Knowledge on Local Ordinances Houghton MI?

[EveningSmoke03]

As stated above, I am moving to Houghton, Michigan from Marquette, Michigan in early January to accept a job. The only apartment I could find to rent is a non-smoking unit, so I'm trying to find out how strict the local area is about smoking outside (sidewalks and streets, etc.)?


My current place is also non-smoking but it's in an area of town where nobody really cares if you smoke outside provided you're respectful about it, so I'm trying to figure out how strict Houghton is about that stuff?

 

[hoosierpipeguy]

Google is your friend houghton michigan smoking ordinances - Bing - https://www.bing.com/search?q=houghton%20michigan%20smoking%20ordinances&FORM=ARPSEC&PC=ARPL&PTAG=2630185

So you accepted a job somewhere that you didn't even hang out at to determine if you'd like living there? I think I'd walk around a bit, talk to a few folks, get the real local insights.

 

[EveningSmoke03]

Google is your friend houghton michigan smoking ordinances - Bing - https://www.bing.com/search?q=houghton%20michigan%20smoking%20ordinances&FORM=ARPSEC&PC=ARPL&PTAG=2630185

So you accepted a job somewhere that you didn't even hang out at to determine if you'd like living there? I think I'd walk around a bit, talk to a few folks, get the real local insights.

I really needed the job and didn't really have a lot of options (time crunch, current lease about to end, etc). Google also doesn't provide anything except the general state regulations that are the same as where I live now so I was trying to figure out if there was anything specific I needed to worry about locally, so I didn't figure it could hurt to ask and see if anyone was familiar.

I've been there several times over the years, but once was before I started smoking and all the other times I was in and out of job interviews and in a rush to get back since it's a long drive and the weather was bad.

 

[warren]

Do the research. Then, go live there for a bit if you can afford to. Dip into your savings if necessary. Hopefully you do save a bit every month. No point in moving somewhere blind.

 

[hoosierpipeguy]

I really needed the job and didn't really have a lot of options (time crunch, current lease about to end, etc). Google also doesn't provide anything except the general state regulations that are the same as where I live now so I was trying to figure out if there was anything specific I needed to worry about locally, so I didn't figure it could hurt to ask and see if anyone was familiar.

I've been there several times over the years, but once was before I started smoking and all the other times I was in and out of job interviews and in a rush to get back since it's a long drive and the weather was bad.

I'd try to find a house to rent vs apartment that may allow you to smoke in the garage. Being a smoker is challenging these days. Best of luck with your new job and in finding somewhere to smoke.

 

[Richmond B. Funkenhouser]

It's the insurance companies causing this.

Back when I rented I just smoked inside with no issues regardless of the rules.

Except one place I lived... the guy complained that I had smoked. He was probably just trying to take the damn deposit.

I suspect the only reason he knew was because I left a soda can ashtray on the counter when we moved. I thought about that can after I was a couple hours away.

He got the deposit, but I'd rather have paid that and been able to enjoy my home... than live like a bitch.

 

[EveningSmoke03]

I'd try to find a house to rent vs apartment that may allow you to smoke in the garage. Being a smoker is challenging these days. Best of luck with your new job and in finding somewhere to smoke.

I appreciate that. If budget allowed I'd happily have done that. As it stands this apartment was not only basically the only thing in my budget, it was also the only thing available within a pretty wide commute to my new office (January is a terrible time to relocate for work apparently). It's a one-year lease and maybe something better will be available by the time that's up. The actual unit is pretty nice and meets pretty much everything else I could want for now. Houghton is a college town and it's actually kinda hard to find a place if you're not looking to live in student housing.

 

[EveningSmoke03]

Do the research. Then, go live there for a bit if you can afford to. Dip into your savings if necessary. Hopefully you do save a bit every month. No point in moving somewhere blind.

Problem is, I have no savings to speak of. I've also already accepted the job, signed the lease (with money advanced to me by my new employer as a relocation allowance), and made moving arrangements. Additionally, I can't stay on at my current place and my contract at my current job ends in December anyway. It was either move somewhat blind for a good-paying job with decent benefits and my own place or move back in with my parents downstate (which, as much as I love my family, wasn't gonna happen).

 

[warren]

It was either move somewhat blind for a good-paying job with decent benefits

Sounds the reasonable choice. Good luck!

 

[woodsroad]

As stated above, I am moving to Houghton, Michigan from Marquette, Michigan in early January to accept a job. The only apartment I could find to rent is a non-smoking unit, so I'm trying to find out how strict the local area is about smoking outside (sidewalks and streets, etc.)?


