The Reagan White House moved to lower tax rates for developers in the 1980s and then years of low interest rates glutted downtowns with office buildings. Time's up.
My car is 20 years old, runs great, gets 30mpg, and easy to repair. It costs about $40/month in gas, $800/year in insurance and I purchased it used for $11500. Unexpected expenses usually run $500 every 4 years or so.
It opened doors to better employment, bridged the gap to my distant friends, supports my recreational activities, saved my life with a medical emergency.
Without it, I couldnt see my friends, family, or nieces/nephews. I couldnt see the milky way without light pollution. I’d have to accept what I’m offered rather than find what I need. I have to autonomy to pick a direction and explore; to find nature, peace or get away from civilization.
I’m not rich, but my life is richer with what I can do with a car.
I generally agree with you, but I think you missed the mark here. People who manage to buy a used car that they may need to get by are not the issue here. I hate cars and car dependant cities, but also have a lease on a used one that I can barely afford because the town I’m in right now is 100% carbrained. When I lived in the city, I was proud not to own a car. I also currently don’t have the money for it in my budget, so my quality of life has taken a significant hit by this necessary purchase (though it would be much worse without it). I live paycheck-to-paycheck right now too.
You’re being so disingenuous, making it sound like car ownership is out the reach of half of Americans is the most absurd thing I’ve heard in a long time.
For most people a car is a vital expense to allow them to live, work and shop at far less expense so becomes a net saving. If you’re working minimum wage then you can afford a car, this is born out by the fact that cars are totally ubiquitous.
You earn more than me, my car cost 2k. Over 90% of American households have at least one car, there’s a lot wrong with cars back lack of access to them is not one of the issues
Well, I live where there is terrible public transportation so everybody and their grandma has to drive everywhere and can tell you that’s a whole different ball game. Sure, maybe it’s cheap to drive where you are but here insurance is at least $300 per month per car, because since everyone is driving there are more accidents. So you may be getting subsidized by all the people who aren’t driving, basically.
Our downtown though has moved in the opposite direction, it was dead when I was in highschool, remember walking around there in the weekends looking at all the old empty buildings that used to be retail, we would explore it like it was historical ruins. But over time it’s come back and now many people living there & working there, restaurants and bars and little groceries, different from what it was, malls killed downtown retail then internet killed most of the the malls.
Must be nice to be rich enough to have a car.
Luckily the stores I can walk to are pretty affordable.
My car is 20 years old, runs great, gets 30mpg, and easy to repair. It costs about $40/month in gas, $800/year in insurance and I purchased it used for $11500. Unexpected expenses usually run $500 every 4 years or so.
It opened doors to better employment, bridged the gap to my distant friends, supports my recreational activities, saved my life with a medical emergency.
Without it, I couldnt see my friends, family, or nieces/nephews. I couldnt see the milky way without light pollution. I’d have to accept what I’m offered rather than find what I need. I have to autonomy to pick a direction and explore; to find nature, peace or get away from civilization.
I’m not rich, but my life is richer with what I can do with a car.
Must be nice to be able to afford to pay $11500 for a car. More than half of Americans live paycheck-to-paycheck.
I generally agree with you, but I think you missed the mark here. People who manage to buy a used car that they may need to get by are not the issue here. I hate cars and car dependant cities, but also have a lease on a used one that I can barely afford because the town I’m in right now is 100% carbrained. When I lived in the city, I was proud not to own a car. I also currently don’t have the money for it in my budget, so my quality of life has taken a significant hit by this necessary purchase (though it would be much worse without it). I live paycheck-to-paycheck right now too.
Ok, same thing but I paid $3000. My car is 26 years old and running great.
You’re being so disingenuous, making it sound like car ownership is out the reach of half of Americans is the most absurd thing I’ve heard in a long time.
For most people a car is a vital expense to allow them to live, work and shop at far less expense so becomes a net saving. If you’re working minimum wage then you can afford a car, this is born out by the fact that cars are totally ubiquitous.
Bad and unfaithful arguments just hurt the cause
I spend $2500 a month for rent and take home maybe $800 more then that.
Many people can not afford cars, check your privilege.
You earn more than me, my car cost 2k. Over 90% of American households have at least one car, there’s a lot wrong with cars back lack of access to them is not one of the issues
How much is your rent?
$800 a month for every other expense in a month means I’m skipping meals more often then not so there’s something wrong with your math.
Well, I live where there is terrible public transportation so everybody and their grandma has to drive everywhere and can tell you that’s a whole different ball game. Sure, maybe it’s cheap to drive where you are but here insurance is at least $300 per month per car, because since everyone is driving there are more accidents. So you may be getting subsidized by all the people who aren’t driving, basically.
Our downtown though has moved in the opposite direction, it was dead when I was in highschool, remember walking around there in the weekends looking at all the old empty buildings that used to be retail, we would explore it like it was historical ruins. But over time it’s come back and now many people living there & working there, restaurants and bars and little groceries, different from what it was, malls killed downtown retail then internet killed most of the the malls.