The simple (or not so simple) question of chasing the American Dream: now vs then.

[AlongCameJones]

The middle class is a political and marketing gimmic for the uneducated or naive. Politically it’s used to create envy and hatred toward those who have something you don’t. Marketing it’s used as a carrot to sell more crap. The more money I make, the less value I place in buying crap.

Money has always been smartly put in the bank or into real estate.

 

[SoonerP226]

 

[conditionzero]

I am well off, no college, self taught in my field. If you want it, you can get it. America is not for the lazy, and neither is the dream, it never was.

 

[Okie4570]

If you have what you need, what difference the label make? If you have more than what you need what difference does the label make? If you have less than what you need what difference does the label make? Those that don't "think" they have enough, will never have enough, no matter what label you give them. The term "classes" has and will continue to ruin societies, continue division and make the po folks long for more and despise the rich folks and the rich folk will continue to look down on the po folk. It's all moot, folks will always compare themselves to others, society and government takes advantage of it.

 

[adamsredlines]

Austin, Texas still looks promising for affordable living.

Clearly you haven't looked at housing prices there lately.

 

[AlongCameJones]

Fertility? We don't need any more NEW babies right now. America is overpopulated as it is. Those with means need to be unselfish and adopt children needing homes.

 

[AlongCameJones]

Clearly you haven't looked at housing prices there lately.

It's been about two years since I've seen a home listed in Austin online. About the low $200K's for a new 3-4 br. home with garage outside the southern range of Tornado Alley. There have been a couple new homes in the greater area of Pocatello, ID under $200K. I should look at Wyoming and the Dakotas too. I would not purchase a home in OK. I rent here now. Austin is clearly more exciting to live in than SW Oklahoma.

 

[BReeves]

Austin is clearly more exciting to live in than SW Oklahoma.

You can have it, I'll take boring. Spent 1/2 my life in So California much happier now.

 

[conditionzero]

It's been about two years since I've seen a home listed in Austin online. About the low $200K's for a new 3-4 br. home with garage outside the southern range of Tornado Alley. There have been a couple new homes in the greater area of Pocatello, ID under $200K. I should look at Wyoming and the Dakotas too. I would not purchase a home in OK. I rent here now. Austin is clearly more exciting to live in than SW Oklahoma.

Austin is a liberal hole with more and more Californians making it an even larger liberal hole. You probably cant get anything for the low 300's there anymore, likely in the 400's for decent living.

 

[adamsredlines]

I have a family member in Austin whose 1200sqft 2br 1ba 1950s shithole appraises for $1.3M. Full on crazy. No thanks.