[compelled to reply]

Originally Posted by macguy

The really sad part is builders have a way of getting their hands on money and building, thats what they do. When the money runs out they walk away. South Florida had a zillion of those in the 60's and 70's. They would put up a huge sign with an artists conception and people would begin to buy. They would build a few houses but if it failed they walk away leaving a half finished ghost town. I can show you one now with 6000 homesites and only around 500 homes ever built.

You would drive through and there would be vacant, lots dirts roads, none of the amenities on the big sign out front and a few houses here and there with people living in them that can't give them away. What they are doing up there (NC), has some of the same possibly. They go there make a big mess, and leave with what profits they have made and move on. They can be like locust

General Development anyone?

[INeedAChange]

That's terrible. We only hope for a total real estate collapse to take the wind out of their sails.

Originally Posted by macguy

The really sad part is builders have a way of getting their hands on money and building, thats what they do. When the money runs out they walk away. South Florida had a zillion of those in the 60's and 70's. They would put up a huge sign with an artists conception and people would begin to buy. They would build a few houses but if it failed they walk away leaving a half finished ghost town. I can show you one now with 6000 homesites and only around 500 homes ever built.

You would drive through and there would be vacant, lots dirts roads, none of the amenities on the big sign out front and a few houses here and there with people living in them that can't give them away. What they are doing up there (NC), has some of the same possibly. They go there make a big mess, and leave with what profits they have made and move on. They can be like locust

[tallrick]

Originally Posted by macguy

The really sad part is builders have a way of getting their hands on money and building, thats what they do. When the money runs out they walk away. South Florida had a zillion of those in the 60's and 70's. They would put up a huge sign with an artists conception and people would begin to buy. They would build a few houses but if it failed they walk away leaving a half finished ghost town. I can show you one now with 6000 homesites and only around 500 homes ever built.

You would drive through and there would be vacant, lots dirts roads, none of the amenities on the big sign out front and a few houses here and there with people living in them that can't give them away. What they are doing up there (NC), has some of the same possibly. They go there make a big mess, and leave with what profits they have made and move on. They can be like locust

Yes, Lehigh Acres, Port Labelle, Port St Lucie come to mind, along with a few others. Also an economy built on selling homes to retired people is not one that generates long-term wealth. My ideal economy would be one with zero net population growth but growth in business above the rate of inflation. Homes do not generate wealth after they are built and sold, but absorb it. Look at how many people live in those Mc Mansions and are retired cheapskates going for the "early bird special". Property taxes and peak oil are going to thin out Florida for sure. All automobile based communities will begin a steady decline while areas with better access to energy will prosper. Remember, energy is the fuel for economic growth, PERIOD!

[macguy]

Originally Posted by INeedAChange

I was trying to figure out why they were building gated communities in these mountain towns, per the article. Obviously they aren't afraid of the locals. I just realized, they must know that their developments will start attracting a bad element of "chain migration" coming in from other states--they are in essence protecting themselves from themselves.

Thats the sad reality, once an area begins to grow they require people to fill the unskilled low pay jobs that are creating and the cycle continues. It seems like for every person with money it requires 10, (I just made up that number but you know what I mean), to fill their needs from the guy at the gas station to the one who cuts their grass and they have to live somewhere and so it goes.

[tallrick]

If I had control of a county I would outlaw all properties not on public roads. Then again if everyone was like me there would be no need for any low paying job. Oh and the environment would improve, not get worse. Anyone want to join me and take over some rural county?

[compelled to reply]

Originally Posted by tallrick

If I had control of a county I would outlaw all properties not on public roads. Then again if everyone was like me there would be no need for any low paying job. Oh and the environment would improve, not get worse. Anyone want to join me and take over some rural county?

Wanna build an experimental society somewhere in Alabama (still relatively unscathed)?

[compelled to reply]

Originally Posted by tallrick

Remember, energy is the fuel for economic growth, PERIOD!

This is precisely why our entire society is so disposable.

[macguy]

Originally Posted by fort lauderdale

Wanna build an experimental society somewhere in Alabama (still relatively unscathed)?

People have done it
http://fic.ic.org/video/miccosukeeinfo.php
I actually know a guy who lives there. I don't think it would be my thing though.

[compelled to reply]

Originally Posted by macguy

People have done it
IC Video: Breitenbush Info
I actually know a guy who lives there. I don't think it would be my thing though.

I had a friend of mine who accidentally found a similar communal society to this in Vermont, although with a FAR left wing belief. He said the people were cool, until they found out he worked for a major corporation...

[compelled to reply]

“I wish people could remember that they’re not in Miami anymore.”

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