Originally Posted By RoadTrip I may be wrong here, but I believe that tornados are not as common in Florida as in the Midwest and Mid Southern states. Unfortunately, even if a structure is built to withstand hurricane force winds, the winds brought by a tornado are considerably stronger.
Originally Posted By Mr X But, by all means, if anyone has some ALTERNATIVES to offer...please, let's get them on the table! I take offence to this issue, a little...when I was first out of college my girlfriend and I DID actually do the trailer park "thing" for a few months. Because, even though we were BOTH working, the only way for us to live, and save a little money, was to do that. It sucked. But, it's what people have to do, sometimes. And to "blame" those people for living in an unsafe place...well, let's just look at the options when money is an issue...
Originally Posted By Mr X RT, I'm not sure if global warming is an issue in this case, but it SEEMS like there are a lot more tornadoes in Florida in the past 15 years than in times past (someone might come up with some stats...but that's just my perception). In any case, I doubt a trailer is built to withstand much more than a heavy wind! But...mother nature is unforgiving...one might reside in a beautiful mansion, but hurricane/tornado/whatever will rip THAT home apart as well. However, not as easily as a trailer (which is why we always here about scores of deaths in trailer parks in Florida after the tornados hit!).
Originally Posted By RoadTrip <<But, by all means, if anyone has some ALTERNATIVES to offer...please, let's get them on the table!>> Yes, housing has become way too expensive for a significant percentage of people. I really think there is a need for the type of housing put up in the years following WWII. A 1,000 square foot 2-bedroom, 1-bath Bungalow may not sound very exciting, but for many people looking for a first home it would be a dream come true. When you see $200,000+ homes advertised as "starter homes" you have to shake your head and wonder how a recently married 20 something couple could ever hope to afford that.
Originally Posted By WDWNOW And to "blame" those people for living in an unsafe place...well, let's just look at the options when money is an issue... I agree & to blame God is pretty silly too.That was my point "God sure doesn't seem to like people in trailer parks, as He sends so many tornados their way."
Originally Posted By Mr X WDW, I'm certain that you misunderstood SuperDry's post. He was being sarcastic.
Originally Posted By nats30 Many buildings besides trailers were blown down including a church that was supposed to be able to withstand 150 MPH winds. I guess God shows no mercy when he or she decides which structures to demolish.
Originally Posted By Goofyernmost Man this is turning into literal city. People are just reading the words and making no effort to try and understand the meaning. I live in a trailer park...by choice and I love it. Know why? Cause I live in a place with a very modern kitchen, nice living room, two bedrooms, a bath with a soaking tub, a sitting porch and a carport. And it only cost me 42K. That's right $42,000.00. It's paid for, it's mine and I am very comfortable. As for tornado's? Quite frankly, I don't care what you live in, if you are in the direct path of a tornado, it will become scattered toothpicks. Hurricanes? That's different. It is spread out much further and not as intense but a mobile home will not withstand high winds where a regular home will. This is especially true if, like most new construction in Florida, it is made with cinder block walls. Here in Vermont the likelihood of a tornado or a hurricane is smaller because of our mountainous terrain. It's possible just not as likely. So I guess God doesn't really mind one as long as you are not foolish enough to put it where the big winds blow free. Then all bets are off. If you asked me if I would live in a mobile home in Florida, my answer would be absolutely no. Wouldn't do it in the great plains either.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 <But then I'm not one of the LP Cool Kids so I guess that is to be expected. < Drives a charger - cool in my book ! < I really think there is a need for the type of housing put up in the years following WWII. A 1,000 square foot 2-bedroom, 1-bath Bungalow may not sound very exciting, but for many people looking for a first home it would be a dream come true. < was my first home in Chicago WWII era 3 bedroom / 1 bath ranch - but more like 700 Sq ft - 1000 was for rich people - and it served me just fine. Largest bedroom was like 12 x 10 - bonus in our areas is most had basements to expand into. The problem now if hte land cost they are on -- not far from where I live there are some areas where some of these homes still exist. However land is $750,000 per acre - so even 5 - 6 houses on one acre - and the homes are in that $250K range - it's brutal for young kids as my oldest is about to find out. Not far from me people are bulldozing $300K + homes to build Mc Mansions on the land - it's crazy.
