[0x4f3759df]

QE money inflated asset prices and low interest rates mean bonds don't deliver good return so people buy stocks instead. And since we have the looming pension crisis the we will need a lot more money printing.

If everything is in a bubble, what will pop the bubble? An interesting take is the baby boomers hit max earning power at 55 and buy a second house, but then around 65 or 70 they realize the don't need either big house and they downsize (which will create downward pressure on housing) and they want to annuitize their assets (sell non-dividend paying stocks, etc)

[toomuchtodo]

> An interesting take is the baby boomers hit max earning power at 55 and buy a second house, but then around 65 or 70 they realize the don't need either big house and they downsize (which will create downward pressure on housing) and they want to annuitize their assets (sell non-dividend paying stocks, etc)

My initial assumption was that you'd see a glut of housing because of this (Boomers unloading real estate to downsize), pushing down home prices, helping first time home buyers. I've recently updated my assumption: Boomers are going to hold onto their property as long as possible as rentals. People are seeking out returns where ever they can, which is going to make this intergenerational housing problem drag on for at least another decade or two.

Housing supply metrics:

https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2017/10/23/heres-why-ho...

https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/MSACSR

[0x4f3759df]

Good point, why sell your house when you can't buy anything that gives a good return? Better to rent it. So we're in the everything bubble and there is no pin in sight.

[toomuchtodo]

> So we're in the everything bubble and there is no pin in sight.

Indeed. The only solution is to either 1) hustle incredibly hard and hope for success/a liquidity event/etc or 2) walk away/opt out and find another economy where you can succeed.

I'm honestly shocked that more first world countries with low birth rates below replacement rate don't appeal to US citizens to import them, train them, and have them join their society as valued workers (vs raking them over the coals in the US with student loans, a broken healthcare system, underpaid/non-existent jobs, and housing that might be forever out of their reach).

[kogepathic]

> I'm honestly shocked that more first world countries with low birth rates below replacement rate don't appeal to US citizens to import them, train them, and have them join their society as valued workers (vs raking them over the coals in the US with student loans, a broken healthcare system, underpaid/non-existent jobs, and housing that might be forever out of their reach).

Most higher education in Europe is free, even for international students. More and more countries are offering programs at Bachelor or Masters level taught in English.

What more of a red carpet welcome do Americans need?

[toomuchtodo]

> What more of a red carpet welcome do Americans need?

This is a great point, which I'd counter with: marketing. Ever notice how many locations around the world advertise to come bring your business there? Or holiday/vacation there? Same idea.

[kogepathic]

> Ever notice how many locations around the world advertise to come bring your business there?

France made a very public appeal to climate scientists. [1]

> Or holiday/vacation there?

Anecdotal evidence I know, but almost all of my friends in Canada have or want to visit Amsterdam. But while they're enjoying pot brownies and the red light district, Amsterdam has many startups who will hire English speaking employees.

Or the people who really want to visit Oktoberfest. Munich also has many firms willing to hire English speakers with the right qualifications.

I will grant that perhaps Europe can do a better (more obvious) job of appealing to North Americans who want to immigrate. Personally I found it extremely easy to immigrate from Canada to Europe (no family ties to gain Eau citizenship), though I had already finished studying.

Another easy option that is often overlooked is the Working Holiday visa. It's quite easy to obtain and allows someone under 35 to work and travel between 6-12 months in many EU countries.

[1] www.businessinsider.com/emmanuel-macron-american-climate-scientists-france-2017-6