According to Forbes, Virginia Beach one of the worst family friendly places (Norfolk: apartments, insurance)

[rtandc]

Originally Posted by Randomdude

I invite you to say that to my face. My guess is that youll probably regret that decision. The anonymous nature of the internet has been a god send for people who choose to insult others through a computer screen. However, it also affords those who lack a pair to act as if they do, and probably makes them sleep each night with a smile on their face.

LOL are we touchy today or does the truth just hurt that bad.......

Trust me I am one of those people that will say it to your face so don't wish for something you can full fill in person because if it means that much to you I will

[HR_N8V]

Originally Posted by Randomdude

Oh, you mean like the article I posted originally from Forbes? Or my endless stats and data which you have blatantly pointed out that you dont care about?



Really, thats funny, because I could have sworn that the fact that Hampton Roads has no Finance jobs, pays poorly for accounting jobs, and is one of the most overpriced areas on the east coast is about 99% to blame for me having a poor paying job in accounting which doesnt afford me the ability to purchase market rate housing.

Before the Internet tough guy act gets out of control, I can see some of your points RandomDude. You're entitled to your opinion, and to post it within the site's rules and limitations. There's no doubt that. I actually agree with you about being a first time buyer in this area. It's not easy at all to find something in a nice area with good schools unless you're making a lot more than 50K as a household.

With that said, my only issue with your stream of replies is you claim that anyone who likes this area (or defends it) has been dealt a far better hand than yourself. Granted a sickness that may have robbed you of some type of mobility or dexterity sucks; however, you were lucky to have parents that had a house to rent you at a cut rate, and lucky to have parents that could pay for your school when you couldn't, etc. Those are things that many of us never had. Also, unless you need special apparatus to drive, I call BS on the car situation. I am now driving a car that I bought for $800 over a year ago that I've put about $30 of work into (it was a sensor). Everyone has friends that will help repair cars for some pizza and a beer. If you don't, ask someone else if they do.

Back to one of your main points about "luck". My question for you to ask yourself would be, what have I done to maximize the opportunities and/or good fortune I've been granted?

[CosmicWizard]

HR_N8V wrote in response to Randomdude:

My question for you to ask yourself would be, what have I done to maximize the opportunities and/or good fortune I've been granted?

This is a fantastic question! A sincere answer to this question would almost certainly bring about a complete shift of focus for Randomdude, but he seems to prefer his comfortable, negative train of thought.

Randomdude, if you are reading this, please know that you are just a few thoughts away from getting out of the prison of negative focus.

[centre]

Originally Posted by hurley89

I think the fact that Hampton Roads is on a huge interstate cul-de-sac hinders the area from becoming what it wants to be. Most big cities have a major interstate cutting through it that brings business and other things to that place.

I was born in raised here so I'll always have a tiny soft spot for it, but i get the feeling that the city leaders don't give half a s*** about the people who actually live here only the military and the tourists If it wasnt like that it would be a much much better place to live. Why live somewhere where the local gov'ts dont do much for the residents? I'm with randomdude, as soon as I can I will be out of here as well.

I've lived here one year and can tell that it's all about the military and the tourists. Period.

[xGrendelx]

Originally Posted by rtandc

B. After wiping away my tears from reading your post which talked about your life history...BOO BOO...

If you didn't like the man's post, that's fine, but there's no need for personal attacks like this. Nothing in his post warrants a response like that one.

And seriously, this talk of fighting each other? For a couple of well-educated, GROWN guys, it seems rather immature. If you guys do meet up, it should be to shake hands. Hug it out, my brothers.

[Randomdude]

Originally Posted by HR_N8V

With that said, my only issue with your stream of replies is you claim that anyone who likes this area (or defends it) has been dealt a far better hand than yourself.

This is incorrect. People in worse situations then I am, love this place. They just have different priorities. I cant for the life of me understand how someone would be ok living with 5 roommates and working as a waiter at age 30. However, the ocean and atmosphere of the area are enough for them I suppose.

Im sorry, the ocean will never be enough for me to be satisfied living a financially substandard life.

Originally Posted by HR_N8V

Granted a sickness that may have robbed you of some type of mobility or dexterity sucks; however, you were lucky to have parents that had a house to rent you at a cut rate, and lucky to have parents that could pay for your school when you couldn't, etc.

I never said I didnt have breaks that others didnt have. My beef is that it required those breaks for me to even have the low standard of living I have now. I can only imagine if I had a student loan payment and was paying market rent. Id be living with my parents or with 4 roommates at age almost 28 and with a college degree......how completely rediculous is that?

