... I'm almost regretting the move to this apartment. Sigh .... it was so convenient when I was working at the restaurant .01 mile away, and I could leave the house to perform each day. Now, cooped up inside, with all my neighbors at home, I am constantly aware of my volume, and hours of performing. It's distracting. Add to that ... the restaurant has officially closed for good, so I now have no reason to live here. Well, it's close to my son, so that's nice, but as far as a matter of convenience - that's gone. I need more space to create, experiment, and not worry about the volume or the hour. Reinvention has just taken on a new category. I was already invested in a career reboot, but now I will be looking at a location reboot as well.

My sister live in upstate NY near the beautiful finger lakes. It's not crowded, has a very low level of CoVid cases, and living there would be so much cheaper than here, in Philly. Can't shut my brain off - so many things to ponder.

YUK. The thought of packing up and moving again so soon (been here 3 years) is daunting.

sometimes change is good. you've already developed a need. might want to look at the venue/job situation of the new location after this all calms down. i live in a retirement apartment community and face the same issues. i miss having a house for that very reason. i'm retired from professional playing so , I'm ok where im at but still miss that freedom.

Dave really sorry to hear this sad news wow!!!
have you thought about moving to the wildwoods area where eventually when this is over you can have more opportunities to work clubs, NH's, etc, vs Upstate NY? ...and does that mean I'll have to drive up on the NY thruway to some rest area to make a midnight deal ???
Just kidding,....think hard and I KNOW you will bounce back
regroup and make this catastrophe something fruitful once again...
rooting for you buddy!
Now get back up on the horse and let's RIDE!!

Maybe Kate will give you a room.

Dave, I remember feeling the same way; where should I go, what should I do, and a relative gave me the best advice ever.

“Never run from something, instead, run to something.”

A few words, but they give a purpose to running somewhere.
IMHO, John C.

John, I LIKE that philosophy! I'm not in any rush to decide. I'm covered well through the summer, even if no work or PAU kicks in. So far I've jumped through all the hoops on line to register for the gig workers PUA, but seen nothing yet. There's so many unresolved issues due to the lack of regulation in this area. This is such a new thing, it'll be a mess for a while and when we can finally talk to a representative, maybe we can argue the case for cash jobs more effectively. I send 1099s, references, calendars, webpage schedules, and completed tax forms. There's nothing more to send.

Anyone have better luck with PUA?

For the remaining duration of your lease- could you put some kind of sound-deadening material (I'm thinking Homasote or Celotex) on the walls behind your KBs, where they adjoin the neighboring units? Homasote is grey, but you could make it less noticeable by painting it the same color as the existing walls. You could just lean it up there. But it would be safer if you attached it to the studs with a couple of long screws. When you move out, there would only be a couple of small holes to patch. No different than if you had put up a bookcase.

I lived in an apt. for a long time and I feel your pain. It's a shame to have to put your hobbies on hold, or limit when you can practice them, especially while this pandemic is raging outside. Obvioulsy you could also play through small monitors, or headphones. My $.02.

A few times my wife and I have talked about 'downsizing' and have gone looking at single or duplex condo units - I could never live in an apartment - and my biggest concern has been ' where would my music room be, relative to the people next door' ... Consequently, we've never moved ...
Dave, I feel for you in this situation, and while I don't know you personally, I think I know enough about you to have some thoughts ...
The first is: the FINGER LAKES region?!? ... admittedly,I don't know the area except that I doubt it is anything like Philly, or south/central NJ ... I think you are far more a 'metropolitan' type guy, than an upstate NY guy, no matter how beautiful it may be ...
Secondly, as wrinkles stated, you should check out the music job market ...
Thirdly, you recently stated you were excited about providing a space for musicians to do some recording or whatever in your studio - how will that play out up state?
I wish you the, best my friend ... and heed the advice of the sage John C ...

We've been going up there for twenty some years to visit my sis, and enjoy the lake life ... it's slower, quieter, and very peaceful. I could live there in a heartbeat, and my sister would be ecstatic to have her younger brother nearby.



WHAT job market? 30 million of us have no job. I will reinvent, and adapt. Swimming lessons, music lessons, vocal coaching, theatre audition preps, in home rehearsals and on site recording, maybe? There will be something interesting to do.



Well, everything is relative. Lower housing costs mean lower salaries too. My initial thought is to have family nearby, and the rest will just have to work out. If there is a business to be HAD - I will HAVE it. There may be school options as music consultant - who knows?
To paraphrase W.C. Fields ... "all in all, I'd rather be anywhere BUT Philadelphia"

I have the whole summer to make a plan before money gets tight. No flash decisions.

