freefalle 0 #1 October 22, 2011 I have a job offer with a major medical staffing company for a position as a regional director. The region is the west coast basically, WA, OR, CA, ID, NV, and UT. The stipulation is that I have to live somewhere in one of those states. This job is a really good career move for me not to mention a nice raise in pay. So I am going to take the job. I lived in Seattle WA for a short period of time but other than that I dont know much about the west coast, I was looking at CA but the cost of living seems really high. Right now Im thining Reno NV but Im still really up in the air about it. Other than skydiving I am a very active runner, cyclist and swimmer I really want to try to find an area where I can at least skydive run and bike year around. Im currently in Florida where I can do all of the activities basically year around. Any input as to anything or any place I should consider?? thanks Chuck Bryan Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JohnMitchell 14 #2 October 22, 2011 Reno's got crap for skydiving and no cycling in the winter. SLC has two turbine DZ's less than an hour away and awesome skiing. Cycling will suck in the winter. SoCal isn't that expensive since the market dropped, is it? Seattle has a lot to offer, including a Super Otter DZ in Shelton, WA. Just bring your raingear for the winter bike rides. Congrats on the new job and the raise. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sinjin 0 #3 October 22, 2011 santa barbara or san diego california if you can afford it,, reno ?? are u kidding ?dont let life pass you by Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
deltron80 0 #4 October 22, 2011 With all those states you listed I'm sure you can do better than Reno! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Krip 2 #5 October 22, 2011 Quote Reno's got crap for skydiving and no cycling in the winter. SLC has two turbine DZ's less than an hour away and awesome skiing. Cycling will suck in the winter. SoCal isn't that expensive since the market dropped, is it? Seattle has a lot to offer, including a Super Otter DZ in Shelton, WA. Just bring your raingear for the winter bike rides. Quote To the OP Seattle does have a lot to offer, Mtns , large bidues of water (cold) and challenging traffic, high costs of living and major cutbacks in gov't services due to the economy .The weather isn't bad depending on what you like. Bike ridesOn a happy note there's no state income tax and the crime rate isn't that bad, Tthe city/county/state has to cover their operating expenses some way so our fuel tax's are one of the highest in the nation.Theres also a hefty sales tax,, toll roads are becoming more common and there are other creative methods of raising cash, parking fee's. etc. In spite of the cutbacks in services like closing state parks, charge a fee and reduction in services.. State/county gov'ts are looking at a 10-20 reduction across the board in their budgets. The drive to the DZ depends on where your located in the metro plex. If your located at the south end In spite of the short distance to the DZ it can take a hr or more on a good day. If your living on the north or east side your drive to the DZ can be double that. If there's a accident on the major roads all bets are off, on how long your commute to work take. We have a basic rule of thumb, don't get in your car without going to the bathroom first.Don't worry about the weather it depends on what your looking for if you like warm temps and lots of sun to bad. I think this summer we had less than 10 days > 80 degree's and zero over 85. Just the way we like it. We wirked in the metroplex for 10 yr's and retired in in a very nice small town, 13 yr;s ago. We don't have to deal with most of of the problems faced by the worker bee's like rush hr, dealing with the crowds on weekends, and we even like the weatherThere's more to a selecting a location for your new job than a turbine DZ unless your working there. Shelton is a unique DZ lots of nice snow capped mtns year round etc and is located on the olympic pennisula, So if the DZ is one of your major prioities i suggest you visit the DZ first try and figure where you'll be working and living before you move to seattle for a DZ. If you expect to join the staff your going to start at the bottom of a very long food chain. OTOH the staff likes the DZ and can stay very busy. The turbines are shelton are nice and you'll be able to make a lot of jumps if you can afford the lift tickets, traveling expenses, get into the clique and stand the traffic. There's another DZ located on the north end of the metroplex but the planes aren't as nice and there may be less fun jumpers. R.I.P. One Jump Wonder Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Coreece 190 #6 October 22, 2011 Seriously, fuck CA... From the other comments, I'd say Utah is you best shot...Good Luck! Your secrets are the true reflection of who you really are... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Coreece 190 #7 October 22, 2011 Utah...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NOH89zd02mA Your secrets are the true reflection of who you really are... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jrh 0 #8 October 22, 2011 I would consider Portland, Oregon. It's kinda like Seattle, except better. Skydive Oregon has a very nice Caravan. Not sure if they jump year-round or not, but I had a great time jumping there in the summer. The city is very bike friendly, and the weather is drier than Seattle. Good skiing can be found in the mountains an hour or two's drive away. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jtval 0 #9 October 22, 2011 my first choice would be Utah. Two dz's, a wind tunnel, and awesome nature (to do other parachute related stuff) for hiking, camping etc. Winter time is good for snowboarding/skiing. there are boogies from Oct-April in Mesquite (about 4-6hrs away) if you need some winter skydiving and casinos.My photos My Videos Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
grimmie 173 #10 October 22, 2011 San Diego. Best city in the US of A Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billvon 2,396 #11 October 22, 2011 >Other than skydiving I am a very active runner, cyclist and swimmer . . . For running, cycling and swimming, San Diego. For running and cycling, Portland. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JerryBaumchen 1,048 #12 October 22, 2011 Hi Jrh, Re: Skydive Oregon They are now just a tandem mill; all of the experienced jumpers have quit/left. But there is a small group that keeps together via email, etc to organize loads on occasion. Houses are ridicuously cheap in Oceanside, CA. JerryBaumchen Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pincheck 0 #13 October 22, 2011 I used to think there was problem with that side of the states as at one time we used to get these adds running in Scotland, advertising it was a great place to live and we should move . First thing i thought was why the hell did every one move out or something ! Billy-Sonic Haggis Flickr-Fun Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Remster 24 #14 October 22, 2011 After living in the UK for a few years, I dont think I could deal with the weather on the coast of the NW.... So I'd say CA... or MAYBE OR.Remster Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Krip 2 #15 October 22, 2011 Quote After living in the UK for a few years, I dont think I could deal with the weather on the coast of the NW.... So I'd say CA... or MAYBE OR. I agree with you 100% the weather in the PNW sucks 100% of the time and no one should move hereUnless they have to.R.One Jump Wonder Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NWFlyer 2 #16 October 23, 2011 Grew up on the East coast, lived in Seattle from 1997-1998 and 2000-2008, LA in 1999, and Oakland, CA from 2008 till now. I also spend a lot of time in Southern California for work and to skydive. For reliable weather for outdoor activities year round, you really can't beat California. I was a skydiver for four of those years in Seattle, and when it's beautiful there, you really can't beat it - the air is clear, everything in view is green and lovely, and there's mountain and water views for miles. Then there's the rest of the year. Summers are pretty reliably good; fall & spring are hit or miss, and winter tends to be largely gray with the very occasional day of a clear blue sky and beautiful (if cold) jumping. But since I've lived down here in CA, I've been spoiled with largely great jumping weather (though December & January can often be rainy and/or windy). Seattle's expensive; the Bay Area (where I live now) even more so. If you're looking for lower cost of living and proximity to dropzones, you might try the Sacramento area. Assuming you've got to fly a lot for your job, the Sacramento airport is an easy in/easy out airport, though your flight options will be more limited than the Bay Area airports. Weather-wise, that area will be colder in the winter and way warmer in the summer than the Bay Area - where you can easily get away with no A/C in many parts of the Bay, it's a must-have as you go up towards Sacramento. (I've never lived there, but spend a decent amount of time skydiving in Davis, so I'd have to defer to folks that do live that way as to what it's actually like to live there, but having also been to Reno, my gut instinct is that it's WAY better than Reno)."There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TiaDanger 0 #17 October 23, 2011 Alright, theres a ton of people here shitting on Reno, but I gotta speak up for it as its my hometown, and having just moved from Reno, I miss it a ton. Although you may be 3 hours away from a DZ, there is a steady skydiving group that carpools a lot to the Cali DZs. Not to mention the Lake Tahoe helicopter lake loads that you can get in on by being a local. NV has epic wide open spaces for road biking and many awesome trails for mountain biking and running....I hiked and biked a different trail each time I went to the hills to get exercise. Lake Tahoe is 30 mins away and is a gem of a place during all four seasons. It's got some of the best skiing in the country during the winter and hiking, biking, camping, boating, festivals and beaches in the summer. I love NV and the Reno area because its NOT California...its not nearly as congested and