" wrote:

-snip-

A buddys neighbor has rebuilt his retaing wall 3 times over the last
20 years. spared no expense buying only the best materials

Materials are only part of the problem. Engineering, a sub--base &
drainage are important too. [2 of my neighbors have walls that were
built higher than mine, with different style blocks, and without
drainage or proper footers and they rebuild theirs every couple of
years.]

My 7 year old wall shows no signs that it won't last another 30 before
needing to be touched. In the meantime, it serves as a
bench/step/shelf & attractive landscape.

There is a 130 year old dry-laid stone wall that I admire when I walk
the dog. If my wall lasts 1/2 of that it won't be my problem
anymore.

he started with poured concrete, moved on to a railroad tie wall
replacement and just last year did it agin combining RR ties with cast
concrete blocks.

meanwhile my buddy about 30 years ago REMOVED his wall and planrted
ground cover, that ended all his work and expense.

so go ahead and build walls, its your back as another friend says

My back suffers a lot more from weeding, mowing, or walking on a slope
than it did while building that wall.

Jim