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#16
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Re: Advice Needed - Living in America
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Hi Ron, Happy New Year, my friend! A little South of Annapolis in VA should be nice!
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www.svxfiles.com The first SuperCharged SVX, the first 4.44 gears, the first equal length headers, the first phenolic spacers, the first Class Glass fiberglass hood, the first with 4, 4.44s in his driveway Fiberglass Hood thread My locker 4.44 Swap link |
#17
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Re: Advice Needed - Living in America
If I were to base where to live on climate alone: I would choose Texas (which is why I live here still). However, I would not recommend Houston - their good and bad neighborhoods are interweaved like a shuffled card deck and their traffic is terrible.
In Texas, I would recommend Austin, San Antonio, Dallas, or College Station. Austin is the most peaceful, with some beautiful hill country and is the most like the good parts of California in weather/culture without the high cost of living. Depending on the climate you want, the more north/south I'd recommend. San Antonio and Austin have three season.. fall, spring, summer - no real winter but it gets into the 30's sometimes. Dallas actually has four seasons (including snow) which is why I avoid living there. I generally prefer not living in any environment where mother nature tries to wipe you out (i.e. flooding, tornadoes, hurricanes, earth quakes). I can deal with a small drought or two. Regarding restaurants, they seem to do well in San Antonio as it is a tourist city. Austin/Dallas have already established diverse restaurant genres while San Antonio seems to be getting there. All three cities would welcome a Lebanese restaurant. College Station is a small city but it's considered a college town so a restaurant would either big a huge success or a big failure. Great communities with good job opportunities exist throughout the US - there isn't any one state or city that has it all. I have enjoyed my visits to South Carolina, Nevada, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan, and California. They all had some peaceful locations with beautiful views. A few also contained some very bad locations (New Orleans, Louisiana and downtown Detroit, Michigan especially) where I wouldn't get out of my car and really preferred to not even stop. If I had to leave Texas... I think I would aim for Colorado, California, or North/South Carolina. As for Australia, I have always wanted to visit as I have some wonderful friends all over the country and it has always seemed like such an amazing /friendly place. They generally seem to have a relaxing culture. The only down side is that the most deadly/poisonous creatures (snakes, spiders, etc) are also residents there. So purely for that reason, I think I would seek residence in New Zealand, instead of Australia. New Zealand seems to be very similar in terms of friendly people and it has some of the loveliest country side.
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Marisa '93 LSL Anniversary Edition - 02/93 - 150,998 Daily Driver - Forged EG33 (long block), 6MT swap, and re-upholstered interior '92 Pearl - 100k Side restoration project Locker | Old Locker | Shutterfly | ReadingIX | Facebook | Instagram |
#18
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Re: Advice Needed - Living in America
Marisa has some good ideas. Here is the deal. You need to know for sure what climate you want. Do you want to avoid weather extremes like tornados, floods, hurricanes, blizzards, earthquakes, etc? Does living near the ocean matter to you? If so, do you want warm waters? Then I would ask if you have children that are school age. The correlation isn't 100% but, in general, quality of education is proportional to taxes paid. Having said that, you can find good private schools almost anywhere that is reasonably populated. You pay for good education one way or another. Then you need to look at college options for when that day comes. NY, for example, has some great school districts for k-12 but our state colleges are pretty mediocre. North Carolina, California, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Texas, Wisconsin, Connecticut, Georgia, Virginia and Illinois have some really good state colleges. And you are already aware of business taxes. Finally, look into the cost of housing. And, if you want to look really far ahead, search on states that are good to retire in.
Personally, if the cost of housing wasn't so crazy, I would live in either southern CA or Napa Valley. Aside from Hurricanes on the coast and some areas with flooding issues, NC has a lot to offer. I have heard good things about Austin, TX but I am not a big fan of heat. I have also heard nice things about Denver, CO but that is nowhere near an ocean. I love Maine but the winters are pretty cold and the schools are pretty mediocre. Don't let anyone talk you into the pacific NW. The ocean water is frigid and the weather is more gloomy than they will admit.
