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2011-06-25 Economy

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Posted by g(r)omgoru 2011-06-25 03:52|| || Front Page|| [11126 views ] Top

#1 Never mentioned by the media is that low skilled immigration is the biggest threat to retirees income as it is to the incomes of those of lesser abilities and skills, and anyone who has difficulty finding employment.

Immigrants push these people out of employment while at the same time pushing down the wages of those employed.

Collecting supermarket trollys is an example a job that doesn't take much in the way of intellectual skill, nevermind education. And at one time was done by teenagers and those without the intellectual wherewithal for more challenging tasks, or people getting back into employment such as ex-cons.

My local supermarket used to have someone with Down's Syndrome doing it.

These days its done exclusively by immigrants (here in Perth).

Posted by phil_b 2011-06-25 04:39|| 2011-06-25 04:39|| Front Page Top

#2 True. My olde buddy Muck4Doo used to net $.25 per wheeling in the jitneys.

Posted by S 2011-06-25 07:32|| 2011-06-25 07:32|| Front Page Top

#3 "...maintaining their current lifestyle..."

That's the problem right there. Prosperity is an equation in which more money flows in than flows out, so wealth is accumulated.

But a lot of people got into the habit of spending their money as soon as they earned it. Suddenly, when they are no longer earning it, they find themselves unable to "maintain their current lifestyle". Well, duh.

Yet, in all fairness, add to them those who *did* save their money, but are ending up impoverished because others did not, especially the government. They have more than enough justification to become angry.

But this latter group, as you might suspect, are more likely to have their act together, so they give up on the whole "maintaining their current lifestyle" bit, and adjust to fit their new circumstances.

To an increasing number of people, this means moving to a community with low cost of living, so their dollars go further. To really stretch dollars, some even leave the United States.

But practically speaking, when times are hard, there will be some reverses to the predominant demographic trend of people moving from rural America to the cities. Especially if they pool their funds, large groups of retirees may decide to basically buy a small town.

But it only works if they are adaptable enough to "create their new lifestyle."

Posted by Anonymoose 2011-06-25 10:40|| 2011-06-25 10:40|| Front Page Top

#4 Depressed areas like the old rust belt industry locations are where many now locate when retired.
Any city that has lost a major employer will look great for retirement. Property values will be depressed. The cities welcome these seniors. No new schools and steady cash flow. Crime will be low and it will cause a rebirth. Medical, assisted living, service industry will draw people there. Then the cycle starts over again.

Posted by Dale 2011-06-25 13:34|| 2011-06-25 13:34|| Front Page Top

#5 I don't see many bargain properties in areas where retirement seems like a good idea. NW lower Michigan has been a popular area for retirees for years, with the result that real estate is still vastly overpriced, schools are overbuilt and overfunded by taxes, and NIMBY runs rampant. Young people tend to leave the area as soon as they can, never to return (no jobs for them).
Here & there I have seen some creative approaches to the issue. One thing that surprised me was a small town in ND. I found several developed lots in the heart of town obviously designed for big RV's to park on a semi-permanent basis. I asked locally & was told these were used by retirees, who wintered far to the south & spent the fair weather months living back among their old neighbors. The lots were beautiful & IMHO increased the value of the entire town. Property use of that kind would be considered unspeakably evil as far as Homeowner Associations go.

Posted by Anguper Hupomosing9418 2011-06-25 14:10|| 2011-06-25 14:10|| Front Page Top

#6 Places that have lost major employers and which have falling property values will tend to have major unemployment. Crime will not be particularly low. Retirees will have income that states may decide to tax more (see Michigan recently).

Posted by Anguper Hupomosing9418 2011-06-25 14:12|| 2011-06-25 14:12|| Front Page Top

#7 I think the vast majority of Americans (not just the retirees) will not be able to maintain their current lifestyle over the next 20 years. Certainly some will do very well. The rest of us, not so well.

Posted by Anguper Hupomosing9418 2011-06-25 14:13|| 2011-06-25 14:13|| Front Page Top

#8 Yes, but if you think about it, much of "lifestyle" is based on the innovation of a healthy economy. If you think that times are good when you can buy lots of technological thingys, even if you are well enough off to do "well", you may feel poor when there's a general slowdown.

Posted by Anonymoose 2011-06-25 17:16|| 2011-06-25 17:16|| Front Page Top

#9 byimmigerants my ass. i pushed buggies at wal mart because i was out of a job

Posted by chris 2011-06-25 21:47|| 2011-06-25 21:47|| Front Page Top

#10 AH you are correct but in areas where steel was king for example people have left. Same thing is happening in other areas. It just takes time for the younger ones to leave(kids also). I recall some very nice homes going for well under $50,000. The motor home group sounds nice but one fill up now could be over $1000. Hard to find a place to park and need to find hook ups. It doesn't take long for them to age and repairs can be a nightmare. Now when you travel DOT will stop you for a check simply for having dual wheels. Heaven forbid you say something wrong and they tear your motor home apart looking for drugs. Yes seniors are in transport these days. Then you have your people at deaths door who haven't got anything to lose. In prison they can have medical care and three hots and a cot. Belize has a large retirement group of Americans I'm told. Oh, I thought of a motor sailor but too expensive. Then the deserted islands are too expensive. Pirates are an ever present danger. Yep, three hots and a cot is sounding better.

Posted by Dale 2011-06-25 21:49|| 2011-06-25 21:49|| Front Page Top

23:53 phil_b
23:49 JosephMendiola
23:49 phil_b
23:43 JosephMendiola
23:37 JosephMendiola
23:31 Silentbrick - Halliburton Lost Drill Bit Division
22:32 Secret Asian Man
21:59 Dale
21:49 Dale
21:47 chris
21:34 Rambler in Virginia
21:20 tu3031
21:03 Nimble Spemble
20:43 KBK
20:42 trailing wife
20:16 Angimp Glavise7223
20:15 S
20:03 Pollyandrew
19:59 Alaska Paul
19:52 Pollyandrew
19:49 Procopius2k
19:47 S
19:43 Procopius2k
19:16 phil_b