70 replies to this topic

[Pablo]

The "Wolcott Ranch" is going to change location soon. This apartment complex was OK when I moved in, but it has deteriorated. Time to upgrade. Once I complete the slot car projects I have on my plate (GP anglewinder, McLaren 1/32, Cheerios hardbody, Russkit replica 26D) I'm going to plan a re-location to better digs.

 

I'm an expert at moving, no big deal. Just letting you know 

[Bill from NH]

Did the house you had before ever get refurbished and updated?

[Pablo]

No. The Demontluzin Street rental house continues to deteriorate. There is only one solution for rotting wood - a bulldozer. I would never own a dwelling in a hurricane zone (south of Interstate 10). Renting is OK.

 

The last couple of days voices in my head are saying "Hattiesburg, MS." College town, educated people, low crime. Far enough north to be away from hurricanes and far enough south to be away from Tornado Alley.

 

I have six months to make it happen. 

[Pablo]

The "voices in my head" are changing their tune. Now I'm thinking the next "small town" to the east - Long Beach, MS. It's just a few miles away, they have fast food, better restaurants, good police force, barbershops, and I'll still be close enough to my friends here in "The Pass" to come visit.

 

Should be an easy transition. Pay a little more rent money for better quality digs, in "post Hurricane Katrina new construction" - no mold/rot, no warped floors. And they have a great post office. I'm just thinking.

 

As soon as all the slot cars on my plate are safe and sound in the owner's hands, I'll get serious about planning my move. No more "Section 8" digs for me.    

[Bud Greene]

Closer to me LOL

[Bill from NH]

Probably closer to me too.  

[Pablo]

We should have a party 

[Bill from NH]

You would be about 5 mi. closer in Long Beach.

[Pablo]

Full attention to move planning will begin as soon as my "build plate" is empty. Today I found out USPS no longer offers "First Class International" service to the country I want to send the last car to. If you plan to send something out of the USA, look at the "Alert" here at USPS.com

 

First-Class Mail International | USPS

 

They offer other methods of delivery, but they cost at least 3 times more than "First Class International". It caught me by surprise. Good thing nothing is every rushed here at The Ranch 

 

Adding to the drama, today my AC went down. Qualified on-site apartment AC repair guy shows up in record time. Goes to inspect the heat pump/compressor out back. I hear a loud scream and see my AC guy holding his arm running down the street. I thought he electrocuted himself.

 

Turns out there was a wasp nest in the breaker box and they got him bad. Now I'm in a hot house and my AC guy is probably sitting in an Urgent Care Center   Just minor bumps in the road. We specialize in Damage Control, nothing can stop us 

[PCH Parts Express]

if you get too hot maybe sit in the car with the air on for a few minutes... better than standing by an open freezer/fridge. Maybe hang out at the local hobby shop? 

[Pablo]

AC guy is a tough man, he put some cream on his hand and he's back at it, charging my Freon as we speak. Thank God he didn't electrocute himself.

 

Hang out at the local hobby shop? I thought you were my local hobby shop LOL The closest real city is an hour's drive each way 

[Bill from NH]

Local libraries have AC too. All the street people know that. 

 

Keep a can of wasp & hornet spray on hand. You never know when you'll need it. The cans spray accurately from 25'-30' away. Best time to use it is in the evening when the insects are all in the nest.

[John Luongo]

years ago, we made a poultice out of a crushed aspirin with a few drops of water. applied to an insect bite or sting helps remove the pain and inflammation. 

[Pablo]

Thank goodness this day is over and ended well. Found a way to get the slot car shipped, my AC guy is fine (he came back later and finished the job), now I have cool air and nothing left to complain about 

[Pablo]

Back to moving plans ....... I keep "waffling" on where I want to go. Good thing I have plenty of time to decide and the means to make it happen.

 

If you care for a "Hurricane Katrina" story, here is mine. In 2005 my wife and I evacuated southern MS to a pet-friendly motel in Iuka, MS with our 2 dogs. The people embraced us with so much love it was incredible. They wouldn't allow us to pay a single dime for anything. Motel was free. Church food was free - 3 home cooked meals a day. Wife's meds at Walmart pharmacy - free.

 

I tried to explain to them, we ain't poor. Didn't matter. Needed to cash an out-of-town check - no problem. Walking down the street while my Corolla was being serviced - free ride from the chief of police. He says, "hey bud, you need a ride? Are you a Katrina evacuee?" I say, "yes" he says c'mon I'll give you a ride, I'm the chief of police". He drives a ratty old van with a badge and a pistol. Super nice guy. Drives me to Walmart.

 

Chief calls friends who live at Pickwick Lake. Later, I get a phone call at the motel room with an invitation to come visit and go fishing on a two story lakefront home with a party barge on the water with a hydraulic lift.

 

You go to a gas station in this part of the country, and the graffiti in the stall says "God loves You". Northern Mississippi. I can't get it out of my head today. Memphis and Chattanooga are close by.

