Author Topic: Reddit Thread on CNN Article: 11M Americans Spend 50% of Income on Rent  (Read 23020 times)

Cassie

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Minnesota and Wis are both beautiful states. The Midwest has the Great Lakes which are awesome. I don't live there now but did when I was growing up.  Also it is so green. Every place has good and bad things.

onlykelsey

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IMO, other than low COL, the midwest has very few redeeming qualities. No mountains. No ocean. Two days drive to get to either one. Highways are LITTERED with billboards that make it impossible to enjoy what little scenery we do have here. To me, it's just a bunch of boring same-ness. I don't find anything wrong with people who choose to pay more to live in an area they find beautiful and adventurous.

Two days drive? Are you using a go-cart? ;)

Maybe they only drive 5-6 hours per day max?? I've lived in or around the big 3 cities in Ohio and can tell you that the mountains and beaches are all within a one day's drive. Hell, the road trip to the Rockies was a one day's drive (literally) and that was one boring drive....coughKANSAScough...

The rockies are only Mountains?  I can be in mountains in 4 hours.  Great lakes are a 2.5 hours and really nice lakes are 3 hours (local lakes are much closer).

Yeah, while the ozarks aren't the rockies they are definitely mountains, especially if you get into southwestern AR. As you said there are also some great bodies of water in the midwest or within a short driving distance. I like the view of an Ocean better than a lake, but I like the practicality of a lake (actually being able to swim in it, ski in it, boat in it, etc.) much more. Trade-offs to each.

Yes, the Midwest flat out sucks. Please don't come!

That's what I tell Coasters that seem to think that Minnesota and other states are just "fly-over states." I don't want their smug attitudes near me, nor do I want a lot of people to come as they can raise local prices. Right now I find Minnesota to be beautiful even though there are no oceans or mountains (highest point is like 3000 feet above sea level), but the cost of living more than makes up for it. Post-FIRE I really want to move to South/Central America or SE Asia due to their lower COL with access to mountains/oceans.

I like the upper midwest, could definitely see myself in the TWin Cities and have spent time there.  I've also lived in central Texas (some would argue the lower midwest), and have some family in the plains states.  I couldn't see myself in the plains states, but the upper midwest for sure. 

dramaman

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IMO, other than low COL, the midwest has very few redeeming qualities. No mountains. No ocean. Two days drive to get to either one. Highways are LITTERED with billboards that make it impossible to enjoy what little scenery we do have here. To me, it's just a bunch of boring same-ness. I don't find anything wrong with people who choose to pay more to live in an area they find beautiful and adventurous.

Two days drive? Are you using a go-cart? ;)

Maybe they only drive 5-6 hours per day max?? I've lived in or around the big 3 cities in Ohio and can tell you that the mountains and beaches are all within a one day's drive. Hell, the road trip to the Rockies was a one day's drive (literally) and that was one boring drive....coughKANSAScough...

Figures, you can't have any discussion about driving across the midwest without poor Kansas being picked on. :(

For what it's worth, there is some very nice scenery along the highway on the eastern side of the state. The Flint Hills area along the interstate are quick picturesque. And it's not like once you hit the state line into Colorado that the drive suddenly becomes scintillating. Eastern Colorado along I-70 is no less boring than Western Kansas.

Midwest

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IMO, other than low COL, the midwest has very few redeeming qualities. No mountains. No ocean. Two days drive to get to either one. Highways are LITTERED with billboards that make it impossible to enjoy what little scenery we do have here. To me, it's just a bunch of boring same-ness. I don't find anything wrong with people who choose to pay more to live in an area they find beautiful and adventurous.

Two days drive? Are you using a go-cart? ;)

Maybe they only drive 5-6 hours per day max?? I've lived in or around the big 3 cities in Ohio and can tell you that the mountains and beaches are all within a one day's drive. Hell, the road trip to the Rockies was a one day's drive (literally) and that was one boring drive....coughKANSAScough...

Figures, you can't have any discussion about driving across the midwest without poor Kansas being picked on. :(

For what it's worth, there is some very nice scenery along the highway on the eastern side of the state. The Flint Hills area along the interstate are quick picturesque. And it's not like once you hit the state line into Colorado that the drive suddenly becomes scintillating. Eastern Colorado along I-70 is no less boring than Western Kansas.

Drama - I think kansas get's picked on because it's flat and the width of 2 states when driving west.  We went through most of Indiana, Illinois and Missouri quickly.  Then we hit Kansas.  It was just bigger than we initially anticipated.

The funniest thing I remember about KS is the adult book store along I-70 the middle of a cornfield along a dirt road.  If I recall correctly it literally had tractors in the parking lot.

Helvegen

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Minnesota and Wis are both beautiful states. The Midwest has the Great Lakes which are awesome. I don't live there now but did when I was growing up.  Also it is so green. Every place has good and bad things.