Originally Posted By barboy "When you see $200,000+ homes advertised as "starter homes" you have to shake your head and wonder how a recently married 20 something couple could ever hope to afford that." If that sounds expensive/excessive then you must really find "starter autos" for $20,000(including tax and lic.)and say $100 per month for insurance very costly. In 5 years that auto will be worth approx. $10-12,000(but paid off) whereas the $200,000 home has a better chance of increasing in value than not as well as offer the owner/occupier a greater amount of what economists call "utility". In 1995 my first wife and I were newly married and we bought our first home which was a new "stater home" for just under $200,000(I think 189k)with 1150 sq. ft. in Santa Rosa Ca. My take home pay was $1,600 per month and my wife's was $1,200 and we had no problem making our obligation to the lender and paying the property taxes even with our most unimpressive combined incomes. So RT, I mostly disagree with your take but I do see your concern.
Originally Posted By kennect Roadtrip, The type housing you mentioned could actually be very interesting...There is definitely a need for such right now...Now getting someone to do such is a different matter...
Originally Posted By wahooskipper Plenty of homes were destroyed that were not mobile homes. As stated, the F3 tornadoes probably hit windspeeds of 150+ mph. My house (build of concrete block) would have sustained damage from that. The Governor and the President declared those counties a State of Emergency and the Governor skipped the Super Bowl to be in the area. Living in Florida has more complications than just the mortgage payment. We also contend with property insurance rates that are some of the highest in the nation. When I moved from Ohio to South Florida my car insurance doubled. In Broward County, FL, the average family makes between $50K and $60K. The average home price is $350Kish which necessitages an income of $90K. So yes, some people have to live in mobile homes.
Originally Posted By barboy "Yikes! You guys must not have eaten out much. " Actually we did dine out in those days fairly often; we consistenly used "Entertainment Book" coupons and "Sonoma Express" cards which would cut off about 40% of the normal dining bill. And we had no children nor any car payments since we both had very used and modest cars(Nissan Sentra and Toyota Corolla respectively) and we both entered into our marriage 100% debt free. My point is that we lived comfortably in a new home with very presentable furnishings and took trips periodically, went to the movies just like everyone else on less than $3,000 take home pay per month. And after 2 years we kept that house and bought another slightly bigger as our primary residence and rented out the first house for more than our monthly obligation. And 8 months later I bought a 3 unit apartment(triplex) quit my job, fixed up that pile of junk(so nasty and broken it was unfit for humans)with borrowed money from a credit line against our first house and raised the rents from $400 to $900 and very quickly vastly increased the value of that property. Everyone in our circle was amazed that with so little income we were moving upward so fast. The thing is we weren't out buying Coach handbags, using coke, trying to get the latest and greatest personal computer every 6 months for $3,000, buying $400 jackets and $150 shoes nor staying at the Grand Floridian. In those days we stayed off property. We shopped Costco and kept our used cars in good working order. There are far more newly married couples who bring in noticeably more money than we did but yet they claim they can't get into a house, even a "starter home". I don't know what to tell them other than my story.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 <There are far more newly married couples who bring in noticeably more money than we did but yet they claim they can't get into a house, even a "starter home". I don't know what to tell them other than my story.< many married couples today -- say soon after college graduation are entering marriage with $50K - $100K in student loans combined - even if they have no other debt that is crippling - not everyone gets their education for the cost in California for residents
Originally Posted By califtink barboy - I, for one, am very impressed with what you describe as having done. You and your wife sound very sensible and stable, and I wish there were more young people around today who began their life together with your sensibilities! I see far too much overspending and "keeping up with the Joneses" crap among younger friends and family members. What in the heck happened to saving up until you could afford something?? Not a lot of folks do that these days, and it is a shame.
Originally Posted By barboy "You and your wife sound very sensible and stable, and I wish there were more young people around today who began their life together with your sensibilities!" Thanks for the compliment. Interestingly, my first wife was 26 and had 8K in credit card debt living with her parents, not paying any utilities, car payments, rent, food, insurance premiums..... NOTHING! She had every living expense covered but yet owed 8k to American Express and Discover. I flipped out and told her I will not marry her until she clears up that debt and start saving something, anything; even $50 per month would have been a step in the right direction. Today, I still keep in touch with her and she is forever thankful that I was so inflexible back then and put her on a budget prior to our marriage. We still joke about it.
