Firebird
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Post by Firebird on Jan 5, 2015 12:10:13 GMT -5
Okay, I'm not really sure if I'll update that every day or not. But basically, DH and I are FINALLY pulling the trigger on Our Big Move at the end of this month. We've chosen Portland after a highly successful long weekend there (wherein, among other things, I met the lovely and wonderful Formerly SK and aprilleigh!). We love the area, it's really close to DH's family, the house prices are very reasonable and there seem to be a good number of jobs. At this point we're not sure if we're going to end up in Portland itself or one of the outlying areas. That's something we can figure out over the next couple of years before Babybird (not sure how much longer I can go on calling her that) starts school. Our landlords very kindly decided to make this decision easier to make by increasing our rent from $1,550 to $2,100 effective next month. Our lease was up and the increase is fair, so I am not blaming them in the slightest. They deserve to get market rent for the place, and we're really fortunate to have been able to rent it for so much less these past two years. But like I said, it made things easier. DH and I are pretty dead set against paying that much in rent and there's no way we could get anything cheaper around here. Plus, this decision has been five years in the making. We're so beyond ready. It's time. So basically we have a month to find jobs, sort out health insurance, pack up, and find an apartment in another state. While staying at our current jobs until the last possible minute. No sweat, right?
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muttleynfelix
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Post by muttleynfelix on Jan 5, 2015 12:17:48 GMT -5
Good Luck! That is a crazy jump in rent. Yikes.
What happened with your job and the contract position? Are they going to let you out of it?
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Firebird
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Post by Firebird on Jan 5, 2015 12:23:54 GMT -5
What happened with your job and the contract position? Are they going to let you out of it?
I'm about to find out I will report back shortly.
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TheHaitian
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Post by TheHaitian on Jan 5, 2015 13:11:59 GMT -5
Yikes.... That is one big increase in rent!!!! :eek: :eek:
Good luck!
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bobosensei
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Post by bobosensei on Jan 5, 2015 13:23:49 GMT -5
Good luck! I am sure that everything will turn out just fine.
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Sam_2.0
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Post by Sam_2.0 on Jan 5, 2015 13:31:30 GMT -5
Good luck, Firebird! Hope you get good news about getting out of your contract.
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tcu2003
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Post by tcu2003 on Jan 5, 2015 13:51:45 GMT -5
Good luck!
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HoneyBBQ
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Post by HoneyBBQ on Jan 5, 2015 14:05:12 GMT -5
YAY! Welcome to the Pac NW!!!
I <3 Portland as much as a Seattleite is allowed to.
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Firebird
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Post by Firebird on Jan 5, 2015 14:07:08 GMT -5
@tbird, I think there are limitations on how much the rent can increase within the term of your lease but once it's over, all bets are off. We were expecting something like this.
It looks like I won't have trouble being released from my contract early, which would be a huge relief since it would mean qualifying for unemployment so we'd have some income. I probably won't know for sure for a few days, but I'm feeling optimistic.
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Firebird
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Post by Firebird on Jan 5, 2015 14:07:47 GMT -5
YAY! Welcome to the Pac NW!!! I <3 Portland as much as a Seattleite is allowed to. We're going to be in Seattle a LOT. So we're going to have to meet at some point
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Firebird
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Post by Firebird on Jan 5, 2015 14:09:17 GMT -5
I'm waiting for someone to tell me how cray-cray we are for moving in less than a month with no jobs (yet), no apartment, no daycare, no real idea of what we're going to do... Come on, I know you're out there!
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Firebird
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Post by Firebird on Jan 5, 2015 14:24:30 GMT -5
I wouldn't last here until summer without some kind of brain-matter-out-of-my-eyes explosion.
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HoneyBBQ
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Post by HoneyBBQ on Jan 5, 2015 14:39:55 GMT -5
YAY! Welcome to the Pac NW!!! I <3 Portland as much as a Seattleite is allowed to. We're going to be in Seattle a LOT. So we're going to have to meet at some point Woot! I'm down.
