Yet another “Where do I move?!?!?” Thread (solved)

J E wrote:

Every source for minimum/livable wages contradicts this. I find it hard to believe she feels poor at just south of 6 digits unless she’s poor with finances, lives an expensive lifestyle, or is constantly dumping the money she makes from her properties back into those properties. Bring a single person without children or significant debt, I don’t see how renting a place for ~$1500 (plenty in the foothills in this range) + standard cost of living expenses could leave me feeling poor.

No kids, in a very long term partnership, but each have own house. Debt free, but she does put money into her properties and takes two to three international trips each year. She has to go to the Berkley two to three days a week for work, and used to maintain a studio there. Now she just stays with friends. She did get lucky and got into Grass Valley/Nevada City when it was still cheap, about 20 years ago. 

My completely different perspective:

My better half and I are looking to buy/ retire. We road tripped through GV (where s couple of friends have moved), Auburn (yuk, used to be cute and affordable), Placerville ( where I spent a lot of time as dad retired there), Angels Camp.
Mostly looking for liberal vibes and affordability. Preliminary impressions based on grocery shopping...GV has a great feel, Placerville is still nice wonderful old neighborhood, I always liked Angels Camp very cute downtown, savemart was…strange.. but Ricky lives there so big plus:) Your situation is very different, New climbing gym opening in GV soon. checking out Sac next. i don’t think you’ll have any problem renting given your salary range. I’ve appreciated a lot of info from thread regarding weather and smoke etc…

Grass Valley / Nevada city is a slightly nicer town IMO, a little higher elevation (a plus in my book) more rural, and prettier surroudings, and probably a little more politically in line with you (Nevada County 56/41 Biden/Trump) v.s. Auburn (Placer County 45/52 Biden/Trump). 

Auburn is more convenient (30 minutes closer the airport, Sacramento, Yosemite, etc.) and is a great town as well (both are Gold Rush era towns with tons of character). Super close to Auburn Quarry for afternoon climbing (non summer). On the drive down to the Quarry you drop into the American River canyon (at the confluence of Middle and North Forks) with tons of great hiking, etc.

Dan Bookless wrote:

This is a very basic and well studied phenomenon of sociology. They move to the city in their 20s, enjoy a great time, turn thirty and move to the burbs to start families. it's not that it was never worth it, they just matured and developed new values

So this is why we have so many of these wack threads, sociology?   

Russ Walling wrote:

The Bishop dating scene would make Ron Jeremy blush. 

How about moving to Reno?

Hahaha, every damned one of us should by this man a beer. Click here and scroll down a tad: http://www.fishproducts.com/index.html

Thanks for the chuckle Russ!

Glowering wrote:

Grass Valley / Nevada city is a slightly nicer town IMO, a little higher elevation (a plus in my book) more rural, and prettier surroudings, and probably a little more politically in line with you (Nevada County 56/41 Biden/Trump) v.s. Auburn (Placer County 45/52 Biden/

It’s also Lamafa or Mclintock representing in the House. No middle of the road there.

Reviving the discussion: I have a potential job opportunity in the ABQ. I’m a bit hesitant as there doesn’t seem to be as much of a wealth of climbing out there compared to CO/CA. Anyone with experience in this region?

Do you like trad?  There is a wealth of granite trad, up to a dozen or so pitches long, right outside the city. Granite bouldering within city limits. Good sport options on basalt, tuff, rhyolite, granite and limestone within 1hr to 2hr drive. Two very good gyms, single membership covers both. Folks drive from southern colorado, arizona and texas to climb in them.
Except maybe with the exception of Roy, NM has no destination crags, but you are 4.5 hrs from Hueco, 6 to Indian Creek, 5.5 to Shelf, 7 to RMNP/Boulder, 7.5 to Rifle.
We are a bit short on 5.14 and harder routes, so if you are a crusher, you’ll run out of local options quickly. 

Frank Stein wrote:

Do you like trad?  There is a wealth of granite trad, up to a dozen or so pitches long, right outside the city. Granite bouldering within city limits. Good sport options on basalt, tuff, rhyolite, granite and limestone within 1hr to 2hr drive. Two very good gyms, single membership covers both. Folks drive from southern colorado, arizona and texas to climb in them.
Except maybe with the exception of Roy, NM has no destination crags, but you are 4.5 hrs from Hueco, 6 to Indian Creek, 5.5 to Shelf, 7 to RMNP/Boulder, 7.5 to Rifle.
We are a bit short on 5.14 and harder routes, so if you are a crusher, you’ll run out of local options quickly. 

I don’t currently climb Trad, though am taking a clinic this July in the Woo. Probably I will be Trad (lead) climbing in the 5.9ish range, so that crosses out some options for me.