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Tony 1996 Polo Green Subaru SVX LSi, 168,XXX miles, Redline D4 ATF, Redline 75W90 gear oil, K&N HP-4001 Oil Filter, Mobil 1 5W50 FS (3qt) and 5W30 High Mileage (4qt) Oil Blend, Motul RBF600 Brake Fluid, AC Delco A975C Air Filter, NGK BKR6EIX-11 plugs, Centric Rotors, Power Stop Evolution Carbon Fiber Ceramic Brake Pads 2005 Gray Acura RL, 165,XXX miles, Redline D4 ATF with Lubegard Platinum Protectant, Mobil 1 5W20 High Mileage Extended Performance Oil 2009 Red Toyota Venza, 123,XXX, Mobil 1 5W30 High Mileage Oil 1992 Red Ferrari 348 ts, 82,XXX, Redline everything |
#19
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Re: Advice Needed - Living in America
Sorry guys, couldn't answer before. Between New Year's, the recent explosion and making the SVX roadworthy again, things got mixed up.
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I know no one from Lebanon living in New Zealand, so I cannot judge. Quote:
You see? We have one of the best countries in the world ruined by corruption and some idiots. There is no resource that we don't have and all our neighbors are working round the clock on stealing it. Quote:
As for me, what is really annoying is extreme humidity, high winds, extreme temperature or extreme snow. Whatever is extreme, I try to evade. As for temperature, whatever is between 25 and 95 by your scale, is fine by me. Humidity over here is between 30 and 80%, but I lived in Qatar where humidity is 10% at best. I can say that I like non humid weather, BUT not a requirement. What really matters for me is the lowest taxes possible, good opportunities to startup and run a business mainly a restaurant (Lebanese, Italian, Sushi/Sashimi) and a French bakery at a later stage. Quote:
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Time to start brainstorming and researching what you guys recommended above. Thanks again guys.
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Danny 1994 Silver SVX in hybernation, awaiting for the monsterous awakening (Lebanon) 1967 Mercedes-Benz 250SL Euro Specs, Hard/Softtop, White/Red. Under Complete Restoration 2013 Mercedes-Benz SL350 Euro Specs, White/Red. Mint... Another step into SL Collection. |
#20
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Re: Advice Needed - Living in America
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My parent's apartment is around 5000 sq foot, worth around US$1.5 million fully furnished. Here we are talking in apartments in a 5 story building around 10 minutes far from Beirut District. Municipal taxes per year are around $250 per apartment (and that's it). Inside Beirut, in some areas, a 2500 sq foot apartment can reach US$2 million. Now assuming a 2500sq foot house in a good "affordable" area, what amount needs to be spent to own it (including breakdown details), and what does it include as yearly taxes? Anyone can assist too with the taxes related to restaurants?
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Danny 1994 Silver SVX in hybernation, awaiting for the monsterous awakening (Lebanon) 1967 Mercedes-Benz 250SL Euro Specs, Hard/Softtop, White/Red. Under Complete Restoration 2013 Mercedes-Benz SL350 Euro Specs, White/Red. Mint... Another step into SL Collection. |
#21
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Re: Advice Needed - Living in America
So you don't appear to be scared off by expensive houses. SERIOUSLY consider southern CA or, possibly, central CA. It is the closest thing the US has to mediteranean climate. You need an Italian cook?
One thing I forgot to mention is the benefit of living AWAY from the larger cities. Move a little more into the rural areas to save money on housing. Specifically search for rural college towns. The people are better educated, the schools are better, the economy is more stable and people appreciate good food more than what you would find in generic rural areas. Relative to the city, the housing is cheaper, the traffic is lighter, the people are nicer and crime is lower. In the state of NY, a great example of this is Ithaca. In PA, you have state college. I'm sure such places exist in central and southern CA. I just haven't personally looked to know. NC and most of the southeastern US is probably out for you if you don't like humidity. I don't know what the humidity is like in Austin but you can easily get climate data. I do know that the central US is drier in general BUT they also have temperature extremes. It can get REALLY cold in north-central US and REALLY hot in south-central US. I have heard that it is dry and not particularly extreme in CO. I know it is dry in most of NV, AZ and NM but it can get REALLY dry and it isn't very green there at all. I like some green, personally.
