fenneran
Silver Member
Hey Neighbor! Your profile says your in WV. What area? Looks like we're going to get a little winter tonight. Much different than tha 75 degree Saturday last weekend!
-Frank
-Frank
The Simple Pleasures in Life
- Thread starter PhilNH5
- Start date
- Views: 3237
</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Don,
I am familiar with Westford. I think you would be surprised at the cost of houses there now. )</font>
I'm sure I would. I probably couldn't afford to live there, now. Back in 1968, wife and I were 28 years old, married 3 years, no kids, yet. We were looking for a house. One of my wife's college friend's father was an attorney. He called us and siad he had a client, a widow, who hadn't handled the death of her husband well and was cracking up. He needed to move her, fast, but she needed to sell her place.
It was a small, winterized summer cabin they had bought years before, then added on and moved there for retirement. It had 2 bedrooms, 1 bath, a fireplace in the living room, a small dining room and an even smaller kitchen - we could stand in the center and touch every appliance. It had a detached 2-car garage down near the road, but with only one single door - something about trying to beat the tax assessor at his game. The house was set back about 200' on 9 acres of ground.
We bought the whole thing for $19,000. We lived there for four happy years; both of our kids were born while we were there. After the kids came, my wife stayed home with them.
But, gosh, it was lonely for her. There were only two other houses on the street, none with little kids. The townspeople were a little chilly to outsiders. And then, the winter -- she said it took her an hour to dress the kids warm enough to go outside for 15 minutes, then they were cold enough they had to go back inside, where it took an hour to warm up, again.
I finally graduated from BU (I was 31, doing it the hard way) and wanted to find a new job. We were outgrowing the little cottage as the kids were growing. Her parents lived in Florida, we visited, and decided to move there. The cost of living was so much lower, the real estate taxes were about 15% of what we were paying, and the kids could play outside, all day, every day.
So, in April, 1972, we listed the property for sale. We listed for $28,900, and sold it in 24 hours for full price -- almost a 50% profit in just 4 years. The buyer was a speculator who rented the house out.
Two years later, in 1974, Wang moved in to Lowell. Chelmsford grew at first, then the folks found Westford. It always was a snob town, with 2 acre minimum zoning. The speculator sold off part of our land for a couple of building lots, and some Wang executive bought our house. There was something in the zoning that made it better for him to remodel instead of tearing down and starting over, so that's what he did - he remodeled that little cottage into a 2 story, Tudor style house -- what looked like a mansion, to me. We came back to visit friends in 1986 and drove past it to show our kids where they had been born, and couldn't find it, at first -- lots of new houses on the street. But, that silly garage with the door off to one side was still down near the road, so we were able to pick out the spot, completely amazed.
At a guess, I'd say it would have gone for $300K back then, and that was almost 20 years ago. Probably over a Million, now. Our former neighbors across the street were still living there, and they told us about the remodeling. I was tickled to think about the remnants of that little cottage still buried deep somewhere inside that house.
But, I have no regrets. I could hardly afford the taxes on it, even back then. I just wish I had had a crystal ball and could have foreseen that Wang was coming two years later - I would have made a bundle when I sold it. We thought about selling the house with 2 acres and keeping the other 7, but we knew we were never coming back, and we really couldn't afford to pay the taxes on vacant land. That's the only mistake I made. That 7 acres could probably finance my retirement all by itself.
As far as the heat in Florida's summer goes, it's not as bad as it seems. Visitors suffer from the humidity, but residents acclimate to it. We rarely even use our A/C - remember, my wife doesn't like it cold. We use lots of paddle fans to keep the air moving, and don't even notice it, and there's always the pool right outside the door. It never gets as hot here as it did on some days up North; I've never seen it over 100, and I've only rarely seen it over 95 -- the summer average is about 90. The mosquitoes are smaller. It only rains every afternoon for a month in May, and another in October, most years, and the rain is over in an hour or less. The area where we live now has never had a serious hurricane, and Okeechobee, where we're moving, hasn't had one since 1928.
Once you live here a while, you see there really are four distinct seasons, just not as radical as up North. It does get cold -- we even had 1/2" of snow in 1976 (it was all gone by 7 AM, and most folks never saw it -- I was up early, got the kids up, and we found enough snow to make one snowball, each).
