# A MAD on the move: Update from Marietta, OH. **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [March 1, 2004, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-mad-on-the-move-update-from-marietta-oh/231900 "2004-03-01T14:27:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2004, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-mad-on-the-move-update-from-marietta-oh/231900/1 "2004-03-01T14:27:35Z")
So we’ve been here almost three weeks now. And it’s looking good. But there are some odd things. My observations: 1. The house needs more work than I’d remembered but at 80K for the mortgage we’ll be able to get it done. Top items: Upstairs furnace/AC, new dishwasher, fix the back porch, re-wire most of the house. Feel free to rank those in your order of priority. 2. The commute: it takes me about 5 minutes to get to and from work now. This is a vast improvement over the 75-90 is used to take me. 3. The gig: I’ve already saved them more in efficiencies and cost-savings than my salary for this year. They seem pleased…I seem pleased. 4. Lady Chance is adjusting well to telecommuting. She kept her job as a software designer in Northern VA with Titan (soon to be Lockheed-Martin) and is doing it all from here. 5. Community: The town council and Chamber of Commerce wants me to design some promotional materials on the joys of Marietta in an attempt to lure more small businesses and telecommuters out here. There’s some talk of putting together a promo video for it with me as the star and the local news expressed interest in running a piece on the evening broadcast. 6. Religion: I have been asked at least 20 times what I’m giving up for lent. Given that I’m a jew it’s a question I dodge. I think there might be one other jew in town. I’m keeping my head down until I get a better feel for the ground. Here’s some pix of the house if anyone’s interested: [http://www.wooleysark.com/marietta](http://www.wooleysark.com/marietta) It’s an adventure so far. ---
**Author:** ![ShibbOleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@ShibbOleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShibbOleth)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2004, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-mad-on-the-move-update-from-marietta-oh/231900/2 "2004-03-01T14:43:24Z")
> [@Jonathan Chance](#): > > 1. Religion: I have been asked at least 20 times what I’m giving up for lent. Given that I’m a jew it’s a question I dodge. I think there might be one other jew in town. I’m keeping my head down until I get a better feel for the ground. If they ask again, tell them you’re giving up: A) Catholicism B) Historical Dramas by Mel Gibson C) Gefilte fish Don’t worry, I’m sure they all have a great sense of humor. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2004, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-mad-on-the-move-update-from-marietta-oh/231900/3 "2004-03-01T14:55:39Z")
I was actually thinking of just saying ‘ham’ or ‘cheeseburgers’ and letting it go at that. ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2004, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-mad-on-the-move-update-from-marietta-oh/231900/4 "2004-03-01T14:57:43Z")
You know, you don’t have to be Jewish to not “do” Lent – I’m a Quaker, so at least nominally Christian, and it’s a foreign concept to me as well. ---
**Author:** ![ShibbOleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@ShibbOleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShibbOleth)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2004, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-mad-on-the-move-update-from-marietta-oh/231900/5 "2004-03-01T14:58:58Z")
Yeah, pork products would be a good answer. But with your luck they’ll show up with a full ham on Easter and insist you enjoy yourself breaking your fast. I like the house pictures, BTW. Kate seems to especially enjoy the ballroom. But we need some pictures of the kitchen. Can’t judge a house without seeing the kitchen. ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2004, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-mad-on-the-move-update-from-marietta-oh/231900/6 "2004-03-01T15:02:39Z")
What a great house!! My unprofessional opinion is to get the electrical work done first, then the HVAC - once the two biggies are done, the rest is a piece o’cake! So, where are you going to put the black couch?? :D:D:D:D:D ---
**Author:** ![Buckeye](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/9f8e36/32.png) [@Buckeye](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Buckeye)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2004, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-mad-on-the-move-update-from-marietta-oh/231900/7 "2004-03-01T15:09:24Z")
Hey another Buckeye! I was born in Parkersburg W.Va., and I grew up on the Ohio side in a little town called Coolville. (Don’t make a point to see it you aren’t missing anything!) Still make it down that way occasionally. I love the friendly people down that way and hope you meet some nice ones. Good luck. ---
