Saturday, March 31, 2012

The Return of the Hobbit Manifesto

Greetings Bloggies.

In my self identified hobbithood I strive to achieve a comfortable and largely sustainable lifestyle.  Currently I am in a home that will be as close to a hobbit hole as I will get.  That will change, I am planning to move because I have made the place as much of a home as it can be.  My next move will be for a longer haul.  Today's post is not about me, a novelty.

On Sunday I had to go to the laundromat.  This happens about twice a month, this is one of the few times I will read a print paper or watch the TV news.  On this occasion I found my self reading the Province. An experience I had not missed. The issue there had a special on the high cost of housing in this city.

There was nearly no substance to this spread.  It was a series of letters written by former Vancouver residents about how much cheaper homes were elsewhere.  Extolling the virtues of Edmonton, Calgary and other cities.  Now I am sure all cities have there charms, but this is not about the cities.  Nor is it about the professional aims of the folks in those stories.  No I question do you really need a house.

Today I found my self chewing over the whiny letters about housing costs.  It struck me as I went for my lunch time walk, the arrogance of the assumption.  It also crossed my mind, thank you for leaving  Vancouver.  Your departure makes more room for those of us who are willing to make do with constrain.

It comes down to energy, people who choose to put themselves in a self contained, conventional, house will likely use more energy in day to day life compared to and apartment dweller.  Choices that lead to more energy use lead to more carbon burned.  That irritates me.

2 comments:

Ien in the Kootenays said...

Good points. The desire for a free-standing house is deeply ingrained in the North American psyche. It went with cheap oil, and will now be sacrificed to the joys of urban life. I do recommend you look for a place with at least a balcony.

MrHobbit said...

Balcony is on the top of the must haves