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Off Topic Forums => Off Topic Forum => Topic started by: Queen Tokelove on August 24, 2007, 11:08:22 pm

Title: Moving Up then Out....
Post by: Queen Tokelove on August 24, 2007, 11:08:22 pm
Just thought I would put this out there. I will be moving soon from where I am now to a bigger place but has also brought on a room mate. Not a stranger but an older woman that I am friends with. Been friends for awhile too but knows from experience that living with young hens can cause problems and drama. And with how rent is here and be on disability, it is hard to survive. Well that is not the point of this thread. I guess I am rambling, forgive me. After my son graduates high school, I would like to pick up and make a new beginning somewhere other than PA.
I am not fond of big cities but would like to be some place small but not someplace with the population of 100, you know what I mean. Looking for some place warm and somewhat easy on the pocket. Opinions, suggestions or thoughts appreciated.....

(who really needs to feel at home somewhere) :(
Title: Re: Moving Up then Out....
Post by: Basquo on August 24, 2007, 11:43:51 pm
I saw Cindy's post about you not wanting to freeze your ass off LOL! Have you thought about Tennesee, or perhaps even Texas?  I think everyone if possible should live within four hours or so of a major body of water, be it sea or lake. It always makes for interesting weather, meaning variations in storm patterns from one side of town to the other. It's fun to tell friends it's sunny when they are five miles away and are getting pounded by a storm.

I personally don't want a roommate unless I'm partnered with them, although I wouldn't turn out a friend who's in a tight place for a few months.  Hell at one point my friend was pregnant and abused by her boyfriend, and I was walking around my one-bedroom flat thinking "Okay, the crib goes here, and the changing table goes here" but that situation changed so I am still here by myself.  If you're okay living with your son, and your roommate is okay with your style, you should do fine.  You may have to make some sacrifices regarding your tastes or preferences, but if you are comfortable with the person it is well worth the savings in expenses.

Title: Re: Moving Up then Out....
Post by: milker on August 24, 2007, 11:47:01 pm
Queen,

did I read somewhere that you don't like to freeze your ass off? That means anything over the 42nd parallel is a no-no ?

Milker.

/edited to add: just saw Basquo's post. Looks like we agree that we need to find a warm place for Queen's butt :D /
Title: Re: Moving Up then Out....
Post by: MOONLIGHT1114 on August 24, 2007, 11:53:44 pm
I keep telling Queen to go to NC.  Cost of living is great from what I hear, you're near the ocean and the mountains......and the Hen Party Girls!  ;)  Oh and Jeromy is down that way, too!  ;)  ooooh and a few others I can think of.......
Title: Re: Moving Up then Out....
Post by: Miss Philicia on August 24, 2007, 11:57:05 pm
NC is nice on the coast, but for ADAP it's about the worst state Cindy.
Title: Re: Moving Up then Out....
Post by: MOONLIGHT1114 on August 25, 2007, 12:00:18 am
NC is nice on the coast, but for ADAP it's about the worst state Cindy.

Thanks for posting that, Philly, cause I am trying to help my big sis out here.  To everyone reading here........

1)  Is it tough to "restart" ADAP and the like in a new state?
2)  Where ARE the best states as far as financial support?  Any good stories?  Bad stories?

Queen Hen needs the peeps to chirp up tonight!   :D
Title: Re: Moving Up then Out....
Post by: milker on August 25, 2007, 12:02:59 am
NC has hot gay rednecks tho.

Milker.
Title: Re: Moving Up then Out....
Post by: Queen Tokelove on August 25, 2007, 12:04:21 am
Of course, I would prefer it to be just me and my son, nothing against my friend because she really is a good person. But being that neither her nor I can make it on our own it would seem to be the thing to do. No problems with drugs because she only smokes weed and we usually smoke together anyhow. And we have more than a few things in common and I know I could learn from her because she has been around. I don't mean that in a bad way, what I mean is she use to ride with the Hell's Angels back in the day....knows how to make her own weapons including battle axes as well as make glass bongs and is also a mechanic. Ok, there is plenty to learn there.

I lived in Tennessee a few years back and you definitely need a car there. I was in Nashville then. Now when I think of Texas, I think of the saying of how everything is big there. I definitely don't like the cold even though I am an Earth sign and a January baby. Any place that drops snow is a no no, I would like the coldest to be in the 50's. I could  accept a nice clean beach but will not do any swimming. I'm not up for being shark bait or any other kind of bait. I'm also looking for a place where my SSDI would stay the same or get a raise, that would be nice. Indeed.
Title: Re: Moving Up then Out....
Post by: Queen Tokelove on August 25, 2007, 12:07:00 am
NC has hot gay rednecks tho.

Milker.

Wonders if they have hot bi sexual men?