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Tony 1996 Polo Green Subaru SVX LSi, 168,XXX miles, Redline D4 ATF, Redline 75W90 gear oil, K&N HP-4001 Oil Filter, Mobil 1 5W50 FS (3qt) and 5W30 High Mileage (4qt) Oil Blend, Motul RBF600 Brake Fluid, AC Delco A975C Air Filter, NGK BKR6EIX-11 plugs, Centric Rotors, Power Stop Evolution Carbon Fiber Ceramic Brake Pads 2005 Gray Acura RL, 165,XXX miles, Redline D4 ATF with Lubegard Platinum Protectant, Mobil 1 5W20 High Mileage Extended Performance Oil 2009 Red Toyota Venza, 123,XXX, Mobil 1 5W30 High Mileage Oil 1992 Red Ferrari 348 ts, 82,XXX, Redline everything |
#22
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Re: Advice Needed - Living in America
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I guarantee you will be greeted with genuine warmth and respect. As my sister says, "everyone who lives here is a Texan, some just don't know it yet" .
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. Subaru Ambassador 1996 Polo Green LSi #216..138,100 miles...SOLD JFICX8659TH100216.....Date of Manufacture: November 16, 1995..... Fuji Heavy Industries..Ōta North Plant....Ōta City,. Gunma Prefecture, Japan In-Service Date: January 2, 1997 "The Pristine Green Polo Machine” First Polo Green on the Network First Clear front turn signals, JDM Alcyone hood emblem, rear panel, and BOXER engine cover on the Network (US) (2000) First 5000K HID factory fog lights (2007) First SVX JDM BBS wheels on a USDM SVX (2013) HID lighting (5000K) for headlight and H3 fog lights, PIAA SuperExtreme 120W high beams, rebuilt EG33 longblock, Cometic head gaskets, Phase II flexplate, AMR aluminum radiator with custom silicone hoses, 160A high-output alternator in aluminum-ceramic coated case, new design alternator wiring upgrade v.4, rare factory headlight protectors, refinished JDM BBS mesh aluminum wheels and custom, polished billet aluminum new hex center caps, LED grille mod, R1 Concepts high-carbon cryo slotted rotors, Akebono ceramic pads, Goodridge S/S braided brake lines, Smallcar Stage 1 shift kit, ThermalTech aluminum/ceramic-coated valve covers, Energy Suspension urethane front & rear swaybar bushings, Bontrager22 rear swaybar with QS Components Chromoly Teflon/Kevlar endlinks, "$15.00/5 minute" suspension mod. Hella Supertone horns, Custom stainless steel exhaust system with 2" headpipes, Magnaflow cats, AeroTurbine AR25 resonator /AWD "Bullet" muffler. R.I.P. 2010 Subaru Outback Limited 2.5 CVT...338,000 miles. Totaled by a 1,300 lb. COW March 4, 2016 2014 Hyundai Avante Limited ...178,000 miles. Actually quieter and smoother than the Outback 2007 Mazda Miata MX-5 PRHT...102,000 miles. Plenty of parts, service and windshields. 4th Registered Network member —2/21/2001 My NEW locker..I...My Email..I..Wikipedia/SVX . . Last edited by svxcess; 01-03-2014 at 03:37 PM. |
#23
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Re: Advice Needed - Living in America
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Time to start prepping for our visit trip, my uncle needs to apply for a visit visa. Hope he gets it or else all this effort will go south...
