Six American Cities Where You Can Buy a $50,000 house.
Cities are sturdy things. They tend to outlast the nations they are part of, and it is not historically uncommon for them to last for thousands of years. During their long lifespans, however, many will have periods of population growth and contraction in response to economic conditions. Across America’s Rust Belt, for example, are a number of cities that once were home to major manufacturing sectors, but which have now lost many of their factories, and the people that worked in them. This has had positive and negative effects on the community. The downsides have been general economic decline, joblessness, and an increase in crime rates. The population declines also eat away at the tax base of the city, making it harder for local government to maintain infrastructure and social programs. There are some positives, however, including reduced traffic congestion and lower housing costs. Here are five US cities where you can become a home owner even if you have only a modest income, in order of the number of homes available.
(more…)Best Alternative Housing for Cold Climates
When considering what sort of alternative construction home might be appropriate for you, one of your first considerations should be the environment in which you intend to build. Materials and building methods appropriate to coastal Oregon may not be best for Minnesota or Louisiana. You need to figure out what kinds of temperatures you are preparing for in order to logically sort out your best options from the dozens of possible building methods available to you. I find it useful to use the plant hardiness zone map put together by the US Department of Agriculture. It’s a quick way to see how harsh your winters and summers will generally be. This article will deal with alternative housing appropriate to the coldest zones, 1 through 4. This includes much of the upper great plains, rocky mountains, and the northeast, plus most of Alaska. All of the housing types listed here have been tested through by real people using them to survive and thrive in challenging climates throughout human history.
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