Now is the time you are supposed to tell us guys back in Seattle how you got some huge, beautiful house on park-like property for the price of a run-down 900 square foot condo in Lynnwood. Make it one of those palatial brick jobs that we don't have out here just to rub it in.
In reply to SEADave:
It's a 3500 sq ft house built in 2006. 3 car garage. Small yard in average neighborhood. Less than 30 minute commute to work. Paid less than townhouse in lynnwood.
The real benefit is the kids activities. Cheap everything. Soccer is $50 a session vs $300 in Seattle.
Closing 9/2.. ugh.. another month in a hotel..
Fueled by Caffeine wrote: Closing 9/2.. ugh.. another month in a hotel..
Can you rent it until the closing goes through. That would let you move in sooner.
Toyman01 wrote:Fueled by Caffeine wrote: Closing 9/2.. ugh.. another month in a hotel..Can you rent it until the closing goes through. That would let you move in sooner.
Good Question. I'll find out.
Fueled by Caffeine wrote: In reply to mndsm: Ok. I'm not interested in a tiny one. My wife, who grew up in Rochester ny is laughing at your snowfall totals and suggested we just shovel it. I think she's crazy, but 50 inches a year is about less than half the snowfall we are used to.
50 inches will happen in 2-3 good storms. If you're in the west metro, you'll see more of it. Storms almost universally do all the dirty work west of the Mississippi up there. Its bizarre. I mean if she really wants to shovel, go for it. If i owned a house, i would have a blower. Hell, i about bought a truck with a blade on it, and i only lived in an apt.
Ask the swmbo if she wants to shovel that.
In reply to mndsm:
That reminds me of the storms in ct. Nothing for s while them bam 12 inches then a break and bam 30 inches.
Fueled by Caffeine wrote: In reply to mndsm: That reminds me of the storms in ct. Nothing for s while them bam 12 inches then a break and bam 30 inches.
Thats about right.
I've wondered about the idea of buying a cheaper "ok" home in the west, making good money, gaining equity, selling it and then moving to a slower life in the east where property is cheap (but you might not get paid as much). Hopefully the equity of one house is enough to pay for the second.
PHeller wrote: I've wondered about the idea of buying a cheaper "ok" home in the west, making good money, gaining equity, selling it and then moving to a slower life in the east where property is cheap (but you might not get paid as much). Hopefully the equity of one house is enough to pay for the second.
That will depend on how fast you pay it off. Spend 20 years in a job out there- it's a good possibility that the equity that you built would do that. But remember, the higher $$ income is very offset by the higher $$ cost of just being in the area.
alfadriver wrote:PHeller wrote: I've wondered about the idea of buying a cheaper "ok" home in the west, making good money, gaining equity, selling it and then moving to a slower life in the east where property is cheap (but you might not get paid as much). Hopefully the equity of one house is enough to pay for the second.That will depend on how fast you pay it off. Spend 20 years in a job out there- it's a good possibility that the equity that you built would do that. But remember, the higher $$ income is very offset by the higher $$ cost of just being in the area.
True, but you need to look at the numbers. It is both a percentage and raw numbers game.
For example, when I lived in central Illinois (very low COL) I was able to save nearly 50% of my income. Now my wife and I in Chicago can only save about 30% of our incomes, but that 30% is more than the 50% in central Illinois.
If you're going to retire in the same place as you've worked, then it won't work. If you're looking to move, you get to the end game faster.
We're living someplace with higher cost of living, but making substantially more, and therefore able to save a tremendous amount. We've also both shortened our commutes to under 10 minutes.
Now, if we bought a house, we'd obviously dump all our savings into it, but after the house met our needs, we'd be saving at an even faster rate due to decreased housing costs and no rent increases.
The hard part is leaving a high cost of living area with its elevated salaries and finding the same slaary in a cheaper area. It's tough. Unless you are a consultant or telecommute.
Ask me how I know.
What kind of pay cut did you take moving east?
I'd assume you still got some serious equity from the sale of the house in Seattle?
I know exactly what you are talking about on the salary side. Austin isn't a even on the higher side of the COL index but leaving here and going to the Midwest would definitely result in a pay cut for a similar job.
Well we're officially all set for closing Friday the 26th, which means moving day is Saturday the 27th.
Who has the best deals on moving trucks? Anyone offer AAA or SCCA discounts? This would be an in town, very low mileage, one day, pickup and return at the same place type of deal, if that makes any difference.
Frankly, with the number of pickup trucks at our disposal, short distance, and relative lack of junk I don't think a box truck is even remotely necessary, however SWMBO disagrees because reasons. I'd rather just pay for the damn truck than argue with her. Plus, burnouts in a box truck sound like heaps of fun. Maybe I should check the local rally x schedule while I'm at it 
In reply to Furious_E:
Penske has AAA discounts. My daughter and S-I-L just moved some stuff back from WV and U-haul was much cheaper than the alternatives. I don't know about prices if its local.
UHaul is cheaper and OK for short drives. Penske has much better trucks from a reliability standpoint if you are doing a longer move..
Still waiting for closing.. It's now 9/1.. Come on.. 3 car garage.
Congrats on the the house. I am dreaming of a large detached garage and hope to move in the next few months to a larger house with less property tax and a much better cost of living. Hope the closing goes smoothly.
In reply to spear322:
Thanks yes.. I just moved to a place with lower COL and it's WONDERFUL...
Everything is cheaper.. I didn't get a big bump in salary moving out here, but am able to ride the cost of living decrease to make it work out well.
My house payment is $800/month cheaper than my rent in Seattle. So, Just do it!
Go keys today.. This is how I feel. Closing was OK.. Rates are good 3.125 with a 3.4 apr... All costs paid by relo company.. :-)
Congrats
Congratulations! I'm wondering if I'll find my way to Seattle in the near future to work at the mothership.
Congrats. Pic isn't working btw.
thats what I wanted to post..
You'll need to log in to post.