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raeoflyte
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Post by raeoflyte on Jan 5, 2015 14:50:37 GMT -5
I'm waiting for someone to tell me how cray-cray we are for moving in less than a month with no jobs (yet), no apartment, no daycare, no real idea of what we're going to do... Come on, I know you're out there! I'd be hyperventilating into a paper bag with all of that up in the air, but my lack of taking risks is a bit of a regret and I know you'll end up fine.
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Firebird
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Post by Firebird on Jan 5, 2015 14:57:04 GMT -5
Aw, thanks raeoflyte. I maybe should be more freaked out than I am but right now I don't seem to have room for any emotions except for excitement and relief in large enough quantities to make me pass out. It's never going to not suck to do a big multi-state move with a kid in tow, I figure, so might as well look at it as an adventure and bite the bullet.
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muttleynfelix
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Post by muttleynfelix on Jan 5, 2015 15:03:27 GMT -5
I'm waiting for someone to tell me how cray-cray we are for moving in less than a month with no jobs (yet), no apartment, no daycare, no real idea of what we're going to do... Come on, I know you're out there! Well you are crazy, but I think taking a 34% rent increase would be crazy too. So you would probably be moving anyway which is pricey. Yes it will be pricier/riskier moving cross country, but you were going to do it anyway. So, the only risk is the lack of jobs, but you'll probably have better results if you already live the area (although that has not been a deterrent in my case, so far anyway). So, yeah there are risks. But there would be risks staying put and waiting to do the move. I think you guys will be fine.
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lynnerself
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Post by lynnerself on Jan 5, 2015 15:15:27 GMT -5
I'm waiting for someone to tell me how cray-cray we are for moving in less than a month with no jobs (yet), no apartment, no daycare, no real idea of what we're going to do... Come on, I know you're out there! Hey, DH and I quit our jobs and sold out house with a 3 year old and a 18 month old to travel the country for a year in a motor home. No plans other than to figure out where we wanted to locate to and settle there eventually. So no way am I going to call you crazy. FYI we finally settled in Portland DH found a job with the State and I found a part time job (sooner than I wanted) with a Medical Clinic. Currently however we are in Salem. Good luck to you. You will love it here.
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Sam_2.0
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Post by Sam_2.0 on Jan 5, 2015 15:15:42 GMT -5
It's crazy, but also has to be really exciting. There are only a few times in life when you get to do something like this. So glad you are going for it! I know you all will be much happier once the pain of this process is over. You are a hard worker from what I gather, so I have no doubts that you won't be without a job for long.
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NastyWoman
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Post by NastyWoman on Jan 5, 2015 15:20:55 GMT -5
I don't think there is anything crazy about it at all. Adventurous? Yes, but crazy... This will be the easiest time to move with Baby Bird (unless there is another hatchling in the future you can keep using this for at least another 31 years --- my baby is still my baby even though he is an adult 6'4" man). To others gasping at the rent increase -> there was a news report ~ a week or so ago in which they reported that there are renters replying to "for rent" ads offering MORE than the asked for rent. You want crazy ETA: moving with an infant is in some aspects easier (BTDT and then some)
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Sam_2.0
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Post by Sam_2.0 on Jan 5, 2015 15:35:03 GMT -5
NastyWoman - our house rented in 10 days for MORE than the advertised rent price. Our property manager is worth every penny And we still call DD "baby" - haha! DS is "baby J"
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travelnut11
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Post by travelnut11 on Jan 5, 2015 15:56:53 GMT -5
I think it sounds like an awesome adventure! Have fun and good luck! Are your parents coming too?
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muttleynfelix
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Post by muttleynfelix on Jan 5, 2015 16:04:16 GMT -5
BTW - I think moving first will help a lot on the job search. I just had a hiring manager I interviewed with ask to meet with me again. Really cool ... but it is an 8 hr drive up there (4 hr flight give or take depending on layover). They are having a winter storm up there today. I have the kids' birthday party on the 17th. I'm sitting here half freaking out about just the prospect. Especially when I need to talk to another company up there as well.
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Lizard Queen
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Post by Lizard Queen on Jan 5, 2015 16:14:04 GMT -5
Doesn't seem crazy at all. You've been wanting to move, and it seems like the stars are all aligning to tell you that it's time.
