Search found 955 matches

by Isabelle77
Mon Mar 18, 2024 7:10 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: NYC This Year or Wait? Has it sufficiently recovered from Covid?
Replies: 54
Views: 3891

Re: NYC This Year or Wait? Has it sufficiently recovered from Covid?

The only thing that I’ve noticed in the post Covid years is the amount of marijuana, especially around Times Square. OP, you’ll enjoy the city more if you stay away from
Midtown most of your trip.
by Isabelle77
Wed Mar 06, 2024 3:35 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Are "Airport Sherpas" for Seniors a thing?
Replies: 7
Views: 1787

Re: Are "Airport Sherpas" for Seniors a thing?

Yes, my mom is blind and she uses the wheelchair assistance when she flies without my dad. It’s great.
by Isabelle77
Thu Feb 29, 2024 11:57 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Neighbor Got Burglarized, How To Prevent
Replies: 74
Views: 8328

Re: Neighbor Got Burglarized, How To Prevent

barnaclebob wrote: Thu Feb 29, 2024 11:12 am
Isabelle77 wrote: Thu Feb 29, 2024 10:24 am The concern for me would be that I happen to be at home during a break in or my teenagers are.
The vast majority of people who break want no signs of human or large dog activity and will run if they happen to get into an occupied house. They don't want to deal with the extra risk when they can hit a different empty house after their pawn earnings run out.
Yes of course, but where I live the vast majority of home break ins are committed by people with serious drug habits, so not always rational players. That said, we have dogs and work from home, so we’re an unlikely target.
by Isabelle77
Thu Feb 29, 2024 10:24 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Neighbor Got Burglarized, How To Prevent
Replies: 74
Views: 8328

Re: Neighbor Got Burglarized, How To Prevent

ETK517 wrote: Thu Feb 29, 2024 10:17 am What do you keep in your house that a burglar would realistically want? The answer for me is basically nothing - a $1,000 TV, which is attached to the wall, maybe? The keys to my car (which is insured)? I have lots of expensive art, but nothing that your average thief is going to recognize as worth taking down off the wall and pawning. In light of that, I removed my security system and don't even lock the doors when I leave.

Also, get a dog. There are ongoing subscription costs but they come with a full suite of features in addition to security.
The concern for me would be that I happen to be at home during a break in or my teenagers are.
by Isabelle77
Thu Feb 29, 2024 9:59 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Neighbor Got Burglarized, How To Prevent
Replies: 74
Views: 8328

Re: Neighbor Got Burglarized, How To Prevent

Cameras are a good deterrent, we have the Blink ones from Amazon. And a dog often works as well.
by Isabelle77
Wed Feb 28, 2024 9:44 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Anyone consider retiring to Vancouver, Washington?
Replies: 79
Views: 21622

Re: Anyone consider retiring to Vancouver, Washington?

I guess I’ll just say that Portlands problems are not overblown or the result of a political bias. Perhaps someone who has never lived in another large city, especially not on the west coast would think so. Please read the local papers and come visit to make up your own minds.

I’ve lived in Brooklyn, Queens, Nashville, Toronto, outside of Boston, and outside of St Louis. None of them (even St Louis) have the kind of issues that Portland does.
by Isabelle77
Tue Feb 27, 2024 3:15 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Anyone consider retiring to Vancouver, Washington?
Replies: 79
Views: 21622

Re: Anyone consider retiring to Vancouver, Washington?

the_wiki wrote: Tue Feb 27, 2024 3:06 pm https://dor.wa.gov/taxes-rates/use-tax

Technically you would owe WA use tax on any purchases from out of state where sales tax was not levied at time of purchase. Oregon purchases are specifically listed as an example. Not sure if it is really enforced though. I wonder how many people report when they file?
No one. :D
by Isabelle77
Tue Feb 27, 2024 12:30 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Anyone consider retiring to Vancouver, Washington?
Replies: 79
Views: 21622

Re: Anyone consider retiring to Vancouver, Washington?

Felida is a nice area but it is part of Vancouver with only a few local places. Camas is a separate town with a downtown with restaurants and boutiques. It’s not particularly walkable unless you live right near town because the area is very hilly. Camas is generally more expensive.

