Originally Posted by
TBM-Legend
A friend from here is establishing production in USA of his products. Just purchased 10 acres 8 miles out of Dallas area for US$230,000 plus a holiday from the local council for 5 years on rates/taxes etc plus they'll build his driveway off the highway..
and the USA thinks it's expensive...
You'll find that in Texas, and in particular Houston, practically all property is much better value than in Australia, Australia land of the "planner", or just about the tightest land use laws, i.e. Government control over private land, in the world, according to the Economist. Houston with a fast growing population of 6 million has no, repeat no, land zoning. Therefore market forces prevail with all of the market efficiencies that flow therefrom. Why is our dollar so deflated? Why are your cups and saucers and GA aircraft so low in value in the view of the rest of the world? The city dweller thinking his home value is rocketing ever upward is chuffed to see this artificial zoning inspired value increase. Result? The western world's biggest (mortgage bloated) banks and new owners, if they can get in at all are saddled with 30 year debt. Think I exaggerate? Google real estate Houston and you will find residential property at half ours compared with Melbourne or Sydney. Think that in terms of much lower mortgage burden, smaller and more proportionate banks. Capital available for schools, roads and hospitals. No thousands of planners to pay from the public purse and they have to work in the private sector. No endless AAT hearings and no lost opportunity costs. As one Houstonian put it, "it never ceases to amaze me how Houston reinvents itself".. It is free to do so. Of course proposing a move in this direction here would have most people questioning one's sanity. Never mind that this was the case, no zoning, in Australia during our period of greatest growth. Not to worry our Crown form of government always makes us subjects subject to the whim of our betters, be it Spring Street or Canberra. Can'tberra, the socialist, soulless and highly stratified home of zero freehold to near 400,000 dependent on the dopes that pay taxes and pay exorbitant fees to the dishonestly named Government Business Enterprises, monopolies, that now substitute for responsible government. The Commonwealth corporation, unhampered by Public Service law, who accepts a letter of expectations from the Minister. These instruments of government, government by remote control, with little incentive to do anything except to ego rule the roost and create 'work' and perks. Example of clever CASA make work, the senior instructor that had to cough $8000 up front to restart the flying school at Warrnambool using CASA's own supposed standard manual. Would not have paid this in the States. Would not have to have waited six months. That one example but one out of the total shambles of a totally dysfunctional regulator that has smashed a perfectly good industry.