Bear Down Wildcats

Our 1600 sq ft 1st home (3 bedroom house in Poets Square - which we now rent out)

We bought it in 2002 for $132,000
Zillow currently has it at $244,000

The house I bought in October for 244k at Ina and Thornydale was worth 115k 10 years ago.

I think the housing market, in many places including Tucson, is going to blow through the roof post-covid.

I've got some rentals that I may try to sell in about a year from now, use the money to buy empty lots in a cheaper area, and build on them.

If I was still working I would have so done this.

Carcassdragger wrote: Fri Feb 05, 2021 1:35 pm use the money to buy empty lots in a cheaper area, and build on them.

Of course we don't know what's going to happen a year from now, but now it's really hard to get contractors, just like the last housing boom. But then it all crashed, and then they started returning your calls.

84Cat wrote: Wed Feb 03, 2021 5:48 pm

scumdevils86 wrote: Wed Feb 03, 2021 5:41 pm That house you're describing in Tucson would probably be 400-500k now. Do condos in boise go for over 600k?

We are getting ready to sell our house in Tucson and the comps are coming back at 500-550k. Boise townhouse in 650k. RE prices in Boise are going up 15-17% per year

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/12/busi ... ticleShare

But there is another factor at play: Californians, fleeing high home prices, are moving to Idaho in droves. For the past several years, Idaho has been one of the fastest-growing states, with the largest share of new residents coming from California. This fact can be illustrated with census data, moving vans — or resentment.

Home prices rose 20 percent in 2020, according to Zillow, and in Boise, “Go Back to California” graffiti has been sprayed along the highways. The last election cycle was a referendum on growth and housing, and included a fringe mayoral candidate who campaigned on a promise to keep Californians out. The dichotomy between growth and its discontents has fused the city’s politics and collective consciousness with a question that city leaders around the country were asking even before the pandemic and remote work trends accelerated relocation: Is it possible to import California’s growth without also importing its housing problems?

“I can’t point to a city that has done it right,” said Lauren McLean, Boise’s Democratic mayor.

That’s because as bad as California’s affordable housing problem is, it isn’t really a California problem. It is a national one. From rising homelessness to anti-development sentiment to frustration among middle-class workers who’ve been locked out of the housing market, the same set of housing issues has bubbled up in cities across the country. They’ve already visited Boise, Nashville, Denver and Austin, Texas, and many other high-growth cities. And they will become even more widespread as remote workers move around.

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According to a recent study by Redfin, the national real estate brokerage, the budget for out-of-town home buyers moving to Boise is 50 percent higher than locals’ — $738,000 versus $494,000. In Nashville, out-of-towners also have a budget that is 50 percent higher than locals. In Austin it’s 32 percent, Denver 26 percent and Phoenix 23 percent.

I cannot catch a fucking break on the job hunt. Not a fucking one.

Chicat wrote: Wed Apr 14, 2021 10:29 am I cannot catch a fucking break on the job hunt. Not a fucking one.

Same. In the past month I've applied for 4 positions that I am extremely qualified for, and in 2 cases, already have a good relationship with admin/board. Not even an interview...I'm thankful my wife has a decent job right now and we have a savings we can tap, but this cannot continue forever.

UAdevil wrote: Wed Apr 14, 2021 12:10 pm

Chicat wrote: Wed Apr 14, 2021 10:29 am I cannot catch a fucking break on the job hunt. Not a fucking one.

Same. In the past month I've applied for 4 positions that I am extremely qualified for, and in 2 cases, already have a good relationship with admin/board. Not even an interview...I'm thankful my wife has a decent job right now and we have a savings we can tap, but this cannot continue forever.

It's like we're living the same life. My wife is a rock star. We haven't had to tap our savings yet, but as you said, this cannot continue forever.

I'm coming up on one year out of work, and I'm hoping that because I was laid off due to the pandemic that won't be a mark against me. It used to be that if you couldn't find a new job within a year it was because you were an untouchable. I have to think though with millions still out of work that employers understand that we went through some serious shit the past year.

