Recent posts

#1

Off-Topic / Re: Random Thoughts

Last post by Max Rockatansky - Today at 01:08:03 AM

The insect situation in the Central Vallehy of California is just as bad if not worse than what i experienced in Florida.  I ponder over this every Spring since moving here from Orlando in 2016.

#2

Northeast / Re: NYC Roads

Last post by LilianaUwU - Today at 01:06:33 AM

Something I dont see talked about here is how NYCDOT has been on a mission removing car lanes from the avenues and the major east-west thoroughfares in Manhattan. They have created a lot of congestion themselves (yes congestion existed before NYCDOT reimagined NYC Streets but it has gotten worse). The remedy to this artificially inflated congestion is to punish drivers by charging them a +$15 toll to enter Manhattan's CBD. In addition trucks will pay much larger tolls thereby increasing prices on food and other commodities. Obviously most NYC residents use public transit, however NYC residents rely on trucks to deliver food to various local businesses.

I just drove around Manhattan without much issue a few weeks ago.  I find your description to be an exaggeration.

8th avenue going from 5 through lanes to 2 lanes, car ban on 14th street for most hours of the day, taking a lane from seemingly all of the NYCDOT owned east river crossings, 3rd avenue going from 5 through lanes to 3, 2nd avenue going from 4 through lanes to 2 (from 23rd street to houston), 9th avenue going from 5 lanes to 3 lanes. 

I'm not seeing the issue.  Like I said, the system seems to be handling it.

The rationale for congestion pricing from the MTA is that congestion in the Manhattan CBD is so bad that we need to charge people a fee in order to discourage people from driving. So it doesn't seem like the system is handling it.

I thought we were saying that the goal of raising revenue for MTA was blatant in the planning docs, rather than congestion mitigation.

It is obvious it's a cash grab from the MTA, whether there's actually unbearable congestion or not.

#3

Off-Topic / Re: Who misses the old McDonal...

Last post by Road Hog - Today at 12:55:57 AM

The new-build McD's look like banks, which I'm sure they hope to sell to as branch locations as soon as the building value exceeds the burger profit.

#4

Mid-Atlantic / Re: West Virginia Turnpike

Last post by plain - Today at 12:53:23 AM

You might want to check your facts.  While the cities of Charleston and Huntington are in decline...

Facts?

Pittsburgh metro: 2.35 million
Cleveland metro: 2.06 million
Columbus metro: 2.16 million
West Virginia: 1.77 million

There is no justification for Huntington-Charleston to be connected by a 6-lane interstate highway. It's a misallocation of resources that probably should have been invested in the eastern panhandle.

The Charleston-Huntington CSA (Combined Statistical Area) has a population of over 600k, and most of that population is within 15 miles of I-64. That alone is enough to justify the 6-lanes throughout the stretch between the two cities. Add thru traffic and that further justifies it.

I've driven that stretch plenty of times myself, and I'd say it's time.

Those metro areas you listed has multiple multi-lane expressways serving them, while that particular part of WV (especially the western side) don't.

Again, comparing to similar areas in MA, no.

Do those similar areas in MA have a similar percentage of long distance trucks slowing things down? On very hilly terrain?

#5

Off-Topic / Re: Mortgage Payments should b...

Last post by Road Hog - Today at 12:51:00 AM

I got a 6% mortgage 20 years ago. I looked into a refi when the rates bottomed out but the banks either turned me down or made me jump through more hoops than I wanted to go through, so I stuck it out. Glad I did. I paid ahead on principal early on and in a few years I will be debt free.

Bad thing is the Texas property taxes by that time will be like paying a monthly mortgage, so I will either be renting or moving out of state.

#6

Mid-Atlantic / Re: West Virginia Turnpike

Last post by Rothman - Today at 12:44:53 AM

You might want to check your facts.  While the cities of Charleston and Huntington are in decline...

Facts?

Pittsburgh metro: 2.35 million
Cleveland metro: 2.06 million
Columbus metro: 2.16 million
West Virginia: 1.77 million

There is no justification for Huntington-Charleston to be connected by a 6-lane interstate highway. It's a misallocation of resources that probably should have been invested in the eastern panhandle.

The Charleston-Huntington CSA (Combined Statistical Area) has a population of over 600k, and most of that population is within 15 miles of I-64. That alone is enough to justify the 6-lanes throughout the stretch between the two cities. Add thru traffic and that further justifies it.

I've driven that stretch plenty of times myself, and I'd say it's time.

Those metro areas you listed has multiple multi-lane expressways serving them, while that particular part of WV (especially the western side) don't.

Again, comparing to similar areas in MA, no.

#7

Off-Topic / Re: Random Thoughts

Last post by on_wisconsin - Today at 12:43:28 AM

The insect situation is way easier in Wisconsin compared to anywhere down south. A full on termite or fire ant infestation is mostly unheard of, and you can usually get away with leaving food out/ open overnight without worrying about bugs (other than an odd fly). It's not uncommon for people to leave butter or baked goods out on a counter or table.

#8

Off-Topic / Re: Black Friday could be your...

Last post by Scott5114 - Today at 12:40:28 AM

Meanwhile the company probably spent $6 to make them. It's all a racket.

#9

Off-Topic / Re: Mortgage Payments should b...

Last post by tidecat - Today at 12:40:18 AM

This is a terrible idea.

The biggest risk is that the value of the home rises faster than one's income and the borrower can no longer afford the payments.

If the value of the home decreases, the bank doesn't make as much, or possibly loses money on the loan, so the bank eventually quits writing mortgages. Eventually the only people who buy houses are the ones who can afford to pay cash. This also bleeds over into new home construction, so now people start losing construction jobs.

The problem of "front loading of costs" also really isn't a problem. If a borrower takes out a loan and agrees to pay $1,000 per month for 30 years, their cost may be higher in real terms due to inflation, but the nominal cost is the same throughout the life of the loan. The only thing that changes for the borrower is how much interest can be deducted for tax purposes, assuming the borrower can itemize deductions at all.

Remember: banks make money off your debt, not your repayments.

The "obsession" with rising property values isn't going away either. If you could spend a few thousand dollars on your home and get tens of thousands of dollars in return when you sell, why wouldn't you?

Also, house flipping isn't actually a rent-seeking activity. Renovating a house adds real value to the home either in improved comfort, safety, or both. You can argue about whether or not that additional value is priced fairly, but if it isn't, the market responds by the property not selling quickly.

If you want to get rid of land speculation, implement a land value tax. Those who hold land waiting for future development would have no incentive to do so and sell to the actual end user.

#10

Off-Topic / Re: Mortgage Payments should b...

Last post by Scott5114 - Today at 12:39:06 AM

It also means that borrowers bear all of the risk of decreases in property values. [...]

The flip side is that borrowers bear all of the reward from increases in property values.

This is what is referred to in game design as "game balance".