posted on August 22, 2001 11:55:22 AM new
I probably shouldn't say this to loud..BUT..
We don't lock our homes and we leave the keys in the car.
And you can take a walk in the evening without fear of being hassled or attacted.
The downside...just about everyone knows your business. In a way that can be good especially for the elderly here in town.
We have people come for miles to our Bar/Restaurant for their famous "LOADED HASHBROWNS".
We lived in Denver for about a year back in the 70's and oh gosh, I can't tell you how good it felt to get back to good ole hick Iowa.
People there are as different as night and day(very guarded).
packer
p.s. Yes, computerboy this is a very interesting thread, its fun to see how the others live and where. It gives more meaning to the people that we exchange ideas with on such a daily basis.
posted on August 22, 2001 12:19:11 PM new
Naperville, IL was voted the #1 place in America to raise a family and has the #1 schools in the Nation. We bought here primarily for the school system for our children.
The town is affluent and when we first moved here 8 years ago, many of the 16 year old kids were driving nicer cars than my wife an I. We used to laugh when we drove through town seeing kids in Mercedes covertables. Fortunately, the years have been good to us and we have grown into a nice fit for the community.
Only one thing will be different when my kids are old enough to drive int his town. They will be behind the wheels of Escorts and will be working to help cover the cost of the vehicle and insurance. It's how I grew up and I think the experience will be good for them, as it was for us.
My hope is that my childred won't have to put in 80+ hours a week like their old man. After all there are easier and better respected ways to make a living than as a publisher and online salesman...
posted on August 22, 2001 12:54:54 PM new
I live in Kansas City, MO and I've lived in this area my whole life. Most people think we're all farmers here, but we're not. I live in the suburbs in the north area of Kansas City. This area is growing so fast! I lived about an hour from here once out in hick town, and didn't like it at all. I'm one of those people that would rather live in the middle of it all where I'm close to everything. Most stores I want to go to are within 15 minutes from here. I work five minutes from home. I'll never move to the country again.
The downside... I don't live in such a good neighborhood. My house was robbed one year ago this month. We do keep our doors locked but didn't have a security system or a housesitter when we took a vacation. I lost my computer and everything valuable. I have a security system now, and I'm not quite as naive (sp?).
Not all of Kansas City is that bad. There are plenty of good neighborhoods here, I just don't happen to live in one.
Oh, and the house we live in is a 3 bedroom with full basement, 1 bathroom. It's about $80,000. It's decent, but just not big. I would love to live in a bigger house! Wife made me store all my eBay stuff in the basement. Argh. Now I take frequent trips down to the basement!
I guess houses run a lot more in other parts of the US than where I live.
Edited to clarify some things.
[ edited by WeRuleWithTechnology on Aug 22, 2001 12:56 PM ]
posted on August 22, 2001 01:06:34 PM new
Hey computerboy, you don't happen to work for Motorola do you? LOL
I don't live too far away, about two hours east of you in Indiana, about 35 minutes from Lake Michigan. My sister and her family lived in Naperville until last year, when they moved to Inverness to be closer (commute) to hubby's employer - Motorola. And yes, they pay outlandish taxes in this burb!
posted on August 22, 2001 01:14:33 PM new
Well, THAT explains my sales to Napierville! I was wondering about them.
Another place that seems to like to spend is Redmond, WA. Anyone from there? They seem to have plenty of bucks.
Yep, KNOW about those barn payments. My husband nearly fainted when presented the cost to build the barn. Something about "my first house didn't cost this much". I told him that when he's in hot water with me, now he has a nice home w/the horses.
posted on August 22, 2001 01:14:46 PM new
I have two good friends that worked for Motorola, but they left about a year ago. They were both in the accounting department.
The taxes here are brutal (we're just under $8,000 per year), but most of it goes to the schools, so it's worth it. Did you ever visit our town or the downtown Riverwalk?
posted on August 22, 2001 01:17:36 PM new
NearTheSea....But Lake Michigan is so beautiful in downtown Chicago. The lakefront is great, and cruising up and down Michigan Avenue is quite fun! Best thing about Chicago is the Super Sale Sunday at Marshall Fields and Carsons!!! I've actually bought stuff super cheap, and resold it on ebay for a small profit!!
posted on August 22, 2001 01:22:48 PM new
Yes, visited your town and riverwalk - and liked them too!
Seems as though every city or town with river has developed a river walk. Mine did too and couple of years ago, and a neighboring town is in the process.
My sister hated to move her high school age daughter out of Naperville because of the school system, but she is doing great in Inverness. She still has kept her friends in your town though!
Can't remember the name of the prestigious high school there ?? but I remember when we were touring homes for them to buy, the Realtor said the name of the high school with such emphasis, that we didn't dare admit we were unaware of the school's reputation, or we'd seem stupid. What was the name of that high school?
posted on August 22, 2001 01:32:05 PM new
It's either Naperville Central in district 203 on the east side of town or Neuqua Valley, district 204 in the west.
