Text 9441, 58 rader
Skriven 2006-12-30 01:43:42 av DAVE SACERDOTE (1:123/140)
     Kommentar till en text av MICHAEL LOO
Ärende: urbane life 772
=======================
ML> I figure if you have the $$ to waste, go ahead. My problem with
ML> those big houses in the burbs is that people sort of make them
ML> their castles - they're isolating; plus they are a huge waste
ML> of resources, which I object to somewhat more than wasting $$.
ML> Of course, the banks try to convince people they have the $$
ML> to waste, whereas in reality they don't.

ML> Amusing in a sick way that people buy these huge barns that
ML> they can't afford to heat - you go into them and the atmosphere,
ML> both temperature and psychological, freezes the marrow in your
ML> bones. They are chained to their houses, and the only hope for
ML> their future is if there's a huge run on real estate and they
ML> can cash out with enough extra so they can go retire to Des
ML> Moines or someplace.

I predict big trouble in the coming years because of this. I know
several people who are up to their eyeballs in debt because of 
mortgages and/or refinancing that they couldn't really afford if not
for clever banking tricks.  Do people realize what they're getting
into when they sign the paperwork that almost indentures them to
the bank?  Don't they read the fine print before signing these
"interest only" or "deferred interest" loans?  

For me, the issue is as much the way these massive houses 
densely packed on formerly open land affects the area in ways
other than infrastructure and population.  Drainage is affected
because of the trees that are clearcut and crops that aren't
grown on the land; quality of life for everyone suffers when
there aren't orchards and family farms down the road; and of
course, when the housing bust comes, the houses aren't going
to be torn down, have their foundations filled, and revert to
woodland (much as I'd love to see that happen.)  No, once 
housing goes in, it's in pretty much to stay.

ML> "Bigger May Not Be Better: Sarah Susanka
ML> thinks there's a poverty of spirit in way-too-big houses,"
ML> Hemispheres Magazine, 1/06

Sarah Susanka is probably right.

= =

Speaking of houses, the new place is starting to come together;
we should have a heating system installation underway in a week
or so and in the meantime the kero heater is suitable.  The
pantry is torn up as I'm refitting it, but the kitchen wiring is
pretty much done and I should have the shower installed by the
end of the weekend. 

Although I was fairly confident of it when we were buying the
place, I am more certain than ever before that this is the 
house in which I will retire and, eventually, die.  (I say that
in contentment, not resignation.)

---
Minutus cantorum, minutus balorum, 
minutus carborata descendum pantorum
 * Origin: Doc's Place BBS Fido Since 1991 www.docsplace.tzo.com (1:123/140)