Apartments for Low Income

Your Questions About Duplex Home Building Plans

Administrator — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 16:20:03 +0000

Robert asks…

Legal advice please?

Last weekend I had some drinks with some friends, and came home a little tipsy, but not trashed. I locked my keys in the house, and had to climb through the window. I knocked over the Christmas tree, and soon after, the landlord who lives next door in the same building, (It’s a duplex) calls, and says I’m getting a restraining order on you Tuesday. So I go to her door, and knock on the door to ask her why, and she’s on the phone with the cops saying “he’s coming in”, and slams the door. Needless to say the cops come, and talk to me, and tell me that she’s got a tape recorder, and if she calls again, I’m getting charged with harassment. I tell them my story, and they say I know she’s a bit crazy, but you heard what I said. So, I slammed the door shut. Seconds later the landlord calls and says “Your girlfriend left you didn’t she”, “She’s not coming home”, the cops were still out front talking, so I brought the phone out with her still talking and handed it to the cop, and said listen she’s harassing me. The cop took the phone hung up, and arrested me for Public Intoxication. I plan on taking this to trial. Did I do anything wrong to deserve that?
I swear this is exactly how it went. I didn’t do a thing to her. She has keyed my car and called the police on me for arguing with my girlfriend, but they didn’t do anything because we were just arguing, and I said she was crazy and nosy.

Administrator answers:

First piece of advice – Move.

Why would you stay in a house with a crazy landlord living in the same building? This has already caused you problems (Keyed car) and now even got you in trouble with the law. Get out as soon as possible.

Second piece of advice – beat the charge.

This charge sounds pretty bogus, unless your own words torpedo you. With a lawyer’s help you can probably get this charge dropped, or beat it in a trial. It will cost some money though. If you can afford it, then do.

In 2 years you won’t miss a thousand bucks or 2, but you might regret a criminal conviction.

David asks…

Thinking of selling my house. Would you sell if you were in my position?

my bf and i brought a Mobile home a year ago and its nice and all but were in a location we really don’t like. plus his work has been sooo slow so were are having trouble making the payments and I don’t want to ruin our credit for this trailer that prob wont last us forever. We have a few ideas one sell and buy a house since we prob can get one for the same price and just tough it out at least we would have a house. Two sell the house and rent for awhile get the credit back up and build duplexes live in one a rent the other.. this plan a lil harder cause we have to find land an build.. so it would take a while..then we would have to rent something that is just as expensive as the mobile home?? we are confused.. so what do ya think?
I just wanna add the home 2,000sq ft and on 1.5 ac and has a pool..

Administrator answers:

A mobile home is not like real estate. It depreciates over time instead of appreciating. Also, if you’re having trouble paying on time and it’s affecting your credit, you probably wouldn’t be able to afford a house or property for a duplex for a while, anyway.

Sell it, rent for a while, and fix your credit. The market may go up a bit in the next couple of years. But, it will still be a good time to buy. And, with improved credit and perhaps steady work coming in by then, you’ll be able to afford a better place.

Susan asks…

Is my husband’s best friend correct?

My husband and I live in a large multistory apartment building built around 1980. The plumbing is bad. After you take a shower or bath, there is a weird sludge left in a perfectly spotless bathtub. I have to clean the tub after each shower with bleach and cleansers. So I know the tub is spotless. The baseboard heaters are original equipment. Our last electric bill was almost $300. An average bill during the off winter months are around $70. We only use the baseboard heater in the master bedroom. The second BR is closed off. We use a space heater in the living room to heat it. Our neighbors bill are all around $400 to $500. There is a strange black mold around where the wall and ceiling meet. The stove in the unit is over 30 years old. It says 1975 on the inside of the oven. It still works a little. Can’t use 2 of the top burners. We have noisy neighbors and the landlord will not handle any complaint against them. When we use one of the electrical outlets in the living room, the circuit breaker kicks back almost every time. I’m tired of paying for a run down apartment building. The building was nice when we moved in 2 years ago. The landlord would come and fix the problems fast. Now, he won’t do anything at all. So with all of these problems, my husband and I are planning to move this year to a new rental house or duplex. We don’t want another apartment after this one. My husband makes a decent living. I work part time from home. My husband’s friend says we need our landlord’s reference to get into another rental. He says that breaking a lease is as bad as an eviction. We have never been evicted. I want out before the lease ends in June. My husband wants to tolerate the conditions until then. I want out in April. I’m concerned that the black mold near the ceiling might be toxic mold. Who is right myself or my husband’s friend? Please help! Want out!

Administrator answers:

Hmmm . . .

I think that breaking a lease can be acceptable in certain circumstances, and your situation sounds like one.

It sounds like your apartment is becoming uninhabitable, and if you do have black mold and dangerous electrical wiring, your landlord has an obligation to you as a tenant to make sure that your apartment is safe (unless you somehow caused these problems yourself, which is doubtful). I would start by keeping a journal with the dates and times you have complained to your landlord. Then, I would suggest that you talk to your landlord about letting you out of your lease. If that does’nt work, then find out if your city/county has free legal services or possibly contact your local law school for help.

I’m sure that this type of thing happens a lot, and if your apartment is threatening your health, then your new landlord should not hold that against you.

I live in Sacrament Ca, so here’s a link to our “landlord-tenant” court. Check your counties website for a service like this:

Paul asks…

How do I answer parents who want me to live with them in a senior apartment complex?

We are selling the family home. It is a two family with me living on one side of the house and my mother and stepfather living on the other side of the house.
I left my full time job a few years ago due to stress. Now I work on call in sales in a department store. I am interested in working there full time but I have been discouraged by the recession to ask a manager about stepping up my work situation to permanent at the store. I continue to go on job interviews for jobs that are posted on Career Builder and on line job services. I have worked temp jobs but after a day or a couple of months the assignment ends with me being let go for one reason or another.
Last year the snow was really bad in my area so I finally convinced my parents to sell the house. But within a month of putting the house on the market, we have a sale pending and are expected to move out in the middle of October.
I have gone to a couple of real estate agencies looking at apartments. But I haven’t submitted a single application because I am afraid that my application will not be accepted because I am not working full time. I have only made about four thousand dollars this year at the store. The rest of my income consists of taking money out of my IRA and supplementing my income with unemployment payments. My health insurance is covered by the state.
Yesterday, I was looking at apartments with my parents. I found one that is about a thousand a month. I am currently paying my mother a reduced rent of two hundred a month. But living in the duplex, I carry all the expenses of one side of the house from the cable bill to oil heat, and there is no family discount on my utilities. I have been hustling for work over the past few years since I left my full time job. I work in the store. I substitute teach. I work temp jobs. Sometimes I am working as much as 60 hours a week. Then the next week there is no work. And the week after that, I might only get to work one full day.
I have gotten into an argument with my mother. She asked one of the agents that works on site at the apartment complex for senior citizens. Persons must be 58 years of age or older to rent there. I am 49 years old. She asked the agent if she can have visitors stay the night. The agent didn’t seem to have a problem with that. However, my mother failed to give further details that she intends to have me live there until I can find a full time job and move out to my own apartment. In a sense, she is trying to treat her new senior citizens apartment as if it’s still her private home where she can make and adjust the rules.
I have a couple of ideas.
I want to see if my stepfather, who is retired, can co-sign my lease.
I want to see if any of the landlords, particularly for apartments in owner occupied private homes, would be willing to take me as I am given my current economic status. It’s not like I don’t work at all. Last year, my income was $26,000 when I filed my income taxes. One third was from working at the store. One third was from unemployment. One third was from early withdrawals from my IRA.
I still have about $30,000 left in my IRA. When I take the money out, I have the taxes withheld and I plan for the cost of the penalties.
One of my aunts passed away and left my mother some money. She has given me about $5,000 of that money this year to help pay my expenses.
I believe that through my work, and from other sources, I can pay for my own apartment. It’s just trying to express that on a standardized rental application. I have some debt on several credit cards but nothing is past due and I make the payments every month. My credit score from Equifax is excellent.
What do I say to my mother when she offers to have me live with her at the senior citizens apartment? I wanted to check with the agents at the building myself, but she is acting like I am being a squealer, which leads me to believe she is trying to convince me to live there on the sly.
Many of the residents there are very nosey. One of the neighbors asked her “Have you sold your house yet?” I can only imagine what it will be like when my parents move in, and I move in with them. She already asked me about transferring ownership of my car to her so that I can park my car there and it will be in her name and not mine.

Administrator answers:

No you can not live there. Spending the night is no more then 14 days a year.

Where you work, what you make, it is all irrelevant. You can not live there, the entire place would lose its status if you did. Your parents will not just be evicted, but sued for the remainder of the lease.

Do not argue with mom. Simply do not live there. You are a full grown man, you should not be any where near mommies apron strings anyway.

Helen asks…

What is more important when I want to do a video chat with a webcam? GHz or RAM?

I want to do video chat using my laptop. My laptop has a build-in webcam but the webcam sucks. I am planning on purchasing the Logitech Webcam Pro 9000.
Here are the system requirements for this webcam:

Windows Vista or Windows 7:

Pentium P4 (or compatible) processor, 2.4 GHz (2.8 GHz recommended)
512 MB RAM (1 GB recommended)
200 MB available hard disk space
16-bit color display adapter
Windows-compatible sound card and speakers (full-duplex sound card recommended)
USB port
CD-ROM drive

The GHz on my laptop is very low. It is 1.3 GHz. However, my laptop has 4GB RAM DDR3. My question is that will my laptop lag or freeze if I decided to purchase this webcam and use it? With my laptop specs, will this work smoothly?

Here is a little more information about my laptop (if it helps):
*1.3 GHz
*4GB RAM DDR3
*Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
*Intel Pentium SU4100
*500 GB Hard Drive

Thank you!

Administrator answers:

It’ll be fine.

Your CPU is dual core, where the minimum specs are not.
Also, it is based on Pentium 4 architecture.
Yours is much more efficient.

Your Questions About East St Louis Mo

Administrator — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 08:20:02 +0000

Chris asks…

How Long Does It Take To Get To Illinois From Kansas?

does it take days or hours?

Administrator answers:

From East St.Louis IL to Kansas City (Mo or KS) you need to figure 6 hours by car at posted speed limits with one stop for gas, potty, and sack of sandwiches. Anything further will, of course, take longer.

Betty asks…

Is is possible to get a complete team list for the Nebraska Huskers football team?

I need the names of team players.

Administrator answers:

This is the Huskers 2005 Fall List:

No. Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Yr. Hometown (Prev School)
7
Adams, JordanQB6-3200So.Santee, Calif. (Grossmont College) (West Hills)
96
Adams, TitusDT6-3300Sr.Omaha, Neb. (Creighton Prep)
65
Austin, GregOL6-1290Jr.Cypress, Texas (Fairbanks)
3
Beck, HarrisonQB6-2210Fr.Clearwater, Fla. (Countryside)
48
Blankenship, AdamDE6-2245RFr.Tulsa, Okla. (Union)
1
Bowman, ZackaryCB6-2190Jr.Anchorage, Alaska (N.M. Military Institute) (Bartlett)
34
Bradley, StewartSLB6-4240Jr.Salt Lake City, Utah (Highland)
40
Brandenburg, Lance WR6-1230So.Overland Park, Kan. (St. Thomas Aquinas)
23
Brooks, Chris WR6-2195Fr.St. Louis, Mo. (Hazelwood East)
21
Brothers, TitusCB5-11190RFr.San Antonio, Texas (Judson)
65
Bryant, ChrisDT6-3270So.Aurora, Colo. (Smoky Hill)
14
Bullocks, DanielSS6-1205Jr.Chattanooga, Tenn. (Hixson)
59
Byford, BrettOL6-2290RFr.Hartselle, Ala. (Hartselle)
90
Carriker, AdamDE6-6275So.Kennewick, Wash. (Kennewick)
62
Christensen, AndyOL6-3285Fr.Bennington, Neb. (Bennington)
29
Congdon, Jordan PK5-11180Fr.San Diego, Calif. (St. Augustine)
45
Covey, Nick LB6-2225Fr.Glendale, Ariz. (Mountain Ridge)
94
Cryer, Barry DL6-2275Jr.Marrero, La. (Dodge City (Kan.) CC) (John Ehret)
54
Dagunduro, Ola DL6-2290Jr.Inglewood, Calif. (Compton (Calif.) CC) (Inglewood)
15
Davis, Beau QB6-4185So.Venice, Calif. (Venice)
6
DeFrand, DonaldCB6-0175Jr.Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (Dodge City CC) (Stranahan)
38
Dillard, Phillip LB6-2250Fr.Tulsa, Okla. (Jenks)
27
Dyches, DavidPK6-1200So.Spring, Texas (Westfield)
62
Christensen, AndyOL6-3285Fr.Bennington, Neb. (Bennington)
46
Eisenhart, BenSS5-11200So.Culbertson , Neb. (Culbertson )
26
Erickson, DanWR6-0195So.Omaha, Neb. (Papillion-LaVista)
77
Evwaraye, SeppoOT6-5320Sr.Laurel, Neb. (Laurel-Concord)
4
Fisher, TylerFS5-11195Sr.Grand Island, Neb. (Wayne State) (Anselmo-Merna)
28
Fluellen, IsaiahWR6-0185Jr.Ramstein, Germany (Ramstein American)
79
Fuanatu-Thomas,CornealiusOL6-5315Sr.Honolulu, Hawaii (College of San Francisco) (Farrington)
57
Furtwengler, AdamLB6-12256-1Corpus Christi, Texas (Corpus Christi)
8
Ganz, JoeQB6-1200RFr.Palos Heights, Ill. (Amos Alonzo Stagg)
69
Gibson, Adam OL6-4358Jr.Indianapolis, Ind. (Rock Valley (Ill.) (JC)
18
Gingery, TravisCB5-10180So.Lincoln, Neb. (East)
39
Glenn, CodyIB6-0230Fr.Rusk, Texas (Rusk)
30
Green, TierreCB6-1200So.Omaha, Neb. (Benson)
2
Grixby, CortneyDB5-9165So.Omaha, Neb. (Central)
7
Hardy, FranzWR6-0175So.Miami, Fla. (Butler County CC) (Booker T. Washington)
35
Harvey, DavidTE6-3235Fr.La Plata, Md. (McDonough)
73
Helming, JaredOL6-3295Fr.Springfield, Mo. (Kickapoo)
11
Herian, MattTE6-5240Jr.Pierce, Neb. (Pierce)
42
Hill, SeanTE6-3255So.Lisle, Ill. (Naperville North)
43
Hohlen, BrianTE6-3240So.Juniata, Neb. (Adams Central)
61
Huff, MikeOL6-4300RFr.Ralston, Neb. (Ralston)
49
Ickes, AdamLB6-2225Sr.Page, Neb. (Orchard)
32
Jackson, BrandonIB5-11205So.Horn Lake, Miss. (Horn Lake)
31
Jackson, LeonFS6-2210Fr.Pasco, Wash. (Pasco)
47
Kadavy, AndyLB5-11225Jr.Seward, Neb. (Seward)
92
Kelly, Lane LS6-4270Jr.Omaha, Neb. (Creighton Prep)
89
Kenney, TylerWR6-1185Jr.Kearney, Neb. (Amherst)
19
Kester, TylerP6-1200So.Clearwater, Neb. (Clearwater)
75
Koch, BrandonOG6-4310Sr.Gothenburg, Neb. (Gothenburg)
37
Koch, SamP6-1225Sr.Seward, (Seward)
36
Lawson, Thomas IB6-0225RFr.Parker, Colo. (Ponderosa)
35
LeFlore, ChrisCB5-10210So.Omaha, Neb. (Central)
10
LeFlore, MarkWR5-11190Jr.Omaha, Neb. (Central)
74
Lingenfelter, NewtonOL6-5280Jr.Plainview, Neb. (Plainview)
20
Lucky, MarlonIB6-0210Fr.North Hollywood, Calif. (North Hollywood)
91
Lueshen, EricPK6-2190So.Pierce, Neb. (Pierce)
89
Luhrs, KevinDE6-1255So.Omaha, Neb. (Creighton Prep)
50
Mann, KurtOL6-4290Jr.Grand Island, Neb. (Grand Island)
55
McBride, NathanLS6-1205Fr.Scottsdale, Ariz. (Chaparral)
13
McKeon, CoreyLB6-1225So.Naperville, Ill. (North)
5
McKoy, ShamusWR6-1195Sr.Raleigh, N.C. (Scottsdale CC) (Enloe)
33
Miller, GrantFB6-0225Jr.Peabody, Mass. (Veterans Memorial)
58
Moore, Dontrell LB6-2230Jr.Thibodaux, La. (Coffeyville (Kan.) CC) (Thibodaux)
44
Moore, JayDE6-4270Jr.Elkhorn, Neb. (Elkhorn)
81
Mueller, JoshTE6-5265So.Columbus, Neb. (Lakeview)
55
Muhammad, WaliDE6-1255Sr.Bloomfield, N.J. (Coffeyville CC) (Bloomfield)
84
Mulkey, GrantWR5-11180Jr.Arlington, Texas (Arlington)
76
Murtha, LydonOL6-7315RFr.Hutchinson, Minn. (Hutchinson)
83
Nunn, TerrenceWR6-0185So.Houston, Texas (Cypress Falls)
33
O’Hanlon, MattSS5-11200Fr.Bellevue, Neb. (Bellevue East)
52
O’Shea, MarkLB5-11225Fr.Dallas, Texas (Jesuit College Prep)
95
O’Shea, MattDT6-1295Sr.Irving, Texas (Jesuit College Prep)
15
Octavian, SteveLB6-0235Jr.Naples, Fla. (William Rainey Harper (Ill.) College) (Lely)
45
Otto, WillFB5-11240Jr.Fullerton, Calif. (Fullerton College) (Troy)
78
Pasteur, BrockOL6-6290Jr.Orlando, Fla. (Mesabi Range CC) (University)
54
Patrick, ChrisOL6-4285So.Ithaca, Mich. (Ithaca)
9
Peetz, JakeLS5-10185Sr.O’Neill, Neb. (St. Mary’s)
17
Peterson, ToddWR6-4205RFr.Grand Island, Neb. (Central Catholic)
85
Phillips, J.B.TE6-3255So.Colleyville, Texas (Heritage)
68
Picou, JordanOL6-2320Jr.Rialto, Calif. (Mt. San Antonio CC) (Eisenhower)
72
Picou, RodneyOL6-4300Fr.Moreno Valley, Calif. (Canyon Springs)
56
Pike, GaryOL6-4330Sr.Pueblo, Colo. (Centennial)
98
Potter, Zach DE6-7270Fr.Omaha, Neb. (Creighton Prep)
86
Poulosky, AndyDE6-2240So.Ponca, Neb. (Ponca)
22
Rands, Robert CB5-7160Fr.Bellevue, Neb. (Bellevue East)
85
Rice, ThomasDE6-1235So.Lincoln, Neb. (East)
24
Rigoni, BrandonSS5-6180Jr.Lincoln, Neb. (Southeast)
63
Roark, CraigOL6-2300Fr.Ada, Okla. (Ada)
19
Robison, JoeyCB5-9180Sr.Bertrand, Neb. (Bertrand)
4
Ross, CoryIB5-6195Sr.Denver , Colo. (Thomas Jefferson)
51
Ruud, BoLB6-3230So.Lincoln, Neb. (Southeast)
37
Sampogna, MikeIB5-10200Fr.Chicago, Ill. (Mt. Carmel)
48
Sand, AndyTE6-2225So.Lincoln, Neb. (Southeast)
14
Schroeder, MattWR6-4215Jr.Belden, Neb. (Laurel-Concord)
42
Senske, MattLB6-3230Jr.Bellevue, Neb (Bellevue East)
8
Shanle, AndrewFS6-1205Jr.St. Edward, Neb. (St. Edward)
88
Sievers, ClaytonTE6-4240RFr.Elkhorn, Neb. (Elkhorn)
70
Slauson, MattOL6-5340Fr.Colorado Springs, Colo. (Air Force Prep)
66
Smith, Le KevinDT6-2305Sr.Macon, Ga. (Stratford Academy)
39
Souder, JeffDB6-0200Fr.Bellevue, Neb. (Bellevue West)
43
Steinkuhler, TyDE6-3260RFr.Lincoln, Neb. (Southwest)
16
Stuntz, MikeQB6-1200Sr.Council Bluffs, Iowa (St. Albert)
77
Suh, NdamukongDL6-4300Fr.Portland, Ore. (Grant)
84
Sullivan, TonyDE6-3240So.Wahoo, Neb. (Bishop Neumann)
87
Swift, NateWR6-2195RFr.Hutchinson, Minn. (Hutchinson)
13
Taylor, Zac QB6-2210Jr.Norman, Okla. (Butler County CC) (Norman)
89
Teafatiller, Hunter TE6-3202Fr.Kinsbury, Calif. (San Joaquin Memorial)
25
Tiedtke, BlakeFS5-10190Sr.Cedar Rapids, Iowa (Jefferson)
97
Titchener, DanP6-0195RFr.Cheyenne, Wyo. (East)
41
Todd, DaneFB5-10235Jr.Lincoln, Neb. (Southeast)
10
Tomerlin, Justin DE6-6265So.San Clemente, CA (Butler County CC) (San Clemente)
99
Turner, Barry DE6-3245Fr.Antioch, Tenn. (Brentwood Academy)
98
Wesch, JakePK6-1190RFr.North Bend, Neb.
28
Wilson, BrianCB6-2190So.Granada Hills, Calif. (Pierce College) (Granda Hills)
53
Wortman, TylerLB6-3220RFr.Grand Island, Neb. (Central Catholic)

Robert asks…

How can I define what Westward Expansion was?

Im writing a DBQ, and for my outside information I cant seem to define what the westward expansion was.
HELPPPP

Administrator answers:

It is a bit of a complex question, but I would begin with St. Louis, Mo as it was essentially the hub of all westward expansion. However one could look to Thomas Jefferson as he was greatly interested in exploration of the westward lands. Best of Luck.

From: Westward Expansion.

By 1848, when Mexico finally ceded its claim to all U.S. Territories to the north of its present day border, the United States had acquired undisputed title to all land westward from the Rockies to the Pacific Coast, north to the 49th parallel and south to the Rio Grande. It was this “legitimate possession” that fully convinced thousands of settlers to move westward in search of land.

The pioneer spirit that existed in the 19th century was born in part of a need to own land – that intangible urge that it is the soil of their blood and sweat and tears. Today is not so different from 1888 in that land remains one commodity that can’t be created by mass production or any other method – it can only be divided and subdivided–with each parcel and plot becoming smaller, not larger. What awaited the emigrants from the east, they could only imagine. The stories that were related to them by explorers and missionaries, just back from the track west, were filled with images of vast , open landscapes, abundant game and pristine rivers and lakes. One can understand their longing for this type of life, for even then larger cities along the eastern seaboard were moving into the industrial age. The streets were crowded with itinerant workers and the mid-day skies were constantly blackened by coal smoke from numerous factories. This change in cities had occurred so rapidly–in many places within a few short years–our early settlers began to experience a nostalgia of sorts for the simpler life they had led before. But of course, nostalgia or not, it still came down to the excitement generated by two words, “Free Land”.

Lisa asks…

I live outside of St. Louis mo, any suggestions for an eclectic vacation within 5 or 6 hours of driving?

I want to take a vacatation this spring with a destination within 5 or 6 driving hours away from st. louis mo. I would love to find a little historic eclectic town that is reasonable in price since I am a single mom of a 3 year old.

Administrator answers:

Hermitage , mo about 20 miles east of columbia ,mo about a 2.5 to 3 hr drive you should beable to pick up brochures at any
st. Louis area hotel lots of shops @ a nice winery tour also lots to do in independance , mo 4 to 5 hr drive from stl old town independence truman home & library make for a nice stop may not be much fun for a 2 year old though

Ken asks…

Any good schools for east Asian studies on the US east coast?

I want to go for my Phd. in east asian studies (either langauge, literture, or anything along those lines), but I only want to deal with China, Japan, and Korea. I don’t mind studying south east asia, but I really don’t want to study about the middle east or Russia. I want to go to a school on the east coast or possibly mid west in the USA, but it is hard to find a school. Can anybody help me?
so far I know of Princeton and Columbia U.

Administrator answers:

Here are the schools in the East that offer a Ph.D in Asian Studies or something similar, their state, and what they offer:

–Columbia University (NY)—East Asian Languages and Cultures
–Cornell University (NY)—East Asian Literature
–Harvard University (MA)—East Asian Languages and Civilizations
–New York University (NY)—East Asian Studies
–Princeton University (NJ)—East Asian Studies
–University of Pennsylvania (PA)—Asian and Middle East Studies
–University of Pittsburgh (PA)—Asian Studies
–Yale University (CT)—East Asian Languages and Literatures

And here are schools in the Midwest that offer it:

–Indiana University: Bloomington (IN)—East Asian Studies
–Ohio State University (OH)—East Asian Languages and Literatures
–University of Chicago (IL)—East Asian Languages and Civilizations
–University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (IL)—East Asian Languages and Cultures
–University of Michigan (MI)—Chinese/Japanese Literature and Cultures
–University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (MN)—Asian Literatures, Cultures, and Media
–University of Wisconsin: Madison (WI)—Languages and Cultures of Asia
–Washington University in St. Louis (MO)—Chinese/Japanese and Comparative Literature

Nearly all of them are top-notch schools. You can get more information about what the schools’ programs are like and what’s needed for admission if you go to the websites listed below. For the second link, you’ll have to pick the majors you’re interested in and the states you’re looking in first.

Good luck with the entire process! By the way, what did you major in as an undergraduate?

Your Questions About Please Can I Whip Your Kids

Administrator — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 00:20:02 +0000

Paul asks…

How is the prolouge to my book? (Please help)?

*I wrote this and own all rights to the content*

Basically, the book is about people who, after death on earth, have been called to the soul world to serve Letum (death) in his quest to reap the living. Some of the don’t agree with what Death does so they form a resistance. Now it’s Death’s help vs. The Resistance, and it’s turning into a great battle. Sorry for any spelling mistakes, I was on wattpad.com. Also, there are bits of Latin in there, so don’t be alarmed.

Alright, here it is:

~~Prolouge~~

I stand over her body now. She’s breathing heavily, and her face in almost un-recognizable from the damage I‘ve caused. It could be described as a swollen, bloody mass sitting on top of a neck. Almost like an overgrown cherry. The corners of my mouth curl up into a devlish grin as I slide my sword back into my hilt, because I‘ve done it. After we’ve chased each other halfway around the world and nearly destroyed the landcapes, I‘ve finally done it. I‘ve won. It’s a feeling I‘ve never loved more than anything else. Even when I was human, it was something that was always important. The pride, the glory, the success. I want it more than anything else. No, I need it more than anything else.

“Hey,” says a voice under me. The woman, Misericordia, stares at me from her half-shut eye. It’s like a bright blue gem in a sea of blood. I‘m surprised she’s even managing to breath, yet alone talk. “What?” I ask, annoyed at her consitency. “What’s that smile for?” Her vocie is dry and limp. You can hear the life leaving, but she still continues to talk. “Well, what’s it for? You haven’t won yet.” I scoff at her ignorance. Is she not aware of her condition right now? “Your kidding right?” I reply. “That’s really weird, because I‘d almost swear I‘m looking at a just about dead body right now.” She grins sheepishly at this. “No darling, that’s not what I mean.” With the little ounce of strength she has left in her, she brings her arms up to her neck and rips of the locket she’s has as long as I‘ve remembered. “Read this,” she says. I snatch the locket from her hand and look at her questionably. I open it up, and on the inside it reads:

“What is true of the individual will be tomorrow true of the whole nation if individuals will but refuse to lose heart and hope.” -Mahatma Ghandi

Staring at the quote, I‘m more baffled than anything else. What is she trying to say? Is she trying to trick me or something? Fustrated, I throw it back onto her body and say, “Yeah, ok. What’s your point?” She lets out a weak chuckle, which manages to irriate me even further. “You really don’t get it do you.” I‘m not sure what to say. I‘ve heard the quote before, but what connection could it have here? “Each member of the resitance somehow, and in some way, carries this quote with them.” She grabs the locket off of her chest and holds it in her hand tightly. “Me being gone won’t change anything. The only thing that will happen is that we will become stronger than ever. You see, as long as we have this heart and hope, nothing will get in our way. Even if we have to sacrafice our lives for what we believe in.” I‘ve had enough. She’s ruined my mood, and I don’t even really feel like I won anymore. I take my sword back out of it’s hilt and whip it around to fully extend it in front of me.

“Lucror, you know more than anything what Letum has us do is wrong.” Her tone as changed, and she sounds a little more gentle than before. “Even though you are no longer human, you still have a consience. I know you’ve thought about joining the resitance. Maybe that’s what’s best for you. To be honest, I know that’s best for you. If you’d just come to your senses and-” “Mom,” I cut her off. “Honestly…Shut up.” Without hesitation, I grab her anima orgio, pull her body towards my blade, and plunge it deep into her skull.

Alright, tell me what you think please. :3

Administrator answers:

I would suggest you try to work on the flow of your piece. There are many instances that you chop through the description of what is going on, and that needs to improve. There really is nothing more bothersome than quick transitions. Here is an example;
. The corners of my mouth curl up into a devlish grin as I slide my sword back into my hilt, because I’ve done it.
“Because I’ve done it” murdered the sentence in a not so good way. Leaving out that bold cut of description and easing through it would have made it sound much better.
Flow is of utmost importance when writing, you just need to work on it a bit more but it can be done. Otherwise, your prolouge is interesting.

Donna asks…

can you handle the heat and answer this long survey with long answers. remember, copy and past please !?

if you do not copy and paste your answer will be disqualified!

1)what is your real age?

2)what age do you think it is appropriate for someone to have cell phone?

3)do you believe in whipping kids if they did something wrong?

4)about how long do you stay on yahoo answers each day?

5)what is your favorite face product to use and why?

6)what is your all-time favorite show?

7)do you have an interest in animals?

8)are you for or against abortion?

9)do you prefer living in the country or the city?

10) what is one of the most beautiful sites you hv=ave ever seen before?

11)who is your rolemodel?

12)do you believe in animal testing or not?

13)do you have a myspace?

14) have you ever gotten a disease what is/was it?

15) what is your favorite flower?

16)eve got a speeding ticket?

17)do you prefer something salted or sweet?

18)what food could you live on forever?

19) what is one of the coolest items in your room?

hold, on i‘ll put more
20) what is your favorite book?

21) what is your favorite song?

22) do you a deer hunter?

23) what is your favorite drink to drink?

24)when did you get the internet?

25) who are you voting for president?

26) what is your favorite kind of cake?

27) what us your favorite kind of cookie?

28) has anyone ever been rude to you on this site?

29)are your paretns divorced?

30) do youl like this survey?

Administrator answers:

1)what is your real age?
47

2)what age do you think it is appropriate for someone to have cell phone?
DEPENDS ON WHEN THEY ARE RESPONSIBLE ENOUGH

3)do you believe in whipping kids if they did something wrong?
I DON’T BELIEVE IN INFLICTING PAIN ON THOSE I LOVE.

4)about how long do you stay on yahoo answers each day?
ABOUT 6 HOURS ON AND OFF.