(who has been told I should be a dominatrix) And must admit, am curious.
Title: Re: Moving Up then Out....
Post by: MOONLIGHT1114 on August 25, 2007, 12:08:11 am
Wonders if they have hot bi sexual men?

(who has been told I should be a dominatrix) And must admit, am curious.

I know a few that are north and south of there...... ;)
Title: Re: Moving Up then Out....
Post by: Queen Tokelove on August 25, 2007, 12:09:37 am
I know a few that are north and south of there...... ;)

Now why does that not surprise me.... ;D
Title: Re: Moving Up then Out....
Post by: ademas on August 25, 2007, 12:09:53 am
(Does SSDI take into account where you live?)
Title: Re: Moving Up then Out....
Post by: Queen Tokelove on August 25, 2007, 12:10:28 am
(Does SSDI take into account where you live?)


Honestly, I heard it did but am not for sure...
Title: Re: Moving Up then Out....
Post by: AlanBama on August 25, 2007, 12:13:30 am
Honey, if you're looking for WARMTH, Alabama might be good....it has been 107 and 108 this week....haven't seen snow here since the 90's....

but you'd definitely need a vehicle here, mass transit is sadly lacking in most places.

love to have you near me, though!  :-*
Title: Re: Moving Up then Out....
Post by: Basquo on August 25, 2007, 12:14:17 am
I know I could learn from her because she has been around. I don't mean that in a bad way, what I mean is she use to ride with the Hell's Angels back in the day....knows how to make her own weapons including battle axes as well as make glass bongs and is also a mechanic.

Okay, then, well, if she knows how to make bongs and battle axes, then hell, what can I say?  She sounds like my kind of roommate!
Title: Re: Moving Up then Out....
Post by: Queen Tokelove on August 25, 2007, 12:16:44 am
Okay, then, well, if she knows how to make bongs and battle axes, then hell, what can I say?  She sounds like my kind of roommate!

Yeah, she is cool as hell. I just love her and am very protective of her...
Title: Re: Moving Up then Out....
Post by: ademas on August 25, 2007, 12:17:58 am
....it has been 107 and 108 this week....


ugh.
I can do a little cold better than I can deal with that kind of heat...
lordy.
Title: Re: Moving Up then Out....
Post by: Queen Tokelove on August 25, 2007, 12:20:28 am
Honey, if you're looking for WARMTH, Alabama might be good....it has been 107 and 108 this week....haven't seen snow here since the 90's....

but you'd definitely need a vehicle here, mass transit is sadly lacking in most places.

love to have you near me, though!  :-*

Now that is a bit too hot, I could take the lower 90's but over a 100. I been then passed out somewhere. And I would have to start over with a car too.
Title: Re: Moving Up then Out....
Post by: milker on August 25, 2007, 12:21:37 am
Wonders if they have hot bi sexual men?

(who has been told I should be a dominatrix) And must admit, am curious.
I've seen interesting videos. I vote for the Carolinas. Cindy seems have seen those videos too :D

Milker.
Title: Re: Moving Up then Out....
Post by: Miss Philicia on August 25, 2007, 12:23:02 am
Thanks for posting that, Philly, cause I am trying to help my big sis out here.  To everyone reading here........

1)  Is it tough to "restart" ADAP and the like in a new state?
2)  Where ARE the best states as far as financial support?  Any good stories?  Bad stories?

Queen Hen needs the peeps to chirp up tonight!   :D


1) no, if you qualify where you are moving (i.e. the income level) you simply re-apply for ADAP.  Keep in mind this is entirely separate from SSDI which is simply a matter of letting Social Security know your new address.  Your benefits all stay the same.

2) check this for ADAP qualifications per state:

http://www.statehealthfacts.org/comparemaptable.jsp?cat=11&ind=543

I know Queen isn't on ADAP but she's mentioned numerous times that her lab numbers are close to having her start so she obviously needs to know this info.

I moved from NYC to Philly 2.5 years ago and had minimum problems.  Actually I'd not have had any if the case manger at my ASO had not had her husband killed by a car the week after I filled out my ADAP paperwork with her.  She departed quickly for the funeral in West Africa with the corpse in tow and neglected to hand my file over to her co-workers... so it was quite a nightmare actually for me the first month.  I had wisely secretly built up an excess supply of meds before moving though but it came REALLY close to being bad but then somehow they landed me an emergency one-month approval until the other paperwork was approved.

Anyway, I still found moving while on multiple meds enormously anxiety ridden.  If I even began to relate all of the non-HIV related drama that went on with this move you'd all be wondering how I managed not to put razor blades to my wrists.
Title: Re: Moving Up then Out....
Post by: Jerry71 on August 25, 2007, 12:24:23 am
No Carolinas it is too hot there lately ask Lisa. Now the mountains here in Virginia can be nice this time of year.
Title: Re: Moving Up then Out....
Post by: MOONLIGHT1114 on August 25, 2007, 12:31:17 am
I've seen interesting videos. I vote for the Carolinas. Cindy seems have seen those videos too :D

Milker.

