BlueBear Posted November 7, 2013 Share Posted November 7, 2013 That's just incredible!!! I hope they love it as much as you do. How does the cost of living compare? Will y'all get more bang for your buck there? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cherise Posted November 7, 2013 Share Posted November 7, 2013 I think property taxes are on the low side in Oregon, and poss cost of living in general at least compared to it's neighbors Cali and Wash state..I think.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Potion Master Posted November 7, 2013 Author Share Posted November 7, 2013 That's just incredible!!! I hope they love it as much as you do. How does the cost of living compare? Will y'all get more bang for your buck there? Â Totally! I would NEVER have attempted to buy a home in California unless I needed to...and as I am not in the entertainment industry anymore, I do not need to. Â We are not going to be in Portland proper, just that metropolitan area, but on the Washington state side, just across the river from Portland and minutes away. The home prices are 1/3rd of that of California (200 grand = 600 grand). The rents, currently, are around a third less....what would cost you 1200-1400 per month in rent in L.A. is currently around 800-1000 in the area. I also checked the supermarket...around 1/4 less on the prices, and the gasoline is an entire dollar+ less per gallon. Property taxes on both sides of the WA/OR border are about the same. No idea about California because I've never owned anything here, but everyone complains, loudly. Â In Wash state, there is no personal income tax...in Oregon it's 11% I am told. AND, the weirdest new law was enacted in Portland within the last 2 years, in which vendors have to pay 10% tax off their international gross!!! That's even worse than California, the highest in the country, where we have to pay 11% sales tax for all sales that take place only within the state. But to enact a gross international tax is INSANE! Customers pay no sales tax in Oregon, but vendors are charged 10% gross?! I was rather shocked to find this out. My mom is in the money market business and she said it sounds like a 21% difference, but would end up being a 16% difference to our business, and that's a lot, as our business model makes our profit margin pretty low. We buy very expensive ingredients and supplies, and pay our employees very well. We do not have that much dispensable income. (If you guys knew how little I earn personally...lol...I make less than my employees and they all live better than me...but I am happy living a creative life surrounded by my cats, so that's perfectly ok with me!) Â So, on the weekends, there's the 'Portland Market' where artists who make their own stuff are allowed to rent booths. We are looking forward to this, as I had a shop on Venice Beach for 10 years and I miss meeting and talking to people like I used to. It's an incredibly artist-friendly, arts-supportive area. Eventually, we realize we will have to rent commercial space, but I currently love the family atmosphere of working that we have now. John and I have been friends for 20 years and we feel like brother and sister. Jessica and her hubby and 4 kids feel like family to us too, and, boy oh boy, I do hope they come with us! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eggers Posted November 7, 2013 Share Posted November 7, 2013 Yowza! Everything sounds awesome (except for all the taxes - it's like you're moving to Canada! ). I hope Jessica & hubs decide to make the move too. How awesome would that be for you? *I'm* excited for you!!! I won't even start about the market... I would die. That is all. xox Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ssupytalp Posted November 7, 2013 Share Posted November 7, 2013 Oh wow, that sounds stressful - but I am glad you've found a place, and I have heard great things about Portland! Â Sending you smooth-moving vibes (and keeping fingers crossed that Jessica & co will come with!). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LadyVictoria Posted November 7, 2013 Share Posted November 7, 2013 That's great Mara!!! I hope Jessica decides to move with you guys. My sister in law's mom, Bobbie whom I adore.. she lives up there and she sends us the most incredible pictures during the winter of deer and snow. I can picture you out there with the Bambis in the wilderness. Are you taking the squirrels? : ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MissHazel Posted November 7, 2013 Share Posted November 7, 2013 yeah, I was thinking about that-- leaving the squirrels behind. They're going to miss you I'm sure! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cherise Posted November 7, 2013 Share Posted November 7, 2013 I hope they come down too..ugh I thought the taxes would be lower but I love that you're surrounded by an artistic community and it's a fresh air green environment with friendly folk, at least that's how I remember it the few times I was there. I think the chips will all fall in place for you, you got that good karma thing going for ya, very excited for you Mara. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
