How do you feel about gentrification?

Question

Gentrification is when they take low income neighborhoods and remodel them, turning them into expensive houses, running out all the poor people

The apartment I grew up on was a $500 a month roach motel in the ghetto.
Now it’s a $2500 a month “pent house” lmao

I took a walk through my old neighborhood, and it’s all completely gentrified. Every apartment is all redone with luxury cars parked outside. It’s not too far from Brown University so I think they redid them for housing for the college students.

I wonder what happened to all the poor families that were told they had to leave so they can quadruple the rent and move richer people in 😬

AmandaYVR · Accepted Answer

I used to be overall quite positive on gentrification. On the plus side, it beautifies, often makes neighbourhoods safer and better maintained. The area might get refreshed and attract new retail businesses, and new people.

But now I'm actually quite against. My city has gone overboard. They clearly have an agenda, and I believe they are falling into the greed trap of too much "progress", too fast. We are already way too population-dense, and the city is trying to attract industry (mostly in the tech sector), and unfortunately it's working. So many developments are planned. I cannot go anywhere without road blocks, the roads being cut up, scaffolding up high with warnings "demolition area." It's infuriating, to say the least. And you are right, as the old buildings go down, the new are almost invariably higher cost (although my mayor claims he will not approve residential projects without the proviso that the tenants are temporarily inconvenienced and will eventually be allowed back at the same rate as what they were paying before. I do not believe this. And what happens is, in the mean time, they have to find their own housing elsewhere, and they are pushed out of the area completely.) Some residents are fine with/happy about the changes. Many are not. And they speak up. But city council meetings, flooded with people both registered and not registered to speak, are simply shut down and the people shooed away. How is that fair or taking into account public opinion? It's a dog and pony show, is what it is. All lies. The projects go ahead, regardless.

I've watched many documentaries, and one of my absolute favourites is one called Surviving Progress. It was fascinating. And depressing. Wish more people understood just how much we are all part of the machine. When you're in it, you often can't see the forest through the trees. I highly recommend this doc:

https://www.youtube.com/embed/17FBp74JW44

Ronald Wright, author, A Short History of Progress.
"In defining progress, I think it’s very important to make a distinction between good progress and bad progress. Things progress in that they change. Both in nature and in human society, there appears to be a clear trend towards increasing complexity as change proceeds. We tend to delude ourselves that these changes always result in prudence from a human point of view."

"Most of the structure of the human brain predates mammals, prior to the last 50,000 years.
Between the fall of the Roman Empire and Columbus sailing, it took 13 centuries to add 200 million people to the world’s population. Now it takes only three years. We’ve only been living in civilization, as near as we can tell, for the last 5000 years at the most, which is less than.2% of our evolutionary history. The rest of the 98% of the time we have been hunters and gatherers. Since then, culture has taken off and become completely detached from the face of natural evolution. So we are running 21st century software on hardware that hasn’t updated for 50,000 years, and therein lies the problem. Our human nature is back in the hunting and gathering stage, whereas our knowledge, our ability to do harm and good to ourselves and others, has grown all out of proportion."

"Faith in progress has become a kind of religious faith, a sort of fundamentalism, rather like the market fundamentalism that has just recently crashed and burned. The idea that you can let markets rip is a delusion, just as the idea that you can let technology rip, and it will solve the problems created by itself in a slightly earlier phase."

"Things that start out seeming like progress, they’re very seductive, it seems like there’s no downside. But when they reach a certain scale, they turn out to be dead ends. Or traps. Progress traps. They seem to provide benefits in the short term but actually lead to disaster. (Like driving a hundred mammoths off a cliff – they’d made too much progress.)"

RosieMelts · Accepted Answer

It’s terrible because it’s a pie in the face- no

it’s a Louis-Vuitton-leather-glove slap to the face

why? Because they have money to invest in brick and mortar

and they won’t invest that kind of money, at least in part, into change or equal land ownership for all people

if everyone had their own land in the us alone,

they wouldn’t have to worry about being homeless and could get a certain job just to buy food and maybe maintain the place,

but instead it feels like a modern day

running out the native Americans

and building some hotel on someone’s grave. The disrespect for another human is astonishing.

Build elsewhere. How many buildings does a single person or company need?

it’s not just indifference, it’s not walking past a homeless person

its taking a sandwich out of their hand. All they’ve got.

its saying “hey! MOVE. I want to stand there.”

Its “real estate bullying”

it’s ‘desensitization’

and lack of any intelligence whatsoever,

to find an alternative route for their “building of empires,” other than resorting to this so called gentrification.

If not at least being smart enough to solve two problems at once, at least find a different solution to their problem - which is hardly a problem to begin with.

Standing on the poor/ less fortunate to get a leg up is not intelligence, nor is it admirable, or noble.