 :P

1) no, if you qualify where you are moving (i.e. the income level) you simply re-apply for ADAP.  Keep in mind this is entirely separate from SSDI which is simply a matter of letting Social Security know your new address.  Your benefits all stay the same.

I am surprised that your benefits from SSDI stay the same!  I figured cost of living would come into play there.  Queen!  You need to find a cheap-ass state!  Go down by the VA/NC border!  LOL  Fly, chickadee, FLY south!
Title: Re: Moving Up then Out....
Post by: Miss Philicia on August 25, 2007, 12:38:01 am
:P

I am surprised that your benefits from SSDI stay the same!  I figured cost of living would come into play there.  Queen!  You need to find a cheap-ass state!  Go down by the VA/NC border!  LOL  Fly, chickadee, FLY south!

No, SSDI is based on what you contributed to Social Security/Medicare while employed.  SSI might have a cost of living factor but I can't recall. 
Title: Re: Moving Up then Out....
Post by: milker on August 25, 2007, 12:43:35 am
oops

/*sorry i posted something that was supposed to be a PM.*/
Title: Re: Moving Up then Out....
Post by: asaint on August 25, 2007, 12:47:33 am
Orlando FLA rents are around $700 a month, weathers nice, a lot of public transportation.
i don't know much about addp here but Ryan white (hopwa)was going to give me 75% of my rent and electric  but I declined b/c I get enough from SSD to support myself.

Bob

Title: Re: Moving Up then Out....
Post by: Queen Tokelove on August 25, 2007, 12:48:47 am
No Carolinas it is too hot there lately ask Lisa. Now the mountains here in Virginia can be nice this time of year.


Where in VA are you?
Title: Re: Moving Up then Out....
Post by: Queen Tokelove on August 25, 2007, 12:51:17 am
No, SSDI is based on what you contributed to Social Security/Medicare while employed.  SSI might have a cost of living factor but I can't recall. 

Ok, I always get the difference mixed up. What is it on the 1st of the month and what is it on the 3rd of the month? My check on the 3rd is bigger and the one on the 1st is change..
Title: Re: Moving Up then Out....
Post by: Miss Philicia on August 25, 2007, 01:10:14 am
3rd = SSDI; 1st = SSI
Title: Re: Moving Up then Out....
Post by: BT65 on August 25, 2007, 01:39:47 am
I know that the cost of living is pretty low in Alabama.  I lived there three times (talk about not learning my lesson the 1st time).  But the heat is bad.  Alan, I don't know how you can stand it. 
   
Where I live in Indiana, the cost of living is not real high, but it does snow.  I'm not the relocating expert, but Queen, I hope you find someplace you like.  Good luck on the roommate thing.  I don't know if I could do that.
Title: Re: Moving Up then Out....
Post by: GSOgymrat on August 25, 2007, 02:14:43 am
Come on down to NC! We need more cool people!
Title: Re: Moving Up then Out....
Post by: MOONLIGHT1114 on August 25, 2007, 02:22:18 am
(See, GF, they got some hotties in NC.......let's GO!   :P )
Title: Re: Moving Up then Out....
Post by: milker on August 25, 2007, 02:39:49 am
(See, GF, they got some hotties in NC.......let's GO!   :P )
Queen, whatever you do, get a southern accent. I will do ANYTHING for a southern accent. ANYTHING.

Milker.
Title: Re: Moving Up then Out....
Post by: mjmel on August 25, 2007, 03:51:04 am
Will your son be with you awhile after he graduates? Look for a place where opportunity is available for him to secure job....or get into a tech school/college. If I were moving I'd choose Asheville,NC because in the month of March when we are still covered with snow here (Ohio) the flowers are blooming in NC!  A college town.....located at a major interstate
(I-40)...not too far from Smoky Mountains National Park...tourists dollars must help the local economy. Yes, it may be tough getting the ball rolling with meds supplementation programs but life is a struggle no matter where you end up if you are on SSDI. Might as well be someplace fairly warm .....not too hot......cold but not too cold in winter.
don't know though.....herbals may be scare difficult to obtain in that area.....but maybe not. Redneck mentality for sure but those pesky critters are peppered anywhere, USA.
I also favor eastern Tennessee but pockets of deep south religious mentality is cause for concern. Maybe NC is not any different but I'd sure check out the area with a trip or two to size it up beforehand.
just some thoughts,
Mike
Title: Re: Moving Up then Out....
Post by: Miss Philicia on August 25, 2007, 10:55:43 am
I'm REALLY cautioning against NC again if you are on ADAP -- the financial eligibility criteria is wildly below even a place like SC and it's more than half what Queen would experience where she currently resides.

