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.
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.
What are some of Oregon's food specialties? I would imagine that fruit is high on the list. Salmon? Trout?
ReplyDeleteAs you know, I had a great steak dinner at a Uruguayan restaurant in Morelia last week.
Saludos, Don Cuevas
Hmmm, I know that house..
ReplyDeleteSalmon 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.
ReplyDeleteThought you might.
ReplyDeleteSo, what Oregon food items are you bringing your friends back in Mexico? Hazelnuts?
ReplyDeleteSteelhead is an Oregon homegrown - tasty! I like your house - has a 40's look to it with great roof lines.
ReplyDeleteI 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.
ReplyDeleteI 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.
ReplyDeleteI could probably help you out unloading it :)
ReplyDeleteWifey and I are "downsizing", hehehe
Oh yeah, for a song.. ;)
ReplyDeleteAh Steve....
ReplyDeleteYou 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.
And it is getting close to bullet-biting time.
ReplyDeleteI 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,
ReplyDeleteThe 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.
ReplyDeleteThe house was built in 1926. It is a lovely place. But I need to make it a place I once lived.
ReplyDeleteI am getting into whistling mode.
ReplyDeleteMy best friend (me) will get several packets of Boar's Head pepperoni. It is not Oregon. But it is good.
ReplyDeleteHow about keeping it for a while, until least you find out where your heart belong.
ReplyDeleteMight 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!
Forgot to mention ,
ReplyDeleteYou 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
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.
ReplyDeleteIt does not take Nature long to take back what is hers! That is a picture of a high maintenance house!
ReplyDeleteIt is, indeed, a high maintenance house. When I lived there, I spent a lot of my type just keeping it in neighbor-friendly shape.
ReplyDeleteIt adds up at nice hotels. Taxes, food, etc. A few nights at your house pays for itself, I think.
ReplyDeleteYour house is absolutely beautiful! I would love to live there except, I am on my way to Bolivia!
ReplyDeleteI certainly enjoyed it while I was living there.
ReplyDelete