Sorry for the long rampage of a response, but it’s something I felt passionate about,

and anyone who will passionately oppose some part of my opinion… I don't know I’ll either rage on it, or happily ignore, as their words will be deemed dead to me.

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

There are many places that have remained Ghetto for a 100+ years. It's ironic that many of theses places are located geographically in some of the most ideal locations near the center of cities.

You would think theses locations would demand a high price given their advantageous position relative to everything else. But instead due to a combination of mostly politics and the resulting crime they become and remain Ghettos.

That a few people are willing to buy them anyway and put large sums of money into restoring them and defending them from the crime allows many of theses places and the surrounding neighborhoods to be revived and upgraded for a time.

In truth people who cannot or even will not trade their skills for acquitted compensation (IE poor) need by necessity to do more for themselfs.

This requires freedom, thus putting them in places where there is the least (such as the center of cities) only helps to insure that they remain poor for the same reasons that made those areas poor in the first place.

Moving as such is a good thing.

lightbulb27 · Accepted Answer

When… without a time stamp prices are useless. The house I bought was 100k now goes for 350k… pure inflation.

Not sure about gentrification… in general improves that area but pushes the lower income earners and crime out or into govt housing which is bad. It’s part of a formula that can do good (jobs, improvements) but downside as well. The real issue is poor people don’t own stuff and are trapped and fall down the rungs too often in junk schools, low opportunities, and poor social env and parents leading to more poverty. How to deal with that mess.

If people owned property they’d see their wealth grow with the inflation… but like the history of Central Park the black peoples land is taken and not compensated (maybe they didn’t own it … but when do they get the chance) and they turn it to huge sums. Fairness is not business.
Some black and low income move back to success areas… it’s more about education… but nyc has a lot of crappy education as do other areas.

ShaTTeredMasterpeace · Answer

Gentrifuckation sucks. I ride through my old neighborhood and don't even recognize it. They don't care about these communities that they're building over and the people that live there. They've been trying to get us to sell our house even tho we continue to decline. It's damn near harassment at this point. What's worse is, they've closed down so many schools just to turn them into luxury apartments. I hate it.

Pinay_ako · Answer

I feel disgust coz developers only look at profit and not give a single fck about the poor. You wonder why there’s a rise in homelessness in everywhere you look. Even robbing off people who actually buy the real estate with ridiculous fees and sky high interest rates! Owning and renting is pretty much the same, the difference with renting you can never own the house but paying the same amount a homeowner is paying. Highway robbery in your face!

DermalPunch · Answer

This is a question of particular interest to me especially the way it intersects with race & class.

Conceptually, it is good since neighbourhoods should not be left to waste. In practice it doesn't work out very fairly.

Gentrification, which involves constructively evicting those who cannot afford the rent hikes, speaks to the dehumaniztion of low-income people.

Just because the people are poor and the neighbourhood is bad, it doesn't mean that it isn't a community.

My neighbourhood is currently experiencing gentrification but thankfully the various BIAS put a stop to some of the more displacing ventures that some developers were attempting. Disgustingly, a rather famous neighbourhood in my city was being gentrified and they wanted to do the high end sode and the rent co trolled sode and have segregated entrances. Well, that didn't go down too well.

TenderFantasy · Answer

"I wonder what happened to all the poor families that were told they had to leave so they can quadruple the rent and move richer people in " They probably moved to a cheaper state/location/city. Either that or they had two/three families in those crackerbox apartments or split up and the grown-up kids when their separate ways, room for rents, college dorms, room with a friend/girlfriend/bother/wife, etc.

Others who were really unlucky probably ended up in Section 8 housing, homeless and abuse shelters, etc.

abc3643 · Answer

Hi boys and girls.
It's your old pal, Mister Robinson.
So much has changed since we last spent some time together.
My neighborhood has gone through so much.
It's gone through something called "gentrification".
Can you say "gentrification", boys and girls?
It's like a magic trick.
White people pay a lot of money and then *POOF* all the Black people are gone.
But where do they go, boys and girls?
Back to where they came from, of course: Atlanta!

SlightlyEccentric · Answer

So I understand...

You live in a slummy, ghetto, roach infested neighborhood where crime is high and people are dying on the streets everyday from violence and drug overdose.

Then someone comes along and rallies the good people of said neighborhood to clean things up, make the neighborhood safe again.

Business owners see the good work the community is doing and decides to set up some shops to bring business to said neighborhood.

Money brought in gets used to demolish run down, roach infested buildings and new homes and apartments are built in their stead at an increased price (because that's how marketing works).

In time, the neighborhood that was once a place not many decent folk would wanna live is now a place people are wanting to come visit and even reside in.

