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S.F. population fell 6.3%, most in nation, to lowest level since 2010

sfchronicle.com

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Re: S.F. population fell 6.3%, most in nation, to lowest level since 2010

#14
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I'd say it's the opposite. The city has a few bad spots, but overall it's quite nice. The big problem is the lack of housing, which is arguably driven by the way that Prop 13 warps economic incentives.

I wonder how much residential property is still under Prop 13? My guess is that it's declined quite a bit in the last 20 years or so.

Re: S.F. population fell 6.3%, most in nation, to lowest level since 2010

#15

I think remote work is often understated in reasons people move away. When you go into the office every day, it's pretty obvious that you have to live in whatever city you live in. But with remote work, the question becomes "if I don't have to live here, do I want to keep living here". For many (including myself), the answer was a definitive NO. Sure many headlines and news segments make it seem that it's the crime,…

I agree but I think this also understates the importance of just how messed up SF has become. I don't want to come into contact with human feces as part of my daily commute. I'm going to leave no matter what once that is the case. Especially when the equity in my two bedroom apartement is enough to buy the nicest house ever built in some other smaller city.

Re: S.F. population fell 6.3%, most in nation, to lowest level since 2010

#16
post #8
post #4

Quoted post unavailable.

I'd say it's the opposite. The city has a few bad spots, but overall it's quite nice. The big problem is the lack of housing, which is arguably driven by the way that Prop 13 warps economic incentives.

Walking through even the financial district these days, it's not at all unusual for people to be stepping over unconscious bodies on the sidewalk, and to see homeless people walking around with syringes tucked behind their ear. In fact when I was in a higher-end office building a few weeks ago no one was wearing a mask indoors, and they put masks on to go outside, presumably because of the smells and things you're exposed to there. It's like COVID isn't even the dirtiest thing they're afraid of anymore.

Re: S.F. population fell 6.3%, most in nation, to lowest level since 2010

#17

With even hybrid work models your living a better life living up in Sac and driving down once a week. This is a good thing. People should vote with their feet.

Problem is when hybrid becomes 2, and then 3 days. That commutes starts becoming a nightmare.

Re: S.F. population fell 6.3%, most in nation, to lowest level since 2010

#18
post #14
post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'd say it's the opposite. The city has a few bad spots, but overall it's quite nice. The big problem is the lack of housing, which is arguably driven by the way that Prop 13 warps economic incentives.

I wonder how much residential property is still under Prop 13? My guess is that it's declined quite a bit in the last 20 years or so.

It still applies to all residential property. On sale, the tax rate is set to 1% of the sale price, and increases are limited to 2% per year. This creates the incentive to not sell, even if you have way too much house (e.g. empty nesters) because you may significantly increase your tax burden by downsizing.

Re: S.F. population fell 6.3%, most in nation, to lowest level since 2010

#19

I think remote work is often understated in reasons people move away. When you go into the office every day, it's pretty obvious that you have to live in whatever city you live in. But with remote work, the question becomes "if I don't have to live here, do I want to keep living here". For many (including myself), the answer was a definitive NO. Sure many headlines and news segments make it seem that it's the crime,…

I don't know why it isn't being mentioned.

I am not in the Bay Area myself, but about half of my friends there have relocated in the last couple years. A bunch to Washington or Oregon, some to Texas, one to Nashville, and a few others to places mostly in the northeast. All of them cited cost of living as the primary reason ... but all also mentioned full time remote work is what finally made it possible to move.

When you aren't chained to a physical location by your job, lots of things become possible.

Re: S.F. population fell 6.3%, most in nation, to lowest level since 2010

#20
post #4

Quoted post unavailable.

20-30 years ago San Francisco was considered... a nightmarish hellscape. Until the first dotcom boom the city was in decline, or at least that's how the story goes.

My understanding is that at that time it also had a booming art scene and was going through an awesome counter culture phase that birthed Burning Man.

Maybe that's what's ahead now that everyone is leaving? Videos showing the drug problem are terrifying though...

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