Add to that Michigan. I love the west coast of Lake Michigan. I would definitely move there. I read they are building a Costco up in Traverse City. OK, I'm really ready to move back east now. :p

dramaman

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IMO, other than low COL, the midwest has very few redeeming qualities. No mountains. No ocean. Two days drive to get to either one. Highways are LITTERED with billboards that make it impossible to enjoy what little scenery we do have here. To me, it's just a bunch of boring same-ness. I don't find anything wrong with people who choose to pay more to live in an area they find beautiful and adventurous.

Two days drive? Are you using a go-cart? ;)

Maybe they only drive 5-6 hours per day max?? I've lived in or around the big 3 cities in Ohio and can tell you that the mountains and beaches are all within a one day's drive. Hell, the road trip to the Rockies was a one day's drive (literally) and that was one boring drive....coughKANSAScough...

Figures, you can't have any discussion about driving across the midwest without poor Kansas being picked on. :(

For what it's worth, there is some very nice scenery along the highway on the eastern side of the state. The Flint Hills area along the interstate are quick picturesque. And it's not like once you hit the state line into Colorado that the drive suddenly becomes scintillating. Eastern Colorado along I-70 is no less boring than Western Kansas.

Drama - I think kansas get's picked on because it's flat and the width of 2 states when driving west.  We went through most of Indiana, Illinois and Missouri quickly.  Then we hit Kansas.  It was just bigger than we initially anticipated.

The funniest thing I remember about KS is the adult book store along I-70 the middle of a cornfield along a dirt road.  If I recall correctly it literally had tractors in the parking lot.

Ah yes, the Lion's Den. For decades that place - located at a lonely highway exit miles from any proper town - has stuck out like a sore thumb and has been the source of irritation for local bible belt fundamentalists and the politicians that cater to them.

Kansas is wider than states to the east (I generally allocate 7 hours to drive across with minimal stops), but the vast flatness is really only remarkable in the western half starting around Salina and in my mind driving through Kansas should be thought of as passing through two states. Also I should note that one can find quite a few rolling hills in western Kansas if one has the temerity to explore areas away from the interstate.

I grew up in Western Kansas and now live in Eastern Kansas and have made countless treks along I-70. While the drive can seem long and boring - a friend from the coast got a chuckle about the road signs announcing how far it was to the next McDonalds - the positive is that there is usually very little traffic outside of construction areas. Set the cruise control, turn on a podcast and the hours will fly by.

Even though I would never want to live in Western Kansas, I have to admit that when I return that way, I find the panoramic view of looking from horizon to horizon obstructed only by the lonely tree of grain elevator to be a stunning source of beauty.

Papa Mustache

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IMO, other than low COL, the midwest has very few redeeming qualities. No mountains. No ocean. Two days drive to get to either one. Highways are LITTERED with billboards that make it impossible to enjoy what little scenery we do have here. To me, it's just a bunch of boring same-ness. I don't find anything wrong with people who choose to pay more to live in an area they find beautiful and adventurous.

Two days drive? Are you using a go-cart? ;)

Maybe they only drive 5-6 hours per day max?? I've lived in or around the big 3 cities in Ohio and can tell you that the mountains and beaches are all within a one day's drive. Hell, the road trip to the Rockies was a one day's drive (literally) and that was one boring drive....coughKANSAScough...

Figures, you can't have any discussion about driving across the midwest without poor Kansas being picked on. :(

For what it's worth, there is some very nice scenery along the highway on the eastern side of the state. The Flint Hills area along the interstate are quick picturesque. And it's not like once you hit the state line into Colorado that the drive suddenly becomes scintillating. Eastern Colorado along I-70 is no less boring than Western Kansas.

I spent some time in small towns of Kansas a few years ago and I could see making it work. Tornado season wouldn't be fun and I'm sure the snow gets old but make a few friends, develop your hobbies, etc.

brute

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I used to spend 50% on rent when I lived in southern california. I moved back to the midwest and haven't paid more than 16% since, and my house is 4x larger than my place in CA. Only downside is no mountains for ocean within biking distance, but I'll fix that eventually.

dramaman

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IMO, other than low COL, the midwest has very few redeeming qualities. No mountains. No ocean. Two days drive to get to either one. Highways are LITTERED with billboards that make it impossible to enjoy what little scenery we do have here. To me, it's just a bunch of boring same-ness. I don't find anything wrong with people who choose to pay more to live in an area they find beautiful and adventurous.

Two days drive? Are you using a go-cart? ;)

Maybe they only drive 5-6 hours per day max?? I've lived in or around the big 3 cities in Ohio and can tell you that the mountains and beaches are all within a one day's drive. Hell, the road trip to the Rockies was a one day's drive (literally) and that was one boring drive....coughKANSAScough...