polluted as CA and there is no state income tax. Granted, NV, or any other state, is not to every persons liking, but I LOVED Reno and look forward to moving back someday.And for the record: the appropriate ranking of cool modes of transportation is jet pack, hover board, transporter, Batmobile, and THEN giant ant. D.S. #8.8 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NWFlyer 2 #18 October 23, 2011 You're right that those of us who have only ever been to Reno for (for example) PIA and have only seen the downtown/casino area probably give it an unfair rap since we haven't seen the parts of town where most people live & work. My brother was stationed at Nellis AFB in Las Vegas for a while, and when I went to visit him I saw a whole different side of Vegas, too, that the tourists don't really see. (Probably still wouldn't want to live there but that's more because desert living's not my thing, but I can see how people can have nice quality of life there)."There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jonstark 8 #19 October 23, 2011 Spent 15 years, 92-07, in Los Angeles. LOVED it! Would move back in a second -but- buying back into real estate is now prohibitive. I shouldn't be so negative. There are probably a lot of distress sale houses and the prices have come down since I cashed out. As far as the cost of day to day stuff CA is not any higher than FL. jon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NWFlyer 2 #20 October 23, 2011 QuoteAs far as the cost of day to day stuff CA is not any higher than FL. Hmm... what about gas? http://www.gasbuddy.com/gb_gastemperaturemap.aspx 50 cents + per gallon can hit the commute budget depending on how much driving you have to do."There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Krip 2 #21 October 23, 2011 I think every part of the country has plus's and minus's. We even lived in Missouri for 10-15 yr's and don't regret the experience. You just have to adapt, dress for success, learn the area's to live and stay away from. "When in rome" One Jump Wonder Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freefalle 0 #22 October 24, 2011 I've seriously considered CA and it sounds like people have a lot of good things to say about it. What's the rent like there say for a 2 bedroom condo with a one car garage in a decent area? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Squeak 17 #23 October 24, 2011 QuoteI've seriously considered CA and it sounds like people have a lot of good things to say about it. What's the rent like there say for a 2 bedroom condo with a one car garage in a decent area? LOL how long is a piece of string. WHERE in Cali. down near Elsinore it's pretty cheap.You are not now, nor will you ever be, good enough to not die in this sport (Sparky) My Life ROCKS! How's yours doing? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Coreece 190 #24 October 24, 2011 Quote I've seriously considered CA and it sounds like people have a lot of good things to say about it. What's the rent like there say for a 2 bedroom condo with a one car garage in a decent area? Don't be that guy...fuck CA. CA sucks...ya sure, visit from time to time, but you don't want to live there...go visit...look how fucked up they are...You think I'm joking, but seriously...Utah is like freedom and peace dude....really. You'll thank me one day.*edit* Plus, eventhough me and doug don't get along too well, he's a pretty cool dude and knows his shit...you'd get to fly with the eagle man! Seriously...you're gonna pass that up for some overcrowded/overpriced condo...get 'freal... you can do better... Once more: F-U-C-K C-A-L-I-F-O-R-N-I-A Last time I'm gonna say it... Seriously... nice place though...Your secrets are the true reflection of who you really are... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NWFlyer 2 #25 October 24, 2011 Sample size of one: I pay $2K for a 2B/2BA apt (about 1,400 s.f.) in the Lake Merritt area of Oakland (nice neighborhood) with private balcony, shared roof deck & patio, and a reserved parking space in the building's garage. I'd pay I think another $200 if I wanted a private one-car garage. I'd probably pay 50% more (at least) for the same amount of space in San Francisco; less in less desirable neighborhoods of Oakland or farther out in the suburbs. This is pretty typical for my neighborhood; a few buildings are more expensive, some less expensive (but I also know that I pay a bit of a premium for being in a building that allows pets). But I'm willing to pay for location - I like living in a relatively safe, pedestrian-friendly, urban location. I live a block from the lake, I can walk to a weekly farmer's market and lots of great shops & restaurants. I'm within a few blocks of local and transbay buses, and about a mile from a BART station. It takes me <20 minutes to get to OAK airport if there's no traffic (which is important since I travel a lot). SFO is more like 45 minutes without traffic, but I don't need to fly out of there too often since I can usually get where I want to go from OAK. I can get to two DZs within about an hour drive, and four more within two hours."There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
