The Declining real cost of living in America

[charrison]

Originally posted by: Hayabusa Rider
No, I didn't read it. I do however know something about health care and it's becoming increadingly expensive at an alarming rate. I don't know what you consider long term, but I plan on being around for quite a number of years. After the Boomers die off the rate of increase of health care costs may come down but again I don't think 40 years is short term. Between now and then, prices will skyrocket. They will have to just from a demographic standpoing.

I can say with certainty that costs of of buying prescription drugs has gone up sharply from just last fall for most insured people. The new Medicaid program helps many elderly, however this is price shifting, and someone pays for it.

Regarding housing costs:

It's all well and good to say that the increased cost of housing in 1997 was due to sq footage increases, but that is simply not the case since then. Look at the prices of existing housing since that time and you will find that is true.

I think that if housing, energy and health care were factored in to where we are TODAY, and what has happened to the median income in the time being, that 1997 was "the good old days."

While I agree square footage increases are not the only cause for housing cost increases, they no doubt play a part. Average House in 1996 2120 square feet. In 2005 it is now 2412. Almost a 300 square foot increase. I can tell you this does not make things cheaper.

linkage

 

[BaliBabyDoc]

^^ Why do you continue to ignore the basic reality of most Americans?

Most people are not going McMansion . . . which would be new homes. Existing homes are still the same size they were when built 1, 2, 3, or 3 decades ago. But depending on the locale; price inflation has been fantastic . . . if you are selling.

So the breakdown is that people with means are buying ever larger homes but people with far more modest incomes are paying substantially more to buy far smaller existing homes.

 

[dmcowen674]

This thread is so sad.

I feel for you Bozack but this is the America you and eveyone has chosen.

America the Beautiful is dead with no signs of coming back 🙁

 

[charrison]

Originally posted by: bozack

Originally posted by: charrison
Maybe you should go to where the cost of living is less expensive. I understand there are areas that a very expensive to live in, but that does not mean you have to stay there.

Nice, so basically your solution is that I move to somewhere that is more reasonable from a cost standpoint...sorry but no dice, if I want to continue working for my company this is where I have to be...plus the cost of relocation along with finding a new job is highly prohibitive if not restrictive...

Sorry but your argument is weak charrison...try again.

You pick were you want to live and you can relocte if it was important to you If you live in a high cost area and like it, dont complain.

 

[charrison]

Originally posted by: BaliBabyDoc
^^ Why do you continue to ignore the basic reality of most Americans?

Most people are not going McMansion . . . which would be new homes. Existing homes are still the same size they were when built 1, 2, 3, or 3 decades ago. But depending on the locale; price inflation has been fantastic . . . if you are selling.

So the breakdown is that people with means are buying ever larger homes but people with far more modest incomes are paying substantially more to buy far smaller existing homes.

If everyone is not going McMansion, why does the square footage continue to rise? It seems that with every decade that passes, houses get bigger and you seem to want to deny that.

 

[dmcowen674]

Originally posted by: charrison

Originally posted by: bozack

Originally posted by: charrison
Maybe you should go to where the cost of living is less expensive. I understand there are areas that a very expensive to live in, but that does not mean you have to stay there.

Nice, so basically your solution is that I move to somewhere that is more reasonable from a cost standpoint...sorry but no dice, if I want to continue working for my company this is where I have to be...plus the cost of relocation along with finding a new job is highly prohibitive if not restrictive...

Sorry but your argument is weak charrison...try again.

You pick were you want to live and you can relocte if it was important to you If you live in a high cost area and like it, dont complain.

Really? Wow, do you out an order in when in the womb??? 😕

 

[charrison]

Originally posted by: dmcowen674

Originally posted by: charrison

Originally posted by: bozack

Originally posted by: charrison
Maybe you should go to where the cost of living is less expensive. I understand there are areas that a very expensive to live in, but that does not mean you have to stay there.

Nice, so basically your solution is that I move to somewhere that is more reasonable from a cost standpoint...sorry but no dice, if I want to continue working for my company this is where I have to be...plus the cost of relocation along with finding a new job is highly prohibitive if not restrictive...