I don’t know enough about Kaiser to comment, sorry.
by Isabelle77
Tue Feb 27, 2024 11:19 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Anyone consider retiring to Vancouver, Washington?
Replies: 79
Views: 21622

Re: Anyone consider retiring to Vancouver, Washington?

I live in Camas, just outside of Vancouver. I'm kind of surprised I didn't comment on this thread back in 2014. A lot has changed in the last ten years. It will be hard to write this without being political but I'll try :) In many ways, Vancouver is a much better destination than it was ten years ago. The waterfront development and downtown area are completely transformed with ten times the restaurants and bars. When we moved here in 2008, downtown Vancouver was sketchy and filled with pawn shops. But as business across the river has become dicier, business in Vancouver has picked up. If your friend is looking for somewhere to hike, bike, and be in nature, this area is one of the best in the country. I hike almost daily, and if you can get...
by Isabelle77
Tue Feb 27, 2024 9:36 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Anyone consider retiring to Vancouver, Washington?
Replies: 79
Views: 21622

Re: Anyone consider retiring to Vancouver, Washington?

I live in Camas, just outside of Vancouver. I'm kind of surprised I didn't comment on this thread back in 2014. A lot has changed in the last ten years. It will be hard to write this without being political but I'll try :) In many ways, Vancouver is a much better destination than it was ten years ago. The waterfront development and downtown area are completely transformed with ten times the restaurants and bars. When we moved here in 2008, downtown Vancouver was sketchy and filled with pawn shops. But as business across the river has become dicier, business in Vancouver has picked up. If your friend is looking for somewhere to hike, bike, and be in nature, this area is one of the best in the country. I hike almost daily, and if you can get ...
by Isabelle77
Fri Feb 23, 2024 3:28 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Handling Inheritance In A Marriage
Replies: 49
Views: 5495

Re: Handling Inheritance In A Marriage

26 year stable marriage...always co-mingled in the past...one child 24...just put the inheritances in you joint account. Terrible advice IMO even for stable long marriages. You should NOT pool the funds nor have each other be sole beneficiaries. If you want to ensure the money goes to your daughter then you'll want to set up an appropriate estate plan. You die, your wife remarries, daughter doesn't get along with new guy, wife dies without an estate plan, new husband leaves everything to his kids. I agree. We’re in Washington and I will eventually inherit a large amount. We’ve been married 22 years, commingled everything but we’ll keep my parents trust separate except for anything we decide to spend from it. The second marriage scenario is...
by Isabelle77
Wed Feb 21, 2024 11:54 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: House purchase questions
Replies: 22
Views: 2454

Re: House purchase questions

Yes, it's very reasonable to spend 570K on a home at your income level. That said I would not put more than 20% down right now. Children come with costs and risks and it would be nice to have a little extra in savings in case someone needs to be home for a while, or if there are medical costs, etc. Add more to the house later when everyone is healthy and you're absolutely sure this is the house for the foreseeable future.
by Isabelle77
Tue Feb 13, 2024 7:29 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Which Boston suburb to settle?
Replies: 198
Views: 18117

Re: Which Boston suburb to settle?

Old Guy wrote: Tue Feb 13, 2024 11:29 am My wife grew up in Holliston, which was very small and semi-rural. Her family were among the original settlers of Framingham. We visited Holliston a few years ago, and the downtown looked to be almost the same as the 1970s. In those days it was as working-class WASP as you could get. Marie is Mayflower Society at least four times and maybe six times. One grandfather commuted by train to work in a shoe factory in Boston. One of her grandmothers ran the fourth class post office at the rr station.

What’s it like now, and why hasn’t any mentioned it?
We looked at Holliston, there's a lot of new building happening there, a little more reasonable than many suburbs but I wouldn't call it working class. Good schools, but pretty remote.
by Isabelle77
Tue Feb 13, 2024 7:22 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Which Boston suburb to settle?
Replies: 198
Views: 18117

Re: Which Boston suburb to settle?