Figures, you can't have any discussion about driving across the midwest without poor Kansas being picked on. :(

For what it's worth, there is some very nice scenery along the highway on the eastern side of the state. The Flint Hills area along the interstate are quick picturesque. And it's not like once you hit the state line into Colorado that the drive suddenly becomes scintillating. Eastern Colorado along I-70 is no less boring than Western Kansas.

I spent some time in small towns of Kansas a few years ago and I could see making it work. Tornado season wouldn't be fun and I'm sure the snow gets old but make a few friends, develop your hobbies, etc.

Having lived in Kansas nearly my whole life, tornado season is no big deal for me. I worry more about hail damage to cars in my driveway than a tornado coming along and taking out my house. Outside of a few major storms each winter, snow is also not that big a deal. You put up with the snow for a few days or maybe a couple of weeks and then the snow melts away until the next major storm would could be weeks away.

Icy roads, however, are another matter. Its always interesting to see the different cars that have gone off the highway because the drivers didn't realize there were patches of ice that they couldn't see.

Midwest

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Kansas is wider than states to the east (I generally allocate 7 hours to drive across with minimal stops), but the vast flatness is really only remarkable in the western half starting around Salina and in my mind driving through Kansas should be thought of as passing through two states. Also I should note that one can find quite a few rolling hills in western Kansas if one has the temerity to explore areas away from the interstate.


The width of Kansas was the source of surprise.  We got married, counted up our money and decided to go to Colorado the next morning.  We went through Indiana, Illinois and Missouri.  Without looking critically at the map, we have now passed through 3 states..... and then we hit Kansas (and looked at the map). 

Nothing wrong with KS.  Just can be a bit of a surprise and less to look at the states to the west.

PS - This was pre GPS.

Chris22

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I'm originally from the east coast/New England, so I have to say it's the best place ever to anyone in Chicagoloand who will listen, but in reality, Chicago is a pretty great place to live.  The only real drawback is the lack of the coast/ocean; otherwise I get to live on the outskirts of a first class city for about a 50% discount versus living in a coastal city.  I don't love winters here, but it's not like New England winters are any better.

mtn

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I can see how this is possible. My wife and I are at about 30% of my gross, so roughly 15% of our total gross. That is a LOT considering how much we make together, and the fact that the place is a small 1 bedroom (or a really big studio, depending on how you look at it). We're trying to find a new place that will improve the commute, and we really can't find anything that is a better deal--to the point that buying a house in the suburbs is probably our next step (after a short jaunt of living with the inlaws)--we really can't quite afford that (well, we can, just not by mustachian levels) but we're getting priced out of rentals.

This is in Chicago, btw.

Oh, and Ohio sucks south of I70. Columbus isn't bad, but they have the University there. Which sucks.


patchyfacialhair

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Minnesota and Wis are both beautiful states. The Midwest has the Great Lakes which are awesome. I don't live there now but did when I was growing up.  Also it is so green. Every place has good and bad things.

I would move to the suburbs/countryside in Minnesota/Wisconsin; it's nice and the people seem nice. Minneapolis though? I found it dirty, the people rude, and nothing piqued my interest that I couldn't find elsewhere.

Evgenia

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I live in San Francisco, lived in Chicago proper for about 10 years, and hail from Detroit (yes, actual Detroit). The Bay Area is exceptionally inflated right now (which soon will correct itself somewhat, I think -- it's beginning to), but here's the thing: I was always able to find reasonable rent, in cities, living in alleged "so-so neighborhoods" that actually weren't -- they were awesome, they just weren't hip. I was always near public transportation, had all the amenities, etc. Sometimes my train ride was a little longer, but so what? And my salaries were always significantly higher, so honestly, it all seemed to net out: housing cost a little more, but I got paid a lot more, so there was that. I realize not everyone is this lucky; you can get paid crap and live in a costly place, certainly.

I have NYC friends who live in awesome parts of Queens and Astoria, and know two who bought condos in the latter for < $200k several years ago. Very reasonable for NYC. No, it's not Manhattan, but they're not struggling and they're not paying 50% in rent. I have plenty of friends who live on Staten Island and it's LOVELY -- green, quiet, and a FERRY commute!

As for the Bay Area, I sincerely do not know why people are obsessed with staying in San Francisco. Sure, it's fine, I live here, but there are SO many lovely places to live and it's so easy to get around via public transit. I couldn't live in all the Bay Area towns that I'd want to in a lifetime. Live in Vallejo and take the ferry, for example. There are tons of places to live in Oakland -- which is a BIG city -- that are near transit.

Five and six years ago -- before our rental market really exploded and housing prices were down due to the crash -- I had one conversation after another about "Now's the time to buy" with people who had the downpayment and made lots of money (yes, I realize this is not true for everyone). "Oh, but I have rent control," they said. "But you should secure your housing while it's less expensive, if you want to stay here," said I. And now the landlords want them out, are selling the building, what have you. I think a lot of people just do not think longer term, or what might happen when things change.

