tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18675105.post8663725180947519501..comments2024-01-15T12:16:41.302+00:00Comments on HousingPANIC - The Housing Bubble Blog with an Attitude Problem, 2005 - 2008: HousingPANIC is shuttin' it down (for five days). You're on your own.bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06585266242070350399noreply@blogger.comBlogger45125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18675105.post-45634644731413707492008-07-08T14:06:00.000+01:002008-07-08T14:06:00.000+01:00Oh, dinner for 2: $400 one place, $100 similar pla...Oh, dinner for 2: $400 one place, $100 similar place<BR/><BR/>Train to the airport $7<BR/><BR/>Coke from a newsstand: $1.20<BR/><BR/>Breakfast at hotel: $60. Breakfast on the street: $2<BR/><BR/>Strangest city - some prices were insane, others were dirt cheap. It's not set up for tourism - which is nice. Not a lot of english to be found, no english newspapers for sale. And only got shaken down once for a passport - no bribe taken.<BR/><BR/>Didn't get a sense of housing prices though since there were no estate agents to be seen (unlike England where they're everywhere), and the ads I saw didn't list the price<BR/><BR/>Strange, strange city, but should be seen. Bring lots of money.bloggerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06585266242070350399noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18675105.post-26399371018338798062008-07-08T12:43:00.000+01:002008-07-08T12:43:00.000+01:00you got ripped off on that cab ride. sounds like t...you got ripped off on that cab ride. sounds like the airport taxi mafia to me.Avram Mohedahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01658970493040909083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18675105.post-61618742710502689792008-07-08T08:37:00.000+01:002008-07-08T08:37:00.000+01:00> And they say the ruble is 20% undervalued.> Make...> And they say the ruble is 20% undervalued.<BR/>> Makes you go hmmm...<BR/><BR/>Whatever they say, Russia increases its broad money supply by 20% in 8 months time, and if the rouble is still "undervalued" by then, then that's quite a big "hmmm"! There's clearly no economic expansion that large to warrant a 33% YoY increase in M2, so it mostly trickles down into consumer price-wage spiral (and the stupid consumer credit boom), while the accumulation of USD reserves by the Central Bank depresses the dollar's exchange rate. My guess is that, in the end, it all hinges up on whether the $145 oil is a bubble or not. Anyway, I'm in a liquidation mode for roubles these days - it's all too good to be true.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18675105.post-81215979294884089842008-07-07T23:46:00.000+01:002008-07-07T23:46:00.000+01:00- 30 minute taxi ride - $100- Minibar bottle of co...- 30 minute taxi ride - $100<BR/>- Minibar bottle of coke - $13<BR/>- Realizing that the US dollar is nearly worthless in a former communist country that recently defaulted on its debt - Priceless..<BR/><BR/>Interesting city, beautiful sights, amazing metro, history galore, that crazy Moscow.<BR/><BR/>And they say the ruble is 20% undervalued.<BR/><BR/>Makes you go hmmm...bloggerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06585266242070350399noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18675105.post-2528656468878452582008-07-04T22:57:00.000+01:002008-07-04T22:57:00.000+01:00I was in Moscow in the fall of 2006 and was there ...I was in Moscow in the fall of 2006 and was there for about 10 days. It's a grim, incredibly crowded city. The traffic is the worst I've ever seen and I've traveled all over the world. They park and drive on the sidewalks there. It's also a very corrupt and dangerous place. Do carry your papers with you. The police cannot be trusted - everyone is on the take. The mob runs everything. We were at an event hall -- brand new -- that was barely being utilized. There was a luxury mall next door with the highest end goods imaginable and virtually no one shopping. The Mayor's wife apparently owns the largest construction company so they build things on tax dollars for the good of the elites. <BR/><BR/>On the positive side, we did meet some friendly Russians. We did have some great food. The Kremlin tour and a visit to Red Square is worth it. The Souvenirs there are great. The tour of Lenin's tomb is surreal. Hope you enjoy the trip. It's a glimpse into a very strange economy indeed.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18675105.post-12661842884221155882008-07-04T16:18:00.000+01:002008-07-04T16:18:00.000+01:00Keith take a good look at what communists did to R...Keith take a good look at what communists did to Russia over 70 years. This is what will happen if your boy Obama gets in this fall. When government runs everything, it runs nothing well. Yet you liberal tools still can't grasp this.