Real Estate Blog - Are You A Child of The 70's?

Home : Blogs : Allison Stewart BROKER/ASSOC/REALTOR ®St. Cloud Florida : Allison Stewart Broker Realtor Insights

Are You A Child of The 70's?

Does the song "It was 19 seventy something...in the world I grew up in, sound all too familiar? Parachute pants, rubix's cube, Kiss, Charlie's Angels, Farah Hair, Smokey & The Bandit,The black Trans Am, Elvis died, The Knicks, Larry Byrd, Joe Namath wearing Panty hose, The Patridge Family, Starski & Hutch, The Dukes of Hazzard, Save The Planet Hard Rock Jean Jackets, Dingo Boots, 3 Dog Night, America, Melissa Manchester,Pink Floyd, and High School. This can't be a museum it was my room in High School! In a blink it has been 30 years. How in the world does this relate to Real Estate...simple our sellers have in a blink experienced a time warp to into the Present.

I gave a referal yesterday. The seller is retired now. Over the years, he has upgraded, patched and repaired. Next year marks the 50th year he would have owned the house. Since then, the charm of the neighborhood has given way to Co-Op micro management, the little corner stores have given way to the big box outfits, the area is now a gated community. The little bungalows were $8000 are now commanding over $300,000.

His little house is worth a small fortune. But contained within those walls are a lifetime of memories. The stove is a repro from the 40's when the house was original-he looked long and hard to finally one exactly like the one that came with the place. It will probably be a negative. Got me thinking. My high school 30th reunion is in June. 30 years? I live in Florida, I will ask for a recount.

We rode the public bus to school for 15 cents. Carried knap sacks, not back packs. Hmm melodic tunes like America, Venture a High Way, and cringed when gas was 77cents a gallon in Manhattan.

A new car cost $6000.

A house on Long Island cost $14,000 if you were willing to commute.

We had savings books from the bank, green stamps from the supermarket and you helped "Old people" across the street.

Kids carried gum not guns. and Every corner had a pay phone.

No Pc's, mp3's, cd's, microwaves, dvd's, or digital scales. There were facts, not Fax. And telephones, they had rotary dials some even had push buttons. We read 16 Magazine and Tiger Beat. We put pin up on our walls of David Cassidy and Bobby Sherman and every boy drolled over Marcia Brady or Charlie's Angels.

We were ready to recycle, environmentally aware, and were against war and pollution of our planet.

We respected our parents. Now we ARE the parents.

Our kids want or have cell phones, C.D.'s, computer games, DVD players, Mp3 players, and have no idea what a family game board is for. Schools are reminding us to check their homework, sign agendas, and send in healthy snacks. And we are selling homes built in the 40's for 2400% over what they cost when new. Who knew then?

St. Cloud Florida Real Estate Broker/Associate,

St. Cloud Florida Homes For Sale, Buying HOMES In St. Cloud Florida, Real Estate Agent specializing in Osceola County Homes ,Townhomes, vacation properties, land, & Investment Properties-Allison Knows Osceola County, Fl.

Posted by Allison Stewart BROKER/ASSOC/REALTOR ®St. Cloud Florida on 04/27/2007 09:08 AM

Comments (53)

allison stewart realtor, real estate, 1970s, progress, living, inflation, homes, skates, florida pines realty

Originally posted at: Allison Stewart Realtor Insights: Are You A Child of The 70's?

53 Comments on Are You A Child of The 70's?

APR

2007

It is hard to believe it has been 30 years since High School.

Yeah all that stuff...and you also wore thongs.... but a whole different kind (as in flip flops, shower sandals, etc);). I talk about em all the time around way younger people today and really get a puzzeled or panicked reaction...LOL!

Oh Perrin -You are so right- things were flip flops! And only girls wore earrings

Yes, time flys when you are having so much fun! Growing up in Florida I remember the days before central air conditioning and gas at less than .30 cents a gallon. Have we made progress? In some ways, yes. Those were the days when a man's handshake was his word. Times have changed!

Allison, Thank fully I graduated in 85'.. Oh My god 22 years ago.. At least I still have my hair. Great post.