5)what is your favorite face product to use and why?
CARMEX – DON’T LIKE DRY LIPS

6)what is your all-time favorite show?
I LOVE LUCY

7)do you have an interest in animals?
I LOVE ANIMALS, ESPECIALLY MONKEYS

8)are you for or against abortion?
PRO CHOICE

9)do you prefer living in the country or the city?
SMALL CITY

10) what is one of the most beautiful sites you hv=ave ever seen before?
YOSEMITE

11)who is your rolemodel?
MY DAD

12)do you believe in animal testing or not?
NO

13)do you have a myspace?
DELETED IT

14) have you ever gotten a disease what is/was it?
NO

15) what is your favorite flower?
DAISY

16)eve got a speeding ticket?
NO

17)do you prefer something salted or sweet?
SALTED

18)what food could you live on forever?
PIZZA

19) what is one of the coolest items in your room?
MY COMPUTER

20) what is your favorite book?
SWAN SONG – ROBERT MCCAMMON

21) what is your favorite song?
STRONGER – KANYE WEST

22) do you a deer hunter?
NO

23) what is your favorite drink to drink?
COFFEE

24)when did you get the internet?
IN THE 80′s

25) who are you voting for president?
LEANING TOWARD OBAMA

26) what is your favorite kind of cake?
CHOCOLATE CAKE – CREAM CHEESE FROSTING

27) what us your favorite kind of cookie?
OATMEAL RAISIN

28) has anyone ever been rude to you on this site?
NO

SION29)are your paretns divorced?
NO

30) do youl like this survey?
YES

Carol asks…

My life sucks please read it all and try to help me out. If your a troll don’t comment please.?

I grew up in the ghetto and most of the time it was hard growing up in the ghetto, age 14 I started using pain killers and smoking weed. I needed money for my addiction and didn’t have a job so sadly I started stealing and gang banging and started selling weed to feed my addiction. I started stealing from my family manly my grandma like her rings necklace’s cash (I payed her back when I got a job but still to this day she can‘t trust me and she don’t want to talk to me) I felt and feel bad but I needed to feed my addiction. I think I started using drugs because I was molested right before I started using drugs… My grades where never good in school (50% up to around 60%) only time I had a good grade was in history I got a 98% in that class. the drug use and gang banging carried on till I was 16 and a half when my little niece was born (I was still gang banging and selling weed) my sister gave her new born baby over to my mom so she could stay with her boy friend who beats her. My mom has health problems so I had to step up and help raise my niece at the age of 16 and my mom didn’t get a lot of money so that’s why I continued to sell weed. I stepped up cause I didn’t want her to grow up with out a father like I did. Later on when school started after the summer (I was still 16) I picked up a construction job to make extra money to pay for dippers, formula, whips, cloths and toys. Basically every thing a baby needs. ( When I had the job I was still in school) so I would go to school 3 days a week and take 2 days off of school a week to work plus weekends I would work to pay for everything she needs. That went on until I was 19 then I dropped out of school the year I was suppose to graduate Then I went full time work to help with the bills, rent, food and for my niece and that’s when I stopped selling weed.. work got slow and I got laid off so I got a job at no frills. They let me go and now I‘m looking for work again. But I don’t want to do this my whole life going job to job!
I am now 20 years old a high school drop out and still raising my sister’s kid (now she’s 3 and a half) and my sister don’t pay any money for her kid every thing that she needs comes out of my pocket and I dislike it what can I do??

My doctor say’s I should go on disability because I have knee problems (witch makes me slow when I‘m working) and I will need surgery on them soon But I‘m afraid of not working and not getting money to get the things my niece needs/ wants.

I want to go back to school so I can finish my grade 12 and go on to collage to study about video editing or maybe becoming a cop seeing I didn’t get caught for all the dumb stuff I did. But I really want to drive a tow truck for a living with in the next 3-5 years. I know they don’t make a whole lot of money but I find it really interesting and I had helped my cousin a few time towing cars and I loved it.

I spend my days looking after a child and trying to find work and at night time when I relax, I‘m on the internet or on XBOX live..
I don’t hang out with friends because ALL OF THEM are gang bangers and I don’t want nothing to do with that life again because I know for a fact if I hang out with those type of people again I will NOT be clean anymore so I need new friends but I don’t know how to make new friends!

Like I don’t know what to say to new people because I have trust issues. I was stabbed twice and I was robbed gun point so I get sketchy around new people for some reason and I know there all not like that but I can‘t help the way I feel about it..

Sorry that was really long but PLEASE HELP ME OUT!!!

Administrator answers:

First you should take some credit for what you are doing for your niece–that’s very noble. Well done and carry on. You have the power in you to make it all the best you can imagine. You can achieve anything you dream if you do the necessary steps to get there.

I know a trucker that makes about $100,000/year. That’s no pocket change. True, he practically lives in his truck but even with that he makes his travel time count by studying L. Ron Hubbard on the road. He listens to LRH lectures on the mind and spirit to elevate himself to higher levels of ability. He never gets tickets or gets into accidents. He is trusted with the most valuable and delicate shipments. He supports the whole family so that his wife does not have to work so that she could help educate the kids. The kids are now finishing college and are all doing very well. The kids were also educated with the technology of study of LRH so that they could study anything on their own.

This is just one example, but I know of hundreds, some of them were addicts, like myself, and are now doing great thanks to the same technology developed by LRH. I did the Narconon drug rehabilitation more than 15 years ago and never relapsed. I’m doing great and as part of my contribution I volunteer to help others recover from addiction to drugs. Actually, even if you already cleaned up yourself there is a lot to gain from doing this program.

For example, one thing that no other program in the world has is a way to really clean the body from all the toxic residues from drugs, pesticides, food preservatives and other environment poisons that we encounter in a daily basis. This toxins get stuck in the body and give us cravings, depression, low energy, sleeplessness, etc. Narconon has the sauna detox, which helps you get rid of all that junk.

When I did this part I felt like a kid, full of energy and felt really happy. It is an amazing felling of cleanliness. Also my general health improved like 100 times. After the program I rarely got a cold and never got sick since.

This part of the program could very well help you handle the problem with your knees. I know that doctors will keep giving you prescriptions and surgeons will want to operate on you. But I believe that you could handle it on your own by getting very healthy in your body and your mind. I personally know few people that got cured or improved while doing the detox part of the program. This tells me that this toxins could be what is making some of us sick.

The other amazing part of the program was the educational part in which I learned many new skills to confront and handle all aspects of life. There is not one day that I do not use this skills, whether it is to handle people or problems. They gave me skills to study, to communicate, to handle the conditions in life, to handle suppressive people, etc.

Study the pages in the Narconon website and check if there is a way for you to do the program. If you can’t do it at this time at least study its methods. Another thing that has helped thousands and thousands of people is the Volunteer Ministers website. There are 20 free courses that help one solve all kind of problems, problems with drugs, children, marriage, organization, education, etc. Study the chapter on Children, it will help you deal and understand them better, It helped me raise my children. Each of this tools you learn here are gold mines and have saved me several times. Check them out.

You are doing the right thing by not going out with losers, gang bangers, low lifers. There is a lot of good people out there that they genuinely like to help others. Seek good friends, they exist. Think not only on your future but that of your niece. Would you like her to end up like your sister or worse? She is now your daughter. Think of it as a game worth playing. You are a very good person and are going to succeed. Follow my advice, okay?

George asks…

Please HELP!!!!!!!!!?

Well I have to take care of my niece and newfew. (he is 11 she is 8) this summer for money. I took care of them last year and they can be a great handful and I need your help to give me some ideas to entertain them and some desiplainary actions but not whipping them Please help me I don’t know what i am going to do with these …………….kids

Administrator answers:

You can take them shopping, walks, go to the park, take them swimming, rent movies, go to the movies (probably matinees would be best), go to the beach, have them play outside in your yard, there is a whole bunch more, but there are some examples.

Disciplining kids that aren’t yours, hmm, thats a toughy. How do their parents discipline them? It is best to keep it consistent. Unless if they spank (not hit) them and you feel uncomfortable doing that, then don’t. Time outs, canceling plans (going to the beach), would be good. Just talk to their parents how they would like you to handle it, would probably be best. Good Luck

Sandy asks…

Is this essay well written? Please read.?

The assignment was to write a 5 paragraph essay describing your neighborhood. Please let me know if you find any spelling or grammar mistakes. Also, do you think the last paragraph is too much? like to deep then what is called for? This is my Honors English summer work for 9th grade and i really want to make a good first impression.
Alexis (last name)
Honors English
Summer Reading Project
My neighborhood
I live in a small neighborhood on the outside of (city); mostly everyone here knows each other. I suppose that’s my favorite thing about living where I do, the sense of community, of feeling safe in your environment. That feeling can’t be found in many of the neighborhoods in (city), or even on some the streets that frame my own. On those streets the cars zoom by, honking their horns and screaming vulgarities at the children playing, and leaving litter in their tracks. On the inside of my neighborhood it is calm, you can hear the children playing, the dogs greeting them jovially, the birds singing, and the occasional car going down the street.
Many things are within walking distance of my house. There are two general stores, where you can find adults picking up dinner or lunch, kids buying candy and small toys, travelers getting a cup of coffee, or just whoever, buying whatever they may need. There is an elementary school, where you will most definitely find young children playing together on the cheery playground, and teens on the basketball court. Also, there are two churches, where many attend, and whose triumphant bells can be heard all around the neighborhood on Sunday mornings.
My neighborhood is very diverse. We have all races and incomes all living together peacefully. I can literally look out of one window of my house and see overgrown yards and rundown houses, and then look out of another window to see carefully landscaped yards, and beautiful homes. I think this diversity is another thing that makes where I live special; it allows people to learn to live together in peace. I believe that it teaches people not to judge someone on how much money they have, or on their appearances.
Neighborhoods are like snowflakes, no two look exactly alike. My neighborhood has a lot of trees. They line the streets and spot all the yards, shading everything from the rays of burning sun. Almost every yard is fenced in, for most people have dogs. The streets are pure black ink, with no yellow or white lines to interrupt it. They are all on an incline. Many like to race their bikes down the hills, reaching high speeds while the wind whips past them. Some people have gardens, while most do not. There isn’t much of a sidewalk, where there is one it is bumpy and cracked from the unlevel ground and stubborn tree roots breaking through it. Overall my neighborhood is a good-looking place to walk through, besides a few neglected yards and houses.
All of statements above are what I believe give my neighborhood it’s personality and make it unique. My point of view is this, houses and streets don’t make a neighborhood, the people who live there do. People may move in and out, stay near, or go far; but once you are a part a neighborhood, like a brotherhood or a sisterhood, you always will be. It’s not where you live, it’s who you live with, even if it is only in your heart.

Administrator answers:

After *outside of (city);* instead of ; you should possibly rephrase it to, *outside of (city), and almost everyone here knows each other. The next part is well written (but I am no expert) except with *or even on some the streets* change to…or even on some of the streets…minor thing…this sentence *On those streets the cars zoom by, honking their horns and screaming vulgarities at the children playing, and leaving litter in their tracks.* Personally to me it sounds too long, maybe like you are trying to get a point across but using too many words in one sentence to get their…try modifying it, (not the context just the wording of it), it is well written, especially for your age. Be careful with Their and There, (im a few years older than you and even I have a difficult time with them bc I spent years using them incorrectly)…*There are two general stores, where you can find adults picking up dinner or lunch, kids buying candy and small toys, travelers getting a cup of coffee, or just whoever, buying whatever they may need.* I would recommend rephrasing that sentence as well…it seems like a run on to me…Now as well written as it may be, the adjectives may need to be toned down a bit, writing well does not always mean telling the reader about a place or person and then jam-packing the sentence describing it. *Also, there are two churches, where many attend, and whose triumphant bells can be heard all around the neighborhood on Sunday mornings.* I may change that to, *In my (city/town) their are two churches that you have the option to attend, and Sunday mornings are filled with the sound of triumphant bells.* (maybe not exactly like that?) of my house changed to in my house…*i would think about omitting the snowflake remark…only because it is an overused phrase and you don’t want to sound to the (audience) like you are trying too hard to get their attention, *even if your intentions are simply to write something well*, be careful with commas, their are several places where a comma is not really necessary…read the sentence out loud and in your head and only place commas where you pause while reading. I really like the ending, only the last two sentences seem like they don’t need to be their, end it with…the people who live their do. *their* instead of trying to make it a longer paragraph. All in all, really well written for your age, you should maybe start taking classes to hon your talent while you are still young and can absorb information…good job and good luck with it.

Your Questions About Low Income Housing Projects

Administrator — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 16:20:03 +0000

Maria asks…

Are cities required to provide public housing housing to it’s citizens?

I live in a city that has recently torn down several housing projects, and is currently pouring millions into revitalization of some neighborhoods that contain projects. Many have argued that the revitalization will have no effect when there are high-crime housing projects in the neighborhood. So I was wondering if the city has a legal responsibility or requirement of providing public housing to it’s citizens.

Administrator answers:

No. Right to low income housing is not in the Federal Constitution or in a State Constitution.

John asks…

what are the chances of recieving a college scholaship?

i am planning ahead for college in a few years, and my family’s not exactly rich. what are the possible chances for getting a scholarship? is it more likely if you play sports? have good grades? or do a lot of extra-curricular activities (like being presidents of organizations, or doing a lot of projects) help!

Administrator answers:

There are a lot of ways to get college scholarships. Your high school guidance counselor will have a large book of private companies that offer scholorships for various amounts, but they usually require you to do a project or essay. Very time consuming and possibly not very rewarding for the time invested. The best way is to get very good grades. The higher your GPA, the more colleges will want you to attend their school. A high GPA usually means you have good study habits and will continue to do well in thier program. Try to stick with high scool courses that are hard science (math, biology, etc.) based, or geared toward your desired career. Colleges will weight grades relevent to your planned course of study higher usually. Your state may offer scholorships based on your GPA to attend a school in that state (for instance, in FL there is the Bright Futures Scholorship that many students get to attend a FL college). Private universities usually offer their own scholorships to students.
If your family does not make much money, you may qualify for “need-based” aid. This is often hard to get, usually you need to be close to the poverty level, which is around $11,000 per year last I knew for a single person, I don’t know for a family. You will have to fill out the FAFSA (federal application for student aid) when you start to apply. It is found online, and you fill it out at the beginning of every year. It is a questionaire about your living situation and income. The state and federal government will award you grants (you don’t need to pay grants back) or loans with a low interest rate based on income. Private schools may also offer individual scholorships from their own budget.
It is also important to do as well as you can on your SAT (or equivalent standardized test). This usually is done your junior year of high school, so the results will be back in time for college application deadlines. TAKE THE PRACTICE TEST, any prep courses you can get into, and get a book to prepare. Colleges use these scores to predict who will do well in their program (whether this is a great predictor is debateable, a lot of people don’t do well because of anxiety, so many schools put more weight on GPA. However, many schools have a minimum score required to even apply.)
Sports scholarships are offered to students who excell in a sport if the college has that sport in its program, so if you are athletic this is a possibility. Sports and any other extra-curricular activity always look great on an application. If your family does not have much money and you need to work through high school, even steady employment looks great on an application (as long as it doesn’t negatively impact your grades).
Even if you do not qualify for enough scholorships to cover your tuition, do not let this stop you from going to college. You can ALWAYS get student loans. Federal loans have the best interest rates, and then banks offer private loans that you will have to shop around for the best deal. If your family does not have a high income, you will probably qualify for plenty of federal loans. If you need to pay for your education with loans, consider a state university instead of a private one since the tuition is usually much lower. Loans are not pleasant, but they are often necessary and can be manageable, even if they sound like a crazy amount of money to owe somebody. You need to research your career carefully if you are using loans. Know what degree is necessary to do what you want to do, and how much money you will earn in that profession. For instance, computer engineers may make 50 thousand dollars per year (after taxes) to start in the area that you want to live. You can become a computer engineer with a bachelor’s (4yr) degree. The college that you want to go to charges 20,000 per year. You work to pay for living expenses while you are in school (meal plan, housing). Your loan payment may be about $1,000 per month for 10 years. It is a lot of money, but you will be able to support yourself with the remaining $3100 per month in your salary.