Yep. May 22 is my one year unemployment anniversary. Come June I may have to start doing like Door Dash or UberEats to make at least a little scratch, enough to pay my ACA insurance premiums anyway. While my folks are approaching 80, a lot of time is (hopefully) left before I inherit my retirement, functionally anyway. Nothing like FU $ or anything, but enough for us to move out of the country and live comfortably for the next 30+ years. But until then, I need a gig. Lol.

I’m tempted to neg rep both of your posts!

I’m in the same boat...but my work is slowly coming back. By fall I should be back to “normal”

We all seem to be extremely fortunate to have all married rockstar wives though. I don’t know what I’d do without my wife

There are more jobs available now than before the pandemic so don't give up hope. You guys will get jobs hopefully sooner than later

Thanks to the caring of the Health Information Management (HIM) department at Phoenix College I will be able to interview for real jobs in a couple of weeks. One is for a position at the most prestigious health care organization in the US, who happens to have a hospital and administrative facility Phoenix/Scottsdale. The other healthcare organization also has facilities in Tucson, and is associated with the University of Arizona. I have to create resumes and cover letters for both and will be graded on them. But more importantly I could get second interviews if I do well.

I always wanted to get to the interview process and I will be off to a good start. In one of my classes part of our grade was based on Cover letters, resumes, and interviews. My biggest concern is it is happening in under two weeks. I can't focus on this totally because I have other classes with time intensive assignments.

I can't emphasize enough how much I love Phoenix College. I attended Pima College too and that is okay. But the Allied Health Care HIM department at Phoenix College prepares students for a job, and help with finding employment. I already know many employees in the profession.

When this is over I will have two credentials as a Certified Coding Specialist (CCS) and a Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT). There is opportunity to advance. I would have to continue school for a Master's Degree. I think that might be out of the question because of my age (61). But if the organization will pay for it I will continue school. I don't plan on retiring any time soon. I won't even consider it until at least 70 years old. And keep in good health I will work longer, probably still be a PRN when I stop working.

The thing is I can't stop learning. Even when I retire I will find something to learn and occupy my time. I will never sit back and allow my life to fade. Right now I want to move to Vermont and learn to ski. It is so challenging and I was an athlete when I was young. I will ski until I can't or break a bone.

If you want to learn how to ski, forget Vermont. It's nothing but ice. Learn in the west first, say Utah (the best) or Colorado, then go to
Vermont. It's beautiful, especially for experienced skiers. I speak from experience.

Catintheheat wrote: Thu Apr 22, 2021 2:01 pm I think that might be out of the question because of my age (61)

That's amazing at your age, well done. Learning French is hard at any age, along with going back to school and getting your certifications.

One of the reasons I retired at age 62 was that I was having a real hard time learning new technologies, could be due to lack of interest, or maybe too many years abusing my brain with alcohol and weed.

MrMeow wrote: Thu Apr 22, 2021 4:36 pm If you want to learn how to ski, forget Vermont. It's nothing but ice. Learn in the west first, say Utah (the best) or Colorado, then go to
Vermont. It's beautiful, especially for experienced skiers. I speak from experience.

Actually, lots of older folks snowboard. It’s way better on the knees, older skiers tear their ACL. Many skiers go to boards after having multiple knee repairs.

I’m a firm believer of learning to board on a big mountain. My kids learned a The Vill (JHMR) and were quickly doing 3k vert Gondy laps on double blues with their old man.

I would recco The Wolf, in southern CO as a good place to learn. They have good terrain and the most snow in CO. TRide is where I learned. It’s expensive AF.

Sunrise is cool, but it’s crowded with shit heads that can’t ride clogging up the slopes.

MrMeow wrote: Thu Apr 22, 2021 4:36 pm If you want to learn how to ski, forget Vermont. It's nothing but ice. Learn in the west first, say Utah (the best) or Colorado, then go to
Vermont. It's beautiful, especially for experienced skiers. I speak from experience.

I'd have to agree. I'm 63 and grew up skiing in Montana on snow that wasn't anywhere near as good as Utah/Colorado, and having done so I wouldn't advocate anyone in their 60s start skiing in less than optimal conditions. I've never ridden a board so maybe that changes everything. Anyway, I'm jealous of Catintheheat for the badassery of taking up skiing at that age!

