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I was watching some Sunday talk shows recently and they shared something in common. Each one raised questions about rising gasoline prices. There were former national economists, current professors at significant business schools, political gurus, and everyone else who might have something to say. And everyone has something to say. The questions were the same: How high will prices go?
How much can people afford before it affects the economy? And perhaps the most significant question, "What can we do about this?" Is this deja vu all over again? Isn't this roughly the fifth gasoline crisis that has existed in contemporary history? It's funny to me just how short-term our national memory can be. The fact of the matter is that everything that is happening today has happened many times since the first gas crisis back in the 1970s. And people still behave in the same manner each time this happens. Every time this happens, they go into a frenzy. "How high can prices go and how much can I afford before this becomes unbearable?" "Will this ever end?” Every time this happens the sale of small cars escalates. My recollection is that one time people paid above the suggested manufacturer price for small imports.
You probably remember that big shots in the community would no longer be the people driving large luxury cars. Rather, they purchased brand new Honda Civics that's scored about 40 miles to the gallon highway. Every time this happens we collectively decide that things must change and we're going to have to give up something. Yes, we are going to forgo large cars. We're going to conserve energy. And as for the federal government, it's going to have to investigate alternative energy supplies. Indeed, the federal government just enacted a new national energy policy. While it has been on the drawing board for two years, it does painfully little to address alternative energy supplies. Every time we have one of these crises, within a few months the crisis gets better. Prices gradually come down a little. The first time that a barrel of oil goes down it makes the first page of the New York Times and it also makes it onto national network news.
The second time, it receives just a little less press and this continues to the point where it becomes old news and no one cares. And then, nobody remembers. Adults become most interested in losing weight after they've had a heart attack and most interested in stopping smoking after they have some kind of cancer scare. But even heart attack victims often revert back to high-fat diets. And even smokers on oxygen often continue to smoke. Maybe it's all about human nature. Old habits just die hard. Right now we're in the middle of another gas crisis. I have to believe that dealers selling SUVs are having a harder time making sales right now. And I would imagine that many American families are reducing discretionary driving. But if history repeats itself again, in a few months when all of this becomes history discretionary driving will go back to where it was and so will SUV sales. And once again, driving a fuel-efficient car will become less cool. Last year I visited Florence and Rome. I would imagine that gasoline prices are about the same in both cities. And they are much higher than here. But the approach to this issue was radically different in each city. In Florence almost everybody drove a small car, often just big enough to fit two people. Many people rode bicycles. And it seems that every body walks at one time or another. Rome appears to be more cosmopolitan. While there were some small cars, there were many mid sized and larger cars as well. We need to become more like those who live in Florence. We need to stop the silliness and stop buying big gas consumptive SUVs. And we have to develop a better sense of long-term memory. In three or four months, when the problems once again self abate, we need to keep thinking about this issue. And maybe doing something that is long term beneficial this time. Or, we can continue to make the same mistakes over again. This is not Washington's problem to fix. It is everyone's problem to fix.
Raleigh, North Carolina, Offers
Quality Of Life, Say Realtors
Located halfway between North Carolina's beaches and mountains, Raleigh is a delightfully sophisticated and hospitable city with a rich history, beautiful setting and world-class educational and business opportunities. "Nestled among the native long-leaf pines in the heart of the Tar Heel State," says Realtor Tom Menges, "lies a cluster of delightful communities with a quality of life second to none. Raleigh, Cary, Wake Forest, Durham and Chapel Hill make up an area that has been ranked among the nation's best places to live, start a business, raise a family and get a world-class education. At the core of the criteria for these rankings, you'll discover unique neighborhoods and communities that are steeped in tradition and history with a rare blend of cultural diversity of people from around the world." "Our local real estate market has seen a remarkable surge in buyer activity," says Menges. "Many neighborhoods have seen sufficient gains that real estate appraisers are having difficulty in justifying some sale prices."
Says Realtor Rick Freeman, "Often described as a city within a park, Raleigh is the country's only preplanned and deliberately developed state capital. Raleigh is famous for offering a solid economic foundation of higher education, high-tech research and industry, and a commitment to government and business. Designated an "All American City", this vital and thriving community offers a diverse and sophisticated quality of life."
Raleigh ranks in the Top 10 of "Relocation Hot Spots." RELO, a large, independent relocation network reports that Raleigh ranks #6 in the list of most popular cities for relocation of corporate-sponsored transferees, second-home buyers, retirees, and those who can work virtually anywhere and are focused solely on lifestyle. Raleigh is seen favorably according to the network because "the average home price is $259,703, the cost-of-living index is 103, and there is one Fortune 500 firm. The area is an educational hub with several highly-regarded learning institutions." Cities ranking above Raleigh were Washington, DC, Jupiter, FL, Atlanta, GA, Chicago, IL, and Dallas, Texas. Freeman explains, "The neighborhoods of Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill are the essence of this North Carolina region. While new construction is following the predetermined paths established by the Interstate and inner and outer beltways, older homes closer to downtown are being renovated to preserve the architectural heritage of these cities. Outlying towns are quickly becoming the neighborhoods of choice for many newcomers. As new communities are built, retail and commercial developments are soon to follow.
The outlying municipalities of Garner, Clayton, Fuquay-Varina, Apex, Holly Springs and Morrisville are experiencing tremendous growth and are attracting newcomers' attention with affordable housing options. Best known for outstanding universities and colleges, the Triangle is home to N.C. State in Raleigh, UNC in Chapel Hill and Duke University in Durham. While there is so much to see and do in the Triangle, residents love the fact that the coast is less than two hours away and a weekend trip to the mountains requires just a three-hour drive. Locally, there are several lakes that provide weekend retreats from the warm summer months. And William B. Umstead State Park provides a great escape outdoors for the entire family."
"Raleigh, the capital of North Carolina and home to around 316,000 people, is surrounded by several thriving suburban communities," says Realtor Darlene Diamond Stibb, "It has grown into one of the most dynamic cities in the United States and is centrally located between the mountains and the beaches -- approximately 150 miles west of the Atlantic Ocean and 190 miles east of the Great Smoky Mountains.
While Greater Raleigh has become world renown for the Research Triangle Park it is also the crossroads to seven colleges and universities and a variety of cultural and recreational activities. The lakes and parks of Raleigh are some of the areas greatest attractions. Through the last decade, Raleigh has topped the lists of numerous nationwide rankings, and continues to be recognized as a desirable place to live and work. Downtown Raleigh is the business and government hub of the city. Surrounding downtown and extending to Interstate 440 in all directions is the rest of what is referred to as inside the beltline offering a quick jaunt to just about any neighboring city."
Continues Stibb, "Due to its popularity and location, the area inside the beltline has seen dramatic increases in property values. North Raleigh is considered the area just north of the Interstate 440 (the beltline's inner loop). With the recent opening of Interstate 540 (the outer loop) new home growth had sprouted in North Raleigh -- which now offers an easy commute to almost any Triangle attraction. Raleigh offers a large selection of older and newer homes at affordable prices. Mid-range to upscale homes on tree-lined streets can be found in many of the diverse neighborhoods." "Condominium and townhouses start at less than $100,000, while single-family homes start at about $150,000 and go to over $2 million for large estate properties."
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