We moved to a brand new city in Florida, where everyone was so new that no one was unfriendly. I've done reasonably well by the growth. The kids grew up great. No skiing, but my son had his own Hobie Cat, earned and bought it himself, when he was 16. Now, it's gotten too big, so we're moving into the interior where things are about 30 years behind the times, and agriculture - especially cattle ranching -- is so big, that growth probably won't take over in my lifetime. It's generally 10 to 15 degrees cooler in the interior, and the people are even more friendly...
I am familiar with Westford. I think you would be surprised at the cost of houses there now. )</font>
I'm sure I would. I probably couldn't afford to live there, now. Back in 1968, wife and I were 28 years old, married 3 years, no kids, yet. We were looking for a house. One of my wife's college friend's father was an attorney. He called us and siad he had a client, a widow, who hadn't handled the death of her husband well and was cracking up. He needed to move her, fast, but she needed to sell her place.
It was a small, winterized summer cabin they had bought years before, then added on and moved there for retirement. It had 2 bedrooms, 1 bath, a fireplace in the living room, a small dining room and an even smaller kitchen - we could stand in the center and touch every appliance. It had a detached 2-car garage down near the road, but with only one single door - something about trying to beat the tax assessor at his game. The house was set back about 200' on 9 acres of ground.
We bought the whole thing for $19,000. We lived there for four happy years; both of our kids were born while we were there. After the kids came, my wife stayed home with them.
But, gosh, it was lonely for her. There were only two other houses on the street, none with little kids. The townspeople were a little chilly to outsiders. And then, the winter -- she said it took her an hour to dress the kids warm enough to go outside for 15 minutes, then they were cold enough they had to go back inside, where it took an hour to warm up, again.
I finally graduated from BU (I was 31, doing it the hard way) and wanted to find a new job. We were outgrowing the little cottage as the kids were growing. Her parents lived in Florida, we visited, and decided to move there. The cost of living was so much lower, the real estate taxes were about 15% of what we were paying, and the kids could play outside, all day, every day.
So, in April, 1972, we listed the property for sale. We listed for $28,900, and sold it in 24 hours for full price -- almost a 50% profit in just 4 years. The buyer was a speculator who rented the house out.
Two years later, in 1974, Wang moved in to Lowell. Chelmsford grew at first, then the folks found Westford. It always was a snob town, with 2 acre minimum zoning. The speculator sold off part of our land for a couple of building lots, and some Wang executive bought our house. There was something in the zoning that made it better for him to remodel instead of tearing down and starting over, so that's what he did - he remodeled that little cottage into a 2 story, Tudor style house -- what looked like a mansion, to me. We came back to visit friends in 1986 and drove past it to show our kids where they had been born, and couldn't find it, at first -- lots of new houses on the street. But, that silly garage with the door off to one side was still down near the road, so we were able to pick out the spot, completely amazed.
At a guess, I'd say it would have gone for $300K back then, and that was almost 20 years ago. Probably over a Million, now. Our former neighbors across the street were still living there, and they told us about the remodeling. I was tickled to think about the remnants of that little cottage still buried deep somewhere inside that house.
But, I have no regrets. I could hardly afford the taxes on it, even back then. I just wish I had had a crystal ball and could have foreseen that Wang was coming two years later - I would have made a bundle when I sold it. We thought about selling the house with 2 acres and keeping the other 7, but we knew we were never coming back, and we really couldn't afford to pay the taxes on vacant land. That's the only mistake I made. That 7 acres could probably finance my retirement all by itself.
As far as the heat in Florida's summer goes, it's not as bad as it seems. Visitors suffer from the humidity, but residents acclimate to it. We rarely even use our A/C - remember, my wife doesn't like it cold. We use lots of paddle fans to keep the air moving, and don't even notice it, and there's always the pool right outside the door. It never gets as hot here as it did on some days up North; I've never seen it over 100, and I've only rarely seen it over 95 -- the summer average is about 90. The mosquitoes are smaller. It only rains every afternoon for a month in May, and another in October, most years, and the rain is over in an hour or less. The area where we live now has never had a serious hurricane, and Okeechobee, where we're moving, hasn't had one since 1928.
