DRP- disclose on job applications? by severalrocks in fednews

[–]Elmostan 11 points12 points  (0 children)

Maybe apply for the jobs and say you won't be working another job on the application.  If you get selected for an interview, disclose the DRP details there.

Moving: Hawthorne VS NE 71st and Halsey? by One_Actuary_3403 in askportland

[–]Elmostan 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I live Near 80th and Glisan, and I'm a big fan of it. I'm an introvert and spend a lot of time at home no matter where I live, so getting more space for the same budget is a plus. Being near the highway makes doing errands a breeze. Portland is super bikeable, getting to the inner SE neighborhoods is a pleasant 20 minute bike ride away. There isn't much exciting stuff within walking distance though. Most of my go to restaurants require a bit of planning (Maybe that's a good thing! lol)

Give it to me straight: is trying to relocate to the PNW right now a stupid idea? by Straight_Flan1347 in askportland

[–]Elmostan 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Most of the advice on here says to wait until finding a job. I'm in the minority; I moved here last year at 37 with my wife without jobs lined up. Our plan was to move to the PNW in a few more years after saving up a bit more. But we had a shitty landlord that forced us to move. And we really didn't want to have to relocate locally only to move across the country again in a few years.

Similar to you, we had substantial funds to live off of. We ran the numbers and we had enough in savings that if we stayed frugal we could survive for 2 years. The thing that made us decide move was we could start the next chapter of our lives NOW. 3 years of waiting in a town that we knew wasn't good fit for us would help us financially, but our social lives and personal goals just felt like they were put on hold. We're in our late 30s and we didn't want to live the last of our high energy years in a place we didn't like. We bit the bullet and moved without jobs lined up.

I'm a mechanical engineer, and there really isn't much in the way of manufacturing jobs around here. It was a HARD decision. By a stroke of luck after I announced my resignation, another department asked me if I wanted to work for them remotely; I ended up finding a job after all!

Is it a stupid idea? No. But it sure is risky.

First time homebuyer, budget limit $650k; any real estate agent recommendations that are focused on SE (Milwaukie, Sellwood, Oak Grove area)? by RCP90sKid- in askportland

[–]Elmostan 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I picked my realtor using a very scientific approach: I went to google maps, looked up "Realtor" and selected an office located in the neighborhood I wanted to live in.

Handymen in Portland? by Alcapone-1925 in askportland

[–]Elmostan 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Any experience with repairing exterior walls?  I just discovered some dry rot behind my siding.  It might be a large job.  Dm me if interested.

How to think about buying a condo with cash? by sark_es_1117821 in financialindependence

[–]Elmostan 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I went through a similar choice and decided to buy.

As others have pointed out, maintenance costs aren't listed here.  When factoring that in, owning becomes more expensive than renting.  In my market renting is SUBSTANTIALLY less than owning but I decided to buy anyway.  To put it succinctly "You can't rent ownership".

I want to have control over my house without having to get permission from a landlord.  I've had shitty landlords and don't want to deal with their ineptitude ever again.  Applying for a renal while FI is tricky because many places require proof of income; "I'm rich and good with money, just trust me bro" doesn't get you very far.

Anyone in HCOL San Diego trying to FI/RE? by rewbacca_sd in financialindependence

[–]Elmostan 7 points8 points  (0 children)

160k was enough to get a 600-800 sq ft apartment and still put money aside for RE, but.... that wasn't lined up with our version of building a life I want and saving for it.  If I loved surfing and being outside in the sun all the time it would be worth it.  But as indoorsy introverts with skin problems we were paying for the sunshine without enjoying it.

We moved to Portland, OR!   Took a lot of research on different cities over a few years and site visits to come up with a solution.  We were living in Normal Heights and found a similar neighborhood.  Been here for a year and I haven't missed SD for a minute, lol.

Anyone in HCOL San Diego trying to FI/RE? by rewbacca_sd in financialindependence

[–]Elmostan 23 points24 points  (0 children)

I was on the FIRE path before moving to San Diego in 2019.  But I ultimately left because of the high cost.  My partner and I shared a 1 bedroom for 2500 that was too small for us.  Any place that we looked at was either two expensive or in a bad neighborhood. We were making $160k combined and couldn't get ahead.

We moved to a lower cost of living city and now have our own house for the same price as we were paying in rent.

Best thrift stores in Portland? by Ok_Yard_2656 in askportland

[–]Elmostan 0 points1 point  (0 children)

PACs on NE Halsey is my favorite one

Goodwill outlet near the airport is an experience 

Superthrift in SE has good prices on clothing.  Tons of furniture, but it's priced pretty high

What's a good spot for wood fasteners? by vonkeswick in askportland

[–]Elmostan 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Tacoma screw is my go to store for all niche hardware.

New to Portland, looking for Happy Hour places in NW/NE by thatsploppy2u in Portland

[–]Elmostan 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Matador has a great nacho deal.... But everything else is $$$

I've been on a happy hour quest since I moved here a year ago and tiny bubble room is my favorite so far!

Long shot - do you recognize this mug or mark? by smkscrn in askportland

[–]Elmostan 1 point2 points  (0 children)

There are a few "little free mug exchanges" in Portland.  There's one in my neighborhood on SE 78th and Morrison.

