Barbie, watch out for rain. . .

[Cudedog]

Barbie, I am kind of a weather junkie, and I am just now reading that heavy rain is predicted for your area for Friday and Saturday, with a flood watch in effect. 80% chance Friday night, 70% chance Saturday.

This is due to the remnants of a hurricane off the coast of Baja that is moving north. This storm is due to hit southern California's coastal and inland areas.

"Hurricane Kay moving north toward SoCal, will likely bring heavy rain, flash flooding. . . Desert areas are also vulnerable, expecting about an inch of rain that could wash out some roads."
https://abc7.com/hurricane-kay-2022-southern-california-los-angeles/12210409/



I don't know if you are in a low-lying area or not - or are near any dry washes or dry stream beds - but be aware, and please stay safe. As you probably know, a terrible flash flood hit Death Valley in the last couple of weeks, and many tourists were stranded there in the park.

Hope you don't need flood insurance. . .

Anne

[BarbaraRose]

Thanks Anne. I am in a good area. The worst that will happen is my backyard will get flooded but it is a drainage area so it is supposed to fill with excess water. I am higher than my neighbors as well. There is a huge canal not far from me that will take any big runoff from heavy storms. It takes a lot of water to get much of any water in it. I remember when I was out here 3 years ago looking to buy this place on February 13th and a huge storm was predicted for southern CA. I headed back to Vista that same day to get home ahead of the storm. It hit out here with a vengence! 3 inches of rain here that day which is our annual average. Lots of roads washed out in the mountains and low areas but I heard the park here was fine other than the drainage areas being full. So I am not too worried. I am actually skeptical that we will even get any of the rain since we've gotten missed be every storm that has come thru so far this summer.

Thanks for thinking of me! The biggest threat in my area is, of course, earthquakes and so far we haven't had anything at all for awhile. (not sure if that is a good thing or not! )

[Cudedog]

Thanks for thinking of me! The biggest threat in my area is, of course, earthquakes and so far we haven't had anything at all for awhile. (not sure if that is a good thing or not! )

You are most welcome, Barbie. I hope you get enough of the rain to cool things down for you, but not to do any damage.

Likely, as you say, this storm will pass you by.

Earthquakes are always fun (having experienced a few during my life here in California).

Of course, high heat can be a threat (especially if the power goes out - rolling blackouts are again a possibility in my part of the state, as the electrical grid is put under tremendous pressure by the continuing heat wave).

Also, in my area of California, there is always the threat of windstorms (there have even been small tornadoes sighted here!).

And fires (fire insurance is becoming very difficult - and expensive - to acquire in rural areas here due to the nearly constant wildfire threat).

And floods (there was a major flood here in my town many years ago - many people died. A former co-worker lost her brother in the flood - his body was never found).

Not to mention the ongoing severe drought - some small towns here are needing to have water trucked in now during the extended drought due to wells going dry. . .

Yes, welcome to beautiful California. The Golden State.

Anne

[BarbaraRose]

I just got an email this morning from our management that they are shutting down our second clubhouse until middle of October to save on electricity because of the requests out here to use less. I try to keep the temps in my house up when I can. I have a minisplit in my bedroom and one in the living room. I keep the AC in whatever room I am in, at 77* and the other room at 81*-83*. When I am not home, both are at 83* I know they are working harder due to the humidity. Just got my latest electric bill and it was pushing $100, which isn't too bad compared to what other people are paying. The minisplit really is an energy saver.

I am concerned about all the weather changes out here.

[Cudedog]

I just got an email this morning from our management that they are shutting down our second clubhouse until middle of October to save on electricity because of the requests out here to use less. I try to keep the temps in my house up when I can. I have a minisplit in my bedroom and one in the living room. I keep the AC in whatever room I am in, at 77* and the other room at 81*-83*. When I am not home, both are at 83* I know they are working harder due to the humidity. Just got my latest electric bill and it was pushing $100, which isn't too bad compared to what other people are paying. The minisplit really is an energy saver.

I am concerned about all the weather changes out here.

Me, too. I think weather patterns are changing all over the U.S. - if not the entire globe. In the U. S. west/southwest, I think they are a bit more pronounced than in other places.

I was reading the other day that in the coming not-too-distant future, the "rust belt" (up until now an area people were anxious to get away from) is going to be the "place to be", due to these changing weather patterns.

I have been looking around - my favorite time of day is "Zillow Time" . . . and home prices in places like Michigan are still 1/2 to 1/3 the cost of comparable properties here in the western states.

That may be about to change. . .

Anne

[JudyJB]

I have heard Californians say about their earthquakes and fires that at least they do not have hurricanes and tornados!!

Well, now they are apparently having the effects of a hurricane, which is the last thing they need,

Anne, it has been just lovely along the Oregon coast. And I really like Eureka, CA, because of the cool ocean breezes. You should explore places around there, though I do not know the cost.

I have a good friend who lives in the Bronx and pays a very high rate for her apartment rent. She is getting close to retirement and considering much cheaper Pennsylvania, though that does mean she will have to learn to drive after all these years. Having cheaper housing costs after retirement would be very tempting to me also because it would give you more security.

[Cudedog]

Anne, it has been just lovely along the Oregon coast. And I really like Eureka, CA, because of the cool ocean breezes. You should explore places around there, though I do not know the cost.

I have a good friend who lives in the Bronx and pays a very high rate for her apartment rent. She is getting close to retirement and considering much cheaper Pennsylvania, though that does mean she will have to learn to drive after all these years. Having cheaper housing costs after retirement would be very tempting to me also because it would give you more security.

Thanks, Judy. About a quarter mill might buy me a converted-chicken-coop-style "fixer special" in Eureka. A half to three-quarter mill might get me maybe a liveable "nothing special" 1200 sq. ft. 3 bedroom/1 bath. Any of these are pretty much out of my league.

Anyway, I have done the fixer special thing more than once in the past. I could - once upon a time - sling a hammer with the best of them. However, my fixer special days are pretty much done.

Thanks for the suggestion, though.

Anne

[BarbaraRose]

Anything near the ocean is outrageously expensive nowdays. Everyone wants to live there so the prices go way up. Suppy and demand.

Actually, it is hard to find anything affordable anywhere now. Even back in MN, the rents are almost as bad as they are here. Nothing less than $1000/mo for even a studio apt. Homes are minimum of $350K. Even mobile homes are over $100K for a fairly new one. Lot rents are pushing or over $1000/mo. It is really hard for single people to afford anything now days, especially on a fairly fixed income.