katz Posted November 7, 2013 Share Posted November 7, 2013 I won't even start about the market... I would die. That is all. xox Yes, yes you would! I (sorry Raq) actually enjoyed it MORE than the Pikes Place market in Seattle...well, except for the produce and flowers part. I'm SO excited for you guys! It sounds like you made the best move, taxes wise. You'll have to go out and *enjoy* the Columbia River Gorge area when you have time. SO NICE! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luna65 Posted November 7, 2013 Share Posted November 7, 2013 It's great when your employees love you as much as you love them!!!! And we do! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dolphindolls2 Posted November 7, 2013 Share Posted November 7, 2013 LOL Hazel! That top picture is me right now, the 2nd picture will be December. Â Thanks for the good wishes everyone! Â Gosh, we are soooo busy! But no worries, we ARE keeping up. All 4 of us are here and putting in extra hours. We're working Saturday this week, and even Monday/Veteran's Day...we usually close for postal holidays since we can't ship but not this week! We want to get everyone their stuff ASAP this month. Our retailers are putting in huge orders to get them thru Xmas too...Victorian Trading Company put in a 250 bottle order and we have to get it out by Friday. I will be bottling allllll night long. Â Here's some hopeful news: Jessica and her family might be moving up with us!!!! Keep your fingers crossed! Jess's hubby is going to fly up with us when we go, and check the town out and see if he thinks it will work for them. That would be a dream for John and me. It's great when your employees love you as much as you love them!!!! That is a testament to you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Calii Posted November 7, 2013 Share Posted November 7, 2013 (edited) You've done your homework ...Jessica & family coming will be awesome!! Â ...this new chapter in your life is to be a very special and a needful thing! Edited November 7, 2013 by Calii Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dolphindolls2 Posted November 8, 2013 Share Posted November 8, 2013 (edited) You have to post pics of the new place. Edited November 8, 2013 by dolphindolls2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cheshire Kitten Posted November 11, 2013 Share Posted November 11, 2013 Â Totally! I would NEVER have attempted to buy a home in California unless I needed to...and as I am not in the entertainment industry anymore, I do not need to. Â We are not going to be in Portland proper, just that metropolitan area, but on the Washington state side, just across the river from Portland and minutes away. The home prices are 1/3rd of that of California (200 grand = 600 grand). The rents, currently, are around a third less....what would cost you 1200-1400 per month in rent in L.A. is currently around 800-1000 in the area. I also checked the supermarket...around 1/4 less on the prices, and the gasoline is an entire dollar+ less per gallon. Property taxes on both sides of the WA/OR border are about the same. No idea about California because I've never owned anything here, but everyone complains, loudly. Â In Wash state, there is no personal income tax...in Oregon it's 11% I am told. AND, the weirdest new law was enacted in Portland within the last 2 years, in which vendors have to pay 10% tax off their international gross!!! That's even worse than California, the highest in the country, where we have to pay 11% sales tax for all sales that take place only within the state. But to enact a gross international tax is INSANE! Customers pay no sales tax in Oregon, but vendors are charged 10% gross?! I was rather shocked to find this out. My mom is in the money market business and she said it sounds like a 21% difference, but would end up being a 16% difference to our business, and that's a lot, as our business model makes our profit margin pretty low. We buy very expensive ingredients and supplies, and pay our employees very well. We do not have that much dispensable income. (If you guys knew how little I earn personally...lol...I make less than my employees and they all live better than me...but I am happy living a creative life surrounded by my cats, so that's perfectly ok with me!) Â So, on the weekends, there's the 'Portland Market' where artists who make their own stuff are allowed to rent booths. We are looking forward to this, as I had a shop on Venice Beach for 10 years and I miss meeting and talking to people like I used to. It's an incredibly artist-friendly, arts-supportive area. Eventually, we realize we will have to rent commercial space, but I currently love the family atmosphere of working that we have now. John and I have been friends for 20 years and we feel like brother and sister. Jessica and her hubby and 4 kids feel like family to us too, and, boy oh boy, I do hope they come with us! Â I wonder if you'll be double-taxed on things, living in WA and selling from Portland? I know for me living in WA and working in OR I get double taxed, but maybe it's different for owning a business? But I'm excited to hear you'll be at the Portland Market. I'd suggest also having booths up in some of the events that go on, like the Vampire Masquerade Ball and such. I think that those that frequent such events would take a liking to LP :] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dolphindolls2 Posted November 11, 2013 Share Posted November 11, 2013 Taxes can kill a business thats for sure Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heythor Posted November 20, 2013 Share Posted November 20, 2013 Sorry you have to move but I am happy to say you are only going to be 6 hrs from me:-) lol no but truly I think Portland is going to be a great move for you..it is a meca for small unique businesses..They do quite well there.. I personally drive all the way up there just for the Saturday market. I know you will do amazingly there! So will you have a store in Portland? Just Wondering.... Planing my next trip:-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cheeseburger79 Posted November 20, 2013 Share Posted November 20, 2013 Good.Luck!!!! Portland is a VERY cool area! In fact, in the long term scheme of things, I'm hoping to.end up there or near Seattle one day. The Pacific Northwest is BEAUTIFUL, as I'm sure you already know. Lookin forward to hearing from.you once you settle in# Much.LOVE, Lori Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Potion Master Posted November 25, 2013 Author Share Posted November 25, 2013 Â I have turned off our Amazon and Artfire stores until January 1st. Â We are allowing LP site orders until midnight tonight. (11/25/13) Â Since the LP cart does not have a vacation setting, it will still ALLOW orders to be made, but PLEASE do not do this, because we will not be able to fill them until we get back up on Jan 1st. Â Emails will be returned with a vacation notice, and there will be a solid week where we will have no internet access at all. There will be a notice on the front page, please heed it, thanks. Â Thank you, Loved Ones! Have a wonderful Holiday Season! We'll miss you! xoxoxoxo Mara Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fleur Posted November 25, 2013 Share Posted November 25, 2013 Good luck with your move! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