I do believe the folks who say they couldn't get jobs in some parts of the Midwest (or that those jobs don't pay enough to do things like repay student loans). It's why I moved. I also love living in real cities and I HATE DRIVING, so I need to live in a place with rich regional public transit that is bike friendly. I couldn't stand southeast MI or northeast OH, so I left... but by just exploring slightly different areas, I could always live fairly affordably and fairly centrally.

mtn

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Minnesota and Wis are both beautiful states. The Midwest has the Great Lakes which are awesome. I don't live there now but did when I was growing up.  Also it is so green. Every place has good and bad things.

I would move to the suburbs/countryside in Minnesota/Wisconsin; it's nice and the people seem nice. Minneapolis though? I found it dirty, the people rude, and nothing piqued my interest that I couldn't find elsewhere.

I keep dropping hints to my wife that we should move to Wisconsin. I think she wants to leave Illinois, and we both don't do well with heat which leaves us... Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Michigan. Might could make it happen. We'll see.

But on the Minneapolis front... When were you there last? Because I have almost the exact opposite experience in my last only 3 times there (2007 for a weekend, 2010 for a day, 2013 for a week)

patchyfacialhair

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Minnesota and Wis are both beautiful states. The Midwest has the Great Lakes which are awesome. I don't live there now but did when I was growing up.  Also it is so green. Every place has good and bad things.

I would move to the suburbs/countryside in Minnesota/Wisconsin; it's nice and the people seem nice. Minneapolis though? I found it dirty, the people rude, and nothing piqued my interest that I couldn't find elsewhere.

I keep dropping hints to my wife that we should move to Wisconsin. I think she wants to leave Illinois, and we both don't do well with heat which leaves us... Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Michigan. Might could make it happen. We'll see.

But on the Minneapolis front... When were you there last? Because I have almost the exact opposite experience in my last only 3 times there (2007 for a weekend, 2010 for a day, 2013 for a week)

Last weekend, Friday to Monday.

mtn

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Minnesota and Wis are both beautiful states. The Midwest has the Great Lakes which are awesome. I don't live there now but did when I was growing up.  Also it is so green. Every place has good and bad things.

I would move to the suburbs/countryside in Minnesota/Wisconsin; it's nice and the people seem nice. Minneapolis though? I found it dirty, the people rude, and nothing piqued my interest that I couldn't find elsewhere.

I keep dropping hints to my wife that we should move to Wisconsin. I think she wants to leave Illinois, and we both don't do well with heat which leaves us... Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Michigan. Might could make it happen. We'll see.

But on the Minneapolis front... When were you there last? Because I have almost the exact opposite experience in my last only 3 times there (2007 for a weekend, 2010 for a day, 2013 for a week)

Last weekend, Friday to Monday.

Interesting. You're among the only people I've heard say something like that about the town.

patchyfacialhair

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Minnesota and Wis are both beautiful states. The Midwest has the Great Lakes which are awesome. I don't live there now but did when I was growing up.  Also it is so green. Every place has good and bad things.

I would move to the suburbs/countryside in Minnesota/Wisconsin; it's nice and the people seem nice. Minneapolis though? I found it dirty, the people rude, and nothing piqued my interest that I couldn't find elsewhere.

I keep dropping hints to my wife that we should move to Wisconsin. I think she wants to leave Illinois, and we both don't do well with heat which leaves us... Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Michigan. Might could make it happen. We'll see.

But on the Minneapolis front... When were you there last? Because I have almost the exact opposite experience in my last only 3 times there (2007 for a weekend, 2010 for a day, 2013 for a week)

Last weekend, Friday to Monday.

Interesting. You're among the only people I've heard say something like that about the town.

I was bummed. I've been to many major cities and I thought I'd like it. I'll be going back there once more at the end of this month and probably once more at the end of August to spend time with the wife since she's working out there, but we'll probably find things to do outside of the city. The food was great though, I'll give it that. Hopefully I have a more positive impression after a couple more visits.

randymarsh

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but by just exploring slightly different areas, I could always live fairly affordably and fairly centrally.

I think people are really lazy when searching for housing. They find a 2 block area they want to live in, head to the leasing office of the nearest building, and quickly sign a lease for 50% or more of their income. Then they wonder why it's so hard to save anything or go out.

SeaEhm

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I do not do well with change.  I am also pretty picky about the "feeling" of the neighborhood and area I live in.  Therefore, it would be hard for me to leave Orange County.

Like someone mentioned about the price one will pay to not live in Ohio.  I, along with hundreds of thousands of others, pay a pretty steep price to live in Orange County.  Luckily, it's much less than the Bay Area but I wouldn't mind tech money coming in and bumping up my home value, haha.

I have all the amenities I care for within a very close distance so the percentage of my income I pay is definitely worth it.   

Cassie

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REal estate in NV is really starting to escalate again so it will be interesting to see what happens.  In general I can bloom anywhere I am planted but I really like where I live now.

