Home and Auto Mansionmania Tournament: Round 3, Heat 1 (and a map of contenders)

**Rain Man** · 11-18-2021, 01:59 PM

I generally leave heats open for a couple of days, so if by some miracle there's a change in voting in Heats 15 or 16 of Round 2, this may change. But I doubt that'll happen since the votes aren't very close.

As we roll into Round 3, our 16 remaining competitors are diverse. We have:

2 in New England
2 in mid-Atlantic states
3 in the South
1 in whatever region Oklahoma counts as
3 in the mountains (lumping Nevada with CO and WY)
3 in California
2 islands (HI and the USVI)

Mansionmania continues with our Sweet 16 3rd-round contestants. You will choose among each pair of houses with the following assumptions:

The purchase price for you is $0.
All maintenance, utilities, property taxes, HOA fees, and cleaning is included.
You must live in the home for the rest of your life.
You can't travel more than 100 miles from home (via google maps drive time) other than 1 two-week vacation each year.
You get $250,000 per year as a living allowance
You get an additional living allowance at the cheaper home, which will be valued at 1% of any cost difference annually. I will note this amount in the poll.
You get the furnishings. If unfurnished, you get an allowance that will give you mid-grade furniture in every room.
You get any vehicles in the garage. But only the garage - nothing parked outside.

I encourage you to click on the maps in the listings to see the general location and neighborhood.

Also, I will only enter contestants if they have a sufficient number of photos to judge, as determined by me.

Your entries in this heat are:

Alabama:

https://www.realtor.com/realestatean...1_M78699-72545

California:

https://www.realtor.com/realestatean...3_M95237-01396

California:

**Bowser** · 11-18-2021, 02:08 PM

That California property with all its equipment, cars, toys, and land should be a layup, but I don't want to work a ranch, much less one that large. That Alabama house is plenty comfortable and scenic (if really humid), so I'll take it and the 1.1 mil stipend.

lawrenceRaider · 11-18-2021, 02:10 PM

Each time I see the AL home, I like it more. Like the home, where it sits. Biggest metro close to it is Huntsville, which is just under 500,000 people in that metro area.

I do like the Cali home, and there is a ton to like about where it is and all the fun things to come with that. Love all the old cars.

I have to take AL, the lax gun laws, and the MONEY.

**Rain Man** · 11-18-2021, 02:16 PM

Man, this is a tough one.

My kneejerk reaction is that California is pretty much perfect. The house isn't exactly to my liking, but it's still great, and then you've got all of the acreage and access to Los Angeles and the great climate. With the minimum stipend, no one would know my name, but I'd be happy in my little enclave.

But then I look at Alabama, and I actually like the Alabama house better. It's on 80 acres, which is more than adequate, and the climate in northern Alabama is pretty mild. The winters are a bit cooler than California and the summers are a bit warmer, and I bet you've got a lot more humidity and bugs. You don't have good city access, but that stipend is eye-opening. With $1.1 million a year in income, I would be one of the biggest dogs in Huntsville, and there's a big appeal to that. I'd give money to charities, do kind deeds, and the restaurants would know me well for my frequent $1,000 tips. I would be beloved in northern Alabama.

But in the end, I just can't go against a dryer climate with fewer mosquitos and access to Los Angeles. I think the Alabama house is a far better deal for the money, but I'll stick with California.

DJ's left nut · 11-18-2021, 02:18 PM

So I have a distant family member that has a house down in the woods right on the Tennessee River. I cannot state strongly enough how unbelievably cool it is living on a river. It's like living on a lake but way way WAY cooler.

I'd vote for the Alabama house here...but it's just not near anything. If I could get to Nashville I may well vote for Alabama here because that's an awesome place.

But man, owning a compound on thousands of acres within 100 miles of LA and Long Beach is going to require a perfect opponent and 'Bama's proximity to nothing of note. Huntsville and Athens just ain't gonna get it done.

**Rain Man** · 11-18-2021, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bowser

That California property with all its equipment, cars, toys, and land should be a layup, but I don't want to work a ranch, much less one that large. That Alabama house is plenty comfortable and scenic (if really humid), so I'll take it and the 1.1 mil stipend.

Quote:

Originally Posted by lawrenceRaider

Each time I see the AL home, I like it more. Like the home, where it sits. Biggest metro close to it is Huntsville, which is just under 500,000 people in that metro area.

I do like the Cali home, and there is a ton to like about where it is and all the fun things to come with that. Love all the old cars.

I have to take AL, the lax gun laws, and the MONEY.