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Danny 1994 Silver SVX in hybernation, awaiting for the monsterous awakening (Lebanon) 1967 Mercedes-Benz 250SL Euro Specs, Hard/Softtop, White/Red. Under Complete Restoration 2013 Mercedes-Benz SL350 Euro Specs, White/Red. Mint... Another step into SL Collection. |
#24
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Re: Advice Needed - Living in America
I would stay far away from southern, or any part of California. The Taxes will be extreme, the state is doing everything it can to pull in money.
I have not had a chance to talk to my neighbor yet, but I do recall him saying he pays about 1500 per year in property tax he has several acre's though. |
#25
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Re: Advice Needed - Living in America
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Unless you are OK with 2.5" long insects crawling over everything. Lots of crack houses too.
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www.svxfiles.com The first SuperCharged SVX, the first 4.44 gears, the first equal length headers, the first phenolic spacers, the first Class Glass fiberglass hood, the first with 4, 4.44s in his driveway Fiberglass Hood thread My locker 4.44 Swap link |
#26
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Re: Advice Needed - Living in America
What about Canada? Eh?
If you don't mind 4-5 months of snow it's amazing here. Also almost no guns like our crazy southern neighbors. No poisonous snakes like Down Under. In the Ottawa area where we are from there is a huge Lebanese population. My wife has worked for 4 or 5 Lebanese families at their restaurants and the owners of the grocery store where she works now are Lebanese also. She even speaks quite a bit of Arabic from all the exposure. Do you have any family in Canada? |
#27
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Re: Advice Needed - Living in America
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An armed society is a polite society. Tom, Eh.
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www.svxfiles.com The first SuperCharged SVX, the first 4.44 gears, the first equal length headers, the first phenolic spacers, the first Class Glass fiberglass hood, the first with 4, 4.44s in his driveway Fiberglass Hood thread My locker 4.44 Swap link |
#28
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Re: Advice Needed - Living in America
I knew I'd get a response from you. We throw rocks and feces and jab the robbers with pointy sticks.
Actually here you can't even shoot somebody robbing your house or you get arrested too. P.S. You can have as many long guns as you want (I have 5)just not handguns. Only cops, drug dealers and thugs are allowed to have those. Last edited by Blacky; 01-03-2014 at 05:57 PM. |
#29
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Re: Advice Needed - Living in America
Northern Delaware is a nice quiet place to live.
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Larry III & The Beautiful Naviguesser '19 Tungsten Pearl Outback 3.6R Ltd...."AISHA" '08 Harvest Gold Outback 3.0L. L. L. Bean...."AIJOU" '07 Gray Diamond Pearl Outback XT Ltd..."AH SO" '05 White Pearl & Silver BAJA Turbo..."AH HA" '97 Bordeaux Pearl SVX LSi..."SUBYDOO" '94 White Pearl SVX LSi..."PEARLY" '92 White Pearl SVX LSL w/touring pkg..."SVXY" '92 Teal SVX LSL w/touring pkg..."ALCYONE" '96 Polo Green LSi ... "MIDORI" '00 Black Dodge VIPER RT-10... "VINNIE" Engineers do it with precision. English teachers are novel lovers. Home: larrysingeriii@comcast.net SVX FEVER, CATCH IT AT A MEET NEAR YOU !! |
#30
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Re: Advice Needed - Living in America
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Having had my right arm shattered by a bad guy (REALLY REALLY BIG bad guy) trying to crush my scull with a big rock (Pgh pavement brick), (never had to duck a feces) no pointy sticks either but have looked down the noisey end of a barrel more times than I can count since I was 16 years old. I have some long guns, but when I am allerted to something out of the ordenary I grab a pistol. good acuracy, convienient, and they weigh less than a 200# cop. quicker to get to too! Tom
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www.svxfiles.com The first SuperCharged SVX, the first 4.44 gears, the first equal length headers, the first phenolic spacers, the first Class Glass fiberglass hood, the first with 4, 4.44s in his driveway Fiberglass Hood thread My locker 4.44 Swap link |
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