Hello All

[Byron100]

I came across this forum about a week ago after reading the "Long Emergency'...and I'm amazed (and a bit overwelmed..lol) at the wealth of information and opinion on this board, and I look forward to chipping in whenever I can.

I've been aware of P.O. for about a year, but the reality of the coming energy shortage really didn't hit home for me until Katrina, which I'm sure is true for a lot of people. I live in Atlanta, GA in a single-family house at the NE corner of the city, having moved up from Ft. Lauderdale earlier this year. While Atlanta is a darned sight better than living in South Florida, I've been bummed out by how car-dependent this city is, and how *far* everything is from everything else...people around here think nothing of driving 20-30 miles one way to work, not to mention shopping, visiting friends, etc. I do consider myself fortunate in that I live within 1 mile of a decent shopping center, within easy walking distance of a bus stop, and 3.2 miles to the nearest MARTA station (train). So if push comes to shove, I'd be able to get by without the use of a car (although I'd probably ride a scooter to get around locally.)

Although I'm not a classic "doomer", I have become increasingly pessimistic as of late of what this country is facing in the not-so-distant future...even if P.O. happens to be further off in the future than is predicted, due to the utter unsustainability of our socio-economic system...and when it all comes crashing down, it sure ain't gonna be pretty. The big question I'm attemping to answer for myself at the moment is whether or not being near a large city is better than being in a rural area during depressionary times, and whether or not housing values will keep in relative balance with land prices (specifically in upstate NY, which is where I'd like to live someday). Hopefully I'll be able to figure some of this stuff out (and take appropiate action) before things become too unglued...lol.

Byron

[azreal60]

Welcome to the board byron. This is indeed a great place to both pick up info and argue and debate the specifics of this event in human history.

I don't know many cities in the US that Aren't pretty damn car dependant. Really the only ones that have an outside option are the ones that where simply forced to go away from the car cause they are too damn dense.

Look forward to seeing your posts.

[emersonbiggins]

I don't know many cities in the US that Aren't pretty damn car dependant. Really the only ones that have an outside option are the ones that where simply forced to go away from the car cause they are too damn dense.

The cities you are alluding to (Boston, NYC, Chicago) weren't 'forced' away from the car so much as newer cities were 'forced', by collusive government intervention, to the car. Big difference.

[Byron100]

The cities you are alluding to (Boston, NYC, Chicago) weren't 'forced' away from the car so much as newer cities were 'forced', by collusive government intervention, to the car. Big difference.

I agree...if only the US gov't hadn't bowed down to the auto industry back in the 20's by allowing the wonderfully efficient streetcar system (found in both large and smaller cities alike) to be dismantled to force auto dependence upon the population, not to mention spending huge sums of money on paved highways using public money, which of course continues to this day. When I visited San Francisco back in the late 90's, I was amazed at how easy it was to get around using its system of streetcars and subways, not to mention being a whole lot more fun and less stressful than being stuck in traffic jams

Byron

[emersonbiggins]

The cities you are alluding to (Boston, NYC, Chicago) weren't 'forced' away from the car so much as newer cities were 'forced', by collusive government intervention, to the car. Big difference.

I agree...if only the US gov't hadn't bowed down to the auto industry back in the 20's by allowing the wonderfully efficient streetcar system (found in both large and smaller cities alike) to be dismantled to force auto dependence upon the population, not to mention spending huge sums of money on paved highways using public money, which of course continues to this day. When I visited San Francisco back in the late 90's, I was amazed at how easy it was to get around using its system of streetcars and subways, not to mention being a whole lot more fun and less stressful than being stuck in traffic jams

Byron

Excellent points. It's no coincidence that when one mentions 'worldly' or 'cosmopolitan' cities, there is always a strong correlation with the usage and extensiveness of fixed mass transit.