QueenofLimbo Posted November 25, 2013 Share Posted November 25, 2013 Good luck and be safe! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StacyK Posted November 25, 2013 Share Posted November 25, 2013 Â I have turned off our Amazon and Artfire stores until January 1st. Â We are allowing LP site orders until midnight tonight. (11/25/13) Â Since the LP cart does not have a vacation setting, it will still ALLOW orders to be made, but PLEASE do not do this, because we will not be able to fill them until we get back up on Jan 1st. Â Emails will be returned with a vacation notice, and there will be a solid week where we will have no internet access at all. There will be a notice on the front page, please heed it, thanks. Â Thank you, Loved Ones! Have a wonderful Holiday Season! We'll miss you! xoxoxoxo Mara I want to get one more bottle with my gift cert if it's not to much trouble.. should I email Nara or Halo for an invoice? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StacyK Posted November 25, 2013 Share Posted November 25, 2013 Mara or Heather^^ sorry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moriko Posted November 25, 2013 Share Posted November 25, 2013 I'm pretty sure you can still make orders until midnight tonight. It's only after today that your order won't be processed until January. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fleur Posted November 25, 2013 Share Posted November 25, 2013 There is something wrong with the cart at the moment, it is not loading. I'm trying to buy GCs too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LadyVictoria Posted November 25, 2013 Share Posted November 25, 2013 OOh I have to buy one too!!! and pay for all my PEs that are pending Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpriteLeigh Posted November 25, 2013 Share Posted November 25, 2013 Best of luck with the move! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MissHazel Posted November 25, 2013 Share Posted November 25, 2013 (edited) Â Happy Holidays and happy 80 proof eggnogging! Edited November 25, 2013 by MissHazel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
missdarlyncherie Posted November 25, 2013 Share Posted November 25, 2013 Oh my goodness! It's happening!! Good luck and be careful with all the cats and potions... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eggers Posted November 25, 2013 Share Posted November 25, 2013 The best of luck with the move! I hope you all have a happy holiday season! We'll miss you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LadyVictoria Posted November 25, 2013 Share Posted November 25, 2013 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hearts Posted November 25, 2013 Share Posted November 25, 2013 Good luck with the move!!!! XOXO We'll miss you!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Potion Master Posted November 25, 2013 Author Share Posted November 25, 2013 email Mara for all invoice requests  CataLunaLPMP@yahoo.com  thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Calii Posted November 25, 2013 Share Posted November 25, 2013 Dearest Mara,you and the critters will be in my thoughts throughout this challenging process...many Blessings to you all,we will miss you too !!! :abfx: Â ...be safe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bella15 Posted November 25, 2013 Share Posted November 25, 2013 Hope the move goes smoothly!! We will be thinking of you, and missing you!! Â haha, we are all going to go through withdrawals and will be buying off the trade pages like crazy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NuTrix Posted November 25, 2013 Share Posted November 25, 2013 Hope the move goes smoothly!! We will be thinking of you, and missing you!! Â haha, we are all going to go through withdrawals and will be buying off the trade pages like crazy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raq On Posted November 26, 2013 Share Posted November 26, 2013 I was surprised to see my order was being packed so quickly!! ( I ordered Sunday). Mara, have you ever lived in Portland before?? Watch a few episodes of Portlandia on HULU. LOL. The good news is you're closer to me yippee! You'll like Portland. I hope all goes smoothly with your move. Are you all packing/moving yourselves or do you have a crap ton of inventory and movers are doing it? Take your time. We'll all be here. Â hugs to you all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Black Cat Posted November 26, 2013 Share Posted November 26, 2013 Already feeling the withdrawal pangs, but hoping that this move brings all good things to you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StoremyWhether Posted November 26, 2013 Share Posted November 26, 2013 Wishing you the smoothest of moves. Truly hope you will post pictures of your new spot. As frustrating, tiring and nasty moving can be, creating your new space and learning all about the area around you will hopefully bring much joy. It's so beautiful up there, I wish I could pack up and go with you. I know we all will be thinking of you and hoping your journey brings a bright and blessed future ahead. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueBear Posted November 26, 2013 Share Posted November 26, 2013 Good luck and safe travels!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quietguy Posted November 26, 2013 Share Posted November 26, 2013 Happy Holidays and best wishes with the move!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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