Well, it looks like the budget cuts have indeed cost me my job, but the good news is that I will be able to stay on here at the county doing emergency preparedness (EP) work, specifically working on H1N1 stuff. I have already been trained in that and have been doing translations (English to Spanish) ever since I started here, so it won’t be a major change. I will still be able to work on some of my existing projects and programs as well. However, from what I hear, the money for EP will dry up by July 31, 2010, so Britton and I decided that that would make a good end time to move to Puerto Rico. We would probably need a month or so to get everything all ready for the move and so we are planning an ETA (estimated time of arrival) of September 2010.
Britton says I’m like the girl on the edge; ready to make the jump, but still worried
None of this is written in stone, but at least it gives us a working plan. Before we go, we have a few goals that we want to accomplish that we believe are feasible in that time frame:
1) Pay off one of our properties. Britton is very much about security in risk (and I am too, to an extent) and doesn’t want to see all that we have worked toward thus far just lost. This way, he figures, if we have to come back with our tails between our legs we’ll always have a house that we can live in for free.
2) Save up enough for the transition to be able to buy furniture, a vehicle and other necessities. We are not too sure how much this needs to be as we’ve never moved so far away. For those of you who have made a life changing move, what do you recommend? How much do used cars cost in PR? We heard they are about $2,000 more than in the mainland.
3) Find a place to live in Puerto Rico. We would like to go down there again some time this winter with the clear intention of finding a place, putting in an offer and closing (not sure if that would be one or two trips).
4) Find jobs. This is really open for interpretation. This could mean working remote, working on virtual projects (the internet), running a guesthouse and farm and/or one or both of us finding part-time or full-time work there. We are open to all possibilities. We do know that it will entail us remotely managing our properties in Colorado since we are not planning on selling them (nor do I think we should in this market).
We don’t know what will happen in the future, but who does, really? We can’t be afraid to live. It is exciting and fun, and darling, do not fear what you don’t really know.
Wow, I came in from a long hike in Zion (I’ll email you a picture), sat down to do email and for some reason thought of you guys (usually check your site on weekends). Big news, wow. wow. wow.
When we moved here we had a paycheck from the school district for an entire year (leftover sick leave, I am never sick!) I got a job here (teaching in the PE dept. at SUU), then Larry moved his real estate/ rental business here. Did not have money problems as we had my two retirements and I had a job, and we sold property in SB so we could invest here in property
As I mentioned on another day, it would be interesting to see about Federal opportunities for either or both of you in PR. Cassie has Spanish fluency and transferable government experience, and Brit has solid computer skills and probably a lot more I don’t know about! With your young ages and education it all helps. The down side is that you might have to work on or near a military base, which I don’t know if you are cool with that. Grandma was a lifelong federal employee, so she could give you some tips.
The Spring rolls looked great. We are turning more and more to a vegetarian diet, after I read The China Study by a famous U.S. nutritionist Dr. T. Colin Campbell. Drawing on the project findings in rural China, the China Study details the connection between nutrition and heart disease, diabetes and cancer.
http://www.thechinastudy.com.
A ton of research all over the world has shown that the American heavy animal protein diet is doing us in (eggs, dairy and meat), resulting in inflammatory diseases of all kinds (cancer, heart disease, ms, arthritis, lupus, not to mention obesity) which were largely unknown a generation or two ago and now are chronic and prevalent diseases in the U.S. (but not other countries with more plant based diets).
I know you are interested in nutrition, as you have healthy eating examples in your blog, so I thought you might be interested. Even our dog Ginger eats fruits and veggies along with her kibble and a little roasted chicken (we cook it for her fresh!), as we are trying to avoid an early death to cancer (lab Red, of lymphoma age 8) or degenerative arthritis (labs Max and Jessie, ages 10 and 9).
Your new goals sound exciting Cassie and Britton and we wish you fun, love and luck in your new endeavors!!!!
I’m sorry about your job, Cassie. But it’s never a bad thing to get pushed closer to following a dream. We’re hoping for the best for you guys! (And if you want to come out and get some flowers this week, let me know. I’ve got some with your name on them. . .)
Hi guys – Sounds like the time to do it is now – it will never be easier (since job prospects suck everywhere and the the “good” life in the US isn’t all that great right now). #1 paying off a property is a smart thing, especially if you are hesitant and think it may not work out #2 we came here with only sports gear and art work and photos and buying all new stuff cost something, but most of our money disappeared for COBRA ($800 a month) and mortgage (the same). We got a crappy-but-it-works-great-enough truck for $6,500 and a toyota corolla new for $16 or 18,000 once Jeff got a job he has to commute a ways to. Tools for the yard cost a lot (mower, trimmer, hammer drill, wheel barrow, pruners, trowels, etc etc. #3 buying is a multiple trip deal – it is difficult to find houses, arrange to see houses and then figure out the mortgage lender. It will take 3 – 4 months to close (don’t know how long if you pay cash). We looked at only 5 houses but had seen ours on the internet for a couple months and it was everything we wanted. There is no MLS. #4 finding a job took Jeff almost a year and he lucked out (engineer). I have only applied for one since I don’t want to go back into teaching and have a useless degree. I didn’t get an interview. People working in sandwich shops here have masters degrees and don’t even get health care, so things are rough. Be prepared to pay COBRA, mortgage, and living expenses for a year minimum.
There will always be reasons not to go for the change. Just do it – if you don’t do it soon you never will! We can help with any questions – when you come to PR come over. Your best bet may be to rent at Shacks (up north) since something is always for rent, it is inexpensive, and no risk for you really. You can snorkel every day while you work things out! katrina
Thanks guys.
Tia Anita- We are not sure exactly what will happen, but we are pretty excited about it. Thanks for your tips. Also, I looked at the China Study site and that’s really interesting. I have read a lot of books about food including recently “Mindless Eating” by Brian Wansink and “The End of Overeating” by David Kessler. Very good books about the American style of diet.
Claire- We would love to get some flowers! I would like to see your farm too! Email me and we can set something up. 🙂
Katrina- Thanks for some of the concrete tips about moving out there. If Britton is able to work remote we wouldn’t have to worry about the health insurance part, but would still like to save up a bunch. Sounds like a good $20,000 to be safe. We would love to visit you guys. I like reading what you’ve done on your blog so that would be cool to see in person and get some advice!
What you are feeling is normal. I have often wondered how I would feel about the removal of the ‘golden handcuffs’. On one it is the chance to follow though on your next set of goals in your life. On the other hand, it is less income and you now have to make seemingly final moves around that goal. A time filled with emotion. But you just have to make the leap.
Thanks Xaymaca,
The Golden Handcuffs are awful…so hard to take off. It’s been nice watching your progress as well.
Cassie disregard last message . before you move to PR read these blogs Island mon and PCH to 413. unemployment in PR is about 15 percent or more if things are tough right now in CO it will be worst in PR at this time.IF you want warm weather and want part of PR just come to Orlando ,tAMPA OR Miami I believe with the health experience on your past job youl be allright in these cities .It will be sad if i go to Rincon and found you doing yoga classses, doing massages, batending or cooking at Lazy PARROT instead of working in your field