Just FYI, I've called the three OSH stores near me in San Jose (Cottle, West San Carlos, and the new one on Blossom Hill) and none of them have ever heard of "Redwood Soil Conditioner" and it doesn't sound like any of them carry any kind of composted bark - just the 'nuggets' and similar mulches. Has anyone found a source for composted redwood or fir bark fines in the Bay Area? All of the landscape supply places seem to only sell by the cubic yard. I only need like 5 cu ft.

Hey cabinlife, you still out there? I've started looking in the Bay Area for a 2x8 ceramic and am having difficulty. Same experience as you - "we have everything, just come!" And it's a dump with very little selection and no help. The best I've seen have been Import, Bedrosian's and Tile & Stone but none of them seem to have a 2x8 ceramic, at least in the color and finish I want. Did you find any standouts in your pursuit? Seems that unless you want travertine or a natural stone look or glass, forget it. Thanks, Bill

Living in California can be very expensive, especially when you are on or near the coast, which Berkeley is. I can't tell you about the Berkeley lifestyle in detail, as we are on the Monterey Peninsula, about 90-100 miles south (by CA standards that's an easy drive). As far as I know, earthquake insurance is not a standard inclusion in one's homeowners insurance. It must be bought separately, at least down here, and it is very expensive. Most people we know don't have it. Instead, we retrofit our homes, things like bracing the foundation if necessary, and bracing and belting the water heater, and avoiding buying brick homes. I use museum putty to hold decorative items that are more than a few feet off the floor, and never hang anything heavy over beds. Coping with quakes is a way of life that you learn to take for granted and actually rarely worry about. I don't know how electricity and water compare to the East Coast. A real estate agent could tell you. But most of California is in a perpetual water crisis/drought and we are constantly exhorted to save, save, save water. Probably a bit different in the Bay Area and the Sierras, though. But you will still hear plenty about saving water. Remember that most of this state, except for the redwood and mountain regions, is a natural desert. California is notorious for its taxes. The sales tax is 7.25% and the state income tax is from about 8%-9.30% for most working couples. I pay our federal income tax without complaint, but constantly grit my teeth over the state income tax because, frankly, outside of our immediate area I don't see much bang for my buck. In fact, the state is under a constant threat of bankruptcy. Many Californians are fleeing to Washington and Nevada (no state income tax) and Oregon (no sales tax). Popular tourist destinations are well-cared for, though, places like Monterey, parts of the Bay Area, the southern CA beach/resort communities, the area up to Lake Tahoe. This is a very beautiful and remarkable state and DH and I don't regret for a minute our moving here. But life, especially for newcomers and especially on a modest budget, is not always easy. If I were making a move this drastic, I would come out and rent for awhile. We rented for almost two years before we bought; it allowed us to get to know the community really well, and to learn how to budget keeping a mortgage in mind. Good luck!

I would not plant it out yet. It needs to be babied over winter- kept from frost and too much rain. Thats easy to do in a pot. Funny,but I just started a Keitt too. Its just too expensive for me to order other types at $100-250. If it was a sure thing,maybe. That spot Rhino is a no go. They hate standing water,let alone our cold winter waters. My doing well Mango is my third effort and I think the difference is that I amended the soils with perlite,and its on a slight bank..water drains well. I had a Manila doing well on the side of my house one summer..but when winter came and the sun angle was low,that spot was shaded at the soil level all the time and wet. It died in spring. Also if you don have gutters.never plant near the eaves also. If you do? Thats a great spot up againts the house if facing south or west. You dont want a north or east direction. Mangoes love hot. It can never be too hot for them. They do fine in spots that would burn a cactus..