Sometimes my kids say, "Tell me something else you didnt' have when you were little." It's a game to them, trying to imagine a world without video games (unless you count Pong) and they're amazed when I said I was in middle school when we got our first microwave. ("But how did you make popcorn then?") *Sigh* Hair could not be too big. Kids could play outside all day long without a worry. Different world!

Remember Pit Sofas? Oh yes, our first VCR bought 6 months old was $750.00 Good Old Pong!

As far as popcorn....show them Jiffy Pop. Imagine we made it on the stove!

Long straight hair was the rage in NYC. How about "clogs" remember them?

I bought my kids a record player so they could see what I mean about sounding like a broken record...yeah had to show them what a record was too!

But then again... I still have and drive A 1962 and 1963 Corvair a great advertising vehicle.

Imagine being a Realtor back in the day without cell phones, computers & mls! My husband just brought home his old "Atari" from when he was a kid, so funny! LOL!

My step-son told me about this great new song they found on the juke box of a hang out of his - The Joker, by The Steve Miller Band! Imagine his surprise when I pulled out the CD (I also had the 8 track, but he had no way to use it)! AND he still has the CD:)

Oh you are so cruel Allson!

Yes, we do remember and we are a bit older than you because we were already in High School in the 70's so we actually have a better memory of all of those things and more. Ughhh!!! When did we get so old. Remember when people who were 30 years old were considered "The Enemy"?! This was a nice walk down memory lane and now I'm just depressed. But you gave me a real giggle for sure. My favorite memory was transister radios, cassettes and cassette recorders. Walkmans to play your cassette tapes in. OMG, we can go on and on in this vein. Long straight hair that we used to iron or set with Orange Juice Cans was also the rage! My parents paid about $23,000 for their 4 bedroom Cape on a lot of almost 400 feet deep. In her neighborhood, it's worth over $500k now. She is amazed that this is what became of her neighborhood!

Thanks for sharing this blast from the past!

Sorry I don't remember the 70s:) They say I was there though.

I am adding to the memories...remember John Travolta in Saturday Night Fever, when hip huggers were only worn with "body suits", levis and then designer jeans, you sprayed your hair in the summer with "Sun In" and baked your skin. My first car payment was $65.00 a month, my first job paid $1.25 an hour and I spent all the extras on clothes and shoes.

I too am nearing the 30 year high school reunion (next year) and am so glad that the 40's are now young and the 50's the new 40's. Isn't life grand?

I find myself laughing about Broker Bryant's comment that he doesnt' remember the 70's...Just what was he up to? :) Anyway, this post brought back some warm memories...all the more interesting because I was in grade school in the 70's on another continent. Thanks for this trip down memory lane.

APR

2007

I guess I'm a child of the 50's as I spent almost 7 years there. We had black and white tv, air raid sirens, cuffed jeans, toy cowboy guns, skates you tightened with a key, mousetrap dress shoes, butchwax for our crewcuts, powdered toothpaste, a doctor who came to the house and nurses in white uniforms, smoking of course. I know as I got a bit older I got some Beatleboots, listened to Dino, Desi and Billy, Hermans Hermits and others. Actually met Peter Noone (Herman) a couple of years ago. He gave my daughter his uneaten ice cream. I was in the first year of the draft lottery and had a high number, so I wasn't drafted. It was a crazy time in the 60's, but yet I still felt the country had some remaining civility. "Don't trust anyone over 30". Make love not war and so on. I also looked forward to Wednesday night fights and the game of the week in baseball. Bonanza, The Big Valley, Kildare, Ben Casey, The Monkees, Bandstand, Queen For A Day, Gunsmoke, and tons of other shows that I can see on TV Land now. Wow, flashbacks are bitchin. If you can dig it. Don't forget Rat Fink. I left out more than I put in but some of you can chime in with your own memories. Could get exciting! Remember these guys? Eddie Haskell, Beaver and America's big brother Wally Cleaver. How old do we feel now?

