2010
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Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
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To each his own. I live an hour out of Sydney. I have a nice big block of turf with a small but comfortable 3 bedroom house. My backyard is like a tropical rainforest with a waterfall in it. I have a productive 3 tier vegie patch. I have a lovely wife. I have 3 cats. I have 3 bikes. Now that I am writing this I realise my street no# is also 3. I am old but Im happy.
My job sucks but at least I have one. I live in a country where I can ride motorcycles all year long even if winter is a bit chilly.
I guess I cant complain. I wish my health was better but it is my own fault.
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Re: Quality of Life
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 7,028 Likes: 8
New Tires
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New Tires
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A friend got a job in NYC, he rented a new studio apartment, cost him $2000 dollars a month, this was in the early 80s. He left his car at his parents in Kansas, it was going to cost $500 a month for a parking spot.
My ex worked for the Kansas Bureau of Investigation in the 70s, the FBI offered her a job in DC with a huge chunk of change raise. So we go to DC, check out rents and house prices in Fairfax, VA.. I sh-t my pants, a $500,000 DC house was $250,000 in Kansas City. Needless to say we stayed in Kansas.
Every normal man must be tempted, at times, to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats.
H. L. Mencken
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Re: Quality of Life
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Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,026
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Jun 2006
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House Hunters is a scam of a show, made up places as they usually already have a house purchased, its like a faux recreation. It does show what may be in an area, and the more I see the stuff overseas, the more I really appreciate what we have here.
Our Liberties We Prize and Our Rights We Will Maintain
If a nation expects to be ignorant and free, in a state of civilization, it expects what never was and will never be.----Thomas Jefferson
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Re: Quality of Life
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Joined: Feb 2005
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Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2 |
I'd guess the attraction of NYC might be in the cultural aspects of the place, Chet. Things and places such as Broadway, the night life, world class museums, and all the other venues which draw millions of people to visit it yearly. However after sayin' this, and in the very best idiomatic NY Yiddish I can muster up here, I gotta say the quality of life here in Sedona "isn't chopped liver" either, ya know!  (...in fact, right now I'm getting a little "verklempt" just thinking about how good I have it here!) 
Yep! Just like a good Single Malt Scotch, you might call me "an acquired taste" TOO.(among the many OTHER things you may care to call me, of course)
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Re: Quality of Life
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Joined: Mar 2009
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Stickman Yogi
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Stickman Yogi
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I live in the most humble of all abodes. I am not wealthy, nor does it matter. When I go I won't have much to show... yet, I am RICH. I have friends who love me, gardens that feed me, a roof to house me, toys to amuse me, health to invigorate me, a community to embrace me, surroundings that inspire me, mentors who enlighten me, music to uplift me, ba.com that puts up with me, a voice to share me, and on and on and on and on. I am soooooooooo blessed and I am grateful. Grateful and satisfied and ready for more the world has to offer. And I challenge David Rockefeller, Bill Gates, or Conrad Black to top that because at the end of the day, it's not the one with the most stuff the wins, it's the guy with the biggest smile on his face. Life is good... savour each moment!
Live to love, love to live.
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Re: Quality of Life
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Joined: Jul 2010
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Adjunct
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Adjunct
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One difference is that you don't see a NY'er complaining about how a NC'er lives even though it costs the NY'er more in almost every way. What's the saying so many bikers like to use...if I had to explain it then you wouldn't understand. NY is unique and will always be so and this will attract people to live there and yes...it will always be expensive to live in NY and people will always want to live there.
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Re: Quality of Life
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Joined: Oct 2010
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Adjunct
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Adjunct
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I live in paperbag on side of road and every morning have to lick road clean with tongue
Peace in the country when the sun goes down , the corn is gettin' high
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Re: Quality of Life
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,225 Likes: 62
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,225 Likes: 62 |
Quote:
So, I'm sitting here with my lovely wife and one of her favs, House Hunters, is on HGTV while I'm checking out the latest old motorcycles in Motorcycle Classics.
The hunting couple is in NYC. They are looking at one bedroom or 'studio'. Their budget is $600K. They discuss how much they love the 'quality of life' living in NYC affords them.
Sooo...their realtor is showing them a series of reclaimed jail cells overlooking warehouses (which, if there is a sewer or tree in sight, they simply gush about the view).
Most of their choices look like the dumps I lived in while attending college. If there is anything green in sight you'd think they were Fletcher Christian first viewing the Canary Islands.
