lmkzbcb
-
Posts
690 -
Joined
-
Last visited
Content Type
Profiles
Forums
Events
Blogs
Classifieds
Store
Posts posted by lmkzbcb
-
-
Like with many areas right now you may not have a whole lot of choice about insulation and windows and fireplaces. So many people are renting the market is saturated. I know when we moved here 18 months ago we went into the only rental in town. There really was no choice in the matter.
Good luck with whatever you find.
Too true!
and thanks!
-
I live in Monroe county and there is kerosene available at several nearby gas stations. I don't know the relative cost.
We have over 3000 square feet and used 2 kerosun heaters with fireplace to heat during a power outage.(8 days) It wasn't a cold spell, temps were 32-25 that whole week.Our home is very well insulated, we did not heat the bedrooms, 1 heater & fire didn't keep the house warm.By warm I mean 60 degrees. :glare:
We know a few people who saw enough of a drop in their heating that month even with adding in kerosene, they started useing it . I think they had electric baseboard heat.
Thanks! That is a major thing I needed to know. We already have kerosene heaters so that will help with not having to purchase another equipment source of heat.
-
I need to move...$1000 dollars a month for rent on something that has more than one bedroom!...$1500 for a house rental with an acre of land!
:lol:
-
First thing you are going to have to realize is that you won't be able to wear summer clothes in the winter. I can't tell you how many newbies I've seen/heard complaining about how blasted cold it is or how much it costs to run the furnace when they are running around in summer clothes (because sweaters and long pants are too restricting) and the thermostat set to 75*F.
:lol: Well, I do wear winter clothes including wool socks that go up to my knees, and that is down here where it very, very rarely snows. And it is true, I like to keep my thermostat in the 70s during winter. I really hate cold. But I also dress for it too. So, I think it is a matter of I am cold even when it is in the 70s in my house. Me thinks PA will be a challenge.
I would start shopping now for next year. You may be able to find some really good deals on clearance since winter is over.My thermostat is set on 60*F and we wear a couple layers in the house. This winter I've had to fill my fuel oil tank (which runs my furnace and hot water) 1.5 times. That was $700 for a 250 gallon tank. I also have a pellet stove. We went through 3 tons of pellets. A ton of pellets was $225 this year. I'm way further north than PA and it is still in the 30's at night. but my furnace is off.
Budgeting: I'd take what you pay for electric to run the A/C during the height of summer and double it for the dead of winter. Just to be on the safe side. So if you are paying $200 for electric to run the A/C in August, plan on spending $400 for heat in January.
Age of the house: I'm in a house built in 1890. You know I have no insulation in my walls. Some things that will help if you get into an older house.
- Make sure there are storm windows available if the windows have not been replaced.
- If there aren't any storm windows, invest in heavy clear plastic to cover the windows.
- Make sure you seal (weather proof) the windows, doors and electrical outlets with plastic and/or weather stripping in the fall.
If you have specific questions about heating or staying warm I might be able to help. Also remember your first winter will feel colder to you until you become acclimated to the area.
ETA: I would stay away from electric heat if possible. I know where I am electric heat is outrageous.
Thank you for all the great advice. I am wondering at what age would be a safe bet on insulation. Like you said, of course a house built in 1890 has no insulation, but what about 1940 or 1960? Better than 1890 of course, but when did it get to an acceptable level? Is that still too old, should I look for something more in the 80s?
I guess I am asking what is the bare minimum age I can get by with in the age of a house and still have decent insulation?
-
Would you think the same thing about a native English speaker taking a course that reviewed English grammar?
What I said is based on what the OP said about the niece and her mom saying there is nothing new in this class.
Based on that informaiton, it is a waste of time. She can take the AP exam, get the credit, and move on to more without taking that class.
If my dc can take an AP English exam and get credit for it, that is what I want them to do, and I would be doing a jig if they did it without taking the AP class. ;)
-
I am praying for her family, but I am also praying they catch the sicko, and he is given due justice.