Maybe you should consider the "Eastern Shore" area of Maryland.  I doubt many here know it very well but it has what is called a micro-climate of sorts, being that it's surrounded by water and is practically a large island (Chesapeake on one side, Atlantic on the other).  It's fairly rural (home of Perdue chicken farms!) but not far from places like Baltimore and Wilmington, DE.  For some reason the ADAP list I linked to earlier has "N/A" listed for Delaware so who knows what their ADAP qualification is).  Also if you look at a climate map you'll see that the Eastern Shore area has the same climate as a place like Asheville, NC.

(http://www.signaturelandscapes.com/images/hardiness.jpg)
Title: Re: Moving Up then Out....
Post by: MoltenStorm on August 25, 2007, 10:59:28 am
If you like a mild climate, head for Seattle.
Title: Re: Moving Up then Out....
Post by: pozniceguy on August 25, 2007, 11:12:22 am
Just my two cents .... I have lived and visited most states in this country but when the time came to relocate for a permanent place  I chose Texas....just outside a big city   ( Dallas)  plenty of smaller towns and this is a pattern all over Texas  ( Big city surrounded by smaller towns)   weather is great   , costs are still affordable., most areas have good social services  especially near the big cities...Public transport is a little weak but it is there and is improving every year....  Take a close look you may be pleasantly surprised.....I have been here 25 years now and don't regret a day.....


Nick
Title: Re: Moving Up then Out....
Post by: cjc on August 25, 2007, 11:12:49 am
Come on down to NC! We need more cool people!
(See, GF, they got some hotties in NC.......let's GO!   :P )
                                                                                   research your options, then come to NC.     Seriously, while I would love for you to be closer for my own selfish reasons, Research your options and then decide. Love,  Cristy
Title: Re: Moving Up then Out....
Post by: mjmel on August 25, 2007, 12:31:24 pm
OK, I agree with philly cause you are going to need ADAP to assist with meds either now or later.
Seattle is nice. Hilly and pleasant downtown area but it rains a lot, doesn't it?
xxx,
Mike
Title: Re: Moving Up then Out....
Post by: pozguy75 on August 25, 2007, 12:33:42 pm
I'm REALLY cautioning against NC again if you are on ADAP -- the financial eligibility criteria is wildly below even a place like SC and it's more than half what Queen would experience where she currently resides.

Maybe you should consider the "Eastern Shore" area of Maryland.  I doubt many here know it very well but it has what is called a micro-climate of sorts, being that it's surrounded by water and is practically a large island (Chesapeake on one side, Atlantic on the other).  It's fairly rural (home of Perdue chicken farms!) but not far from places like Baltimore and Wilmington, DE.  For some reason the ADAP list I linked to earlier has "N/A" listed for Delaware so who knows what their ADAP qualification is).  Also if you look at a climate map you'll see that the Eastern Shore area has the same climate as a place like Asheville, NC.

(http://www.signaturelandscapes.com/images/hardiness.jpg)


Well from someone living in Charlotte, NC...it's not so bad, SC is much worse as far as ADAP goes...but here in NC, there is no waiting list...but the catch is you have to make below 12K a year to qualify...
Title: Re: Moving Up then Out....
Post by: Miss Philicia on August 25, 2007, 12:53:49 pm
I'm just advising Queen to research all of this -- clearly none of us know her actual SSDI income amount and I really don't wish to ask.  Yes, SC has a waiting list which is of course a huge red flag, but the income qualification is better for the list.  If NC had more people qualifying it seems clear that they'd have a waiting list equally large so the argument on that front is a bit neutralized.

I'm not being anti-NC in any of this.  I have spent a lot of time in that state, as my brother and his family live outside of Raleigh, and my family also used to summer in the Outer Banks growing up.  My parents are looking to fully retire to Wilmington. 

I'd still move to New Mexico before decamping to Redneck Central though... tee hee ;)
Title: Re: Moving Up then Out....
Post by: tester8888 on August 25, 2007, 03:55:36 pm
I can't advise you about Arkansas ADAP and etc, but can tell you about living here and climate--not that you would even consider Arkansas, LOL.

We only have about 10 weeks of actual cold weather.  Each winter is guanteed 2 snows (usually just freezing rain).  Jan and Feb are the cold months.

The summers can be hot, last week was as high as 106, but this is quite unusal for us here.  And, it's not the heat gurl, it's the humidity that makes it hot.  But it is not at all that bad.

When I first moved to Little Rock, I was renting a very nice 2 bedroom apt for $475, in a great location. 

It is the South, which means rednecks, bible belt, and blue laws.  Living in an urban area though, kind of gives you the opportunity to live anonymously.  I have yet to have any of my neighbors bother to come by and introduce themselves to me.  Which is fine, since I am sure I do not at all fall into their demographic.