In addition to paying their $600K there are also HOA dues, etc., so they are pretty much paying $700K. They don't even end up in Manhattan, they are in Brooklyn.
I can only figure they are doing this because they get paid 88 gazillion dollars a year and they can leave this squalor in a year. But I know this isn't true. I've checked the salaries. They aren't that much more. My wife actually makes 10% more than the NYC average for her job. I'm about the same. When I was younger and a paramedic our system was named the National System of the Year. NYC recruiters showed up. They offered the SAME salary plus free housing for ONE year. I did the math. My salary would give me money for one third the rent of a one bedroom apartment.
Why would anyone live like that? The crazy thing is, if you ask an average New Yorker they think they are living in paradise. It's so sad.
For that, we live in a gorgeous mountain cabin. Five times the size of any place this couple looked at at less than half their budget. We have distant mountain views. Total privacy. Heck, Tiger Woods built a house down the road. Gladys Knight (sans Pips) live 200 yards away. If we ate out twice a week (we don't) we'd never run out of new restaurants or new music in Asheville. We have great schools. Low crime. People come from all over the world to be here.
I can have ten times the quality of life that people who are sentenced to NYC have to endure. Yet they seem to think they are on top of the world be cause they can buy the latest Coach purse first.
WTF is the appeal?
Not to mention they are all stacked one on top of another like storage boxes. I pay about $2,000 a year and live in a farm house on 3 acres with woods on 3 sides and some out buildings too. They can keep NY. Lots of NYers live near me now and have ruined the place.I want to sell and move.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: Quality of Life
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,669
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Aug 2009
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I beleive Keith said it best. Especially in reference to the title of the thread. You truly are a very rich and blessed man.
I've never actually lived inside the city anywhere, always on the outskirts and in the country. Been in huge cities all over the world, nice to visit but wouldn't want to live in any of them. I like to be able to piss off of my porch without a thousand eyes on my tallywacker.
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Re: Quality of Life
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,419
Oil Expert
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Oil Expert
Joined: Mar 2005
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Quote:
I live in paperbag on side of road and every morning have to lick road clean with tongue
Luxury!
Cheers, Richard
~~~~~~~~~~~~
09 America, Staintune Pipes, K&N, Breathe, Hagon Nitros, AI & O2 removed, tune 20184 (modified), MTX-L a/f gauge
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Re: Quality of Life
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Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 2,146
Oil Expert
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OP
Oil Expert
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 2,146 |
Quote:
To each his own. I live an hour out of Sydney. I have a nice big block of turf with a small but comfortable 3 bedroom house. My backyard is like a tropical rainforest with a waterfall in it. I have a productive 3 tier vegie patch. I have a lovely wife. I have 3 cats. I have 3 bikes. Now that I am writing this I realise my street no# is also 3. I am old but Im happy.
My job sucks but at least I have one. I live in a country where I can ride motorcycles all year long even if winter is a bit chilly.
I guess I cant complain. I wish my health was better but it is my own fault.
Sounds like paradise to me.
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Re: Quality of Life
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Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 2,146
Oil Expert
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OP
Oil Expert
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 2,146 |
I lived in a tent for a year and loved it. It was just where I slept. When I got up each morning I'd be in a wondrous new place in the middle of some new nowhere.
I've been to NYC on a few occasions. Just not my cup of tea. I was visiting some friends and we went out for a pizza. One fella holds up a slice and says, "Ya can't get pizza like this in North Carolina."
Of course you can. It's a frickin' pizza, not a particle accelerator. I didn't encounter much that I would want that was exclusive to NYC but there would be lots that I'd miss about NC if I lived up there.
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Re: Quality of Life
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 8,639 Likes: 3
Old Hand
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Old Hand
Joined: Jan 2005
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I visited NYC a few times. In the 40's, Coney Island was fun.
Central park was nice last time I saw it, but you can't go there unless you are a drug dealer or mugger. What's left of the rest of it is something you can live without. My most pleasant memory was watching Daffy Duck cartoons on the Radio City message board and laughing at the dumbazz tourists in the village.
Let's hope there's intelligent life somewhere in space 'cause it's buggar all down here. -- Monte Python
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Re: Quality of Life
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 7,028 Likes: 8
New Tires
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New Tires
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 7,028 Likes: 8 |
NYC is like Vegas to me, unbelievably great places to visit for fun, but I couldn't afford to live in either. NYC for Economic reasons, Vegas for health reasons... I need my sleep  
Last edited by MACMC; 07/19/2012 1:49 PM.