Neuqua Valley has the distinction of being the most expensive and technically advanced high school ever constructed. This school is one of the reasons that the taxes are so high.
posted on August 22, 2001 01:37:11 PM new
You're probably right. Inverness is a very exclusive area and I'm sure they have excellent schools. My insurance agent/financial planner lives there. Perhaps that it why my policy premiums are so high. LOL...
posted on August 22, 2001 01:39:31 PM new
I live in the heart of seattle, near a big park. I walk around at night, I have only had my car burgled once in 10 years and I have never been robbed. Crime is here, certainly, but Seattle still is pretty mellow.
Anyhow, my fees are anywhere from 100 to 300 depending on how much I list.
I also, Paintpower, support a horse. And I have to drive to Heck and Gone to get there. Oh well.
Yes, Redmond, WA is spendy, but a house in my 'hood is going for 2.3 million: no view, they sit adjacent to a condo, they have about two city lots, maaaaybe three, and they back one of the busier streets in this neighborhood. It's a modest gambrol with some landscaping. Insanity.
Boarding a horse around here means waiting lists. Developers are scarfing up open space, it's car culture, and you bet you need one because the bus system is toast.
Oh and it rains. It's raining now. Mud Season begins!
posted on August 22, 2001 01:40:19 PM new
Neet thread,
My Ebay bill runs around $100-$200 depending on my motivation, I would love a $2400 bill...would mean I was MOTIVATED.
WeRuleTechnology- I graduated from Oak Park High School in Gladstone Mo- My dad worked for TWA!!! Cool
Now I live in Wexford PA(Christine Aguillera's home town, she actually sings at our church every X-mas) Our taxes our brutal too $5500 a year- Our schools are not that great so who knows where it goes. Mortgage is $1200 for a four bed 3 bath- We put a lot down on it though, Ebay helps pay the taxes and for extra stuff for the kiddos!!
Jen
posted on August 22, 2001 01:48:23 PM new
PACKER- THAT LIFESTYLE SOUNDS INVITING.
The farm I grew up on had old skeleton keys for the doors. We never locked the doors, hell you could buy the keys to our house at the hardware store !! There were only 2 different types and cost 20 cents each.
Nearest neighbor was 1/2 a mile down the road. Nearest town was 8 miles away.
The spouse grew up on a farm too. We are still contemplating a move back to the sticks.
But, will I miss the conviences of suburbia ? It has been a lot of years since I lived amongst the cornfields.
posted on August 22, 2001 01:49:18 PM new
Hi Eventer,
I don't live in Redmond, WA, but I work there. (Talk about a killer commute)
The people in that area do have the bucks to spend, that's for sure.
My ebay bill runs around $200 a month, that's plenty for now although growing slowly.
I rent and the navy came in a drove all the prices up, that was not fun. Its stablized now, but there's no way I could afford a mortgage here.
posted on August 22, 2001 01:56:20 PM new
HEy Capriole - I am a Seattelite too! We live in Magnolia, right close to Downtown. (Going to the Mariners game tonite - Yahh!)
I wish my mortgage was $125 like in Iowa! We just bought the house we are in now 3 months ago, and jumped from a $1300 to a $2400 mortgage payment. We could have gotten the same house for alot less in the outskirts(5 bd, 4 bath), but I have all grandparents, siblings, parents, aunts and uncles in Magnolia in a 2 mile radius, and as far as I am concerned, you can't out a price tag on that.
For the thread, I spend about $150 a month, and even THAT is hard to keep motivated for!
posted on August 22, 2001 02:02:27 PM new
I live in New Orleans, and have an $855 rent on a 2 bedroom, tiny apartment. It is safe though. In this town, it is normal to be robbed, and our outrageous insurance rates attest to that. I have the security system, and live in a gated community.
I grew up in southern Indiana, and miss being able to walk out at night, and not worry about being attacked.
posted on August 22, 2001 02:09:32 PM new
Rain Rain Go Away
Come Again Another Day!!!!
Hi FPC,
I my folks almost bought a view home in magnolia in 87 for 150K. Could you die or what?
PS Wear your goretex to the game, it's going to be a chilly one!
Go Mariners!!! booty kick Detroit!!!!
booya!
[ edited by Capriole on Aug 22, 2001 02:15 PM ]
posted on August 22, 2001 02:16:01 PM new
I love New Orleans. I've visited several times and there's no place like it on earth. A great culture. Great music and interesting people. It would be a great place to run away for 6 months and write a book. With an expectant wife, 3 kids and a mortgage, I don't see it happening any time soon.
Tilt a hurricane for me the next time you're in the Quarter.
posted on August 22, 2001 02:22:16 PM new
Capriole - The market is OUT of control right now. We bought a little starter home 6 years ago for $130,000, and pulled in 150,000 profit on it, which we had to put on this new house (390,000). I could have a MANSION other places for that.
View home for $150,000 - I guess you have to file that away in the "Let's learn from this" catagory! (Kinda like last year when I did not buy all of the new kids Speedo swimsuits for A DOLLAR each, because it was winter, and "I didn't want to store them for months". That thuding sound is me kicking myself, STILL!
posted on August 22, 2001 02:57:25 PM new
Capriole,
I thought you guys NEEDED rain!
