Brown on Brown Wagon: Alfa Romeo 156 SW

[slater]

It's worth dropping by every once in a while. Good to see you again on here.

I've been in the process of trying to get back (or rather get the VISA) for 3 years at this point. It's a difficult, stressful, and frankly unfair process, and that doesn't even account for any of the recent stuff that's been happening.

Constantly living in limbo is not healthy, so I'm looking at options in Switzerland, which was my second choice. Honestly though, there is no other place in the world I know about that combines the career opportunities for my field with a decent wage and good climate in the same way the US does.

I wish things were more certain, if only for my own sanity, but you just kinda have roll with things and make the best out of situations like mine.

damn. well... not sure what you do professionally, but have you looked at british columbia?

[Galapolis]

damn. well... not sure what you do professionally, but have you looked at british columbia?

We have a big office in Toronto and I was offered the option to relocate there... But then we are back to the weather thing. Funnily enough, I was actually advised to take that deal, become a Canadian citizen, and then immigrate into the US because that would be easier than the path I'm on now, albeit it potentially much longer.

Toronto is rough though, would have barely been able to afford rent there on my salary. Despite all the issues I have with Germany, at least most things are dirt cheap here, even after considering how much of our salary we lose to taxes. Just don't look at the gas prices.

Never been to BC but I have been to Washington. Probably the prettiest state I've seen. Definitely want to go back and explore some more. Being able to traverse vastly contrasting biomes (beach, city, mountains, desert, pine forest) and seeing those transitions in mere hours is unlike anything else I've experienced. I'm sure BC has some of that too (the amount of movies filmed there is crazy, so I know it's very pretty) and the weather is milder than other parts of Canada.

But in the end it really just comes down to wanting to get back to NC because my entire life is there. Most of my closest friends, social circles, activities I'm used to, way of life... I may not have grown up there but I became an adult there and essentially learned how to "live" in NC. I still don't even know how to do German taxes for example (having a friend show me in a couple weeks). When I did a cross country road trip (friend picked up a BAT car in Seattle and we drove back to Miami) and I stepped into a gas station in Tennessee and heard country music playing for the first time in days... I just felt like I was home. From that moment on, I knew where I belonged.

Anyways, enough rambling about life. I'm picking up a set of teledials on Monday for the 156. I've always wanted teledials, so that's another check mark on the bucket list. And much cheaper than buying a Lambo with teles.

[slater]

We have a big office in Toronto and I was offered the option to relocate there... But then we are back to the weather thing. Funnily enough, I was actually advised to take that deal, become a Canadian citizen, and then immigrate into the US because that would be easier than the path I'm on now, albeit it potentially much longer.

Toronto is rough though, would have barely been able to afford rent there on my salary. Despite all the issues I have with Germany, at least most things are dirt cheap here, even after considering how much of our salary we lose to taxes. Just don't look at the gas prices.

interesting... i would not have assumed that germany was cheap.

yeah, the cost of living is higher here, for sure. i'm about an hour and bit west of toronto. it's not all bad, though. . but i would assume where you are is better than here, but.... the grass is always greener (or saltier, LOL), as they say.

our gas prices are coming day quickly here - $1.51CAD/liter for 91 yest

Never been to BC but I have been to Washington. Probably the prettiest state I've seen. Definitely want to go back and explore some more. Being able to traverse vastly contrasting biomes (beach, city, mountains, desert, pine forest) and seeing those transitions in mere hours is unlike anything else I've experienced. I'm sure BC has some of that too (the amount of movies filmed there is crazy, so I know it's very pretty) and the weather is milder than other parts of Canada.

But in the end it really just comes down to wanting to get back to NC because my entire life is there. Most of my closest friends, social circles, activities I'm used to, way of life... I may not have grown up there but I became an adult there and essentially learned how to "live" in NC. I still don't even know how to do German taxes for example (having a friend show me in a couple weeks). When I did a cross country road trip (friend picked up a BAT car in Seattle and we drove back to Miami) and I stepped into a gas station in Tennessee and heard country music playing for the first time in days... I just felt like I was home. From that moment on, I knew where I belonged.

that, for sure, is a huge thing - feeling like "home." i'm not sure i've ever truly felt that, but every time i go back to vermont i feel some sort of calm.

if you do get back over this way, check out BC - if you like washington (i love washington), BC is more of the same. the climate in victoria is the most moderate in canada - that is where my wife and i may end up someday. it's a fantastic place.

Anyways, enough rambling about life. I'm picking up a set of teledials on Monday for the 156. I've always wanted teledials, so that's another check mark on the bucket list. And much cheaper than buying a Lambo with teles.

let's see those wheels tomorrow!

[Galapolis]

our gas prices are coming day quickly here - $1.51CAD/liter for 91 yest

Prices fluctuate but I usually pay 1,88€/L for what the E46 needs. Looks like that's 2.94CAD/L. The 156 can get away with about 1,78€/L, but it can only take E5 or ethanol free.

The highest I ever paid was 2,53€/L for Shell V-Power, but V-Power is the equivalent of US 96 octane here for some reason (other premium fuels are the normal 94).

let's see those wheels tomorrow!

[slater]

^ properly italian! and... wagon doing wagon things. love it.

[Galapolis]

Mounted:

[Oli77]

Ja soo