On a scale of 1-5 how bad are things in your area?

[xj0hnx]

Well, it also depends on your deception of "BAD

:hmm: uhhhh, what?

 

[umbrella39]

No, this isn't an Incorruptible thread.

It was, however, made by a rather obvious troll.

Shhhhh... don't let him know everyone is pointing and laughing at his trying way too hard to troll threads. Not impressed...

 

[Doppel]

I read somewhere, no idea where, that if your uncle is out of work it's a recession. If you are it's a depression.

I don't know anybody out of work at the moment, and I insulate myself very effectively in the suburbs away from the undesirables in the city, so as far as I'm concerned life is dandy. I realize this is bubbleicious and if I lost my job tomorrow it would be something different.

The point being anecdotes are tough to draw conclusions from. Even the Walmart I go to is fairly new and not near the inner city so it doesn't seem to be as hellholish as some I've been to.

 

[randomrogue]

You guys who have it so bad should all move to Spain and Greece.

 

[Arkaign]

What part of DFW you in OP?

I live in Plano, brother lives in Frisco, parents live in Carrollton. Carrollton sucks, but it always has, it's a ghetto. Things seem excellent in Plano/Frisco area, lots of jobs available, plenty of high-paying positions for high-level tech/engineering/health care.

USAF buddy in Grand Prarie says that things are gloomier in the mid-cities and Arlington, but that DFW overall is a lot better than many spots in the country (Las Vegas, anyone?).

Overall I'd say things are a big 'meh' in the big picture. A dedicated person willing to relocate can find work. A couple times in my life when companies imploded or economics got shook up, I worked temporarily at jobs I wouldn't normally take, I think a lot of people would rather collect unemployment than work for low pay or a physically hard job. I refuse to collect any handouts unless I absolutely have no choice.

 

[readymix]

everything seems fine and dandy to me, in and around. N 40.93219 W 73.47038

 

[Arkaign]

Overall I'd rate the economy a 3 though. I think it's a gross exaggeration to say that things are worse than they've been in 80 years. In many ways the 10%+ unemployment combined with unstable inflation was rougher in the 70s and even early 80s for many. We also currently have a pretty flat economy with some trends pointing up slightly, with modest growth to boot. I'd say it's just average at best. We do have much lower taxes than under Carter/Reagan/Bush1/Clinton, and of course that has an impact on deficits, but we also have opportinities for those who truly are willing to work hard.

 

[Pr0d1gy]

Well my next door neighbor got foreclosed on and decided to set her house on fire the night before she left. 'Murica, fuck yeah!

 

[Capt Caveman]

Pretty kick ass where I am. Building boom, lots of companies relocating here or setting up new offices. Lowest property taxes in the state. Heck, even got $100k city funding for the local dog park.

 

[Ausm]

-10

 

[Jeffg010]

We had no housing bubble therefore no housing collapse. Home ownership is very cheap here for a big city.

But the problem is (and I'm sure it's not unique to this area) the good-paying manufacturing jobs are dwindling. So there is a big hole in the middle of the labor market. Lots of high-paying jobs, lots of low-paying jobs. Not so many $20/hour jobs. We have lots of health-care and university employers which don't seem to be affected by the economy, quite a few startups and high tech firms (even a Google office). We have lost the manufacturers with 50 employees that paid well.

The manufacturing jobs that allowed one worker to support a family are disappearing. First the steel mills, now the machine shops and the like. The day will come when people realize buying cheap stuff from China isn't actually a good value but by then we will have lost the ability to do it ourselves.

On balance, this area is a 3.

What he said I live in the Pittsburgh area and would add banking as big employer for the area. The one other thing that has hurt us has been the county house assessment that they are currently doing. They tried to jack my house up $40,000 to get more taxes out of me. I had to fight it and and got it dropped dropped $30,000. Those crooks had my house listed as the most expensive in my location.

 

[FelixDeCat]

What part of DFW you in OP?

I live in Plano, brother lives in Frisco, parents live in Carrollton. Carrollton sucks, but it always has, it's a ghetto. Things seem excellent in Plano/Frisco area, lots of jobs available, plenty of high-paying positions for high-level tech/engineering/health care.

USAF buddy in Grand Prarie says that things are gloomier in the mid-cities and Arlington, but that DFW overall is a lot better than many spots in the country (Las Vegas, anyone?).

Overall I'd say things are a big 'meh' in the big picture. A dedicated person willing to relocate can find work. A couple times in my life when companies imploded or economics got shook up, I worked temporarily at jobs I wouldn't normally take, I think a lot of people would rather collect unemployment than work for low pay or a physically hard job. I refuse to collect any handouts unless I absolutely have no choice.

