According to Forbes, Virginia Beach one of the worst family friendly places (Norfolk: hardwood floors, extended stay)

[Randomdude]

Originally Posted by rtandc

Well it seems that most people on this board have done just that so I don't think the problem is the local area and what it does or does not offer.......

Is there any proof that this board is a good snapshot of the demographics of the area? Is there any proof that the housing the members of the board have was actually affordable? Is there even any proof a majority own housing?

Originally Posted by rtandc

If your employment does not satisfy your own personal goals then I don't think waiting for the economy to lower itself to meet your present income is the answer because I don't think it ever will....

Thats the thing, Im not waiting for the local economy to change. I have determined its going to take an unacceptable amount of time and monetary investment, for me to be able to afford an average life style here, and I have already determined I must move. Its now just a matter of time saving up enough to do that, and picking out exactly where to go.

Originally Posted by rtandc

sure house prices may fall some yet locally but any savings gained from that transaction will be short lived as taxes, fees, etc will need to be increased to meet daily operating expenses for the local city, along with the state and federal government. Trust me the local cities are biting at the hook just waiting to raise the local property taxes on real estate and I can pretty much guarantee all of the local cities will raise these rates for the 2011 budget

I actually dont think housing is going to fall almost any more. Its artificially propped up by military wages to a point in which is still will have a stabilized lower floor higher then what is affordable to the local civilian population. Some are calling for houses to fall another 40% here. I dont buy it.

Originally Posted by rtandc

What do you think is the first thing local or national companies/businesses do that have seen a drop in revenue? The answer is raise the local operating cost to its customers...So businesses like Cox, Dominion Power etc raise rates so expect to see even higher rates from them shortly....Same with the local cities....not only will you see a raise in property taxes you can also expect to see water, sewage and other fees increase in price.....The rise in these fees will be needed to off set the loss in taxable income the cities will be losing from the lower then normal taxes from local real estate

I agree with this

Originally Posted by rtandc

And don't expect salaries to increase anytime soon......until the dollar is free flowing again and people are back out spending money salaries will stay stagnant or maybe drop some more.

I dont expect wages to increase almost any for any non technical positions requiring advanced education and skills. The area does not have the corporate presence, and therefore, lacks the demand, for almost all business related support positions.

Originally Posted by rtandc

So sure for many people buying a house now will allow their mortgage to be less then what it would of been for the same house a few years ago but when it is all said and done, time everyone else gets their piece of the pie the savings you have left at the end of the month wont look much different then what it did before this recession started....so if you are waiting for some magical time to occur in the future that will increase your monthly or yearly spending power off of the same salary you have now....sorry its not going to happen

I agree, its NOT going to happen in Virginia Beach or Hampton Roads, ever. Therefore, I must move to a city where the prevailing wage for my skill set is ALREADY at a level that will afford an average lifestyle. Im not waiting for Hampton Roads to change, thats just stupid. Hampton Roads is apparently ok with what it is, and those who disagree or cant make it here, simply leave.

[rtandc]

Originally Posted by Randomdude

I find it amusing the demographic of people who spout this drivel. White, 80k+ household income, 2,000 sqft house or larger, two car garage filled with a couple SUVs, a boat, vote a straight Republican ticket 9 times out of 10.

Hilarious. Its easy looking down from the top of the mountain, isnt it?

Too funny................... in your last post the first thing you state is about questioning me about not being able to prove something and then you come up with a post like this....LOL ....classic stuff

[CosmicWizard]

Randomdude wrote:

I find it amusing the demographic of people who spout this drivel. White, 80k+ household income, 2,000 sqft house or larger, two car garage filled with a couple SUVs, a boat, vote a straight Republican ticket 9 times out of 10.

Hilarious. Its easy looking down from the top of the mountain, isnt it?

I would classify myself as a spouter of this so-called drivel, but you didn't even come close on the demographic part. I'm not even halfway up the mountain.

If WE are not responsible for our own problems and achievements......who is? Must be the weather, eh?

BTW...First term Reagan was the last time I voted for a republican. Once was enough...I learned my lesson.

[Hatcher]

I made 36k last year. I own my own house. I am white and I do vote republican. But here's the thing, if you really think that Obama and the left are going to help you your sorely mistaken. This country swaps party power all the time and nothing EVER changes. The left talks about "helping the unfortunate" but nothing EVER changes for the "unfortunate" It's a campaign trick, plain and simple. Both sides have them and both sides use them..every four years its the same old crap from both parties. And looky looky.. nothing changes.

If your under the illusion that ANY politician cares about you your in for a rude awakening. And that goes for any party, left or right. People can spout off about change all they want.. a politician is a politician. They are in it for themselves and their buddies. The poor will be just as poor at the end of Obama's term as they were when he started. The only way to "change" anything in your life is to work for it. A lesson I learned a long time ago is the fact that nobody is going to help me but me.

I worked two jobs to earn enough for a down payment on a small townhouse. Lived in it for a few years, sold it and put that down on my first house. I've never made more than 36k. I'm under no illusion that there is a "better place" I've lived lots of places including the DC area and it's all the same just different streets and different faces. The place you live is what you make of it.

[CosmicWizard]

Hatcher wrote:

The place you live is what you make of it.

Never were truer words written!

[telemonster]

Originally Posted by Erma

I don't even think it's amusing when people blame the outcome of their lives on "my wages, my bills, my education, the environment." It gets tiring to read it time and time again when WE are responsible for our own problems and achievements.

Not true. People have some control over it, within a margin.

[telemonster]

Originally Posted by Hatcher

I made 36k last year. I own my own house. I am white and I do vote republican. But here's the thing, if you really think

I don't believe in the president. The president is just a show for the sheep to make them believe they have some sort of control, they / we don't. The US is run by bankers and elite. At some point, they will possibly get overthrown, but it will be a while.

As far as buying a place, you probably purchased a long time ago. I've heard that stuff from old people, "Well I bought back in XYZ and it has sure worked out good for me." But if you look at the numbers and charts, recent times won't last. It was a mania, of fraud and deception. Like Enron, only many many times bigger. We could really wind up in a newer great depression over it.

Housing is just one piece of the puzzle, and it's high costs in Hampton Roads (and the rest of the country) a result of fraud and deception.

I know the rtandc guy is a likely a Realtor, and likely just here scoping out fresh meat.

I've been doing what I can to educate the people about the truth of housing. I've known about it for 5+ years.

[Hatcher]

Originally Posted by telemonster

As far as buying a place, you probably purchased a long time ago. I've heard that stuff from old people.

Ouch! Throwing jabs now? Actually, I'm 35 and my most recent house is my third purchase. Purchased two years ago.

Baby steps my man, baby steps. Started small and worked my way up.

Am I really in the "old person" bracket now?

[rtandc]

Originally Posted by telemonster

I know the rtandc guy is a likely a Realtor, and likely just here scoping out fresh meat

not a very good judge of people are you....not even close to my work title

[Randomdude]

Originally Posted by rtandc

Too funny................... in your last post the first thing you state is about questioning me about not being able to prove something and then you come up with a post like this....LOL ....classic stuff

Few people under 30 years old, here, are spouting the rhetoric. It consists largely of people who are comfortable and/or were never not comfortable.

The standard flag for the Libertarian Party is "You are to blame for everything, and you are responsible for your misery". Check out the demographics for that parties membership. Im pretty sure you wont find many who are struggling.