[joelcolorado]

Not sure bout the high density living but Americans have TOO much house honestly. I have downsized and will again probably if the wife will let me.

It is selfish and stupid to have 3 or 4 bedrooms for TWO ppl. Maintenance, taxes, utilities are higher and why? So your kids can come home once or twice a year. Get them a motel. Put them on the floor like we did at grandmas house.

I suggest this to my friends and they are shocked. THEY DESERVE a big house. Big bills, etc. Stupid.

[tex123]

[quote="sittinguy"]Our nieghborhood bitched for a sidewalk for years. Finally a lady that was one of the first to live in our hood got hit and killed.

Soon after we saw some surveyers for side walks.

Almost 10 YEARS later they built the sidewalk, its been a year now and they still aren't done [/quote

So all we need to do to get some much needed sidewalks is to throw some old people into the street? Sweet, thanks for the tip.

[joelcolorado]

Sidewalks are very expensive to put in but most of the cities i design for REQUIRE them now in subdivisions. LOOK, its YOUR responsibility to be careful.
Being hit by a car while in the street is stoopid. Watch out. Good lord, everything is someone elses fault these days. I ride a bike all over on the streets and I WATCH OUT FOR ME> Others just depend on ppl to look out for them.

Where is their mothers....mine taught us to be safe.

[Canuk]

Not only are sidewalks expensive but current subdivision designs leave no where to wlak to - the separation of commercial/instituional/residential leaves large swaths of land and 20 minute walks to get out onto the main arterial road with the commercial and you can be taking your life into your hands.

Walking works well in old neighbourhoods built 1950's and before since car ownership was less. I know in my city the only areas I see people walking (who are not poor) are the older areas since there is actually the possibility of a destination.

Years ago I rode my bike to work in the spring and summer and the route (all side streets) took me by a school at the beginning of the school day. The neighbourhood had sidewalks (illegal to ride on) and could be walked but most parents drove so it was a very dangerous place indeed. 100 or more cars need to go into and out of a short 50 ft. strip in a 15 minute time period and drop off their kids so it is chaos. I particularly liked on smog days when most left their cars running to keep the AC on - oblivious they were the cause of the smog - easier to blame industry than take responsibilty.

My brother lives in downtown Toronto and doesn't even own a car (makes 6 figures so cost is not the object) it just isn't practical since everything you need or want is a 5-10 minute walk from his apartment. The density of Toronto downtown is not required to justify sidewalks trying to connect 1 and 2 acre lots in newer developments with sidewalks is just insanity. The cost per unit would be extremely high and the usage extremely low - additionally since most US jurisdictions prevent mixed use zoning - where would you walk to?

[Sixstrings]

Americans are not "too lazy" to walk. Americans are people, and human nature is such that people conform to their environment.

People in New York City walk quite a bit, because the environment (dense urban w/ public transit) encourages it. The suburban lifestyle encourages a non-walking car culture.

Also, you really can't blame Americans for being fat. Again, people conform to their environment. In the 20th Century we made a major move towards ever more processed foods, to the point at which a huge portion of the average diet is now cornstarch -- which is crap. The migration to processed foods is the cause of our obesity and, by the way, the huge rise in cancer starting in the latter 20th century.

Another factor influencing weight is medication. Modern man is a medicated man, and many meds make you gain weight. Combine that with a crap cornstarch diet and there you go.

So before disdaining the obese, remind yourself of the bigger picture, and have some compassion.

[socrates1fan]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('joelcolorado', 'N')ot sure bout the high density living but Americans have TOO much house honestly. I have downsized and will again probably if the wife will let me.

It is selfish and stupid to have 3 or 4 bedrooms for TWO ppl. Maintenance, taxes, utilities are higher and why? So your kids can come home once or twice a year. Get them a motel. Put them on the floor like we did at grandmas house.

I suggest this to my friends and they are shocked. THEY DESERVE a big house. Big bills, etc. Stupid.

[simontay78]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('lowem', 'I')t might a bit hard to get people to walk for miles without sidewalks. If you guys want to walk, you might want to think about what it might be like to live in a place like this :

[lowem]

Well maybe not "jail cells" but yeah pigeon holes, or for the more poetically inclined, "castle in the sky". They have been called various names, some nicer than others *cough*, but they do achieve the goal of increasing population density and thus enabling commercial and public facilities to be placed in a town centre, within easy reach of everyone.

I should also mention something about the building where I took those photos from :



This is the Sengkang Community Hub and is just across the road from the apartment block where I stay. In this building, there are :

* a post office
* a polyclinic (government public clinic)
* a police station
* a community centre
* basketball courts
* badminton courts
* various rooms for conducting courses

These are public/communal facilities, built and operated by the government. As far as I know, this is the second one of its kind in Singapore. The first is in Woodlands, a town in the north.

[joelcolorado]

Can you imagine the screaming and moaning when americans are forced to give up their urban sprawling 5 bedroom houses with the huge ass yards? OMG, the sky is falling

My friends are all trying to retire. THey are finding that expenses are so high on their homes now, that its a real factor. My suggestion that TWO people dont need a 4 bedroom house is met with HUGE RESISTANCE> To THINK that anyone would suggest that they live more frugal of a lifestyle in retirement.