**Author:** ![kittenblue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ba8739/32.png) [@kittenblue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kittenblue)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2004, 3:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-mad-on-the-move-update-from-marietta-oh/231900/8 "2004-03-02T03:40:50Z")
Ooooh, I love the house! Kate’s room is wonderful! I’m in the Cleveland area (downtown for work). I’m a Methodist, and I get asked the Lent question too…and we have no tradition of giving things up for the duration, though we are encouraged to add prayer and study to our to-do lists. That’s one of the fun things about Methodism…no rules! So doesn’t the local Giant Eagle or Tops have a kosher section there? Come visit Cleveland when you get lonely for temple! ---
**Author:** ![elmwood](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmwood/32/3060_2.png) [@elmwood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elmwood)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2004, 4:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-mad-on-the-move-update-from-marietta-oh/231900/9 "2004-03-02T04:21:46Z")
> [@Jonathan Chance](#): > > 1. Religion: I have been asked at least 20 times what I’m giving up for lent. Given that I’m a jew it’s a question I dodge. I think there might be one other jew in town. I’m keeping my head down until I get a better feel for the ground. Marietta? Move to Beachwood, Pepper Pike, University Heights, Lyndhurst, Shaker Heights or Cleveland Heights with the rest of the Diaspora. There’s 80,000 Chosen People on the East Side, you know. elmwood (half Jewish, but still a damn goyim in the eyes of my neighbors) ---
**Author:** ![OpalCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8edcca/32.png) [@OpalCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OpalCat)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2004, 6:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-mad-on-the-move-update-from-marietta-oh/231900/10 "2004-03-02T06:07:40Z")
> [@Jonathan Chance](#): > > Here’s some pix of the house if anyone’s interested: > > [http://www.wooleysark.com/marietta](http://www.wooleysark.com/marietta) I hate you. _pout_ ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2004, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-mad-on-the-move-update-from-marietta-oh/231900/11 "2004-03-02T14:16:34Z")
No you don’t. And you know it. Convince Rob to move out here. He’s a tech guy and I’ve been tasked to bring small businesses (especially tech one’s) and tech people out here by the CoC. You can get a 100 year old 2500 sq foot house with turrets and all for anywhere up to $150,000. That would make your mortgage here about $1000 a month or so. What are you paying for that townhouse? ---
**Author:** ![OpalCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8edcca/32.png) [@OpalCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OpalCat)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2004, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-mad-on-the-move-update-from-marietta-oh/231900/12 "2004-03-02T14:29:47Z")
> [@Jonathan Chance](#): > > What are you paying for that townhouse? _mumble_ we paid $183,000… our payments were $1610 until we refinanced recently… now they’re just over $1300. Go on. Rub it in. Butthead 😛 ---
**Author:** ![tarragon918](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/d26b3c/32.png) [@tarragon918](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tarragon918)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2004, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-mad-on-the-move-update-from-marietta-oh/231900/13 "2004-03-02T14:37:46Z")
WOW, the house looks great! I agree w/FCM, though–get the work done on the wiring first, then work on the HVAC. thanks for sharing and good luck to all the Chances in OH. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2004, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-mad-on-the-move-update-from-marietta-oh/231900/14 "2004-03-02T14:55:59Z")
Thanks, tarragon! Kind words are always appreciated. I admit, I’m talking about it here because it’s still quite a shock to pick yourself and your family up and drop them in another town. I appreciate the help. And Opal… Joooiiinnnnn uuuusss… You can certainly do your stuff here, right? ---
**Author:** ![Geobabe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/geobabe/32/3908_2.png) [@Geobabe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Geobabe)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2004, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-mad-on-the-move-update-from-marietta-oh/231900/15 "2004-03-02T15:06:39Z")
> [@Jonathan Chance](#): > > 1. Religion: I have been asked at least 20 times what I’m giving up for lent. Given that I’m a jew it’s a question I dodge. I think there might be one other jew in town. I’m keeping my head down until I get a better feel for the ground. We’re about to move to Georgia. Given the number of churches we saw on our tour this past weekend, I’m looking forward to hearing “Have you found Jesus?” pretty regularly. I haven’t yet decided what my answer will be. The house looks great, and yeehaw for a short commute! ---
