Mortgages, Community and the Justin Timberlake of New Urbanism
A few days ago a discussion on this blog got quite passionate as commentators put forth opinions as to the cause of the current Mortgage Crisis. Among the list of possible contributors to the current problem mentioned were the group of home buyers with a lust for larger homes on larger lots with larger mortgages. It was felt that their quest and subsequent inability to meet these new mortgage obligations helped to create the current mess.
That may be a bit of a simplification, but it is a concern of not only those hurting during this mortgage crunch, but by new urbanists who have been crying for years about the need to stop the suburban sprawl created by builders churning up rural land to feed their mcmansion fanbase.
For those of you who are diehard new urbanist, you’ll be pleased at the heightened awareness of new urbanism today. Between the environmental cost of sprawl (commuter traffic, elimination of pristine lands, etc.) and the financial meltdown of the middleclass that fueled sprawl, everyone is looking to the common sense that has been sprouted by new urbanist for years.
In basic terms, where we live is important to our environment, our family life and our business and economic propserity. The closer we live together, the better. When towns, villages and cities are planned well to accommodate the needs of families, students, business owners and the envrionment–we all benefit.
I can’t say it any better than the guru himself, world renowned American new urbanist and professor, Richard Florida. The author of the wildy popular Rise of the Creative Class and new book Who’s Your City
“New ideas are generated and our productivity increases when we locate close to one another in cities and regions.”
Based on his data and research, Florida asserts that many of our urban centers (cities, towns, villages) are a hotbed for creativity and productivity. It’s not forced or manufactured it is just what happens when talented and productive people locate themselves close to one another.
I see that where I live in my own community which was re-shaped based on the new urbanist philosophy, but what I find really interesting is that I see this “hotbed of creativity and productivity” happening in my online communities as well.
The Moms Radio Network, for example is a concept led by entrepreneur Kelly McCausey to help encourage and promote mom podcasters. This isn’t a multi-national corporate outfit. It’s WAHM effort driven by the creativity of the women involved. Not only does it generate one of the widest rangest of topics for a target niche market (women entrepreneurs and stay at home moms), but it helps to generate revenue for the podcast entrepreneurs involved.
Once again this one example highlights how the power of community (the human, creative element) can be amplified and enabled through good infrastructure (natural and manmade) and technolgy. It makes me wonder why new urbanism has taken 20 years to become “popular.” It just makes such good sense.
The Mortgage Crisis and the Silver Lining
The mortgage crisis in America has created a huge challenge for many families and individuals who are now at risk of losing their homes. Bloomberg.com reports that California had the most foreclosure filings in the U.S. last year and the biggest fourth-quarter decline in prices. The state had a staggering 481,392 foreclosures
Other states like Maryland, Florida and Ohio are also feeling the pressure. Carol Cohen of Cleveland Real Estate News.com is maintaining an ongoing report on homes for sale and in foreclosure for both urban and suburban communities in this north eastern Ohio region.
Many states have since put in place measures to ease the stress and provide some assistance that may help homeowners to hang onto their homes. There is no doubt that this is a sad story – let’s hope it comes to an end soon.
In the meantime this is also an opportunity for others to enter the housing market and contribute to the rejuvination of the economy and the neighborhoods impacted by the current economic crisis. Do you know that there are many homes in very desireable neighborhoods across the country from California to Ohio that are within the $100-200K range (see Carole Cohen’s link above)? These are homes that in some cases may have been double or triple the price only a year or so ago.
There is a risk that prices may drop even a further so if you are going to see if this is your opportunity to enter the housing market or make a move to neighborhood that you’ve always wanted to live in, do your research and time your entrance into the market accordingly.
Whether communities hit by this mortgage crisis are in affluent or struggling areas, they all can likely benefit from the investment that may come from those who can take advantage of this affordable housing market AND make a contribution to the communities that they will be calling home.
Religion in Our Lives
Today, Good Friday, is just about the most important day in the Christian calendar. Most of our world religions have days and periods in the calendar that have special significance. What I find wonderful is that people of different religions or no religion are still able to acknowledge these events whether as a matter respect to others or out of their own sense of interest, wonder or basic humanity.
No question that we are as a “world nation” unique people brought to levels of passion, emotion and even irrationality because of our religion. We fight in the name of religion, and we love in the name of religion. Hopefully one day we’ll get it right. In the meantime for those people that have the freedom to worship as they please and to acknowledge other religions, as they please, I hope you’ll appreciate that gift and take the time to acknowledge how important today is to Christian people.
Good Friday commemorates the day Jesus was crucified on the cross. Sunday we’ll celebrate his resurrection and have our Easter celebration. Even for people who are not Christian or even religious, the notion of celebrating life after death is one that predates Christianity.
For those who are interested, here are some traditions that will be followed today, especially in my home as we’re Catholic.
