Just bought a house..

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Ackmed

Diamond Member
Oct 1, 2003
8,478
524
126
Wow, really, no blinds? I got a couple of Lowes gift cards as housewarming presents when I bought my house and they're definitely useful. There are so many little things you don't expect or think about.

Congrats on the house. I wish I could buy again, but that would require job stability which I don't think I'll ever have.

Nope, apparently blinds are not included in a new house with this builder. I am sure that you can contract them in. House was partially built when we signed the contract, windows in but floors not done yet. They finished up in about 2 months after we signed, and honestly I just never thought to ask about blinds. Just figured they would be included. It is my first new house purchase. We got a quote for about 7k for them from the company that does them in the neighborhood, I decided to go to Home Depot and do a few windows at a time. Just put two more in today. Wife wanted cellular shades, not the traditional blinds that you rotate to close and pull the string to open. They cost more but are better as far as energy efficiency. We have 19 windows to taking a bit. Started with the most important first, and going from there. Luckily we're one of the first houses on our street. Lots on both sides and across is empty, just mud where they are going to build. Behind us has a fence so can't see unless we're on the second floor.

I agree, so many little things. It's bigger so we need a few more furniture items as well. Thanks! And congrats to the OP on the house purchase.
 
Nov 8, 2012
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~1800 sq ft. here.... 140k for a 3 bedroom 2-story. Paid about half of it off already with extra principle. As much as I hate my neighborhood and house overall, it can't be beat for building assets in my 20s. Thanks to the low property value I also don't pay much in property taxes. Hell, I haven't itemized since getting married.

One of these days I'll move to a city that doesn't suck though... one of these days...
 

Chaotic42

Lifer
Jun 15, 2001
33,929
1,098
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~1800 sq ft. here.... 140k for a 3 bedroom 2-story. Paid about half of it off already with extra principle. As much as I hate my neighborhood and house overall, it can't be beat for building assets in my 20s. Thanks to the low property value I also don't pay much in property taxes. Hell, I haven't itemized since getting married.

One of these days I'll move to a city that doesn't suck though... one of these days...

Where do you live?
 
Nov 8, 2012
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Where do you live?

Houston. It has a ridiculously good job market. Overall I hate the city. I hate the people. I hate the people in my neighborhood. I hate the traffic. But we just keep pumping out jobs and the cost of living is as low as it gets.
 

Chaotic42

Lifer
Jun 15, 2001
33,929
1,098
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Houston. It has a ridiculously good job market. Overall I hate the city. I hate the people. I hate the people in my neighborhood. I hate the traffic. But we just keep pumping out jobs and the cost of living is as low as it gets.

Heh, yeah, I've heard the same thing from a few folks down there. I don't really like living in Saint Louis, but houses here are really cheap as well. Right across the river in Illinois, houses are cheap, but insurance is absurd. I'm talking $4000-6000 on a standard $150k-200k house. It's nuts.

I'd like to try the mountain West. Unfortunately it seems like good jobs and good location (for me personally) refuse to go hand-in-hand.
 
Nov 8, 2012
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Heh, yeah, I've heard the same thing from a few folks down there. I don't really like living in Saint Louis, but houses here are really cheap as well. Right across the river in Illinois, houses are cheap, but insurance is absurd. I'm talking $4000-6000 on a standard $150k-200k house. It's nuts.

I'd like to try the mountain West. Unfortunately it seems like good jobs and good location (for me personally) refuse to go hand-in-hand.

We seriously want to move... but we just can't find the right opportunities. Though if I continue with my current job I'll at least have better leverage to start pushing back at employers instead of being desperate.

If i were to try to move to a north east/west coast state - they are hands down the most expensive states to live in. You would have to triple my pay for me to want to live out there with the increase in living costs. Plus cover the costs of moving.

It just seems more realistic for me to move anywhere else where the costs are low and the traffic is much more reasonable.
 

Chaotic42

Lifer
Jun 15, 2001
33,929
1,098
126
We seriously want to move... but we just can't find the right opportunities. Though if I continue with my current job I'll at least have better leverage to start pushing back at employers instead of being desperate.

If i were to try to move to a north east/west coast state - they are hands down the most expensive states to live in. You would have to triple my pay for me to want to live out there with the increase in living costs. Plus cover the costs of moving.

It just seems more realistic for me to move anywhere else where the costs are low and the traffic is much more reasonable.

Yeah, I've got zero desire to live somewhere crowded like Seattle, Silicon Valley, DC, or New York. Unfortunately those places are where the jobs are. I need interesting work or I get antsy.
 
Nov 8, 2012
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Yeah, I've got zero desire to live somewhere crowded like Seattle, Silicon Valley, DC, or New York. Unfortunately those places are where the jobs are. I need interesting work or I get antsy.

Eh, I can't decide if I'm going to continue with my current consulting-esque job. The one benefit is that they don't give a shit where I live as long as I'm willing to travel to the client. The problem is if you travel every week goodluck having a decent family life.
 

Chaotic42

Lifer
Jun 15, 2001
33,929
1,098
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Eh, I can't decide if I'm going to continue with my current consulting-esque job. The one benefit is that they don't give a shit where I live as long as I'm willing to travel to the client. The problem is if you travel every week goodluck having a decent family life.

I'm lucky in that I usually only travel once or twice per year. No family life to worry about, but I'd just like some stability. In the last four years I've had more than 100 coworkers laid off and we're on our third office. Fortunately my new manager seems to think I'll be easy to find steady work for, but all of that takes a toll.
 

evident

Lifer
Apr 5, 2005
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Congrats. Was just in some nice areas of OC a month ago. one of the places i would def move to if i could. Surprisingly (or not) the east coast has housing that can be just as expensive, and weather not nearly as nice.
 

z1ggy

Lifer
May 17, 2008
10,004
63
91
GJ now take out a huge insurance policy, burn it down, and buy an even better one!