And you're upset by this process?

blissinanarchy1 · Answer

I’m from Kensington in Philly. Lots of documentaries were made about it, due to the open air drug market, fiends out in public trippin, all types of shit. It’s called the “BadLands” along with some other neighborhoods around there”, and also frequently referred to as “ZombieLand”. Honestly, gentrification ain’t the best idea. You’re bringing in richer people to a neighborhood where people get shot in the head broad day dozens of times a year. And you can’t exactly exterminate all the addicts. Kick them out of one spot, they go to the next, possibly starting a drug war with another neighborhood, upping the crime rate, maybe they go to a richer neighborhood and turn that into the hood, etc.

ArtemisSilver · Answer

Developing an area should come with a balanced requirement to build some in-market but low-cost housing elsewhere in the city. In-market because it's not reasonable to expect people to run a charity, but there's no reason that we can't strive for better corporate and municipal governance.

There should be social programs in place to ensure that those who can't afford in-market housing for valid reasons like age or disability still have housing. If not, the city should try to make at least boarding housing available even if it's at a sustainable loss.

macjets007 · Answer

It's just the free market doing what it does best. It raises the living standards, and if they can't afford it, anyone can move out of that city to somewhere that is more afforable (and still close to the gentrified area).

Real estate companies are going to develop new properties, and up and coming professionals are looking for nice properties for a cheaper cost. Best example is Harlem (was in W Harlem Sunday) and it is such a great neighborhood now. Less crime, easier access to education, and if the original residents own the property, then the value went up for them exponentially.

It's objectively a good thing. Take Brooklyn for example. Those could not afford to live there anymore simply moved to other parts of brooklyn/bronx/queens that are similar cost.

JamesDiaz11 · Answer

I'm all for it. Poor people degrade an area to the point where it becomes profitable to purchase the houses, improve it, and begin attracting more affluent people. This simply makes sense. Survival of the fittest.

As far as the poor people, they simply move to other crappy areas; although they should be liquidated.

MrKinktastic · Answer

It’s generally unavoidable. The value of the property increases past a certain point and the incentive to buy property there to fix it up becomes irresistible. Making laws to prevent that would be very difficult without an absurd amount of government overreach.

RobT312 · Answer

It’s a natural thing that’s happened for hundreds of years.. neighborhoods and cities for that matter go in and out of fashion for many reasons and investment follows that trend. Hmm I guess I’m overall in favor of it… go Providence !!! Cool little city glad it’s getting cleaned up! Maybe everyone gets kicked out to Pawtucket?

Smoke-n-Growls · Answer

They're either dead, about to die, or they've had to uproot themselves and go elsewhere.

Gentrification sucks and is a capitalist's exploitative game.

It's also highly unnecessary and often just drives a community deeper into vacancy and debt.

ObscuredBeyond · Answer

It's a good thing when neighborhoods self-improve. But when an entity, especially with government backing (i. e., cronyism) is able to steal land from landowners outright, and offer zero compensation, then remake the land by force into a fortress for cronies who are among the few able to afford to live there, that kind of forced gentrification is literally theft, and is obscene.

When it benefits a foreign entity, that borders on treason!

Dargil · Answer

In the past, Urban Renewal was another name for Negro Removal.
The appropriate governments must provide somewhere for them to live at some cost they pay, to encourage them to work. Zoning (AKA big government democrats) evicted them and they have to balance it off. And I am a conservative. Ya gotta do what's right.

globetrotter22 · Answer

Well the poor people who owned houses/condos usually see their real estate values shoot way up too. Also if helps revive areas that were once very depressed.

I get the frustration of the skyrocketing rent costs. But gentrification isn’t itself a 100% “evil” concept.

dustybiker · Answer

They did this to a few trailer parks in my area that were once hidden on the outskirts of town, ended up butting up against new developments. This was probably 15 years ago.. the foundations are still there and look far tackier.

GlassTop · Answer

If you don’t like it, too bad. Remodeling and making neighborhoods better is a good thing. Why would you want an area to store poor for the sake of poor people? That’s not how the world works. And the remodeling is a risk on those people trying to make money. It could fail and become ghost towns, which has happened. Then the poor are free to take over again.

ODC2112 · Answer

I feel nothing, it is a fact. The place where you grew up before was either disgusting or dangerous and the poor paid little in money and a lot of risk. Now that the neighborhood has been cleaned up and the risk has decreased, people are willing to pay more in money as the risk has decreased.

HighValue · Answer

Describes almost all of California with the insane cost of living here. $1,200 per month to rent a 1br 1ba apartment in the Central Valley. Ridiculous.

SneakyPapaya · Answer

I feel very strongly about it. They need to change zoning laws so that more apartments/ affordable housing can be built for the poor when they drive up the prices everywhere else.

jshm2 · Answer

Nah, so called gentrification is when White people take over a Black or minority neighbourhood and switch it to a "whitewashed" version of itself.