Don't forget "Kitten" -How about I Dream Of Jeannie, Lost in Space, The Beverly Hill Billies, Petticoat Junction, ED SULLIVAN SHOW...Topo Gigio..Eddie Kiss me goodnight!" The Beatles,The Turtles, Herb Albert, Johnny Mathis, Soul Train...cleaning erasers from blackboards!

Heelies in our day were called... BROKEN SKATES!

Does anyone else out there miss the good old days?

Great comments and great additions.

I guess the song "I've got a brand new pair of roller skates and you've got a brand new key" would mean anything now lol!

LOL

Nop but "They Paved Paradise and put up a Parking Lot" would still apply!

I like that song! Great post.

1970's were a great time. When I can remember them.

Born in 70. Does that count?

I remember trying to fathom my mother's childhood without TV. I simply couldn't.

Now I get to watch my daughter try to fathom TV as I knew it:7 channels, and walking to the set to change them.

Thanks for the flashback.

Thanks for the trip down memory lane. Ouch 33 years since I got out of high school.

I loved the 70's. B&W TV, pong, carbon paper. Those were the days!

Hi Allison:

You know the environmental movement really got kick started in the 70's and kind of lingered for a couple of decades before getting a new surge of energy this decade. What think happened? I got my theories, some of them related to Broker Bryant's post:)

APR

2007

I well remember the '70's..."Yes, your honor, I won't do it again. Yes, your honor, I do want to turn my life around...

And we thought we were just having fun! Today, they call it fun; back then, raising a little h*ll was grounds for a public flogging in my parts.

Oh, the memories...(what I remember, anyway)

APR

2007

Steven You are hysterical! Thanks for the humourous response!

Yes, I do miss the 70's. I loved my clothes although the clothes today look much better as they try to recreate the 70's using better fabrics and fit!

MAY

2007

Allison I believe you requested this one time on "the lovelywife's" blog Click here

JEFF Thank you SO much for that link. Every Teens Theme Song! Awesome!

Allison, you left out ZZ top, The Doobie brothers and the bell bottom polyester pants I wore on the Disco floor dancing to "Stayin Alive".....LOL Boy do I remember everything on your list and more! Things have certainly changed haven't they Allison.

Yes George they sure have. OKAY, My hair style hasn't, but everything else has...Okay my weight hasn't but..No, my car hasn;t changed either....Still have that Corvair! What am I going to do with that box of fabulous 8 tracks in the garage?..

Hey Allsion, here is where you get that 8 track tape deck

LOL Allison, I remember the 8 tracks like it was yesterday. My buddy and I were in his pickup truck and the windows rolled all the way down. It was 1974 between Idaho and Nevada and my friend was playing the Doobie Brothers on 8 track. When "Listen to the Music" came on we just looked at each other and smiled. No words were ever spoken and we just reveled in the feeling of freedom, happiness and the feeling of being ALIVE felt like at that moment. I will never forget it. When that song now comes on the radio I just smile :-)

I had the baddest, leather vest with strips of leather hanging down and striped bell bottom jeans. I was as rad and bitchin' as could be, but oh, those blue glasses my mother made me wear that were curved underneath and straight across the top. Thankfully they broke (not by accident) and she let me get contacts. That's when I finally got asked to my first day on the green concert, Fleetwood Mac, Peter Frampton, Robin Trower, and some more I can't remember. The bay area was a great place to be in the 70's.

Fran

MAY

2007

I remember my Chevy Nova. I was so proud of it at 20 yrs old, coming home from three years in the Army stationed in Germany. At 16, I had a Ford Galaxy, then a Dodge Dart. I was hot stuff in high school. I remember leisure suites, silk shirts with bright colors and very abstract designes. I remember hanging around mall on weekend evenings, with buddies, looking to pick up chicks. What i really miss, is the times helping my dad in his picture frame shop, and learning that business. Dad was so influential in my life. I think more than anything, I miss dad. He passed on three years ago, and altough, I was somewhat of a wild teenager, dad was a very compassionate, caring man. We were close. I remember we had plenty of differences though.