Those travel times aren’t awful… 

Just to be clear, there are definite concerns about living in Abq (crime, urban blight, homelessness, etc.), but climbing options is not one of them. 

Frank Stein wrote:

Just to be clear, there are definite concerns about living in Abq (crime, urban blight, homelessness, etc.), but climbing options is not one of them. 

Aren’t these just things/concerns about living in nearly any city in the US today…or does ABQ have higher rates? 

Albuquerque has a higher than normal rate of substance abuse, poverty and property/violent crime, so it can get pretty grim. Perhaps I and my spouse are more sensitive to it due to our past work. However, we have also been in Abq for more than two decades, so obviously we find something we like about this place. The outdoor rec options are pretty good, and it is rarely crowded (unless you go climbing in El Rito on a weekend).

New Mexico sits in a weird climbing space- there aren’t really any true “destination” areas yet it’s a great place to live as a climber.  

Tim Dolan wrote:

New Mexico sits in a weird climbing space- there aren’t really any true “destination” areas yet it’s a great place to live as a climber.  

So, like Boulder, but without the hype?

(...pull the pin, count to 3, then throw...)

Petsfed 00 wrote:

So, like Boulder, but without the hype?

(...pull the pin, count to 3, then throw...)

Boulder’s actually kind of attractive. Albuquerque, if you shed the Sandias, the Jemez and the Bosque, is all kinds of hideous.
Breaking Bad is not that far off of reality. 

I've been climbing for nearly 2 decades. When I was younger I was thinking like you, moving somewhere where climbing is the main purpose for the move. Now that I'm older and I have tons of climbing around less than a 30 minute drive, I very rarely go. I guess other priorities have taken hold and climbing has become very low on that list. I'm actually very happy that I no longer have this burning desire to always climb or always train. Rock climbing still brings me joy, and I enjoy it for many reasons, but it is very low on the most important things in my life. If it is priority number 1, then that is not good. If you talk to anyone who has ever had a major climbing injury where they can no longer climb, what they miss most is not climbing, but everything else that life has to offer The place you live where you can live a nice life is more valuable than the quality of rock access around you. So finally my advice for you is to make your hobby fit around your life, not your life around your hobby. Your future self will be grateful you did.  

James Weiss wrote:

I've been climbing for nearly 2 decades. When I was younger I was thinking like you, moving somewhere where climbing is the main purpose for the move. Now that I'm older and I have tons of climbing around less than a 30 minute drive, I very rarely go. I guess other priorities have taken hold and climbing has become very low on that list. I'm actually very happy that I no longer have this burning desire to always climb or always train. Rock climbing still brings me joy, and I enjoy it for many reasons, but it is very low on the most important things in my life. If it is, then that is not good. If you talk to anyone who has ever had a major climbing injury where they can no longer climb, what they miss most is not climbing, but everything else that life has to offer The place you live where you can live a nice life is more valuable than the quality of rock access around you. So finally my advice for you is to make your hobby fit around your life, not your life around your hobby. Your future self will be grateful you did.  

I don’t think it’s inherently bad for climbing or any sport To be a #1 priority. For some, their sport is their hobby/pastime, and that’s fine. For others, it’s their passion, and that’s okay too. And still for others, it’s their bedrock, and they still okay. We all find meaning in our lives in different ways.

For me: I’ll never have children, I don’t consider my career to be a passion of mine, nor am I particularly close to my family. In the other hand, climbing  is what has enabled and encouraged me to get out and see more of the world, stay active, and put my mind to work.

in a swamp hell scape like florida, I’m unhappy.

J E wrote:

I don’t think it’s inherently bad for climbing or any sport To be a #1 priority. For some, their sport is their hobby/pastime, and that’s fine. For others, it’s their passion, and that’s okay too. And still for others, it’s their bedrock, and they still okay. We all find meaning in our lives in different ways.

For me: I’ll never have children, I don’t consider my career to be a passion of mine, nor am I particularly close to my family. In the other hand, climbing  is what has enabled and encouraged me to get out and see more of the world, stay active, and put my mind to work.

in a swamp hell scape like florida, I’m unhappy.

You're 26, have no ties to anyone or anything, hate where you are, so just......go!

Just do what you want, you can always swap it out for something else. Things will change anyway, whatever you might plan on, so don't think this is carving the ten commandments, lol!

H.

Old lady H wrote:

You're 26, have no ties to anyone or anything, hate where you are, so just......go!

Just do what you want, you can always swap it out for something else. Things will change anyway, whatever you might plan on, so don't think this is carving the ten commandments, lol!

H.

Just gotta survive here until July   

Tim Dolan wrote:

New Mexico sits in a weird climbing space- there aren’t really any true “destination” areas yet it’s a great place to live as a climber.  

Instagram would beg to differ regarding Roy….