Once you live here a while, you see there really are four distinct seasons, just not as radical as up North. It does get cold -- we even had 1/2" of snow in 1976 (it was all gone by 7 AM, and most folks never saw it -- I was up early, got the kids up, and we found enough snow to make one snowball, each).
We moved to a brand new city in Florida, where everyone was so new that no one was unfriendly. I've done reasonably well by the growth. The kids grew up great. No skiing, but my son had his own Hobie Cat, earned and bought it himself, when he was 16. Now, it's gotten too big, so we're moving into the interior where things are about 30 years behind the times, and agriculture - especially cattle ranching -- is so big, that growth probably won't take over in my lifetime. It's generally 10 to 15 degrees cooler in the interior, and the people are even more friendly...
k8ny
Silver Member
Frank,
We are in Summit Point, WV about 40 miles north of you and 10 miles east of I81. I am about 15 miles NE of Winchester and yes, we love the Shenandoah Valley.
Bob
We are in Summit Point, WV about 40 miles north of you and 10 miles east of I81. I am about 15 miles NE of Winchester and yes, we love the Shenandoah Valley.
Bob
rdam
Gold Member
</font><font color="blue" class="small">( But the media acts surprised and "activates the storm center". I envision meteologists sliding down a pole while an alarm blares in the background.
Is it like that in other parts of the country? You live in Florida. Do you turn on the radio and the announcer is acting all surprised that it is 80F and sunny and beautiful? I expect not. But up here they act all surprised that it is cold and snowy.
Phil )</font>
In Florida, during hurricane season, every time a low pressure system starts moving across the atlantic, the panic begins.
Activate the storm center, stay by your radio, flashlights, batteries, storm tracking map, water, escape plan, grab your insurance papers! FULL TANK OF GAS, IT'S ONLY 72 HOURS AWAY...OHHHH MYYYY GOOODDDDDD.....GET THE PLYWOOD UP...RUN AWAY!!!!!
!!!!!!!!WE'RE ALL GONNA DIIIEEEEEE
Our TV "Meteorologists" have a flair for the dramatic to say the least. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Is it like that in other parts of the country? You live in Florida. Do you turn on the radio and the announcer is acting all surprised that it is 80F and sunny and beautiful? I expect not. But up here they act all surprised that it is cold and snowy.
Phil )</font>
In Florida, during hurricane season, every time a low pressure system starts moving across the atlantic, the panic begins.
Activate the storm center, stay by your radio, flashlights, batteries, storm tracking map, water, escape plan, grab your insurance papers! FULL TANK OF GAS, IT'S ONLY 72 HOURS AWAY...OHHHH MYYYY GOOODDDDDD.....GET THE PLYWOOD UP...RUN AWAY!!!!!
!!!!!!!!WE'RE ALL GONNA DIIIEEEEEE
Our TV "Meteorologists" have a flair for the dramatic to say the least. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
OP
PhilNH5
Platinum Member
</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Activate the storm center, stay by your radio, flashlights, batteries, storm tracking map, water, escape plan, grab your insurance papers! FULL TANK OF GAS, IT'S ONLY 72 HOURS AWAY...OHHHH MYYYY GOOODDDDDD.....GET THE PLYWOOD UP...RUN AWAY!!!!!
!!!!!!!!WE'RE ALL GONNA DIIIEEEEEE )</font>
I know hurricanes are serious business but that made me snort my tea and laugh sitting here at my desk! Very cute.
Phil
!!!!!!!!WE'RE ALL GONNA DIIIEEEEEE )</font>
I know hurricanes are serious business but that made me snort my tea and laugh sitting here at my desk! Very cute.
Phil
PineRidge
Super Member
<font color="blue"> Activate the storm center, stay by your radio, flashlights, batteries, storm tracking map, water, escape plan, grab your insurance papers! FULL TANK OF GAS, IT'S ONLY 72 HOURS AWAY...OHHHH MYYYY GOOODDDDDD.....GET THE PLYWOOD UP...RUN AWAY!!!!!