You will have many options to pay for college. Take it one step at a time and concentrate on what you can do to improve your options in the present. Take time to study, and a little to enjoy yourself, too. Good luck.

David asks…

Will our next administration adjust taxes to make up for inflation?

Cost of living keeps going up year by year, which means labor and materials cost go up as well. Do we keep voting in tax bonds for infrastructure projects? Do we increase the tax rates for everyone to make up for the govn`t, and it`s employees pay and benefits? How can we do both? As a conservative I hate taxes, but I wonder how we can keep this going the way COLA keeps going up?

Administrator answers:

I don’t think you have to worry about inflation. Sure, commodities did spike as the housing market collapsed and then the banks started to run into trouble, but that was all speculation on the part of people with capital trying to latch onto a next-possible bubble to get better returns than T-bills offer.

Given the state of the global banking system and the US economy, what is more likely is that there will be stag-deflation (stagnant economy and low inflation or mild deflation). We are hoping to avoid outright deflation.

As for basic macro economics, the beauty of a progressive income tax is that if there is inflation, then higher tax brackets act to slow inflation, so as wages inflate, taxes slow the economy from overheating and turning into a hyperinflationary economy.

However, if we get deflation, then wages remain stagnant or decline and unemployment rises, and then you wind up running larger deficits due to dropping tax proceeds, so a progressive tax system acts to reduce taxes as wages drop at the cost of deficits.

So if we get deflation, then taxes decrease, and this has a stimulative effect (with the marginal propensity to consume being largest as you work your way down the wage ladder).

I mentioned deficits because when they get very large, then interest on them becomes a significant share of the GDP, and that means a larger and larger chunk of tax receipts do not get spent in a manner that generates consumer demand.

Betty asks…

Is there any type of government housing available in Wisconsin?

I want to move to Sheboygan, Wisconsin. Is there any type of government, or low cost housing available, where they charge you based on your income? Where can I find information about this? Or what would be an alternative solution to this? Thanks.

Administrator answers:

The only housing projects in WI are for the elderly. You will have to pay your own rent until you are a senior citizen.

Linda asks…

What are the chances of getting government grant for an person of low income?

Administrator answers:

Here is a complete list of government grants available for a low income person

0.406 USDA Farm Operating Loans
10.411 USDA Rural Housing Site Loans and Self_Help Housing Land Development Loans
10.415 USDA Rural Rental Housing Loans
10.417 USDA Very Low-Income Housing Repair Loans and Grants
10.420 USDA Rural Self-Help Housing Technical Assistance
10.427 USDA Rural Rental Assistance Payments
10.438 USDA Section 538 Rural Rental Housing Guaranteed Loans
10.441 USDA Technical and Supervisory Assistance Grants
10.442 USDA Housing Application Packaging Grants
10.444 USDA Direct Housing_Natural Disaster Loans and Grants
10.550 USDA Food Donation
10.551 USDA Food Stamps
10.565 USDA Commodity Supplemental Food Program
10.568 USDA Emergency Food Assistance Program (Administrative Costs)
10.569 USDA Emergency Food Assistance Program (Food Commodities)
10.580 USDA Food Stamp Program Outreach Grants
11.300 DOC Grants for Public Works and Economic Development Facilities
11.303 DOC Economic Development_Technical Assistance
14.103 HUD Interest Reduction Payments_Rental and Cooperative Housing for Lower Income Families
14.149 HUD Rent Supplements_Rental Housing for Lower Income Families
14.218 HUD Community Development Block Grants/Entitlement Grants
14.228 HUD Community Development Block Grants/State’s Program
14.247 HUD Self-Help Homeownership Opportunity Program
14.248 HUD Community Development Block Grants_Section 108 Loan Guarantees
14.310 HUD Teacher Next Door Initiative
14.313 HUD Dollar Home Sales
14.850 HUD Public and Indian Housing
14.856 HUD Lower Income Housing Assistance Program_Section 8 Moderate Rehabilitation
14.867 HUD Indian Housing Block Grants
14.871 HUD Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers
14.872 HUD Public Housing Capital Fund
15.113 DOI Indian Social Services_Welfare Assistance
17.235 DOL Senior Community Service Employment Program
17.261 DOL WIA Pilots, Demonstrations, and Research Projects
17.264 DOL National Farmworker Jobs Program
21.008 TREAS Low-Income Taxpayer Clinics
27.003 OPM Federal Student Temporary Employment Program
44.002 NCUA Community Development Revolving Loan Fund Program for Credit Unions
59.007 SBA 7(j) Technical Assistance
59.011 SBA Small Business Investment Companies
59.012 SBA Small Business Loans
66.032 EPA State Indoor Radon Grants
81.042 DOE Weatherization Assistance for Low-Income Persons
84.044 ED TRIO_Talent Search
84.066 ED TRIO_Educational Opportunity Centers
84.069 ED Leveraging Educational Assistance Partnership
84.217 ED TRIO_McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement
84.334 ED Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs
84.335 ED Child Care Access Means Parents in School
84.336 ED Teacher Quality Enhancement Grants
84.364 ED Literacy through School Libraries
93.044 HHS Special Programs for the Aging_Title III, Part B_Grants for Supportive Services and Senior Centers
93.045 HHS Special Programs for the Aging_Title III, Part C_Nutrition Services
93.178 HHS Nursing Workforce Diversity
93.187 HHS Undergraduate Scholarship Program for Individuals from Disadvantaged Backgrounds
93.208 HHS Great Lakes Human Health Effects Research
93.217 HHS Family Planning_Services
93.560 HHS Family Support Payments to States_Assistance Payments
93.563 HHS Child Support Enforcement
93.568 HHS Low-Income Home Energy Assistance
93.569 HHS Community Services Block Grant
93.570 HHS Community Services Block Grant_Discretionary Awards
93.571 HHS Community Services Block Grant Formula and Discretionary Awards Community Food and Nutrition Programs
93.575 HHS Child Care and Development Block Grant
93.579 HHS U.S. Repatriation
93.593 HHS Job Opportunities for Low-Income Individuals
93.595 HHS Welfare Reform Research, Evaluations and National Studies
93.647 HHS Social Services Research and Demonstration
93.767 HHS State Children’s Insurance Program
93.779 HHS Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Research, Demonstrations and Evaluations
93.783 HHS Medicare Transitional Drug Assistance Program for States
93.822 HHS Health Careers Opportunity Program
93.919 HHS Cooperative Agreements for State-Based Comprehensive Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Programs
93.994 HHS Maternal and Child Health Services Block Grant to the States
94.011 CNCS Foster Grandparent Program
94.013 CNCS Volunteers in Service to America
94.016 CNCS Senior Companion Program
96.006 SSA Supplemental Security Income
96.007 SSA Social Security_Research and Demonstration

You can go to the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) http://www.cfda.gov and Grants.gov http://www.grants.gov – these are two FREE sites created by the federal government to provide transparency and information on grants. Browse through the listings and see if you can find any grant that would support your purposes.

Even if you buy books on “how to get grants” or list that supposedly has information on grants — all of them are mere rehash of what CFDA has, albeit packaged differently.

Note though that these grants generally support non-profit organizations, intermediary lending institutions, and state and local governments. Most of the federal grants are given to specific target groups with specific requirements (e.g. Minority business owners involved in transportation related contracts emanating from DOT – Grant#20.905 Disadvantaged Business Enterprises Short Term Lending Program. Individuals especially for personal purposes are not eligible for federal grants.

Grants are also often given to non profit groups or organizations involved in training or other similar activities (grant 59.043 Women’s Business Ownership Assistance that are given to those who will create women’s business center that will train women entrepreneurs

Your Questions About Funbrain

Administrator — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 08:20:02 +0000

Linda asks…

Does anyone know the password for funbrain the water bug 10 points?

leave stupid answers ill report you and what i mean by rude answers is you being rude dont want to give me the password don’t comment

and its not a threat because usually some dumbasses leave answers like this
thanks

Administrator answers:

I think pasta8 for all the games or sumthing

Donald asks…

What is the code to get to the last level of the funbrain arcade?

Administrator answers:

The code is QUEEN6

Joseph asks…

On funbrain.com wut is the password to get to might girl 2?

I’m so addicted to funbrain and i’ve tried over a million times but i just cant get to mightgirl 2!! plz help me!

Administrator answers:

AD3254F

David asks…

What are funbrain arcade level 5 cheats?

im playin funbrain and i cant rememeber the codes
please help me get all the codes
thanx

first person with all codes gets 10 points

Administrator answers:

Umm just replay the game
y do u need the codes?

Sandra asks…

What is the password for Funbrain after the Extreme Air game?

help me plz

Administrator answers:

I thought you got your own password for that

Your Questions About Mansions Of The Lord

Administrator — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 00:20:02 +0000

Donna asks…

Need lots of Medieval facts

I need info about the medieval times.
1) marriages
2) lords
3) houses & mansions
& etc…
I need a LOT of random facts, please! Thanks in advance.

Administrator answers:

Mediveval Times is a restaraunt / experience of a life time.

Http://www.medievaltimes.com/home.aspx

William asks…

Need lots of medieval facts!

I need info about the medieval times.
1) marriages
2) lords
3) houses & mansions
& etc…
I need a LOT of random facts, please! Thanks in advance.

Administrator answers:

Marriage during the Middle Ages

http://www.medieval-weddings.net/

Ladies and Lords
Use the links below to help you learn more about the ladies and lords of the Manor during the Middle Ages.

Http://www2.lhric.org/course/irvingtn/ms/6th/ladylord.htm

Medieval Manor Houses

http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/medieval_manor_houses.htm

Medieval Homes (ordinary people)
http://www.learner.org/interactives/middleages/homes.html

Robert asks…

Does anybody know what movie this is?

It was shown on the telly around 1997 to 1999. Its a period movie about a girl who is either a maid or helper to this other girl whose obviously a daughter of an aristocrat or something. They are about the same age and they went to some other aristocrat’s mansion/manor(?). The rich girl obviously likes the lord of the mansion, but he likes the maid/helper/servant girl. And the lord of the mansion’s friend likes the rich girl. Can anyone help me? I’ve been searching for this movie for three years now with no luck. Oooh and the plot includes the maid/servant/helper girl being sold/given away/tricked to some bad guy through probably a tunnel/secret passage that leads to the beach and the lord of the mansion saved her. Or something like that, i was really young, so i don’t remember much. So if anyone can help me
yes it was a tv movie
Its a tv movie and another plot was the aristocrat’s friend confessed to the rich girl that he likes her, and they were on a bench in a garden. And there was one scene where the slave/servant/helper girl was riding a horse (black/brown) because she thought the aristocrat was sick or something and when she got there turned out he was okay and she passed out? something like tht. HEELLLPPP!!!

Administrator answers:

I think I know what film you’re talking about, was it a TV movie?

Ruth asks…

I’m a writer looking for an artist?

Hey, I’m a writer and I’ve been wanting to hook up with an artist to illustrate for a comic/manga I’ve been working on, this particular story is something I started working on recently and have grown to really like. No machinery since the setting is based on a simpler time, but there are plenty of original and mythical creatures within this particular story. here’s a rough draft of the synopsis-

Title: Garden Of Promise

Genre: Romance, Comedy, Action

written by: Alexandria Woods

The story begins with an independent college student, who didn’t seem to have any direction in her life, until the day she woke up in Lord Valentine’s mansion and to her own dismay found herself, being claimed as his possession. This always calm and collected Lord Valentine is a man of many secrets. With his right hand and butler Vark he has been able to suppress the blood of his father, as it fights against the human blood of his mother. In this new world of Untaes; where mythical and fairy tale creatures alike are the reality and humans and Earth merely the world behind the glass, Rose and Lord Valentine find themselves needing their friends and most of all each other. Yet even as the romance between them ensues, treacherous betrayal is upon this world, placed in a time of fine royal courts and masked balls. With the comical outbursts and action packed scenes the “Garden of Promise” will take you to a world worth exploring.

If your interested email me at chinastu.gouto7@gmail.com
There is a typo in the email IM SO SORRY ITS

chinatsu.gouto7@gmail.com

Administrator answers:

I tried to email but it failed.
Here is my deviant art account. Please email me with more details.

Http://pictrixel.deviantart.com/

My email is at the top of the page under my username. Thank you.

Sharon asks…

In “The Prestige” how was it that Hugh Jackman’s character was wealthy “Lord Caldlow” (spelling?)

It’s been awhile since I saw the movie, so I forget the characters’ names. After he got the Tesla machine, Hugh Jackman tricked Christian Bale and got custody of Bale’s daughter. Jackman told Michael Caine, “I’ve always been Lord Caldlow.” So how and when did Jackman’s character become this wealthy Lord Caldlow who owned a mansion and big lands? Was he always Caldlow and only pretending to be a magician’s apprentice early on? Or did he use his self-duplicates created by the Tesla machine to gain advantages, social and economic, for himself to become wealthy, but was there really time to do this? Or did the entire movie enter a different space-time continuum? This aspect was not believable for me. Can anyone explain? thanks.

Administrator answers:

He was always Lord Cadlow and just wanted to be a magician is what I understood. Of course, the character that says “I’ve always been Lord Cadlow” wasn’t the original Hugh Jackman, as Hugh Jackman’s character died the night the act opened.

Your Questions About Cheapest Apartments In America

Administrator — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 16:20:03 +0000

Sharon asks…

Why does Wal-Mart have the worst managers ever?

Talked to one yesterday, what an idiot. Do they recruit these people all from trailer parks?

He didn’t even help me. I avoid that damn store whenever I can.

Administrator answers:

As far as I’m concerned, Wal-Mart is the poster child for what is wrong with businesses today.

I can remember when the customer “was always right”, when serving the customer mattered. When the employees actually earned a living wage, had health care, and retirement benefits.

Wal-Mart, under Walton’s heirs have become the greediest, most bullying company around. They treat their workers AND their customers like they are beneath them, not worthy of their garbage. They sell cheap, toxic crap that isn’t worth having, and they treat their employees worse. (Walton is spinning in his grave right now)
It’s the only place I have ever set foot in that assumes their customers are thieves until proven innocent. That tells me that THEY are the thieves. They bully neighborhoods that don’t want them in to build in their neighborhoods, the video camera’s in their parking lots are NOT for their customers safety, they are to make sure that their employees are NOT forming unions, they force their employees to work off the clock so they don’t have to pay the overtime, in China, the workers HAVE to pay to live in Wal-marts “apartments” whether they chose to live there or not, in Mexico, they “hire” teenagers to sack, help people with taking orders to their cars and collect baskets out of the parking lots and DO NOT PAY THEM, they are totally reliant on tips for their income. You KNOW it’s got to be bad when the “Attorney General” of Mexico sues them for this practice. They are trying to take over any way they can. They have been trying for years to open banks and clinics in their stores. They want ALL your money. If they had their way, the entire planet would have their new little “anus” logo all over it. (That’s supposed to be a sun? Looks like an anus to me!) It’s the most honest thing they have done – to use an anus as a logo! They even raised hell over the movie “Wall-e” – guilty conscience? No, of course not; they have no conscience.

