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Citizen Voices

Leaving Paradise

I've learned in life to never say never. I never thought I'd be spouting politics on the Internet for all to see. I never thought I'd buy one of those tiny toy dogs since I have five manly boys in my family. I never thought I'd live in the desert, but guess who's moving to Las Vegas ? Yep, it's true. I'm leaving paradise and moving to the desert right in the middle of the summer. Great plan, eh?

When my twin sister married a man who was born and raised in Sin City my husband and I felt sorry for her, knowing that she'd probably be surrounded by tumbleweeds for the rest of her life. My husband laughed and said "Vegas looks just like San Diego... after a nuclear holocaust!" Guess who's laughing now.

The recent housing crisis has hit my family particularly hard. My husband owns a real estate appraisal company and both of us are also Realtors. Because the real estate market is somewhat cyclical, we have lived through a roller coaster existence of feast or famine our entire married life together. The feasting cycles were awesome, but the famine times stunk. 

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As mortgage rates continue to climb and home values continue to fall, our livelihood has taken a hit. Add rising gas and food costs, braces on the kids, and our second son joining his older brother in college this fall and we've just joined the "People Who Adore San Diego But Can't Afford To Live Here Anymore" club.

Steven from San Diego
July 04, 2008 at 01:50 PM
We'll miss you! It's been a pleasure blogging with you!

Candace Suerstedt
July 04, 2008 at 05:33 PM
Good Luck Trina, I hope all goes well for you in Las Vegas.

Chris
July 06, 2008 at 12:20 AM
Trina - good luck and safe travels. Chris

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Alma from San Diego
July 07, 2008 at 03:21 PM
Hi Trina, Best of luck to you and your family on the move and relocation. San Diego will still be here, and only an hour's flight away. I hear what you've said about the club... "People Who Adore San Diego But Can't Afford To Live Here Anymore." Yeah, I've signed my application to the club too. My hubby and I have worked hard to make it as affordable as possible, but now with an addition to the family, we're even more aware of the pros and cons of living in paradise. It won't be an easy move, as I imagine yours won't be. As w/your sis, the rest of my immediate family has already moved for the same reasons, and at least we'll be closer to each other. As far as your point on the current state of homeownership, I don't think "bailing out" homeowners is the right fiscal policy. But I gotta tell ya, the Bear Sterns bail out was totally disturbing. The government said it was protecting the economy by funding that shady business & letting the company off the hook (except for those 2 execs heading to jail...) It only seems fair now to help out the unsophisticated buyer. Fair, but expensive. We all need a lesson in economic policy. And yes, as you say, "The answers to America's problems are to be found in the people of America." Again, good luck to you and your family. Thanks for sharing your political expressions online, and much success in your other business ventures! -Alma