Tales from the Hitching Post (1 Viewer)

The Baltimore Washington area is getting crazy. Housing prices are insane, along with the property taxes. The schools are some of the best in the nation, which will most likely keep us here for a while. I'm 35-40 miles to DC, and on a great day, can do that commute in 90 minutes. Maybe faster if I use public transportation, but then I add $300 per month in costs, if not more.

There is a great project going on in Northern VA now, but I'd have to commute 2+ hours each way (52 miles). That just isn't happening. Moving there into a nice house that fits my family of 5 will start in the $700's...

I'm kind of done with this area.
 
The Baltimore Washington area is getting crazy. Housing prices are insane, along with the property taxes. The schools are some of the best in the nation, which will most likely keep us here for a while. I'm 35-40 miles to DC, and on a great day, can do that commute in 90 minutes. Maybe faster if I use public transportation, but then I add $300 per month in costs, if not more.

There is a great project going on in Northern VA now, but I'd have to commute 2+ hours each way (52 miles). That just isn't happening. Moving there into a nice house that fits my family of 5 will start in the $700's...

I'm kind of done with this area.
Schools can be very hit or miss in the Atlanta area FYI.
 
Let me know if I can assist in any way, Mark. Recommendations, research, looking over your initial area picks, whatever you need.
 
ditto that, I have a realtor that helped me sell the estate home if you need one, she is good at getting the most/paying the least. You probably want the Johns Creek area for schools, some of the best in the area I have heard, and it is a growing real estate area, not like my burg which has been stagnant for 10+ years (southwest Cobb). No kids, so ask Tom his opinion on schools.
 
You could always try the rapid growth center of middle Tennessee. From a non-specific job perspective, it's solid. As for schools, our young'uns get learneded real good hear two.
 
It is. The software package that I support is running dry up here. DC has some decent projects, but living down there is too busy and expensive... or commuting from my house is a pain in the ass. Atlanta is still a hotbed for this software, and the amount of work is still good.

I have to do a lot more research in property, schools, commutes, etc...

But yeah. . It's real.

Say it's not so..........(n) :thumbsdown:(n) :thumbsdown::(:eek::mad:
 
Does Georgia have school report cards? When I was teaching in AZ, every school had to have a public report handy that detailed many things including demographics, standardized test scores, education level and experience of teaching, student mobility rates, etc. There will be stats on the public school districts in the area.

Many times years ago, my friends would ask what school were good in the PHX/Scottsdale area. It is usually very easy to determine...follow the money. There is a strong correlation between the socioeconomics of a neighborhood and the quality of the schools in it. I worked in Scottsdale, AZ for 15 years. There is great diversity in the city. It was the highest scoring district in AZ, but also had average schools. The highest scoring schools were in attendance areas with the highest home prices.

If your primary interest is in living in an attendance area with high scoring schools, look for the most expensive house you can afford. It is likely to correlate with the more quality schools within a district. I know nothing of the politics of Georgia and how it impacts public school teachers, but in AZ, the better schools with lower neighborhood problems of crime, drugs, single parents, etc. tend to attract better teachers. It's tough to work in schools with considerable challenges for a number of years. The more qualified and successful teachers tend to migrate to those top schools IMO.
 
Or try Texas!!! Great some good schools and housing especially in Sam Antonio market is very affordable. House for 5 starts at under 250. Shoot for 700 you can live like a rockstar.
 
If your primary interest is in living in an attendance area with high scoring schools, look for the most expensive house you can afford. It is likely to correlate with the more quality schools within a district. I know nothing of the politics of Georgia and how it impacts public school teachers, but in AZ, the better schools with lower neighborhood problems of crime, drugs, single parents, etc. tend to attract better teachers. It's tough to work in schools with considerable challenges for a number of years. The more qualified and successful teachers tend to migrate to those top schools IMO.
you are on the right track here too. I live in East Snob (Cobb). In my area are the best public schools in the state. You cross the wrong county line and it drops precipitously.
 
Say it's not so..........(n) :thumbsdown:(n) :thumbsdown::(:eek::mad:

Ditto to this :( Of course we all know you're just making up reasons to convince your wife to move with the end game of being within a 10 mile radius of the Hitching Post :D
 
If you guys can convert one of the tables so it turns into a bed I'll happily move in and start paying rent. I also cook a mean chicken and have been known to lose hundreds of dollars at the post (empirical evidence FTW!) so you want me in the game. Will deal for apple pie moonshine.
 
If you guys can convert one of the tables so it turns into a bed I'll happily move in and start paying rent. I also cook a mean chicken and have been known to lose hundreds of dollars at the post (empirical evidence FTW!) so you want me in the game. Will deal for apple pie moonshine.

What do you do with the kind chickens?

Chicken Rob just put you on a hate list, fwiw.

As long as I remain on the no-cook list, I'll look the other way. I know I should stand up for all chickens, but the mean chickens have to go.
 
As long as I remain on the no-cook list, I'll look the other way. I know I should stand up for all chickens, but the mean chickens have to go.
ImageUploadedByTapatalk1466270853.450440.jpg
 
shuffler removal project status:

Old gaming cloth and staples removed from insert:
tom-table-1.jpg
tom-table-2.jpg


Next up: removal of old foam and some sanding:
tom-table-3.jpg
tom-table-4.jpg


Ugh. Nasty glue residue and shitloads of stuck-on foam bits. Way too much adhesive was used imo, looks like it was brushed on.....

tom-table-5.jpg

tom-table-6.jpg


After several hours of scraping with citral solution, finally got it to the point it could be sanded smooth on both sides.

Squared up the 7.5" x 9.5" hole, and got the plug cut and glued in. Note the professional weights to keep everything secure.

tom-table-7.jpg


Next up is sanding after it dries 24 hours, then more glue and/or wood filler followed by more sanding.

New foam has been delivered and needs to be cut to size and glued on, then we're ready for the new cloth!
 
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shuffler removal project status:

Old gaming cloth and staples removed from insert:
View attachment 45732View attachment 45733

Next up: removal of old foam and some sanding:
View attachment 45734 View attachment 45735

Ugh. Nasty glue residue and shitloads of stuck-on foam bits. Way too much adhesive was used imo, looks like it was brushed on.....

View attachment 45736
View attachment 45737

After several hours of scraping with citral solution, finally got it to the point it could be sanded smooth on both sides.

Squared up the 7.5" x 9.5" hole, and got the plug cut and glued in. Note the professional weights to keep everything secure.

View attachment 45738

Next up is sanding after it dries 24 hours, then more glue and/or wood filler followed by more sanding.

New foam has been delivered and needs to be cut to size and glued on, then we're ready for the new cloth!
You're awesome Dave. Thanks for all the help.
 

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