Dicey

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OH is a big place.
I live in CA, this made me chuckle. I'll bet a lot of Texans have a similar response.

Edit: Fixed wonky quote.
« Last Edit: July 19, 2016, 10:54:23 AM by Diane C »

randymarsh

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OH is a big place.
I live in CA, this made me chuckle. I'll bet a lot of Texans have a similar response.

Well, bigger than just a few rust belt towns. I guess that's the image people have, but it's still the 10th most populous state and there's a big difference between those small towns and the wealthy suburbs of Columbus and Cincinnati.

Papa Mustache

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I'm originally from the east coast/New England, so I have to say it's the best place ever to anyone in Chicagoloand who will listen, but in reality, Chicago is a pretty great place to live.  The only real drawback is the lack of the coast/ocean; otherwise I get to live on the outskirts of a first class city for about a 50% discount versus living in a coastal city.  I don't love winters here, but it's not like New England winters are any better.

Is the violence in Chicago restricted to a few bad neighborhoods? That's the way it is in a city I know well. Low income thugs killing each other over who knows what. People elsewhere in the city are pretty darn safe.

Chris22

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I'm originally from the east coast/New England, so I have to say it's the best place ever to anyone in Chicagoloand who will listen, but in reality, Chicago is a pretty great place to live.  The only real drawback is the lack of the coast/ocean; otherwise I get to live on the outskirts of a first class city for about a 50% discount versus living in a coastal city.  I don't love winters here, but it's not like New England winters are any better.

Is the violence in Chicago restricted to a few bad neighborhoods? That's the way it is in a city I know well. Low income thugs killing each other over who knows what. People elsewhere in the city are pretty darn safe.

For the most part.  I was downtown on Friday afternoon, felt perfectly safe.

joleran

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For the most part.  I was downtown on Friday afternoon, felt perfectly safe.

Downtown is perfectly safe, wander 10 minutes west on the green line though and you're in gang central.

Basically, go here and don't go near places with lots of dots on the map nearby: http://crime.chicagotribune.com/chicago/homicides

mtn

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For the most part.  I was downtown on Friday afternoon, felt perfectly safe.

Downtown is perfectly safe, wander 10 minutes west on the green line though and you're in gang central.

Basically, go here and don't go near places with lots of dots on the map nearby: http://crime.chicagotribune.com/chicago/homicides

And that map doesn't get that granular. I live in either West Town or Logan Square according to that map, but I don't actually live in either (although I can throw a rock and hit Logan Square). The lines are pretty hard lines, too, where 1 block will make an enormous difference. The only homicide in what I would call my neighborhood actually occurred on the expressway, was a murder-suicide with both deaths occurring in the vehicle, and both people were from a (dangerous in parts) suburb or the far south side. Not really a neighborhood shooting.


Papa Mustache

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For the most part.  I was downtown on Friday afternoon, felt perfectly safe.

Downtown is perfectly safe, wander 10 minutes west on the green line though and you're in gang central.

Basically, go here and don't go near places with lots of dots on the map nearby: http://crime.chicagotribune.com/chicago/homicides

Funny story - traveled to Chicago with my family. car trip. Youngest was randomly needing a bathroom b/c they were young and had a tiny bladder.

We're rolling through town and I get the "gotta go!" announcement. That means "RIGHT NOW". Off the highway and into a neighborhood - oops! - rough looking place. Wife took the little one in and I kept the engine running. DW reported everyone was very polite and kind despite the appearance of the place. Still wouldn't want to test that late at night. We're from down south and we sound like it. Nothing like announcing to the world that you are a tourist!

mtn

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For the most part.  I was downtown on Friday afternoon, felt perfectly safe.

Downtown is perfectly safe, wander 10 minutes west on the green line though and you're in gang central.

Basically, go here and don't go near places with lots of dots on the map nearby: http://crime.chicagotribune.com/chicago/homicides

Funny story - traveled to Chicago with my family. car trip. Youngest was randomly needing a bathroom b/c they were young and had a tiny bladder.

We're rolling through town and I get the "gotta go!" announcement. That means "RIGHT NOW". Off the highway and into a neighborhood - oops! - rough looking place. Wife took the little one in and I kept the engine running. DW reported everyone was very polite and kind despite the appearance of the place. Still wouldn't want to test that late at night. We're from down south and we sound like it. Nothing like announcing to the world that you are a tourist!

I've been in those neighborhoods. Don't leave your car unattended. Don't go there at night. Not as scary as it seems.


MilesTeg

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Rental markets are brutal in our area. Median Rent is roughly $1750 for a small family (3br, 2 ba) home. That's roughly 40-50% of median household income.

In areas like this, it's a good idea to BUY not rent. We just sold our place to buy a new one, and our mortgage (80% LTV) was about 1/2 what the place will likely rent for, based on comps.