Every normal man must be tempted, at times, to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats.
H. L. Mencken
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Re: Quality of Life
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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,393 Likes: 1
Second Wind
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Second Wind
Joined: Sep 2010
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I hope all of your lives are very nice, and comfortable, even filled with joy.
Because in the great beyond none of it matters. Will you stand on silver shores, green meadows, lush forests, Will you enter the city of Gold, or will you have to wonder the waste until you find "The Meaning"?
I have no faith in human perfectability. I think that human exertion will have no appreciable effect upon humanity. Man is now only more active - not more happy - nor more wise, than he was 6000 years ago.
Edgar Allan Poe
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Re: Quality of Life
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,730 Likes: 5
Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,730 Likes: 5 |
Quote:
Will you enter the city of Gold, or will you have to wonder the waste until you find "The Meaning"?
mmmm city of liquid gold.... 
Always remember to be yourself. Unless you suck. Then pretend to be someone else.
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Re: Quality of Life
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,152
Oil Expert
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Oil Expert
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Quote:
I live in paperbag on side of road and every morning have to lick road clean with tongue
A paper bag, luxury - we dream of living in a paper bag...
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Re: Quality of Life
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Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 3,995 Likes: 10
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 3,995 Likes: 10 |
"Luxury" You beat me to it yesterday by a couple of minutes Richard! As I said,I had a couple of posts on this subject disappear when the site was down, but anyway, My quality of life has improved dramatically since I moved from a city to a country town.Now when I ride my bike I come home relaxed and refreshed.Not feeling like I've just "survived another misson" amongst the traffic. My town would'nt have had the life to keep me interested when I was younger.But now it suits my pace just fine.  hope this post stays up
Dinosaur.
"Oh Man I only ride 'em.I don't know what makes 'em work". Donald "Oddball" Sutherland
"Don't let the bastards get you down". Kris Kristofferson
"I am only paranoid because everyone is against me". Larry [Frank Burns] Linville
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Re: Quality of Life
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964
Stickman Yogi
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Stickman Yogi
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964 |
Quote:
I hope all of your lives are very nice, and comfortable, even filled with joy.
Because in the great beyond none of it matters. Will you stand on silver shores, green meadows, lush forests, Will you enter the city of Gold, or will you have to wonder the waste until you find "The Meaning"?
Deep... so very, very deep.
Live to love, love to live.
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Re: Quality of Life
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Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,623 Likes: 2
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,623 Likes: 2 |
Quote:
...
I've been to NYC on a few occasions. Just not my cup of tea. I was visiting some friends and we went out for a pizza. One fella holds up a slice and says, "Ya can't get pizza like this in North Carolina."
Of course you can. It's a frickin' pizza, not a particle accelerator. I didn't encounter much that I would want that was exclusive to NYC but there would be lots that I'd miss about NC if I lived up there.
With all due respect, NC isn't exactly the pizza capital of the world, but NYC just may be. Just like folks don't flock to NC for great pizza, they don't flock to NYC for good BBQ.   
Next time you're up, we'll head into
In NYC, it isn't just the diversity of food choices, it's the quality. New Yorkers have too many options to settle for "OK" food.
Next time you're up this way, I'll take you to the Bronx for some real New York pizza.
Now, take it from a 3rd generation native New Yorker... NYC is a GREAT place to visit, but I DO NOT want to live there, or even in NJ for that matter. 
When I do finally leave the NYC metro area, I'll return on a semi-annual pilgrmage for pizza, bagels, Chinese, Portuguese... but not BBQ.
PS Smokey, we rolled through your neck o'the woods last week on our way to the Cherohala Skyway. That's the other thing TN, NC, VA, KY & WV have over NYC - GREAT MOTORCYCLE RIDING!
Kevin - Luceo Non Uro
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Re: Quality of Life
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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,393 Likes: 1
Second Wind
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Second Wind
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,393 Likes: 1 |
I could never understand a person who has no endearing vice/s. Why would a person drag on their miserable days unto a withered lean existence, with no tendacy to enjoy levity, good food, wine, or tobacco. Seems a pointless dreary thing to stint ones self so in every minor excess. What good can come of bitter old duffers dragging on forever in morbid, sober solemn, deprivation?
I have no faith in human perfectability. I think that human exertion will have no appreciable effect upon humanity. Man is now only more active - not more happy - nor more wise, than he was 6000 years ago.