I'll go ahead and add our Boston metro experience since we're piling on :) We moved to Medfield in 2019 from the PNW. We moved back to the PNW a year later. Most of that was because my husband just hated his job. I believe there's a post from me somewhere trying to figure out how to get out of his relo payback. In any case, if you don't live currently in the Boston area here are my thoughts as a (mostly) west coaster. We thought the people were actually really nice. I like a little brashness and found the Boston area people very nice and ready to be our friends. My son had a medical emergency early in Covid days and my neighbor was an ER doc and ran over when she saw the ambulance. We found our neighborhood to be very kind and we sent our y...
by Isabelle77
Sat Feb 03, 2024 7:23 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Calculating a "true" SAT average admissions score
Replies: 67
Views: 5697

Re: Calculating a "true" SAT average admissions score

Highly recommend you take a trip over to College Confidential. The lunatics, I mean enthusiasts, over there have analyzed all of this to death.

I joke, sort of, but it’s a helpful forum!
by Isabelle77
Fri Feb 02, 2024 1:49 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Suggestions on where to move?
Replies: 135
Views: 10689

Re: Suggestions on where to move?

Why has no one suggested New England? Both summers and winters should be milder than in the Midwest. Watching the cold-snap a couple of weeks ago, it was amusing how it was warmer in New Hampshire than in central Texas... in mid-January. Summers meanwhile should be much more tolerable than in most of the country, with the exception of the immediate vicinity of the Pacific Coast. Hurricanes should be a rarity that far north... as would other extreme weather events (such as tornadoes - a big deal in the Heartland). The "local" airport would be Boston, as would the anchor for culture, entertainment and so on. Thanks, summers in NE are beautiful. We spent a year living outside of Boston and New England just isn't for us. Thanks again...
by Isabelle77
Thu Feb 01, 2024 1:37 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Suggestions on where to move?
Replies: 135
Views: 10689

Re: Suggestions on where to move?

Do you want to be in a suburban setting? Or a walkable small (or large) city? I'd recommend 3 or 4 locations. Charlotte, NC (Southeast side) or Atlanta (Midtown or Virginia Highlands) because both cities are major hubs for international flights (American and Delta respectively) Or, for a great small town feel: Greenville, SC or Chapel Hill, NC. I don't understand why you would consider remote locations in Georgia (north of Atlanta, or Athens) or rural locations in NC, SC. It sounds like you don't need to worry about the school system, etc. Why not live in town? Ditch the car most of the time. Walk, enjoy the parks, restaurants, etc. It lets you live a life of where you are getting a ton of low stress exercise without worrying about traffic...
by Isabelle77
Thu Feb 01, 2024 12:45 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Suggestions on where to move?
Replies: 135
Views: 10689

Re: Suggestions on where to move?

Wow, you guys are great, thank you. I'll try to address a few things :) Not looking for perfection, that would be my oceanside home in Monterey. Sadly, that's not going to happen. Appreciate the suggestions for Arizona, Utah, Colorado, staying in the PNW, love all those places but doesn't solve our problem with the time difference. Personally, I'd probably move to Boise or Bozeman but that only gives my husband one more hour. Minneapolis has many of the issues that Portland does, we're looking to leave those problems. Would love to move to Western Europe, it's a small possibility in the future but for now, husband's main team is on Chicago time. We need to be somewhat close to an airport that is one connection away from Chicago (ideally dir...
by Isabelle77
Wed Jan 31, 2024 8:55 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Echoes of Dot Com Bubble?
Replies: 230
Views: 23994

Re: Echoes of Dot Com Bubble?

Let me start by saying that I didn't live through the dot.com era as an investor (I was too young, and clueless about markets). So I never experienced the euphoria, the growing wall of worry, the painful downfall, etc. of that period. Today, I hear/read stories in which people say this 'feels' a lot like the dot.com era from 1998-2000. I'm in no position to assess the validity of that sentiment, however. So I come here to my financial peeps to get a reality check on this. In what ways is today's market (including investor sentiment, greed level, valuations, etc.) similar to and/or different from 1999? I think the reason people might be saying they're similar is only because money was pouring into internet companies which is not a substitut...
by Isabelle77
Wed Jan 31, 2024 6:46 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Suggestions on where to move?
Replies: 135
Views: 10689

Re: Suggestions on where to move?

rich126 wrote: Wed Jan 31, 2024 6:40 pm
Everyone has their preferred locations. Although sadly, to me, I read that 10% of the population have never lived outside of their original state. And the average person has only visited 12 states. I guess whatever makes you happy.
Believe it or not, it's that 11% of Americans have never traveled outside of their own state. It's too bad, I've lived in 8 states and 3 countries and have cherished that adventure. The downside of course is that our roots are shallow :)
by Isabelle77
Wed Jan 31, 2024 6:41 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Suggestions on where to move?
Replies: 135
Views: 10689

Re: Suggestions on where to move?