Papa Mustache

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I've been in those neighborhoods. Don't leave your car unattended. Don't go there at night. Not as scary as it seems.

yeah - that's what I thought about. We had a car load of luggage and kid travel gadgets right there in plain view b/c it was a CUV. Having lived overseas I knew better than walk away for more than 1/2 a second. A tall van might be the better travel vehicle just b/c everything would be easier to hide and tougher to reach in if things were stored on the floor.

libertarian4321

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IMO, other than low COL, the midwest has very few redeeming qualities. No mountains. No ocean. Two days drive to get to either one. Highways are LITTERED with billboards that make it impossible to enjoy what little scenery we do have here. To me, it's just a bunch of boring same-ness. I don't find anything wrong with people who choose to pay more to live in an area they find beautiful and adventurous.

"No ocean."

Umm, Ohio is located on Lake Erie.  Unless you are a competitive world class surfer (highly unlikely), why would you need an ocean when you are on one of the largest lakes in the world?

"No mountains."

Ohio is located near the Appalachian mountains.  A few hours and you can be hiking, skiing, hunting, screwing, or whatever you do "on a mountain."  As I recall, NYC, LA, San Fran, Boston, Miami, Chicago and most of the other high COL cities aren't in the Alps, either...

"Highways are LITTERED with billboards"

Have you ever been to the USA?  This is an accurate description of a highway in any populated area in the USA.


mm1970

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IMO, other than low COL, the midwest has very few redeeming qualities. No mountains. No ocean. Two days drive to get to either one. Highways are LITTERED with billboards that make it impossible to enjoy what little scenery we do have here. To me, it's just a bunch of boring same-ness. I don't find anything wrong with people who choose to pay more to live in an area they find beautiful and adventurous.

"No ocean."

Umm, Ohio is located on Lake Erie.  Unless you are a competitive world class surfer (highly unlikely), why would you need an ocean when you are on one of the largest lakes in the world?

"No mountains."

Ohio is located near the Appalachian mountains.  A few hours and you can be hiking, skiing, hunting, screwing, or whatever you do "on a mountain."  As I recall, NYC, LA, San Fran, Boston, Miami, Chicago and most of the other high COL cities aren't in the Alps, either...

"Highways are LITTERED with billboards"

Have you ever been to the USA?  This is an accurate description of a highway in any populated area in the USA.

LA is a lot closer to mountains than Ohio.

Of course with traffic it may still take a few hours to get there.

Papa Mustache

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"Highways are LITTERED with billboards"

Have you ever been to the USA?  This is an accurate description of a highway in any populated area in the USA.

THERE is something I wouldn't mind seeing vanish overnight. Not hurting me but adds such a cluttered look to a place.

dramaman

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"Highways are LITTERED with billboards"

Have you ever been to the USA?  This is an accurate description of a highway in any populated area in the USA.

THERE is something I wouldn't mind seeing vanish overnight. Not hurting me but adds such a cluttered look to a place.

Some places are worse than others. I thought some states had strict limits on billboards.

onlykelsey

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"Highways are LITTERED with billboards"

Have you ever been to the USA?  This is an accurate description of a highway in any populated area in the USA.

THERE is something I wouldn't mind seeing vanish overnight. Not hurting me but adds such a cluttered look to a place.

Some places are worse than others. I thought some states had strict limits on billboards.

I think VT has banned them entirely.

MgoSam

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IMO, other than low COL, the midwest has very few redeeming qualities. No mountains. No ocean. Two days drive to get to either one. Highways are LITTERED with billboards that make it impossible to enjoy what little scenery we do have here. To me, it's just a bunch of boring same-ness. I don't find anything wrong with people who choose to pay more to live in an area they find beautiful and adventurous.

"No ocean."

Umm, Ohio is located on Lake Erie.  Unless you are a competitive world class surfer (highly unlikely), why would you need an ocean when you are on one of the largest lakes in the world?

"No mountains."

Ohio is located near the Appalachian mountains.  A few hours and you can be hiking, skiing, hunting, screwing, or whatever you do "on a mountain."  As I recall, NYC, LA, San Fran, Boston, Miami, Chicago and most of the other high COL cities aren't in the Alps, either...

"Highways are LITTERED with billboards"

Have you ever been to the USA?  This is an accurate description of a highway in any populated area in the USA.

LA is a lot closer to mountains than Ohio.

Of course with traffic it may still take a few hours to get there.

I'm guessing COL is a lot better in Ohio than it is in LA.

MrMoogle

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"Highways are LITTERED with billboards"

Have you ever been to the USA?  This is an accurate description of a highway in any populated area in the USA.

THERE is something I wouldn't mind seeing vanish overnight. Not hurting me but adds such a cluttered look to a place.

Some places are worse than others. I thought some states had strict limits on billboards.