-
I also see a lot of articles like this online, almost on a daily basis. That's why it's important to know you want to stay in a house you buy long-term.
That same article is under a different title and I read it today. Very Interesting!
@OP this article is worth your time to read.
-
@ OP - I think I would have got up in her face, if I had heard that at the convention. It's the 2-faced crap that bugs me the most. Not only is racism bad, but then dealing with lying too!! "Get over yourself, people"!!
My kids are taught that we are all one people on this planet. Different cultures - yes. One people - yes. Just as some have green eyes and others black, some have darker skin and others lighter. Not sure where you stand on Christianity, but for us: In the beginning God made 1 man and 1 woman, and therefore all people are from one race - the human race. Race and culture are 2 completely different things, not synonymous. It's the culture that you are a part of that is important enough to pass down to your kids. If you want a blended culture, fine. You as the parent decide what is important in the culture to pass down, and what needs to be left out. Not the rest of the population.
JFYI - I don't disclose the shade of my skin, it is irrelevant. You asked for advice, I gave it.
-
I have to think that if it were my daughter and she was placed in an English language class that covered stuff she'd learned several years ago I'd be miffed. That's class time she could have used to learn something new or pursue a subject she had a real interest in.
:iagree:
(Sorry for posting so many times, I couldn't figure out how to quote several people into one post.)
-
Actually, she should take the AP test, otherwise colleges have nothing to go on but her word that she is fluent in Spanish.
:iagree: And any student can take the AP test to get credit for it without taking the class.
IMO, it is a waste of precious time and other potential for the neice to do this. She should be incouraged to be reaching for the stars, not doing the bare minimum to check the box.
Also, learning a 3rd language would only serve her well in the future.
-
I can see why it would bother you. It does seem to be cheating to be meeting a foreign language requirement in your native language. If that's the case, then U.S. students should be allowed to take English as their foreign language requirement. Also, the fact that the classes are limited as to the number of students they can take makes it seem unfair.
Lisa
:iagree:
-
:grouphug: :iagree:
-
My husband has an answer for this...I'll be back with it later ;)
waiting, waiting, waiting............waiting some more.........and some more............
-
I can kinda see how that could be interpreted that way. But it still doesnt make sense to me.
It's not like Jesus said "Behold, yall's mother". Although I have heard "Him" with a southern accent during the Passion Plays down here. :tongue_smilie:
-
Carpatho Russian, just looked it up.
-
I may be spelling it wrong but it is Carpo-Russian?? Does that sound right? I know nothing about it, except the priest was very nice. His wife homeschools their 4 children. And he asked for all of our names so he could pray for us, which I thought was remarkable considering how busy he must be. Oh, he did say there were about 5 other (people or families?) that had been coming regularly and would be in the inquirer's class with us.
So, that is nice not to be the only newbies.
-
I just got off the phone with the priest. He was so nice. And they are starting an inquirer's class this summer too!! <>
Although I live in a metro area now, the OC here did not have inquirer's classes. So, I am thrilled to be moving to a town of 5K that has an inquirer's class!! LOL Oh the irony.
Now, if dh will just get on board.
Honesty moment, every time I get dis-illusioned with something in O, I want to walk away and go looking somewhere else. However, it seems like there is always something that gently draws me back. So, I guess I will keep walking towards that way, and see what happens.
-
I can tell you that our <1200sf house costs a FORTUNE to heat (baseboard electric), but that is primarily b/c we have a poorly insulated house with huge vaulted ceilings. We're on a budget plan, so we pay somewhere around $250/mo. We use hardly any electricity during the warm months, but our bill would be well over $1,000/mo in the winter if it weren't for the budget.
Good grief!! Over a $1000/mo? What do you mean by "budget plan"? Is that something the electric company sets up with you? They take your bills for the last year and then cost average it out over 12 months?
Do you think electricity is more or less expensive than oil? Also, what temp. do you normally keep your house in winter? And, what is the coldest months during the winter season?
Thank you for your time and help.