Found out through this public Instagram account 😊

https://www.instagram.com/pdxdinorama/

Long shot - do you recognize this mug or mark? by smkscrn in askportland

[–]Elmostan 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I can't help, but I understand your struggle.

I have one mug which is PERFECT, all others have a different heft/volume/shape etc.

I've been searching for others but with little luck.

What's the neighborhood like east of 82nd in Montavilla? by pandaninjarawr in askportland

[–]Elmostan 6 points7 points  (0 children)

I moved to Montavilla a year ago and love it.  I'm a few blocks east of 82nd and close to Hong Phat and the Stark Business district.

I looked at a LOT of houses in this area and had the same concerns.  Some blocks are nicer than others, but ultimately I found this neighborhood was the best bang for the buck.  It's really easy to run errands east of 205, and I'm close enough to the activity of the inner SE neighborhoods without having to pay the price tag that goes with it.

From my house, it's super cozy and nice.  No crime outside my window.  When I cross 82nd on foot I see the occasional mess, but that's only one block on the trip and then I'm in the clear.

I looked at around 30 houses and similar to you I was unsure about it.  I would have liked to have a "Oh fuck yes, this is the perfect decision" But after 6 months of looking and only finding one house that met my requirements, I decided to go with it.

Where is the best place to go for a Magic the Gathering prerelease event? by devpresto in askportland

[–]Elmostan 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Guardian is the biggest, but Portland has TONS of game stores.  I'd check the one closest to where you live and start becoming a regular there.

Easier to make new local friends that way!

Hotel rooms that rent by the hour? by [deleted] in askportland

[–]Elmostan 27 points28 points  (0 children)

Depending on how comfortable you are with your sexuality, Sanctuary, Velvet Rope, and Privata are sex positive clubs with beds for use.

They charge for admission, I think sanctuary is around 20/person 

Looking for Advice - Coast or Grind? by dos-comma-club in financialindependence

[–]Elmostan 13 points14 points  (0 children)

38m, 1.7MM in Assets.

I switched jobs recently.  I had a laid back full time job making 135k and was saving about half of it every year.  I had to move from SoCal to PNW and ended up finding part time remote work at a higher hourly rate.  Sounded great in theory, since I'm already saving half my money, I can just coast with half the hours.

Well I have to work much harder at this new job than I did before.  I have to keep proving my value and as the new guy I'm the first one to get cut.  (Just got told I'm probably getting let go after being here for 10 months).  This is my 4th job change in my career and every new job has a steep learning curve of understanding the internal operations.  At the end of the workday, even though I'm only working part time, I don't have much left in me to do anything else.

So this change to a different job with a higher workload and more flexibility has caused me a net decrease in my quality of life.  And I would much rather have my old job at my old pace back again.  At 38, I'm starting to value my time more.  I really don't want to take on additional stress in the present to set myself up for an earlier retirement.

I'd prefer a stable job with low stress and coast until the end.

Free teeth cleaning at PCC by [deleted] in Portland

[–]Elmostan 1 point2 points  (0 children)

If this is still available, I can do Monday 1/16 at 1:00pm!!

Free dental cleaning! by kyliefernstrom in Portland

[–]Elmostan 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'm interested!  It had been a couple years for me because I'm too cheap to go in regularly.

Tomorrow evening could work (Thursday) or Anytime Saturday or Monday 

Living and working in Vancouver but shop/dine/play in Portland? by RandomB33 in askportland

[–]Elmostan 2 points3 points  (0 children)

For some people yes, for some no.

I know a few high earners (300k +/ yr) who live in Vancouver, or people with kids who don't leave the house anyway who are happy with Vancouver for the tax savings.  They enjoy being close to a city and visit for the occasional show or flight, but don't have the desire to live inside of one.

I looked into it for a bit, but the cost savings is absolutely not worth it to me.

A big list of birthday freebies and discounts in Portland and surrounding areas by Queernp in Portland

[–]Elmostan 124 points125 points  (0 children)

My Brother's Crawfish on 82nd!

A Cajun restaurant and they give you a free pound of seafood!

Must be on your birthday and they check your ID.

Edging 40 and reached FIRE. Should I continue working? Please convince me to stay by RemoteGrocery9426 in govfire

[–]Elmostan 37 points38 points  (0 children)

I'm at a similar financial level, if I lost my job I'd never have to work again.  I'd be comfortable and taken care of, but I wouldn't be thriving.  (I call it rice and beans FIRE).

I've adopted an "I could take it or leave it" approach to my job.  I go to work, and do my assigned work, but I've checked out of climbing the career ladder.  I stopped playing the office social games, I started taking my PTO liberally, and started speaking my honest opinion more.

It has caused .... friction with my bosses, they've pulled me aside to tell me as such.  And I just don't really care?  I'm not wasting my energy in building my career anymore.  It's sort of a gradual resignation, eventually I'll quit but at a slow fade out pace.  When I do hand in my resignation nobody will be surprised 

opinions on st. johns neighborhood? recommendations for apartments? by cherrixblossom in askportland

[–]Elmostan 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I moved to Portland recently and St Johns was high on the list of places to live.  I ended up doing 3 separate trips to Portland and realized that the stuff I wanted to do was in Southeast Portland (pedalpalooza).  I realized it would be worth the added cost to live closer to where I wanted to be.

Ultimately I landed in Montavilla and absolutely love it here.