Edgar Allan Poe
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Re: Quality of Life
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 7,028 Likes: 8
New Tires
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New Tires
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 7,028 Likes: 8 |
Crazyhorse, never volunteer to answer phones at the local suicide prevention center.
Every normal man must be tempted, at times, to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats.
H. L. Mencken
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Re: Quality of Life
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Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 3,995 Likes: 10
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 3,995 Likes: 10 |
Dinosaur.
"Oh Man I only ride 'em.I don't know what makes 'em work". Donald "Oddball" Sutherland
"Don't let the bastards get you down". Kris Kristofferson
"I am only paranoid because everyone is against me". Larry [Frank Burns] Linville
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Re: Quality of Life
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Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,937
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,937 |
 It's all relative, my dear Watson. Nobody, this side of the Pearly Gates, lives in a paradise without a little bit of crap somewhere with-in. I've always considered city dwellers to be coprophagous animals anyway, but look at the Dung Beetle. He thinks he's in paradise! And we can't just shake our heads at the city folk, as country boys have loved to played with it, in where they consider paradise. And hippies have long loved to hunt in it, in where they consider paradise. My dog, he'll just lap it up for no apparent reason. Me, well, I just love to "Stir it up", in where I consider paradise.
And you may see me tonight
With an illegal smile
J. Prine
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Re: Quality of Life
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 3,012
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Sep 2006
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Quote:
One difference is that you don't see a NY'er complaining about how a NC'er lives even though it costs the NY'er more in almost every way. What's the saying so many bikers like to use...if I had to explain it then you wouldn't understand. NY is unique and will always be so and this will attract people to live there and yes...it will always be expensive to live in NY and people will always want to live there.
well stated, Matt
allhailthefrenchpress
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Re: Quality of Life
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Joined: Sep 2010
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Second Wind
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Second Wind
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Posts: 8,393 Likes: 1 |
I'll be fine right up here in the pines 60 miles north of Houston. Where a pine gobblin can be free.
Y'all can keep New York, I wish so many New Yorkers wouldn't move down here invading my little paradice. They don't come down and become one of us, they try to bring New York with them, California too. I told one o' the Cali boys, who were pratting on about how wonderful Cali is, to go his arse back then. He said he couldn't there are no jobs. I then replied, "that don't sound so great to me".
I have no faith in human perfectability. I think that human exertion will have no appreciable effect upon humanity. Man is now only more active - not more happy - nor more wise, than he was 6000 years ago.
Edgar Allan Poe
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Re: Quality of Life
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 7,028 Likes: 8
New Tires
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New Tires
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Posts: 7,028 Likes: 8 |
Much on the things we not living in the very large high density cities is the freedom of movement. I ran across this interesting graph showing the square mileage given the population density of a given city of entire population of the world, 6.9 billion. http://wp.patheos.com.s3.amazonaws.com/b...rated-small.png
Every normal man must be tempted, at times, to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats.
H. L. Mencken
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Re: Quality of Life
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Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 2,146
Oil Expert
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OP
Oil Expert
Joined: Feb 2011
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Quote:
I'll be fine right up here in the pines 60 miles north of Houston. Where a pine gobblin can be free.
Y'all can keep New York, I wish so many New Yorkers wouldn't move down here invading my little paradice. They don't come down and become one of us, they try to bring New York with them, California too. I told one o' the Cali boys, who were pratting on about how wonderful Cali is, to go his arse back then. He said he couldn't there are no jobs. I then replied, "that don't sound so great to me".
We are overrun with what we call "halfbacks". They move from New York to Florida, then decide it's too hot. They then move half way back, landing here.
I'm sure there are people who have left WNC for NYC, though I don't actually know of any. But those building are just chock full of people from somewhere.
On the other hand, I couldn't toss a stone without hitting someone who moved here from New York.
Lot's of them opened pizza parlors (but they probably forgot how they made them when they lived in NYC).
My little girl goes to Cornell so she and her friends visit the Apple from time to time. This is a kid that sang at Carnegie Hall at 16, ran track in Beijing at 18, spent last summer in Dublin, and is currently working in Capetown, SA. She's visited just most every major city in the US, as well. Her opinion is that there is very little NYC offers that you can't get most anywhere, just more of it, and more people wanting it. That, and it smells bad.
Don't get me wrong, I'm delighted that millions upon millions of people choose to fill up all those buildings. I'm happy to send them some more. I just wish they'd stay there.