You would think I had taken their first born child. I think that is so funny. Why do TWO ppl need a 3 or 4 bedroom house with a big yard, etc. If you can give me a good reason I will listen.

I have downsized since the kids grew up and would like to again. I currently have a 1500 sq ft. house and its plenty.

[hope_full]

I have a three-bedroom house with 1.5 baths and a sunporch. Sans sunporch, we're at about 2,000 square feet.

You asked, "Why do two people need a big house and a big yard?" The big yard (120' by 120') is good for growing veggies and there's still room for the massive oaks that shade the old house.

The big house is for the five kids - his and mine (second marriage for both of us). Our ex-spouses have tiny homes so if any of our 20/30-something kids need a place to go, they can come here. For parents with grown children, that's a serious consideration.

As I mentioned before, this house was considered "undesirable" when it was listed for sale (before we bought it) because it only has 1.5 bathrooms and it only has three bedrooms and small closets. That really boggles my mind.

When Americans were surveyed and asked, "if you could change one thing about your house, what would you change" 64% responded, "more closet space."

Holw cow.

[joelcolorado]

Hey I dont care what you HAVE, just dont understand ppl wanting more than they NEED. When we use up a disportionate amount of energy for two persons, we are as much of the problem as the rich ppl with four houses. You can justify it as much as you want but its still the same. WHAT IF the kids come home. What if I need a garden.

I dont care if you have a huge ass house, but when combined with other ppl doing the same, we end up with peak oil. The move to bigger and bigger homes is part of the problem.

I work for the railroad and we cannot keep up with the demand for coal for electriicity for all the big homes. So there are brownouts in the near future. Trust me on that. And everyone will scream not thinking that each person is responsible to a degree. We want computers, washers and dryers, televisions, lights and on and on.

Am I my brothers keeper. YES YOU ARE> But no one cares....YET.
When winter hits and the heating oil price is seen, panic will start for sure.

Right now we are able to cut back or tap savings to keep ahead as a nation. BUT the day is soon to come that it will be too expensive to heat and cool bigger homes for some people. We see that in the new subdivions with ppl losing their houses to foreclosure as the taxes and utilities go up and they have no room in their income to pay more.

Keep your big homes. I dont care. Its just an observation and a way to cut back and survive.

[WildRose]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('joelcolorado', 'C')an you imagine the screaming and moaning when americans are forced to give up their urban sprawling 5 bedroom houses with the huge ass yards? OMG, the sky is falling

My friends are all trying to retire. THey are finding that expenses are so high on their homes now, that its a real factor. My suggestion that TWO people dont need a 4 bedroom house is met with HUGE RESISTANCE> To THINK that anyone would suggest that they live more frugal of a lifestyle in retirement.

You would think I had taken their first born child. I think that is so funny. Why do TWO ppl need a 3 or 4 bedroom house with a big yard, etc. If you can give me a good reason I will listen.

I have downsized since the kids grew up and would like to again. I currently have a 1500 sq ft. house and its plenty.

[PonyBoy78]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('WildRose', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('joelcolorado', 'O')ne argument for keeping the larger home would be that it may be needed for an extended family, for example, if married kids with grandchildren also had to live in the home in the future. I suppose the fact that someone in the family had a big place with extra bedrooms and bathrooms would be an added security for a family, especially in an atmosphere of high unemployment, skyrocketing rent and food prices, etc. Then the extended family could share the cost of utilities and upkeep.

[socrates1fan]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('PonyBoy78', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('WildRose', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('joelcolorado', 'O')ne argument for keeping the larger home would be that it may be needed for an extended family, for example, if married kids with grandchildren also had to live in the home in the future. I suppose the fact that someone in the family had a big place with extra bedrooms and bathrooms would be an added security for a family, especially in an atmosphere of high unemployment, skyrocketing rent and food prices, etc. Then the extended family could share the cost of utilities and upkeep.

[joelcolorado]

Took a walk by the ritzy neighborhood..big ass houses with two ppl in them. TWO FAT ppl generally. hah..anyway. Lots of them i could see in the hosue and no furniture in some of the rooms.

My wife wants a sitting room. FOR PETES SAKE, what for?
We are looking at moving and all the homes are 2400 to 5500 sq ft. Whats with that. Two ppl, FOUR cars, boats, jetskis, golfcarts, goood lord. NO WONDER we are out of gasoline.

I am not a good consumer. I just dont WANT anything ever. Would rather save my money for retirement. Drives my wife nuts. All our friends are in the live for today m
mode and NOW the price of gas is hurting them. I can afford gas at ANY price NOW> They are all broke as Jobs turkey. hah

Went to THE walmart last night and spotted another Whale.....riding the electric cart. Bunch a kids following along. HOW do they get pregnant tell me that? Damn. Just makes me ill to think they dont do something about it. WHAT AISLE was she in? ICE CREAM and TREATS. of course. Just sad, BUT>....

keeps my doctor wife in business with diabetes, bad knees, high blood press. kidney failure, ankels....hell any body part, you name it.

