The Last Days of Disco
Yes, the market has slowed. Someone turned on the lights. It appears that the insane, real estate party days of the early millennium are fading like Studio 54 into a new era of moderation. Some realtors and short-term investors are seeing giant spiders as their systems flush from all the fast times, wild prices and what seemed to be an endless supply of buyers to party with. When it comes to the area?s real estate market, I think we?re all still a bit hungover, and it?s hard to smile when your head?s pounding and all you can remember about the last few years is making lots of money and a blurry recollection of a closing with a married advertising executive named Jim ? or was it John?
The straight-laced party poopers who stood on the walls and predicted a crash while the rest of us were getting down are feeling vindicated. Those of us who thought the party would never end are relieved that the heart pounding dance music was just replaced with something much slower, but still good for a romantic groove ? say from the Studio 54 version of ?If You Could Read My Mind? to the slower, but still somewhat danceable original by Gordon Lightfoot. As usual, the truth is probably somewhere in the middle, neither crash nor booming market, neither up nor down. Just as the seventies generation moved from cocaine to Prozac, the area?s real estate market seems to have done the same - no longer the life of the party, but now at least responsible enough to hold down a steady job. Perhaps now, we can all get back to what life was like before the party, and if we have any brain cells left, we?ll remember that it was actually pretty damn good.
We?ll remember that real estate was a good long-term investment, not just financially, but an investment for our families to enjoy and build memories around year after year. We?ll remember that there was plenty of fresh seafood, great fishing, open air concerts and festivals to enjoy. We?ll remember that our beaches were among the most beautiful on the Gulf of Mexico and that water was as blue as any you?ll find north of the Caribbean. We?ll remember that dinner conversations didn?t totally revolve around soulless subjects like ?flipping? or ?simultaneous closings,? but about days at the beach and the books we?d finished reading and how clear the water is in October. We?ll remember that cities like Nashville, Atlanta, Birmingham and New Orleans were less than a day?s drive away. We?ll remember all of the unique and wonderful things that, unlike our car keys, we didn?t lose at the party. In short, we?ll remember all of the things that made all of us feel like partying to begin with, and I think that?s a very good thing.
Replies
77
margarita brocolia
Oh Boy, the hens sure are cacklin...
Sounds small minded,crude and sexist to me!
Admin
KISH...I can still remember that feeling of pulling away in the car to head back home....I get a lump in my throat just thinking about it. The anticipation of going down was so palitable...I could hardly sleep for days leading up to the day we left for SoWal!
And the busier our lives become, the more important vacations become.
Meow
I have waited, and waited until a time that I felt the need to use my most favorite phrase....and this is the one. BITE ME!!!! (sorry, Kurt just couldn't let this opportunity pass me up.)
You are too kind Darlene....I like stfu better myself!!!!
SoWal Expert
Redfisher, you have just been royally spanked by the Queens of the SoWal message board. Honey, you are just no match. You might try again somewhere else.
Beach Fanatic
Ah yes, I can truly see how the profanity and keen wit validate your arguments...my apologies
SoWal Expert
And what's this business of "land grab", did someone break the law or act unethically...Is their a reason that your "down in the mouth" because they exercised their right to speculate? We loved them two years ago...Who are we to tell them their buzzed?...If it were to fall another 50% from here and the rentals dried up, I wonder how many of US might rethink how great the beaches are...It is obvious to me that you don't live here, Redfisher. I may be unique in my reasons for living here, but I don't think so. I moved to the beach for reasons other than money, honey. I stay here today for the same reasons which encouraged me to move to one of the most beautiful places to which I have ever visited, and I have been to many beautiful places in this country. Prices could drop 50% and I would still take photographs of the Sunset to share with you. I would still notice the scent of the Pine forests and the Cypress swamps. In my canoe, I would still explore places seldom seen. I would continue to putz around in my kayak, riding the waves of the Gulf. When a Bald Eagle flies over my head, being shocked with awe, I would still continue to forget about everything else in the world. When paddling over a pod of Dolphins, my heart would still skip a beat. When I don my Birkenstocks to go to work, I will still laugh at all of the Suits back in the cities. When I see other life around me, I would still stop for a moment and show a little respect for being in the presence of another of God's beautiful creations, no matter how different the animal's appearance. When I throw the stick to my dogs, I would still smile with a big silly grin. When my friends come to visit, I would still feel so great that I live at the beach, and am able to open my doors to share a bit of paradise. When I bump into my next friend, the thought of money or the value of my real estate will not come to my mind.
I realize we love it here, the kids have a great time, Christmas is lovely and Red Bar is awesome...blah, blah, blah...but check nostalgia at the door, its just a beach...