Originally Posted by HR_N8V

Those are things that many of us never had. Also, unless you need special apparatus to drive, I call BS on the car situation. I am now driving a car that I bought for $800 over a year ago that I've put about $30 of work into (it was a sensor). Everyone has friends that will help repair cars for some pizza and a beer. If you don't, ask someone else if they do.

The mechanism on my automatic windows cost $300 to repair. Its nearly impossible to find a working mechanism at the junk yard, and two or three mechanisms break every year.

Even if you get crap tires, thats about $200

Do you have any idea how much a catalyctic converter costs? Clean engine flush and complete replacement of all fluids? Change and replace all the belts and most of the hoses?

Originally Posted by HR_N8V

Back to one of your main points about "luck". My question for you to ask yourself would be, what have I done to maximize the opportunities and/or good fortune I've been granted?

I have maximized myself here in Hampton Roads. I know of nobody my age, in my field, making more money then me.

[Randomdude]

Originally Posted by rtandc

LOL are we touchy today or does the truth just hurt that bad.......

Trust me I am one of those people that will say it to your face so don't wish for something you can full fill in person because if it means that much to you I will

Being touchy has nothing to do with reacting when someone insults you.

However, lets be honest here, you have absolutely no intention of saying anything to anyones face. You never did. People like you, who verbally abuse over the internet, are all exactly the same. You probably spent high school tipped upside down in a toilet.

[HR_N8V]

Originally Posted by Randomdude

Im sorry, the ocean will never be enough for me to be satisfied living a financially substandard life.

Fair enough. If you desire more in an area, then you should move, I'd never dissuade someone from their pursuit of happiness.

Originally Posted by Randomdude

I never said I didnt have breaks that others didnt have. My beef is that it required those breaks for me to even have the low standard of living I have now. I can only imagine if I had a student loan payment and was paying market rent. Id be living with my parents or with 4 roommates at age almost 28 and with a college degree......how completely rediculous is that?

I don't believe that those breaks were required for you to be where you are. I believe those breaks were fantastic to help you from being worse off than you are, but I don't believe they limit you. I think you can do more. I think anyone/everyone with goals can. You clearly have goals.

Originally Posted by Randomdude

The mechanism on my automatic windows cost $300 to repair. Its nearly impossible to find a working mechanism at the junk yard, and two or three mechanisms break every year.

Even if you get crap tires, thats about $200

Do you have any idea how much a catalyctic converter costs? Clean engine flush and complete replacement of all fluids? Change and replace all the belts and most of the hoses?

Not to get into a point by point discussion, as I have no desire to get that granular...I actually do know what that could cost. Those are expenses on ANY car after enough time (save the automatic windows). Doesn't counter the argument of there being cheaper alternatives when you got your car. Power windows is an option on most compact "value priced" cards. I'm betting those were a luxury. Not harping, as I paid more for my first car than any car I've had since. I was young and impulsive. I made a mistake and learned from it.

Originally Posted by Randomdude

I have maximized myself here in Hampton Roads. I know of nobody my age, in my field, making more money then me.

Then you are limiting yourself. As I believe others have tried to impress upon you, having a positive attitude isn't just to brush problems under the carpet, or to pretend they don't exist. It helps the process of figuring out how to work through them, and it will raise your quality of life overall in the meantime.

Not to get all motivational speaker on you, but try looking less at hurdles and more at small achievable goals.

Seriously, take an hour or two and find something that truly brings you joy and immerse yourself in it (as long as it doesn't hurt anyone else...lol). Oh, and please don't tell me commenting on this board is your hobby...that'd make me sad.

[telemonster]

Just because I make enough to afford a place here, doesn't mean I'm going to overpay for a dilapidated crap box.

Let's be honest, one of the few things this region had going for it was low cost of living. But speculation and mania removed that. Now it has much less going for it. Being near the water is what's left, and that can be found in many of the popular cities.

But the truth is, the prices will fall. Yes, the gov't is trying to interfere. The National Association of Realtors is trying to interfere. They thing that high home prices are good for America. This countries debt load is crushing it, and overheated housing market is part of that.

AFAIK Rents are actually coming down in Hampton Roads. The housing market is littered with people offering to accept less than their city appraisals. $60K less than city appraisals, etc. It's pretty obvious that when the cities have to let go of this tax income they are enjoying there will be budget issues.

Anyways, I'm reading some interesting books about the creative class, and how cities without it are full of fail. Good stuff.

[telemonster]

Originally Posted by Randomdude

I have maximized myself here in Hampton Roads. I know of nobody my age, in my field, making more money then me.

Then you aren't trying hard enough. I told you the account !!!ch where I used to work was rolling it in. Living large. Multiple houses, boat, porsche, SUV, single, etc.