An informational source for people who are relocating, with a particular focus on moving to the Carlsbad area of North County San Diego (and nearby coastal communities), with advice, guidance and true stories to help you on your way and make it a great journey, from a REALTOR� with plenty of personal (4 major moves, most recently from Boston to Carlsbad, California) and professional relocation experience. Are you running into problems selling your home? Need to find a new one quickly? Never moved before and haven't a clue? You'll find some great tips on how to solve your relocation issues here. Or ask me a question any time and I'll share some solutions or tell you where to get more information.
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I am veering off my usual path of writing articles on real estate to share some information about myself (if you only want to read about REAL ESTATE or a CARLSBAD RELOCATION you can stop here).
Not because I necessarily want to, nor because you need to know this stuff. And normally I write for real estate consumers, not about myself. But I was tagged by my friend Lola Audu in Grand Rapids, Michigan as part of her meme, which she describes as a game of virtual tag. She was tagged by Linda Scanlan (another friend and fellow REALTOR in Fort Worth, TX) who had been tagged by Ginger Wilcox on ActiveRain where lots of us agents hang out in the blogosphere.
Since Linda also memed me in her post I owe this to her as well. Thanks…I think I’m honored for the meme but do I really have to do this? (Plus I still I owe Diane Aurit in Lake Norman, North Carolina, a meme on books from weeks ago. Still working on that, Diane).
Soooo…the requirement is to share 7 interesting things about myself and to Tag 7 other people who have blogs outside of ActiveRain (I assume they should be equally interesting…perhaps more so. That’ll be easy). Not sure I can count that high on the interesting scale. Maybe I can make something up.
When I was 12 I was in an opera – “Aida” in fact (by Guiseppe Verdi). At the Philadelphia Lyric Opera. I got to lead a horse onstage with leading tenor Enrico Caruso as part of the Triumphal March (listen to it) on Opening Night. Caruso had a bit of a tough time getting off, as reported by the Philadelphia paper. It was NOT graceful as I recall. I did NOT get my feet stepped on. Whew.
Speaking of horses, I was very involved in equestrian sports from grade 3 until I was a senior. Competed in horse shows and 3 day events (locally, regionally and a few times nationally on a team – we won twice). Had a bad fall one time and broke my collar bone which I didn’t know about for years. No wonder it sticks out.
I rode my bike between Boston and NYC twice. Not just for fun (well, it WAS fun) but for the AIDS Ride benefit. About 325 miles the first time (Boston to NYC over 3 days, the first day in pouring rain), the second time was 350 miles over 4 days from NYC to Boston. I raised several thousand dollars each time in order to ride. Very cool.A life changing experience. Man, was I sore. That's me on Day 2 (NYC to Boston) along the Long Island Sound in Connecticut.
My wife and I are avid art collectors (no, not the million dollar stuff, silly). We have probably 150 pieces (mostly original) on our walls and stashed in 3 closets since there is not enough room. We keep buying. We also owned a successful art gallery in Cambridge, MA near Boston for 3 years before moving to Carlsbad, California. (see some snippets of our collection below).
I climbed over the top of a railroad bridge over the Muskingum River in Marietta, Ohio while in college…several times. Why? It was there. Who cares?!It seemed like a fun thing to do at the time. I was probably skipping class at the time.
I have driven across the country from Massachusetts to California 3 times in the last 10 years. I’d rather fly. Quickest trip was about 3 days (3400 miles). Saw some things I will never forget (Grand Canyon, for example) – others, I have no desire to ever see again. I’m staying mum on that so as to not offend anyone. Don’t ask.
Lastly, I have moved around a bit. Certainly not as much as some folks but enough. Having had 4 major relocations – to Boston from Detroit, to Minneapolis, back to Boston and to California (our Carlsbad home is our 9th, not counting a few rentals and temporary housing along the way, plus 2 vacation homes at the beach) - is part of my interest in this blog on relocation and helping others navigate the sometimes treacherous waters of a move.
There you have it. Nothing very exciting on the interest scale, but, hey, it’s me and what I feel like sharing.
Now for the hard part. Who to tag? People I know? Those I don’t?There are so many to choose from. But like Maureen I think I will think local and stick to Cali (and of course those who also have other blog sites). If you have been memed before, sorry. But I have too, so you don’t get much sympathy from me.
If I can provide more information about the housing market in general, or otherwise assist you in your homes search, please contact me by phone or text at (760) 840-1360
or email me at JDowler@remax.net.
RE: I am Only Doing This Meme Because I was Asked To
Jeff, this was a very interesting meme to read...almost makes me feel better about being a part of the team ( with Linda too) that made you have to do it. :)
The show of the art pieces was fun to watch too. With all the places you've lived and travelled, you have a much broader perspective. You've probably also been able to pick up art pieces too. What a bonus.
RE: I am Only Doing This Meme Because I was Asked To
Lola:
Thank you. Yes, I have traveled a little, including a bunch of trips to Europe (and yes, we bought art work there), to the Caribbean, and to Brazil. Visiting museums and galleries and talking with local artisans is always a treat when we have traveled.
RE: I am Only Doing This Meme Because I was Asked To
Hey Jeff - thank you for thinking of me in your meme...I have spilled so much already with three other meme's that I may have to make something up ;-) I will let you know when I am finished...since having to dig through my own memory archives, it may take awhile.
RE: I am Only Doing This Meme Because I was Asked To
Sheron - I know what you mean. I have been memed at least 3 times and I still have 1 to do. Do what you can, or expand on what you said before. Have fun!!
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Speaking of horses, I was very involved in equestrian sports from grade 3 until I was a senior. Competed in horse shows and 3 day events (locally, regionally and a few times nationally on a team – we won twice). Had a bad fall one time and broke my collar bone which I didn’t know about for years. No wonder it sticks out.
I rode my bike between 
I have driven across the country from 
