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Notes from Seattle: The Luxury of Living in America (United States)

By Ron and Alexandra Seigel

Services for Real Estate Pros with Napa Consultants DRE00893924

September 24, 2010 07:37 AM

Photo by Sergei Rogovets, Dreamstime.com

In the course of our 3 days spent in Seattle we had to shuttle back and forth between hotels and conferences, because we had 2 speaking engagements on the subject of luxury real estate marketing, branding and thriving in this marketplace. Instead of renting a car and dealing with learning how to get around in this beautiful city, we opted for cab rides.

We always enjoy interviewing people and cab drivers are not exempt. Our first cab driver was from Eritre an African country formerly part of Ethiopia. He and his family emigrated to America to escape the religious persecution and other governmental problems, the same issues were important to our next driver from Somalia, and our final driver was from Southern India. He told us how scarce opportunities were for someone like him, whereas here (Seattle), he was able to start an additional business, and is putting one of his sons through college. All three experessed how we as Americans do not appreciate our country enough, and it is a luxury to live in America.

We were moved by their eloquence and wanted to share with you the inspiration we felt about how much we have here, and have made a point to focus on the specialness and bounty of our country's people and spirit.

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Krista Lombardi

Prudential Calfornia Realty - San Diego, CA

I lived abroad for over 7 years, when Americans tell me that they want to move to another country to live, I know they'll be back soon. Life here is sooooo nice:)

Sep 24, 2010 07:43 AM

Ron and Alexandra Seigel

Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA

Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Krista,

I am sooooo in agreement with you! My mother who was French decided she would move to Paris! After thinking about in Paris, she oped to return and did not even look around. She understood the difference in a nanosecond. Another acquaintance who was Polish moved back to the homeland after 25 years here, and now is making plans to return!

Sep 24, 2010 07:47 AM

Carra Riley & Declan Kenyon

Brokers Guild Cherry Creek Ltd - Westminster, CO

Helping people Transition at all ages!

We are indeed blessed to live in this country and unfortunately take many things for granted - and complain about many other things. It serves us well to stop and smell the roses once in a while.

Sep 24, 2010 09:28 AM

Steve, Joel & Steve A. Chain

Chain Real Estate Investments & Mortgage, Steve & Joel Chain - Cottonwood, CA

Ron & Alexandra,

We appreciated the opportunity we had to take our sons to Mexico, to build homes, as a part of our missions outreach. They saw the huge benefits they enjoyed because they were born just a few hundred miles north.

Steve

Sep 24, 2010 12:28 PM

Ron and Alexandra Seigel

Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA

Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Carra,

You are so right, it is time to focus on all the blessings we have here...we are living in the lap of luxury compared to what others are enduring,

Steve,

What a neat comment. One of the drivers remarked that Americans should take their kids to the poorer nations instead of Hawaii' resorts and Disneyland, so that they appreciate what they have...thanks

Sep 24, 2010 12:47 PM

Robert L. Brown

www.mrbrownsellsgr.com - Grand Rapids, MI

Grand Rapids Real Estate Bellabay Realty, West Mic

People do have it much worse in other cities. We need to appreciate more and complain less.

Sep 24, 2010 01:15 PM

Ron and Alexandra Seigel

Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA

Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Robert,

You are so right, thanks for piping in, we appreciate it. Have a great weekend.

Sep 24, 2010 04:47 PM

Joni Bailey

101 Main St. Realty - Huntsville, TX

Your Huntsville / Lake Livingston Area REALTOR®

Sad but very true. May God forgive us!

Sep 24, 2010 06:05 PM

Kirsten Lindquist

Pacific Union International - Sonoma, CA

Realtor - Sonoma Wine Country

Ron and Alexandra: Nice post on luxury...that has meaning for the masses! Hope you guys are doing well.

Sep 24, 2010 06:32 PM

Michele Miller ~ REALTOR®, LMC, HSE, CHS, SRES, CMRS

ERA Key Realty~Worcester County Realty Group - Worcester, MA

'Helping You Make the Best Move"

Ron and Alexandra,

Americans have alot to be thankful. We were just in Jamaica and although we were staying at a resort, the rest of the island seemed very poor.

Sep 25, 2010 03:19 AM

Cherise Selley

Selley Group Real Estate, LLC - Colorado Springs, CO

Colorado Springs Realtor

If you own more than two pairs of shoes (in comparison of the global economy), then you're considered rich. I appreciate your blog very much. We've been hypnotized into thinking from an impoverished and entitled mindset... g

Sep 25, 2010 08:16 AM

Ron and Alexandra Seigel

Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA

Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Gordon,

I really like your distinction of "entitled mindset", It is so true and thank you for pointing that out.

Michele,

Thanks for your observation and sharing your view on Jamaica's other economy.

Kirsten,

I really believe that if we took a look at our lives (masses included) we would find lots of luxury!

Joni,

Thanks for sharing your viewpoint.

Sep 25, 2010 08:55 AM

San Antonio Texas New Homes for Sale

www.sanantoniotexasnewhomesforsale.com - San Antonio, TX

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Hill Country

Ron And Alexandra....

Yes, When you travel .. and talk with people here in the US or when going abroad ...You get an education of how the rest of the world runs....God Bless America !!

Sep 25, 2010 09:00 AM

Ron and Alexandra Seigel

Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA

Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Robert,

Amen to that! and God bless all the other countries, too.

Sep 25, 2010 09:02 AM

Kathy Schowe

California Lifestyle Realty - La Quinta, CA

La Quinta, California 760-333-8886

We are extremely lucky to live here-- to be citizens, to have our family here. Thanks for the reminder! Kathy

Sep 26, 2010 06:31 PM

Ellie McIntire

Ellicott City Clarksville Howard County Maryland Real Estate - Ellicott City, MD

Luxury service in Central Maryland

As an immigrant myself I am the first to agree with the greatness of this Country. Most Citizensdo not appreciate how good they have it.

Sep 28, 2010 02:36 PM

Ron and Alexandra Seigel

Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA

Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Ellie,

I came to the US as a child, and everytime we are abroad, I love coming home. We were in Canada a while back and we had an customs officer who must have had a bad day, as she kept questioning us about our purpose of being there. One of her comments was "she could have us deported!", And I thought to myself that I would welcome going back to sunny California sooner than later...we all have bad days.

Sep 29, 2010 03:45 AM