Interesting, I also sell a lot to Bremerton. Again, now I know how they can afford it.
Feel your pain. My neice and her husband are in Seattle, but I think they've moved out to Whitby (or were talking about it). But they can afford it, they are both execs at MS! (now WHY can't they get me XP for FREE??? Worthless relatives!).
Reamond,
You don't always have to miss suburbia. We live in a "horsey" community with places from 1 to 50 acres (most around 5 acres) and suburbia has surrounded us. We have the best of both worlds..the major shopping 15 minutes away but we can ride our horses around the neighborhood!
A state park backs up to our area so plenty of trails.
Just have to buy in the "right" area or catch it before the rest of the world finds it. The value of our property has almost tripled since we bought. (Gonna do the happy dance just as soon as the kid & her horses leave for college!).
posted on August 22, 2001 03:26:07 PM newNaperville, IL was voted the #1 place in America to raise a family and has the #1 schools in the Nation. We bought here primarily for the school system for our children.
I go to Naperville a couple of times a year because my girlfriend's sister lives there. It does seem pretty afluent now. Her brother in law grew up in Naperville though and said it was a TINY town when he was a kid. He's mid 30s now. It's sprawled out quick. I like the older section by the Naper settlement.
I'm still trying to to get me and my girlfriend moved out to Chicago. hopefully in the next couple of months.
As for the amount arttsupplies (owner) spends on ebay each month...
It would probably scare you all. We have hundreds of auctions up every week.
arttsupplies (webmaster)
edited to add...
The house they have is two story, 4 bedroom, two bath with a finished basement. Houses around them sell for 250K. Here in the SF Bay area a house like they have would go for easily 1.5 million.
[ edited by arttsupplies on Aug 22, 2001 03:29 PM ]
posted on August 22, 2001 03:35:22 PM new
>visited your town and riverwalk <
Careful......cruise downtown Naperville and you'll get ticketed! How about that 'big' riot downtown a few weeks back?
We have eaten at the MONGOLIAN BBQ quite a bit. Neat expirience! Nothing like putting a bunch of stuff on a plate and setting it on fire!
>Neuqua Valley has the distinction of being the most expensive and technically advanced high school ever constructed<
This place has to be seen to be believed!
Some of our freinds left WVHS when it opened.
Great move as they make twice what we do now!
(who owns the Expedition/Navagator with the NEUQUA plates?)
>Lake Michigan is so beautiful in downtown Chicago. The lakefront is great<
It's unbelievable!
Chicago has invested BIG $ into rebuilding it's lakefront and it shows. Navy Pier reopened 5-6 years ago and it's THE place to be on the weekends! With at least 12 different dinner cruises, boat rides & entertainment it's quite an adventure.
You can rent a bike and ride at least 20 miles right on the lakefront!
PS Our current taxes are more than our old house payment AND taxes combined!
Ourhouse isn't that big or nice, it's just that the new homes they are building by us start around 300,000 :0
posted on August 22, 2001 03:40:52 PM newWe have eaten at the MONGOLIAN BBQ quite a bit. Neat expirience! Nothing like putting a bunch of stuff on a plate and setting it on fire!
We go there all the time too. Nothing like a buffet all you can eat of that stuff. The nephews like to bang the gong!
The new noodle place across the street and on the corner is pretty good too.
posted on August 22, 2001 03:56:25 PM new
I am really surprised at how many of you are from the Chicago area. We live in Geneva, IL which is a small town about 45 min from Chicago and fairly close to Naperville. We moved here 5 years ago and I love this little town. Our downtown is booming and I can get to the post office (and most other places)in about 5 minutes. We moved here from The Woodlands, Texas after living all over the south for about 16 years. The only thing I don't like about the Chicago area is the weather - the winters are too long. Love the people. We want to move back down south someday.
posted on August 22, 2001 03:57:29 PM new
Re: Ebay bill running around $125 - $150/mo.
House bragsorry, can't help it I just LOVE it here)
Check out our "About me" page for pictures (I'm not computer savvy enough to do that "click here" stuff or impose it here.) on our lakefront 4 bedroom, 2.5 bath with finished basement, unattached 2 car garage (closest thing to a vehichile in it in my John Deere riding mower) with a "carraige house apartment" above it (where I send my teens to "entertain" their friends) sitting on approximately 2 acres of land.
Monthly payment = $563.00/mo.
We lucked out and the older couple that put it up for sale 4 years ago used a realtor from a different part of the lake area where property value is lower, so got this for about $20-30K LESS than it should have been listed for.
This St. Louis transplant plans on dying here in "the boonies" ("town" is 11 miles away, but have a nice "regular" sized grocery store 3 miles from the front door).
Forgot to add credits of: 3 teens (one just left for his first year of college, 1 down, 2 to go!), 2 Rotts & 1 bossy black cat.
[ edited by waterbabes on Aug 22, 2001 04:12 PM ]
sorry, can't help it I just LOVE it here)