!!!!!!!!WE'RE ALL GONNA DIIIEEEEEE
</font>
I have good friends residing in Naples, Florida and they have heard that so much that they are totally hardened off. They now ignore the bad weather forecasts, and I guess I really can't blame them either. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif
!!!!!!!!WE'RE ALL GONNA DIIIEEEEEE
</font>
I have good friends residing in Naples, Florida and they have heard that so much that they are totally hardened off. They now ignore the bad weather forecasts, and I guess I really can't blame them either. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif
bcarter
Silver Member
Don,
<font color="blue"> We probably had similar weather to yours, as we lived in Westford Mass, just about 10 miles South of Nashua. </font>
You'll be happy you aren't in Westford this morning... 2 degrees below zero without the wind. Yikes! /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif
<font color="blue"> We probably had similar weather to yours, as we lived in Westford Mass, just about 10 miles South of Nashua. </font>
You'll be happy you aren't in Westford this morning... 2 degrees below zero without the wind. Yikes! /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif
mikim
Veteran Member
Ignoring bad forecasts because of them being "overdone" so much is a problem. It's primarily the media that does the "overdoing" in order to get ratings. HOWEVER - look at it from a different point of view. If it was your responsibility to put out a warning of severe weather - wouldn't you also err on the safe side? If you don't put out a timely warning - then people & property are going to get hurt - and who are they going to point the finger at when the question comes up? The NWS does it's best at A. putting out timely & accurate warnings & forecasts ... and B. monitoring itself so that there are as few "false alarms" as possible. Every forecaster is continually tracked and rated on the product he puts out, and when they get one that is too quick or too slow to pull the trigger on a warning .... well ... it ain't pretty. If a warning goes out and it's both timely and accurate - but people ignore it - and then they get harmed some how - they unfortunately can't put the blame on anyone but themselves. GEEZ ... look at me defending forecasters... the bane of my life, the folks I give a hard time to any chance I get ... who'd a thunk it? /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif
Bird
Rest in Peace
</font><font color="blue" class="small">( If it was your responsibility to put out a warning of severe weather - wouldn't you also err on the safe side? )</font>
That's what I've told my wife, many times. And I check our local forecast on your web site every morning.
That's what I've told my wife, many times. And I check our local forecast on your web site every morning.
I don't believe them, but I don't ignore them. We're in a pretty unique position in Florida where the prevailing wind and water currents tend to take hurricanes away from us. We had a minor Cat 1 storm, about 80 MPH, in 1979 (David), but that's it. I met a meteorologist who retired from the old Miami Hurricane Center to Port St.. Lucie, where I live now, because he said it was the "safest spot in Florida."
But, it's the one you ignore that will bite you in the butt (can we say "butt" here?). A freak loop-the-loop that reverses the storm to come from the NE could hit us, and such reverses have happened a little up the coast. So, I don't panic, but I am prepared. I keep the motor home stocked up, fridge cold and ready to go, both for spontaneous fun trips -- and emergencies. We are also in the evacuation zone of two nuclear power plants, with a warning siren tower just a block away. We have 3M film on the windows and have our supplies handy. Our new house will have hurricane protection built-in; part of our state-wide building code revision after Andrew.
Here on the coast, everything has to be built to withstand 120 MPH wind load. Inland, where I'm going, it's 110, but I'm building everything to 120 anyway -- it's what the designers are used to.
So, we respect it, but ignore the screeching of the TV and don't fear it.
But, it's the one you ignore that will bite you in the butt (can we say "butt" here?). A freak loop-the-loop that reverses the storm to come from the NE could hit us, and such reverses have happened a little up the coast. So, I don't panic, but I am prepared. I keep the motor home stocked up, fridge cold and ready to go, both for spontaneous fun trips -- and emergencies. We are also in the evacuation zone of two nuclear power plants, with a warning siren tower just a block away. We have 3M film on the windows and have our supplies handy. Our new house will have hurricane protection built-in; part of our state-wide building code revision after Andrew.
Here on the coast, everything has to be built to withstand 120 MPH wind load. Inland, where I'm going, it's 110, but I'm building everything to 120 anyway -- it's what the designers are used to.
So, we respect it, but ignore the screeching of the TV and don't fear it.
