Spazz & Quidditch need a new "doghouse"

[Trek420]

Spazz,

If our dogs don't eat each other, heck even if they do, I'm about 5 long but very rideable blocks from this community college, might be some units you need:

http://www.chabotcollege.edu/Admissions/Fees/

there's a whole system of community colleges

[bikerz]

Hey Spazz - welcome in advance to the Bay Area!

I drove CC about 20 years ago (listening to the Iran-Contra hearings on NPR, as I recall!) and we did it in 5 longish days, with a little sight-seeing at the Grand Canyon and Zion along the way, but that was summer... I'd concur on a more southerly route, expecially with a big ol' u-haul.

Regarding housing, I think Craig's List is a good local resource, and "allows dogs" is one of the filters.

You can pick your neighborhood as a filter as well - I'm sure Trek can give guidance about neighborhoods, and I'd be happy to make neighborhood suggestions as well - I'm up in Oakland, and have lived here 20+ years. Are you thinking SF itself, or East Bay? (Peninsula, South Bay and Marin are great too, but I think the public transit options might be a little more limited... I'll get the word out among my various contacts.

I'm sorry the reason for the move is what it is - you never know what life has in store - and what better place to find out that "Bhagdad by the Bay!"

Feel free to PM me if I can help in any way, and I'll pass along any tips I get about housing from folks I know.

[spazzdog]

Thx to everyone for the help. I appreciate every li'l tidbit.

Craigslist is great for detailed listings, including the dog thing... I downloaded a AAA map of the SF Bay area so I can see, in general, where the place is located.

As to area, I'm kinda looking all over, but really rying to find those places stating "close to BART" as I really want to NOT bring my JEEP. Have no clue to the neighborhoods I shouldn't venture into... I'm gonna be walking a dog at all hrs and would like to get through it without getting shot/mugged/whatever. Quid can be intimidating in appearance, but have no idea what he'd do if somebody started picking on mommy... he might just help

So what are the high crime areas? I love a diverse neighborhood, but a safe one. I don't run as fast as I used to

Also, to those who have offered to host Quid and I for a night during the trek cross country; first thank you so much and second, email me your name address & reach # (hit the email icon here on TE). When I get the move date nailed down and settle the route I'll contact any and all takers. (NOTE: I will be traveling with a crate for Quid, so you needn't worry abt pet conflict).

spazz

[CorsairMac]

Email on it's way my friend!

[spazzdog]

Thx folks... have gotten emails from a couple of people on areas to chk for apts and those who want to be "on the route" for the big ROAD TRIP.

Things are moving along... Trek420 will be my guide Jan 7 - Jan14 as I search for a humble abode for Quid and I. Assuming success, I will take 2-3 wks to get packed up and heeeeeere we come! Figure mid-end February... unless it just gets too darned hard here. I've been known to pack in 2 days in my younger yrs.

The trip itinerary will be posted... all TE members in the vacinity of the afore mentioned humble abode are expected (read that begged) to appear to help unload the truck (husbands and SO's with BIG muscles welcome); beer, soda, wine and pizza to be provided by moi.

[spazzdog]

OK... there will be no road trip! No, no, no... there's been no reconciliation; I'm still comin'.

After doing intensive cost analysis on self move vs moving truck I find it to be cheaper to let somebody else do the driving. This includes JEEP transport. Then me and the Quid-ster will just fly out. With the cost of fuel, the mileage the UHaul's get (NOT), some motel, some road food, the whole towing a JEEP across country in the winter... I'll pay somebody else. I'm old enough to be a princess on just this one thing (stomping foot... AG, throw me that tiara).

Currently the company leading the bid is a "I load-they drive-I unload" deal. If I go with them, the TE unload party is still a go.

If I find a "they do it all" company then the TE party is on... the setting just changes. You'll bring lawn chairs and martini's/margarita's and we'll all point and say "please... put it over there."

I'll keep you posted. See (some of) you btn Jan 7 and Jan 14 for the house hunt.

spazz

[Irulan]

we did the you load, we drive thing with N.American several times, worked out well.

[fixedgeargirl]

Wow, Spazz! Sounds like Coyote has paid you a visit and left a grand adventure cleverly disguised as heartbreak. You sound pumped for the adventure . I was hoping to get you to swing down to Austin on your migration... it is 80 degrees here today !

When we moved down here just over a year ago we brought one car inside the U-Haul, DH's vintage Saab, about the size of a Beatle. Yeah, yeah it's against the rules . But we got the car, some furniture, large kid-related items and ALLLLL my clothes in there. All my clothes, that's sayin' something.

Safe and prosperous travels to you, glad to see you back !

[Trek420]

Sounds like TE gals are hinting that you should do the CC Tour de Spazz.

[spazzdog]

I'd rather do the CC thing under more merry circumstance. The $$/time outlay is better utilized with the "I load-they drive-TE & me unloads" scenario. I have to be relatively frugal here... I'm spending a portion of my retirement fund.

If it was summer, I would consider it more, but it's winter... I hate winter. It's depressing & I don't need to spend a week or more on the road dragging my once again crushed life behind me. I'm depressed already and the meds are runnin' low.


End of pity party....

[cindysue]

if I'm free, count me in on the un-load party. Can't wait!

[Trek420]

re-fill the meds, pack the dog and bikes, I'm ready for the un-load party.

[Dogmama]

{{{{{{{{SPAZZ}}}}}}}}}}

If you have to move, San Fran is THE place to go. It's our only vacation destination. Even bought membership to Asian Museum. Transit system is great (and I've been married to my car for 40 years), weather, architecture, it's all great. The only place I know that you should not venture is "the tenderloin" which is a district in the middle of San Fran. I'm sure you're in great hands with our northern California sisters!

Are you, perchance, a graduate student? If yes, sometimes you can get a graduate assistantship that will automatically pay out of state tuition AND give you a break on in-state tuition, health insurance, etc. You'd need to check into that pretty quick because grad application deadlines tend to be longer (at least in AZ.) Failing that, I'd definitely look into some scholarships, especially if you're majoring in math, science, etc. At Univ of AZ, we often have scholarships that pay out-of-state tuition. If the above is "no", check with the registrar and find out what constitutes being a resident for one year. Often, just working for one year will suffice (save your paystubs.)

If I can think of some creative way to get around the system, I'll let you know.

[bouncybouncy]

Good Luck on your new adventure...I lived in the area for years (that was 10 years ago) I was young single and LOVING it!!!! Sounds like you have quite the welcoming commitee! If there were a big city to live in that would be it...(I am partial to the smaller ones)

Love watching your transition take place...what an adventure to a new phase...

[pkq]

I'd rather do the CC thing under more merry circumstance. The $$/time outlay is better utilized with the "I load-they drive-TE & me unloads" scenario. I have to be relatively frugal here... I'm spending a portion of my retirement fund.

If it was summer, I would consider it more, but it's winter... I hate winter. It's depressing & I don't need to spend a week or more on the road dragging my once again crushed life behind me. I'm depressed already and the meds are runnin' low.


End of pity party....

Sounds like TE needs to give you a swift kick to the something or other. Your life may be set back but it is not crushed. You will rise again just as the sun does. You have a new adventure ahead of you, which most are probably envious of. You are making a bold move. You are demonstrating courage in moving on and possibly moving away from things/people/places that may be unhealthy to you. And you have another benchmark of what you don't want in life or what to avoid. Get happy! Trust me, people are not worth giving up one day of your life to depression. They are worth a lot but not that much! I'd say you have a lot to be happy about.

Good luck with your move and new life!