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One-third of SF Bay Area residents hope to leave soon, poll finds

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271–280 of 328 posts

Re: One-third of SF Bay Area residents hope to leave soon, poll finds

#271

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What does "you can make unprotected left turns" mean? I'm from the UK so I guess this is the US equivalent of turning right at a set of traffic lights... but what significance does "unprotected" have?

I think it means without the green turn arrow that indicates oncoming traffic has a red light. I've never heard this term before, though.

Where I'm from, that "green turn arrow" is called a "protected left". While I can't say I've ever heard unprotected left, the term makes sense as a logical extension of the lexicon. (And as a Bay Area resident… I chuckled at the remark about being able to make unprotected lefts.)

I will occasionally abuse the term with the term "protected right", to mean waiting at a red light where the cross traffic moving leftwards has a protected left. (because the cross traffic's left is protected, the only conflict with a right-turn-on-red is someone in the cross traffic U-turning.)

Re: One-third of SF Bay Area residents hope to leave soon, poll finds

#272

I'm one of those in the 1/3rd, currently in the process of moving to the Denver/Boulder area. I knew on paper the housing would be cheaper, but what's stood out to me is how much less crowded it is: You can go to stores and find parking, and not wait 15 minutes at the cashier. You can go to restaurants and actually get a table. You can make unprotected left turns. Things are busy during rush hour, but outside of that…

You're in for a treat: the Denver metro area is an _amazing_ place to live! You're right to fear the produce, because it isn't California; particularly a this time of year, it gets a bit bland. There's a few farmer's markets and Sprouts probably has the best produce of any of the big stores. You'll probably miss the ocean, too; I do.

More than anything, I suspect you'll really love the culture out here if you're starting to slow down and don't want to jump jobs all the time. It's a lot more laid back--this is a city that manages to be mostly wholesome without being boring. It is SLEEPY after 9-10pm, especially during the week, but the outdoorsiness and access to the mountains more than makes up for it.

If you want any tips or to meet new folks, give me a shout when you're a bit more moved in! My contact info's in my profile.

Re: One-third of SF Bay Area residents hope to leave soon, poll finds

#273

Please don't come to Austin. I moved from SF to Austin a little over two years ago, and I want to make it clear that it's terrible. The food is bad, the people are lame, and all the musicians are out of tune. I hear Chicago is where it's at, so please go there. Or New York. Or anywhere else, really. Just don't come to Austin.

Don't go to Austin. Come to Boise, Idaho instead. https://www.tsheets.com/living-in-boise/ (I don't work for T-Sheets but have friends that do.) We have a great high tech community that is searching hard for more engineers. Great outdoor activities for those few minutes you want to spend away from your keyboard. Low traffic, good wages, great biking environment, decent weather. Move to Boise!

"We have a great high tech community" I've been seriously considering moving back to Boise (lived their 05-09). Can you name a few companies or startups that are part of the scene?

Re: One-third of SF Bay Area residents hope to leave soon, poll finds

#274
post #135
post #30

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Not sure if Portland stole Austin's drawbridge syndrome like Keep Portland Weird, but I see the same attitude here. Portland is great, but it is changing. Housing is growing fast, transportation is not keeping up with the growth and the city is not doing enough to solve the homeless problem. Conversely, amazing food, everything you want in a metro but not the size of NY, excellent outdoor options and a growing tech s…

There's a lot of "up and coming" cities in the U.S., I'm guessing there must be a massive exodus from all of the traditoinal "big" cities like Chicago and Boston. Add to the list: * Nashville * Pittsburg * Charlotte * Orlando * San Jose (at least in terms of population, not sure about industry) It's an interesting phenomenon given how in the developing world there are more super large cities, are we going the opposit…

Nashville, Charlotte - too socially conservative Pittsburgh - great city! Orlando - too small and isolated to be a contender

Re: One-third of SF Bay Area residents hope to leave soon, poll finds

#276
post #142
post #119

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Denver has so many wonderful things, but this undercurrent of "I hate all the new people" is so gross. I've encountered it in situations where I'm literally handing money over to someone who is bitching about people moving here.

Let me guess; you are one of those new people and are resentful that people you are freeloading and mooching off of are resentful that you are destroying the community and society they built over time. Its the same thing in Austin, even though Austin has really be fully deconstructed at this point and it is nothing like the nice place it once was. It's become ever more exclusive, ever more restricted, ever more douch…

Wait, you're a Texan, using the phrase "ever more douchy" [sic]?

Re: One-third of SF Bay Area residents hope to leave soon, poll finds

#277
post #31
post #8

Makes sense. I wrote a piece called "Do millennials have a future in Seattle? Do millennials have a future in any superstar cities?" ( http://jakeseliger.com/2015/09/24/do-millennials-have-a-futu... ) that focuses on Seattle, but the problems in SF are even worse. We're seeing decades of parochial land use policies turn into affordability crises in SF and similar cities. Which is why so many people are moving to Texa…

You can have good mass transit or affordable housing, but not both. This sucks.

Philadelphia has both

Re: One-third of SF Bay Area residents hope to leave soon, poll finds

#278

Earlier quoted context omitted.

>empty Chinese investment properties It's like this all over North America. Not just the west coast. I lived in a chinese-built condominium in Toronto a few years ago, and the rumor was that 50% or more of the building's units were owned by absentee landlords. Which made sense, because almost the entire building was seemingly vacant. Hardly any lights on at night. No furniture on most of the balconies. Never had to w…

Why aren't more people squatting in these? My understanding is that if you can maintain "tenancy" for 30-60 days(?) you gain all sorts of rights.

Startup idea: Squattr

Re: One-third of SF Bay Area residents hope to leave soon, poll finds

#279
post #5

I'm sure the fact that there's an increasing trend of empty Chinese investment properties isn't helping. I grew up in Cupertino, and when I visit my parents there, I'm rather shocked at how downhill the neighborhood has gone in parts. It's crazy that these old 70's tract homes go for 1.5 million. Even more insane is that they're bought and then left empty to go downhill. Literally broken windows and paint falling off…

Why aren't the investment property homes being rented out? Seems like an entrepreneur could pitch a service to the overseas owners to rent out the house, do all maintenance and insurance, pay the property tax from the rental income, and get a slice of the remaining profit.

Re: One-third of SF Bay Area residents hope to leave soon, poll finds

#280
post #60

Earlier quoted context omitted.

>> "...but not both." What about Chicago. Way cheaper than New York, and has the second best train system in the country.

It is worth noting that Chicago Public Schools is functionally insolvent and the City of Chicago has a $20B pension liability (relative to a $7.8B annual budget). Pension payments have been routinely deferred ("pension holidays") to balance the budget. Bankruptcy is inevitable at this point.

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