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18675105.post-14165940004949976412008-07-04T12:41:00.000+01:002008-07-04T12:41:00.000+01:00I went to the USSR when it was still communist and...I went to the USSR when it was still communist and enjoyed the place a lot; the bolshoi orchastra was amaznig and I'll probably never experience anything like it again.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18675105.post-31211162196968708122008-07-04T11:51:00.000+01:002008-07-04T11:51:00.000+01:00The Nikkei has lost more than eight percent of its...The Nikkei has lost more than eight percent of its value over the 12-day fall, which is the longest losing streak since the index stumbled for 15 straight trading days starting April 28, 1954.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18675105.post-45799745253830904162008-07-03T20:37:00.000+01:002008-07-03T20:37:00.000+01:00Keith, Ignore the trolls! There are many FBs and ...Keith, Ignore the trolls! <BR/><BR/>There are many FBs and unemployed 6%ers who will say or do anything and blame everyone for their own problems.<BR/><BR/>Enjoy your trip. We are Americans 24/7 and not just on July 4th.<BR/><BR/>Happy Independence Day to all!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18675105.post-52204956274676072192008-07-03T19:53:00.000+01:002008-07-03T19:53:00.000+01:00buy some oil while you're therebuy some oil while you're thereAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18675105.post-37973564469092845822008-07-03T19:41:00.000+01:002008-07-03T19:41:00.000+01:00Hey Keith,great blog, one of the best out there. ...Hey Keith,<BR/><BR/>great blog, one of the best out there. Moscow on absolute terms actually is NOT the most expensive city, that is Oslo: <BR/><BR/>http://tinyurl.com/5thmqv<BR/><BR/>This is speaking in nominal terms. However, when speaking using the New York City as benchmark, Moscow comes out more expensive based on a 'lifestyle' that the study measures. So in other words, if you simply compare item for item Oslo, London, etc are more expensive, but if you compare a lifestyle of Western expectations, Moscow comes out more expensive. <BR/><BR/>The main reason behind this is rent. Moscow, along with a number of other Russian / Ukraine cities still has a very low number relatively speaking of western renovated apartments so the rents are actually much higher in cities like Moscow than Oslo, Zurich, etc. <BR/><BR/>After you're done with Moscow, consider Ukraine. Kiev and Odessa are great cities. Odessa is wonderful in July / August, all coastal, lots of character. Kiev is a capital, similar to Moscow in some ways, but much less expensive. Also, Ukraine is the LAST European country that still has its currency pegged to a dollar and because of this the inflation is out of control (which actually is exactly the same in US, but the difference is that the government there actually tells you how it is, vs. bernanke's goons telling you that your annual raise of 4% is more than enough to cover the inflation). <BR/><BR/>If you come to Kiev or Odessa, check out http://wwww.kievapts.com and http://www.odessaapts.com for apartments and tourist information in both cities. Once you come, you may never want to leave :-) a lot cheaper than London too, and much better veiws :-)shterentahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11564002706743931843noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18675105.post-88788793701378949772008-07-03T19:36:00.000+01:002008-07-03T19:36:00.000+01:00You do realize that AAPL uses only Nvidia cards on...You do realize that AAPL uses only Nvidia cards on its most popular items, like the MacBook Pro laptop, right? Enjoy:<BR/><BR/><B>Nvidia (NVDA) shares slumped almost 30% in early trade after warning late Wednesday that current-quarter sales won't meet forecasts due to slower global demand. The graphics chipmaker also said its gross margin - a key measure of profitability - won't meet forecasts.</B>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18675105.post-31779074003344484852008-07-03T19:34:00.000+01:002008-07-03T19:34:00.000+01:00word panicearly, word...word panicearly, word...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18675105.post-81673975049208314152008-07-03T18:09:00.000+01:002008-07-03T18:09:00.000+01:00This won't seem so far-fetched as we proceed furth...This won't seem so far-fetched as we proceed further through the year: <BR/>http://tinyurl.com/2gmljp<BR/><BR/>Home/house owner, house debter, renter - makes no difference, we're in for some really hard times.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18675105.post-22056000801304941812008-07-03T17:01:00.000+01:002008-07-03T17:01:00.000+01:00Don't listen to all the crap about Police taking y...Don't listen to all the crap about Police taking your papers - the police pick on the rich, not tourists in Moscow.