4 ms·

Lack of space (SF is quite small) + Tech boon = most expensive city in the world

cheriot 7y ago
Tech boom + permits for new offices + obstructing permits for housing = most expensive city in the world. There's lots of space for infill housing. There are MANY one and two story buildings within a stone's throw of a train line. The people really suffering are the ones on the low end of the pay scale that either commute multiple hours of their day or spend half their income on rent.
briandear 7y ago
There is plenty of space (in the Bay Area.) Look at all the land along the 101, Bayshore, near San Carlos, also, over in San Jose there are tons of huge empty parking lots, there's plenty of land along the 280 near Woodside and SLAC. Daly City, Pacifica, South San Francisco has plenty of space as well. Look at Mexico City's density and compare it to San Francisco -- look at Tokyo -- the problem isn't a lack of space, but white "limousine liberal" regressive elitists disguised as crystal worshipping Leonard Cohen fans who are happy legislating what everyone else can do but get offended if their views are spoilt by the hoi polloi. The irony is that these "progressives"[1] are far less progressive than any city or town in Texas, yet these people lament Trump voters for being populists, racist, or whatever other "-ist" that represents the outrage du jour. However, the actual regressives, the actual racists, and the actual elitists are the ones who fight tooth and nail to exacerbate the housing shortage. Because, a shortage directly benefits them. They can sell their piece of crap 2 bedroom knockdown in Palo Alto for $1.5 million while in Florida, that house wouldn't be worth $45k. Just 20 years ago, that house would have sold for $250k or even less. They're selling water to thirsty people in the desert -- but they're the ones that created the desert! Tons of land available -- but no political will to use any of it because "open space" for rich people is more important than housing for everyone that needs it. To be clear, I'm not opposed to parks and nature, I'm opposed to people using open space as a weapon. The California Coastal Commission is also weaponized. I looked into building a house near the Half Moon Bay Area and it was an needlessly complicated and expensive process. [1] https://grist.org/article/nimbys-could-ruin-berkeleys-best-chance-of-fighting-climate-change/ https://grist.org/article/nimbys-could-ruin-berkeleys-best-c...
- dang 7y ago
  > white "limousine liberal" regressive elitists disguised as crystal worshipping Leonard Cohen fans That breaks the site guidelines against name-calling and ideological battle. We've asked you many times to stop using HN this way. If you can't or won't stop, we're going to have to ban you. Would you please be a good citizen here and control your impulses? https://news.ycombinator.com/newsguidelines.html https://news.ycombinator.com/newsguidelines.html

Tech boom + permits for new offices + obstructing permits for housing = most expensive city in the world. There's lots of space for infill housing. There are MANY one and two story buildings within a stone's throw of a train line. The people really suffering are the ones on the low end of the pay scale that either commute multiple hours of their day or spend half their income on rent.

briandear 7y ago

There is plenty of space (in the Bay Area.) Look at all the land along the 101, Bayshore, near San Carlos, also, over in San Jose there are tons of huge empty parking lots, there's plenty of land along the 280 near Woodside and SLAC. Daly City, Pacifica, South San Francisco has plenty of space as well. Look at Mexico City's density and compare it to San Francisco -- look at Tokyo -- the problem isn't a lack of space, but white "limousine liberal" regressive elitists disguised as crystal worshipping Leonard Cohen fans who are happy legislating what everyone else can do but get offended if their views are spoilt by the hoi polloi. The irony is that these "progressives"[1] are far less progressive than any city or town in Texas, yet these people lament Trump voters for being populists, racist, or whatever other "-ist" that represents the outrage du jour. However, the actual regressives, the actual racists, and the actual elitists are the ones who fight tooth and nail to exacerbate the housing shortage. Because, a shortage directly benefits them. They can sell their piece of crap 2 bedroom knockdown in Palo Alto for $1.5 million while in Florida, that house wouldn't be worth $45k. Just 20 years ago, that house would have sold for $250k or even less. They're selling water to thirsty people in the desert -- but they're the ones that created the desert! Tons of land available -- but no political will to use any of it because "open space" for rich people is more important than housing for everyone that needs it. To be clear, I'm not opposed to parks and nature, I'm opposed to people using open space as a weapon. The California Coastal Commission is also weaponized. I looked into building a house near the Half Moon Bay Area and it was an needlessly complicated and expensive process. [1] https://grist.org/article/nimbys-could-ruin-berkeleys-best-chance-of-fighting-climate-change/ https://grist.org/article/nimbys-could-ruin-berkeleys-best-c...

dang 7y ago
> white "limousine liberal" regressive elitists disguised as crystal worshipping Leonard Cohen fans That breaks the site guidelines against name-calling and ideological battle. We've asked you many times to stop using HN this way. If you can't or won't stop, we're going to have to ban you. Would you please be a good citizen here and control your impulses? https://news.ycombinator.com/newsguidelines.html https://news.ycombinator.com/newsguidelines.html