We’ll attend Church this afternoon for the Good Friday service where there will be a re-enactment of the Passion of Christ. This act is in fact the Church community’s way of commemorating the redemption of the world through Jesus’ arrest, trial, crucifixion and suffering, death and burial. The cross will be covered and all altar candles will be extinguished. Today will be a day of mourning and fasting.
But beyond the tradition and rituals above, is the very act of stopping our day to day material world “stuff” to take a moment to think and ponder about life in this world in a different way. Hopefully we will think about what we are here in this world to do, what responsibilities we have to fellow man/woman, and how special everyone of us is – no matter our color or creed or location.
There is a sense of love and connectedness that expresses itself to people around the world in different ways and in that I find hope and peace.
Cherry Blossoms and Washington D.C.
One of the truly wonderful places to visit this spring has got to be Washington, D.C. Here’s a city that literally blossoms in spring (around mid April I believe). Magnificent cherry blossoms aside, Washington, D.C. is of course a year-round destination with several world renown sites–from the Washington Monument to Arlington Cemetery
Washington is a place to contemplate the people who have sacrificed their lives for this country – both within and without – and a place to marvel at how a great nation pays homage to the known and unknown.
More than 6 million people live and work in Washington D.C. With all the excitement around the election, now just might be one of the best times to plan a family trip there.
For more information about the sites to see and hotel accommodations in Washington D.C. click here.
Train Initiative Can Help Struggling Communities and the Environment
I just read a blog written by real estate professional Carole Cohen about a lobbying effort to bring high speed rail to her state. I mention her profession because often some of the best cheerleaders for strong and sustainable community life are real estate agents.
Financial incentives aside, sometimes real estate agents are the most informed community advocates and when they use their marketing skills to help promote and protect the best that a community has to offer it can be beautiful! Tip: work with those kinds of agents and invite them on your PTA and fundraising committees.
Anyhow, what got my attention was a new railway initiative highlighted on her site. I lived as a student and later as a mother in two Midwestern states – Ohio and Michigan. I can’t tell you how frustrating it was to travel throughout and between those states both as a struggling college student and later as a new mom.
Without a railway system with schedules that are regular and that allow you to arrive at your destination at times other than 3 o’clock in the morning, you are stuck paying outrageous sums for airline flights that have 2 connections or choosing the environmentally unfriendly alternative of driving over state thruways.
Not to mention you end up turning off potential new residents to your state who are skilled and educated and that’s not good for many small and struggling communities.
Well now it appears Amtrak is looking at proposals from a few states. Ohio’s proposed 3′C high speed rail corridor plan (Cleveland, Columbus and Cincinnati) would serve among some of the most populous cities in the country currently without a high speed rail system.
I couldn’t believe it. One of the countries largest universities, Ohio State University, is in Columbus–a city which also happens to be the state’s largest and growing.
Now that I have a daughter potentially attending college next year in this region I’m really concerned about his initiative.
What better way to help struggling cities and small towns throughout Ohio and other states than to install clean, energy efficient high speed trains. Think of all the cars we can take off the road if business people and families start taking comfortable high speed trains to cities and small towns within their state or out of state.
Where I live and work we often meet with individuals who are hundreds of miles away but are able to come in to our city on the morning train for a 10:00 a.m. meeting and be home that night before 9:00 p.m. Our high speed trains provide an affordable, clean choice that enhances business life here and helps support our regional communities and towns.
Look at the Railroad News Blog widget on my sidebar for more information and support high speed rail initiatives where you live. It’s what our environment needs and will help to make our communities more sustainable.
TV’s “Real Housewives of…” – Not Real AND Boring
Apparently “Real Housewives of New York City” is a new reality series about the luxe and fabulous lifestyles of some wealthy New York city women who happen to be married. I must have been on Mars recently because this show follows some other popular show I’ve never heard of called Real Housewives of Orange County.
Snooze.
I’m not alone in my opinion which I guess is no surprise and that got me thinking. Life is just too full of its own twists and turns to make watching this stuff bearable. No sooner do I put on one of these reality shows or even some of the better dramas these days and my eye lids drop…almost immediately.
I haven’t always been this way…I use to watch mindless drool like Dynasty and Falcon Crest (dating myself).
I think now that I have teens, a career that keeps me hopping, great long-time friends (offline and online), a wonderful communitiy life and of course that fellow I married 20 years ago, I just don’t have the time or interest to watch TV these days. Life is just too full. I’m not saying my life is a fantasy land–just that it is full…full of excitement, successes, failures, anxiety, sadness, joy…and I as I get older, peaceful moments that I really relish.
To my friends that pop in from time to time (Elizabeth T., Angela, Michele, Sandra B., Annette, Lynette, Aurelia, Alyssa, Tiffany, Chele, Kelly, Latara, Alice, Darina, Treece, Vera, Nell, Marie, Cara, Carrie AND Kristine) - I think you guys are far more interesting then any fur clad, script-operated housewife of New York.