I have found many treasures in this area, and none are tied to any form of currency. Treasures come in many forms, and a peaceful walk on a beautiful beach happens to be one of many treasures which I value. The beach is great, but it consists of maybe 4% of the reasons as to why I choose to call this area my home.
Edited
little sugar
wow SJ, I loved reading that.... 
Christini Zambini
We came here four years ago because my husband had a great opportunity for a job. We came just before the real estate boom took off and we have, like all property owners in SoWal benefited financially in a way that we never could have imagined. But we didn't come for "big money," we just came for the opportunity, planning to stay just a year and then move on. In fact, my husband has completely changed careers by staying here.
However, the funniest thing happened. We LOVE it here. It is a great place to live and a great place for our kids to grow up.
However, the funniest thing happened. We LOVE it here. It is a great place to live and a great place for our kids to grow up.
Meow
wow SJ, I loved reading that....
yep...he gets all humble sometimes, but that SJ DOES have a way with the words...'cause they come from his heart!
Beach Fanatic
Keep posting SJ. You are so true when you refer to things more important than currency. You have figured it out..maybe you can inspire others with tunnel vision.
Darlene is my middle name, not my nickname
yep...he gets all humble sometimes, but that SJ DOES have a way with the words...'cause they come from his heart!
His words are so inspiring and I knew when he read what you know who wrote, he would have something profound to say! Thank you SJ, for saying what I could not. I was just mad!
picky
Call me an old softie, but I hope Redfish reads that and allows it to touch him as it has us. I'd like Redfish to understand what it means to have that love for something that's "just" a beach. Would do him good.
Oh, that and a couple of crab cakes at the Red Bar, too. ;-)
Oh, that and a couple of crab cakes at the Red Bar, too. ;-)
Darlene is my middle name, not my nickname
Call me an old softie, but I hope Redfish reads that and allows it to touch him as it has us. I'd like Redfish to understand what it means to have that love for something that's "just" a beach. Would do him good.
Oh, that and a couple of crab cakes at the Red Bar, too. ;-)
Ditto Mermaid!!!!!
Beach Fanatic
And another thing. To some of us, wealth is not measured by material possessions. It is measured by family, friends and good times. The beach is surely one of the best times. Don't get me wrong, money is nice but at what price happiness. All the money in the world cannot buy happiness.
An easy statement to make, when
one "has money."
I see few in the line where austerity
is dispensed
I agree with most of Redfish
wrote.
picky
An easy statement to make, when
one "has money."
I see few in the line where austerity
is dispensed
I agree with most of Redfish
wrote.
Capricious, re-read KISH's previous post--she's not an owner. But she "does" own the beach in her heart of hearts. That's why the post is such a good one.
SoWal Expert
An easy statement to make, whenIt is an easy statement to make for people who do not have money, but are rich with experiencing life. You, too, like Redfisher, have not been around much if this is your thought. I have seen many more happy homeless people than happy wealthy people. I am talking about genuine happiness from the heart.
one "has money."
I see few in the line where austerity
is dispensed
I agree with most of Redfish
wrote.
Meow
An easy statement to make, when
one "has money."
I see few in the line where austerity
is dispensed
I agree with most of Redfish
wrote.
For the record...it's redfishER. Please share your agreements with redfisher. We promise we don't bite....much!
Beach Fanatic
Capricious, re-read KISH's previous post--she's not an owner. But she "does" own the beach in her heart of hearts. That's why the post is such a good one.
Mermaid, sorry to disappoint you, but I am of the other gender.
SoWal Expert
Mermaid, sorry to disappoint you, but I am of the other gender.
I love it when we reassign genders!!
Sure you don't want to be a chick anymore?Meow
I love it when we reassign genders!!
He/She He/She hee hee hee
Beach Fanatic
I love it when we reassign genders!!jdarg, one reply and I get lumped in with the famous ladies of the board. It's great to be associated with them but I am happy as I am.
margarita brocolia
I love it when we reassign genders!!
No, he doesn't want to be a HEN!Beach Fanatic
Sorry, I'm just a old barnyard rooster.
Meow
cackle cackle cackle Psssss!!!!
margarita brocolia
An easy statement to make, when
one "has money."
I see few in the line where austerity
is dispensed
I agree with most of Redfish
wrote.
Don't get me started on this broadbrush stroke! I SO wish I had SJ and others way with words because I very much want to respond clearly to this statement.
We are fortunate enough to "have money" but grew up without money, so have lived both lives (with and without). What we value in life has not changed and we work to keep it that way so our daughter can remain a well-grounded "real" person without the materialistic wants which we see in some other teens.
I will have to WORK on a response, because I so want to state my case, but the words aren't there right now - only the irritation at such generalities! :roll: Later
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