ZMonet wrote: Wed Jan 31, 2024 6:27 pm Agree with Winston-Salem, NC. For a smaller feel, but I think an up-and-coming city, I think it is smart to take a look at Staunton, Virginia. Off the beaten path, but beautiful mountains/parks all around you. The Blackfriars Playhouse, the Wharf District, and the numerous farmer's markets and wineries/breweries are definitely worth visiting.
We love Staunton and went to college nearby. My concern is the constant driving to Charlottesville for doctors, airport, etc. We have some friends that live there though so we're going to check it out.
by Isabelle77
Wed Jan 31, 2024 6:39 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Suggestions on where to move?
Replies: 135
Views: 10689

Re: Suggestions on where to move?

You seemed to have overlooked Winston-Salem NC. Home to Wake Forest U, Salem College, Winston-Salem State, and UNC School of the ( Performing ) Arts. Wake has a world class medical school and associated hospital. UNCSA has all the music, dance, drama performances you could want. There is a lively visual arts scene, lots of parks, it’s 2 hrs to the mountains and 4 or less to the beach. Moderate size city, moderate cost of living. Greensboro airport is 20 minutes away, Charlotte, a major hub, maybe 2hrs. Check it out. Thanks! We're actually taking our son to Winston-Salem this spring to look at Wake Forest. Honestly, it didn't occur to me that it was a nice town, I think I had some old notion that it was industrial with not much to it. Will ...
by Isabelle77
Wed Jan 31, 2024 6:34 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Suggestions on where to move?
Replies: 135
Views: 10689

Re: Suggestions on where to move?

coalcracker wrote: Wed Jan 31, 2024 5:41 pm Pittsburgh

Nothing is perfect based on your criteria but Pittsburgh is pretty close. Live in the city in a walkable neighborhood such as a squirrel Hill or Shadyside. Housing prices well within your range. Weather is nice for 9 months out of the year. Winters can be dreary but not terribly cold (and getting better). World class symphony and plays/opera/speakers/concerts. Sports if you like em. Many great restaurants. Crime is fine if you live in the right neighborhood.
I actually do like Pittsburgh! Thanks for the suggestion
by Isabelle77
Wed Jan 31, 2024 2:32 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Suggestions on where to move?
Replies: 135
Views: 10689

Re: Suggestions on where to move?

Jack FFR1846 wrote: Wed Jan 31, 2024 2:28 pm Santa Fe New Mexico
A good part of Albuquerque New Mexico
Blacksburg, VA
Show Low Arizona
Sedona Arizona
Would move to Santa Fe tomorrow :) But doesn't fit the time zone issues. Blacksburg didn't make our list because we thought the airport was too far.
by Isabelle77
Wed Jan 31, 2024 2:16 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Suggestions on where to move?
Replies: 135
Views: 10689

Re: Suggestions on where to move?

unix_joe wrote: Wed Jan 31, 2024 2:12 pm Boone, NC.
Chapel Hill, NC
Reston, VA (a little bit north of of your limit but very wallkable)
Like Boone but I think it's too far to an airport? Reston is lovely, we have a friend who lives there, but the DC area isn't really of interest. Chapel Hill though is a great suggestion, thanks!

Thanks everyone, I've got a great list to research more!
by Isabelle77
Wed Jan 31, 2024 2:08 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Suggestions on where to move?
Replies: 135
Views: 10689

Re: Suggestions on where to move?