Dave
Sorry ti hear it. been there myself, just when you think you have something good going Bam! something happens, and recently we've all had the rug pulled out from under us. I was going to throw my thoughts in but after reading your last post I thnk you will do fine. All I can say is don't make "gigs" yout top priority when choosing a relocation. Who knows what will be availabe in the future. Been to the Finger Lakes once and loved it. With technology some of your ideas may work out playing/teaching from home. And who knows when things calm down there may be that little restaurant somewhere to park yourself in.
Good Luck

Thanks Bill, I know you're right. I didn't really move here just because of the gig, but it sure was a factor in the decision. I would have moved wither way.

guess I was wrong ...

John, John, John ... there's no wrong when advice comes from the heart. I know you're just trying to make some sense of this senseless situation, like all of us.
I had planned on working hard for another 10 years, so now I'll have to work just a little harder than planned, or scale down to live cheaper for the duration. I can't even wrap my head around an actual plan until I know what I'm dealing with. This summer will tell a lot. Let's see what the seasonal traffic is allowed to enjoy, keep our heads up high, and embrace each new day. If it actually happens, my summer job should start in 6 weeks, and that'll be a huge help.
If not ... more videos and upstate NY cabin brochures.
Gotta keep all the balls in the air for a while yet.

heh heh heh ... he said "John" ...

Got a sister in Jamesville next to Syracuse. Snows in October and it stays there until April. She calls it the tundra...

OOOPS! You're last words spoke of sage John! I get so easily confused these days!

Two stories about Syracuse ... the son of the bass player in our band was attending Syracuse med school ... Fred said that when he went to see his son, he would make this turn and see a huge cloud - he knew Syracuse was under that cloud ...

When the company I worked for was considering relo out of NY city, supposedly Syracuse was one of the finalists as a new location ... some relatives of my mom's who lived there were visiting and I mentioned the possibility of moving there ... they said "you will love it" ... Having read that Syracuse averaged bout 65 sunny days a year, I responded "but how is the weather/" ... the answer was "Oh the weather is terrible, but you will love it there" ... ?!?
I think Syracuse was put in as an option to make RI more appealing ...

but I LOVE snow!!!!!!!!

Enjoy the "North Country" it's a different kind of Cooooollllllldddd...
How do I know?...
I have family in Fulton NY outside of Syracuse
And when I was a kid I was stationed at Camp Drum 16 miles
from the Canadian Border, ...just sayin..

You guys sure make glad I live in the middle of nowhere. Most of the homes in my development are at least 40 feet apart, but in my case, my nearest neighbor is about 300-feet away. My home is situated in the middle of 5.5 acres, and overlooking more than 2,000 acres of woodlands. We see various forms of wildlife on a daily basis, lots of birds, hawks, an occasional bald eagle, deer, wild turkey, squirrels, rabbits, an occasional raccoon, opossum and at least once or twice a year, a black bear will wander through our place looking for a mate.

Because the house is a football field length from the nearest neighbor, I can play music as loud as I wish, which to be honest, is never all that loud. Carol can beat the Hell out of me and the neighbors wouldn't hear me screaming.

Granted, you have to get in a car to go grocery shopping as the nearest grocery store is 5 miles away. Same for the pharmacies, music store, department stores, etc.., all just 5 miles away. It's 6 miles to the nearest restaurant that has live music, which is mostly too loud for my preference and pretty much hard rock after 10 p.m.. Because I worked the senior circuit, I had no trouble finding all the work I could handle within 15 to 20 minutes drive time of home. The latest count was approximately 35 nursing homes, retirement communities and assisted living/rehab centers.

When I constructed our home, I decided to build a rancher, mainly because I knew there would come a day when we would need everything on one floor. Though my family room and office is in the basement, I added a chair lift to take me to the lower level safely. I also built a very large patio and covered deck, for those days when I just wanted to be outdoors and enjoying the sunshine, sights and sounds first hand.

When Carol and I first got married, we lived in an apartment in northern Baltimore County just a few blocks from the Baltimore City line. After living where I am, I seriously doubt that I could ever live in an apartment, town home or condo under any circumstances. NO WAY JOSE! Just too many people living too close to me, too confining, too many restrictions - NEVER AGAIN! I've been living in the sticks for 48 years now, I love drinking ice cold water pumped from my 600-foot deep well, no city sewage to pay for (1000 gallon septic tank), pure air and no sirens blaring in the middle of the night. Yep, it's real peaceful here in the middle of nowhere.

While I was typing this, our electricity went out, so I had to go outside and fire up our emergency generator so I would have supplemental oxygen available. This is one of our wintertime visitors.

Gary

Donny ... I used to go to Camp Drum during my US Army Reserves days ... the branches on the trees grew facing South because the wind was always blowing from the North ...

I just got off the phone with my sister in NY, who is also my mortgage holder for the house that I rent to my daughter. We've started the ball rolling. There are two very attractive options that are available almost immediately, so it's time to get my mindset ready for a gulp ... "move" ... hard to say (type) the word, but it's time!
Things could actually happen at the beginning of June. YIKES!

Good thing SZ travels well ...
Your first assignment will be to find a place that makes humongous waffles for the Three Amigos ...

