The great migration...South.

[Javaman]

As the price of oil goes up, value of the dollar goes down or our wages just can't make ends meet, it occurred to me that a tectonic shift in the earths population will soon be at hand.

This past winter (and even though it spring now, it's still essentially winter in may parts of the northern hemisphere), with the price of oil climbing to record levels, many families had to make some truly serious decisions and choices between food and heating fuel.

Now image as our economy continues to shrink, the recession deepens, the value of the dollar continues to drop and perhaps oil is no longer based on the US dollar but on the Euro instead?

This coming winter will be a tough one. Will the price of heating fuel get to such a level that people will start cutting back on it's use out of financial necessity?

Will people do as my grandparents did when my parents where kids and close off whole sections of the house and have everyone sleep in the parlor?

The old standard of wearing sweaters always works, and perhaps an added foyer to the front door to cut down on heat leakage. Shutting off vents to unused rooms or just adjusting to not having heat.

Perhaps there won't be a migration this winter, but as the price of heating fuel keeps going up, maybe the next winter.

The consequences of this will be three fold. Less people, more empty houses and maybe the overcrowding of southern cities.

Those who choose to stay, will retro fit their houses for wood burning or even back to coal. (sadly)

As our globe heats up, ironically, the southern climes will as well.

Perhaps then, the great migration...North, will begin.

[americanyouth]

1. I'm on the Texas Gulf Coast and I have already seen this trend...

In fact, the past two or three years have been non-stop talk in my entire state about overcrowding and influx of new residents. I'm sure the climate comes into play with the lower cost of living, but, a warning to onlookers, THE PAY SCALE IS LOWER. DON'T COME HERE FROM CALIFORNIA THINKING YOUR MONEY IS WORTH MORE. I have seen many fail and return.

[Peregrine Took]

2. I heard there is a huge migration south, mainly to Phoenix and Atlanta ,

although Chicago picked up over 66,000 people (didn't say if it was 'burbs or city.)

I imagine it was both.

[kristopher]

3. Look at Boomer retirement demographics

Old bones like warm climates.

[NMDemDist2]

4. curtains, heavy curtains

over both doors and windows, and yes, heat only one or two rooms

we all have so much space we try to heat but don't use. I shut off half of my 1300SF home most of the year and don't miss it at all.