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2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, 2024 BMW I7 xDrive60
One of the few reasons left to live in California.....
Hate to make you folks in the Nor’easter feel bad, but one of the very few reasons left to live in California these days, is a day like today. Pardon my dusty gauges.
I live in S. FL for the same reason. Top down all year...
I find it was impossible to drive top down June to September in FL, except for an extremely rare occasion before 10am or after 7pm provided I was sure I would not stop at a traffic light otherwise top up only. November thru most April it was a different story, with May/October being transition months. Of course luck of humidity gives S. Cal a tremendous advantage.
If it housing wasn't so damned expensive in Scal I would retire there in a second. I was born there. Years and years ago my grandmother owned a hotel on Laguna Beach. I lived in Hermosa Beach in the early 80's. It was nice to get up every morning and see the ocean out of our front window.
I find it was impossible to drive top down June to September in FL, except for an extremely rare occasion before 10am or after 7pm provided I was sure I would not stop at a traffic light otherwise top up only. November thru most April it was a different story, with May/October being transition months. Of course luck of humidity gives S. Cal a tremendous advantage.
Yes there is no comparison between Scal and Florida
2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, 2024 BMW I7 xDrive60
Originally Posted by MBNUT1
If it housing wasn't so damned expensive in Scal I would retire there in a second. I was born there. Years and years ago my grandmother owned a hotel on Laguna Beach. I lived in Hermosa Beach in the early 80's. It was nice to get up every morning and see the ocean out of our front window.
I grew up in Westchester, a neighborhood of Los Angeles, about two miles inland from the beaches of Playa del Rey. As a younger man, I lusted after owning a home on the Strand in either Manhattan Beach or Hermosa Beach, but the prices of those properties always seemed to be $100K beyond my reach. When I could swing $300K, they were $400K. When I could do $500K, they were $600K, etc. By the time I could finally afford to buy a Strand property, I realized that I didn’t want to live there anymore, as it’s just too noisy, crowded and congested. Should have bought one anyway, as those places that sit on their tiny 33’ x 100’ lots are now $5 to $10 million+.
Anyway, the lack of humidity in California certainly is a plus for many folks, including me. Maybe if one moves to Florida they get used to it, but I don’t think I could. About the only place I can tolerate humidity is in Maui, and that’s because I’m probably lounging by a pool, being served cocktails with umbrellas in them, by pretty, young girls. Today in Newport Beach, it is 75 degrees, sparkling, blue skies and humidity is 35%.
I grew up in Westchester, a neighborhood of Los Angeles, about two miles inland from the beaches of Playa del Rey. As a younger man, I lusted after owning a home on the Strand in either Manhattan Beach or Hermosa Beach, but the prices of those properties always seemed to be $100K beyond my reach. When I could swing $300K, they were $400K. When I could do $500K, they were $600K, etc. By the time I could finally afford to buy a Strand property, I realized that I didn’t want to live there anymore, as it’s just too noisy, crowded and congested. Should have bought one anyway, as those places that sit on their tiny 33’ x 100’ lots are now $5 to $10 million+.
Anyway, the lack of humidity in California certainly is a plus for many folks, including me. Maybe if one moves to Florida they get used to it, but I don’t think I could. About the only place I can tolerate humidity is in Maui, and that’s because I’m probably lounging by a pool, being served cocktails with umbrellas in them, by pretty, young girls. Today in Newport Beach, it is 75 degrees, sparkling, blue skies and humidity is 35%.
The irony is that when I lived in Hermosa Beach I was on a temporary assignment working at now defunct Western Airlines for my company back here in Ohio and moved back because I didn't think I could buy a house there. Like you said above had I bought anything at the time it would be worth many multiples of what ever I bought here.
The same goes for cars that I wanted that I thought were too expensive at the time like a '69 280SL or 190Sl's
More recently (last 10-15 years ago) could have bought a fairly low miles 500E that Reggie Jackson had owned for $18k
It was funny to hear Jay Leno say the same thing about cars he passed on.
The irony is that when I lived in Hermosa Beach I was on a temporary assignment working at now defunct Western Airlines for my company back here in Ohio and moved back because I didn't think I could buy a house there. Like you said above had I bought anything at the time it would be worth many multiples of what ever I bought here.
The same goes for cars that I wanted that I thought were too expensive at the time like a '69 280SL or 190Sl's
More recently (last 10-15 years ago) could have bought a fairly low miles 500E that Reggie Jackson had owned for $18k
It was funny to hear Jay Leno say the same thing about cars he passed on.
Jay lives on a different financial planet than most of us....😊
Jay lives on a different financial planet than most of us....😊
Despite our vast difference in net worth I share the same nostalgia that he has for his 71 280SE 3.5 coupe. He used to work in a Mercedes dealer the same time frame that my dad had his '67 250SE and I can remember sitting in some of the cars that were for sale at our dealership and loved the smell of the leather of that era.
