The Middle Class Can't Afford to Live in Cities Anymore

Post by closeparen » Sun, Jan 01, 2017, 4:11 AM UTC

sh_tinh_hair wrote: post #258

In order to afford a decent newer house in the suburban beltway (DC) you need to spend 500k+. That's $2200 a month. Personal property tax on a 3 year old SUV and a new sports car is $2700 yearly. Car insurance is > $300 monthly. Car payments >= $1900 month. (college + personal) Loan repayment = $400 monthly. Food and gas + energy >= $600 monthly. State and federal tax + ss take about 45% of gross. Upper middle class…

Post by vidoc » Sun, Jan 01, 2017, 4:15 AM UTC

crdoconnor wrote: post #299

vidoc wrote: post #295

Earlier quoted context omitted.

London as more than decent public transportation indeed, plus it has this rather extreme car policy we all know about (which by the way I am sure the super rich actually love !). The thing is, I've always wondered why public transportation is so outrageously expensive there. Actually, even with the Oyster card, the rates strike me as rather extreme. I'd love to hear a Londonese on this.

It's partly because the underground is 154 years old, which carries with it its own set of maintenance headaches, partly because of the "public private partnership" programs from 2000s onwards that were set up as a means to extract money from the system and partly because they pay reasonably good wages.

Post by ticviking » Sun, Jan 01, 2017, 4:26 AM UTC

vectorjohn wrote: post #159

paulddraper wrote: post #85

Huge cities...good riddance. I live nearish to Salt Lake City (whose metro pop. is less than a quarter of Boston's), have tons of software job opportunities, have a 17-20 min commute, and bought a 2k sqft house on 0.19 acres for less than 200k. Big cities are crowded. They have their advantages, but even if they weren't overpriced, I'd probably still prefer my elbow room.

Well good for you, but you don't speak for everyone.

Post by criddell » Sun, Jan 01, 2017, 4:34 AM UTC

PerfectElement wrote: post #286

criddell wrote: post #250

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I have too many hobbies that take space to live in a place like Barcelona. Where do people work on their hobby car or motorcycle? Where do you do woodworking? Where do you keep your boat or paddle board? Do they have gardens? What about an outdoor kitchen for grilling and smoking? Do their kids have bicycles and scooters and skateboards and baseball gear?

Yes, people in Barcelona smoke, grill, have hobbies, bicycles, etc.

Post by mturmon » Sun, Jan 01, 2017, 5:27 AM UTC

mturmon wrote: post #298

tptacek wrote: post #14

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's not even true of NYC; it's true of Manhattan and Brooklyn. Is it true of LA? That also sounds wrong to me.

LA homeowner here. Short answer is: not entirely true, as written. The situation is that a vast expanse of the (very large) city of LA, and key enclaves like West Hollywood and Santa Monica (not formally part of LA, but surrounded by it) has had large and steady price increases for the past ~60 months straight. Renters have been priced out of one neighborhood after another. It has caused a huge upheaval as people who…