Sunday, March 23, 2008

Navigating the Labyrinth

Here are a few photographs from my wanderings in California and points between. Glad to be back - sort of. It was a relaxing time and I would be lying if I said I didn't want to stay where the sun shines more than 2 months per year.

Maze of the Madness


Enveloped by Fog


Surrounded by Jellyfish


Last week was an interesting one on the markets and I haven't had time to fully digest what has happened. It also appears that, locally, real estate inventory is truly exploding upwards and the psychology is definitely taking on a more negative / realistic tone.
During my navigations, I observed that Vancouverites, among many other people around the world, are insular and feel that they are different from others, perhaps even granted immunity to worldwide problems. In reality, only a few miles away from our fair city, the realities of a recession and a collapsing housing market are on the minds and lips of the average person.

11 comments:

AndrewJ said...

Putting up a finger to the wind I think I've noticed a change in psychology. One friend at a monthly poker night was "It will never go down" last month. But this month he was maybe I should sell and rent (using the $2200 in interest from his profits to pay for a really nice rental) then buy back in when it goes down. He also mentioned the fact that he could retire right now in PEI anyway. In general I'm getting less resistance to the whole it's might go down idea.

I'm actually suprised more people don't do this. I mean there is a lot of money out there. I guess people are using it though without actually selling their primary residences.

Anonymous said...

Where was the labyrinth?

mohican said...

The labyrinth is located at:

35 degrees 11 minutes 12.03 seconds West

120 degrees 42 minutes 42.60 seconds North

Montery said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
JinMalm said...

"I'm actually suprised more people don't do this."

I had a friend do this in early 2005. Oops. I think once people start accumulating things and settling in, renting is less and less of an option. A few brave soles do it but most don't want disruption over stability.

Luc said...

During my navigations, I observed that Vancouverites, among many other people around the world, [...] perhaps even granted immunity to worldwide problems

And this conclusion is based on a statistical sample size of...?

Vancouverites know nothing of Iraq, Middle East, Tibet, they're just a bunch of ignorants flipping houses all day long, right?

Emotional, condescending remarks will surely strengthen your arguments on the housing market.

Montery said...

Jordan, the labryinth is located here:

http://maps.google.com/maps?q=35.18662,+-120.71185&hl=en

Sorry, I'm Blogger-stupid or else I'd create a proper link.

Tony Danza said...

Emotional, condescending remarks will surely strengthen your arguments on the housing market.

Luc, are you talking with yourself?

mohican said...

luc - I'm just posting my anecdotal observations and I've drawn no conclusions based on those observations alone. I draw conclusions based on data that is properly collected and then I display that data here for all to see. The remark wasn't intended to be condescending since clearly Vancouverites (me included) aren't immune from ignorance and this ignorance is visited upon most people in the world.

Additionally, I wasn't insinuating that Vancouverites don't know anything about the world around them but rather it is a tendency of people all over the world to see the world through a local lens that can inhibit observations that are relevant to one's situation. Travel can help one remove that geographical lens and help one see with greater clarity what one's true situation is.

Anonymous said...

The insular nature of Vancouver is well documented. Pick up just about any book on Vancouver and you will see it mentioned. It is generally considered a very definite plus and part of what makes Vancouver a nice place to live.

Strataman said...

"It is generally considered a very definite plus and part of what makes Vancouver a nice place to live." Great!! we are appreciated because we are all for the most part ignorant! We should advertise that, "dumber then the dumbest" or "stupidest place on earth"? That would look pretty good on BC license plates? :-)