121–130 of 172 posts
Earlier quoted context omitted.
> Once you start piling them up into high-rises, the revenue stream doesn't look that bad. Combine with earthquake regulations essentially limiting buildings to a small number of stories and ScottBurson's comment is pretty spot-on.
How restrictive are those regulations? The tallest structure in the Western United States is being built in Los Angeles, of all places http://graphics.latimes.com/wilshire-grand-the-big-pour/
Earlier quoted context omitted.
I live near Waterloo, Canada. It feels very good for us as we have always struggled to convince people to come live in the snowy abyss rather than cozy California.
From everything I've read, it's not that easy for Americans to emigrate to Canada.
A recent conversation with a co-worker really drove this home: what's crazy to me is how comically short-sighted folks are. We've priced our children out of the towns we raised them in but it doesn't seem to bother anyone. And we've slapped a huge amount of college debt on their backs, just to be sure.
Someone in the past few months was describing this situation as a return to feudal concepts, where the only most practical way to buy a house is to live with your parents until they die and then inherit it.
Earlier quoted context omitted.
Yes, and it's also frequently very wastefully used in agriculture. More water-efficient agricultural practices need to be mandated.
I'd prefer a market solution - fix the supply of water at the correct level, and have the price for water go up until the wasteful, non-worthwhile uses stop happening.
hey decided they'd rather fund Ronald Reagan's candidacy.
Earlier quoted context omitted.
Someone in the past few months was describing this situation as a return to feudal concepts, where the only most practical way to buy a house is to live with your parents until they die and then inherit it.
Prior to the Montgomery G.I. Bill, people lived with their parents until they got married - if they could afford it.
Earlier quoted context omitted.
The bigger issue, IMO, is the mis-allocation of resources that happens when people aren't able to transmit information through prices and market mechanisms. Like, the empty-nester who works in downtown SF and happens to own a 4BR townhouse in Mountain View should really trade places with the family of four commuting from a 1BR condo in SF and commuting down to Mountain View. If they both bought their place at a tenth…
IIRC most counties let you transfer your prop 13 status to a smaller dwelling. But I think it has to be within the same county. I'm not sure how accurate that is, it was just something my mom mentioned in passing a while back. She lives in a 4 bedroom in San Jose she bought in the early 70's and has been considering downsizing. However, her property taxes are so low it wouldn't make sense to make the switch to a cond…
Earlier quoted context omitted.
How restrictive are those regulations? The tallest structure in the Western United States is being built in Los Angeles, of all places http://graphics.latimes.com/wilshire-grand-the-big-pour/
Is it a residential structure?
On the flip side, does this state have enough water for the other 10-odd million people who'd be living in those 3.6 million homes?
I keep waiting for California to go the way of Israel and have more fresh water than they need. It would really help out the West if the coast could make use of the water that is right next to them. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/israel-proves-the...
You mean, steal water from Mexico?
Earlier quoted context omitted.
IIRC most counties let you transfer your prop 13 status to a smaller dwelling. But I think it has to be within the same county. I'm not sure how accurate that is, it was just something my mom mentioned in passing a while back. She lives in a 4 bedroom in San Jose she bought in the early 70's and has been considering downsizing. However, her property taxes are so low it wouldn't make sense to make the switch to a cond…
In the article it notes a drastic increase in housing prices and a massive drop in development after the passing of prop 13. I didn't see a graph so it could be wildly exaggerating the impact of prop 13.
A recent conversation with a co-worker really drove this home: what's crazy to me is how comically short-sighted folks are. We've priced our children out of the towns we raised them in but it doesn't seem to bother anyone. And we've slapped a huge amount of college debt on their backs, just to be sure.
Alternatively, "our children left behind the sprawling 2nd and 3rd-string metros we raised them in, realized what rent costs in walkable neighborhoods in destination cities, and are finally beginning to appreciate why we raised them in sleepy suburbs in flyover country and why they spent so much time in cars."
Obviously some children got priced out of the Bay Area, but I think most of the rent crisis is attributable to people who grew up in low density now seeking high density.