Over on BendBubble2, it's the end of the world as we know it.
Even the Bulletin seems kind of down these days in tone.
Truth is, I don't know what to think. I know I'm not going anywhere. I know I've weathered the storm pretty well, so far. I know that I can handle a little more extreme weather.
I'll just hunker down, like I always have.
I think Paul-doh has a really good point about the effect of the Baby Boomers over the next few years. I've been wondering how they are going to cash out and retire. Can't see how many of them can..... They are at a time in life when they will be consuming less; which is why I've never bought into the notion that retirement and rich settlers in Bend were the answer. (Usually, at least, you're not rich until you are older...)
On the other hand, I think that the gloomsters are missing the psychological component. Whatever that is worth. I scorned the "People want to live in Bend," to justify the boom, but I'll resurrect the phrase for those who think the bust is the 'end times.'
At the very least, we have much more beautiful 'shells' to inhabit, at least in retail, than Burns or Klamath Falls ever had. Over on Twitter, the young techno's seem subdued and somewhat alarmed, but are still chattering away. They haven't given up on Bend, yet.
At any rate, the guessing is over. We're living it. The next few months, we'll probably find that there is no uptick at all. No jobs to be had. Homes may sell, but they'll be foreclosed homes. High end will be jumping on tourists so bad, everyone will go home and mutter, "Boy, those guys are desperate...."
But I've prepared as best I can. Like I said, I'm not going anywhere, come what may.
P.S. Do I have to turn in my Pontificator Badge now that I've admitted "I don't know?"
Even the Bulletin seems kind of down these days in tone.
Truth is, I don't know what to think. I know I'm not going anywhere. I know I've weathered the storm pretty well, so far. I know that I can handle a little more extreme weather.
I'll just hunker down, like I always have.
I think Paul-doh has a really good point about the effect of the Baby Boomers over the next few years. I've been wondering how they are going to cash out and retire. Can't see how many of them can..... They are at a time in life when they will be consuming less; which is why I've never bought into the notion that retirement and rich settlers in Bend were the answer. (Usually, at least, you're not rich until you are older...)
On the other hand, I think that the gloomsters are missing the psychological component. Whatever that is worth. I scorned the "People want to live in Bend," to justify the boom, but I'll resurrect the phrase for those who think the bust is the 'end times.'
At the very least, we have much more beautiful 'shells' to inhabit, at least in retail, than Burns or Klamath Falls ever had. Over on Twitter, the young techno's seem subdued and somewhat alarmed, but are still chattering away. They haven't given up on Bend, yet.
At any rate, the guessing is over. We're living it. The next few months, we'll probably find that there is no uptick at all. No jobs to be had. Homes may sell, but they'll be foreclosed homes. High end will be jumping on tourists so bad, everyone will go home and mutter, "Boy, those guys are desperate...."
But I've prepared as best I can. Like I said, I'm not going anywhere, come what may.
P.S. Do I have to turn in my Pontificator Badge now that I've admitted "I don't know?"