Yeah, the more I see it the more I like it. I won't be disappointed in either winner in this heat.

oldman · 11-18-2021, 02:21 PM

I'm all in on Ojai. Close enough to LA and the ocean, not to mention a lot of vineyards. The car collection would be cool. Nothing says YOU have to work that ranch. You could sharecrop the land or lease it to someone for cash. **** Alabama.

DJ's left nut · 11-18-2021, 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldman

I'm all in on Ojai. Close enough to LA and the ocean, not to mention a lot of vineyards. The car collection would be cool. Nothing says YOU have to work that ranch. You could sharecrop the land or lease it to someone for cash. **** Alabama.

Yeah, I'm leasing a couple thousand acres of that to make up that stipend gap.

The farm I've referenced 'round here is about 1,000 acres and it's easily as much space as I truly need for most anything I'll be doing. So with 3,500 odd acres, I can spare 2,000 of 'em.

And yeah, the monthly nut on 2,000 acres within 100 miles of LA is gonna be MORE than enough to make up that stipend I'm missing out on in Alabama.

ThaVirus · 11-18-2021, 02:27 PM

That Alabama home just keeps on trucking. In fairness, it is a really nice home and the property itself is awesome as well. If I can deal with Florida bugs and humidity, I don't imagine Alabama would be a dealbreaker, so that's not an issue for me; but having the only metro area near me be Huntsville, AL absolutely is a dealbreaker.

Los Angeles>Huntsville

lawrenceRaider · 11-18-2021, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rain Man

Yeah, the more I see it the more I like it. I won't be disappointed in either winner in this heat.

Yeah, no loser here.

**Rain Man** · 11-18-2021, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThaVirus

That Alabama home just keeps on trucking. In fairness, it is a really nice home and the property itself is awesome as well. If I can deal with Florida bugs and humidity, I don't imagine Alabama would be a dealbreaker, so that's not an issue for me; but having the only metro area near me be Huntsville, AL absolutely is a dealbreaker.

Los Angeles>Huntsville

I was about to pull the trigger on Alabama until I really thought about the Los Angeles access and what it means.

DJ's left nut · 11-18-2021, 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rain Man

I was about to pull the trigger on Alabama until I really thought about the Los Angeles access and what it means.

We're all sports fans here.

I'm gonna have football, baseball, basketball, hockey, high end college sports/tournaments, massive shows/events - I mean EVERYTHING comes to LA.

And I get all that when I want it but I still live in a predominately rural/farming sort of community.

Like I said, when I saw this one in the first round I figured it was going to take a nearly perfect effort to beat it because this one IS nearly perfect. The only thing it isn't is right on the ocean, but that has benefits of its own (and I'm a nice little motorcycle ride away from the beach).

stumppy · 11-18-2021, 02:44 PM

I'd give my left nut to live in that house in Alabama. I'd give both of them for the ranch in California.

ThaVirus · 11-18-2021, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rain Man

I was about to pull the trigger on Alabama until I really thought about the Los Angeles access and what it means.

I was considering Alabama strongly as well until I pulled up Google Maps.

I've noticed that I tend to place a premium on access to major metro areas and when you're talking about LA or NYC, there's really not much better in the country.

lawrenceRaider · 11-18-2021, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThaVirus

I was considering Alabama strongly as well until I pulled up Google Maps.

I've noticed that I tend to place a premium on access to major metro areas and when you're talking about LA or NYC, there's really not much better in the country.

The traffic problems and just not being able to easily get around dim much of the good about LA and NYC. Most other really big metro areas as well for that matter.

View Poll Results: Which one do you pick?
Alabama, plus $1,101,000 annual stipend	27	50.94%
California, plus $250,000 annual stipend	26	49.06%
Gosh, I can't decide.	0	0%
Voters: 53. You may not vote on this poll

11-18-2021, 01:59 PM
Rain Man Seize life. Be an ermine. Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: My house Casino cash: $-642449 VARSITY	Mansionmania Tournament: Round 3, Heat 1 (and a map of contenders) I generally leave heats open for a couple of days, so if by some miracle there's a change in voting in Heats 15 or 16 of Round 2, this may change. But I doubt that'll happen since the votes aren't very close. As we roll into Round 3, our 16 remaining competitors are diverse. We have: 2 in New England 2 in mid-Atlantic states 3 in the South 1 in whatever region Oklahoma counts as 3 in the mountains (lumping Nevada with CO and WY) 3 in California 2 islands (HI and the USVI) Mansionmania continues with our Sweet 16 3rd-round contestants. You will choose among each pair of houses with the following assumptions: The purchase price for you is $0. All maintenance, utilities, property taxes, HOA fees, and cleaning is included. You must live in the home for the rest of your life. You can't travel more than 100 miles from home (via google maps drive time) other than 1 two-week vacation each year. You get $250,000 per year as a living allowance You get an additional living allowance at the cheaper home, which will be valued at 1% of any cost difference annually. I will note this amount in the poll. You get the furnishings. If unfurnished, you get an allowance that will give you mid-grade furniture in every room. You get any vehicles in the garage. But only the garage - nothing parked outside. I encourage you to click on the maps in the listings to see the general location and neighborhood. Also, I will only enter contestants if they have a sufficient number of photos to judge, as determined by me. Your entries in this heat are: Alabama: https://www.realtor.com/realestatean...1_M78699-72545 California: https://www.realtor.com/realestatean...3_M95237-01396 California: Attached Thumbnails
Posts: 145,449