Six-hour drive today in north Georgia and southern Alabama. 58F and sunny, light traffic. The top was down and it was mah-vah-liss.
Only 58? It was warmer in Denver today. Same tomorrow. (But a high of 32 on Wednesday with snow in the mountains.) That's why a retractable hardtop is so appreciated.
2015 SL400, BMW Z3, Datsun 280Z, a couple of jeep Grand Cherokee's - And a Commander Airplane
Ca to AZ
Originally Posted by Streamliner
Hate to make you folks in the Nor’easter feel bad, but one of the very few reasons left to live in California these days, is a day like today. Pardon my dusty gauges.
The same here and a lot less of a hassle than CA - Ask any of the million or more ex Californians that live here.
2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, 2024 BMW I7 xDrive60
Originally Posted by Piperkid
The same here and a lot less of a hassle than CA - Ask any of the million or more ex Californians that live here.
Sorry, but I have to disagree. It’s not nearly “the same” there. My brother moved from California to Phoenix several years ago, attracted by the prospect of a much newer, much larger home, on a much larger lot, for a fraction of the cost of something similar in Southern California. He has to remain indoors during much of the summer, with the air conditioning running 24/7. He even has A/C in his garage, as he says the heat during the summer months can actually damage the contents. After being there for about five years at the time, he and his wife wanted to move back here, but the real estate prices in CA had so tremendously outstripped the AZ prices, that there was no way he could come back to what he felt was a reasonably acceptable home. That was over a decade ago and now the price disparity is substantially more significant. I’m not saying that is a good thing, it’s just the fact of the matter.
I’m sure many folks love it in Phoenix and I’m sure you are right about it being “less of a hassle,” but having lived all my life in Southern California, most of it within walking distance of the Pacific Ocean, I would rather live in an 800 sq. ft. bungalow near the California coast, than in the 7,000 sq. ft. McMansion, on a huge lot, that my brother has in Phoenix. Most days here the high is in the low 70’s, with low humidity and fresh, clean, ocean breezes. We do put up with a lot of crap to live here, but at the end of the day, many still feel it’s worth it.
2015 SL400, BMW Z3, Datsun 280Z, a couple of jeep Grand Cherokee's - And a Commander Airplane
Originally Posted by Streamliner
Sorry, but I have to disagree. It’s not nearly “the same” there. My brother moved from California to Phoenix several years ago, attracted by the prospect of a much newer, much larger home, on a much larger lot, for a fraction of the cost of something similar in Southern California. He has to remain indoors during much of the summer, with the air conditioning running 24/7. He even has A/C in his garage, as he says the heat during the summer months can actually damage the contents. After being there for about five years at the time, he and his wife wanted to move back here, but the real estate prices in CA had so tremendously outstripped the AZ prices, that there was no way he could come back to what he felt was a reasonably acceptable home. That was over a decade ago and now the price disparity is substantially more significant. I’m not saying that is a good thing, it’s just the fact of the matter.
I’m sure many folks love it in Phoenix and I’m sure you are right about it being “less of a hassle,” but having lived all my life in Southern California, most of it within walking distance of the Pacific Ocean, I would rather live in an 800 sq. ft. bungalow near the California coast, than in the 7,000 sq. ft. McMansion, on a huge lot, that my brother has in Phoenix. Most days here the high is in the low 70’s, with low humidity and fresh, clean, ocean breezes. We do put up with a lot of crap to live here, but at the end of the day, many still feel it’s worth it.
I agree with some of what you wrote- I grew up in a cold climate where we had two nice months a year and it rained most weekends versus here where we have 350 days a year of sunshine. It does get hot in the summer but for what your brother sold his house for in California instead of buying a mcmansion he could have bought a nice house in Phoenix and a second home up in the mountains. That would afford him the best of both worlds. We have nine to 10 months a year of nice weather and actually Phoenix isn't the only option. We have a huge population in Prescott, most of which came from California, and being at 5200 feet of elevation or so is much cooler than Phoenix. Not to say that California doesn't have some advantages (I do love the ocean).
40 or so years ago when I moved to Phoenix California was much easier to get around and traffic wasn't quite as bad as it is today. Couple that with the cost of living over there and I'll stay in Phoenix for the nine months a year that is nice and spend the rest traveling.
I actually grew up in NY and my best friend who was a diehard NYer swore he would never leave. He couldn't get why I would leave NY and everything it had to offer.
He now lives in Florida
Last edited by Piperkid; Dec 23, 2020 at 12:08 PM.
Frankly, N America looks so poor and run down for the most part. On this continent my entertainment dollars go to Montreal and Mayan Riviera MX exclusively.
NYC and L.A. have great brands but 98% of it looks 3rd world and 5 star there is 2 star ROW, however, the old adage of NYC 2 Phoenix 12 still applies LOL
Frankly, N America looks so poor and run down for the most part. On this continent my entertainment dollars go to Montreal and Mayan Riviera MX exclusively.
