My introduction

[Cool Dood]

Hi, my name is Cool Dood, and I w@%k.

I've enjoyed reading the board a lot lately, and thought I'd start posting a bit. I've found a lot of the people here quite interesting (and very funny), and although I'm not exactly looking to FIRE I'm in a similar boat and there's a lot in common. I plan to continue to work, but hopefully to achieve FI and partially RE in a nice location. Right now I'm thinking of Texas hill country (I'm also a US citizen, so getting there shouldn't be the problem), and to give one example of why, I just grilled some burgers in f#%king -15 C (about 5 F).

I'm fairly young and on a good track to gaining FI, and I think that PT significantly reduces the capital required compared to RE. So, while I'm not blowing my nose with $100 bills (or using them as dryer sheets), and don't bring in a mammoth salary, I'm still looking at a (hopefully) very early FI date.

Pleased to meet everyone!

 

[sgeeeee]

Hi, my name is Cool Dood, and I w@%k.

. . .

I'm sorry to hear that and welcome to the board.

 

[REWahoo]

Hi, my name is Cool Dood, and I w@%k.... I plan to continue to work, but hopefully to achieve FI and partially RE in a nice location. Right now I'm thinking of Texas hill country (I'm also a US citizen, so getting there shouldn't be the problem), and to give one example of why, I just grilled some burgers in f#%king -15 C (about 5 F).

It's a balmy 28 F in the Hill Country right now, perfect for grillin' and quaffin' a few cold ones (no ice chest required).

Although you are a US citizen, you better be sure your papers are all "in order" if you're planning on taking up residency in the HC. Folks down here don't take a hankerin' to just anybody. (Note that they stop JG north of Dallas....)

 

[Cool Dood]

It's a balmy 28 F in the Hill Country right now, perfect for grillin' and quaffin' a few cold ones (no ice chest required).

Although you are a US citizen, you better be sure your papers are all "in order" if you're planning on taking up residency in the HC. Folks down here don't take a hankerin' to just anybody. (Note that they stop JG north of Dallas....)

REW, maybe you can provide some more details -- HC is only an idea right now, and it's based more on looking through a variety of factors on paper only, never actually been there. I'm looking for a smaller place, but not one where outsiders just aren't welcome Also, I'd probably avoid a place that's overwhelmingly religious -- I have no problem with religion and I know most religious people would have no problem with me, but I see no point in living in a place where everything takes place through the church, or there's a general uneasiness toward atheism, etc.

 

[Cool Dood]

Maybe gulf coast? Or somewhere in Florida? All suggestions welcome!

 

[REWahoo]

REW, maybe you can provide some more details -- HC is only an idea right now, and it's based more on looking through a variety of factors on paper only, never actually been there. I'm looking for a smaller place, but not one where outsiders just aren't welcome Also, I'd probably avoid a place that's overwhelmingly religious -- I have no problem with religion and I know most religious people would have no problem with me, but I see no point in living in a place where everything takes place through the church, or there's a general uneasiness toward atheism, etc.

Although the HC is currently full, you can get on a waiting list to get in, providing you attend prayer meetings with the Rev. Jerry Falwell. (Just kidding.)

The HC really is getting crowded, at least by my standards. It has obviously been "discovered" as evidenced by your interest in moving to a place you've never even visited. But I think Texans by nature are reasonably courteous and welcoming. There is a spirit of independence which translates to a live and let live attitude, at least as I see it. This also applies to religious persuasion, or the lack thereof. I know a lot more people who don't attend church than who do.

And for what it's worth, one of my closest neighbors is a Canadian (and very religious).

 

[Cool Dood]

Although the HC is currently full, you can get on a waiting list to get in, providing you attend prayer meetings with the Rev. Jerry Falwell. (Just kidding.)

The HC really is getting crowded, at least by my standards. It has obviously been "discovered" as evidenced by your interest in moving to a place you've never even visited. But I think Texans by nature are reasonably courteous and welcoming. There is a spirit of independence which translates to a live and let live attitude, at least as I see it. This also applies to religious persuasion, or the lack thereof. I know a lot more people who don't attend church than who do.

And for what it's worth, one of my closest neighbors is a Canadian (and very religious).

