Wikipedia states that Marin County, California, has, according to the 2000 census, the highest per capita income in the country and the third highest mean personal income. (Yeah. I don’t exactly know the difference either.) I’m not sure whether or not these data hold true in 2008. Whatever our actual rank, however, there’s no denying that I now live in one of the wealthiest places on earth. (Of course, you can’t count Dubai.) And, the abundant natural beauty of Oregon notwithstanding, it’s likely I now live in about the most gorgeous place I’ve ever been.
One of the facts of life here is that everything costs more. Sometimes a lot more. When I moved to Marin in July 2007, I was a victim of extreme sticker shock. My rent here is 250% of my last place in Oregon. (Of course, the view from my patio is incredible.) I still often cringe when I check out at the grocery store. And it’s been my experience that restaurant eating is outrageous.
Another element of life in Marin is that you don’t really see that many homeless people. When you take a trip into the city, of course, that’s a whole different story. But here...they’re largely invisible.
However, as I mentioned in my last essay, times are changing. Even here, evidence of the current economic crisis exists. At an intersection in the northern part of the county yesterday, I saw a man standing, with his dog, holding a sign that said “FORECLOSED. EVICTED.” (Along with some other smaller print that I could not read.) As I was driving, passing by him at the corner, I handed him some cash...something I admit: I do not normally do.
I filled up my car with gas yesterday, too. Now, because I live so very close to work, and don’t do that much other driving these days, I fill up only once about every three or four weeks. Two fill-ups ago, I paid $4.51/gallon. Yesterday, I paid $2.11. Yes, I filled up my tank for less that 50% of what it cost me in early October.
I also saw a front-page article in the San Francisco Chronicle yesterday which reported the state’s unemployment rate had risen to 8.2% in October, up from 7.7% in September and 5.7% in October 2007. Here in the Bay Area things are not quite as bad, with the unemployment rate for San Francisco at 6.0% and in Marin County, 4.9%.
Of course, what the stock market has done to my plans for retirement has been incredibly emotional to deal with. It was going to be tough enough anyway...now...who knows? “Retirement” may forever remain only a vague theoretical construct in my life.
Still, I know I’m not telling you anything you don’t already know: we’re in deep economic doo-doo in this county. And it’s going to take herculean efforts to dig our way out. I have faith that our new leadership, coming into office on January 20, is up to the task. In the meantime, I fear things are probably going to get a lot worse before they get better.
It’s been three full years since my first blog entry on Thanksgiving Day 2005. As I reflect on the Thanksgiving holiday coming up this week, I’m thankful for the supportive people in my life (including my new Twitter “friends”), that my health continues to improve (there’s evidence of getting stronger and stronger every week), that I remain employed, and that I live in such a blessedly beautiful part of the world.
Finally, during this holiday week, special love and hugs go out to Browyn & Corey, Grace & Kaleb, Tobin & Tanya, Ryan & Colby, Anne & Pete. And to my soul-mate in Portland; you know who you are.
