Champagne Tastes, but a Beer Bottle Budget

[mrdreamjeans]

It's hard to believe that it was exactly a week ago today, at this hour, that I left Brenham for the Twin Cities. So much has occurred in this time frame - gathering information about the metropolitan area, fine-tuning my search for housing, visiting apartment complexes, learning how to drive on the different road conditions, identifying the theater companies who use Equity actors. I've spent hours online ... and on the road. So, what have I discovered or been reminded of in the first week?

Visiting a city is very different than living in a city. When you visit, your friends are more readily available, you're not looking for employment; it's not a normal situation. The focus is fun and relaxation. There are many more variables that come into play when you plan to relocate. In this case, paying state income tax for the first time, auto insurance rates, the economy in this area, the social network on a long-term basis ... So much to think about.

My search for housing is narrowing down to a few specific areas, all of them suburbs. Why the suburbs? I can't afford a downtown loft, my fantasy choice. The suburbs that are receiving the most attention are the towns of: Plymouth, Hopkins and Rosedale. (Rosedale is on the East side, the others on the West.) A neighborhood, closer in, that I like is Highland Park. I also like downtown St. Paul. So far, I've toured four properties. The prices are comparable to Seattle (expensive), but the apartments are much larger for the same amount of money. I'd like to identify where I'm moving while here on this visit, so that when I return to Texas in early April, I know how much stuff to bring with me to Minneapolis. The biggest challenge ... I've been a homeowner, or lived in a house, for most of the past 12 years. I have champagne tastes, but a beer bottle budget.

What do I think of the Winter cold? I have the right clothing with me and I'm bundling up appropriately. I'm not a fan of the salt covering my car, but that's easily enough remedied. The temps have ranged from zero degrees to 44 degrees. Since I've been here, it's mostly been sunny. That's probably not realistic for the month of January, but we'll see. January's gone, so we'll see what February brings.

I've rented a small, surprisingly reasonable, storage unit on the west side (5X5, climate controlled for $29/month. They waived the admin fee for me). I've got two boxes, a large suitcase and odds and ends of stuff that I want to leave here, as I left stuff in Seattle that will return with me once "Hello, Dolly" is concluded. I need the space in the car.

I've really enjoyed spending time with gotmoof, quietdanmn, nlotic, bearnight and Tim's sister Jeanne and seeing perkk, his sister minnesotatoast and Tim and John's roommate Steve. I'm hoping to visit with a few more of my local friends before heading to Seattle next Sunday. Meanwhile, the next few days will be about seeing what I can afford with my champagne tastes on a beer bottle budget and what I'll be doing to afford even the beer:)

Comments

[erstexman.livejournal.com]

Now for the killer question - is there anywhere for man-on-man two-stepping there? Good luck on the housing search Neil.

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

My understanding is that there is a place to go on Sunday nights. The Town House in St Paul used to be the place to go, but doesn't have two-steppin' any more. I have to find out where it is ...

There are very few CW dance bars around any more. The only ones I know of are The RoundUp in Dallas,, The BRB in Houston, Charlie's in Phoenix and Denver and Remington's in DC (and I'm not certain what's up with them). The bar in Albuquerque still may have two-steppin' ... Like here in The Twin Cities, San Francisco has only one night a week, as well as Seattle ... very limited opportunities ...

Hope you're enjoying your Sunday off from work! HUGS!

[notdefined.livejournal.com]

I've been to Minneapolis exactly one time and it was in January, the kind before climate change set in. Never in my life had I experienced cold like that. So cold that I had icicles hanging from my moustache and nose from my breath freezing! I figured the men must be heartier to survive there, but it was far too cold for me to do much checking. Bunch-o-Vikings they were. Besides, I was there to take a class and did not have much spare time. The twin cities has a lot going for it artistically, some of the finest classical music to be heard in these here United States, but it is far too cold for me to even think about spending any period of time that may morph into winter. So best of luck to you handsome, don't forget your thermals and when you have time, try to find a venue for some really good scandanavian fare. If a local Lutheran parish is having a festival or social, it is a good bet you might even find it there. Big hugs.

[blt4success66.livejournal.com]

I normally don't respond to other's comments in journals but I had to giggle a bit at your description of your trip to the Cities.

While I'm in Sioux Falls, SD, we are a hearty stock here. You "get used to it" at some point...without thermals. You just learn to cope.

HUGS!

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

Well, that's all in the near future. For now, I have one week to get organized. I've been out in that kind of cold and had icicles hanging from my beard. I think it's funny. You can even break them off:) I know that for many folks this is simply too cold; but I ask them to try one Texas summer (actually May into November) with temps over 90 degrees and an equal amount of humidity. You don't survive without air-conditioning. I know you know that kind of heat from your time in Richmond. Be assured that I know I haven't spent an extended time in this climate, but I have been here at all times of the years while on tour or visiting Tim.

Big HUGS!

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

I haven't done the show before. All they said was, we need your voice and are you available? I said yes:) I know it's ensemble work and I'm fine with that. I'm too old for Cornelius and Barnaby and Horace is being playing by a Seattle television celebrity. I can't wait to sing that Jerry Hermann score.

[blt4success66.livejournal.com]

I want to be perfect clear when I say this:

Uber-Yay!

