[mphenterprises]

Kellie and Aurora - I thought about San Fran a long time ago before I proposed to my fiance. I heard a lot of very good things about it but I also heard that the cost of living is HUGE...even compared to the Northeast.

[AuroraDizon]

yea stuffs expensive where you live too lolI'm in middle-of-nowhere minnesota they are practically giving houses away

[xrayjames]

I'm in Canada, Toronto Ontario to be precise. Are there may Canadian members here?

[KellieCM]

Toronto is one of my favorite cities. I know there are at least a few other Canadians around. SF is the second most expensive city in the US in terms of rental rates, second only to NYC.(But it's worth it.)

[xrayjames]

When I was in Hawaii back in December, there was report saying that Honolulu was one of the most expensive American cities to live in.

[AuroraDizon]

I've seen a few floating around.... btw nice avatar :shock:

[xrayjames]

Thanks! 8)

[AuroraDizon]

have you seen www.ibelieveinharveydent.com and www.ibelieveinharveydenttoo.com/(highlight the 2nd one)

[xrayjames]

Too funny!

[techie4fun]

LoL, sounds like Honolulu to me.

[mjd420nova]

I spent three years living in a cabin 40 miles from Atikokan, Ontario. About ten miles from a small town called Kawen, native for "no where". Damn cold place, had electricity but not toilet or water. The cabin was on the shores of a lake called Eva Lake. We could put a canoe in the water there and paddle all the way to Ely, Minnesota if we wanted. I still need to spend two weeks a year in the wilderness to keep my sanity. I really enjoyed my time in Hawaii, was part of the state civil defence and got to see many places few natives get to see. The costs in most areas can be reduced by getting to know the local stores and grocers as they have two tiered prices, regular price and tourist prices. Spent many days riding the ferry from the pier to the Arizona Memorial (shore patrol) and really saw the cradle you could say. Left in 1974 and can't afford to go back yet. I talk to a good friend on Kauai on the radio daily and do miss the weather.

[yeokm1]

Hi everybody from around the world. I am from Singapore. Its a small 650 sq m country in South-East Asia. Also known as the little red dot. Crudely coined by another country's head of state. And also known for its very strict laws. Hence the name "fine" city. Wonder any of you here remember the incident of Michael Fay's vandalism crime.Nothing to say about where I have moved. SIngapore is too small for anyone to be "migrating" within the country.Costs of living here is also very high(in my perspective). And now with an impending Goods and Services Tax hike, inflation is sure to go up.

[SusanC]

Hello everyone - I hope you remember me. I was born in Amarillo, TX and when I was 5 years old, my Dad's working company was transferred to Massachusetts, so we drove up there. I grew up in Wellesley, MA and went to all the schools there. That's where I met my best friend and we still talk a lot. After that, I worked at Honeywell, Inc. and knew a lot of people, but at times, I felt like someone was watching me as I walked down the halls. Funny. . . he's my husband now and in December it will be our 38th anniversary. He just turned 62 in April and I'll be 61 in November - where did the time go?We finally bought a nice log home in Groton, NH (central NH) on the edge of a mountain and the views were unbelievable. We stayed there for 8 years and when my husband decided to retire from his job in Boston, we said we should live in a warmer state. So, here we are in Ellenton, FL and moved down here in November, 2000. We love it here on the west coast by the Gulf of Mexico. We go to the beach sometimes but don't sit there because of the intensive sun, but we go to a Cafe and eat there and usually someone is singing or doing music. We're in the hurricane season now but we bought a huge generator a couple years ago and haven't had to use it yet. If we do, it would light up our neighborhood! I'm a legal secretary and my husband works for a fire equipment company and shows, sells, and teaches about the thermal imaging camera for firefighters, which saves lives. Well, that's it for now. Thanks for inviting me :)

[SusanC]

I forgot to mention my favorite craft I do all the time when I'm not working. I make all my own greeting cards and you'll never see any like these at a Hallmark Store. At the law firm I just left, I sold a ton of Easter cards to them and they were all thrilled. I truly enjoy being creative and artistic on my cards and put time and effort into each one for the recipient.