<BR/>Moscow's the most expensive because millions of young russians come here as theres no future in their villages. Its just demand & supply. Also, they used real estate to prop up their dying economy, just like the USA.<BR/>Remember to cross main streets in Moscow via under-road walkways!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18675105.post-18775968407369392292008-07-03T15:49:00.000+01:002008-07-03T15:49:00.000+01:00GO TO UKRAINE AND SEE ALL THE BEAUTIES THERE THAT ...GO TO UKRAINE AND SEE ALL THE BEAUTIES THERE THAT WERE IN THE "SEND FOR A RUSSIAN BRIDE" BOOKS AND FILMS I WAS SENT ABOUT THE TIME I WENT BROKE AND THOUGHT I MIGHJ BE BETTER IF I KEPT BRIDES ABOUT AS FDAR AWAY AS THE OTHER SIDE OF THE WORLD...WHICH HAS PROVEN TO BE A LONG RUNNING MISTAKE, ,, AND IM STILL ABOUT BROKE...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18675105.post-12152773815626583232008-07-03T15:42:00.000+01:002008-07-03T15:42:00.000+01:00Actually you get (if you qualify) a foreign earned...Actually you get (if you qualify) a foreign earned income exclusion of $85,700, so you do not pay any US taxes on this amount. Bluh! Say hello to Stalin.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18675105.post-69071503674632261842008-07-03T15:33:00.000+01:002008-07-03T15:33:00.000+01:00So I guess if we destroy the press freedoms, assas...So I guess if we destroy the press freedoms, assassinate dissidents, jail billionaires and commandeer their corporations, withhold petroleum from neighbors, we'll end up the most expensive country in the world....<BR/>Then we'd be back on track I suppose......<BR/>I knew you were a f*cking commie.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18675105.post-21622284676442507342008-07-03T15:23:00.000+01:002008-07-03T15:23:00.000+01:00Keight Have a good one,Now TSHTF!BeignetKeight Have a good one,<BR/><BR/>Now TSHTF!<BR/><BR/>BeignetAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18675105.post-44466489774992451382008-07-03T12:37:00.000+01:002008-07-03T12:37:00.000+01:00I visit Moscow often, and I just returned to the U...I visit Moscow often, and I just returned to the US. You will probably have a good time.<BR/>But English will not get you far in many places.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18675105.post-63065448172832247502008-07-03T12:16:00.000+01:002008-07-03T12:16:00.000+01:00I left the funny comment about be being a commie u...I left the funny comment about be being a commie up just because ignorance needs to be pointed to and mocked<BR/><BR/>Someone get my back, Ok?<BR/><BR/>My only response is this. Expats are America's ambassadors, and some of its greatest assets. And we pay American taxes on our worldwide incomes regardless of where we live, and yet don't use American services.<BR/><BR/>And oh, I found a source for imported American groceries. Sure missed those heinz hamburger dills and stubbs BBQ sauce. Got hooked up now.<BR/><BR/>I'm leaving heathrow now so peace out - have a good 4th everyone, no matter where you arebloggerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06585266242070350399noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18675105.post-90490153345964930072008-07-03T08:45:00.000+01:002008-07-03T08:45:00.000+01:00Japan's key Nikkei stock index fell Thursday for t...Japan's key Nikkei stock index fell Thursday for the 11th straight trading session in the longest losing streak in more than half a century on worries over the U.S. economy ahead of the release of key U.S. jobs data.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18675105.post-76074645242341363352008-07-03T07:04:00.000+01:002008-07-03T07:04:00.000+01:00Beware of Russian women. good looking and cunning...Beware of Russian women. good looking and cunning.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18675105.post-9855241609465931182008-07-03T05:05:00.000+01:002008-07-03T05:05:00.000+01:00Keith,You are a closet commie. Going to the USSR ...Keith,<BR/><BR/>You are a closet commie. Going to the USSR during Independendce Day?!?!?!?!?! Tell you what, if you are even an American, just stay the hell in London.<BR/><BR/>I too would like to visit Moscow, however, I would never do this during the 4th of July. Stay out of the USA, we no longer need your kind here. Please feel free to censor this comment as you like to censor others. I hope you die with that andrew hac f*ck benedict arnold. Go on and vote for your "al-cayda" barrack osama, prick.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18675105.post-16368672169275746872008-07-03T04:01:00.000+01:002008-07-03T04:01:00.000+01:00Q: How Moscow became expensive? A: The Russian mo...Q: How Moscow became expensive? <BR/>A: The Russian mofia.Formosanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11517908284207910183noreply@blogger.com