Some general thoughts: I chuckled at "Cost of living wise, medium is fine, we'd like to spend no more than 1mil on a house or 4-5K a month on a nice rental" followed by the list of places you're considering. The Pacific Northwest has definitely skewed your perspective - housing is way less expensive in the Southeast. For frame of reference, I live in an updated 5500 Sq ft house in a very nice neighborhood and one of the top school districts in metro Atlanta, and my house would sell in the $1-1.1M range right now. Most place you listed would be less expensive than Atlanta. Speaking of Atlanta, before you rule it out because of the sprawl, you might want to take a look at some of the outer northern suburbs, like Woodstock and Suwan...
by Isabelle77
Wed Jan 31, 2024 2:04 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Suggestions on where to move?
Replies: 135
Views: 10689

Re: Suggestions on where to move?

Chuck wrote: Wed Jan 31, 2024 1:40 pm From your list, I'd pick Greenville.
I'm kind of surprised no one else has yet. Greenville and Charlottesville are near the top of our current list.
by Isabelle77
Wed Jan 31, 2024 1:36 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Suggestions on where to move?
Replies: 135
Views: 10689

Re: Suggestions on where to move?

somedays wrote: Wed Jan 31, 2024 1:34 pm How about Midlothian or Williamsburg, Virginia?
We are looking at the Richmond area. We started out thinking about Williamsburg but more research made it feel like it's really a place for retirees and golfers, although William and Mary is a plus.
by Isabelle77
Wed Jan 31, 2024 1:34 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Suggestions on where to move?
Replies: 135
Views: 10689

Re: Suggestions on where to move?

We would like to avoid towns with large homeless populations, lax drug laws, or lots of crime. Is that why you are moving from Camas? (I’ve read your earlier posts when I was researching my move to Vancouver). I’m new to Vancouver as of last year, moved from Portland for that reason. We have no homeless near our house although downtown Vancouver still has a problem with it. Looks like Virginia’s and Georgia’s income tax (~5%) isn’t as bad as Oregon. Since this is bogleheads focusing on finances giving up that 0% Washington state tax rate with 10 years of presumably high income years to go is somewhat costly. No, we like Camas overall, we've mostly raised our kids here, it's a beautiful place to live. We're bummed about the situation in Por...
by Isabelle77
Wed Jan 31, 2024 1:26 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Suggestions on where to move?
Replies: 135
Views: 10689

Re: Suggestions on where to move?

Places we've ruled out: Charleston, SC Nashville, TN Asheville, NC Atlanta, GA Houston and Austin, TX Florida Really anywhere too close to the ocean, I'm not interested in hurricanes after watching my parents evacuate many times. And yes, I realize that Richmond isn't hurricane proof. Ok, sorry for the novel, thoughts appreciated! Might help to briefly list why you ruled out these cities. I understand the hurricane reason for Charleston and Florida, but that doesn't really apply to the others. (Edit: Well, maybe Houston) I use to live out in Bristol, VA and loved the area. We used to visit Asheville all the time to go mountain biking. The weather is a lot more moderate, the mountains and outdoor activities are awesome and the cost of livin...
by Isabelle77
Wed Jan 31, 2024 1:22 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Suggestions on where to move?
Replies: 135
Views: 10689

Re: Suggestions on where to move?

Places we've ruled out: Charleston, SC Nashville, TN Asheville, NC Atlanta, GA Houston and Austin, TX Florida Really anywhere too close to the ocean, I'm not interested in hurricanes after watching my parents evacuate many times. And yes, I realize that Richmond isn't hurricane proof. Ok, sorry for the novel, thoughts appreciated! Might help to briefly list why you ruled out these cities. I understand the hurricane reason for Charleston and Florida, but that doesn't really apply to the others. Sure. Love Charleston (my parents live there) but hurricanes, in addition to hurricanes the oppressive heat without seasons in Florida, same with Houston. We lived in Nashville for five years about 20yrs ago and I don't like the weather (steaming hot...
by Isabelle77
Wed Jan 31, 2024 1:17 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Suggestions on where to move?
Replies: 135
Views: 10689

Re: Suggestions on where to move?