Sounds quite nice, really. For what it's worth, my "discovery" followed a somewhat chaotic process -- and it's not like I found it in some way that's likely to be repeated by thousands of others, or that word's going around and I heard about it from lots of other people (just the word "Texas" is taboo across large swathes of Canada).

Anyway, I hope you won't mind if I call on you in future as my HC resource person

 

[Cool Dood]

I'm sorry to hear that and welcome to the board.

Heh, I was going for something along the lines of an AA intro

Thanks for the welcome!

 

[Cool Dood]

And for what it's worth, one of my closest neighbors is a Canadian (and very religious).

Is this like "some of my best friends are Canadian"? ...

 

[Mr._johngalt]

REW, maybe you can provide some more details -- HC is only an idea right now, and it's based more on looking through a variety of factors on paper only, never actually been there. I'm looking for a smaller place, but not one where outsiders just aren't welcome Also, I'd probably avoid a place that's overwhelmingly religious -- I have no problem with religion and I know most religious people would have no problem with me, but I see no point in living in a place where everything takes place through the church, or there's a general uneasiness toward atheism, etc.

As a fallen Lutheran/Agnostic, I still find it comforting with
the seemingly large % of Texans who attend church regularly.
Very supportive of Christianity even though I have my doubts.
Anyway, no stats to back this up and I do agree that Texans
are quite tolerant for the most part. Of course, Texas makes Illinois look like "The People's Republic" from most any angle.

JG

 

[AltaRed]

Cool Dood, better be comfortable with extreme right wing, individualistic sentiments in Texas HC. They make Republicans and Alberta rednecks like myself look like small 's' socialists. Shoot first and ask questions later sort of thing. Heck, even the automakers make Texas Special Edition trucks. Consumer goods and food are very competitive in pricing, but property taxes suck. The price of not having a state income tax.

Having said that, nice people like Michael Dell do live out that way and even some Democrats reside in Austin.

 

[REWahoo]

Cool Dood, better be comfortable with extreme right wing, individualistic sentiments in Texas HC. They make Republicans and Alberta rednecks like myself look like small 's' socialists. Shoot first and ask questions later sort of thing. Heck, even the automakers make Texas Special Edition trucks. Consumer goods and food are very competitive in pricing, but property taxes suck. The price of not having a state income tax.

Having said that, nice people like Michael Dell do live out that way and even some Democrats reside in Austin.

CD, rather than listen to the informed and uninformed opinions (and not knowing which is which) of those on the board about the extreme politics in the Texas HC, I suggest you come down for a visit and see first hand whether or not we have horns.

 

[sgeeeee]

Heh, I was going for something along the lines of an AA intro

Thanks for the welcome!

Yeah . . . I got that.

So, Cool Dood, please tell us more about how a Canadian who has never visited Texas Hill Country gets focused on that region of the world? It's a place that I had on my short list of retirement locations, but I've been hiking and traveling all over the Southwest and Northern Mexico for a couple of decades.

 

[SamHouston]

Cool Dood, better be comfortable with extreme right wing, individualistic sentiments in Texas HC. They make Republicans and Alberta rednecks like myself look like small 's' socialists. Shoot first and ask questions later sort of thing.

Way, way over the top description to the point of being meaningless...

 

[wildcat]

So who lives in the Hill Country - the Hill People? Sounds like 'Children of the Corn.' The Hill Country is my favorite part of Texas unless I am on a South Tejas ranch doing a little pheasant hunting.

One thing you got right Cool Dood - work is a 4 letter word.

 

[Ol_Rancher]

Howdy Folks !
                         A rare ice storm in Texas Hill Country today. ' been readin' this thread and thought I best put in 2  cents worth.

                        Guns, property rights, and Jesus ( maybe in that order, maybe not)

                        When I first moved here, after a year I had only met the people who served me at a counter or rapair shop. Then I saw the light and joined the biggest church in the county... Lo and behold a miracle, another year later, and I have become a leading citizen! ...

                        I already had guns, ammo, and property to protect.

                       As for Austin, those ferigners (yankees, and the loathed Californians) are just tolerated here if they spend money and keep quiet. Canadians Don't they live somewhere north of the panhandle? We hear good things about Alberta and Saskatchawan but the rest of the place sound like American Yankees but with an even worse attitude.