Little Rock is very close to Memphis, which is a fun place to go to.

If you were to move here, I would be happy to have you, as I love my fruitflies.      :-*

Good Luck

http://youtube.com/watch?v=ktJpUjzAI-4

http://youtube.com/watch?v=kb6ErLPt4t8
Title: Re: Moving Up then Out....
Post by: Queen Tokelove on August 25, 2007, 08:01:26 pm
Queen, whatever you do, get a southern accent. I will do ANYTHING for a southern accent. ANYTHING.

Milker.

Anything? Now don't tempt me like that? When I lived in Florida, I was picking up the accent and slang. Like wash house= laundry mat....
Title: Re: Moving Up then Out....
Post by: Queen Tokelove on August 25, 2007, 08:12:35 pm
You all have given me a lot to think about. If you don't mind having company, I may have to pay a few of you a visit. That will be a task in itself. This is not something that is happening very soon, I would say in about 2 years, so that would give me time to make a ROAD TRIP!!!!!! Oh wait. My son just came in and he wants to move before he graduates but wants to be somewhere close to a black college....Sad to say but I don't know where any black colleges is...Then again, say 2 years....
Title: Re: Moving Up then Out....
Post by: Basquo on August 25, 2007, 08:39:29 pm
My son just came in and he wants to move before he graduates but wants to be somewhere close to a black college....

Well, then it's settled!  Queen Akasha and son are moving to Austin, Texas! We have the requisite university, and even when it's freezing, it's always "green" somewhere in this town. I must admit, though, I don't know anything about the SSIS/SDI?ADAP issues here in Texas, but I will also admit that in 1995 I had to seek assistance and it was fairly easy to get it.  Being the state capitol, the only liberal county in the state, and having several universities and colleges here, there is an abundance of social workers who are young and eager to do their jobs. We have a great ASO, a great clinic and lots of opportunities.

http://www.htu.edu/ (http://www.htu.edu/)
Title: Re: Moving Up then Out....
Post by: Queen Tokelove on August 25, 2007, 09:02:12 pm
Thanks for the link, I will let my son check it out. Wondering about the assistance still being easy, that was 10 years ago. The assistance here has changed quite a bit, the purse strings got tighter.
Title: Re: Moving Up then Out....
Post by: Oceanbeach on August 25, 2007, 11:35:28 pm
My Dear Queen,

I have moved so many times in my life, I don't really remember where home is/was or how to get there.  The bottom line is, "Adventure in Moving" is a marketing slogan for the UHAUL truck rental company.  I rented a truck from that company just the other day to move Ms. Seabreeze.  The smallest truck they had was $36.95 per day... Plus 86 cents per mile and when the truck was returned... There was a charge of $36.00 for 1 gallon of fuel to bring the guage back to it's original marker.  There were two movers those two days.  Myself and Marie (the landlady).  We spent the day packing and the next day moving her stuff.  No one would help and Marie is stuck with the two dogs and I am stuck with the two cats.  We are both still sick but are planning on having a dinner for two at The Inn at the Tides in Bodega bay.

My first move since AIDS was 7 years ago last month.  I left an abusive relationship in Los Angeles for a free house in a town on Clearlake.  When living with HIV, there are many things top check out before you start looking for a new city/town.  The first is the quality of medical care in the new community.  When I left L.A., I could easily run two miles every day and 4 years later in Kelseyville, my PN was so painful, I could barely walk.  There was only 1 healthcare provider in Lake and Mendocino county which would care for people with HIV.  They billed out Medicare and Medi-Cal every month, my files were signed out by a doctor, whom I never actually met in 4 years.

The next area which needs to be reviewed is the support network.  There is a HOPWA grant in the approximate amount of $2000.00 for move-in costs.  That was in Los Angeles but, Los Angeles is a Title I EMA.  Kelseyville is in the same state but is a Title II EMA and such funding support is NOT available.  They will offer to pay a utility bill once each year IF the state budget is approved in time because in a Title I EMA federal funding goes directly to the organization offering support programs.  In Title II, federal funding goes to the state first and then to the ASO.

Sonoma County with it's Title I system of care services went to sleep on the numbers and lost everything except the jobs of the people who live HIV (by the time clock).  We (people living with HIV) lose most of our needed services but, there are still jobs for those working for the county.  You should see them in the Commission on AIDS meetings.  They could convince the casual onlooker that they really care.

