In praise of SUVs (sort of) (Denver: renters, condos, mortgage)

[Katarina Witt]

Originally Posted by Bob from down south

I think the trend is going to be for people to take that 1 week vacation closer to home. When a coast-to-coast airline flight's price finally reflects true costs, that $1,000+ per-seat economy fare is likey to deter a lot of folks who are already having their budgets squeezed on multiple fronts.

Sure, there will always be those people that think nothing of spending (and most likely borrowing) $7,500 for a family of four to spend a week in Orlando with Mickey. It's sort of like Vegas for families. It's fun while you're there, but the financial hangover ain't so fun.

With so many people in CO having family elsewhere, going to "grandma's" will always be popular, no matter where grandma lives. Many of my patients are also constantly going to Mexico, Hawaii, etc. If there is a trent to do otherwise, I haven't seen it.

[jazzlover]

Originally Posted by Katiana

With so many people in CO having family elsewhere, going to "grandma's" will always be popular, no matter where grandma lives. Many of my patients are also constantly going to Mexico, Hawaii, etc. If there is a trent to do otherwise, I haven't seen it.

It will be "popular" only so long as people can afford it, or the conveyance is available to make it possible. Both of those factors are likely to become quite constrained--and sooner than most anyone thinks. The US is standing at the brink of a transportation meltdown, and I think the enormity of it, though not yet visible to some, will be woefully apparent to everyone within about 12-24 months. And because we have been so myopic about the threat, and are so completely unprepared to meet it, I expect it to last for years, possibly even a decade or more. Grandma will be dead and buried before we get this mess fixed.

[Katarina Witt]

Well, I will probably live long enough to see it if it's coming in 12-24 months. Interestingly, some people at work yesterday were talking about cheap airfares to Dallas. So I don't think the sky is about to fall just yet. Gas prices are going down, albeit just a few cents. I should probably go fill up my car.

[brian21]

We need a magnetic train like japan. Most of the european countries have them now too.

[rybert]

Originally Posted by Bob from down south

Burning of coal for heating, particularly in the early 20th century, had a lot more to do with soot in Europe's cities than diesel engines.

A small modern diesel, equipped with a catalytic heater, is not the same thing as a poorly-maintained 60s-era bus.

No... I had a discussion with a Sevillano... I got the inside scoop as to why there would no longer be bus service in their city center (near the old chuch etc.).

Of course you're not wrong about the coal for heating.

[rybert]

Originally Posted by Katiana

With so many people in CO having family elsewhere, going to "grandma's" will always be popular, no matter where grandma lives. Many of my patients are also constantly going to Mexico, Hawaii, etc. If there is a trent to do otherwise, I haven't seen it.

Nope. People will be moving-in with Grandma... unable to live in the burbs because of sky-rocketing travel costs.

[EscapeCalifornia]

Originally Posted by rybert

Nope. People will be moving-in with Grandma... unable to live in the burbs because of sky-rocketing travel costs.

Yeah, sure.

[Katarina Witt]

Originally Posted by rybert

Nope. People will be moving-in with Grandma... unable to live in the burbs because of sky-rocketing travel costs.

I agree with EscapeCalifornia. If the search tool on this forum worked better, I could find the post where someone said the total additional cost of gas would not be all that much in his budget. That is how I feel about it, too.

And where do you think Grandma lives? In the burbs, of course! Who's living in the city? The young professionals, some of whom are driving to jobs in the burbs.

[Fastway57]

I guess I am one of the few Idiots that just does not get it.

Ah, Road trip 1972 Buick Gran Sport a tank of 104+ octane low lead, a little Bob Seeger on the radio and roll the power on from that giant 455 under the hood and off to Grandma's house we go.

104+ fuel 5.75 @ gal x 18 gal = 103.50

And when I get home I will jump into my '01 Dodge v-10 ram and go to work.

[jazzlover]

Originally Posted by Fastway57

I guess I am one of the few Idiots that just does not get it.

Ah, Road trip 1972 Buick Gran Sport a tank of 104+ octane low lead, a little Bob Seeger on the radio and roll the power on from that giant 455 under the hood and off to Grandma's house we go.

104+ fuel 5.75 @ gal x 18 gal = 103.50

And when I get home I will jump into my '01 Dodge v-10 ram and go to work.

And--that is why Americans are in debt up to their eyeballs, and fuel prices are going to keep going up.

I can't believe that people can't figure out that what they spend to fill their gas tank is only a small part of what exploding fuel prices and depleting reserves are going to do their living costs and lifestyle. Not surprising, since so many Americans are so isolated in their little world that they have no concept of how much energy it takes to grow and transport their food, manufacture all the crap they just HAVE to have, and keep our horribly energy-inefficient society running. When those "ostriches" finally do figure it out, it will be a really painful revelation--if not darned near fatal.