Sax32 wrote: Wed Jan 31, 2024 1:16 pm
Gecko10x wrote: Wed Jan 31, 2024 11:41 am If you don't want hot & humid summers, you could go further north.
Maybe a medium to large city in Wisconsin or Michigan?
Ithaca, NY is nice but might not be big enough for you... maybe Syracuse, although I've not been there.
Lexington, KY seemed nice the short times I was there.
I'm from Minnesota and Wisconsin and Michigan are extremely cold in the winter. I myself cannot wait to get a secondary home in either Texas, Florida or Arizona when I'm ready. I hate winters and need an escape. The Spring, Summer and Fall are nice.
Yes, we considered the Grand Rapids area for a minute but it's too cold.
by Isabelle77
Wed Jan 31, 2024 1:05 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Suggestions on where to move?
Replies: 135
Views: 10689

Re: Suggestions on where to move?

to the OP flagged for this reply. :) Given that husband's team is in Chicago (even though he's remote), have you thought about Chicago-land or maybe even Milwaukee? Would proximity to his team, even if only for sporadic in-office time, be helpful? Cold, yes. But Chicago is a great city. Big city amenities, reasonable real estate prices, and various suburban options let you avoid some of the downsides of the city. If the City of Chicago is too intimidating (it's Big. With lots of neighborhoods and literally 3million people) I'd suggest Naperville or one of it's collar suburbs. It too is Big but with less population. It doesn't have the "Little Fort on the Prairie"* feel that some of the other 'Burbs have. Parts of it are walkable....
by Isabelle77
Wed Jan 31, 2024 12:44 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Suggestions on where to move?
Replies: 135
Views: 10689

Re: Suggestions on where to move?

tainted-meat wrote: Wed Jan 31, 2024 12:27 pm I see you've input several college towns as options. Bloomington, IN is a great spot.

Might I suggest, Louisville, KY. The culinary scene is impressive, bourbon is here and if you like the outdoors, the primary park system was designed by Frederick Law Olmstead (who also designed Central Park).

Coming from the PNW, it's very affordable.

It's less than a 5 hour drive to Chicago.
Thanks! These Kentucky recommendations are interesting, I'll need to do more research. I have not yet been to Bloomington but my husband likes it.
by Isabelle77
Wed Jan 31, 2024 12:42 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Suggestions on where to move?
Replies: 135
Views: 10689

Re: Suggestions on where to move?

Places we've ruled out: Charleston, SC Nashville, TN Asheville, NC Atlanta, GA Houston and Austin, TX Florida Really anywhere too close to the ocean, I'm not interested in hurricanes after watching my parents evacuate many times. And yes, I realize that Richmond isn't hurricane proof. Ok, sorry for the novel, thoughts appreciated! Might help to briefly list why you ruled out these cities. I understand the hurricane reason for Charleston and Florida, but that doesn't really apply to the others. Sure. Love Charleston (my parents live there) but hurricanes, in addition to hurricanes the oppressive heat without seasons in Florida, same with Houston. We lived in Nashville for five years about 20yrs ago and I don't like the weather (steaming hot...
by Isabelle77
Wed Jan 31, 2024 12:37 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Suggestions on where to move?
Replies: 135
Views: 10689

Re: Suggestions on where to move?

jungle1074 wrote: Wed Jan 31, 2024 12:23 pm Have you considered Carmel, IN (north suburbs of indianapolis)? Weather is moderate (we came from Michigan and the weather in Carmel gave us about 3 more nice weeks on each side of summer), huge trail system, low taxes, lots of ameneties. It has frequently been mentioned on lists of best places to live.

Can't speak to the southern cities, but we also lived in Columbus for a few years and really liked it there as well.
Carmel comes up a lot. I guess I think of it as a place for families with kids? Maybe I'm wrong. My husband has traveled there for work and really liked it.
by Isabelle77
Wed Jan 31, 2024 12:35 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Suggestions on where to move?
Replies: 135
Views: 10689

Re: Suggestions on where to move?

There is an outlier on your current list: San Antonio. It is larger than any of the others, it is growing much faster, it is hotter!, and it is one time zone west. While I think of your current list Charlottesville, VA, is probably the most appealing overall in terms of the factors you mention, I would give San Antonio a fair chance for one big reason: friends. Between the general friendliness of people in Texas (substantially different from the Southeast) and the sheer number of people moving into (and to some extent out of) the city, there will be far more neighbors with available time and energy for new friendships in San Antonio than anywhere else on your list. My own view (which is idiosyncratic) is that by far the most important reas...
by Isabelle77
Wed Jan 31, 2024 12:03 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Suggestions on where to move?
Replies: 135
Views: 10689

Re: Suggestions on where to move?