If you should decide on moving to a community which is far away from your current home, healthcare network, your family and friends... Check the ASO finder on the front page of the AIDSMEDS site.  From there you can contact the ASO in your area of choice and find all of the available services.  Once you decide upon a community, the next step is locating available/affordable housing... www.craigslist.com (http://www.craigslist.com) can provide you with rental listings at no cost.  Have the best day
Michael
(who was once inspired by the film, "A Home of Our Own")
Title: Re: Moving Up then Out....
Post by: Queen Tokelove on August 26, 2007, 02:27:50 am
Michael~~

Finding a good doctors is a major concern to me too. There are a lot of things I am trying to weigh in on. For now I am on the list for hopwa, I'm number 11 on the hit parade, so not sure of how long a wait that will be. I got on the list thru the receptionist at the ASO because my case manager was on vacation but she called to let me know that she knew I was on the list. How nice? And that means what exactly? She was suppose to be looking into if it is ok for my room mate to be living with me, I don't see where that would be a problem because when I was on it before my nephew was living with me. But then things change and how things have been going for me lately, I am a bit pessimistic. And trust I don't like feeling this way which is stressed at the moment.
Title: Re: Moving Up then Out....
Post by: Oceanbeach on August 26, 2007, 06:13:24 pm
I was put on a 2 year waiting list to get on the waithing list for HUD (Section 8 assistance) in 1996.  By the end of those 2 years and 3 housing units later... I was approved but my house did not qualify.  The local housing authority did not see the humor in a man living alone in a 3 bedroom beach house in Belmont Shores.   ;D ;D ;D.  I did not want to move again so room mates were found and I withdrew from the Section 8 program.

One of them made a statement one fine afternoon like, "I don't have to pay rent, you have AIDS and if it wasn't for me... You would be in a Hospice".  That very afternoon, I was in the ER again for fractured ribs, after being pushed down a flight of stairs.  Do we enjoy horror films?  I have lived them...  We have to be care who (if anyone) we live with.

On the upside... when choosing a new state, Medical Marijuana has been legal in California since 1996 and received more votes that President Clinton in that election.  MMJ is also legal in Washington, Oregon and Arizona.  I believe it is expected to be legalized in New Mexico.  It is kinda cool to have a plastic card on your person, issued by the State Dept of Health and registered in your county to sit back, relax and let your troubles go up in smoke.  ;D ;D ;D  Have the best day
Michael 
Title: Re: Moving Up then Out....
Post by: Miss Philicia on August 26, 2007, 06:40:04 pm

On the upside... when choosing a new state, Medical Marijuana has been legal in California since 1996 and received more votes that President Clinton in that election.  MMJ is also legal in Washington, Oregon and Arizona.  I believe it is expected to be legalized in New Mexico.  It is kinda cool to have a plastic card on your person, issued by the State Dept of Health and registered in your county to sit back, relax and let your troubles go up in smoke. 

I think we've now narrowed Queen's potential relocation states down to a more realistic list.
Title: Re: Moving Up then Out....
Post by: BT65 on August 26, 2007, 07:37:40 pm
Hey Queen-
  Section 8 can be a long wait.  When I finally got on it was when I wrote to my senator (Evan Bayh) and his office stepped in.  Then it was like instant. 
  Hey Michael, I was pushed down a flight of stairs also!  Wonder if it was the same guy.
Title: Re: Moving Up then Out....
Post by: Oceanbeach on August 26, 2007, 08:38:53 pm
I think we've now narrowed Queen's potential relocation states down to a more realistic list.

Hey Philly,

Let's see if we can narrow the list a little further...
Seattle- Brrrr too cold in the Winter
Portland- A little too wet during rainy season
San Francisco- Rents are too high
Santa Monica- Rent control
Los Angeles- There is always room for another Queen in L.A.
Palo Verde- This was nice when Kevin was in the picture
Redondo Beach- A must see for housing on the Avenues
Long Beach- 5th largest city in Calif.  Best healthcare for HIV
Laguna Beach- Artist community, Gay men playground
Seal Beach- People who work in West L.A. live here
San Pedro- Very nice, small and quiet
Huntington Beach- Very nice and still within budget for housing
Communities in red will not be losing RWCA Title I funding

Anything from Costa Mesa to San Diego, we have to ask Milker. Have the best day
Michael
Title: Re: Moving Up then Out....
Post by: Oceanbeach on August 26, 2007, 08:46:05 pm
  Hey Michael, I was pushed down a flight of stairs also!  Wonder if it was the same guy.

Hey Betty,

Last I heard, he was living in an old car in North Long Beach and I suppose the fuel guage was on empty. Is it possible there may be more than one?  Have the best day
Michael
Title: Re: Moving Up then Out....
Post by: Queen Tokelove on August 26, 2007, 10:28:37 pm
I think we've now narrowed Queen's potential relocation states down to a more realistic list.

You got that right.... ;D As much as I love to smoke, I was not even thinking along the lines of medicinal marijuana. It would be nice to be able to just show a card and be handed some green. Here it's like a well thought out plan or Mission Impossible at times. What is the most medicinal weed you can have at one time? Isn't it like 3 ounces? I'd be cool with that, trust me.

