Relocating to Texas from San Diego (San Antonio, Austin: transplants, house, buy)

[aabuckler]

Originally Posted by TexasTheKid

I'll tell you about Hawkins because it's the only one of those towns I know. It's pretty but small. Really, really small. And, Aunt Jemima's from there. Truth. There, now you know everything there is to know about Hawkins.

You'll probably also want to verify just how difficult it'll be to get your electrician's license in Texas. Here's a good website to start with:
Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation

Thanks for the tip. I checked the website, and it looks like the usual paper chase (showing 8,000 hours verifiable experience, etc.) to get approval to take the test, but I got around that once by verifying my work history with a Social Security printout. It lists employers and hours, and I didn't have to chase down references through three states and defunct contractors. Other than that it looks like an open book NEC code test. Sounds like Hawkins is wild excitement, but it is close to Tyler, and there are a couple of 12 acre parcels on the area MLS I need to go see.

[orbius]

Seriously you as a Californian want to move into the Deep South? Have you really thought this through?

[aabuckler]

Originally Posted by orbius

Seriously you as a Californian want to move into the Deep South? Have you really thought this through?

Yes. I was raised in IL and went through the first 3 years of my apprenticeship in Tulsa, OK until my Local went on strike, and finished up in Duluth, MN, on a xfer agreement. Spent the next couple of years in Lafayette, IN on a Subaru-Isuzu plant, New Carlisle, IN on an Inland Steel-Nippon Steel joint venture rolling mill, and Gary, IN on an Inland mill shutdown. I have been in Dallas more than once, and last year I spent about a 2 weeks apiece in Austin and Houston, plus a couple of days in San Antonio. I read the previous replies, and some just make me smile .

I suggest that those who think SD is wonderland should come out here for an extended visit, and get past the tourist brochures. There may appear to be a lot of things to do, but none of it is cheap, and how many times do you need to see the Gaslamp/Zoo/Wild Animal Park/waterfront attractions before you've seen them? I'm not a rabid Chargers or Padres fan, and it is not hard for two people to spend an evening out and evaporate a $100 bill. The beaches are OK, off season especially, but during the day through summer it's packed, and on some holidays, OB, PB and La Jolla shores can have several hundred thousand (really) people show up to set up camp.

Maybe I am getting old and cranky with my advancing years, but the novelty of this place has long since worn off. I have looked into buying a property and building my own place out here, but $100k+ for a couple acres of sagebrush (even now) and no water is too much, and depending on the whims of the appropriate agencies, you may find yourself mandated to jump through all kinds of arbitrary hoops, as well as an environmental review, where some propellerhead with a botany degree may decide your property is unbuildable due to "Potentially Sensitive Vegetation". Unless, of course, you are allowed to circumvent the issue by paying a (substantial) "mitigation" fee. The cost of permits and fees for a typical residential building averages 35k in SD County, and 42k in the city proper, and it'll be two years before you can start digging. I don't really give a damn about a house, particularly, but I would really like room to set up a nice big workshop that I never have to move. It is all about the money, all the time out here, and I am tired of it.
Especially now that I am not making any

[rgb123]

Originally Posted by aabuckler

Yes. I was raised in IL and went through the first 3 years of my apprenticeship in Tulsa, OK until my Local went on strike, and finished up in Duluth, MN, on a xfer agreement. Spent the next couple of years in Lafayette, IN on a Subaru-Isuzu plant, New Carlisle, IN on an Inland Steel-Nippon Steel joint venture rolling mill, and Gary, IN on an Inland mill shutdown. I have been in Dallas more than once, and last year I spent about a 2 weeks apiece in Austin and Houston, plus a couple of days in San Antonio. I read the previous replies, and some just make me smile .