Another one of these threads! Our situation is likely a little different, we'd love some thoughts. My husband is now fully remote with a team in Chicago and company headquarters in Western Europe. We're in the PNW and the time difference is rough. I'm an almost retired stay at home mom with one more kid left to launch, he graduates in 2025. I'll likely find something part time or a volunteer job (which I have now) wherever we wind up. We're 47 and my husband is at least 10 years from retirement. Is the issue the time difference between PNW and Western Europe or PNW and Chicago (2 hours)? It’s both really. 7am meetings in Chicago time aren’t so bad but 4am meetings with Amsterdam are. We’re aiming for Central or Eastern time. Just to be cle...
by Isabelle77
Wed Jan 31, 2024 11:40 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Suggestions on where to move?
Replies: 135
Views: 10689

Re: Suggestions on where to move?

psteinx wrote: Wed Jan 31, 2024 11:39 am Given that husband's team is in Chicago (even though he's remote), have you thought about Chicago-land or maybe even Milwaukee? Would proximity to his team, even if only for sporadic in-office time, be helpful?

Cold, yes. But Chicago is a great city. Big city amenities, reasonable real estate prices, and various suburban options let you avoid some of the downsides of the city.
Love to visit Chicago but the taxes and the weather make it a no.

ETA that proximity to his team isn't really an issue, none of them are in the office either, but the NA headquarters is in Chicago so that's the time zone that they use for meetings. He also has extensive meetings via Teams in Western Europe, which makes our Pacific Coast time horrible for him.
by Isabelle77
Wed Jan 31, 2024 11:34 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Suggestions on where to move?
Replies: 135
Views: 10689

Re: Suggestions on where to move?

Sax32 wrote: Wed Jan 31, 2024 11:25 am I"ve seen Arkansas as being on the top best retiree, young people and affordable places to live in the US. It has been rated one of the best outdoors states in the country with healthy people. The average age in Fayetteville is 28.6. Sales tax is low, income tax is 5.9, median home 299k ($143 sq foot), hills, good mountain biking, rivers, outdoor scenary. The cities aren't huge, but 93k population in Fayetteville is no slouch.
That's an interesting suggestion, thanks! One of my kids considered attending U of Arkansas and it does look like a nice town.
by Isabelle77
Wed Jan 31, 2024 11:10 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Suggestions on where to move?
Replies: 135
Views: 10689

Suggestions on where to move?

Another one of these threads! Our situation is likely a little different, we'd love some thoughts. My husband is now fully remote with a team in Chicago and company headquarters in Western Europe. We're in the PNW and the time difference is rough. I'm an almost retired stay at home mom with one more kid left to launch, he graduates in 2025. I'll likely find something part time or a volunteer job (which I have now) wherever we wind up. We're 47 and my husband is at least 10 years from retirement. We're mainly looking at the SE from about Athens, GA to around Richmond, VA. We haven't completely ruled out Texas or the midwest either so open to those suggestions too. We like outdoor opportunities (I walk 20+ miles a week outside), good grocery ...
by Isabelle77
Fri Jan 26, 2024 11:35 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Any reason to not superfund 529?
Replies: 47
Views: 4084

Re: Any reason to not superfund 529?

The benefit of the 529 is tax-free growth, so the earlier you can fund it, the more benefit you get out of it. Therefore I think it's a good idea to superfund if you can afford it, and to stop contributions as you approach your goal amount in the account. This was the main reason why a 529 was created because I thought everyone said to do this instead of taxable due to the tax free growth advantages vs taxable. I think the reason why my grandparents own the 529 is due for tax and/or estate tax reasons? I don't exactly know why, but I should ask them if they could transfer it to us? (the parents) I also thought that if the 529 is owned by grandparents, the funds in it isn't considered when applying for scholarships etc. A big change in gran...
by Isabelle77
Thu Jan 25, 2024 10:45 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Any reason to not superfund 529?
Replies: 47
Views: 4084

Re: Any reason to not superfund 529?