Sorry but your argument is weak charrison...try again.

You pick were you want to live and you can relocte if it was important to you If you live in a high cost area and like it, dont complain.

Really? Wow, do you out an order in when in the womb??? 😕

no, but they do make moving trucks for after your are out.

 

[Zebo]

Housing costs today may negate all the mass produced china trinkets this story tries put forth. For example two weeks of my salary is for a house payment and I make over 100K a year. My dad was a truck driver and it took 3 days to pay his house payment in Costa Mesa CA. Try doing that today. I could'nt live there. In those days, a single wage earner could support an entire family on his wages so he did'nt need two cars since my mom stayed home. I grew up then, and I will tell you that life was very good. Sure we did'nt have a TV until I was 13 but we spent all day at the beach so what did we need one for?

 

[charrison]

Originally posted by: Zebo
Housing costs today may negate all the mass produced china trinkets this story tries put forth. For example two weeks of my salary is for a house payment and I make over 100K a year. My dad was a truck driver and it took 3 days to pay his house payment in Costa Mesa CA. Try doing that today. I could'nt live there. In those days, a single wage earner could support an entire family on his wages so he did'nt need two cars since my mom stayed home. I grew up then, and I will tell you that life was very good. Sure we did'nt have a TV until I was 13 but we spent all day at the beach so what did we need one for?

How does your house compare to his?

 

[Zebo]

Originally posted by: charrison

Originally posted by: Zebo
Housing costs today may negate all the mass produced china trinkets this story tries put forth. For example two weeks of my salary is for a house payment and I make over 100K a year. My dad was a truck driver and it took 3 days to pay his house payment in Costa Mesa CA. Try doing that today. I could'nt live there. In those days, a single wage earner could support an entire family on his wages so he did'nt need two cars since my mom stayed home. I grew up then, and I will tell you that life was very good. Sure we did'nt have a TV until I was 13 but we spent all day at the beach so what did we need one for?

How does your house compare to his?

My house is 3200 sqft in the middle of desert. His was 2900 sqft 3 miles from the beach on a half acre in perfect weather year round. I admit he got in at the "right time" in California's land rush in early 60's but most of my freinds and siblings can not afford to live there now or anywhere around there...I just checked and it's worth over 1.9 million today. e.g. $7500 a month conventional not to mention taxes and insurance. It was $21,000 when purchased so about $120 a month payment😀 But for some reason I remeber my dad saying $90 when we talk about this issue.... hmm

 

[Zebo]

Char all I said was may negate this theory. I'm not sure. Americans live very well but some factors need some consideration like are mom and dad both needed to bring home bacon? And is that a good thing? Like the Gini index which shows an increasing gap between have's and have nots? Like wage stagnation. How are our kids doing? Crime? Is it a good thing to have walled up communities separated from the rest of the community? The social considerations can not be dismissed of this pursuit to have the american dream. I mean lifes not all about having a cheap dishwasher or a swimming pool.

 

[dmcowen674]

Originally posted by: charrison

Originally posted by: dmcowen674

Originally posted by: charrison

Originally posted by: bozack

Originally posted by: charrison
Maybe you should go to where the cost of living is less expensive. I understand there are areas that a very expensive to live in, but that does not mean you have to stay there.

Nice, so basically your solution is that I move to somewhere that is more reasonable from a cost standpoint...sorry but no dice, if I want to continue working for my company this is where I have to be...plus the cost of relocation along with finding a new job is highly prohibitive if not restrictive...

Sorry but your argument is weak charrison...try again.

You pick were you want to live and you can relocte if it was important to you If you live in a high cost area and like it, dont complain.

Really? Wow, do you put an order in when in the womb??? 😕

no, but they do make moving trucks for after your are out.

Yep, to Mexico.

Americans will be fleeing down there because they can't afford to live here while Mexicans flock here. Of course they live anywhere from 20 to 25 per house so they can afford the payments especially since their income is not taxed.