@ Doc, Even though I spent significant amount of time in California, I never wanted to be here. I'm here because I'm the only child of three brothers that is not married, so I'm here at my parents’ request because of their old age. I'm the only one who can be there immediately if help is needed. However, all that will change the next 12 months because my parents recently bought a retirement home in Taiwan and is planning on moving back there.
The state of California will soon render it impossible for me to continue my business (according to my way of conducting it). Two years ago, Sacramento negotiated a tax deal to raise cigarette tax in exchange of lowered none cigarette related tobacco tax. They lowered the cigar/hookah/pipe tobacco tax from 47% down to 31% while increased the cigarette from $3.50 a pack to around $5.00. Now they have what they wanted out of cigarette, they’re working on a new law to raise cigar/hookah tax to 64%. It’s going to happen, just a matter of time. Last month, my ex employee offered to buy my shop below market rate, but it’s enough for me to be completely debt free (pay off my cars, credit cards, student loans), and still have some left to relocate.
@ JCP, I'm from Taiwan, think of it as a giant Hawaii, so I don't mind it. I was there two years ago for a wedding and I absolutely love it. I didn't find things to be as expensive as what people are making it out to be, because it is mostly on par with S. Cal. You know what they say, if you can survive S. Cal, you can survive anywhere.
At the moment, I'm looking at three possibilities:
1. Back to the greater Seattle area where I lived for three years since I have some job/business opportunities with some old friends. I don’t mind the cold but the rain is bothersome.
2. Houston/Dallas area try to find a job with energy related construction company such as Flour/Parson/Halliburton - since I had two years worth of training through Fluor for oil refinery piping design.
3. Hawaii because five hours east or west, I can be back to Taiwan to see my folks, or back to mainland, a rather convenient location, of course been in paradise is very enticing.
@ bonhamsurf, that's part of the information I was looking for, thank you.
If Hawaii is my destination, I have to seek a job in the field of service or sales since that’s what I have been doing all my life, I will have to go there for a job scouting mission first.
I have three cars - NSX, CRZ, and a Pilot, I bought the pilot for my parents so I'll be taking the NSX and CRZ. I'm assuming that renting a container for both cars and few boxes for my belongings will be sufficient. Regardless of my destination, I will do a complete service of my NSX (T Belt, Water Pump, etc) before leaving California.
At the moment Hawaii just makes sense because for some reason, I have a feeling I'll be back in Taiwan during my twilight years. My parents put their retirement property in Taiwan under my name. I'll thinking about Oahu since that's the most convenient island, but I'm open to suggestions/recommendations.
Thanks guys.
@ Turbo, sigh... Do you know what a Donk is in poker term? Google it, your picture is all over that word... More attention seeking, pointless posts...