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Re: Quality of Life
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2 |
Yep! Just like a good Single Malt Scotch, you might call me "an acquired taste" TOO.(among the many OTHER things you may care to call me, of course)
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Re: Quality of Life
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 7,028 Likes: 8
New Tires
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New Tires
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 7,028 Likes: 8 |
Quote:
Well, ya know Chet, growing up and residing in SoCal most of my life and where one can ride their motorcycle in relatively great weather all year around, I gotta say, and in keeping with your apparent lack of understanding why some people live where they do, that I could NEVER understand why ANYONE would live in a part of the country where there's such a concept as "Winterizing your motorcycle"???!!! 
Any members native to Arizona want to comment on SoCal carpetbaggers?
Every normal man must be tempted, at times, to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats.
H. L. Mencken
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Re: Quality of Life
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2 |
Quote:
Quote:
Well, ya know Chet, growing up and residing in SoCal most of my life and where one can ride their motorcycle in relatively great weather all year around, I gotta say, and in keeping with your apparent lack of understanding why some people live where they do, that I could NEVER understand why ANYONE would live in a part of the country where there's such a concept as "Winterizing your motorcycle"???!!!
Any members native to Arizona want to comment on SoCal carpetbaggers?
YEAH?! Well, just let 'em TRY, Mac!
(...ya see, I'm packin' heat just like the REST of 'em around here are NOW!!!) 
Yep! Just like a good Single Malt Scotch, you might call me "an acquired taste" TOO.(among the many OTHER things you may care to call me, of course)
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Re: Quality of Life
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Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 2,146
Oil Expert
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OP
Oil Expert
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 2,146 |
Quote:
Well, ya know Chet, growing up and residing in SoCal most of my life and where one can ride their motorcycle in relatively great weather all year around, I gotta say, and in keeping with your apparent lack of understanding why some people live where they do, that I could NEVER understand why ANYONE would live in a part of the country where there's such a concept as "Winterizing your motorcycle"???!!!
Me, too. Haven't lived in a place like that since I moved from Denver, 27 years ago. Even there you'd get some warm sunny days in January. Probably the longest I've had to go without riding around here (not counting injuries) was a couple weeks.
We seem to be the only place getting rain this summer. We pretty much get a 20 minute downpour every afternoon but it's sunny before and after.
Dwight, my sister lives in San Diego. They grow a little food and have a pool. She told me her water bill was (gulp) $986 last month. I don't even have a water bill as we have well water. I have also installed an extensive rain barrel system that is zone isolated and channeled into underground Pex lines throughout the yard. We have two gardens and a fair amount of landscaping (mostly natural fauna moved about).
We haven't had to resort to the well all summer for outdoor use.
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Re: Quality of Life
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,954 |
I've had some good experiences in NY, but more time getting away from New Yorkers when I lived in Florida, and then in CT. I liked NY STATE plenty, but frankly would've been quite happy if they'd have built a wall along the state line when I lived in New Milford, CT. We got all of the Islanders who flocked up for the weekends, UGH. Even worse, most of them were YANKEES fans, double UGH!  Were it not for the cost of housing there (thanks to the weekenders from Manhattan and NYC), and of course dealing with Danbury, I think I could've been fairly happy in my little house in the lower end of the Berkshires. Now I have a house, my house, with a wide open view of the Front Range, do have to put up with some noise from the interstate a mile or so west, but otherwise have a nice quiet neighborhood, and can't complain. My first attempt at gardening has been an abysmal failure this summer, so will start fresh next summer. Don't think it will quite match what you have Smokey, but I'm only on my 2nd year in this house, so am still beginning to rebuild from my great "wandering period" of 2006-2010...
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Re: Quality of Life
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Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 2,146
Oil Expert
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OP
Oil Expert
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 2,146 |
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I've had some good experiences in NY, but more time getting away from New Yorkers when I lived in Florida, and then in CT. I liked NY STATE plenty, but frankly would've been quite happy if they'd have built a wall along the state line when I lived in New Milford, CT. We got all of the Islanders who flocked up for the weekends, UGH. Even worse, most of them were YANKEES fans, double UGH!