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Firebird
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Post by Firebird on Jan 5, 2015 16:36:59 GMT -5
muttleynfelix, yes, I actually made that very argument to DH the other night when we were playing with the idea of staying "one more month" if we don't have jobs at the end of January. Yes, it makes sense on some level not to move until we have jobs in place but a) if we stay "just one more month" I might as well then stay "just three more months" and finish my contract, and if I wanted to do that then we'd already be doing it, b) if a month of committed job-hunting from out of state doesn't even yield an interview, it's probably because people are seeing our California address and moving on to other, local candidates rather than potentially have to pay for someone to interview/relocate. Plus there's the bother of traveling up there at the drop of a hat for an in-person interview, and figuring out somewhere to stay. I definitely feel your pain
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Knee Deep in Water Chloe
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Post by Knee Deep in Water Chloe on Jan 5, 2015 16:47:51 GMT -5
1) my youngest child is going to be a teenager in 16 days and is taller than I am. I still call her the baby. 2) the Stars have definitely aligned, and it's a great time to move. Pack for at least 15 minutes minimum ever day. It will all work out. 3) welcome to the PNW!
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shanendoah
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Post by shanendoah on Jan 5, 2015 17:12:13 GMT -5
You are not crazy. You are in a situation where if you don't make the decision to do something NOW, you won't do it. (I know this because I've watched you "plan" on doing this for a few years now.) In addition, thanks to a couple recent windfalls, you and DH are at a point financially where you can afford to make the move and support the family for a short period of time while you search for jobs.
Some people just need time tables, short time tables at that, to get stuff done. You now have your time table, thanks to the end of the lease. Go for it.
(Though, to reiterate something I've said before - make sure you draw very clear boundaries with DH's family about how often you'll be in Seattle/they'll be in Portland. You shouldn't spend every weekend traveling or entertaining, you will still very much need nuclear family time.)
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Bonny
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Post by Bonny on Jan 5, 2015 17:13:30 GMT -5
I'm waiting for someone to tell me how cray-cray we are for moving in less than a month with no jobs (yet), no apartment, no daycare, no real idea of what we're going to do... Come on, I know you're out there! You're crazy!
How's that? You've got a pretty big EF so you should be o.k. My biggest concern would be you being able to rent a place with no income. You might need to pre-pay a few months up front.
My MIL is in Lake Oswego (has become a Portland suburb). I'll PM you when we make the next trip. You can see crazy in action; LOL!
And @anne81 is also in the Portland area. I'll volunteer her services to help you with school districts. Love you Anne!
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Firebird
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Post by Firebird on Jan 5, 2015 17:40:13 GMT -5
My biggest concern would be you being able to rent a place with no income. You might need to pre-pay a few months up front.
Agreed - this was one of DH's concerns but most places are fine with a large deposit / certain amount in the bank in lieu of employment. We could advance the whole year's rent in cash, if necessary. In addition, thanks to a couple recent windfalls, you and DH are at a point financially where you can afford to make the move and support the family for a short period of time while you search for jobs.
Exactly. I definitely feel like if we don't do it now, it won't happen. And I NEED IT TO HAPPEN IN A BAD WAY. These recent windfalls mean that we will be okay even if it takes awhile to find jobs, and that kind of opportunity doesn't come around every day. (Though, to reiterate something I've said before - make sure you draw very clear boundaries with DH's family about how often you'll be in Seattle/they'll be in Portland. You shouldn't spend every weekend traveling or entertaining, you will still very much need nuclear family time.)
Is that a roundabout way of saying that you're sitting at your desk crying because we didn't choose Seattle and now expect us to visit every weekend?
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Bonny
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Post by Bonny on Jan 5, 2015 18:02:00 GMT -5
I wish you well Firebird. Portland is a cool town. At one point I thought DH and I could live there for a while but after three years living in Bonn, Germany I don't think I could handle another northern winter. Yeah, I'm a climate wimp. You'll have fun exploring and the beaches are dramatic and wild. But keep in contact with a few good friends so you can visit CA in the winter!
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Formerly SK
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Post by Formerly SK on Jan 5, 2015 18:08:42 GMT -5
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