is this worth $400

[patrick_g]

donais, I had a building lot at San Diego Country Estates near Romona, CA. Owning a lot there lets you join the association and access the golf course. I can remember playing near evening twilight when lots of cotton tails came out on the course. My business partner (also member) would reach into his golf bag and pull out his trusty 22 iron and put a hole in one (or two or three) and take them home to eat.

Sold that years ago as my plans changed for building up there and moved to Point Loma instead (Worked at Lab out on the point.)

Funny, except for certain people, Dudley's is one of the few things I actually miss. We used to stop by when taking the scenic route to Anza Borrego or such.

I worked with a guy in my MARINE ELECTRONICS phase who had 2-3 acres near Romona, a horse RANCH ha ha ha ha. I find it amusing to note the expression on city dwellers faces when you explain the size of a "small" ranch/farm in terms they can grasp. A quarter section is 1/2 mile by 1/2 mile (160 acres, a typical rural "lot" size) or about 25-36 square city blocks (based on 10-12 blocks per mile.)

Pat

 

[EddieWalker]

When I lived in California, my lot was 50ft by 100ft. I sold it, quite my job and have 68 acres and a house with two ponds all paid for cash. The scary part was a steady paycheck, but after taxes and mortgage, I was taking home $22,000 a year. When I realized that, I knew I could maintain my same level of living with a $10 an hour job. As it turns out, I'm doing ALLOT better then that as a General Contractor.

My biggest mistake was waiting so long to move.

Eddie

 

[patrick_g]

Eddie, When I lived in CA the first house I bought was 800 sqft, the second was just under 1500 (plus a sun porch.) I traded (Starker trade, IRS) the 800 sqft 1 bath 1 bed in a mediocre neighborhood on a postage stamp (smaller than yours) for 160 acres with 8 ponds with a 35x70 steel bld plus twice than in a hay barn. The 1500 sqft (ca 1928) house was sold to pay for building current house which if you include all the contiguous roofed over space (includes porches, workshop, garage, etc) is more sqft than your CA lot was by a couple thousand sqft plus.

I know things are supposed to be worth what people will pay and that is how houses are valued but still I think the CA housing market is CRAZY. Not complaining mind you, I could never have the property and house I have now completely debt free without the appreciation gathered in CA housing market.

In theory, I'm retired but I'm working harder now than when I was employed, but enjoying it tremendously.

Eddie, It is clear that you made a great decision and are acting on it well. Not everyone has your analytical perception and the courage to do something about it if they do figure it out. When I took early retirement I had some of the feelings you had in making your move. I think it is a bit like jumping out of an airplane with something you strongly believe to be a parachute but aren't completely sure till you feel the opening shock and see the canopy!

Pat

 

[patrick_g]

Donais, Like I said, CRAZY. I can't actually imagine living in downtown San Diego. Point Loma was tough enough to handle. My wife and I typically commuted to work independently and averaged 3 miles one way to one or another destinations on the military reservations on the point.

Prices there were just ludicrous. We used to have the second dinkiest house in the neighborhood until the guy with the dinkiest put a 250K second story on his.

Pat

 

[EddieWalker]

One of the things that I was noticing about myself while I was still living in California was road rage. I had started to yell at other drivers and get upset about there driving. This had never bothered me until then. I had realized that I no longer was having fun, couldn't remember the last time I had laughed and only thought about getting away. Work was something I got up, did and then went home to go to sleep. I was living for my vacations and trips away from where I lived. It was very sad. Looking back, I question my sanity for living like that for as long as I did. I don't care if I make minimum wage, I wont go back to life where I'm struggleing to make a mortgage payment and miserable. Now I struggle to raise money for a project on the land or something I want. It's all about how long it will take to save that amount. In the meantime, I'm having fun, relaxing and enjoying life.

If anybody is thinking about moving away, it's much harder then you could ever imagine, but it's also what you make of it. I realize that I've been very lucky, but I've also worked harder, both physicaly and mentaly then ever before. It's part of what makes it so worthwhile!!!!

Eddie

 

[donais]

eddie, that is how my wife is she is a teacher and to muve out here she now has a 45 mile commute each way.. but the pay is better there. im lucky in that respect i have a take home truck and the clock starts when i get in it. 7- 530 if im driving or working. more traffic means some relaxing time for me, at least that is how i have convinced my little brain that it works.... the other hard part to leave is family both hers and mine live here the step to ramona is a starter to widen the distance... jon

 

[accordionman]

SIR,
also check the gearbox for any missing teeth.
you can do this by rotating the shaft, and you
should be able to feel if there is missing teeth.
how do i know this, well i bought one, and the
pto shaft was "back in the barn", so i did not
check it. there is about two missing teeth.
i ran it until the seals went out, then i replaced
the bearings, and seals, and packed it with grease.
and as a friend said," run it until it blows up" well
it hasn't yet, and i am giving it to my friend with the
MF 165, so maybe he can run it until it blows up.
accordionman
wlbrown
wright city, mo.

 

[donais]

thanks i forgot we were talking about the mower.... i passed on it but enjoying the wish i lived in another state topic... heard on the news today 16,000 houses were forclosed on this year,,,month ,,, i think in san diego ouch,....

 

[Nuru]

thanks i forgot we were talking about the mower.... i passed on it but enjoying the wish i lived in another state topic... heard on the news today 16,000 houses were forclosed on this year,,,month ,,, i think in san diego ouch,....

same thing happened, i heard in Texas.