You should try Watertown NY in December/January Brrrr

Good luck on the Move Dave...I know you'll make it work for you.

I have to add my two cents to ease my conscience.

I have lived in New York State most of my life. There are many problems here. Horrible weather, especially in the winter. I ran outside to do some yard work today because the next week is going to consist of highs in the forties and fifties (yes forties). I remember many a Memorial Day celebration where winter coats were needed. Taxes are among the highest in the country. Having said that, the overall cost of living is still low.

I don't know your political views Dave, but Cuomo and the Democratic controlled state legislature are working daily to restrict the freedom of individuals. This is as true during the current crisis as it is all the time. Just my opinion for what it is worth and I will leave it there.

I went to the finger lakes (Seneca) for the first time last year and was not impressed. It looked like a small resort area that was dropped into an extremely rural environment. My wife and I were shocked by how remote the area was and we live in a county that has only 135,000 people in a large land area. Beautiful-yes. Quiet-yes. Opportunity for unlimited job prospects-not so much. And, for the most part, you can same the same thing about all of upstate New York.

There, I said my piece. Best of luck whatever you decide. If you do decide to go, having family will help for sure.

thats how i moved back to ohio from florida. got the diagnoses sept 06 moved furniture to ohio apt oct 06 went back to florida to finish up some jobs. returned to ohio in jan 07. thats how quick it happened. it seem like it was meant to happen the way everything fell in place. also think that if it dont work for you, move back. good luck

See what you started Dave !
I went to Camp Drum a few times with the National Guard. Cold nights in June but bueatiful days. Thats when I visited the Finger Lake region and it was bueatiful Also went to Lake George about 10 times for Americade Bike Week. Loved it and didn't want to ride when I got back to NJ. Also did a wine tour along th Hudson just before we movd to SC. I like upstate NY a lot. Taxes and all the other BS are why we left NJ too. No perfect place.
Gary I was at your place once and its beautiful (Except for the driveway wow! ) and it didn't seem that remote to me. I could be very happy in a situation like that. Having a Bourbon on your back deck overlooking that big yard is a pretty nice view. Enjoy yourself.
Where ever you go there's gives and takes, nothings perfect.
If your daughter can hook you up with a good deal its sounds promising and you have supportive family nearby. AND nothing is forever. Good Luck !

You are all welcome to your opinions, but my sweet sister lives in a Mayberry-like community where their small, mom & pop (literally) book store is among the biggest enterprises in town. They are also the buckwheat capitol of NY, and buckwheat pancakes are the absolute best up there. Life is slower ... lake time is very much like quarantine time, but with better views. It's honestly the only place I ever vacationed that I come home refreshed, and not exhausted.
This may happen in 2 stages - my nephew has an empty house in Newtown PA (right near my other sister, and my parents) that I can rent for less than 1/2 what I pay now, while my daughter and her husband scour the real estate logs for the perfect place for the three of us. I just need a studio and a bedroom - my Kelly is a fabulous cook, so she can have the kitchen, and I'll mooch. Looking brighter all the time!

Back in the late 70s ( when I was a baby aka 26 years old) I worked for the Rhode Island distributor who sold Taylor Wines located in Hammondsport, NY. Our group visited the Winery and from what I remember it's beautiful country.

There are SOOOOOO many wineries!

Hope your son-in-law likes your playing and singing ...



'Jazz at the Winery' gigs !!! ...

That's the BEST part of all this ... I asked my daughter (Kelly) to be very honest with me about how Jason would feel about me living with them, and she said "it was HIS idea!" He's also a musician, so I guess he want's my toys around the house too! Here's one place they are considering ... 3 small cottages on a HUGE lot with a barn, and a shed .... so many studio options! Excited

https://www.trulia.com/property/5058628998-10105-Mattice-Rd-Cohocton-NY-14826?mid=0#lil-mediaTab

Well, that's great that he is also a musician ... at least he should understand what you are going through ...

Looks like a 'work in progress' ... you may need that heavy equipment in the barn ...
I hope the rope holding up the stairs is strong ...

LOL - 'sall gud, my friend. I don't care where I live, as long as I have family nearby.

Do you have running water? or just a regular outhouse

Hope it's a two-holer at least.

Dave, I don't know much about upstate NY, having only been to Marathon once for a few days, but in this part of the world, all of the wineries have at least one evening a week with live music. Lots of opportunities for a good musician/singer/entertainer.

Good luck on whatever you decide upon,

Gary

Dave,.....

"And the Northern girls with the way they kiss
They keep their boyfriends warm at night"

My immediate plan is to hang around long enough to see if the Jersey Shore opens up again. If I get lucky, and my summer job rematerializes, I'll stay till the end. By then, I'll know more about the kids' plans, and make a more concrete agenda. If I had to put a timeline on it, I'd say with in the year I will be a full time New Yorker.
Start spreadin' the news.