Wal-Mart is the biggest corporate welfare recipient in America. They know every trick in the book to avoid paying taxes, they don’t pay their employees a livable wage, so they have “invented” a new creature, the “working poor”. We, the taxpayer pay their health care when they have to go to the hospital because they can’t afford to buy into the company plan, we have to supplement with food stamps because even though they work hard, they don’t get paid enough to pay bills and eat too. They will shut a store down before they will allow a union to form. The employees are so demoralized, they don’t care if you are a happy shopper or not. They are just trying to survive, because they will never get ahead, so why bother. They are also the most sued retailer out there, and rightfully so. Wal-Mart spend more money on lawyers than they spend on employee benefits. Don’t even try to tell me that they can’t “afford” to pay their employees, the Walton family fortune greatly exceeds that of Bill Gates, and for those who would attempt to brag about what they “give back to the community” – it is a paltry sum that’s done more for the tax benefit and a lame attempt at looking good than it is for “giving back”.

Get a job somewhere else? Well, around here anyway, they have run everyone else out of business.

I suggest those of us who feel they should be doing better should boycott their stores. I know I do. I travel a lot further to shop at Target, but I’m NOT supporting the Walton clan, no matter what.

John asks…

what impact did the industrial revolution have on sociology?

Administrator answers:

The Industrial Revolution was a period from 1750 to 1850 where changes in agriculture, manufacturing, mining, transportation, and technology had a profound effect on the social, economic and cultural conditions of the times. It began in the United Kingdom, then subsequently spread throughout Western Europe, North America, Japan, and eventually the rest of the world.

The Industrial Revolution marks a major turning point in history; almost every aspect of daily life was influenced in some way. Most notably, average income and population began to exhibit unprecedented sustained growth. In the two centuries following 1800, the world’s average per capita income increased over tenfold, while the world’s population increased over sixfold. In the words of Nobel Prize winner Robert E. Lucas, Jr., “For the first time in history, the living standards of the masses of ordinary people have begun to undergo sustained growth … Nothing remotely like this economic behavior has happened before”.

Living standards rose and people generally became richer and healthier and had more children who survived to be adults. This led a strong growth in the number of people in England. However, this caused new problems. The environment was damaged. The difference between the poor and the rich grew great. Children and women had to work for a long time for little pay. Often several families crowded into very small apartments. Working at different times, family members would take turns sleeping when they were not working. Families were usually unable to get together. 12, 14, or even 18-hour workdays were common. The Industrial Revolution brought problems of its own.

Some of the things which happened during the industrial revolution were:
•Canals were built that allowed heavy goods to be moved easily to where they were needed.
•The steam engine became the main source of power. It replaced horses and human labour.
•Cheap iron and steel became mass-produced. Steel replaced wood as material for building much of the new things.
•Machine tools became commonplace. Things could now be mass-produced in factories instead of making them by hand.
•Seed drills and other agricultural machinery meant that less people were needed to work in farming. Many people moved to towns and found new jobs in the factories.
•Railways were built all around England and then the world. They carried people and goods faster.
•Steamships began to replace sailing ships. They could be larger than sailing ships and not dependent of wind and weather.
•The spinning machine and power loom made it easy to mass-produce clothes and fabrics.

Mary asks…

can someone translate my paper from english to french?

I wrote my french composition in English first because I felt like it would take less time, however I am writing on my computer and it is taking me very long to have all the correct accents and I am not wanting to use google translate. So if anyone could help speed my process along you would be amazing!

If I could move anywhere in the world I would move to Prague. Prague is one of the most beautiful cities I have ever been to. I grew up in Germany because my father is in the military and my mother works for the government for an organization called DLA. Ideally I would love to live in Monaco but that lifestyle is for the rich and famous. Monaco is so nice, but I like that Prague has a much cheaper living style. So I will be realistic and move to Prague. I have visited Prague three different times and each time I fall more in love with this amazing city. Prague is so beautiful; I love everything about it. Everything about Prague takes my breath away. The first time I went to Prague with my family when I was very young. The second and third time I went to Prague it was on a trip with my school for MUN. (Model United Nations) Next year I want to study abroad in Prague for a semester. The currency in Prague is Czech Koruna. One U.S dollar is nine-teen Koruna which is a really good rate. The architecture in Prague is fantastic. The Prague Castle is the largest in all of Europe. One of my favorite places in Prague is the John Lennon Wall. I really like going to museums and Prague has so many different museums to spend my day at. My favorite museum that I went to in Prague was the one with the Salvador Dali exhibit. Salvador Dali is one of my favorite artists. I love that in Europe there are a lot of parks and that you can really experience nature and beauty by just walking out of your house.
If I moved to Prague I would bring my record player and all of my records. I started collecting records five years ago. My first record was “Bleach” Nirvana and my two most recent records are “” by The Beatles and “” by _____Music is a big part of my life, I love music. . J’aime écoute de la musique rock, jazz et de classique. I would take my guitar and my piano. I would bring a DSLR camera to take amazing pictures. I would also bring my large German flag that I have hanging in my room. I would bring all my posters of Bob Marley, John Lennon, Johnny Depp, Alice and Wonderland, The Nightmare Before Christmas, Jimi Hendrix and Salvador Dali posters I have to hang in my apartment. I would bring my red and black mini cooper so I can travel all throughout the country and in Europe. I would bring all my pictures of my friends and family to remind me of how good my life is. I would also bring my soccer ball to play soccer and make new friends. I would bring my bicycle to travel through town in over the summer.
First I would take my adorable dog, Marlee and we will take long walks discovering the city. I would bring my mom and my brother because they are my best friends. I would bring my father too. They would not live with me though. Hypothetically, I would love to bring Chelsea Handler because she is my favorite woman comedian to keep me company. I would take my two best friends from high school, Jessica and Michelle. Whenever we are all together, it’s a party! This is another reason I really enjoy Prague because the beer is so delicious. As a professor I love that you are very open minded about alcohol and talk about it in class. My mother grew up in Italy so she was exposed to drinking wine at an early age. I grew up in Germany so drinking wine and beer is part of the culture. I hate that in America it is so taboo. Anyways, the clubs and bars in Prague are very nice too so I will bring lots of nice dresses and clothes to wear.

Administrator answers:

LOL ppl actually use google translate ? That made my day.

Mandy asks…

im from uk and i want to study my final year of psychology in america. will i still be able to get student?

loans?? and also i have a 6 year old daughter. will it be difficult to find a school for her to go to for a year and would she be able to live at the student halls with me?

Administrator answers:

The school I go to (University of Kansas) has on campus graduate housing for older students with children. They have free child care, playgrounds, and the apartments are in a great location (within walking distance of everything you need, a rarity for America lol). Although the vast majority of KU students are undergraduates (mostly 21 years of age and younger), there are many older students working on degrees here and it shouldn’t be hard to fit in with everyone else. Finding a school for your daughter will be no problem, there are a lot of options even in a small town.

Student loans are usually for U.S. Citizens, but if you have loans in the U.K. They can transfer if you go “study abroad” then earn your degree from your current University. Many scholarships are available as well to fund study abroad.

KU has a very reputable psychology program, and it is generally much cheaper than other large public universities in the country. In fact, most students from out of state claim that the tuition is cheaper than their in-state schools.

Paul asks…

In terms of investment, is it a wise idea, for a foreigner (I’m Belgian) to buy real estate in Colombia?

I mean, in a safe area, of course.

And what is the average asking price for a decent 2 bedrooms appartment, with roof terrace, in a city like Santa Marta, Barranquilla or Cartagena?
Can you get something decent for less than 100,000 €?

PS : And what about the other countries of the region ? (Venezuela, Costa Rica, etc )

Administrator answers:

Hi there,

I just returned from a 2 1/2 months trip to Cartagena and I loved it. I have been seveal times to Colombia before. Yes, you can get a 2 bedroom apartment for around Euro 100.000 in Santa Marta (low end) and Barranquilla (I don’t know whether or not you know Barranquilla, but it is an industrial city and not very pretty at all). In Cartagena you will not find a 2 bedroom apartment for that price in a preferred area. Actually, Cartagena has the highest real estate prices in Colombia and it is overpriced in my mind. You will for example find much cheaper apartments in Florida/USA.

Also, utility cost in Colombia can be really pricy, it depends on the area you live. If you live in a good area, utilities are very expensive, and in a not so good area it gets cheaper.

I would stay away from Venezuela because the country is not very friendly with foreigners at this time, and it is on the dangerous side, especially in Caracas.

Costa Rica is a beautiful country but in the tourist areas with nice beaches very Americanized, and also pretty expensive, and Euro 100,000 will not buy you much.

What I would recommend is Ecuador because you will find beautiful areas in Ecuador, either by the beaches or in the mountains, and you will not have a problem to find a nice 2 bedroom apartment for Euro 100,000. Check out the beaches of Manta and Bahia in Manabi, as well as Montanita. You will something a lot cheaper in the mountains, for example in the very nice town of Cuenca.
Also, Ecuadar is one of the least expensive countries in South America. The currency is the U.S. Dollar.

Another country you might wanna look at is Panama.

I suggest you do some further research on the countries I mentioned and then narrow it down before you go there and visit. Also, when you find a place you would like to buy, do NOT buy right away. I strongly recommend to rent for a year or so and then decide if you wanna buy.

Wherever you go, have a great time and good luck.

P.S. I have visited all the countries mentioned above (except Venezuela) for longer period of times.

Your Questions About Cheapest Apartments In The Us

Administrator — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 08:20:02 +0000

Michael asks…

Where can I find good rental home websites?

My wife and I are living in a one bedroom apartment right now and in April we have a baby due. There is no room for all three of us and our belongings.

I have looked at a few websites, but everything is so overpriced. We don’t make a whole lot, somewhere around $1300 combined a pay check each month, but also we have to include all our other bills with the baby on the way.

I was wondering if anyone knew of a good website that has lower cost rental homes, not apartments.

Administrator answers:

Best way to find cheap ones is ask you local services in your area if they provide housing’s for low income family.

Daniel asks…

Is it good to live in a manufactured home in Ann Arbor, Michigan?

I need property in Michigan in order to establish residency. I figured that this is the cheapest way to go since I do not want to live in an apartment! Any advice? Being that I am a Californian… I am unsure if a manufactured home is okay in the winter. Am I going to freeze?
I am talking about a manufactured home on a solid foundation!

Administrator answers:

I suggest reading more from some of these sources.

Http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&safe=off&rls=com.microsoft%3Aen-us%3AIE-SearchBox&rlz=1I7DMUS_en&q=michigan+manufactured+home+versus+stick+built+home

You can search on this public website for most homes in Washtenaw County http://moveinmichigan.com (this is not my website or my companies) Once you select up to five areas, you simply enter your comfortable price range and can choose various types of architecture.

This site will not contain manufactured homes within a manufactured community. The home must be on owned, not rented land.

I cannot answer your question about will you freeze, this would vary by any structure and would require an independent investigation.

Donald asks…

How much does it cost for one person to live per per month in Italy?

Approx how much do you spend each month and in what city?

How can I save money and get by fairly cheap in a place like Italy?

Administrator answers:

I live about an hour south of Verona and have been here for the past ten years. The apartment I have here costs about the same as my four bedroom house in Highlands Ranch, Colorado in the US for rent (vs mortgage in the US), electricity, gas, water, and trash. Bills are mostly every other month rather than monthly and the costs vary somewhat from bill to bill. Food at the market and shops runs me about 300 euro per month for just me. Altogether, the cost comes out to around 1300 to 1400 euro per month. What you would spend depends on your lifestyle.

Sharon asks…

How much does it cost to live in Hollywood?

I’m doing a research about how much it costs to live in Hollywood and i wanted some help from Hollywood residents if they could tell me about those things ..

1) how much does the renting costs? if it’s like a small apartment for college beginners
2) how much does the food cost? is it expensive?
3) how about the electricity and such? how much would a normal bill cost? water bills? and all.
anything from clothes to houses .. if you know anything at all it would help me

Thank you.

Administrator answers:

Hollywood is expensive for what you get. Expect to pay $900 for a low end single apartment, and $1200 for a 1 bedroom, but it won’t be easy to find one at that price that is in an OK area. Hollywood is not a very safe area, even in the wealthy areas in the hills. I love Hollywood, lots of my friends still live there, I grew up there, but it’s rather skeezy.

Food in LA is more expensive than most places in the country except maybe NY, NY. Add about 10 – 15+% to what you pay where you are. My friend from Miami was shocked at how expensive LA was for even basics like bread, and she shopped at low price stores here, and I’ve heard the same from others who move here. Nice restaurants tend to be expensive, as well as all kinds of entertainment. Generally, I pay about $16 per evening movie ticket, more for 3D.

Clothes are more expensive here too, but there are always sales, and we have all the cheaper stores with cute clothes like Forever 21 (although clothes may cost more here than elsewhere). You will need a car, or you can’t really go out at night, our public transportation is not good, and you don’t want to take it at night in Hollywood. Cabs are very expensive, everything is very spread out, even going 1/2 mile is $5 with tip. (Hurt my knee, so I couldn’t walk or drive, and had to take my kid to his camp one summer, usually it was a less than 10 minute walk for us.) So include the cost for a car and insurance (mandatory) in your budget.

Electricity and Gas costs depends on how much you use and the size of your home. If you leave the air conditioner on all the time, you could end up with a $500 bill for a small apartment! But figure about $100 a month for a small apartment, either in electricity or gas, or a mix, depending on the season and your appliances. Water cost may be included in many apartment rents, if it’s not, figure maybe $25 a month, more if you have a yard to water.

To buy a home in a decent, but not necessarily super safe (no where is in Hollywood) area in Hollywood Hills will cost from about $300,000 for a small condo, and $600,000 for a very small home, but there won’t be much at those prices. It’s more realistic to expect to spend $800,000+ for a small home that doesn’t need a lot of work. Even in the ickiest areas of Hollywood one can expect to pay $500,000 and up for a small house.

Right now there are no jobs, even minimum wage entry level positions. A good entry level position is In N Out because it pays more than minimum wage. At $10 an hour, if you could get full time hours, you’d bring home less than $1500 a month. Almost impossible to live on. It is tough to live here without a good job, I would say $36,000 a year is living on a very tight budget, $50,000 is OK, but still small apartment, not a great car, no vacations, etc. $100,000 is middle class in LA, but you can’t even afford to buy a nice, small house on that salary.

LA Safety http://www.lalife.com/ Click on Safety, and Map.

Good luck!

George asks…

How do you get rid of bedbugs?

I found them in bed frame, rapidly spreading to photos hanged in walls,
they do die when I spray Raid.

I am trying to find a cheap way to get rid of them, not throwing away my furniture, ’cause I am sure they’re clean now but they are few wandering in the room

Administrator answers:

Bed bugs can be VERY hard to get rid of…so I heartily recommend professional cleaners/ use of industrial insectides/ fumigation.

Our building was infested, and our condo became infested, and they have been a nightmare for me. And I am fastidious. They can infect ANY home…even those of clean freaks, of which I called myself before this happened. Now I’m outright paranoid, sleep deprived…etc. (So get a professional on the problem as soon as possible…the longer you wait, the harder it will be to get rid of these things for good!)

FOR THE RECORD: bed bugs infest VERY clean homes as well as those that are dirty. However, because there is a stigma of dirtiness associated with all bug infestations, a lot of people don’t want to come forward…get help, or tell neighbours, which makes risk of transmission that much worse.

Also NOT EVERYONE will develop welts/ reactions to their bites. I am very sensitive, and have a ton of allergies, and the only sign of it for me was ANEMIA. My mum (I’m a university student, and live at home) got a very bad reaction – two people, same home, very different responses.

I’ve been getting so discouraged trying to erradicate these things without success (the fumigators come tomorrow).

We have had to get rid of a LOT of things. More for my peace of mind, since I do not want to move and infect my new home when I move out for good. (My mum is not as paranoid, but I’ve read up on these things…they are so hard to fully get away from!)

Anyway…

Some things to help reduce numbers:

-get good vacuum bags and vacuum DAILY…very, very well.

-caulk cracks/ areas that are loose/ open to infestation.

-remove loose wood tiles in the floor, and use an insectide on those areas before relaying. If you can locate a nest, you’ll cut down on your chances of getting bitten.