NYC and L.A. have great brands but 98% of it looks 3rd world and 5 star there is 2 star ROW, however, the old adage of NYC 2 Phoenix 12 still applies LOL
2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, 2024 BMW I7 xDrive60
Originally Posted by Utopia Texas
All of Canada is beautiful...
Spent a small fortune a few years ago and took one of those “Bucket List” vacations, riding the legendary “Canadian” passenger train from Vancouver to Toronto. While in Vancouver, we were told which areas we “should stay away from,” such as your photo depicts. We actually cut our trip short, electing to get off in Winnipeg, as the train was then TWENTY HOURS LATE at that half way point. We would sit, unmoving, out in the middle of nowhere, for hours on end, only to be told by the conductor that “this is normal.” When the train did run, the ride was so lumpy-bumpy, it was downright scary! We flew home the next day and were SO happy to be back in the USA. Vancouver, for the most part, was a nice city, but I don’t think another trip north of the border is in our future. Of course, neither is a trip to New York City, where the citizens should absolutely revolt and run the mayor out of town on a rail—just kidding, of course.
That image is over fifteen years old. I highly doubt that improvements haven't been made.
Originally Posted by Streamliner
Spent a small fortune a few years ago and took one of those “Bucket List” vacations, riding the legendary “Canadian” passenger train from Vancouver to Toronto. While in Vancouver, we were told which areas we “should stay away from,” such as your photo depicts. We actually cut our trip short, electing to get off in Winnipeg, as the train was then TWENTY HOURS LATE at that half way point. We would sit, unmoving, out in the middle of nowhere, for hours on end, only to be told by the conductor that “this is normal.” When the train did run, the ride was so lumpy-bumpy, it was downright scary! We flew home the next day and were SO happy to be back in the USA. Vancouver, for the most part, was a nice city, but I don’t think another trip north of the border is in our future. Of course, neither is a trip to New York City, where the citizens should absolutely revolt and run the mayor out of town on a rail—just kidding, of course.
Vancouver used to be a bit of a mess, and a train ride from Vancouver to Toronto does sound unbearably long!
You guys are visiting all of the wrong parts of Canada. The cities are quite unexceptional, but go into areas that haven't been completely ruined by mankind and you'll see just how amazing and diverse it is. I would love to do a "bucket list" trip across the country, but in order to get my fill of the nicer parts of my province I've picked up a Jeep which I plan to use to take the roads less travelled with.
Stream, I wouldn’t let a bad train ride deter you from Canada forever. Vancouver is such a beautiful place, we have been several times. If you stay on the downtown peninsula everything is walkable, and views across the harbour to the north are as pretty as you could ask for. There is plenty to do with the park, Granville Island, Bard on the Beach Shakespeare in the summer, a sea plane day trip to Vancouver island, etc. but its so pretty its a great place to just “be”. And its in our time zone so no jet lag. We’ve never been to Montreal or Quebec City but plan to some day. Merry Christmas!
2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, 2024 BMW I7 xDrive60
Originally Posted by allfortheunion
Stream, I wouldn’t let a bad train ride deter you from Canada forever. Vancouver is such a beautiful place, we have been several times. If you stay on the downtown peninsula everything is walkable, and views across the harbour to the north are as pretty as you could ask for. There is plenty to do with the park, Granville Island, Bard on the Beach Shakespeare in the summer, a sea plane day trip to Vancouver island, etc. but its so pretty its a great place to just “be”. And its in our time zone so no jet lag. We’ve never been to Montreal or Quebec City but plan to some day. Merry Christmas!
You know, the bottom line is that I no longer care to travel all that much.
I can vividly remember, in the mid 1980’s, taking my seat in First Class, on a TWA 747, bound for Frankfurt. It wasn’t that I was filthy rich, as I had purchased the round trip ticket through a broker who dealt in frequent flyer miles. It was a business trip to Germany. As the plane took off, even with my 6’1” frame, I could not keep my briefcase under the seat in front of me, because my feet could not reach it. You could have thrown a cocktail party in the legroom I had on that flight! When I used to visit NYC or D.C., I was always on big, wide body jets. Today, most flights are on 737’s or little AirBusses. The old adage that “getting there is half the fun,” just doesn’t apply anymore and I look forward to air travel about as much as I do a dental appointment.
”The Canadian” train trip USED to be something truly spectacular. However, the current iteration of this once proud train is a shadow of its former glory. The tracks are all beat up and the train lurches wildly at speed. My wife was scared to death that it would derail and we would die. I have to admit that I was quite uneasy with it myself. If you want to ride fabulous trains, do it in Europe in general and in Germany & Switzerland in particular.
Anyway, my favorite way to travel these days is in my S560. I just cannot wait for the CCP Virus to be gone, so the hotels will open again.
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.
Today in Newport Beach, it is 75 degrees, sparkling, blue skies and humidity is 35%. 
