Wheres the best place to getaway and see the leaves in Virginia for the weekend?|123302

We_re looking for a nice mountain town to see the fall leaves before they are gone! This weekend.

I did Skyline Drive at the weekend and the leaves seemed to be past their best (certainly based upon what we saw in the first week of November last year).

However the views are superb and my father who hadn_t done it before really enjoyed it. If you are tempted to do it don_t get on at the Front Royal end, start further south and head north. It is MUCH busier heading south than north.

I recently went there and hated it x.x the roads we went on were so curvey and we went up into the hills! It was enough to make me sick with all the bumps...Also we were in senic NOWHERE, Just driving on an endless bumpy road trying to get to civilization. My family went and we were ready to get the hell back home by the time it was over. I would opt for you just watching videos and getting pictures of the leaves ;)

As mentioned above, check out the fall foliage in the Shenandoah Valley, Virginia -- Blue Ridge Parkway, Shenandoah National Park and Luray Caverns -- about 75 miles from the District.

Go to Lynchburg or that area. Skyline drive has some breathtaking views! It_s very moutanious and scenic. Bring a camera!

I surely agree with Skyline Drive.... While there be sure to stop thru Luray Caverns (www.LurayCaverns.com) breathtaking :) Can Always take the Appalachian Trail

Anywhere in the western part of the state is great. I drove up and down I-81 3 weeks ago and the color was just starting to really show.

Lynchburg, petersburg, anything near WV really lol

Not sure but a nice long drive on the scenic Skyline Drive should do it. What about Shenandoah Valley?

How much money would i need to move to New York?|141555

How much money would I need to move to NYC (I specifically want to live in Brooklyn) without having a job or an apartment already waiting for me. I would plan to find an temp apartment prior to moving there, and once in that apartment, start a job search. I don_t need a fancy place, just a studio is fine. How much money do you thinK I would need in that situation? And don_t just say a lot, but around how much?

Well, I hate to break it to you, but, if you just want to move here because NYC looks cool on TV shows like _Friends_ or _Seinfeld_ or _How I Met Your Mother_ or _Sex In The City,_ or in Woody Allen movies, be advised that that_s just a total fantasy version of the city, a fairy tale, so to speak, and, unless you are quite literally a millionaire, your life here will not be ANYTHING like that... not even a little bit!

Good luck, and the link below is to a webpage about just how expensive it really is to live in New York City...


http://www.nydailynews.com/money/2009/02��

Without a job some landlords might be reluctant to rent to you. This is NYC while your intentions of getting a job once you are here are good, landlords want to know they are going to have their rent money every month and that means proving you have income to cover it. Assuming you can find someone who will rent to you under your terms, you will need first and last month_s rent - so you want a good area say like Brooklyn Heights studios are in the $1350 range so that_s $2700 right there. You have to eat and have transportation (unlimited ride metro cards are $89 per month). So VERY realistically? Knowing you don_t have a job before your arrival - AT LEAST $6,000 and that is rock bottom - don_t forget you_ll have to buy furniture, turn on utilities and have tons of minor incidental expenses that justify having that much money to start you off.

About 5,000 would be good to atleast rent the place and have money to connect elec,cable,water etc. and have some spending money but your gonna need to have income because that 5,000 will go soon.

Is the Centerpoint Energy Plaza building in downtown Houston have an observatory in its upper floors?|116326

I would like to go to the upper floors of a really tall building, but most buildings don_t permit this after Sept. 11, 2001. I live within driving distance of downtown Houston and have heard that Centerpoint Energy Plaza building has a restaurant way up there. Does anyone know anything about this building? If not, does anyone know of an alternative building? I want this mainly for sightseeing at night.

The JP Morgan Chase building has an observation deck on the 60th floor. It_s the tallest building in Texas too, with 75 floors.

The observation deck is only open during working hours though, so Monday-Friday 8AM-5PM. Be sure to check out the downtown tunnels too while you_re at it.

Moving to Austin What areas do I need to stay away from when searching for a home for me and my family?|128928

I have 2 daughters. I need it to be affordable but I don_t want to live on the wrong side of the tracks! I_ll be working in Austin but don_t mind a commute.

While Northeast, East and Southeast Austin do have some hidden gems, the overwhelming majority of these neighborhoods are bad (high rates of poverty, homelessness, crime, pollution, etc.). North, Northwest, and Central Austin neighborhoods are typically much nicer than those mentioned above, but the crime rates in these areas are some of the highest in the city. South and Southwest Austin are two of the safest options in town.

If you are raising a family and are in your mid 20s-early 30s, then I would recommend that you check out the southwest side of town. More specifically, you should check into the neighborhoods off of Stassney and Emerald Wood, Brodie and Alexandria (Maple Run), Westgate and William Cannon. You will not only be able to find some great houses in good, safe neighborhoods but also invest in some property that will continue to increase in value with the growth of the surrounding areas. Additionally, South Austin is old Austin, so there is more of a culture and community vibe.