-
The rental housing stock here is very limited and the vast majority of houses are ones I wouldn't live in unless I were Truly Desperate.
That is what I am finding too.
You really did give me a lot of great information, things I wouldn't have thought about. After rereading it, several things struck me that didn't sink in before. So, again thanks.
-
My house is all electric, but most of my neighbors heat with oil or propane. Our development has deals with several nearby companies for reduced rates for our residents.
I'm wondering if you wouldn't mind sharing with me some answers about your utilities. Is that electric baseboards or heat pump? What temp. do you maintain during winter? How many sq. ft. is your house? What is the highest you have paid for the utilities in a month and what month was it?
On the rentals, the neighbors down the street from you, how are they advertising their property? Newpaper, sign in yard, property management, or realty company? Or something else?
-
Location is within an hour radius of Harrisburg, Reading, and Allentown.
And judging by the prices RoughCollie gave, I am so glad we are not moving to the Pitts area.
Some information will be similar though; so I appreciate anything you can tell me about PA rentals.
The whole "heating the house during those winters" fear; has gotten me into a dither. :svengo: I hate being cold. I mean really.truly.hate. Which wouldn't be a problem if oil wasn't so expensive. Most houses I have looked at on the mls, have oil heaters. Someone told me she knows people who pay more for their utilities than their mortgage during the harshest months. I can't figure out how to figure out how much utlities are going to cost in order to make the household budget. :confused:
Our price range is affected by how much utilities are going to cost us. Which makes it difficult to look for a house, and when I am looking at the low range, I see a lot oil heaters OR electric baseboards. No combos. A few places have a working fireplace, but does that really help heat a house.:confused: How much does a cord of wood cost?? I can't get the realtor I was working with to email or call back. He is a broker (I'm sure he is busy), and when he found out we were more interested in renting than buying, I guess he lost interest. There isn't a relocation service in the area.
You see it is just so many unknows, I dont know if I am coming or going. :crying:
So, really, truly, anything is helpful. Whether you live in the area or not. There is a huge difference in where I am living now to PA.
-
Thank you so much for taking the time to write all that out for me. I really appreciate it.
I did notice a lot of porches. I am debating on buying a house and renting it out when we leave. Since rentals are so hard to come by, I dont think it would stay empty for too long. Can't decide.
-
Mortgages are going to change as well. Coming soon to a neighborhood near you.....no more 30 yr fixed loans. This is speculated to change in the next 2 years. They already do this is Europe. You can not get a fixed loan, they are adjustable every few years. I read this on Yahoo Financial News.
If dh likes who he is working for and you like living in the town you are in, I say find a forever home and buy while rates are low and you can get a 30 yr fixed. But plan on staying in it for the long haul, so take your time in picking it out. (If something drastic happens, rent the house out. Rentals are hot right now and will continue to be for awhile).
True that they may not change the laws, but from what I understand banks are going to have to do something like it.
I am more along the lines of a bird in hand is better than 2 in the bush. I would not get an FHA, I would beg and borrow from family or on cars or even just my name to get that 20% down. At worst case, do the conversion.
-
What should we expect to pay for a house that is about 2,000 sq. ft., on about 1/2 an acre, oil heaters, built within the last 30 years, out in the "country", 3-4 bed, 2 bath?
If you can't give an exact, a range would be okay too. This isn't a specific house I have found, but based on my poll; I had better keep looking for something like this and wanted to know kinda what to expect to pay. I know it will be different for the different areas of PA, but still would like to know what it is in your area.
Also, someone had mentioned making sure I was in a newer house b/c of insulation and the cost of utilities. The term "newer" is relative. Could someone give me an idea of what to shoot for in age of a house? Or atleast what age not to go past?
And one last question. Is kerosene easily accessible and relatively inexpensive there? Does anyone use it for heating their home?
I want to tell you what a joy you all are to me.
in Exploring Orthodox Christianity
Posted
You know another great thing, when someone moves this group is still here!! Wonderful concept!!