I think VT has banned them entirely.
I drive from Alabama to Illinois a few times a year to visit relatives.  I hardly notice billboards, until one County in Kentucky, and then there's like 50 per mile for a dozen miles, and they're way up in the air, above the tree line, so they're impossible to miss.  It's like going to one of those old websites that's 90% ads.

Papa Mustache

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Go further south. TN and GA are covered in the darn billboards.

Rubic

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Go further south. TN and GA are covered in the darn billboards.

My favorite in Alabama:
« Last Edit: July 28, 2016, 10:11:43 AM by rubic »

MgoSam

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Go further south. TN and GA are covered in the darn billboards.

My favorite in Alabama:

Gotta love the If not A, then B statements.

Here's one, If you don't go to church, you won't get molested by a priest.

dramaman

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Go further south. TN and GA are covered in the darn billboards.

My favorite in Alabama:

Gotta love the If not A, then B statements.

Here's one, If you don't go to church, you won't get molested by a priest.

That would make for a memorable road sign.

TheGrimSqueaker

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Go further south. TN and GA are covered in the darn billboards.

My favorite in Alabama:

Gotta love the If not A, then B statements.

Here's one, If you don't go to church, you won't get molested by a priest.

That would make for a memorable road sign.

Yes, and they'd probably bring back burning at the stake to punish anyone cheeky enough to set it up.

Greenway52

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In Vancouver, at least part of the problem is that many people have expectations of a rental that just are not in line with their salary. Their baseline for a "liveable" apartment includes a dishwasher, in suite laundry, great layout, less than X years old, X floor or higher with a nice view, etc etc. Lower that to "no mold/pests, reasonable transit access, and everything works (fridge, toilet, etc)", and all of a sudden you have tons of very affordable places to choose from.

I agree with you 100%. I live in Toronto, which like Vancouver is a high COL area. Even though I have a full time job and can afford to live in a much more expensive apartment, I rent a room for $300/month, which is a bit over 4% of my gross pay.

A lot of people in TO want to live downtown for the "experience" and then complain that rent is too expensive, can't save enough for a down payment (because instead of overspending on rent, they want to overspend on an overpriced housing market), etc.

I can understand someone who only has part time work spending 50% of income on rent, but even if you have a full time minimum wage job, that means you're making $23,400 per year. Meaning if you're paying 50% of your income to rent, you're paying $11,700/year or $975/month for rent. There's plenty of places in Toronto to be had for less than that. So if you're spending 50% of your income on rent and you're employed fulltime, it's not because you have to, it's because you want to.


MgoSam

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Re: Reddit Thread on CNN Article: 11M Americans Spend 50% of Income on Rent
« Reply #94 on: August 01, 2016, 09:58:13 AM »
Go further south. TN and GA are covered in the darn billboards.

My favorite in Alabama:

Gotta love the If not A, then B statements.

Here's one, If you don't go to church, you won't get molested by a priest.

That would make for a memorable road sign.

Yes, and they'd probably bring back burning at the stake to punish anyone cheeky enough to set it up.

So I assume that you're interesting to putting up a billboard saying this? ;-).

I still remember the anger this billboard sparked.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/03/13/atheist-slavery-billboard-pennsylvania-raises-tempers_n_1342268.html

TheGrimSqueaker

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Re: Reddit Thread on CNN Article: 11M Americans Spend 50% of Income on Rent
« Reply #95 on: August 01, 2016, 10:30:48 AM »
Go further south. TN and GA are covered in the darn billboards.

My favorite in Alabama:

Gotta love the If not A, then B statements.

Here's one, If you don't go to church, you won't get molested by a priest.

That would make for a memorable road sign.

Yes, and they'd probably bring back burning at the stake to punish anyone cheeky enough to set it up.

So I assume that you're interesting to putting up a billboard saying this? ;-).

I still remember the anger this billboard sparked.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/03/13/atheist-slavery-billboard-pennsylvania-raises-tempers_n_1342268.html

Well, as amusing as it is to see uptight people clench their buttocks and scream, the problem with reactionary religious wingnuts in the United States is that they're actually dangerous. Antinomianism is part of the American culture, and people truly believe that their religious convictions put them above conventional law or morality. Indeed, when a politician subverts an elected office to advance a religious agenda, nobody bats an eye because it's expected.

We're talking about a community that is actively looking for an excuse to retaliate for perceived slights. They throw destructive tantrums when their sense of righteous butthurt is provoked by ordinary things like people requesting equal rights, equal pay, or other things that erode their traditional privileges or hegemony. Sadly, despite being in the numeric majority and in a position of economic strength, they have also cultivated a delusion of persecution in order to justify their ongoing aggression against others. When other people aren't prepared to imitate the religious community's self imposed restrictions, kowtow to them by picking up the slack on their special holidays, wink and nod while they ignore the same laws that they expect everyone else to follow, or watch in rapt, worshipful attention as they demand total silence for their moment of attention-seeking grandstanding otherwise known as public prayer, they believe they're being injured somehow. They are so self-absorbed that if someone else has the audacity to actually want to control what they do with their own body, career, or love life, then the religious wingnuts truly believe that the other person is being gay, or military, or employed, or married, at them. They truly can't handle that. So, whenever they perceive that their collective ass isn't being kissed with quite enough tongue, they express it in the context of their ongoing delusions of persecution. That's what justifies the retaliation.