-put vaseline around the end of the bed to trap them. DO NOT LET YOUR FLOORS or sheets touch the floor.

-CHUCK. YOUR MATTRESS. The largest number of them will burrow into the bed mattress. If you cannot afford to get an air mattress as a temporary measure, then coat your mattress in plastic. I would coat it in several sheets, taking great pains to seal off EVERY crevice with moving tape.

-Also, consider chucking luggage. Backpacks etc. Should also be carefully examined.

-we have a steam cleaner. It is in use daily. I must clean three plus hours a day now. I am not getting bitten AS MUCH, but I still am very anemic, and my mum is still getting hives/ welts – which shows that a “cheap” do-it-yourself method isn’t likely to work…

-consider duct taping vents/ common air vents and turning off ac if you live in an apartment. Also in most countries – if you live in an apartment, it is the boards’ responsibility to pay for fumigation etc. However, if you need to chuck your things…you’ll be out of pocket for those items.

Bed bug removal can be very costly. We’ve spent hundreds on bags, cleaners, steam cleaning machines, laundry/ dry cleaning alone – and probably several thousands for the fumigators, because we live in a condo. We store clothes in the freezer – so that we leave the house knowing we aren’t taking them with us. I, for one, am paranoid about having anyone over, lest they contract them.

They are becoming epidemic, but like I said…they infect ANY home, not just messy/ dirty ones. However, adopting a “cleanliness is next to godliness” mindset WILL cut down on their numbers.

Also, ONLY the adults, at full maturity, can lay eggs. If you can kill and remove them before the next generation reaches maturity, and if you can continue obsessively cleaning until they are gone…you may just be able to rid yourself of them.

But overlook NOTHING. They can hide everywhere. They prefer dark areas that are soft, or wooden, and close to their victims, but they have been found in TELEVISION sets, in books, in photo frames, in computer bases, in vents…everywhere. This is why fumigation is so necessary, even though costly. But, unless you are a home owner, fumigation should be covered by your board.

EXTREME heat kills them, extreme coldness kills them – but not the eggs, which need to be removed, and covered in insectide. They also can go a year and a half between feedings, which makes them even more nightmareish.

I’m sorry you are dealing with this too. Best of luck with the exterminations!

Your Questions About Apartment Guide

Administrator — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 00:20:02 +0000

William asks…

How much money on avarage does it cost to rent a apartment?

I am looking for this answer for a project and can’t find it on google. Is anyone willing to lend a hand? I just need a rough estimate on how much apartment (or house) rent is a month.

Administrator answers:

In southern GA Apartments go for about $450 – $550 for 1 to 2 bdr. A house goes for $600 – $950 for 2bdr – 3bdr a month.

In a metropolis it will be considerably higher. What you need to do is give data for your area. At your local grocery store you might see a renters guide stand ( they are free) or you could call your local chamber of commerce & ask for a renters guide. ( maybe you could just go & pick one up there) & you will have specific rates for the apartment complexes in your area. You might could even look up rental rates online for your area.

The sub- purpose of this project is to teach you how to look for yourself & do the leg work with competence.

Paul asks…

What is a good online apartment guide?

I’m looking for apartments in Bluefield, Virginia and I’m wondering what is the best online apartment guide available. I’m looking for something really cheap (not run down with a million problems), but a cheap comfortable apartment between 200 to 500 dollars.

Administrator answers:

Www.bed-breakfast-world.com/

Mark asks…

What are key things for a new apartment to look good and feel comfortable?

I’m a mid-20′s single male, this is my first apartment and want it to be impressive for my guests. I don’t know much about decore…
Extra tips are welcome…
Thanks for all the input, these ideas will help!! Veg – you have a good point…

Administrator answers:

What I did for my apartment was get some furniture and some things to put on the walls…these things help take up a little space and make the place look less empty. If it’s too empty, it doesn’t really look like a home.

It helps if the furniture matches, and if you have things you can display on any shelves or tabletops. If you have lots of shelf space and nothing on them, not only does that look awkward, but then you will probably start putting your mail and other random junk all over them and the apartment will just look messy ;P

Having a theme in mind for each room (for example, our kitchen has a Japanese theme and the living room has what I call a Neo-Victorian theme) can guide you in your decorating endeavors.

For a guy, some display things might be picture frames, trophies, or you could store your CDs and other media in a nice display case. Candles are nice for some people. I’m a girl, so I have a lot of candles and flowers and other elegant decorations.

For the walls, I’m thinking of a couple paintings, classic or modern, or if you’re not that kind of guy, movie posters work well when framed. My dad also used to keep a wall of vinyl record covers from his favorite band in the basement.

And coffee tables are an essential part of any home ;P

Hope that sparks some ideas.

Helen asks…

How much is a small apartment in Rockville, Maryland?

My parents would like to move to there and buy a small apartment there in one or two years. Probably how much will it cost for an apartment(like property tax, any fees…)?

One bedroom is fine.

Thank you very much!

Administrator answers:

A one bedroom will cost from 1200-1600 or more a month. Some buildings pay some utilities, but most don’t.

It’s a nice town, but super expensive.

There is one building, called Beall’s Grant, that offers subsidized housing. They’ve also applied to build a 2nd building. Their one bedrooms are about 860, but there are income restrictions. I had a friend who lived there a while ago and she said they were fairly nice.

Apartment Guide has a listing, and you can narrow the search by your requirements as well: http://www.apartmentguide.com/apartments/Maryland/Rockville/

Laura asks…

Any good apartments that are located in Shreveport?

I’ve plan on going to BPCC once I graduate from college. Only problem is that I find out the apartments a University Court that were recommended by a staff member at BPCC are shit. They look good, but after finding nothing but negative reviews I decided against it. So does anyone know of good appartments for a soon to be college Freshman for under $400?

Administrator answers:

Here are some in the area that you want to be. You might have to bump it up a little though. Http://shreveport-louisiana.apartmenthomeliving.com/apartment-guide/east-shreveport-shreveport

Your Questions About Duplex Plans

Administrator — Sun, 16 Jun 2013 16:20:03 +0000

Betty asks…

What is the best test/method to detect aortic regurgitation?

Is an echo or a doppler better for detecting Aortic regurgitation?
Color Doppler,Pulsed Dopple,Duplex Doppler,”Bedside” or continuous wave Doppler,
Or is And echo better?
2d-echo,3d-echo,color echo?

Or am I missing something?
Basically I want to know what is the best test to detect it.

Administrator answers:

The best test is a transthoracic echo. Period. If a valve replacement is planned, then a transesophageal echo may be needed.

Maria asks…

How much should a college student have to pay for rent?

I’m entering my second year of college this year and plan on transferring next year to a good college in either the Long Beach or LA area. I’ll be living by myself, because I just think it’s better that way so I won’t have to rely on people I don’t really know for the rent money. If I live on my own, what’s a nice price range for a clean, safe apartment within the community?

Administrator answers:

It depends on what you are trying to rent; such as bedroom size, whether its an apartment, house, trailer, duplex, or townhouse, what amenities they may have etc. If its a student community, you may pay something like $300-400 for a one bedroom with all the amenities such as high speed internet, cable, wsher and dryer. You may even be able to find a one price pays all type community. Look around and don’t settle. Shop first. Good luck.

Charles asks…

Why would I need my neighbors approval to put up a fence?

I am in the process of buying a duplex and I asked the association if I could put up a six foot fence (the property already has a four foot fence). They told me I could but I had to get my neighbors approval first. Why would I need their approval?

Administrator answers:

They may own half the existing fence. I assume you plan to tear down the old fence

Lisa asks…

What is the best option for real estate investing for a novice to get started?

I am just starting out in real estate investments, and do plan to get a real estate sales license. I was wondering what would be the best route for the beginner.

Administrator answers:

Buy a duplex, live in half of it and rent out the other half and let them pay for your mortgage for you. Once you’ve built some equity in the property, borrow against it to purchase another property and move in there and rent out the other half of the duplex to help cover the cost of your next mortgage.

Mark asks…

What is the difference between Sidekick LX and Sidekick ID?

Im planning to get the Sidekick ID because I cant afford the Sidekick LX right now I had the LX in the past but i never had the ID. can some one please tell me all the differences between them Besides the ID not having a camera and the screen being a lot smaller then the LX.

thanks in advance

Administrator answers:

SIDEKICK ID

Talk time: Up to 4.5 hours*
Standby time: Up to 3 days*
Battery: User replaceable 1500 mAH Lithium-Ion
Dimensions: 5.12 x 2.48 x 0.78 inches
Display: Colors: 65k (bit) Size: 240 x 160
Band: GSM 850; GSM 1900
Phone style: Flip screen
Phone book capacity: Up to 2,000 entries
Operating system: Danger™ OS v3.3
Weight: 6.2 ounces

Picture Caller ID
Ringer Caller ID
Speed dial/one-touch dial: Up to 9 entries
Speakerphone
Browsern Supports:WAP 1.0 ,WAP 1.2.1 ,WAP 2.0 ,HTTP 1.1 ,HTML 4.01 ,xHTML ,GPRS

E-mail:Protocols supported:IMAP4 ,POP3 , SMTP
Instant messaging:
AOL® Instant Messenger™ Service (AIM®)
Windows Live™ Messenger
Yahoo!® Messenger
SMS/Text messaging:
Concatenation support: Yes
Digital TTY/TDD support: Yes
Predictive text

Ringtones: Monophonic , Polyphonic , MegaTones® , HiFi Ringers®
MIDI ,AIFF ,RMF ,WAV ,MP3

SIDEKICK LX
Battery life Talk time: Up to 5 hours*
Standby time: Up to 6 days
Battery type 1540 mAH Lithium-Ion
Dimensions of handset 5.1 x 2.36 x 0.7 inches
Weight 5.8 ounces
Main display Type: Up to 65k TFT color
Colors: 16 bit
Size: 400 x 240 pixels
Dimensions: 2.625 x 1.625 inches (3 inches diagonal)
Memory Internal memory: 64 megabytes flash and 64 megabytes RAM
Expandable memory/card slot: MicroSD
Maximum card size: 2 gigabytes
Frequency bands 850 MHz; 900 MHz; 1800 MHz; 1900 MHz
Form factor Swivel

Phone book capacity Up to 2000 entries
Operating system Danger™ Proprietary

Picture caller ID Yes
External calling line identification (CLI) Yes
Ringer caller ID Yes
Speed dial/One-Touch dial Maximum amount of speed dial entries: 8
Speakerphone Type: Full duplex
Telecommunication Device for the Deaf (TDD) IP relay available
Teletypewriter device (TTY) IP relay available via catalog
Vibrate Yes

Camera
Modes Automatic; Night
Type 1.3 megapixel
Resolution 1280 x 1024 pixels
Flash Yes
Take and keep Yes
Quick send Yes
Connectivity

EDGE Class 10
GPRS Class 10
Synchronization Intellisync available as a premium one-time download
USB support Type supported: Mini USB-B connector
USB mass storage Yes

E-mail client Protocols supported: POP3; IMAP Fetch
Instant messaging client AOL® Instant Messenger™ Service (AIM®); ICQ®; Yahoo!®; Windows Live™ Messenger
MMS/Picture messaging Multimedia supported: Audio Clips; Graphics; Photos

Alarm Available as a premium download
Alarm will not function if the phone is powered off
Calculator Available as a premium download
Calendar Yes
Currency converter Available as a premium download
Memo/Notepad Yes
To-do list Yes
Phone book Multiple numbers per name
Address Field: When stored in the phone memory
E-mail field
Caller groups: When stored in the phone memory
Personalization & Fun

Games Embedded: Bob’s Journey
Downloadable
Music player Type of player: Danger™
Supported file formats: MP3; M4A (AAC); WMA without DRM
Ringtones Types supported: Monophonic; Polyphonic (24 chords); MegaTones®; HiFi Ringers®
Themes Advanced and basic downloadable themes available
Wallpaper Yes

Your Questions About Cheapest Apartments In America

Administrator — Sun, 16 Jun 2013 08:20:02 +0000

Charles asks…

What would be a good Christmas gift for an LDS (Mormon) missionary?

My best friend left on a LDS (Mormon) mission and I’d like to send him something for Christmas. I know that they have all sorts of rules but not sure what I am allowed to send or even what would be a good idea. So if any LDS (Mormon) mission experts out there would let me know of some good gift ideas for my best friend that’d be great. Thanks

Administrator answers:

Actually, you’re more limited by shipping requirements than Mormon rules. It would help to know where he’s serving, but I’ll just generalize.

You shouldn’t send books or movies, because he can’t use them. Gift cards are probably not the best idea unless you know exactly what shops are in his area, which is difficult considering the fact that he might be in another area by the time the package arrives.

Still…my brother is on a mission in South America, and while that does limit what we can send him, maybe some of my ideas will help you.

First, we decided to send him a bunch of random things. You may not want to send very much, but if you run down to the post office, you can get a small flat rate box. The smaller ones only cost about ten dollars to send (it may be as high as $13, though I think you can find smaller ones). Anything you can cram inside will go for that price, so it’s really not bad, and it can be cheaper than trying to send a present through the mail.

As for gifts…he’s majorly into sports, so we found a bunch of Lakers gear for him (hats, stuff for the walls, ect.) He can’t wear the hat or shirts when he’s doing missionary work, but he wears them around the apartment and when he’s out doing service, so they’re worth sending. If your friend is also into sports, you might think of something similar.

Candy. My brother can’t really get candy where he is, at least not American candy, so we sent a bunch of his favorites. This isn’t really necessary if your friend is in America, but then again, he might not be able to afford candy on his budget. Missionaries are only given so much a month, and it’s not really enough to support a sweet tooth. He would probably appreciate it.

Just be careful about sending chocolate. My mother used to send my favorite chocolate to me all the time when I was a missionary, and it always arrived in a melted, inedible mess. You probably don’t have to worry so much since it’s winter, but still…

A package of Christmas lights. I know that seems cheesy, but I loved getting that myself, and I’m not even into Christmas. I strung them up around my apartment and would giggle every time I turned them on (I was in that apartment for six months, and I never took them down). I sent some to my brother last year, and he had the same reaction.

Stationary. Again, possibly cheesy, but missionaries stay in contact through letters, and he may be glad to have some nice stationary/envelopes.

Scripture markers. Missionaries do a LOT of marking in their scriptures, so they’re always in need of good crayons. If you go to Wal-Mart, you can find a plastic box with those long, twistable crayons. Those are perfect, and they’re fairly cheap.

Also, if you shared many of the same friends, you could get a cheap tape recorder and go around and get them to record short messages for him, then send him the recorder and maybe a spare tape (in case he wants to reply). I received that one year from a friend, and I really loved it.

Anything personal that he would like. I’m not sure what his tastes are, but as long as it’s not a DVD or book, he can probably use it. Just make sure it’s not something inappropriate, obviously (I had a friend who was sent a blow-up girl. Hilarious, but probably not the best gift).

Oh, and his family might be sending him one of those tiny Christmas trees. Ask if they are, because you can always get him some kind of decoration for the tree if you’re absolutely unable to come up with any other ideas.

I can’t think of anything else, but if you come up with something yourself and aren’t sure if it’s missionary-acceptable, feel free to email me. I’m happy to help.

Robert asks…

What are the signs of your home being bugged?

i currently live with my boyfriend in a apartment and we think there is some kind of tracking device the records our conversations, because the following days my mom will tell me or ask me about something that was previcsouly said the night before

Administrator answers:

Unless your mom has very deep pockets equipment as you are describing does not come cheap. Equipment to find bugs are also expensive.

Try talking to your boyfriend about something outrageous like getting married and moving to Argentina south America, or some other good false tid bits and see if it comes back around.

If it does then you can take appropriate action.

Laura asks…

Which country is better to live in Spain or Canada ?

