Wednesday, July 18, 2012
AARP on Spokane... right for wrong reasons
AARP has included Spokane on its list of 10 most livable cities for oldies. I'd say they're right, but not for any of the reasons they list.
They mention lots of touristy crap, which is never interesting to actual residents of a city. And they include athletic stuff like skiing, which is for rich youngsters. All irrelevant for the intended audience.
Some features that are actually relevant for wrinklies on a limited income:
(1) Good and fairly cheap bus system. Makes it possible to live without a car, if you can handle a little walking. Doing without a car is THE PRIME INGREDIENT of cheap living. (Also forces you to get more exercise!)
(2) Active downtown, and nice old-fashioned shopping districts with restaurants. (eg NW Blvd, Garland, South Perry)
(3) Low crime in most neighborhoods. Crime tends to cluster in certain areas.
(4) Mixed-up housing patterns. Means you can find a cheap house in a good neighborhood; you don't have to spend $200k to find security.
(5) Three usable seasons. Winter is pure hell, but the other three seasons are mild. With relatively low humidity and few insects, you can spend time outdoors most of the year. And if you're operating on Old People's Time, you get the best part of a summer day.
(6) Hydroelectric power means low electric rates, for now anyway. As the genocidal EPA murderers continue to grind America to a pulp, this will undoubtedly disappear.
(7) Good hospitals and doctors if you need them.
= = = = =
I get along quite nicely on total expenses of about $10k a year. In other words, I spend about $30 a day instead of AARP's target $100 a day.
They mention lots of touristy crap, which is never interesting to actual residents of a city. And they include athletic stuff like skiing, which is for rich youngsters. All irrelevant for the intended audience.
Some features that are actually relevant for wrinklies on a limited income:
(1) Good and fairly cheap bus system. Makes it possible to live without a car, if you can handle a little walking. Doing without a car is THE PRIME INGREDIENT of cheap living. (Also forces you to get more exercise!)
(2) Active downtown, and nice old-fashioned shopping districts with restaurants. (eg NW Blvd, Garland, South Perry)
(3) Low crime in most neighborhoods. Crime tends to cluster in certain areas.
(4) Mixed-up housing patterns. Means you can find a cheap house in a good neighborhood; you don't have to spend $200k to find security.
(5) Three usable seasons. Winter is pure hell, but the other three seasons are mild. With relatively low humidity and few insects, you can spend time outdoors most of the year. And if you're operating on Old People's Time, you get the best part of a summer day.
(6) Hydroelectric power means low electric rates, for now anyway. As the genocidal EPA murderers continue to grind America to a pulp, this will undoubtedly disappear.
(7) Good hospitals and doctors if you need them.
= = = = =
I get along quite nicely on total expenses of about $10k a year. In other words, I spend about $30 a day instead of AARP's target $100 a day.
Labels: Heimatkunde
¶ 5:40 PM
