Hi all... starting my journey

[Satellite 1]

Have you ever thought about retiring in Russia so your dollar could go a little further?

Slim, are you hedging your bets that oil prices will continue to fall and the Russian economy will suffer in the near future. Otherwise the cost of living in Russia is rising rapidly. Major inflation of over 10% in the last several years and dollar rate keeps falling. I can't imagine it being as good as some other third world countries people choose to retire in.

the people are wonderful and friendly (something you don't see much here in the good ol' USA) and it is far less expensive to live there...they do earn far less then we do though.

Marc, obviously you haven't experienced Russia as a local or understand the language well enough. Most Russian people in Russia are extremely rude and unpleasant. Customer service is non-existant and the kind of insults and harassment, I as a Russian speaker, hear on my trips to Russia makes me want to run right back to the good ol' USA in an instant. Obviously if the people you are interacting know before hand that you are an American they will be very nice and courteous to you, but when they don't know who you are, it is another world. Perhaps I have gotten used to our "fake smiles". That is certainly not Russian culture.

It is definitely cheaper to live in Russia if you live like a local. Ride public transit, live in an old flat, etc. But as soon as you start wanting western accommodations be it in transportation, service, or housing I think it is even more expensive in Russia then here. Also there are a lot of hidden costs like bribes and fines. Random stops on the streets or while driving. Random and arbitrary enforcement of other laws be it tax law or home inspections.

[akdiver 3]

I have to say, I'd rather live in Russia than California. That's not saying much though, since I would pretty much rather live anywhere but California. That said, if one lives in California then, well, can't complain about it or the high cost of living - those are just some of the reasons not to live there. Hell, I'd even rather live in France than California. Ugh. OK, Enough about how much California sucks my...well, anyway. (:

Cheers!

AKDiver

p.s.: California sucks, but not as much as Texas. (:

[slim 1,525]

p.s.: California sucks, but not as much as Texas. (:

Talk about stirring the pot!

[akdiver 3]

p.s.: California sucks, but not as much as Texas. (:

Talk about stirring the pot!

At least when I stir the pot, I bring my own stick (:

Incidentially, I HAVE lived in Texas.... I was so happy to leave that when I finally got the chance, I made for the border as fast as I could. When I got to Oklahoma, I pulled over, got out of the car, went over to the Texas state line, dropped my pants and took a piss on Texas - vowing never to return.

Cheers!

AKDiver

[Texas Proud 0]

p.s.: California sucks, but not as much as Texas. (:

Talk about stirring the pot!

At least when I stir the pot, I bring my own stick (:

Incidentially, I HAVE lived in Texas.... I was so happy to leave that when I finally got the chance, I made for the border as fast as I could. When I got to Oklahoma, I pulled over, got out of the car, went over to the Texas state line, dropped my pants and took a piss on Texas - vowing never to return.

Cheers!

AKDiver

And we are very glad you are gone....

[Satellite 1]

Incidentially, I HAVE lived in Texas.... I was so happy to leave that when I finally got the chance, I made for the border as fast as I could. When I got to Oklahoma, I pulled over, got out of the car, went over to the Texas state line, dropped my pants and took a piss on Texas - vowing never to return.

So what about Texas gave you much grief or California for that matter?

[travlnmannn 0]

California does suck. I signed a lease for one year there when I left Chicago. By the second month I was looking to sublet the house. Hated every minute in Cali. But it's life. Here I am back in Chicago. AK Diver if you ever wanna go somewhere that is awesome try Chicago. Great people, food and good diversity of people. Not just Whites,Mexicans and Asians like Cali.

Texas- "Queers and Steers" "Land of the Mobile Home" "Double-wides-r-us" <~~~great store in TX.

Just giving my opinion to Satellites question. I think first that CA is the most self absorbed, unfriendly, financially over-extended state I have ever experienced. There is no culture in CA. Like I said either your white, mexican or asian in CA. There are so many other cultures but they are not recognized. Ever go to a place in chicago and just talk to everyone. Can't do it in CA it's like your gonna rob them or something if a stranger talks to you. Oh and should you not be 180lbs and 8% body fat forget it. Hell I'm 6ft 200lbs and 12% body fat and still not socially accepted in CA. Ok enough venting about CA it's just my experience. Life is good :-)

Let me just ad that I speak mainly of So. Cal. because I've lived there. It wouldn't be fair for me to talk about No. Cal. because I spent very little time up there. Sorry Satellite I hope I didn't offend you. But we all have rights to our own opinion.

Edited October 21, 2006 by travlnmannn

[akdiver 3]

So what about Texas gave you much grief or California for that matter?

Well, first of all, it's full of Texans. While there may be exceptions, in my experience, this is a group of very small-minded people that think the world begins and ends with Texas. It's like the old joke - in Texas, no one will ask where you are from. Why? Because if you're from Texas, you'll mention it without waiting to be asked. If you're not from Texas - well, then it doesn't matter. Aside from that, if you factor in the heat, culture, and general flatness, it's just not a very interesting place to me.

As for California - frankly, from my point of view, what about California DOESNT suck? First of all, there are too many people. Whiny, bitchy, shallow, liberal, beach-type people. People who think that the world owes them a living, you know? People who want to take my money and give it to someone else. People who want to suck up a lot of energy and resources, but don't want to have any of the negatives that come with such nice things, and then complain when prices get high because they will not allow people to build energy plants - but they are more than happy for them to get built in OTHER states, which have to deal with any problems, while of course, sending their output to California. Suing car companies for global warming? Give me a ###### break. How about we put California as a co-defendent, considering how many cars are running around in California. Anyway, politics is a big factor. Then there is the California attitude & culture to deal with, which I address somewhat in these other issues. Then you factor in the stuff like gangs & celebrities running around everywhere, and the traffic, and the noise, and the overcrowding in general. Then factor in stuff like the heat, and the ###### taxes - my god - the taxes. Then you factor in cost of living in other areas, like housing and such. I also don't speak Spanish. The list just goes on and on and on. And for what? Why the hell live in California? So you can be near the beach? Go to some big malls? I just don't understand the attraction, esp. considering the negatives. Since I am a software developer by trade, someplace like Silicon Valley SHOULD be the place for me, right? Not a chance. No way would someone pay me enough to live in that cesspool. The bottom line is that the quality of life, as I define it, is just not there. I have it much better in Alaska than I ever could in California. I make the same or better money, but with no state income tax, a 15 minute drive to work, much cheaper housing, and so forth. So, in the end - if people want to live in California, more power to them - but I consider the place to be uninhabitable. (:

I just read tman's post about Cali - and I agree with pretty much everything he said. You can add that to my list of grievances too. (:

Finally - while I love Alaska, I will only tell you bad, awful, evil things about it because the last thing we need is some kind of mass exodous of people from the rest of the U.S. coming to live here. You guys can keep your Lower-48 lifestyle right where it is (:

Cheers!

AKDiver

p.s.: As for Chicago, I changed my oil at the airport there once as I was driving through (:

Edited October 22, 2006 by akdiver