**Author:** ![plnnr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7ea924/32.png) [@plnnr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/plnnr)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2004, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-mad-on-the-move-update-from-marietta-oh/231900/16 "2004-03-02T15:39:04Z")
“I’m looking forward to hearing “Have you found Jesus?” pretty regularly. I haven’t yet decided what my answer will be.” My suggestion: “No, but then again, I haven’t been looking. Has he been missing a long time? Have you notified the proper authorities?” And now another leaves the wonderful Old Dominion - but at least she’s moving in the right direction. Congratulations on the successful move, JC. Opal - your figures re: mortgage made me cringe. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2004, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-mad-on-the-move-update-from-marietta-oh/231900/17 "2004-03-02T15:50:01Z")
> [@Jonathan Chance](#): > > So we’ve been here almost three weeks now. And it’s looking good. But there are some odd things. > > My observations: > > 1. The house needs more work than I’d remembered but at 80K for the mortgage we’ll be able to get it done. Top items: Upstairs furnace/AC, new dishwasher, fix the back porch, re-wire most of the house. Feel free to rank those in your order of priority. Re-wiring is definitely Job #1. Even if the existing wiring is safe for its intended load (and who knows, in old houses like that?), I bet you’re gonna want to have a lot more stuff plugged in than the wiring is rated for. > [@](#): > > 1. The commute: it takes me about 5 minutes to get to and from work now. This is a vast improvement over the 75-90 is used to take me. Nothing like all of a sudden having an extra 2.5 to 3 extra hours in your day, every day. That must be a _biiiiiig_ difference for you! > [@](#): > > 1. The gig: I’ve already saved them more in efficiencies and cost-savings than my salary for this year. They seem pleased…I seem pleased. They’d _have_ to be pleased; if not, they’re living in Bizarro World! That’s definitely gonna help you when it comes time to discuss pay for _next_ year. > [@](#): > > 1. Lady Chance is adjusting well to telecommuting. She kept her job as a software designer in Northern VA with Titan (soon to be Lockheed-Martin) and is doing it all from here. That’s great! Not to mention, I guess that means she’s still getting paid at big-city rates while having a small-town cost of living. Can’t beat that. > [@](#): > > 1. Community: The town council and Chamber of Commerce wants me to design some promotional materials on the joys of Marietta in an attempt to lure more small businesses and telecommuters out here. There’s some talk of putting together a promo video for it with me as the star and the local news expressed interest in running a piece on the evening broadcast. And we’ll be able to say we knew you before you were famous. 🙂 > [@](#): > > 1. Religion: I have been asked at least 20 times what I’m giving up for lent. Given that I’m a jew it’s a question I dodge. I’m a Christian, but I usually just say I gave up Lent again this year. Good luck in scraping together a minyan! Nice pix, btw. Looks like Kate was having a fun time exploring it all! ---
**Author:** ![danceswithcats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9e8a1a/32.png) [@danceswithcats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/danceswithcats)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2004, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-mad-on-the-move-update-from-marietta-oh/231900/18 "2004-03-02T19:22:12Z")
That is a very cool house, **JC**. Best wishes to you! Regarding the heating/AC system, consider a direct vented replacement if natural gas fueled, or if NG is available and you wish to convert from oil. Older masonry chimneys were fine with the waste heat from lower efficiency heaters, but the 80% and up may not draft properly, leading to acidic damage of the flue. If you’re replacing the unit, that is the way to go, IMHO. SEER of 14 is not uncommon for AC units, and you don’t need to do the big brands for those numbers. What is wrong with the existing electric? Too small service? Panelboard maxed out? Knob and tube? ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2004, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-mad-on-the-move-update-from-marietta-oh/231900/19 "2004-03-02T20:01:14Z")
**OLD** wires without grounds. Bad news for a tech-type couple. Couple of grand, I’d bet. ---
**Author:** ![danceswithcats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9e8a1a/32.png) [@danceswithcats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/danceswithcats)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2004, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-mad-on-the-move-update-from-marietta-oh/231900/20 "2004-03-03T02:24:46Z")
Sorry to hear that. Hopefully you can find an electrician that is sensitive to the architecture of older structures and incorporate modern services without compromising the beauty of that property. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-mad-on-the-move-update-from-marietta-oh/231900.md?page=2)