That's the title of this NY Times article,
but they really shouldn't say country as they are meaning sprawling suburban
$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'S')uddenly, the economics of American suburban life are under assault as skyrocketing energy prices inflate the costs of reaching, heating and cooling homes on the distant edges of metropolitan areas.
PeakOil is You
Rethinking the country life as energy costs rise
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Rethinking the country life as energy costs rise
by dinopello » Tue 24 Jun 2008, 22:46:42
$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'A')cross the nation, the realization is taking hold that rising energy prices are less a momentary blip than a change with lasting consequences. The shift to costlier fuel is threatening to slow the decades-old migration away from cities, while exacerbating the housing downturn by diminishing the appeal of larger homes set far from urban jobs.
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Re: Rethinking the country life as energy costs rise
by socrates1fan » Wed 25 Jun 2008, 00:29:47
All of the urbanites and public transportation fans are probably rolling on the floor laughing at the suburbanites.
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Re: Rethinking the country life as energy costs rise
by smallpoxgirl » Wed 25 Jun 2008, 00:48:29
Actually, its standing room only on public transit these days. Definitely no room for rolling or laughing.
"We were standing on the edges
Of a thousand burning bridges
Sifting through the ashes every day
What we thought would never end
Now is nothing more than a memory
The way things were before
I lost my way" - OCMS
Of a thousand burning bridges
Sifting through the ashes every day
What we thought would never end
Now is nothing more than a memory
The way things were before
I lost my way" - OCMS
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smallpoxgirl - Expert
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Re: Rethinking the country life as energy costs rise
by Farknight » Wed 25 Jun 2008, 01:48:23
$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'A')ll of the urbanites and public transportation fans are probably rolling on the floor laughing at the suburbanites.
Indeed they might be ROFL with their good fortune...for now. Of course, if TSHTF and the three day supply of food and goods becomes disrupted, then the urbanites may rethink their position. It is always a great comfort to believe that the cities would always be served but, New Orleans was a Great City until 2005 and one cannot honestly say it has ever been adequately served since. And that is the Tale of One Metroplex. When it happens across the board all bets are off and I have lived in or visited enough US cities to know that things can get real nasty real quick. Too many people for my liking anymore. All this talk of "diversity" simply means inter-tribal warfare when the "bread and circuses" end.
$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'A')ctually, its standing room only on public transit these days. Definitely no room for rolling or laughing.
And that is saying something as it is very hard for many Amurkins to leave the sanctuary of the SUV or sedan and the solo cruise to work. The pain is very real now, in the wallet where it hurts. If the rise in oil continues then, well, the other threads here explain that very adequately.
Washington Post
Metro Worried
I live in one of the Poster Child Exurban Counties (Loudoun) in Northern Virginia, land of the motor vehicle and pathetic planning. Metro has been trying to extend rail service to Dulles International Airport for decades. The Bush Administration would not pony up the money (being blown up in Iraq I guess) so with all the dithering and delays the price has sky rocketed. Now, when the line is needed most, as PO reality hits, we are years away (if it ever will be built).
With all the planned communities and Town Centers out here and massive 6 lane highways populated by every imaginable big SUV there is, we are still firmly engrossed in the fantasy of the past. I have read elsewhere that certain areas of the US are somewhat protected from the onslaught thanks to their economies. Well, Loudoun certainly remains one such locale given the average household income lies in the 6 figures thanks to DC and the Feds, all their contractors and the high tech Dulles Corridor. Loudoun ranks as the second richest county in household income in the US after Fairfax County, Virginia, our neighbor to the east. But, sooner or later it will hit and hard, taxes already stand at the highest I have ever paid here in 20 years! Yet, even with this level of taxation the local government is preparing for an extremely austere and drastic budget session for the next fiscal year '10.
Household Income Projections
With all the high level military, corporate and federal officials who live out here, one can be assured they will do everything to insulate this area for as long as possible out of pure selfishness. So, when TSHTF here then I will know we are all up the proverbial creek sans paddle.
Fortunately, I watch somewhat from afar in the still rural west end of the county where the roads remain dirt and we have good wells and good soil percolation. I have worked 5 miles from home up the dirt road for 20 years and retired already once but still adding the cash into the coffers to deal with reality. Wife doing the same and also works 5 miles from home. I drive my beat-up 4 banger 30 MPG to work and fill up maybe twice a month for $35 to maybe $40 a shot right now. Doable. How the Moms in their land boats continue to drive on, oblivious to the fact it is costing them at least $100 per fill-up escapes me.
The sad thing is the looks I get from these well coiffed women in their leased or mortgaged Lexi or Suburbans says it all. They see me in my jeans and t-shirt and small yet mechanically sound little car and think "what a pathetic poor loser, I am so glad I am rich." Of course, "rich" here is defined as a McMansion on big or small lot, big, expensive cars, pools, vacations abroad, the works. All, of course, mortgaged to the hilt.
Pathetic me, well I live on productive forest and pasture with a small mortgage I could pay off in full if pressed. I have my own water and gravity septic, I am on the electric coop and as a part owner I get credits that reduce my bill over the investor utility that does nothing but continually raise rates. I save, save and save, both money, metals and food stuffs. All my vehicles are paid in full including 2 high mpg sedans with low miles on them. I have a 2000 explorer that sits in the garage which is used in winter for snowstorms, mud and washouts on the dirt roads, it also hauls things the cars cannot do. And I KNOW I am not nearly ready having been PO aware only since Kunstler's Long Emergency. (I know his name is a lighting rod in PO land but that is the fact).
The quaffed Soccer Moms don't even have a clue. Should I pity them?
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