[mphenterprises]

[quote name='mjd420nova']Damn cold place, had electricity but not toilet or water.Hi mjd420nova. See, that is how I know this world is full of many different types of people. I could never imagine living in an environment without the "luxuries" and "necessities" of life. I guess I was a bit spoiled when I was growing up (only child syndrome) :-)I have to admit, though, I would love to own a cabin or something with a view of the lake. I am a long way away from retirement and an even longer way away from affording a lake front cabin but that would be a great place to settle down and enjoy my "autumn" years.> {quote:title=yeokm1 wrote:}{quote}Wonder any of you here remember the incident of Michael Fay's vandalism crime.Hi yeokm1. Wasn't he the American tourist who tried to steal a woman's purse? Didn't he get caned 13 times? > {quote:title=yeokm1 wrote:}{quote}Singapore is too small for anyone to be "migrating" within the country.I have always wanted to travel aboard. Is there much for an American tourist to do in Singapore?> {quote:title=SusanC wrote:}{quote}I grew up in Wellesley, MA and went to all the schools there.Hi Susan. Is this where the all-girls school Wellesley College is located?> {quote:title=SusanC wrote:}{quote}...he's my husband now and in December it will be our 38th anniversary.I think that is great. I am sure you know of the stat that half of marriages end in divorce? What is your secret? I am about to take that step and would love some pointers. :-) Let me guess Rule # 1 - My wife is always right. LOL> {quote:title=SusanC wrote:}{quote}I truly enjoy being creative and artistic on my cards and put time and effort into each one for the recipient.That is EXACTLY how I feel about my business, especially when it comes to building custom computers. Each computer is tailor made for my client. I ask very specific questions and build a computer that is unique to him or her. Even the case is unique. Shoot, I sound like a small Dell....but with better customer service! :lol: 8)

[KellieCM]

My family has a cabin in Ontario,Canada, where I spent every summer of my childhood. It has an outhouse, water pumped (and filtered, but not heated or chilled) from the lake, and no electricity except for a generator at night. The cooktop and fridge run on propane, although we grill over an open fire most nights. (It was here, btw, that I learned how to fillet and clean a fresh fish.)That's about the only camping-like atmosphere that I can stand. I like the idea of camping very much, but in practice I am cold, uncomfortable, and just want to go home. I've tried it a few times, in tents... out in the open... in the car... just not what I would consider fun.

[rgreen4]

You guys talk about cold! The coldest I have ever been was in Norfolk, VA at NAS Norfolk waling from the parking lot to the hanger. Wearing blues and heavy wool bridge coat. The cold humid wind just cut right through you. I was warmer outside at 0 degrees F in western Virginia in the 90' than that. Course down here in So' Georgia, we don't get too much cold weather.

[spike]

removed

[AuroraDizon]

it doesn't get that cold here during the winters anymore :cry:

[SusanC]

Yes, indeed, that is where the all-girls school is at Wellesley College. Sad memories from that place - my oldest brother's best friend died at the stone entrance back in the 60's when he was thrown from a pick-up truck and he was in the back. Anyhow, on a happier note, I used to go to the swimming hole there with friends as we snuck in on hot summer nights. My sister also worked there.As far as staying married all these years? Well, I guess it's because we are best friends and a Scorpio (me) and Taurus (Bobby) are in line with a lot of things. I agree though, all our friends are divorced and I can only think of one (who lives in NJ) who is still married. Your Rule #1 isn't necessarily true - it takes two to tango and that has to be fully understood in marriage.I hear you about find peace and tranquility in a cabin on a mountain... there's nothing like that!No doubt, as I truly believe, you are better than a Dell representative, because they don't always give top quality service like you do :D