FT W. Yes, I would say DFW is an area of opportunity if your resume sparkles. However, if you have some deficiencies (or LOTS of them) you are going to have a hard time of things. Throw in a recent misdemeanor or felony conviction and things are not easy at all.

 

[s0me0nesmind1]

FT W. Yes, I would say DFW is an area of opportunity if your resume sparkles. However, if you have some deficiencies (or LOTS of them) you are going to have a hard time of things. Throw in a recent misdemeanor or felony conviction and things are not easy at all.

Mine is a big Meh too - no increase, nor was there really a decrease. I'm in Houston. I would say overall everything is SLOWLY SLOWLY SLOWLY going downhill. From electing a lesbian based on... being a lesbian.... to changing minorities, while everyone else moves further and further away from the inside city... Things are slowly going downhill, but I'll still vote for 3.

 

[Nebor]

The economy seems to be bustling here. The market places and shops are always full and there's new construction everywhere I look. Literally no one makes less than $30,000 a year (except for non-US citizens, but even they seem happy with their jobs) and the average income is closer to $85,000 per person. The gun situation seems to be spiraling out of control, and it seems like almost everyone is carrying a gun around. Living conditions aren't perfect, but they're much, much better than the surrounding areas.

Location: Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan. :biggrin:

 

[Slew Foot]

1 or 2 over here in the CA bay area. Jobs are plentiful and houses are flying off the shelf.

 

[rudder]

Houses can't seem to go up fast enough where I live and new businesses are opening up all the time. Kind of a boom town. But this is due to the heavily government funded GM plant re-opening... so it is kind of an artificial boom.

Thankfully though houses were always more reasonable here and not appreciating at 50% every year. So I saw a small drop in value but i am in a good spot now based on what I see the new houses selling for.

 

[ultimatebob]

Houses can't seem to go up fast enough where I live and new businesses are opening up all the time. Kind of a boom town. But this is due to the heavily government funded GM plant re-opening... so it is kind of an artificial boom.

Thankfully though houses were always more reasonable here and not appreciating at 50% every year. So I saw a small drop in value but i am in a good spot now based on what I see the new houses selling for.

Dammit... why can't Connecticut get that stimulus money for new factories like that? We voted for Obama here... it's time for our kickback

 

[feralkid]

Of course I am shopping at those places out of choice! Walmart has a large selection of well priced items and most stores are conveniently located. Its hard to beat that combination as most retailers have discovered.

As far as DG goes, I have sweet tooth that needs regular satisfaction and they have one of the best, low cost candy aisles around! Not to mention, you do find a lot of bargains there. About 10 years ago I would have never shopped in a dollar store but one day strolled in on a whim and was amazed. I have been a fan ever since!

Dollar General is not a dollar store. Neither is Family Dollar.

Dollar Tree is a dollar store

 

[hal2kilo]

Lots of DOD employees and retired in the area. Things never really got that bad. Still, some people are hurting, though alot of it is because they made bad choices.

 

[FelixDeCat]

The economy seems to be bustling here. The market places and shops are always full and there's new construction everywhere I look. Literally no one makes less than $30,000 a year (except for non-US citizens, but even they seem happy with their jobs) and the average income is closer to $85,000 per person. The gun situation seems to be spiraling out of control, and it seems like almost everyone is carrying a gun around. Living conditions aren't perfect, but they're much, much better than the surrounding areas.

Location: Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan. :biggrin:

So theocracy IS better than democracy! :whiste:

 

[Bitek]

Its bad, and slightly getting worse. The job market isn't very good, and the housing market is very bad. A few of my neighbor's have tried to move, and dropped their houses up to $70,000 below their value and they don't sale after 2+ years.

Its overpriced, plain and simple. Some markets are slower than others, but two years means its priced above market. Might not like it, but it is what it is.

I sold my house this year in the first w/e we were listed. Had to eat $40k from the 2005 price we bought at, but OTOH we got a great deal on the new house with a 3.5% 30yr.

If they have no or neg equity, then they are just stuck.

 

[iRONic]

Dammit... why can't Connecticut get that stimulus money for new factories like that? We voted for Obama here... it's time for our kickback

Heh heh...

It’s worse than initially thought. The state is running a deficit of at least $415 million, according to state Comptroller Kevin Lembo.

 

[SaurusX]

Austin, TX seemed to slow down in 2009-2010, but it never truly stopped growing. As it is now, things have picked up again with housing prices continuing to go up and more construction happening around town. Traffic is hellacious is the morning and evening especially for the wife and I, since we both work downtown and commute from the 'burbs. Financially, though, we've both never been doing better.