Rinse and repeat until you've got a huge mansion!!! You're welcome.
 

CraKaJaX

Lifer
Dec 26, 2004
11,905
148
101
GJ now take out a huge insurance policy, burn it down, and buy an even better one!

Rinse and repeat until you've got a huge mansion!!! You're welcome.

I hear this dude has a house in CT somewhere that he'd like to collect on........... he seems quite bitter about it.
 

z1ggy

Lifer
May 17, 2008
10,004
63
91
I hear this dude has a house in CT somewhere that he'd like to collect on........... he seems quite bitter about it.
Ya ya I hear that, too. It would be super kewl if some arsonist decided to burn it down or whatever.
 

AznAnarchy99

Lifer
Dec 6, 2004
14,705
117
106
LOL @ the terrible TV placement.


I hate people who make people look up at the TV.

Got keys, mom doing her voodoo this morning. Will start moving in stuff Thursday and have internet guy coming that day too.

Spent the weekend buying appliances. So expensive

Got this guy from Costco.

http://www.costco.com/LG-25CuFt-3-D...tor-in-Stainless-Steel.product.100315993.html

Fry's has this set on sale for almost half the price at Home Depot. Trying to get them to match. They're supposed to with their "guarantee" but the chick said that since it's such a huge discount it has to go through their main store manager. They're gonna call me today. Otherwise I'll place my order with Frys but it might be a two week turnaround since they're out.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Samsung-...in-Platinum-ENERGY-STAR-WF42H5200AP/204837036

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Samsung-7-5-cu-ft-Gas-Dryer-with-Steam-in-Platinum-DV42H5200GP/204837048

After this gonna paint, which will be another thing cause we're not DIY inclined lol.

Also here are the listing pictures. I don't have any of my own yet but it'll give you an idea. Didn't want to put the listing up cause address but I guess someone inclined could figure it out anyways.

http://imgur.com/a/QRDR7
 

Chaotic42

Lifer
Jun 15, 2001
33,929
1,098
126
LOL. True. TV is a bit small for that area But seriously id be fine with that as id have my dedicated movie room downstairs somewhere.

It's also going to get horrible glare from the windows. I'm a fan of the media room concept - if you're going to watch TV, have a room designed around it.
 

jingramm

Senior member
Oct 25, 2009
779
2
76
What's the monthly rent on that like and which city in OC? My parents live there and plan to move back soon
 

AznAnarchy99

Lifer
Dec 6, 2004
14,705
117
106
What's the monthly rent on that like and which city in OC? My parents live there and plan to move back soon

My place is in Anaheim.

3 bed condo/townhome/single home you're looking at 2500-3200, depending on location and how nice it is. Low end is pretty crap IMO but it's possible to find a steal. My place is in a nice part of Anaheim near the Packing District.

For comparison, my friend just rented a 4 bedroom, 2500 sq ft house with a pool in the heart of Westminster, so not the greatest area unless you want to live in Little Saigon, for $3600 a month.

2 bed apartments that are nicer/modern are around 2200-2700.

Here are some example of decent-nice apartments.

https://www.irvinecompanyapartments.com/communities/the-enclave-at-south-coast/prices-and-floorplans

https://www.irvinecompanyapartments...livos-apartment-village/prices-and-floorplans

http://www.live3400.com/apartments/floorplan.do?lid=en_US&pid=1929

http://www.lyonliving.com/the-marke/availability.aspx
 

Red Squirrel

No Lifer
May 24, 2003
67,907
12,376
126
www.anyf.ca
LOL @ the terrible TV placement.


I have a similar dilemma with my living room, I actually hate my layout. East wall is window, north wall is fireplace, south wall is TV and about only place it can go, and west "wall" is open space (dining room). So that really limits where I can place the couch/TV. Right now my couch is perpendicular to TV which is not practical when I have friends over. I've been contemplating on getting rid of fire place so I can have a bare wall there, and then that's where I'd put the couch. On the other hand it would be nice to put a wood burning insert in it... decisions decisions.
 

Ackmed

Diamond Member
Oct 1, 2003
8,478
524
126
My place is in Anaheim.

3 bed condo/townhome/single home you're looking at 2500-3200, depending on location and how nice it is. Low end is pretty crap IMO but it's possible to find a steal. My place is in a nice part of Anaheim near the Packing District.

For comparison, my friend just rented a 4 bedroom, 2500 sq ft house with a pool in the heart of Westminster, so not the greatest area unless you want to live in Little Saigon, for $3600 a month.

2 bed apartments that are nicer/modern are around 2200-2700.

Here are some example of decent-nice apartments.

https://www.irvinecompanyapartments.com/communities/the-enclave-at-south-coast/prices-and-floorplans

https://www.irvinecompanyapartments...livos-apartment-village/prices-and-floorplans

http://www.live3400.com/apartments/floorplan.do?lid=en_US&pid=1929

http://www.lyonliving.com/the-marke/availability.aspx

I have the same washer and dryer from Samsung. If you know anyone with a military ID, Home Depot does 10% off, which on those would be a lot. Get the stands if possible, raises them up more. And make sure you set up the washer on the left, dryer on the right. So that the doors match up right. Last thing,, turn off the sounds if they annoy you. It's plays a fucking jingle for like a minute after they're done. So annoying.

As for that tv placement... I have one similar :/ Downstairs fireplace has an output and power connection there. So we have a tv up there, hardly ever watch it unless making dinner. Looking up does suck, but if you're reclined back it's not bad Our normal tv watching is done more traditionally.
 
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