Nightlife here in the MGC can be very noisy. Its the birds! Here it is almost 12AM and the birds are having a wild Fiesta. Of course I could close my doors and windows... Just think. If my air conditioner were working and I lived in a climate controlled home I would not have realized the birds were having a slumber party. Actually, my husband thinks it is mainly one Mocking Bird. This one bird manages to sound like a flock of different species of birds.
It is obviously a very happy bird. At least the Magnolia residing Woodpecker hasn't joined the party.
Every once in awhile I catch myself almost complaining about something--the noisy birds, the train. Usually I stop myself in time as I remember when I walked the silent streets of Long Beach remarking to my family how eery the quiet was. Simultaneously--we realized what was missing. Birds, frogs, the train.
Thinking of that time brings back remembrances of the horrible devastation from Katrina. It will be four years this August. Great strides and advances have taken place. I will never forget the volunteers and the amazing way they endured conditions worse than some residents. They worked so hard and with such devotion. At the same time in some sectors, there was mild resentment--from those who could have been doing the work for pay.
Its amazing how many things we are starting to take for granted again, that I didn't think we would. Simple things like Internet, all communication devices, produce, stores.
Fast forward to today and what I do now. As A CAL Realty Group employee, I work with a wide variety of people ranging from Go Zone Investors to low income renters. There are people I can't help who can't qualify for low income housing.
Sometimes I hear people say, "if they would just lower their rent..." At the same time, this same group is not paying for insurance, nor did they bear the cost of extreme price increases of building materials.
It does not cost the same to live here as it did Pre-Katrina,although the MGC was starting to wake up and realize its own potential in the summer of 2005. This is partially evidenced by the following discovery I made when reserching Deer Creek Road, D'Iberville.
Pre-Katrina side by side duplex/flat
$167,500 3/07/2005 06/01/2005
$167,500 3/09/2005 06/01/2005
5/27/07 $199,900 12/11/07 $189,900 (Cash)
1/23/09 $172,500 04/12/09 $165,000 (Conventional)
Incidentally, there are 6 other sets of duplexes on the same street ranging from $172, 500 to $195,000. The most recent sale this year sold at $165,000.
So, if we allow for depreciation from 2005 until now we would be almost even, no appreciation, no declining price. Agree, or disagree. I just couldn't help noticing that. You are allowed a shot at re-educating me if you think I am interpreting data in an unconventional way.
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