Vermont gets an average of 8 feet of snow a year so I can’t see where it is ice. Also, I have heard that Utah isn’t great, especially Park City.

The humidity in the air turns fresh powder that’s been skied over into ice pretty quickly in the northeast. If you can get in some runs right after a big snow or during one, you’re good to go. By that weekend though it will be pretty icy.

I grew up skiing in New York and New Hampshire. If you can ski the Northeast you can ski anywhere.

Chicat wrote: Fri Apr 23, 2021 9:56 am The humidity in the air turns fresh powder that’s been skied over into ice pretty quickly in the northeast. If you can get in some runs right after a big snow or during one, you’re good to go. By that weekend though it will be pretty icy.

I grew up skiing in New York and New Hampshire. If you can ski the Northeast you can ski anywhere.

This because it teaches you how to truly carve out turns. But not a lot of fun when you are at the top of the mountain and the temp is reading sub-zero.

Give me spring skiing in Sun Valley any day of the week.

Loved skiing in Colorado the best. Only because I grew up in MI, and didn't even know that there could be snow on the ground while the sun is out. Rarely saw that in MI, or NY. Lots of snow bunnies in CO skiing with with bikini tops. When the sun is out, it just seems warmer.

And less humidity in CO, like Chi noted about the NE.

EastCoastCat wrote: Fri Apr 23, 2021 10:21 am

Chicat wrote: Fri Apr 23, 2021 9:56 am The humidity in the air turns fresh powder that’s been skied over into ice pretty quickly in the northeast. If you can get in some runs right after a big snow or during one, you’re good to go. By that weekend though it will be pretty icy.

I grew up skiing in New York and New Hampshire. If you can ski the Northeast you can ski anywhere.

This because it teaches you how to truly carve out turns. But not a lot of fun when you are at the top of the mountain and the temp is reading sub-zero.

Give me spring skiing in Sun Valley any day of the week.

We went cross country skiing in Sun Valley 2 weeks ago and it was so nice. People were skiing in shorts and a light jacket. I wish we could have stayed a little longer

I have a big problem with Idaho. I doubt I would be welcome there at all, no matter how beautiful the state.

Sadly, that is probably true cith. The politics in this state are horrendous

I thought it might have changed with the Californians moving there, but even looking at urban Boise the county went for Trump over Biden, and Hillary.

This defeats part of the purpose of moving to Vermont. There are still a lot to do there, but winter now becomes much less desirable. My plan B is moving to Wisconsin, especially Madison. That is getting closer to where I was raised. At one time I really wanted to live in Flagstaff, but it is growing too, and is expensive, plus there is only so much one can do there. I am still open to ideas. Wait until I get a HIM job first.

Alright, I feel like I'm tempting fate by writing this, but fuck it.

Had a really great interview with the Head of Talent at an agency that just picked up media planning and buying for a very large beer company. They need to staff up quickly, and good news for me is that I already know a bunch of the major players at this agency, including the CEO, managing director, and the guy who started their Chicago office is a pretty good friend of mine going back almost ten years.

Had what I thought was a good interview with the hiring team on Monday and this morning just went through a practicum test where I had to show off my skills using Microsoft Office, speed, accuracy, and my ability to put together and pitch a plan. The whole thing was supposed to take an hour but I finished up in half that time and the person giving me the test told me I was the fastest out of all the candidates they've gotten to this point with. She said that's huge because they will be planning hundreds of markets and they need people who can work really fast.

According to the person I was with today, they will be making a decision by the end of this week or beginning of next week. I really really hope I get this one. It will take me out of Media Sales which is what I've wanted for quite a while. Instead I'd be the one making decisions on where and in which markets certain campaigns happen which is much more what I'm interested in. Pretty big pay cut from sales, but I don't care. I'd rather be interested in my work. Plus the last year has proven my family can actually thrive even if I'm not pulling in massive paychecks. My kids will have a happy dad and my wife will have a happy husband and you can't put a dollar figure on that.

All my positive thoughts are with you Chi.

Sounds awesome!!!!

