by pea-jay » Mon 18 Jul 2005, 23:06:27
$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('bruin', 'I') have no idea about London, but that $800,000 home in San Diego has a lot of things going for it after PO. The downside to San Diego there is not mass transit to speak of. There is bus service and a ferry service to Coronada but nothing that will get every body to work. But that's pretty much the case for the USA in general. However, the weather is so mild, that after PO, the cost of living will be much less then many other areas in the USA. Given that, the demand for housing in San Diego will have a lot of upward pressure after PO.
Not so fast. San Diego may have a mild climate (especially near the coast) but you guys are at the end of the road when it comes to resources. Most importantly: water. San Diego is a dry area. Most if not all of your water originates from Central and northern California along with the Colorado river. Pumping that water into the southland is no easy feat. It is one of the largest single uses of electricity the state grid has (at about 6% or so). Now I am not saying your water will be cut off tomorrow, but long term you have to be really sure those pumps will keep pumping. I am not convinced this can continue over the long haul. What are those millions going to do if water and electricity are not available?
But its not just that, the food situation is also not pretty. 3.5 million people in a county where most of the flat land is now taken up by urban and suburban land uses--where is the food going to be grown, even IF you could ensure a stable supply of water?? Remember, transportation will be the most impacted by Peak Oil. You have to be really sure that food trucks, trains and barges keep rolling in the future. The closest are that produces an excess of food is the central valley. Of course that area has its own challenges.
Now for all those planning on staying put. What are you going to do?? A job? For many of you that will be hard to come by. Tourism? Forgetaboutit. Also impacted, financial, technology, most service sectors in fact. Construction activity will be non existent. Can't speak for the various government jobs from the military down onto law enforcement. I just can't figure what these people be doing. Cashing out on the 800K houses. yeah right.
Aside from the central sections of San Diego and other older coastal cities, San Diego is not walkable.
Of course I am a doomer. If you are convinced that by 2015 or 2020 you will be motoring about town in your biodiesel or fuelcell car and live in a house powered by solar panels, by all means stay in San Diego. I feel better already not living there anymore.