Monday, July 30, 2012

on the street where i lived

Stage one of my trip north has begun.

I showed up at my Salem house just after 1 on Sunday morning.  And I immediately knew I was not in Melaque any more.

For the past week, the temperature in my Melaque bedroom hovered around 90 degrees at bedtime.  It was 60 degrees in Salem when I got to bed.  Sleeping with the windows open (under the covers) was a treat.

Even the overcast day was an interesting change.  I could actually get out and move around.

As you know, I would like to sell (or just get rid of) the Salem house.  It costs me close to $1000 a month to simply keep my name on the place. A house where I do not live -- and have no intention of returning.  There were two recent nibbles.  But nibbles do not sign trust deeds.

I did notice though that nature is doing her best to turn the house into a mere memory.  Vegetation grows fast in Mexico, but the ivy in Salem may grow just as fast.

On Sunday afternoon I attended a family (not my own) reunion picnic in one of the Willamette Valley's homages to New England villages -- Sublimity, even the name smacks of clam chowder -- and had a great steak dinner at El Gaucho in Portland that evening.

I suspect that is going to be the uniting theme of these two weeks.  Food.

25 comments:

DonCuevas said...

What are some of Oregon's food specialties? I would imagine that fruit is high on the list. Salmon? Trout?

As you know, I had a great steak dinner at a Uruguayan restaurant in Morelia last week.

Saludos, Don Cuevas

NW said...

Hmmm, I know that house.. 

Steve Cotton said...

Salmon is high on most people's lists.  Not mine.  I do not care for fish.  But our fresh fruit is world-famous.  The cherries are still being harvested.  I am a happy guy. 

Steve Cotton said...

 Thought you might.

jennifer rose said...

So, what Oregon food items are you bringing your friends back in Mexico? Hazelnuts?

John Calypso said...

Steelhead is an Oregon homegrown - tasty! I like your house - has a 40's look to it with great roof lines.

Irene said...

I read once that Sublimity, Oregon is the only town in the US named Sublimity.  Don't know if that is true, but it is nice to think so.

Laurie Matherne said...

I like your house. I sold my Arts and Crafts home a few years ago. Sometimes, I regret that I don't have a home in the US. The main consolation is I don't have to pay for the upkeep, which as you point out, is a large expense. 

NW said...

I could probably help you out unloading it :)
Wifey and I are "downsizing", hehehe

NW said...

 Oh yeah, for a song.. ;)

Kim G said...

Ah Steve....

You know enough about economics to know you can sell your house any old time you want.

You just have to come to grips with what is the current market clearing price.  It's not a nice number if you are the seller.  But that number will sell your house in a reasonable time.

As I think I've said for a while now, I think that number is going down over time, so you are probably best off biting the bullet by coming to grips with the number sooner rather than later.

Especially since you're paying to watch that number decline.

Saludos,

Kim G
Boston, MA
Where a very smart neighbor sold his house in the summer of 2006, believing the market was toppy. Since then, my own "number" has declined substantially.

Steve Cotton said...

And it is getting close to bullet-biting time.

Steve Cotton said...

I will admit it is nice to have a place to stay during my infrequent visits.  But I could get the nicest room in the nicest hotel in Salem for far less than what I am paying for the privilege of having a crash pad,

Steve Cotton said...

The New England settlers brought a lot of "middle class value" names with them in their move to Oregon.  A list of Oregon towns echoes with the names of artisan soaps.

Steve Cotton said...

 The house was built in 1926.  It is a lovely place.  But I need to make it a place I once lived.

Steve Cotton said...

I am getting into whistling mode.

Steve Cotton said...

My best friend (me) will get several packets of Boar's Head pepperoni.  It is not Oregon.  But it is good.

min said...

How about keeping it for a while, until least you find out where your heart belong.
Might  be use as your real safety net.

I know maintain cost are real high but still it's your home.

I have same problem but  same token,I have a child still living at home after the college.

Rent it out, while you are gone?

Have wonderful stay!

min said...

Forgot to mention ,
You are still young person.

Housing price will go up someday,maybe not any time soon.
I think, it will be in your life time.

min

Steve Cotton said...

I do not want to change the tax consequences of the house by renting it.  To save on operating costs, I need to move it soon.  But not on this trip.

Croft said...

It does not take Nature long to take back what is hers! That is a picture of a high maintenance house!

Steve Cotton said...

 It is, indeed, a high maintenance house.  When I lived there, I spent a lot of my type just keeping it in neighbor-friendly shape.

Laurie Matherne said...

It adds up at nice hotels. Taxes, food, etc. A few nights at your house pays for itself, I think.

Ovington7 said...

Your house is absolutely beautiful!  I would love to live there except, I am on my way to Bolivia!

Steve Cotton said...

I certainly enjoyed it while I was living there.