                       Cool Dood (check), I suggest you read my past posts to get a take on life here. Maybe by the time you are all grown up you will come to appreciate the "good life".  And for wildcat, I got a corn cob here I can put in place for him if he holds still.

 

[Cool Dood]

Thanks for all the feedback so far, including the wide variety of it

So, Cool Dood, please tell us more about how a Canadian who has never visited Texas Hill Country gets focused on that region of the world? It's a place that I had on my short list of retirement locations, but I've been hiking and traveling all over the Southwest and Northern Mexico for a couple of decades.

Well, to start off with I determined I want to live in America -- I love the country, and each time I'm in a different part of it I come to like America even more. As I said before, I'm still not certain of where I'll move, and at any rate I'll be spending some time exploring and trying places out before permanently settling anywhere. I like a lot about southern culture, including the friendliness, informality, individualism, low taxes and property rights, can't forget the accent among many other things, and also of course the warm weather is a draw. I'm looking for a quiet but alive town, a basically middle class place with good neighbors, businesses, schools, etc. Maybe HC is completely off, as I say it's only a temporary thought after some very preliminary research.

CD, rather than listen to the informed and uninformed opinions (and not knowing which is which) of those on the board about the extreme politics in the Texas HC, I suggest you come down for a visit and see first hand whether or not we have horns. Wink

Yes, I definitely would like to take some time when I'm ready to leave here, and just drive around, stay in places, experience some of the actual places that I'm turning up and see for myself what they're like and how they suit me.

Ol_Rancher, I've come across some of your posts. You might not find Saskatchewan (or Alberta for that matter) quite the way you imagine them...
And what was that original "yeah right" about?

 

[dumpster56]

Any jews or muslims allowed in texas hill country??

 

[wildcat]

And for wildcat, I got a corn cob here I can put in place for him if he holds still.

 

Does that mean I can't drink a beer with you next time I am down?

 

[Jarhead*]

And for wildcat, I got a corn cob here I can put in place for him if he holds still.

Run, Wildcat, Run.

 

[REWahoo]

Any jews or muslims allowed in texas hill country??

Even though it appears you are baiting those of us who live in the area, the short answer is yes. There is more religious diversity than one would expect. Within a few miles of me there is a Buddhist temple, Sikh house of worship, and two synagogues. One of the candidates running for governor is a guy by the name of Kinky Freeman, who once had a band called "Kinky Freeman and the Texas Jewboys". Mr. Freeman owns a ranch in the hill country, which is also an animal refuge.

One of my former co-workers' sister is a rabbi (yes, I said sister).

And Wildcat, don't pay any attention to Ol Rancher. Most of us down here know you use corn to either feed cattle or make whiskey. The cobs are of no use since the local grocery started stocking Charmin.

 

[Ol_Rancher]

    There is a fair amount of religious diversity in Texas Hill Country. In this rural cattle county there is a Greek Orthodox monastary and the nearest town of 1200 has 17 different churches. I know of a Hindu temple in the next county but to be truthful I know of no mosque.

   As for the ( Yeah Right !) remark, I have no reason to show you any disrespect but, the handle 'Cool Dood' implies a certain lack of savoir faire. Perhaps as a retiree and of mature age and former science teacher, such a name evokes a less than serious response after having taught so many ' Cool Dudes'  of  high school age.
  This forum is open to all and your questions are earnest and have been honestly answered thus far. I would have expected such a handle on MySpace.com rather than a forum on early retirement.
  I wish you good fortune and readily admit my life planning until age 40 was in 5 year blocks. You have  the advantage of time and long term outlook, I have had the advantage of demographics.

 

[JPatrick]

a band called "Kinky Freeman and the Texas Jewboys".  Mr. Freeman owns a ranch in the hill country, which is also an animal refuge.

Just who are you calling animals

 

[JPatrick]

Sorry Ol Rancher, I'm afraid we're going to have to pull your application for Chief of Public Relations for the Texas Hill Country.

 

[JPatrick]

.  And for wildcat, I got a corn cob here I can put in place for him if he holds still.

You are gittin off light Wildcat, he coulda said "git a rope."