[Martin]

Great story Pablo thanks for sharing, and thanks for confirming there is much more good in the world than bad.

 

Good luck with your relocation mate.

[Pablo]

OK I'll continue the story. But I have to back up - about a year before Katrina, wife and I went to Iuka for world class bass fishing at Pickwick Lake. Stayed at a motel and hired a professional guide, Roger Stegall. Great trip, fantastic fishing

 

 

The sign in the motel lobby said "Pets have never been belligerent or drunk or rude or ruined property here. Your pets are welcome. And if you behave yourself, you are welcome here also". So I filed that in my head.

 

Fast forward to Katrina. It's time to pack the car and leave. All well-known name brand motels within 800 miles are booked. I'm desperate to make a reservation, somewhere, anywhere, that takes 2 dogs. I remembered the motel in Iuka, called them, they had one room left.

 

Drove all night and half the next day in bumper to bumper traffic. Arrived and ended up staying a week. I remember polishing Russkit motor brackets outside on a wood picnic bench with a portable Dremel 

 

So here is my Katrina fishing story. The nice couple that offered us to live at their place on the shore of Lake Pickwick took us fishing on their party barge. We drove down the lake a mile or so and picked up a neighbor who had just retired as a doctor. He is looking for a new hobby, fishing. He has all brand new gear but admits he's a complete newbie.

 

Since the boat owner knows I'm retired sportfishing boat captain and Navy, he says "You drive, Paul, find the fish". I remembered one spot where Roger, my wife and myself caught a bass every cast the year before. The boat has a fishfinder and a lake chart so I'm thinking "Man this is like a dream come true". We motor on down the lake.

 

I found the offshore ledge no problem. And the fish were stacked, buddy, I mean loaded with fish. The owner stands by with the anchor, I go upwind of the spot and say "Drop". I back down and say "Hold and tie it off" then I shut off the motor.

 

As I turn around to grab a rod and fish, the retired doctor had cast a brand new lazer sharpened hook crankbait as we settled back on the anchor and immediately caught a nice sized Hybrid Striper. Upon trying to release the fish, one of the hooks absolutely buried itself into his thumb. To the hilt.

 

If it had been me, I'd have cut the lure off and kept fishing. It was a brand new clean hook. But the doctor wasn't much of a trooper. So we pulled the anchor and went home. Man, those fish were READY 

 

Pickwick Lake - small town, fantastic fishing, catfish longer than a man's arm. Maybe that is my future. At this point, I'm just dreaming 

 

 

 

 

 

[Courtney S]

Well Pablo let me just invite you to Chattanooga some of the best fishing around some of the nicest people and I will have a little home track that you would be welcome on anytime.
Did I mention we also have no state tax and Im a realtor I would love to help you.
We have a great commercial track in Cleveland Tennessee and we also have another track in Rossville Georgia I think Chattanooga is a good spot for you.

[Pablo]

Wow you got my attention with that Courtney. I was looking at that area along with Iuka. And I just googled which states don't tax my military pension. Tennessee is one of them. I'll be in touch soon via PM. 

 

As a realtor, do you service people looking for apartments and rental homes as well as home buyers?

[Courtney S]

I will help you any way I can!

The only thing you should be aware of is if you live in Chattanooga you will be that much closer to Cheater and I dont know if his parole officer will allow that.

[Pablo]

Thanks Courtney. Who knew the best source to find a vetted realtor was Slotblog? But do I have to give Cheater 5%? 

 

I thought I was Cheater's parole officer 

[Don Weaver]

'Did I mention we also have no state tax..."   Well, not quite no state tax.

 

I grew up in Knoxville so I'm a Tennessee fan (football, lady vols basketball & the state overall).  However, all governments have to get their money somewhere and in Tennessee it is from their 7.5% state sales tax and up to 2.5% local sales tax.  The average sales tax across Tennessee is 9.5%.  IIRC, there's also a tax on investment assets.

 

Courtney is right, there is unbelievable fresh water fishing with all the TVA lakes around and Chattanooga is a great city and it' really only a short drive to Atlanta and Clyde's raceway on the north side of Atlanta.  Chattanooga sits on the state line between Tenn and GA so that might offer something you're looking for as well.

 

Don

[Bill from NH]

If one is concerned about taxes, NH has no state or local sales taxes, nor a state income tax. .But you got to like cold weather.

[Pablo]

"there's also a tax on investment assets"

 

Can you elaborate on that please?

[Half Fast]

See Here:

 

Overview of Tennessee Taxes

Tennessee has no income tax on salaries and wages. However, for the 2020 tax year, the state levied a 1% flat-rate tax on all income earned from interest and dividends. Beginning with the 2021 tax year, this tax will be repealed. Tennessee also has the highest overall average sales tax in the country, while homeowners in the state pay some of the lowest property taxes in the nation.

 

https://smartasset.c...-tax-calculator

 

Cheers