Hoping for the best Chi.

Does this mean you'll be bringing the beer for the next BDW tailgate?

You got this Chi!

Awesome stuff, I hope it pans out. And there is nothing as valuable as having that balance to be happier at home with your family for sure. I would likely turn down some higher paying jobs if it meant I was traveling or working even longer hours at this point in my life.

Sending positive thoughts your way Chi. Sounds like a more strategic position which is always more fulfilling imo.

Best of luck and of course we will do our best to make sure the UA President & AD don't get involved.

Fingers crossed Chi!!!

I'm starting a new gig tomorrow. Just a fun bridge job while I'm looking. Also, like you we discovered we could endure a single income, so if I just find something that contributes SOME and makes me happy and not bringing work BS and stress home, we're good. Plus we'll get some retirable family money down the line. At that point we're seriously considering retiring early to Malta, Spain, or Italy.

UAdevil wrote: Wed May 26, 2021 1:31 pm Fingers crossed Chi!!!

I'm starting a new gig tomorrow. Just a fun bridge job while I'm looking. Also, like you we discovered we could endure a single income, so if I just find something that contributes SOME and makes me happy and not bringing work BS and stress home, we're good. Plus we'll get some retirable family money down the line. At that point we're seriously considering retiring early to Malta, Spain, or Italy.

I’m strongly considering banking 75-100% of what I make in any new job I get and seeing if we can put a serious dent in our college bill for the kids and our retirement fund.

Sounds fantastic, Chi. Really, all around.

And UAdevil, it sounds like you're right on track! With your crimefighting acumen, go Sicily and put the Mafia on notice.

Chi, I'm sure good news is coming for you, you certainly deserve it, keeping fingers crossed

UAdevil wrote: Wed May 26, 2021 1:31 pm Fingers crossed Chi!!!

I'm starting a new gig tomorrow. Just a fun bridge job while I'm looking. Also, like you we discovered we could endure a single income, so if I just find something that contributes SOME and makes me happy and not bringing work BS and stress home, we're good. Plus we'll get some retirable family money down the line. At that point we're seriously considering retiring early to Malta, Spain, or Italy.

awesome news! glad to hear it.

No word yet.

I bet I fucking jinxed it...

Chi - want us to send a fax like Marie did?

Chicat wrote: Fri May 28, 2021 12:30 pm No word yet.

I bet I fucking jinxed it...

Just show up for work on Tuesday and tell the secretary you are a new hire and it's your first day. Hopefully your new boss is on vacation.

It'll work if you're Penske material.

No jinx! I got the fucking job!!!

Thank Jeebus.... I couldn’t take being out of work for one more goddamn week.

Chicat wrote: Wed Jun 02, 2021 3:13 pm No jinx! I got the fucking job!!!

Thank Jeebus.... I couldn’t take being out of work for one more goddamn week.

OUT FUCKING STANDING!!!! Now implement your plan!

Chicat wrote: Wed Jun 02, 2021 3:13 pm No jinx! I got the fucking job!!!

Thank Jeebus.... I couldn’t take being out of work for one more goddamn week.

this is fantastic

Woo hoo! Congrats Chi

Congratulations Chi! Now get off your ass and get to work

i think a celebration at Gibson's is in order...i'll start the summer chicago cameo ASAP

dovecanyoncat wrote: Wed Jun 02, 2021 3:17 pm

Chicat wrote: Wed Jun 02, 2021 3:13 pm No jinx! I got the fucking job!!!

Thank Jeebus.... I couldn’t take being out of work for one more goddamn week.

OUT FUCKING STANDING!!!! Now implement your plan!

Remember Laddie, it's not the number of $ you put into the plan, it's the number of years the $ are in there. Work it! Work it! Work it!

97cats wrote: Wed Jun 02, 2021 3:22 pm i think a celebration at Gibson's is in order...i'll start the summer chicago cameo ASAP

Haha that would be amazing. This time my treat since I’m no longer a lazy bum.

This is great fucking news!

But it this effects your posting here....

I made sure the U of A President and AD did not get involved so taking a bit of credit here but having said that...
CONGRATS CHI!!!!