Consider all factors such as economy, career, health, education, laws, crime rate, tourism, geography, etc. Although I am bias towards Germany since I was born there and spent most of my life there, I would like to here your opinions.

Administrator answers:

In terms of economy, currently Canada is exceptionally well than Spain, Although both countries are suffering from recession but Spain is in horrible condition and this may take another 5 years to return back in to a good and strong economy they had like before. Few years ago, Spain was doing better than Canada ( 7% ), but too many corruption and poor management made Spain one of the most worst European countries in terms of unemployment ( now is 25% ).Speaking of jobs, it is quite easier for someone with no or little education to find job in Canada even if you are from Asia or North America ( particularly in Calgary & Quebec ), the pay is also quite good in terms of experience and studies, whereas in Spain they are quite laid back and over the years they have been too much relying on Spanish and due to this, an English speaker would always find it difficult to get employed. On the other hand you could take Spanish courses for 2 years to be fully able to speak, read, & write fluently, but not everyone is willing to spend thousands of euros just to learn Spanish, hoping to find a job ( then what is the point of getting an university degree ). Although if you are asking for Sports then surely you know they are the best in both Football & Tennis. I would say Spanish people are more quite, courteous, friendlier than Canada. Very less racism, hypocrisy and snob are to be seen in Spain. Whereas Canada is mixed, surely you would find French-Canada obnoxious and few twats and some practice of elitism and tends to feel superior. Over the years Canada have been spooning & servile towards USA and as a result their economy is doing well since if we go back 10 years from now, Canada was not a prominent country. Laws are both strict in Canada & Spain, it is almost the same but since in Spain very less immigrants comparing to Canada so sometimes the law and crime are well in control. In this situation they should appoint few English universities and also few multinational companies may do the trick. In a way the unemployment rate would go down and the citizens would show the interest to learn English. Over the years they are relying too much on only Spanish, this trend needs to be broken, and cost of university education & English/Spanish courses needs to be made affordable so that pupil learn it not only as a hobby but to enhance their career and this would open doors to new horizon. One advice i could suggest is, incorporating more VOIP or Call Centers ( both outbound & inbound ). They should also strengthen the Military and most importantly their Spanish Stock Exchange to come to a better position. At present I would suggest & support Canada but on contrary if you can find a job in Spain ( Madrid, Barcelona & Valencia would be difficult ) then it is surely paradise for you since the cost of living & food is quite cheaper in Spain and most importantly very relaxed life. But the salary is not as high as Canada. Cost of apartments and vehicles are expensive in Spain. Education, well i would prefer Canada, since I am not willing to study in an English University if they cannot find me an English based job. But University of Madrid is one of the top 15 Universities in the world. Now a days job are so difficult to find that one cannot even expect to find or work in a Shopping Mall. But Spanish are more educated than Canada but now they have more over qualified and over achiever and as a result less jobs available. Spain are good friends with some of the top richest Muslim countries of the world. Dubai what is considered to be the second most richest country in the world after Saudi Arabia and Qatar at 3 are good friends but they need to utilize better friendly relation in order to progress or to overcome from this recession. Although Spain are in good relation with USA and Germany. If you intend to do business then now Canada will be a better option. And finally, if you are single and looking for a partner, here is the interesting part, Spanish women are hundred times beautiful, sexy, attractive than Canadians. I think Spanish are the most beautiful people in the world. Well not everyone since French-Canadian and also Canadian are good but in a competition I would give 6 to Canada and 9.5/10 to Spain. Parties & night life is also reasonably superb in Spain ( IBIZA ) In fact you would be surprised that people from UK, Canada, USA, New Zealand visit Spain to find life partners Funny isn’t it but true facts. At the end of the day & as a conclusion it is a difficult choice to make and if you are obsessed with money and career then Canada is a better choice whereas if you are already rich or in a good position then Spain will be the best country for you to live. My advice and suggestion would be, take your time, spend some years in Germany and move to Spain after 4-5 years. Good Luck

William asks…

I live in England but i want to get educated in America?

Well i was wondering if that is possible? My family would stay here in england but i would go to america but where would i live? Like i wouldn’t want to go to a boarding school or anything so would i stay in a house or something, or is it just not possible unless it’s a boarding school? Thanks xxx

Administrator answers:

You can not go to school for free in the US unless you are a resident here, and you can’t be a resident here at school age unless your parents move here with you, or you live with a guardian. The exception is if you do a year student exchange via a formal program.

You can’t just move to the US, under age 18, and live in an apartment/flat. It’s not even legal for a landlord to rent it to you, because you are not legally allowed to sign a contract.

You can, of course, go to a boarding school in the US. That’s entirely possible. You’d pay tuition, and room and board, and live at the school. There are some really nice boarding schools in the US, an they all accept international students. But it’s not cheap.

You can go to university in the US. If you stay in England, do your GCSEs, do your A levels, you are welcome to apply to any US university that you’d like.

Thomas asks…

how is life in hong kong for new comers?

hi
im 20, i live in uk my english is not perfect but ok and i will be studying architecture in leeds university starting from next year.
id like to know about hong kong. i know its beautiful and modern and … but how is the real life?
my study will probably finish in 7 years and im interested in moving to hong kong. because i dont like living in the uk, its cold, very cold, and i mean the people not the weather, life doesnt mean anything in here.
is there any chance for me to have a successful life and career there? what are the difficulties to adjust to the new culture other than the language?
is it even a good idea?
what are the differences? the people? the education? prices?
please tell me as much as you possibly can. thanks in advance

Administrator answers:

To live a decent life in HK, one has to make HK$30,000+ per month with at least $12,000 goes to rent. For that kind of salary you’re either in management position or a professional in the fields of banking, engineering or IT. Architect is also in high demand in HK.

HK is a very fast paced city, with 90% of the city are green, hills and parks and only some 10% for urbans, coupled with 50 million tourists come visit the city yearly, all over downtown areas are very packed and crowded with people. One therefore does not expect Hongkongers would afford the luxury to pause on the street and talk weather and gossips with strangers.

The judiciary, government and business systems and practices there are still very British having been governed by the Brits for 160 years, at home though the people remain “Chinese”. More than half of the 7 million people are immigrants/refugees from China in recent decades, these people know very little English. Those genuinely born and bred (not the “claimed” ones) in HK speak English, some more fluent than others. 90% of the people are of Chinese ethnicity, remainings are South and South East Asians, Caucasians and others. As well, cultures and traditions do vary from place to place which largely depends on the adjustments and adaptations of the visitor concerned.

Working permit for foreigners is not very easy to acquire. As a foreigner who’s not entitled to cheap gov housing & medicare, a generalist’s pay might not survive for a good life style.

To give you an idea the working & living conditions in HK,

For CEO positions, one may get by without knowing Cantonese coz he/she could hire excellent bi-lingual executives to work under him/her. Teaching or tutoring English there also do not need Cantonese. For middle or junior positions, if you do not know Cantonese you may have a hard time w/ the co-workers just like immigrants in the US do not know English.

In order to live in a decent apartment near downtown core, the monthly rent at least HK$12,000, & to give you some extra $ to dine out & shop, the min. Monthly income should be HK$25,000-30,000. Restaurants, shopping, groceries & transportation though are cheaper than in Europe/America.

With a population of 7 million strong in a small place, a lot of talents will be competing for the same job, not to mention that nowadays many more university graduates from China are eying in HK´s job market as HK´s salaries are triple of China´s. To stay ahead, an employee must devote extra time & efforts to excel others. When everyone is working 9 hrs/day, if you put in 1-2 hrs extra to accomplish more tasks than the rest of the team then you will win out. A normal office ends at 5 pm, staff rarely leave the office before 7 pm except for low profile jobs like cleaners, messengers. Many overseas employees start complaining the long working hrs & great amount of work after they’re there, it´s a trade-off one must take into consideration before even thinking of moving to the City. One must not expect a good income w/ only 15-16% income tax, w/ no sales tax yet working comfortably w/ lots of coffee/smoking/tel breaks as in Europe/America.

The people there are generally kind-hearted & always prepared to give a helping hand as HK has been on its own as an independent state for 160 yrs, everyone caring for one another like a big family although they may look cold on the streets just as people of any big busy cities do.

Hongkongers who speak flawless English are generally brought up from good family/education backgrounds, they are the “blue bloods” & may give foreigners an impression of being high on the nose.

Though HK had been governed by the British for over 150 yrs, more than half of the people are immigrants/refugees from China in recent decades who understand very little English. Non Chinese ethnicity comprised of less than 10% of the population, mostly from S. & S.E. Asia.

Night life, clubs, bars, dining out & shopping are paradise there which means one has to work hard to afford the endless fun. Jun – early Sep is hot & humid, it’s also the typhoon season, you wouldn’t feel too bad coz everywhere is air-conditioned. Oct – Apr is dry and cool with 3 – 4 weeks’ temperatures as low as below 10 degree. Www.DiscoverHongKong.com and enjoy!

Your Questions About Cheapest Apartments In Manhattan

Administrator — Sun, 16 Jun 2013 00:20:03 +0000

Betty asks…

Moving to NYC. Tips & advice on finding an apartment, job and living in the city.?

I am planning to move to NYC in August 2013. I am moving with the goal to start my MBA in January and take the 6 months to adjust to the city as well as finding a job. I am not really familiar with NYC so I have been doing research and reading blogs and such. I am looking to find an apartment in Queens as it seems to be more affordable than Brooklyn. I would love to find something in Manhattan but it looks nearly impossible. Yorkville seems like a nice area to live in. My rent budget is no more than $1500/month.I will be sending my resume to a temp agency so i can hopefully find a job very soon after moving there.

What are your tips and advice about moving to NYC? Any good websites to look for apartments. Is it worth it to get a broker?

Any advice or any tips from personal experience would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you in advance.

Administrator answers:

I suggest you make an exploratory trip to NYC, do job interviews, scout out neighborhoods, etc. Before you make a definite plan to move.

Are you sure you can get into an MBA program? Many programs require related job experience for admission. And they may or may not offer the opportunity to start in January – I’d guess you’d have to be getting your apps in fairly soon, if so.

I wouldn’t think Yorkville would be the least-expensive area to live in. We lived on the UES between York and East End when we lived there and it wasn’t the cheapest place to live. You’d probably want to live fairly near your school and/or job, to lessen the commute time. But you’ll probably have a tough time finding anything for < $1500; you may need a roommate to stay within that budget.

It's expensive to live in NYC and, aside from that, it's not the place for everyone. Depending on where you're coming from, it could be a big culture shock.

Ken asks…

Is it as dangerous in Manhattan as people say?

Would a girl who’s just turned 18, but a bit on the bigger side and is not as attractive not have a problem staying away from guys that could potentially rape her? Should I bring pepper spray or taser just in case? Could an apartment with a fire escape be easily broken into? Is it possible to just get shot walking down the sidewalk?
Fire escapes. That question is one i’m really concerned about.

Administrator answers:

If only you knew how silly these questions sound to someone who actually lives in NYC.

I’ve lived here for over 35 years. I’m in my 50s now, but I moved here at 17. I lived in Manhattan for a few years, than moved to cheaper digs in Brooklyn.

NYC was FAR more dangerous back then than it is now. But even so, I was never raped! I wasn’t even mugged! And I promise you, no one ever took a shot at me!

Today, NYC is the safest large city in the U.S. This is particularly true of Manhattan.

A bigger problem for you is how can you afford to live in Manhattan??? Most young people can’t. Young people who first move to NYC tend to live in Northern Brooklyn neighborhoods or in neighborhoods in Eastern Queens these days.

But most of NYC is pretty safe these days. My 16 year old daughter has been traveling around NYC by herself since she was 14 years old and had to start commuting from Brooklyn to Manhattan to go to high school. Nothing bad has ever happened to her, either.

I don’t know which “people” you are listening to, but in my opinion, you should listen to someone else. Maybe someone who actually knows something about NYC?

Charles asks…

Anyone stayed at the Mandarin Oriental New York?

We need to be out of our apartment for 4 days and I was looking at this hotel. Has anyone stayed and how did you like it? How does it compare to others in Manhattan or what would you reccomend?
Thanks to the people with genuine answers.

Administrator answers:

The Mandarin Oriental in Manhattan is considered to be a 5 star hotel and it comes with a five star price tag per night also. The average price per night for standard accommodations is $600-$800 a night depending whether you go peak or off peak time of year.

There are ways you can get more for your money and even get apartment like accommodations such as staying at the hotel AKA in New York that has it’s own stainless steel kitchen, living room, and bedroom in Manhattan. (set up like full apartment) some folks do rent them as apartments.

This is suitable for extended stays so you can save money by cooking if you want to, and also has flat screen tv’s in it, comfy couches, luxury linens, microwave, coffee maker,etc.
The average cost is $265.00 per night compared to Mandarin’s $600-$800 per night for a standard small room.

The AKA NY is 657 sq. Ft large compared to Mandarin which is only 225 sq. Ft. Standard room and 400 sq. Ft for a larger room at the Mandarin costs $800.00 per night.

The largest VIP suite that the Mandarin offers is 650 square ft. Large and costs $1200.00 PER NIGHT. AKA NY 657 sq. Ft large at a price tag of $265.00 per night. By staying at the AKA NY in a 657 sq. Ft apartment style accomodations it would save you $935.00 per night compared to the Mandarin’s VIP suite cost of the same sq. Footage.

The better deal is definitely the AKA Ny due to size of accomodations, price point, etc. However, if you wish for dizzying luxury at it’s very core and want to pay for it, then the Mandarin is just that! It is both legendary in it’s service and luxury. Bare in mind spa treatments, coffee, water, drinks, food, etc. Are not included in the totals quoted above at the Mandarin (those cost you extra) on top of already excessive priced accomodations.

In end, you can stay at the AKA save a boat load of money, afford to have a massage at a great spa, shop at Bloomingdales, Macys, Fao Schwartz, Tiffany’s, treat yourself to a pair of Monolo Blahnik’s, etc. And still come out cheaper than the Mandarin for a 4 day stay. LOL ( but true)

The whole 4 days at AKA NY would cost a $1060.00 plus taxes and fees compared to Mandarin at $4,800.00 plus taxes and fees.

Really depends on what you want!

Susan asks…

I am moving to Manhattan this Sept and I am trying to find out the areas to avoid.?

My boyfriend and I are trying to find “cheaper” places to live in Manhattan but we don’t want to be living somewhere where we are afraid to leave the apt. Can anyone gives us some suggestions on where NOT to live. Inwood, Harlem, Morningside Heights, and Washington Heights are some of the most popular that keep coming up in our searches, any thoughts?

Thanks in advance.

Leah

Administrator answers:

You will pay a lot for apartment in manhattan
instead find a place in queens or brooklyn
i live in Ridgewood Queens
its really quiet here
most people that live here are Latino/Hispanic
and lots of Polish people are starting to come here from Greenpoint
im Polish myself

Daniel asks…

Where do I go when starting out?

I’m from pennsylvania, but I like a more fast paced lifestyle.
I’ll have a degree in engineering, and i’m not too sure how much I will be payed in the city(manhattan). My question is where are good(safe) places to live in the area that are close to good public trans.? Also what would be the cost of a 1 bd. apt. there?

Thank you.
Sorry I didn’t point this out earliar-i’m speaking of the NYC area(including NJ)

Administrator answers:

These days, there are lots of good, safe areas close to Pub Tran, but they’re expen$ive. If you need to start out cheap until you have a better sense of finance, I recommend looking at the East Bronx – last I knew (I lived there for a year), it was off the “trendy” radar; so while other places were gonig for $800-$2,000 (mid-90s prices), I was paying $550 for a nice apartment in a nice neighborhood.

It was a three-minute walk to the #6 train (downside: a one-hour trip by local to midtown; about 40 min by rush-hour express). There were also communter buses that made the trip faster (but they cost more, and I was a cheapskate).