If you are interested in schools, Austin ISD has a great transfer policy. There are plenty of good schools in the district to choose from, so your educational options won_t be limited by the area in which you choose to reside.

I hope this helps; good luck on your move!

If you have not visited Austin before, there is a very reputable _a href=_http://www.carvajalgroup�� website _/a_ that has a list of real estate options (with pictures included) for you to choose from. You can choose the location, price range, etc. with your preferences.

Stay as far away from Mexico as you can. As for Texas, it_s too late to warn you about that.

In Austin, the wrong side of the tracks is east of Interstate 35.

Hello, can anyone help me out to pick a nice weekend gateway around Chicago?|107438

I_m planning a short weekend vacation like a surprise for my wife, we live around Chicago and i would like some advices, a destination no more that 3 or 4 hours from Chicago, Thanks.

Even though I am a California girl, I was born in Chicago and lived there for 5 years. The Navy Pier is absolutely incredible. They have adorable little shops and interesting information on its history. If you want a classy hotel, the Raffaelo hotel is one of the finest. Tons of amenities, 4 and a half stars, beautiful classic architecture....it is just amazing. Plus, on hotels.com, you can get an incredible room for as little as $150 a night! The John Hancock Center is ddefinitelyworth seeing, and it has a free entry! Of course, Michigan Avenue and Rush Street are nice to see and shop on. Lastly, Grant Park is very pretty, and is fun just to stroll around in!

Try Galena, IL...cute trendy shops...creative activities! www.galena.com

How long would it take for a package to come, from Georgia to New Jersey?|139733

I have a Wii and a Ps3 coming from my relative in Georgia and I live in New Jersey. I want to know when they send my two systems about how long would it take and if you know Ups or DHL_s times that would be nice too. Anyways I mainly want to know an estimated time.

UPS or DHL times would simply depend on what kind of shipping speed it was sent at. It could be overnight, or 3 or 4 days.

If its regular US mail it will probably take 3 days from time it was shipped.

3-4 days

3 business days

Where to Stay and what to See in San Francisco?|117552

My girlfriend and I are coming down this weekend. Anybody know decent _ inexpensive places to stay? And I_m thinking Telegraph/Ferry to Tiburon/Golden Gate Park/Pier 39. Any other suggestions where to go?

WHAT TO SEE:

Ghirdelli Square

http://www.ghirardellisq.com/ghirardelli��


San Francisco Museum of Modern Art

http://www.sfmoma.org/


Alcatraz Island

http://www.nps.gov/alca/


NOTE: _There is no entrance fee to visit Alcatraz Island. However there is a charge for the ferry service to and from the island which is supplied by a private company under contract with the National Park Service._

Fisherman_s Wharf

http://www.fishermanswharf.org/


M.H. de Young Museum

http://www.thinker.org/deyoung/


Asian Art Museum

http://www.asianart.org/


Exploratorium

http://www.exploratorium.edu/


California Academy of Sciences

http://www.calacademy.org/


Guided Segway Tours - San Francisco or Sausalito

http://www.sfelectrictour.com/index.html


A SAMPLING OF HOTELS

Best Westerns have been known to be fairly inexpensive.

Best Western Miyako Inn
1800 Sutter Street
Phone: 415-921-4000

Best Western Flamingo Inn
114 7th Street
Phone: 415-621-0701

Best Western Carriage Inn
121 7th Street
Phone: 415-626-0200

Best Western Tuscan Inn at Fisherman_s Wharf
425 N Point Street
Phone: 415-561-1100

There are also some pretty fancy-schmancy hotels out there in SF, and their rooms are nice, but rates may be very expensive.

Have fun in SF! :-)

http://www.jdvhospitality.com/hotels/hot��


We like to stay at any of the Joie de Vivre properties....they are all boutique hotels. The website provides a good ovw. Notice the _neighborhood experts_ and opinions. Hotel Rex is closer to Union Square. Alcatraz tour is really worth checking out...don_t spend too much time in Pier 39...it_s quite touristy.

Well if you see peir 39, just 100 feet from ther is the boat to alkatraz.. it_s actually an interesting bit of history if your into it. Check out cloit tower, Maybe the San Franciosco musium of art. Be carefull about the park. Don_t be in it after sunset. Alot of bad stuff happen in ther to people who dont_ know the area. Check out china town for a dash of asian culture as well as japan town. Go to little italy for italian area of san fran as well as russian hill. Check out north beach (do this the same day you do little italy) and see if you can find robin williams mansion along the water front! Go alittle beyone North Beach and see the golen gate. Take a ferry over to Saucilito and marin county for shopping and fun stuff. Lots of stuff to do and not enough time to do it!

I recommend to go to Sausalito _ Tiburon by bicycle, and come back from Tiburon by ferry with your bike. Many rental shops around the pier 39 and others. It was very nice!! Might take a day, but you can see the beautiful night view of the city of San Francisco from the ferry when you come back.

Have fun!!

Man its know different from San Fiero,...theres alot to do out there!!