My current place is also non-smoking but it's in an area of town where nobody really cares if you smoke outside provided you're respectful about it, so I'm trying to figure out how strict Houghton is about that stuff?

When moving to an unfamiliar municipality, it will always be beneficial to stop in at the seat of government and ask a lot of questions. Then do a news search. Then a social media search. Then do man on the street interviews. Go to a bar, restaurant, supermarket, whatever, and just talk to locals. You may well find out that your life will be much better if you don’t move there. Maybe the next township or county over is a better choice. Maybe the entire state sucks.

 

[Briarcutter]

Shoulda,coulda, woulda,all aside, sounds like it's a done deal. Congrats on the new job. It will all work out. Feel out the new surroundings,make adjustments and look for other options while you're there. It may not be as bad as you predict.

 

[woodsroad]

Problem is, I have no savings to speak of.

Maybe you shouldn’t be buying tobacco and pipes then.

 

[EveningSmoke03]

Maybe you shouldn’t be buying tobacco and pipes then.

Everyone's gotta relax somehow.

I spend less on my tobacco every month than I'd spend eating out or traveling or doing anything like that (and still less than my parents spend on their cigarettes or my cousin spends on his vapes), I can still cover all my bills, and I have no wife or kids to worry about. Besides, I buy all my tobacco in bulk and I've never spent more than $50 on a pipe in my life and don't buy new ones that often.

When I say I have no savings to speak of, I mean that I couldn't live off of them for any period longer than a couple of weeks, not that I physically don't have "any" or just spend all my money.

 

[Richmond B. Funkenhouser]

If poor people didn't buy tobacco, the tobacco industry would have been gone a long time ago.

 

[Briarcutter]

Maybe you could find a local smoke shop. They may have some answers, seems like they may some experience in the area.

 

[woodsroad]

Everyone's gotta relax somehow.

I spend less on my tobacco every month than I'd spend eating out or traveling or doing anything like that (and still less than my parents spend on their cigarettes or my cousin spends on his vapes), I can still cover all my bills, and I have no wife or kids to worry about. Besides, I buy all my tobacco in bulk and I've never spent more than $50 on a pipe in my life and don't buy new ones that often.

When I say I have no savings to speak of, I mean that I couldn't live off of them for any period longer than a couple of weeks, not that I physically don't have "any" or just spend all my money.

I’ll assume you are in your early twenties. If you save and invest $50 a month, at your retirement you will have between $36-157k, depending on interest rates (5-8%, plus or minus 2% ). Save $100 a month and you’ll have $73-313k. My mutual funds have averaged close to 9%. A managed account, or a more diversified portfolio could go much higher.

I’m retiring in four years, and I wish that I had acted on this advice when I was your age. If it wasn’t for us buckling down in our late 30’s, we’d be in trouble. As it is, we own our house, are debt-free and we’ll be financially comfortable, all on a modest income. Had we started saving at your age, we’d be in considerably better shape. It seems inconceivable at your age, but trust me, people like you have amassed millions by being frugal, disciplined and somewhat attuned to the investment world.

If you feel like you must smoke, there are cheap RYO blends that are perfectly good. Spice them up with some whole leaf Latakia, Perique or Dark Fired. Five pounds of Buoy Gold can last you a long time. Better yet, quit smoking now and put that money to work for you, instead of burning it.

Don’t let peer pressure force you into believing that you need 20 tins each of six dozen different blends and 75 pipes. Or a new game console. Or a new car. You need a roof over your head and a comfortable retirement. Everything else is superfluous.

https://www.investor.gov/financial-tools-calculators/calculators/compound-interest-calculator

 

[warren]

Better yet, quit smoking now and put that money to work for you, instead of burning it.

This!

 

[Brad H]

Everyone's gotta relax somehow.

I spend less on my tobacco every month than I'd spend eating out or traveling or doing anything like that (and still less than my parents spend on their cigarettes or my cousin spends on his vapes), I can still cover all my bills, and I have no wife or kids to worry about. Besides, I buy all my tobacco in bulk and I've never spent more than $50 on a pipe in my life and don't buy new ones that often.

When I say I have no savings to speak of, I mean that I couldn't live off of them for any period longer than a couple of weeks, not that I physically don't have "any" or just spend all my money.

 

[GardenStateoftheArtBriar]

You’ll find somewhere and way to smoke
Keep the job