Four simple rules behind Japan's most liveable cities

Re:Four simple rules behind Japan's most liveable cities by lwansbrough on Friday August 07, 2026 @05:39AM (#49207969)

It shouldn’t be, and certainly doesn’t have to be. Logically it should be cheaper to live in an apartment than an entire house - obviously.

Suburbs are subsidized by economic centres. And the state of affairs in North America - Vancouver included - is we’re not building housing to match demand. That’s true purely in terms of individual units but it’s also true for types of units. Like apartments that aren’t luxury units, but that can fit a family. They don’t build those anymore because city council makes it completely unprofitable for developers.

If you think that apartment living is inherently more expensive I’m sorry to tell you that you have it completely backwards.

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Re:Four simple rules behind Japan's most liveable cities by treis on Friday August 07, 2026 @11:08AM (#49211626)

I would suggest that if every practical example contradicts your logic it is your logic that is wrong.

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Re:Four simple rules behind Japan's most liveable cities by bruckie on Friday August 07, 2026 @02:56PM (#49214837)

This 20-minute video argues that downtowns subsidize suburbs: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q1G3D55LD-E. I found the arguments pretty persuasive. I'd love to hear counterpoints to them, though.

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