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The obvious explanation would be that expensive cities are more desirable to live in and thus see both higher property values and more homeless. Having spoken
by jakear 5y ago
The obvious explanation would be that expensive cities are more desirable to live in and thus see both higher property values and more homeless.
Having spoken to a number of homeless folks, a common pattern is that they really aren’t interested in housing. If you have no dependents, would you rather spend your life a slave to the capitalist corporation/mortgage/property-tax/landlord complex, or just camp out in an area with nice weather year-round, in a community of like-minded people, doing whatever suits your fancy?
- giraffe_lady 5y agoI was homeless for years, not by choice. My relationships with homeless people did and still do go a lot farther than "spoken to a number of them" and I don't think this is accurate at all. I can't speak for anyone but myself but this was never my attitude and I doubt anyone I know now would endorse it. I don't know what dynamics were at play when you asked this question or what you specifically asked, but those things can affect the answers quite a lot. It's generally not "they really aren’t interested in housing" but "they aren't willing to accept the terms on which that housing is offered."
- jakear 5y agoWere you living in year-round gorgeous weather areas alike I mentioned? (Coastal Southern California) > It's generally not "they really aren’t interested in housing" but "they aren't willing to accept the terms on which that housing is offered." What’s the difference? Being “interested” in something means being willing to pay its price it in order to reap its benefits. There exist plenty of folks who aren’t willing to pay the price of “work all day and live in a less desirable area” to reap the benefits of “have an address” when they can pay the price of “live as a vagabond” to reap “do as they please 24/7 in some of the most desirable regions on earth”.
- giraffe_lady 5y agoMy experience of homelessness, including two years in coastal southern california yes, was a lot more miserable and desperate than the one you had or are imagining. I don't remember anyone else around me having that great a time either. Anyway they got homeless people in frozen ass places like the twin cities too. What's your read on the benefits they are reaping?
- jakear 5y agoI’m sorry you did not enjoy your experience. However that does not invalidate the experiences of the people I have spoken with, despite your attempts to project otherwise. Regarding homeless folks in areas with inclement weather, as I have not had the opportunity to get to know any of them I will not attempt to speak to their experience.