Michael~~ I got on the section 8 list twice..In 2001 and then again in 2004 because they misplaced the 2001 application but what I honestly think it was is because I was being honest on their application when they asked if I ever had a felony charge. But it was about 4 years before and I wasn't even living in the state of Pa when I caught the charge. And they say honesty is the best policy...Hmph!!!!

Now since I consider myself a fag hag, what is it like in Laguna Beach? Cost of living is prolly pricey. I'm not sure about Long Beach, first thing that pops in my mind is gangs, and I am not trying to worry about color co ordinating and drive bys. And do tell more about San Pedro....
Title: Re: Moving Up then Out....
Post by: Dachshund on August 26, 2007, 10:35:45 pm
Girl, who do you think you are, Weezie Jefferson?  ;D
Title: Re: Moving Up then Out....
Post by: tester8888 on August 26, 2007, 10:43:57 pm
queen, I will give you an official fag hag card anyday! you are great!
Title: Re: Moving Up then Out....
Post by: Queen Tokelove on August 27, 2007, 12:49:59 am
Girl, who do you think you are, Weezie Jefferson?  ;D

LMAO....Well, Weezie did start out in the hood. So, we have that in common but I don't see myself moving into a condo anytime soon.
Title: Re: Moving Up then Out....
Post by: Queen Tokelove on August 27, 2007, 12:51:13 am
queen, I will give you an official fag hag card anyday! you are great!

Aww, thanks sweetie..... ;D
Title: Re: Moving Up then Out....
Post by: milker on August 27, 2007, 01:20:03 am
Anything from Costa Mesa to San Diego, we have to ask Milker. Have the best day
Orange county has 3 parts. The beach, the hills and the desert.

You can find some cool stuff by the beaches if you're willing to share a 600sqft with 2 other people. The hills are still way overpriced. Cities San Juan Capistrano and San Clemente are very cute, but it's fucking expensive. As for the "desert", you have Fullerton, which is affordable, Anaheim if you're a disney freak, Irvine if you are depressed. I don't know Cypress and Lakewood so I can't comment on those neighborhoods.

Going south from San Clemente you have Camp Pendleton, so if you want to be a Marine, that's where you'd live. It stretches about 10 miles along the coast. Then you reach San Diego county. You first hit Oceanside, which is very expensive on the coast, and okay in the middle of the town. It's a nice area, I would recommend it if you want a laid back life, access to the beach, and going for trips to San Diego once in a while. Go south you reach Encinitas, Del Mar, those are way too expensive places. Go east you have Vista, Escondido, which I would not recommend unless you speak fluent Spanish. East of Del Mar you have Poway which I wouldn't recommend either unless you're white with 3 kids and earn 100K+ a year and Rancho Bernardo, same thing, but will accept latinos and blacks who have money.

Go south and you reach San Diego city suburbs, La Jolla, if you have 2 million dollars to buy a 1800 sqft house, University City has upscale appartments for $1500/month if you don't mind F16s flying over your head from the Miramar Base Station. Continue south you have on the west Pacific Beach, which has extremely hot surfers that live in a 500sqft appartment with 9 other roommates, work at the car wash during the day and surf between 6am-9am and 6pm-8pm every day. Pacific beach is actually a very cool place, it has one major inconvenient, there is only one main road that goes to the main thoroughfare, which means traffic nightmares. If you don't care about traffic, then I highly recommend Pacific Beach.

South of it is Ocean beach. It's on the flight path for commercial airlines, so I don't recommend it. There were plans to make a new airport outside of the city but they've been canned. Ocean Beach would have raised its value tremendously but it won't happen.

East you have El Cajon, La Mesa, Spring Valley. Blah.

Go south, you reach Downtown. Overpriced lofts & high rises that do not sell. They built like crazy in the last couple of years and nobody is buying. Go east you reach the gay area. Hillcrest, being taken over by str8 people now, North park, University Heights, very cool neighborhoods, you can find cheap rents if you take your time.

Go south and practice your spanish. Chula Vista (often referred as Chula Juana due to its close proximity to Tijuana and its large mexican population), Bonita and National City.

Next to the border to Mexico is Imperial Beach. I've never been there but heard good things about it.

Milker.