I suggest that those who think SD is wonderland should come out here for an extended visit, and get past the tourist brochures. There may appear to be a lot of things to do, but none of it is cheap, and how many times do you need to see the Gaslamp/Zoo/Wild Animal Park/waterfront attractions before you've seen them? I'm not a rabid Chargers or Padres fan, and it is not hard for two people to spend an evening out and evaporate a $100 bill. The beaches are OK, off season especially, but during the day through summer it's packed, and on some holidays, OB, PB and La Jolla shores can have several hundred thousand (really) people show up to set up camp.

Maybe I am getting old and cranky with my advancing years, but the novelty of this place has long since worn off. I have looked into buying a property and building my own place out here, but $100k+ for a couple acres of sagebrush (even now) and no water is too much, and depending on the whims of the appropriate agencies, you may find yourself mandated to jump through all kinds of arbitrary hoops, as well as an environmental review, where some propellerhead with a botany degree may decide your property is unbuildable due to "Potentially Sensitive Vegetation". Unless, of course, you are allowed to circumvent the issue by paying a (substantial) "mitigation" fee. The cost of permits and fees for a typical residential building averages 35k in SD County, and 42k in the city proper, and it'll be two years before you can start digging. I don't really give a damn about a house, particularly, but I would really like room to set up a nice big workshop that I never have to move. It is all about the money, all the time out here, and I am tired of it.
Especially now that I am not making any

this is the problem. Just be prepared to be judged for where you came from....and ready to apologize for it too. Not that it would be based on the reality of what you left behind.

You are off to a good start. But it will become tiring.

[aabuckler]

Originally Posted by rgb123

this is the problem. Just be prepared to be judged for where you came from....and ready to apologize for it too. Not that it would be based on the reality of what you left behind.

You are off to a good start. But it will become tiring.

You know, I think what you're suggesting didn't even occur to me. I honestly thought I was responding to another poor soul who bought into the fun-in-the-sun BS. As far as judging me, let 'em. As far as apologizing for it, may I respectfully suggest that they can kiss my

[TexasTheKid]

Originally Posted by aabuckler

You know, I think what you're suggesting didn't even occur to me. I honestly thought I was responding to another poor soul who bought into the fun-in-the-sun BS. As far as judging me, let 'em. As far as apologizing for it, may I respectfully suggest that they can kiss my

No worries. If you end up in Hawkins (or any other small town) you won't be apologizing for anything. You'll be novel and unique and you'll be the excitement in the town, and after the luster of your newness wears off, you'll simply become just another resident. You won't be made to apologize for being from "outside" or California. You may be the butt of a few good-natured jokes, but that's the extent of it, and as long as you keep in good humor yourself you'll enjoy your time here.

[ocean2026]

Why not go to San Diego.. Texas Its a small town in the southern part of the state - maybe you'd feel at home.

[BobTex]

Originally Posted by orbius

Seriously you as a Californian want to move into the Deep South? Have you really thought this through?

Really ... think about it! We drag black folks behind our pickem up trucks here! Don't you remember the James Bird deal? The black guy who didn't pay up his drug debts and was drug to his death and Jessie Jackson and Al Sharpton and the media all blew it into a racial thang??


East Texas is a dangerous place!!!


Don't forget the Center / Timpson thingy with the cops shaking down folks of color during traffic stops!


This is the DEEP South! We still give rebel yells and fly the Stars and Bars!


Better look somewhere else! (*now pulling my tongue out of my cheek*)


BTW ... I have made many posts about my part of the Pineywoods. I live about 12 miles out of Woodville on 50 acres. There are few jobs here unless you are willing to commute (I drive 50 miles to work one way). Commuting could get expensive if the Dems get there Cap-N-Trade bill passed!


Woodville is awesome for my wants and desires!

Search my posts for info!

[The Gribbler]

Originally Posted by tstone

I'm sorry but Austin is nothing like San Diego.

If you had to pick one texas city & say it was closest to San Diego or LA or any other large Californian city, you'd pick Austin. If you say otherwise you're lying. Thanks for playing though.

[tstone]

Now it's Austin vs LA.

LOLOL