Destabilization of US Cities: Crime, Homelessness, Liberalism

[Douglas Quaid]

It really depends on where you live. The cheapest houses where I'm at are at least $400-450k and nothing special. Most are closer to $500k.

The jobs around here pay decent, but it's still tough for most people with those housing prices. You either go for the careers that pay enough, or eventually move. I didn't grow up around here so don't get as angry, but I feel for the locals that have had to put up with Californians, foreign investors, airbnbs, remote workers, vacation houses, etc.

I'm trying to get a job in sales to have a better chance.

 

[FrancisK]

I disagree with most of the first paragraph, but agree with your last sentence.

So many 'starter' homes from the 40-60s are nice, but "undersized" in people's minds today. They lack the esoteric and unnecessary gingerbread that entices folks to go into debt for a home that is designed to literally present nicely to the front curb and nowhere/nothing else.

Contemporary new-builds in Florida developments here are prime examples - oversized entrances leading to vaulted ceilings with aggressive pitches that do nothing but run up your electric bill in the summer, front fascias with faux columns and grand walkways while the sides and rear of the homes are flat, featureless, and have maybe a handful of small windows. The square footage under roof is impressive, yet the homes are still 12 lateral feet apart from one another. I get to pay $500k+ for a community mailbox, that's fun. Not to mention a fifteen minute drive to exit the community for another fifteen minute drive to arrive at the same shopping center that serve six neighboring communities.

You can find many 800-1200 sqft bungalows here still reasonably-priced in convenient neighborhoods, but you are right - people don't want them because the aesthetics aren't as pleasing as a NEW HOME!!!111 Same mentality that induces someone to pay $950/mo for an Audi instead of enjoying the title to a 7 year-old Buick that does the same job.

I've actually owned multiple "starter" homes that were built in the 50's in middle class factory towns. Even updated they are complete and total dumps. The issue is not that those types of homes don't exist anymore the issue is that nobody wants to live in them unless they have no choice. They would rather fantasize about their social media dream home and complain that they can't afford it rather than live in the type of home their parents and grand parents grew up in.