In Business or Career Community is Key
So many of us are trying to build a business or career right in the communities where we live. We want to enjoy our homes and neighborhoods and we want to be close to our kids while they’re at school. So…to kill the commute or abolish daycare we try to find jobs near home or start our own businesses close to home.
Part of the strategy to reaching those goals ought to include your community. Look to both your online and offline communities as resources. Where you spend a bulk of your time can be both enjoyable and productive – if you choose it to be. A conversation or chance meeting can literally turn into a contract, sale or job opportunity.
And it’s not about exploitation it’s about choosing to make our communities livable and sustainable. When you succeed your community succeeds because you invest in where you live…for the long term.
Take note of your neighbors and the people you see in your towns, at meetings and in stores. Pay attention to those who post and contribute to your online social and professional groups. It’s actually fun getting to know people of like mind and interests who might also benefit your business and be able to lend a hand in connecting you to your next career!
My current Mary Kay representative got me as a client as we were searching through the vegetables at our local supermarket. She spoke out in a friendly way about some food item in the store and that caught my attention. I followed her voice and we struck up a conversation.
Five minutes later I had her card and now 5 years later I’m a loyal client.
The same applies for those looking to change careers. Your daughter’s soccer team might be the best place for you to start marketing your job skills and availability. I’m not suggesting you harass a fellow soccer mom about a job rather I’m suggesting you not discount or take others too lightly just because you don’t know them. Just getting to know other people in your environment is a way of making your abilities and interests known on a wider scale – without undue and unnatural effort!
That soccer mom sitting on the lawn chair next to you might own a business down the street and might be interested in hiring someone like you!
That’s one of the great things about living in “active” community with others. By active I mean getting involved in activities that are focused on your community. Whether it be a local environmental initiative, a new urbanism planning meeting, school board issue meeting, spring festival gathering, youth group initiatives, community theater or an online web chat. Those kinds of events attract positive, action oriented people who might be the best resource for you as you seek out that next contract, client or even new job!
Living in conscious community with other people can be a gift…if we choose it to be.
Are You an Override Mom?
What’s an override Mom? According to Boston Globe writer, Erica Noonan they are “politically powerful suburban women who lobby for property tax increases to pay for teachers, new schools, and better classroom gear for their school-aged children.”
Well no one WANTS to pay more in taxes, but as moms and citizens who WANT services and resources that make for better living and better citizens, I don’t have much problem with these override moms.
In some states like Massachusetts there appears to be a real need for these soccer mom advocates. In 1981, that state apparently passed legislation that prohibits towns from raising property taxes more than 2.5 percent per year without voter approval.
I can imagine the frustrations some families with school aged kids experience in that state if they happen to have a school in need but a city majority that is, let’s say “older” or disengaged from education issues. It would be highly unlikely that they’d win a referendum and the schools, or perhaps even other necessary municipal services would suffer. Sounds like the situation in many struggling urban centers. It’s odd to read about suburban communities being affected that way as well.
In today’s stalled-out economy – with municiipal budget cuts and shrinking state aid – these mothers are leveraging their social connections, technical savvy, and professional skills to help bail out town budgets. They have protest placards mingling with sports gear in the back of their station wagons. Many work full-time jobs, then rush home to e-mail, organize, and raise money – sometimes hundreds of thousands of dollars – in an effort to keep local schools ranked high on the MCAS.”
More power to them. If you want to read the full Globe article click here.
International Women’s Day
International Women’s Day is this Saturday, March 8. The background on the origin of this day was actually news to me. IWD in fact honors an important event in American History.
Our industrial roots are pretty magnificent in some respects and sad in others. Turn of the century industrialists helped to make the American economy the largest and most successful in the world, but at a cost. Many workplaces were far from equitable and far from safe – especially for women.
International Women’s Day was established in honor of the 15,000 women who in 1908 marched through New York City demanding shorter hours, better pay and workers’ rights.
This year marks the 100th Anniversary of that march. You can find out more about events being held in the USA, Canada and other countries by visiting the website.
Ironic – Foreclosures Providing Homes for Homeless
I opened my local paper this morning and saw a huge feature on a city close to my heart but hundreds of miles away…Cleveland. It seems America’s floreclosure crisis has created a uniqe situation for the homeless in Cleveland and other cities in the U.S.
Apparently on any given night the homeless are outnumbered in some cities by vacant houses, according to the Toronto Star.
Brian Davis, director of the Northeast Ohio Coalition for the Homeless tells the Star:
Many homeless people see the foreclosure crisis as an opportunity to find low-cost housing (free!) with some privacy.
Of course there are huge safety issues here…floors can cave in, drug dealers set up shop in some, and likely a host of other structural and social dangers lay wait for the unsuspecting squatter.
The Star reports that there are 3.5 million homeless people in the United States in any given year. There are 444,000 Americans who are homeless on any given night. Last year there were 2.2 million U.S. foreclosures.
Sombering stats.
I’m Also Here…
