Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: Urban Affordable Cooperative Cohousing Communities.

[Sharon Villines (sharon]

On Feb 11, 2009, at 9:15 AM, Josh Sharp wrote:

> I would like to offer that your explanation, though the current norm,
> may be based on thinking that has, in part, led to the economic
> troubles we face.  That is, that home prices will continue to
> increase, indefinitely.  May I also offer a link to a web site that
> has some very good information  on this matter:
>
> http://www.chrismartenson.com/crashcourse

This is an interesting site by a person who is living life very  
differently than many of us. He is also very smart and has the right  
education to enable him to live this way. In addition to reducing his  
cash outlay and this carbon footprint, however, he is earning a lot of  
money with his investments. Three times more, if I remember right,  
than anyone else who was investing his money when he was working and  
turning it over to them.

So he is earning his living not by making goods or providing services  
but through the financial system, the same one that has brought us  
into this crisis. I'm not saying that is a bad thing to do but it  
isn't different than investing in one's home.

The price of homes doesn't continue to go  up and up, but having one  
that appreciates or depreciates at market rate is more likely to keep  
most of us even. I wouldn't want to live in a community where no one  
could afford to move if they fancied that they wanted to. It breeds  
discontent.

Sharon
----
Sharon Villines in Washington DC
Where all roads lead to Casablanca