[Muckingfess]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('joelcolorado', 'T')ook a walk by the ritzy neighborhood..big ass houses with two ppl in them. TWO FAT ppl generally. hah..anyway. Lots of them i could see in the hosue and no furniture in some of the rooms.

My wife wants a sitting room. FOR PETES SAKE, what for?
We are looking at moving and all the homes are 2400 to 5500 sq ft. Whats with that. Two ppl, FOUR cars, boats, jetskis, golfcarts, goood lord. NO WONDER we are out of gasoline.

I am not a good consumer. I just dont WANT anything ever. Would rather save my money for retirement. Drives my wife nuts. All our friends are in the live for today m
mode and NOW the price of gas is hurting them. I can afford gas at ANY price NOW> They are all broke as Jobs turkey. hah

Went to THE walmart last night and spotted another Whale.....riding the electric cart. Bunch a kids following along. HOW do they get pregnant tell me that? Damn. Just makes me ill to think they dont do something about it. WHAT AISLE was she in? ICE CREAM and TREATS. of course. Just sad, BUT>....

keeps my doctor wife in business with diabetes, bad knees, high blood press. kidney failure, ankels....hell any body part, you name it.

[joelcolorado]

I will be legally disabled in 4 months so I guess you can retract a little of that hate. Not EVERYONE who is using the electric chairs are disabled. Its like seeing the ppl park in the handicap spots and walk in better than I can. What with that?

I just know what the numbers say. Diabetes will break the american medical community and america too. MOST due to over eating.

Did you get the info on Byetta I suggested for weight loss?

I was sposed to be disabled in 94 but kept working a horribly physical job til now just due to tough nuts. hah..
Doctors told me I was done back then. I showed them. Went today and the doc said this is it. Wont be working after December any more and I am only 50. So I am on YOUR side but PLEASE, see the other side too.

The reason MOST ppl cant use small cars as they cant get IN small cars. LOOK at the BUFFET lines. OMG. Makes me ill now.

I used to eat a salad bar, dinner and then dessert. Now wife and I split a meal only and I cant eat my half. What a change. But it takes work and a decision to not be like that ever again.

[Byron100]

Another thing that causes obesity in so many people is the high-fructose corn syrup they put in just about everything...that stuff is *made* to put on weight. And why is that? So people will eat more food!

To address this problem, we need to go after the junk-food makers just like we did the tobacco companies...hit 'em with extreme taxes, force them to run "public service" ads and just plain make junk food not such a fun thing to eat anymore. And ban high-fructose corn syrup...that stuff is practically poison.

That being said, however, I just don't understand the logic of an overweight person going back to get a huge milkshake after having the burger and fries...don't they know how many calories that is?? While I realize that some folks don't mind being obese (or they'd not eat so darned much), but getting diabetes and making health care even more expensive for the rest of us, that just kinda blows. Especially to someone like me who firmly believes that universal care is the only way to go. But before we can even think about that, we all have to take some sort of responsibility for our health.

Shoot, I oughta be out there getting some exercise myself in instead of being here on Peak Oil...hehe.

[joelcolorado]

There is corn fructose in a lot of food.
DONT EAT THAT SHIT>..duh

No one is holding a gun to your head. ITs not the food manuf. fault anymore than the tabacco company or liquour companies. TAKE
some personal responsibility here.

God god, there is enough info out there to know what to eat, how much and when. Not that hard.

The fast food made me do it. GOD. i cant take much more.

Same ole thing for americans. Its not my fault. Please pass the chips, SOMEONE needs to do something about that...please pass the PIE, SOMEONE help me, please pass the ice cream and cake.

A serving is ONE CUP. NOT ONE BIG PLASTIC BIG GULP CUP!!!
A plate is 8"
Half green veggies,
Quarter meat, lean
Quarter of it starch.

NO DESSERT, no salad dressing, no dipping sauce, no katchup, no BBQ sauce, no NOTHING. GET IT> hahaha

I know its boring, but so is laying in a nursing home due to a stroke or your weight. SO is sitting at home as you dont feel like getting out, so is having to have a huge van cus you dont fit in a smaller car.

CHOOSE WISELY

[taizee]

I'm a foreigner in the USA and grew up with hardly any
processed food. It was a bland diet but healthy.

What I observe here:

overweight people and ultra lean fitness freaks.

Many people do not cook/prepare food from scratch (this is a uniquely american expression - I never knew that there was another way)
Corn syrup in a lot of refined food
A constant need for flavoring/taste without thinking what is in these jars/packets:
Excessive use of pop/soda and all those bottles and cans produce so much garbage: what is wrong with water ! or H20 with a splash of real lemon, or homemade iced tea with less sugar or ... no sweeteners at all?

I have found that everything is here to eat a reasonable diet if you just think and plan, and it can actually cost less than the packaged junk.

we make our own homemade lemonade and iced tea ...cutting out the sweeteners.
I make bean dishes (soaking beans etc..) which can be reheated. The mexican section of the supermarket is great for sauces, salsas etc.
why not make salad dressing: oil and vinegar, salt, pepper (flavor with mustard, garlic etc...)

It's all personal choice... either eat junk food or not... the alternatives are there.