Cross burnings, bombings, beatings, death by torture, and similar violence is definitely part of the American religious community's history, however they're also very good at using the political and legal system to "fight back" and defend their privileges. Even if they don't go on a bloody butthurt jihad and slaughter people physically (which is what they really want to do), the retaliation is generally directed at children, visible minorities, poor people, sick people, and others who aren't in a position to fight back.

That's why I don't plan to set up a billboard to deliberately irritate them. I'm not the one who will have to absorb the very predictable backlash.

Chris22

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Re: Reddit Thread on CNN Article: 11M Americans Spend 50% of Income on Rent
« Reply #96 on: August 01, 2016, 10:38:58 AM »
Go further south. TN and GA are covered in the darn billboards.

My favorite in Alabama:

Gotta love the If not A, then B statements.

Here's one, If you don't go to church, you won't get molested by a priest.

Not that you guys care, but the guys who have the monopoly on kid-touching-by-clergy (Catholics) are not the ones that have the monopoly on bible beating in the Southern states (mostly Baptists).  Two different groups.

MgoSam

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Re: Reddit Thread on CNN Article: 11M Americans Spend 50% of Income on Rent
« Reply #97 on: August 01, 2016, 10:57:51 AM »
Go further south. TN and GA are covered in the darn billboards.

My favorite in Alabama:

Gotta love the If not A, then B statements.

Here's one, If you don't go to church, you won't get molested by a priest.

Not that you guys care, but the guys who have the monopoly on kid-touching-by-clergy (Catholics) are not the ones that have the monopoly on bible beating in the Southern states (mostly Baptists).  Two different groups.

I completely understand that the south is mostly Baptists or other denominations, and still stand by assertion that if you don't go to church you're less likely to get molested by a priest (or pastor, ect).

Baylor is a Baptist school that refused to investigate rape committed by its students because it was "off campus" but was quite willing to penalize the rape victims because they apparently had drank alcohol off-campus.

Edit:

Here are two sources that bring home that molesting children is not something solely done by Catholic priests, but sadly by other denominations.

https://baptistnews.com/article/book-documents-molestation-in-conservative-baptist-churches/

http://www.charismanews.com/world/57133-baptist-doctor-molested-nearly-20-missionary-kids-under-guise-of-medical-care-reports-say

A Definite Beta Guy

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Re: Reddit Thread on CNN Article: 11M Americans Spend 50% of Income on Rent
« Reply #98 on: August 01, 2016, 12:16:42 PM »
This thought runs through my mind all the time with certain family/friends. My Sister-In-Law spends $2100/month for a rent-controlled apt in Brooklyn, which closely resembles a warzone. I thought I saw low-quality in some of my working class rural family homes, but this just took the cake. Couldn't even stand in the tub because it'd cut your feet. Hallways were a disgusting cinderblock that reminded me of...I don't know...the USSR?

And why are there no alleyways? Who piles their garbage on the street like that?!

Outrageous. I assume there are a lot of places within NYC where rent is cheaper, but the attitude towards Queens was...low. And Staten Island? Apparently she went there once and it was "The worst experience ever."



I quite like the Chicagoland area. I live in the Northwest suburbs, so we have excellent public schools, and prices are reasonable. My friend, a single public school teacher down in the city, just picked himself up a house. Good deal.

Summers are great, usually in the 80s. It can get humid, but it's not Florida.

Unfortunately, yeah....no mountains.

Also unfortunately, our budget is kind of a mess, and I think we have the lowest credit rating in the nation (PR doesn't count).

TheGrimSqueaker

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Re: Reddit Thread on CNN Article: 11M Americans Spend 50% of Income on Rent
« Reply #99 on: August 01, 2016, 01:08:36 PM »
This thought runs through my mind all the time with certain family/friends. My Sister-In-Law spends $2100/month for a rent-controlled apt in Brooklyn, which closely resembles a warzone. I thought I saw low-quality in some of my working class rural family homes, but this just took the cake. Couldn't even stand in the tub because it'd cut your feet. Hallways were a disgusting cinderblock that reminded me of...I don't know...the USSR?

And why are there no alleyways? Who piles their garbage on the street like that?!

Outrageous. I assume there are a lot of places within NYC where rent is cheaper, but the attitude towards Queens was...low. And Staten Island? Apparently she went there once and it was "The worst experience ever."


The lack of alleys can be blamed on greedy developers who realized that designing neighborhoods without alleys allowed them to cram more houses, and bigger yards, into the suburbs. The tradeoff is that all the trash collection has to be done from the main street.