Were it not for the cost of housing there (thanks to the weekenders from Manhattan and NYC), and of course dealing with Danbury, I think I could've been fairly happy in my little house in the lower end of the Berkshires. Now I have a house, my house, with a wide open view of the Front Range, do have to put up with some noise from the interstate a mile or so west, but otherwise have a nice quiet neighborhood, and can't complain. My first attempt at gardening has been an abysmal failure this summer, so will start fresh next summer. Don't think it will quite match what you have Smokey, but I'm only on my 2nd year in this house, so am still beginning to rebuild from my great "wandering period" of 2006-2010...
It's tough to garden where you are. I've tried. Everything can get fried soooo easy. The soil doesn't hold much water and the air is so dry. The last place I lived out there was a farm in Brighton, not far at all. Nice view. We used to hike Poudre Canyon, which is now Poudre Reservoir, near Fort Collins. When I lived out there it thinned out dramatically past Arvada and Longmont was just a bump in the road.
I still love to visit Colorado (I was there last year)but the greener mountains around here are a better fit for us.
Started getting tomatoes and peppers last week. Fresh salsa!!
I can't recommend a rain barrel system highly enough. It's actually more important for you than me. It's easy to do and then you don't have to drag hoses around and worry about your well. Hint, use big garbage cans for your rain barrels. You'll save a ton.
Last edited by Smokey3214; 07/24/2012 10:05 PM.
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Re: Quality of Life
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,225 Likes: 62
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,225 Likes: 62 |
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I'll be fine right up here in the pines 60 miles north of Houston. Where a pine gobblin can be free.
Y'all can keep New York, I wish so many New Yorkers wouldn't move down here invading my little paradice. They don't come down and become one of us, they try to bring New York with them, California too. I told one o' the Cali boys, who were pratting on about how wonderful Cali is, to go his arse back then. He said he couldn't there are no jobs. I then replied, "that don't sound so great to me".
+1 the NYers move to the country here and first thing they do is cut every tree on their lot down then start complaining about the way their neighbor lives and what they do, doesn't seem to matter that said neighbor has lived there for peacefully and happy for 3 generations doing the same thing. The NYer thinks the local must change to suit them. They move here to get the son away from the gangs and all they do is bring the gangs with them. They consider littering where there was none OK. They drive like they are still in the city when there are only 2 cars in sight.They live in PA now but wear clothes covered in NY logos and do nothing but talk about how wonderful NY is. If NY is so wonderful why did you move here and why won't you go back?
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: Quality of Life
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Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,623 Likes: 2
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,623 Likes: 2 |
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I can't recommend a rain barrel system highly enough. It's actually more important for you than me. It's easy to do and then you don't have to drag hoses around and worry about your well. Hint, use big garbage cans for your rain barrels. You'll save a ton.
Someday when we set up housekeeping in the TN mountains we're going to put in a cistern/rain barrel system, mostly gravity-fed.
That sort of thing makes a lot of sense rather than buring out a well pump or running a well dry. 
Kevin - Luceo Non Uro
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Re: Quality of Life
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 7,028 Likes: 8
New Tires
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New Tires
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 7,028 Likes: 8 |
Quote:
Quote:
I can't recommend a rain barrel system highly enough. It's actually more important for you than me. It's easy to do and then you don't have to drag hoses around and worry about your well. Hint, use big garbage cans for your rain barrels. You'll save a ton.
Someday when we set up housekeeping in the TN mountains we're going to put in a cistern/rain barrel system, mostly gravity-fed.
That sort of thing makes a lot of sense rather than buring out a well pump or running a well dry.
A musical time out inspired by your "dry well" comment. I present the Byrds.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g2AnszaTyy8
Every normal man must be tempted, at times, to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats.
H. L. Mencken
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Re: Quality of Life
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Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 2,146
Oil Expert
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OP
Oil Expert
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 2,146 |
Quote:
Quote:
I can't recommend a rain barrel system highly enough. It's actually more important for you than me. It's easy to do and then you don't have to drag hoses around and worry about your well. Hint, use big garbage cans for your rain barrels. You'll save a ton.
Someday when we set up housekeeping in the TN mountains we're going to put in a cistern/rain barrel system, mostly gravity-fed.
That sort of thing makes a lot of sense rather than buring out a well pump or running a well dry.
You know, I constructed the system for water conservation but the most enjoyable part on a daily basis is ease of use. Instead of lugging a hose and spraying the garden every evening I just turn the tap on the soaker hose in each garden for an hour. What was a 45 minute job hauling hoses now requires a couple three minute strolls to turn the taps on and off.
You can get an unbelievable amount of water flowing off your roof.
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