4 ms·

65% of SF residents are renters. If renters did not vote in lockstep with landlords/homeowners and against developer interests, we could change the politics to

65% of SF residents are renters. If renters did not vote in lockstep with landlords/homeowners and against developer interests, we could change the politics to allow more housing to be build and stop some of the more egregious abuses of existing processes. It does not make sense for renters to vote against developer interests and for homeowner/landlord interests, as a supply constrained housing market increases rent. Even if you have rent control, wouldn't it be nice if you could move out of your moldy unit into a new one or from a one bedroom into a two bedroom without breaking the bank? Or from Berkeley to Menlo Park if that is where you find a job, without loosing out in rent?

lisper 9y ago
They're building tons of new apartment buildings in Redwood City, which is right next to Menlo Park. So come on down!
- asabjorn 9y ago
  Great! We need to do much more of that, and build it near public transit and extend public transit to new up zoned areas. For instance BART would enable a lot of people to avoid traffic if it extended around the whole bay and straight across from Fremont to the peninsula.
- Rapzid 9y ago
  I'm not sure how I feel about apartment buildings. On one hand the density option can be good, on the other it's consolidating property and rents into the hands of even fewer..
  - jessaustin 9y ago
    Condo buildings can be just as dense as apartment buildings. The difference is that people without savings can live in apartment buildings.
    - Rapzid 9y ago
      Sure, but often you can't own the place. As a data point, I live in San Antonio. I'm very bullish on the city and would like to invest in some of areas being renovated along the San Antonio River and San Pedro Creek. Nearly all of the new developments along the rivers are buildings with units for RENT. You simply can't buy a condo in these spots. I guess what I'm trying to say is that there is a disparity between "can be" and "have been". Fortunately there are a lot of options here still, even though I do hope density does not go up too high; oak trees here are protected and a huge part of the city's character. If you want higher density than the trees can allow, maybe go to SF. If you want higher density than they allow maybe go to Chicago, NY, Hong Kong, or London. IDK.
newfoundglory 9y ago
What percentage of SF residents are eligible to vote?

lisper 9y ago

They're building tons of new apartment buildings in Redwood City, which is right next to Menlo Park. So come on down!

asabjorn 9y ago
Great! We need to do much more of that, and build it near public transit and extend public transit to new up zoned areas. For instance BART would enable a lot of people to avoid traffic if it extended around the whole bay and straight across from Fremont to the peninsula.
Rapzid 9y ago
I'm not sure how I feel about apartment buildings. On one hand the density option can be good, on the other it's consolidating property and rents into the hands of even fewer..
- jessaustin 9y ago
  Condo buildings can be just as dense as apartment buildings. The difference is that people without savings can live in apartment buildings.
  - Rapzid 9y ago
    Sure, but often you can't own the place. As a data point, I live in San Antonio. I'm very bullish on the city and would like to invest in some of areas being renovated along the San Antonio River and San Pedro Creek. Nearly all of the new developments along the rivers are buildings with units for RENT. You simply can't buy a condo in these spots. I guess what I'm trying to say is that there is a disparity between "can be" and "have been". Fortunately there are a lot of options here still, even though I do hope density does not go up too high; oak trees here are protected and a huge part of the city's character. If you want higher density than the trees can allow, maybe go to SF. If you want higher density than they allow maybe go to Chicago, NY, Hong Kong, or London. IDK.

newfoundglory 9y ago

What percentage of SF residents are eligible to vote?