Miata Mailing List: February 1997, Message #52
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   From: (none)

Subject: Search for Matt's future location (was I gotta get M...)

   Date: (none)



Matt,

     Here's the best URL out there that I've found for comparing locations.

Take my word for it.  I'd go to the library every day at lunch and pore over

climactic reference works.  Here it is:

http://wxnet4.nbc4.com/usfcst.html



Here's another useful one, it compares cost of living in various metro

areas, tells you how much you have to make in one location when you give it

how much you make in another one.

http://www.homefair.com/homefair/cmr/salcalc.html

  

     And, don't make the "mistake" I made.  If you're from a largely

metropolitan area, have lived there your whole life, are used to it, etc.,

don't move to a remote area where you have to drive 90 minutes to feel like

you're in civilization.  I thought the weather, climate, meant just about

everything.  It doesn't.  True, it's VERY nice not to have to worry about

snow or ice, wind chill, hypothermia, etc., but it's not the be all and end

all of the argument.

For example (sorry for the length, but I want to get this right) I used to

like going to Jewell once or twice a week and picking up a 7 layer salad.  I

also loved to go out on the Fox River Trail, the Great Western Trail, Busse

Woods, etc. (all Chicago area bicycle paths) and just ride.  I also liked to

listen to National Public Radio, Car Talk, etc.

     Well, here in Sierra Vista/Hereford, AZ, forget completely any 7 layer

salads or Jewell stores.  Closest thing I've found is a 7 layer burrito.

Forget anything resembling a bike trail/path.  Got nice mountains for

mountain biking, but coming down those things almost makes me want to walk,

scarier than going up.  NPR has recently made an appearance, thanks to a

repeater, but the selection of programs isn't nearly as wide as what was on

91.5 FM in Chicago.  Oh, did I mention grass?  There isn't any.  Oh yeah,

you can grow it, but you have to have enriched soil dumped in, and a drip

irrigation system or go out and water it all the time, and water is scarce

here.  Then, if you're really lucky, you might even get dandelions.  Trees?

Hah.  Good thing we have mountains, it breaks up the monotony.

So, be careful what you wish for, you might get it.  The "little things"

mean more than you think.  Especially when you retire.  If you're working,

it probably won't be so bad, you'll have the work day to fill up that time.

Good luck.  Again, sorry for the length, but it touched a nerve, and if I

can help someone else...just my .02 worth.

Tom Reynolds

Hereford, AZ



At 11:12 PM 2/1/97 -0500, Matthew Anderson wrote:

>I gotta move out of here, thats all there is to it.  I would love to live in 

>Hawaii but don't think that will happen anytime soon, next choices would be 

>Colorado or Florida.  I have been to Colorado a few times now and it seems 

>quite nice and has some of the coolest roads I have ever seen, plus, 20 

>degrees F in CO is like  -20 F here in Chicago so I think I could tolerate it 

>more. 

>

>Anyone from CO that can tell me about how long your 'winter' lasts and what 

>the average temp is or anything?...I need motivation to move, but not for 

>another year or two:(

>

>Matt 96M Sebring

>

>----------

>From:  miata@list.miata.net on behalf of David Okamoto

>Sent:  Friday, January 31, 1997 4:57 PM

>To:  Multiple recipients of list

>Subject:  Re: Ahh, I gotta get my M out today!

>

>Matthew Anderson wrote:

>> 

>> Okay, it goes from butt cold (tm) to 51 degrees F here in the Chicago area 

>in

>> one day!...I just don't get it.  I almost brought my 96M to work today but

>> took the Taurus instead, dumb move, it is great outside.  I am going to get 

>it

>> at 4:00 as I can't take this anymore...its time for the top down driving I

>> have been craving...I just have a bad feeling about getting really wet from

>> other traffic, but thats a price I am willing to pay:)

>> Hope everyone else around here is using this weather wisely,

>> Matt 96M Sebring

>

>

>Well, I guess I'll just have to invite more hate mail...but here in

>Southern California, it's been top down weather for several

>days...somewhat unusual even for us.  It's been in the high 70's, low

>80's.  Wish the same for you.  My Miata seems somehow happier when

>topless.

>

>Dave

>-- 

>Dave Okamoto

>LSI Logic Corporation

>mailto:davo@lsil.com

>

>

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>

>

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