Ken,

I had a Dodge Dart! My friends and I always took my car because they all had two seaters. We had many a good time in my hot Dodge.

Fran

Ahh. yes, the 70's.... Back in the day when Elton John was merely a flamboyant artist, Farrah Fawcett was all natural and wholesome looking (very wholesome, indeed!), and our President was... uh, well... never mind! Like Broker Bryant, the parts I remember were good... the parts I've forgotten were better.

Mt first car was a 1971 Chevy Impala - That car lasted me in the 1990's. Over 350K miles and never had a ring job. Still ran good but gas mileage was killing me at that point. Thats when they built cars to last!

MAY

2007

I graduated high school in 1974, hopefully all of the photographic evidence has been destroyed.

Still remember the 8 track tapes? I had about 50 in a giant suitcase in the backseat.

What a terrific post AND the comments....I loved the 70's, they were SO much FUN! Disco music, great concerts, dare I say cutting out of school to head down to the beach for the day? When my mother wondered how I got so TAN I would say I was outside during lunch! This was a trip down memory lane, thank you!

I get my Hummer and listen to 70's music on xm.

I had a Mustang convertible and a boyfriend with a motorcycle. He was just the coolest guy. Couldn't carry a conversation (honest!), but he was like a young Clint Eastwood and the girls at school went crazy when he roared into the parking lot. (Yep, I dated him just for that reason. Call me shallow.)

MAY

2007

Skyrockets in sight...afternoon delight...I remember this song, but didn't know what it meant at the time. he he

MAY

2007

I told my son the ultimate was to have a fancy ashtray on your coffee table, and a matching lighter.

He absolutely refused to believe me!

I remember much of this, but I only caught the tail end. I actually remember most of it through my older sister's eyes.

MAY

2007

Allison: This should be a featured post. I rated it a five, I cna tell you put a lot of thought into it. I came of age in the late 70's and was partial to Kate Smith on the Angels.

MAY

2007

Thanks Tim!

Feel free to flag the post (located at the bottom) as a reminder. Sometimes good ones get overlooked and this heps the moderators a lot.

Allison, I forgot about the flag, I just went into your post and flagged it. I recommended it based on the amount of thought that went into it. Good luck.

Thank You Tim- I genuinely appreciate the high score and flag! ;-)

What a fun-to-read blog and fun to read all of the comments too. I was born in '75 so I look on the 80s as my glory days but '75 was still a great year!

MAY

2007

Great post! and "50 cent" was the price for a gallon of gas, not a rap musician. Ohhh the good ole days.

Funny thing is, people complained about the price of homes, coffee and gas back then as well. I remebr my Dad's Computer "Terminal" that he put the phone into in the seventies. He was a cutting edge computer guy.

APR

i was definatly a child of the 70's, i was in grade school at the time, i watched the brady bunch ,charlies angels ,the six million dollar man and the bionic woman and i was totally in love with Shaun Cassidy , if we were in walking distance we walked to school by our selves at 6,7,8 years old with our school books in our arms and nobody worried , there were no microwave ovens , no cable tv just channels 2 thru 13 and we had to get off the couch to change the channel we had square table phones or wall phones with cords attatched to them that allowed you only to go just a few feet ,no caller id ,no star 69 , no return call , no 911 , no cell phones , and pay phones were every where , no vcrs, no dvd players , no videos no dvds and we listened to our music on round vinyl discs called records , there were no computers , no mp3s no ipods , no video games , no portable game systems , and if we werent home when we wanted to see something on tv,we basically missed it,there were no vcrs or any recording devises to record your show , that made for alot of tearful times for me, back then we were able to make crank phone calls and get away with it simply because there werent all the fancy gadgets from the phone company like there is today,so crank calling was the big thing to do . we would collect baseball cards and throw them up in the street and all the kids would run around like crazy picking them all up , at least that's what the kids in my neighbirhood did.and as soon as it started gettingdark we all had to go in , now adays people let thier kids play outside in the dark, tell me i wasent a child of the 70's , you know i was.

This blog does not allow anonymous comments

Are You A Child of The 70's?

Twitter Updates

Twitter Updates