I realize that Sioux Falls is only a glorious 4 hours away from "Oz" (and believe me, the Cities are Oz to me) but to have you this close will only hasten my constant travels to the "big city".

Of course all those listed plus others from the LJ world are in my sights. I even have one friend from high school that I want to seek out.

I wish you the best on your remaining days in the Cities and your safe passage back home.

Yay! You should see my smile!

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

I'm glad I can make you smile. I'll probably be going through Sioux Falls on the way to Seattle. Isn't it right off of I 90?

[kjvbear.livejournal.com]

have you checked out the building i lkive in in downtown St. Paul.....the Cosmopoliton? It's right on 6th and Wacouta across from Mears Park. The building is an old historic Factory that was converted to Apartments in 1988.

[joebehrsandiego.livejournal.com]

Wow. The residents sound like a very content bunch!

http://www.apartmentratings.com/rate/MN-St-Paul-Cosmopolitan-Apartments.html

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

quietdanmn and I drove by it the other day and he pointed out that you lived there. We were trying to get in to see the apartments at The Commerce Building next to city hall. The office wasn't open and no one returned my call. Besides, $900 for a small 1 bedroom is too expensive. Your building looks very nice!

[pdxchuck.livejournal.com]

No doubt this is an exciting time for you. I wish you well, although I can't begin to fathom why someone would not choose the NW! ;)

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

I love Seattle. I've lived in Seattle three times. I've been in Portland a lot on tour and have some dear friends there. In the past couple of years, several of my friends in Seattle have moved away. My network of friends is very important to me. Plus, the city is too expensive if you're following a career path where you work on union contracts and there is inevitable unemployment.

I repeat .. I lOVE Seattle! I worked a lot in the theater there, but the harder I worked the more debt I accumulated. I could never have owned a house as a single guy. I'm always split between being in an area that brings me joy and has gigantic doses of natural beauty or being in an area where I can afford a home and be near family.

HUGS!

[musicbearmn.livejournal.com]

I'm back and trying to get well from being sick, so hopefully we'll be able to get together.

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

I'm trying not get sick again. John's been quite ill since I've been here. I'm hoping to avoid getting it from him. Feel better! Hopefully, we can catch up this week and you can tell me all about New Orleans! :)

HUGS!

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

I know I missed the intense cold of early January. The coldest it's been since I've been here was zero on the first night. Two days ago, it was a balmy 44! LOL!

I like your advice, except I'm in hibernation when it comes to extracurricular activities. My current focus is on becoming a much leaner bearish guy:) Seven lbs down so far.

Big HUGS!

[wonderboynj.livejournal.com]

By the way, there's a very good chance I will have to be in Minneapolis for a few days in the near future :)

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

Will you be here before February 8? That's when I take off for Seattle. I would love to see you! Been a long time since Detroit!

You'll have to forgive me, but I don't remember if gotmoof and you know each other in person. If you miss me, you should make sure to say howdy to Tim!

HUGS!

you're doing it right

[tkn1114.livejournal.com]

take your time. look around. Feel that weather. Make sure to bundle up. I don't buy the rhetoric of the trouble of transitioning from one climate to another. That's just personal preference. Some people were born and raised in a certain climate and always hate it. I was born and raised in VN, but the TX heat has never been easy. I breathe much better in colder climates. You just need to make sure to dress properly.

Good luck, dear friend. Somehow, I know it will all work out.

The LJ people in MN are among the best of LJ as far as I can see.

Re: you're doing it right

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

There are certainly some fine men here, first class guys ...

I was born in Erie, PA and know all about lake effect snow. One winte,r when we were returning from a visit to my grandmother's in a blizzard, we were hit by a deer. It was outside of Johnstown, NY; a huge buck landed on the windshield of our car and died. Dad flagged down a truck who took him to town and returned with a wrecker. Meanwhile, we sat in the car for an hour in the freezing cold (I was about 7 years of age) with the dead eyes of the deer staring at us, huddled under multiple blankets. I've been cold many times, but am always better in dealing with it, than I am in dealing with the heat and humidity of Houston. As you said, it is preference.

HUGS, my friend!

[icejohn2.livejournal.com]

Good luck for your house hunting! And by the way, do not fool by the recent sunny warm weather. It can snow and get to -10'F even in May.

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

Are you trying to cheer me up? :) I'm plugging away at housing search. I'm also trying not get ill again. There's something that I am mightily allergic too here in the house.

HUGS!

[bluedevilsf.livejournal.com]

Steve would love to move to Highland Park and wishes we'd looked there before buying the house we're in. Our favorite restaurant (http://www.punchpizza.com) is in that neighborhood. I think it's just OK; I like going there but not sure I'd want to live there. I guess it depends on where exactly you are.

Roseville is also one of those places that depends much on where you are. I really don't like the area around the Rosedale mall, but there are some nice houses further out. They also have a way excellent county library.

Have you looked at the area of Hiawatha Avenue, along the light rail tracks? There are some cool places there, and you also have the advantage of being near the public transportation. That's where I'd like to live. It's close to work and the hospital.

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

I'll check out Hiawatha Avenue. I haven't yet. I also haven't pursued Highland Park much. I've spent most of my time in Plymouth. I know the area pretty well; Tim works in that area and Jeanne, Bernie and the kids are nearby. Plus, it just has a safer feeling to it. Thanks!