Every time I have some sort of connection/dealings with Florida and see the that you can get a mansion with pool for $300K or less it seems crazier and crazier to put even one cent into the bay are housing market. The prices per square foot are literally 1/10th in FL. Yeah, the bay area is beautiful and awesome nature-wise, but there is no justification for this. And you have the sidewalk-shitting hobos.
1) A lot of NIMBYism. Zoning being local, the locals act to their own immediate interest.
2) An extreme shortage of infrastructure. The state/county/munipalities are starved of cash to invest into heavy water/sewer, Rail, etc, which are needed.
3) An over-heated local economy, where companies hire, but don't provide any housing either.
4) Prop 13 that puts a huge damper on new development.
It's a worldwide thing, at bottom is an article about the worldwide aspect. Personally, I believe in my own mind that affordable housing would make consumer based economies like ours maybe.. maybe more recession proof. This is why immigrants come here, not all want to live in this expensive over taxed country, but if they work here about 5 years they can go home and buy a house outright.
People are stupid. Developers make money by developing more properties. Not by restricting development. The main cause if the housing shortage is NIMBY, followed by restrictive government policies like excessive zoning.
I really love these polls - small samples, and questions that imply an outcome. The questions precolor the possible answers. What about other economic incentives, or other regulations? Like Prop 13 that effectively subsidizes housing? Or how about: great places to live are expensive because everyone wants to live there? This poll is simply trying to get a rise when they publish results to MSM outlets. MSM likely wrote the questions in the first place to make news!
BTW, the idea that low income people deserve a great place to live is hogwash. Work hard and earn what you get.
And if you really think you "own" property, think again. Remember "Gone with the Wind" ? I had a but forgotten about carpetbaggers. If the county or state wants your property, they can always tax or take it. Say, for example, rare earth minerals were found in my soil. Since I waived mineral rights (you did too!), you can bet I'd be offered "fair market value" for my property before it was condemned and I was forced to move. Being rich and/or powerful is your only defense.
patrick.net
An Antidote to Corporate Media
1,197,551 comments by 14,112 users - Ceffer online now