Anonymous · Answer

The whole debate about whether or not gentrification is fair is absolutely ridiculous. The premise that developers shouldn’t be allowed to build in certain areas and/or that certain people (who have more money) shouldn’t be allowed to live in certain areas goes against the fair housing act. If you’re against gentrification, are you in favor of just letting neighborhoods rot?

exitseven · Answer

The town I grew up in experienced reverse gentrification. It really sucked for all the people that stayed. Property values plummeted, the schools turned to crap and crime is a big problem. I would rather have the reverse.

FictionalCharacter · Answer

I was google searching my old elementary school that was torn down this year. Now it’s a new school with fences all over the building. It’s sad

SeanStudios · Answer

Oh boy, this is very common in Israel, i just HATE the prices here, a smelly and old apartment in an average income family is about 1,220.49 USD (4000 NIS) to 2,440.99 USD (8000 NIS), it's very expensive to rent, let alone buy, buying an apartment or a house is about 152,561.82 USD at the lowest price up to 915,370.89 USD, it's a horror living here

Rebel_Queen · Answer

They did that to a neighborhood I partially grew up in, it was a 2 bed 1 bath apartment, rent was about $300 a month and now I think it's around $700-$800. It's sad...

grega239 · Answer

I agree with it but maybe they should let the poor stay. It can be made yo look nice without ramping up the price

joeldalton · Answer

So when poor people move into a rich neighborhood it's called "diversity" but when rich people move into a poor neighborhood it's called "gentrification". Got it.

andreasderjuengere · Answer

What I see in my own area: it will backfire. In 15 or 20 years these things will be ''old'' and NEWER ''gentrified'' objects will be available. Real estates is one big self serving lie.

Roseboy · Answer

can't we just  do the makingeverything really nice part  but not make it unaffordable to the residents it would be expensive  but let's just do it

ProVox · Answer

It's BS, it's happening to my sister right now in California. She's lived there 16 years, was given 60 days to get out.

purplepoppy · Answer

I feel sorry for the people where these displaced scum relocate to.

Guy13 · Answer

Happening globally as Expenses demand it. land real estate etc...

TroyDT · Answer

As long as they are not assaulting the person or property of another I have no problem with property owners doing what they want with their own property.

HaveNoName · Answer

I wonder what kind of fication is it when they fuck the midtown NYC area and all you see on the main streets are bums chilling all around and living in those bulldings.

headoncrash · Answer

Just because they put up 2500 a month apartments or expensive housing in a shitty area doesn't mean it's suddenly going to improve it.

Anonymous · Answer

It's a step in the liberal elites genocide plan Gentrify by removing the population then eventually dehumanise them to the level that no one will care if they are killed, complainers will be as well

TheoPfeifle · Answer

Progress isn't the progress people think it is. It's disgusting. Unfortunately, we're stuck on this rock.

ZenJen444 · Answer

In some cases it's helpful but I don't like the fact it's taking away land from animals. It's sad in that case. But as far as moving the bad people out yes it's perfect for that.

Likes2drive · Answer

It doesn’t always work but I’ve seen happen often in towns near me. I also wonder where the poor people go but I think they move down south

Anonymous · Answer

california is doing that to my state and city. fuck them.

Anonymous · Answer

Taking a neighborhood that used to be a complete shithole and making it nice? That sounds pretty much like the definition of progress to me.

Rangers · Answer

Pain in the ass, tired of people raising the prices on everything

Iamgabi · Answer

Aww... same in my country! In recent years, the problem has also emerged in Korea. It's a heartless job to nip the buds before they even bloom:'(

MountAverage · Answer

How do I feel about making the lives of low income people even harder? Not so great.

Fromdusktilldawn · Answer

Actually had a course about that last semester.

Anonymous · Answer

You mean fixing up the neighborhood to make it more appealing to everyone? I think it's great.

Fuentes · Answer

It's stupid but there gonna do it regardless as long as I avoid it I'm fine.

007kingifrit · Answer

it's a pretty normal thing, not something you can complain about or stop

jimmy2 · Answer

Like that really make sense turn the po property value up so high they can't afford to live there

Ellie-V · Answer

I don’t support it

Oliviaarkansas · Answer

I had. not clue what it was till just now.

NathanDavis · Answer

go capitalism!!

isoterminal2060 · Answer

Okay, so what else is your dad doing Lmao

pass_the_celery98 · Answer

Not a fan of gentrification.

boobliker · Answer

I really don't know it odd to me at 70 years

hostboy__fastestlaps · Answer

Grosser than a priest touching a child

likelyOK · Answer

Against it

Anonymous · Answer

I think it's helpful in most cases. 🌳🌱🌳🌱

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