11-18-2021, 02:08 PM	#2
Bowser sorta mod-ish Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: KC North Casino cash: $-168384	That California property with all its equipment, cars, toys, and land should be a layup, but I don't want to work a ranch, much less one that large. That Alabama house is plenty comfortable and scenic (if really humid), so I'll take it and the 1.1 mil stipend.
Posts: 106,791	1 0

11-18-2021, 02:10 PM	#3
lawrenceRaider Here We Go Again Join Date: May 2002 Casino cash: $-1306456	Each time I see the AL home, I like it more. Like the home, where it sits. Biggest metro close to it is Huntsville, which is just under 500,000 people in that metro area. I do like the Cali home, and there is a ton to like about where it is and all the fun things to come with that. Love all the old cars. I have to take AL, the lax gun laws, and the MONEY. __________________
Posts: 15,295

11-18-2021, 02:16 PM	#4
Rain Man Seize life. Be an ermine. Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: My house Casino cash: $-642449 VARSITY	Man, this is a tough one. My kneejerk reaction is that California is pretty much perfect. The house isn't exactly to my liking, but it's still great, and then you've got all of the acreage and access to Los Angeles and the great climate. With the minimum stipend, no one would know my name, but I'd be happy in my little enclave. But then I look at Alabama, and I actually like the Alabama house better. It's on 80 acres, which is more than adequate, and the climate in northern Alabama is pretty mild. The winters are a bit cooler than California and the summers are a bit warmer, and I bet you've got a lot more humidity and bugs. You don't have good city access, but that stipend is eye-opening. With $1.1 million a year in income, I would be one of the biggest dogs in Huntsville, and there's a big appeal to that. I'd give money to charities, do kind deeds, and the restaurants would know me well for my frequent $1,000 tips. I would be beloved in northern Alabama. But in the end, I just can't go against a dryer climate with fewer mosquitos and access to Los Angeles. I think the Alabama house is a far better deal for the money, but I'll stick with California. __________________ Active fan of the greatest team in NFL history.
Posts: 145,449

11-18-2021, 02:18 PM	#5
DJ's left nut Sauntering Vaguely Downwards Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Columbia, Mo Casino cash: $-810901	So I have a distant family member that has a house down in the woods right on the Tennessee River. I cannot state strongly enough how unbelievably cool it is living on a river. It's like living on a lake but way way WAY cooler. I'd vote for the Alabama house here...but it's just not near anything. If I could get to Nashville I may well vote for Alabama here because that's an awesome place. But man, owning a compound on thousands of acres within 100 miles of LA and Long Beach is going to require a perfect opponent and 'Bama's proximity to nothing of note. Huntsville and Athens just ain't gonna get it done. __________________ "If there's a god, he's laughing at us.....and our football team..." "When you look at something through rose colored glasses, all the red flags just look like flags."
Posts: 66,840

11-18-2021, 02:21 PM	#7
oldman Curmudgeon Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: North by Northwest Casino cash: $5836784	I'm all in on Ojai. Close enough to LA and the ocean, not to mention a lot of vineyards. The car collection would be cool. Nothing says YOU have to work that ranch. You could sharecrop the land or lease it to someone for cash. **** Alabama.
Posts: 5,319

11-18-2021, 02:27 PM	#9
ThaVirus 5 o’clock free crack giveaway Join Date: Sep 2007 Casino cash: $-1787631	That Alabama home just keeps on trucking. In fairness, it is a really nice home and the property itself is awesome as well. If I can deal with Florida bugs and humidity, I don't imagine Alabama would be a dealbreaker, so that's not an issue for me; but having the only metro area near me be Huntsville, AL absolutely is a dealbreaker. Los Angeles>Huntsville
Posts: 47,030

11-18-2021, 02:44 PM	#13
stumppy New and Improved Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Springfield, Mo. Casino cash: $-2351410	I'd give my left nut to live in that house in Alabama. I'd give both of them for the ranch in California. __________________ “As a nation, we can endure damaging policies for a four-year term. But we cannot survive a president willing to terminate our Constitution”
Posts: 22,352