Crime, Housing, Affordability: The Relationship Between Perception, Reality And Familiarity
It probably also helps to stay off social media, network and cable news
To best follow today’s post, you might refer to yesterday’s story, particularly the comments section—
And the one from the day before (yes, I deliver your money’s worth!)—
Quick note—I really enjoyed running the hypothetical budget/number-crunching scenarios in the last two installments. You seemed to like it. So expect more of it!
The number one issue subscribers had with my list of places where you can live meaningfully below the median in America is that crime is high in many of these places. Let’s deal with crime today under the agreement that it’s a complicated and nuanced issue that isn’t consistent across or within states, cities and, most definitely, at the individual level.
Perception of crime—and other disorder—often doesn’t reflect reality. And, reality aside, your individual perception of something and subsequent views and decisions can be different—often the opposite—from the reaction of the subscriber sitting next to you.
The discussion we’re about to have—using real-time examples of unrest from the United States and Spain—underscores and amplifies the reality that it has become increasingly difficult to carve out a comfortable living for yourself in America without earning meaningfully into the six figures. Unless, of course, you have already secured affordable and sustainable housing alongside ample savings.
The Living The Semi-Retired Life newsletter is designed to help us make sense of and navigate this reality together.
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I'm writing this puppy for the long haul. At age 48—preparing to move from Los Angeles to Spain—there’s exponentially more to come as I cross the threshold into the second act of my life. Wherever you are in life, I’d love for you become part of our community today.