No, it's because I got tired of hearing people complain about the price of gas on a BMW board. I did not say that I have it better than others.

I'm not sure how it is in CA, but here in NY, almost nobody can afford to live near where they work. The problem is that wages are lower than the cost of living. As you get out further from NYC, cost of living goes down, but of course so do wages accordingly.

So for example, a cheap studio apartment in Manhattan is going to cost upwards of $2000 per month. And for a decent place to live in Manhattan, you are going to pay over $3,000 per month. 95% of those who work in Manhattan cannot not afford to live there. But of course, Manhattan is the business and commercial center of the entire region, so that is where most of the jobs are. So most people working in Manhattan (or anywhere in NYC) commute from the suburbs to work, and most drive at least 20-30 miles each way, pay for tolls to cross bridges, and pay to park their cars in the city. Either that, or they spend 2-3 hours per day on a train and/or bus, and pay high prices to do that. But still, it is cheaper as they will save $1000-2000 per month in cost of living.

It would be wonderful if all those people could find jobs out in the suburbs near home, but not only are there not enough jobs available in the suburbs, but those jobs do not pay as well as the jobs in Manhattan. So many people who work in the suburbs, are forced to live even further out in the suburbs where the cost of living is still cheaper.

Alright then, I guess if you are on a BMW board you don't have to worry about any one else.

It is not like worrying about others or not when it comes to gas prices is going to accomplish anything anyway...Either you can afford to drive to work or you can't...if you can't reevaluate your situation...Gasoline has (and still is) below the rate of inflation in the long term adjustments like this happen occasionally...besides the oil industry is a business...like any business they are around to make a profit...Sack up and deal or buy a Tesla

:tsk:

-1. I honestly don't believe that Americans will ever utilize mass transit (I'm talking about on average across the nation, not just in big cities), no matter how good/convenient it is. It's just not in our nature. We're all about freedom and independence, right down to the ability to jump in our personal automobile and go where we want, when we want. And so far, it seems we're willing to pay for that "right."

Is that the way we should be? No, but good luck getting everyone (or even most) to agree.