/edited to add: it is assumed that you have a car. Southern California Public Transportation is a joke/

Title: Re: Moving Up then Out....
Post by: Iggy on August 27, 2007, 11:53:39 am
This focus on N.C. is rather interesting.
Title: Re: Moving Up then Out....
Post by: Dan J. on August 27, 2007, 11:58:40 am
Come back to Tennessee! Jackson is a great place to live! It's cheap to live here & the best part is your only an hour away from Memphis  & an hour 1/2 away from Nashville. & Besides, I'm here!!! LOL  Winters are mild, the worst time of year is July, Aug, Sept. The CDC clinic is close to the hospital HIV patients are seen on Tues, Thursday & Friday.  Besides Aunty Doxie lives just an hour away! I'm sure he would come visit you when he can. & I can get you some good quality green cheap!

http://www.jacksontn.com/
http://www.atdn.org/access/states/tn/tn.html Tennessee ADAP Contact and Eligibility
http://www.coetenn.com/

 :-* :-* :-* :-*

(http://images.worldcarfans.com/CSS/forums/bowdown.gif)
Title: Re: Moving Up then Out....
Post by: Oceanbeach on August 27, 2007, 05:37:28 pm
Dearest Queen,

They say when you become a member of an Italian family, you are forever a member of that family.  That is my connection to San Pedro.  Vito's parents were an "arranged" marriage in Palermo and their children were born in Detroit.  When the children were very young, the family moved to San Pedro so Papa could become a fisherman and they eventually moved everyone from Palermo and Detroit to San Pedro, the entire family are commercial fishermen.  I met Vito, a tourist in Honolulu and 17 days later, I was a resident of San Pedro where we buried him with his wife Theresa (formerly known as Troy). I only remember love and family from San Pedro.

I worked in a Jazz club in Long Beach called Birdland West and the only "white" people there on most nights were employees.  I moved to Long Beach shortly after the Rodney King riots because public transportation was impossible to non-existant after the club closed and I liked to stay after and drink with my friends. The Bird Girls were out in force 5 nights each week.

I lived in Redondo Beach for awhile and used to say "Kiss me where it smells... El Segundo."  The guys loved it and only a local would understand.

I have lived in Long Beach for about 9 years (the longest I have lived anywhere in my adult life) and still visit every couple of years.  I had a neighbor who was a member of a band called "Sublime", he died of an overdose but we were not friends.  Someone else moved into that house as someone else lives in my old house.  I was mugged at my own front door and again at my BF's front door and those were not gang related.  There was a shooting in front of a neighborhood bar called "The Brit", it was not gang related either.

In all of those years, ther only gang related voilence that was anywhere close to me was the shooting of a client's son.  Her son was a member of a gang and that drive-by was in another city.  In Long Beach, as in any city you have to be careful about which neighborhood you choose and pay attention to your surroundings.

One night I was walking down Santa Monica Blvd (WEHO) with my friend Tommy from Capital Records.  Someone yelled faggot from a car... Tommy came back with, "I'm more man that you will ever be and more woman that you will ever get, bring it on!"  That car left the scene without any issues.

Meanwhile... back to Medical Marijuana in California.  The amount you can have in your possession varies by county.  Most counties allow a 10` by 10` indoor growing area.  Sonoma County allows 99 plants, Marin County has no limit but the courts can decide if the amount growing is for personal consumption or commercial use.  Butte County only allows 9 plants. Humboldt and Mendocino Counties (theres gold in them thar hills) have no limit and are rarely enforced but outdoor growing is discouraged.  Each county is different and subject to change.  The courts will have the final say. 

One must also take a look at the cost of growing your own.  One must choose between High Pressure Sodium or Metal Halide lamps.  One light costs about $400.00 at a cost of about $40.00 per month for electricity plus soil, nutrients and related equipment.  Clones in the dispensaries cost about $20.00 each and they can easily be infested with bugs.

The MMJ dispensaries are usually located in poor neighborhoods, entry and exit are subject to violence so once again, a person has to be aware of their surroundings.  I have heard stories of people renting cars and buying wigs so they can go half way as themselves to their homes and the other half incognito.  This is a bit much.

In Sonoma County, I can have up to 3 lbs on my person or in my house.  Dispensary prices for this amount are around $12,000.00 and who can afford that?  Have the best day
Michael 
Title: Re: Moving Up then Out....
Post by: Queen Tokelove on August 27, 2007, 10:32:30 pm
Come back to Tennessee! Jackson is a great place to live! It's cheap to live here & the best part is your only an hour away from Memphis  & an hour 1/2 away from Nashville. & Besides, I'm here!!! LOL  Winters are mild, the worst time of year is July, Aug, Sept. The CDC clinic is close to the hospital HIV patients are seen on Tues, Thursday & Friday.  Besides Aunty Doxie lives just an hour away! I'm sure he would come visit you when he can. & I can get you some good quality green cheap!

http://www.jacksontn.com/
http://www.atdn.org/access/states/tn/tn.html Tennessee ADAP Contact and Eligibility
http://www.coetenn.com/

 :-* :-* :-* :-*

(http://images.worldcarfans.com/CSS/forums/bowdown.gif)

Well, I know the first 2 people I have to come see. I am hurt that Aunty Doxie has not extended an invitation.. ;) Maybe he thinks I will be like a roach and never want to leave.... ;D Hmm, good green at a good price, I think I need to move next door to you.... ;D