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Ask HN: How can we make California sexy again?

• cb_09 9y ago
  Couldn’t it be argued that these social symptoms are indicative of SF being too “attractive” at one point? Meaning we might have to look for a new solution. Instead of attractive. Perhaps sustainable?
• billconan 9y ago
  housing is too expensive. should move some companies to Sacramento. SV is a valley, it's surrounded by sea and mountain, it can't expand anymore.
• api 9y ago
  Fix housing. Real estate hyperinflation is the problem in this state. Most of the other major problems are caused by real estate hyperinflation. * Take zoning away from local zoning boards or at least place limits on the power of NIMBYs at the state level. * Reform zoning laws to encourage infill and mixed use development. If local zoning boards won't do this override them at the state level. * Impose a stiff tax on foreign non-occupant real estate purchases. Houses are for people, not to act as a proxy financial instrument for non-residents to exfiltrate capital and launder money. (I have no opposition to immigrants purchasing homes to live in. I'm talking about non-occupant cash buyers using our real estate as a financial instrument.) * Repeal proposition 13. It would require a phase-out over a long period of time, but would add tax increases as a counter-pressure against real estate price hyperinflation. As it stands there is no downside for homeowners to do everything in their power to inflate housing. * Invest a lot more in public transportation to make more of the housing stock reachable and commutable for more people. Some of the money for this could come from taxing foreign non-occupant purchases of RE, etc.
• RUNGNSLV 9y ago
  Tl;dr You don’t. California’s problems all come from one place - your legislature. You’ve legislated so that high buildings can’t be built and sprawl can’t happen more than it has. Which causes your housing prices to sky rocket. You’ve enacted ridiculously high taxes and engaged in making stupid things like owning a plastic box, offering straws, and calling someone by the incorrect pronoun a criminal offense. You’re homeless population exists due to the climate, the fact there are numerous services to “help” them, and assist them. Without even considering a root cause analysis to resolve it. I.e. you feed and cloth your homeless without finding out why they’re homeless and fixing that. Your crime is ridiculous due to your proximity with the border, you’re failing school systems and unions that keep bad teachers in place. In addition to your massive residual crime due to the fact people can make more money selling drugs on the corner than they can working a 9-5. Not to mention your police departments basically exist to have their budgets increased and corruption there is ridiculous. In addition to this you have California alienating entire classes of people; Like Gun Owners; because of ridiculous none-sense feel good laws that lock honest people up in prison; while those who are in gangs are let go. —— California per the most recent numbers is growing population wise. And if you just looked at those numbers you’d be fine. The truth is California has a massive immigrant population influx. This is why they’re so pro-immigrant. (Which isn’t bad) - The Majority of Americans are moving elsewhere. Texas and Nevada are growing at ridiculous levels due to Californians. Las Vegas housing prices have skyrocketed and the sprawl of Las Vegas is now becoming on par with places such as LA. The difference? By moving to Vegas/Texas your dollar goes much further and you automatically get a pay raise due to no state income tax. Really the only reason to live in California is for the beach, the climate, perhaps job market (although tech is going elsewhere), and perhaps opportunity to mingle with the likes of the famous. Even people who have family there or jobs have a hard time. I mapped it out - if I lived in Vegas and had a job in SF. I could commute via Plane twice a week and save money as opposed to actually buying a house or condo. The same is true for those with families. 60$ Southwest ticket and an hour long flight. No problem.
  • mapster 9y ago
    Seems an honest question should be replied with facts, not Rush Limbaugh rhetoric.
  • 9y ago
• stevespang 9y ago
  Dump Jerry Brown and your Attorney General, bring back Arnie, everyone likes an action hero - - especially one who got caught with his 3rd leg in the cookie jar, "doin the maid", not a whole lot less sleezy than the Donald doin porn stars :)
• nkeoha 9y ago
  A startup