I would just let the grandparents contribute the 10K to the existing 70K every year. And then I would save separately outside of a 529 for your kids. You have no idea what will happen with college costs, where your kids will wind up, scholarships, etc. Your children may need help buying a house more than they will need excess college funding, keep your options open.
by Isabelle77
Tue Jan 23, 2024 7:26 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Kids of wealthy parents, do they work?
Replies: 69
Views: 4740

Re: Kids of wealthy parents, do they work?

My husband and I grew up "wealthy" I guess. We both worked in high school during the summers and during college year round. Our high school kid will work this summer, our 19yr old college student is a lifeguard and makes $20 an hour.
by Isabelle77
Sun Jan 07, 2024 11:12 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Finding cost effective mid-tier colleges (Computer Science)
Replies: 164
Views: 25544

Re: Finding cost effective mid-tier colleges (Computer Science)

A little off topic but I was at a NYE party last week and talked to a woman who said her twins had graduated from UW in CS last June (one of the hardest programs to get into in the country) and one twin had finally just found a job while the second was still looking. I think the CS job market is rough right now.
by Isabelle77
Sun Jan 07, 2024 6:27 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: make sense to have kid #3?
Replies: 77
Views: 19213

Re: make sense to have kid #3?

If both of your children are well-behaved and easy, then you definitely need a third :) My mom used to say that "God sends you one to tell you to stop".

In all seriousness though, you have plenty of money and could have three more children and be just fine.
by Isabelle77
Sun Jan 07, 2024 1:20 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Finding cost effective mid-tier colleges (Computer Science)
Replies: 164
Views: 25544

Re: Finding cost effective mid-tier colleges (Computer Science)

With a $40K budget and Calif. residence, these are the state schools I would look at (not saying there are not many other good choices): Stretch: UC-Berkeley, UCLA, UCSD Core: UC-Davis, UC Irvine, UC Santa Cruz, UC Santa Barbara, UC Riverside, U of Utah (WUE), Oregon State U (WUE). Backups: San Diego State U, San Jose State U, New Mexico Tech (WUE), U of New Mexico (WUE), Colorado State U (WUE), Washington State U-Pullman (WUE). Some of the Core options may be a stretch, but the Backup options have good programs as well. Oh my goodness. All the UC campuses (except Merced) are Stretch schools these days, even for the strongest and most accomplished students. So are San Diego State and San Jose State. Honors colleges at large universities (l...
by Isabelle77
Sun Jan 07, 2024 12:56 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Finding cost effective mid-tier colleges (Computer Science)
Replies: 164
Views: 25544

Re: Finding cost effective mid-tier colleges (Computer Science)

I rarely see Trinity mentioned but it has an excellent though small CS department. I'm biased because it's where I studied. It's one of the oldest CS departments in the country and focuses strongly on fundamentals. It also has a high drop out rate. My year had about 200 students in the intro CS courses and four years later only 12 of us graduated. I also think the combination of CS and liberal arts is very powerful. Expensive however, unless you get a ton of merit aid. Trinity U offers a ton of merit aid, which is one of the reasons I mentioned it. Trinity is a liberal arts college with an ABET-accredited engineering program. They don't have many breadth requirements, so students (even in STEM) can double major or have multiple minors if t...
by Isabelle77
Fri Dec 29, 2023 11:15 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: USAA Claims Reputation
Replies: 51
Views: 5452

Re: USAA Claims Reputation

I've made a claim through USAA for homeowners insurance, when we had a pipe burst in our laundry room. The experience was amazing, I took pictures and uploaded them online, and USAA direct deposited money into our account. I can't remember if they told us who to use for the repair or not but when the estimate came back more than the amount they had estimated, they just put the difference straight into my account within minutes of me sending them the estimate.
by Isabelle77
Tue Dec 12, 2023 11:39 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Private High School - worth it?
Replies: 164
Views: 27786

Re: Private High School - worth it?

All schools, both public and private, are unique as are the children attending them. We send our kids to Catholic school here in the PNW, but when we were in Massachusetts they attended public school. There are extreme differences between both "excellent" school systems.