A groups of missionaries from my sister in law's church was in Gaza last year, in fact. They reported that all the typical Palestian wants to do is to be able to support his family and put food on the table. Palestinians get frustrated whenever an Muslim extremist blows up a coffee shop or the like. The border between Israel and Gaza gets closed, and the Palestinian workers, who work for Israeli bisinesses, lose their ability to make a living.
One item of interest that stuck out then was their disapointment in their own government for being ineffective in solving the problems. I can't help but wonder if that widespread disappointment contributed to Hamas' victory in the election. Just guessing out loud here.
Anyhoo, the missionaries came back with many memories, lots of pictures and videos, and some new friends.
Source? Not arguing, just curious. I know that California’s population in 2004 was 36.8, 36.1 million in 2003, and 35.6 million in 2002.
Real estate prices are supply and demand. When qualified buyers are greater than available property for sale, the price goes up. New immigrants typically don't have the credit for buy homes. Their numbers are mostly reflected in the rent prices. While rent prices have increased, the rate has been very steady, unlike home prices. To give you an indicator, I purchased my home less than a year ago for $350,000. To buy it, I sold my previous condo for 250,000, which I bought for $110,000 just two years earlier. Had I bought it a year prior, I would have paid 70,000 for it. The market seems to be leveling off now, but there is no sign of a decrease in home prices in my area.