The neighborhood I was iprimarily an Irish-Italian one; lots of Italian delis, bakeries, old-fashioned butcher shops and fish markets, and cheap diners too. There was a mall within a mile or so; two movieplexes (one at the mall, one near the LI Sound).

It was a very residential neighborhood; once you were off the main streets (which have the usual chain places), it was quiet and safe. I once went upstate for the weekend and forgot to lock my door (an outside, on-street door), and nothing happened.

Your Questions About Renting An Apartment In Paris

Administrator — Sat, 15 Jun 2013 16:20:02 +0000

Ruth asks…

Which agencies do you recommend for renting in Paris?

I’m looking to rent an apartment in Paris for 3 months in summer. I know of one agency which seems to offer what I’m looking for — and that’s Lodgis, but are there any others? Maybe French ones that will allow me to rent an apartment in Paris for a holiday?

Administrator answers:

From my personal experience of apartment renting in Paris I would recommend http://www.lodjee.com. I easily found a comfortable apartment within my budget, my preferred area and with most of the facilities during both of my last visits there. Although I would suggest you should check for availability of the apartment in your preferred location first on their site and then contact them.

Laura asks…

Apartment or Hotel in Paris?

I am going to Paris with friends and teenage sister this summer and am heavily considering renting an apartment in Paris instead of a hotel. I’d like to hear what others think is the better way to experience Paris — an apartment or a hotel for a week in July??

Administrator answers:

An apartment is definately better if more people are around. Its cheaper and you can have your own kind of food – either cook or just heat in the microwave. Numerous grocery stores all around though finding what you want, if you dont know French, is an adventure (enjoyable one by my standards). You also get more room to stretch yourself as mostly, a living room will also be there.

William asks…

Has anyone rented a vacation apartment in Paris? How does it work?

Administrator answers:

Easy, it is like booking an Hotel more or less !
Contact an agency for exemple Lodjee ( www.lodjee.com/paris ) or Parisianhome ( www.parisianhome.com ) or make your on search on google. And request a flat !
You will have to pay deposit and probably when you get in the rest of the money.
Look at those t&c if that can help : http://www.lodjee.com/lodjee-terms-conditions
Good luck

Mark asks…

what are normal prices for things in paris or spain?

i am visiting malaga spain and paris. i was wondering how much things cost as in food, clothing, and overall, how much i would be spending a day if i rented an apartment in paris. (excluding the cost of the apartment)

Administrator answers:

I travel most of Europe for about 100 Euro per day, for a few days Paris I need about 150 Euro per day, and that is being careful with my money, not going out to shop.

It is possible to do with less, being very careful where you eat, doing your food shopping in a supermarket and only see the famous sights by walking past them, not worth the savings if it is your first time in Paris.

Jenny asks…

Passport Scan for Apartment Rental?

I am renting an apartment in Paris for 4 days, is it normal for the owner to ask for a scan of my passport?

Administrator answers:

I have never heard of this, but it doesn’t surprise me, given heightened tensions and awareness of terrorists in our world today. My guess is that he is just trying to assure himself that you are really who you say you are. If you have nothing to hide, and I assume you don’t, I would just give it to him. Is it really that big a deal? It doesn’t have your social security number on it, does it?

Your Questions About Efficiency Apartment

Administrator — Sat, 15 Jun 2013 08:20:02 +0000

Susan asks…

How to move to an apartment in a distant state?

Ok, I want to move to a state that is really far away. Because of the distance, I cant really go there and look around to find an apartment. Plus I dont know anyone at all there who I could stay with until I find one. I would like it if I could get answers from people who have done this before or already have an idea of how they themselves would do it.

Administrator answers:

Why not stay at an efficiency motel/hotel when you first get there so you aren’t rushed to just take something from pictures you see on the net?

Do you have a job where you are heading? If not, it might be hard if not impossible to secure an apt unless you are paying 6 mos up front.

Do some research and get an idea of what apartments you want to go look at. Get out there, stay at a small place like I suggested, then look at the apts. Put your stuff in storage for a couple weeks/month if you have to.

One thing you don’t want to do is rush into a lease and then find out the place is crime ridden, dangerous or not to your liking.

Richard asks…

What is the average cost of gas heating an apartment in boston?

My daughter had a one-floor apt in a house (3 floors) in boston this past year. The cost of gas with balanced billing was around $250 per mo for all twelve months. This seems very high to me. How much should it cost? I realize it depends on the efficiency of the furnace, etc, Just want to get an idea of a typical range.

Administrator answers:

I live in a one-floor (two bedroom) apartment in a three floor house in an older house in the Boston area. My gas bill during the winter months was around $220, but besides those months, it’s around $30. So I think your daughter is paying too much. My apartment does have new windows, though, so that might help keep the cost down. Also, we turned the heat off when we left for work.

Carol asks…

What is the best measurement for AC efficiency?

My apt unit provides ACs for the tenants. They took my original AC out because it wasn’t working properly and replaced it with one that doesn’t work as efficiently.

When I noted this the maintenance guy said that since the AC is pumping out cold air it is working. However, the unit isn’t cooling the apartment nearly as well and I don’t hear a second motor running that I heard in the first. Now all I have is the fan.

It is 14,000 BTUs, my apartment is 750 sq feet, an the unit is 4ft 6 x 1 ft x 3.5 ft (it’s huge). Which is another argument I have as to why it should be able to cool my apartment.

Currently, set at the coldest temp it is only getting to around 74 degrees and then the unit turns off. With my old unit, I never ran it at the coldest temperature.

Do I really have unrealistic expectations?

Administrator answers:

Yes, you have unrealistic expectations. If you aren’t directly paying for the electricity and you didn’t pay for the unit, then you really don’t have any reason to give them your input — you’re getting cooled off and it doesn’t cost you any more or less than the previous A/C.

You have to get used to a different set of controls, but that’s hardly a reason for the management to keep replacing A/C units.

If it really isn’t operating correctly, it will die soon and you’ll get another one then anyway.

Joseph asks…

how much would utilities cost per month for a one bedroom apartment in longmont CO?

I am trying to get money together to move into my first apartment but i am don’t really know how much money I am going to need for utilities. Any help at all would be awesome.

Administrator answers:

Call the utility providers for Longmont and ask them. All you need is the address. Getting that info for electricity and natural gas is very easy. If the space is heated by oil, find out how many gallon oil tank it is, how many heating zones there are, the efficiency rating for the furnace, find out if the space is insulated, get the square footage of the apartment, determine what temp you like to keep the apartment heated at, and call an oil provider for an estimate of probable gallons needed for the heating season. Then find a discount oil provider, think “wholesaler” without the service contract, for the best price.

Lizzie asks…

What is a decent price range of a one room or two room apartment in NY?

After i graduate I want to move to new york and I am hoping to get an apartment or share one with a roommate but i don’t know a decent and affordable price range for apartments around NYC or any part of new york that is a nice area.

Administrator answers:

A modest efficiency in Manhattan will run $1700 or more plus utilities. Since it is one room with kitchenette and bath, it’s limited to one person. Sharing an apartment with another person can easily run $1500 or more, plus share utilities.

There’s no such thing as “affordable” in NYC.

Also remember you are subject to the highest taxes in the US, probably about the highest in the world. Federal, state & city income taxes, Social Security & Medicare (of course!), 8.75% sales tax, and high taxes on utilities and everything else imaginable. Your take-home pay will be less than half, maybe 1/3, of your gross after all the taxes are taken out.

Your Questions About Cheapest Apartments In Manhattan

Administrator — Sat, 15 Jun 2013 00:20:02 +0000

Mark asks…

Internship at SPIN music, safest place to live in or around Manhattan Island New York?

I am from Ohio with an internship at a place in between Lower Manhattan and Central Park and don’t know a darn thing about living/culture/prices of NY. I’ve done researching but I’d like some more firsthand opinions. I would be okay with living off the island if it were cheaper and safer. It’s for about 3-4 months. Just wondering where the safest areas of New York around Manhattan are. Is it better to live in the Upper East Side, Lincoln Square, Hoboken, Theater District Times Square? North or south? Anything specific REALLY will help me out a whole lot. Thank you!
Okay SPIN’s address is 276 5th Ave., 7th Floor — New York, NY 10001, probably should’ve mentioned that. Google map it. I’d like to live close to that but safest/cheapest apartments are a first choice.
And no I probably couldn’t afford 2k for a place but I figured it wouldn’t hurt in asking. That’s why I’m asking if anybody knows of certain places that ARE cheaper. -.-

Administrator answers:

In between Lower Manhattan and Central Park doesn’t help us. If you give us details, we can reciprocate. Lower Manhattan is all the way South and Central Park is much further away, North. If you are commuting to Lower Manhattan every day, then Brooklyn would make sense, but if you are commuting near Central Park, then Queens would be a better option. You also don’t say if you’re going to be on the East or West side. Why don’t you just give us the address? Is Manhattan even a realistic option for you? Can you actually afford $1500-$2000 a month for a tiny place?

*Edit*

$1500-$1700 for a small studio WOULD be considered “cheaper” in Manhattan. The only other cheaper apartments IN Manhattan would be Uptown in some sketchy areas of Harlem or Morningside Heights or further north in Inwood. Even these would cost you $1300-$1400 for a shoebox that is on the far WEST side, almost 100 blocks north of SPIN, which is on the EAST side around 30th St. I highly recommend you look for something in western QUEENS. You can get something 3X the size for the same price or something small for much less than Manhattan. You’ll only be 15-30 minutes away depending on where in Queens you choose. It will actually take you just as long to commute from those cheaper parts of Manhattan than some parts of Queens. Try: Astoria (nicer parts a little expensive), Sunnyside, Jackson Heights, Woodside, Long Island City (nice parts a little expensive) or slightly east to Rego Park, Forest Hills (a little expensive) or Kew Gardens. All of these have access to the subway and 30 minutes or less into Midtown Manhattan.

Sharon asks…

Holiday in New York, October – any family accommodation recommendations?

We are coming over to New York in October and would like some accommodation recommendations – apartments or hotels of good quality, somewhere central. Got two children and want a treat.
Any Tips, info, good restaurants, things to do – anything New Yorkie?
Thanks Guys!

Administrator answers:

My friend, I hope this helped.

Landmarks

-Empire State Building
-Statue of Liberty/Ellis Island
-Rockefeller Center and the Top of the Rock Observation Deck
-Times Square (no trip is complete without a visit to the”Crossroads of the World”)
-Catch a Broadway show
-Lower Manhattan/Wall Street Area
-United Nations
-Central Park
-Brooklyn Bridge (you can walk across it too)
-Grand Central Terminal (largest railroad terminal in the country)
-A Ride on the Staten Island Ferry (its free and you can see the Statue of Liberty as the ferry crosses the harbor)
-Sightseeing tour on a Double Decker Bus
-Conference House (scene of the only Peace Conference during the Revolution, Lord Howe versus John Adams and Ben Franklin)
-Bronx Zoo/New York Botonical Garden
-Yankee Stadium (big year for the Yankess Baseball team. This will be the last year their playing at the Original Yankee Stadium)

Museums

-Museum Mile (Fifth Avenue from East 86 to East 103 Streets)
-Museum of Natural History and the Rose Center for Earth and Space
-MoMa
-New Museum of Contemporary Art
-Madame Tussaud Wax Museum
-New York City Fire Museum
-New York City Police Museum
-Transit Museum
-Manhattan Children’s Museum
-Sony Wonder Technology Lab
-New York Hall of Science
-Bronx Museum of Art
-Brooklyn Museum
-Milk Gallery
-American Craft Museum
-Museum of American Folk Art
-Museum of the Moving Image
-Museum of Television and Radio
-The Municipal Art Society
-Jacques Marchais Tibetan Museum (only Tibetan museum in the USA)
-Alice Austen House (one of the first professional women photographers, many of her prints are on display, and her home had an absolutely unbelievable view of the harbor)
-Snug Harbor (nation’s first and only home for retired mariner, its now a museum complex)
Other Attractions

Shopping

-Macy’s (West 34th Street and Broadway in the heart of Hearld Square)
-Bloomingdale’s (Lexington Avenue at East 59 and East 60 Streets)
-The shops along Fifth Avenue (just don’t max out you credit cards)
-FAO Schwarz
-Toys “R” Us in Times Square
-Lord and Taylor (5th Avenue at East 38th Street)
-Chinatown/Canal Street Area (if you want to go on the cheap for the stuff you can’t get on Fifth Avenue)
-NBA Store (for the basketball fan – 5th Avenue at East 52nd Street)
-The Apple Computer Store (East 59th Street and Fifth Avenue)
-The Time Warner Center (West 59th Street – Columbus Circle)
-Hershey Store (for those with a sweet tooth)
-Grand Central Terminal (for the shopping)
-H&M
-Century 21 Department Store (Church and Cortlandt Street)
-forever 21
-Barneys New York (660 Madison Ave)

Restaurants

-Second Avenue Deli
-Carnegie Deli
-Stage Deli
-Junior’s Cheescake (home to their World Famous Cheesecake)
-Mickey Mantle’s Restaurant

Good luck
Native New Yorker

Ken asks…

I want to move to NY, Manhattan. where do i start?

I’m 18 and work as an apprentice administrator for a construction company, this is NOT what i want to do in the long run! I want to be something successful enough to be well off in New York’s, Manhattan. I have always felt lost in anything I do, i want to be so many things, an interior designer, or a chef at one point but i still don’t know what i want to be just something to do with IT. can any one help?

Administrator answers:

My friend, my advice, don’t rent an apartment in Manhattan. Consider renting an apartment in the outer boroughs (i.e. Brooklyn, Queens, The Bronx, Staten Island). You will find cheaper accommodation in the outer borough. Once you’re successful, you can then move to Manhattan.

I hope this information is very helpful.

Good luck
Native New Yorker

Chris asks…

How much do houses cost in Japan?

I have a class project, and I have to find out how much housing will cost, and my fiance wants to move to Japan, so I thought I would keep to the plan. o_o Anyone know?

Administrator answers:

First off, they don’t cost MILLIONS of DOLLARS, Millions of YEN, which equals Thousdands when speaking in USD.

House prices depends on WHERE you are going to live. JUST LIKE IN THE USA. Buying a big place in New York City is almost impossible and will actually cost you MILLIONS of USD, however buying a house in a smaller town might only cost you a fraction of the price and the house might actually be very large.

Most of Tokyo’s population doesn’t live right in the busy districts like how most of New York City’s population doesn’t live in downtown Manhattan.

The further you go away from the city center the cheaper things become.

Tokyo isn’t the top of the list for most expensive city in the world to live in, it is behind Moscow, and Seoul ,South Korea.

Of course Japan is a smaller country with limited space, but it is still possible to get a house and not cost you Millions of American Dollars.

As I mentioned location has a lot to do with it, just like how location has a lot to do with housing prices in the USA:

For example, a 2 story house, in a suburb of a major city such as Tokyo or in a immediate surrounding prefecture, say not near the train station, but walkable or bikable to the train station can cost around 30 million JAPANESE yen, which is about 280,000 USD. I know people in the USA paying higher prices for their houses then that! Of course in Japan houses tend to be smaller, but it is a house non the less.

Now if someone wanted to live right in the middle of one of Tokyo’s major districts, then 280,000 USD or 30 Million USD would mean didly squat, you would proably find a very very small apartment if you can find anything at all.
But thats the same for New York City or any major city.

Maria asks…

How many usd does a decent-good apartment in manhattan cost?

not fifth avenue but in a good area

Administrator answers:

Depends on where… Uptown is cheaper than downtown yet still really nice.

If you go Upper West Side you can get a decent studio for $1800 and if you go to Morningside Heights you can get something around $1600. If you get a roommate you can significantly reduce your share by a few hundred for a bigger apartment.

Hope that helps!