Technology Breaks, Housing Costs, Aging Populations and Falling Incomes

I have been somewhat scarce around these parts, as of late. 

In part, I have simply been too busy with "life" to post here much, and part I have just been taking a break from technology... personally, I think it's a pretty healthy thing to do.

Being in my 50's-- meaning a remember a world without computers and Internet-- it's probably easier for me to break away from the online environment than it is for someone who's a web "native" (born 1990-ish or later). I know our kids (20s to 31) get pretty antsy if they can't check their phones on a regular basis. 

I'm old fashioned. I have a smartphone, but I don't ever check it (if it rings, I pick it up and say "hello")... and all the writing I do is done on a full sized desktop machine.

I won't philosophize too much on whether or not we have become too technologically dependent... I expect everyone has their own threshold for when they want to "get away," if at all.

As I spent time doing "off web" things, I got to thinking about Japan's "Net Cafe Refugees," a whole subculture of individuals who aren't exactly homeless and aren't exactly unemployed... and yet live in the equivalent of a closet in pretty public spaces that stays open 24/7. 

A couple of weeks ago, I wrote a post entitled "How Can People Afford to LIVE?" and reading about this Japanese subculture brought that to mind, again.

Yesterday, there were several people in the shop who were obviously a group of friends, one of whom was evidently going to move away soon.

What I overheard what somewhat sad-- and a little alarming. The salary at her full time job, even with considerable overtime, was insufficient for her and her young son to continue living in our town, so she was moving back to a smallish Kansas where (evidently) you can still rent a 2-bedroom house for under $500. 

I suppose I can see her point-- $500 rent on $7.25/hr is more affordable than $1250 on $11.00/hr.

Meanwhile, our town continues aging... when I moved here in 2006, the median age was already 46; 11 years later it has risen to 53. 

How about YOU? Have you ever had to move because your income did not support the cost of living where you were living? Does it seem strange to you that someone employed full time and even having overtime can't afford to live? Leave a comment-- share your experiences-- be part of the conversation!

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Created at 171110 14:57 PDT