Re:How Cash Sent the Portland Home Market Spinning
by davidw on Thursday May 14, 2015 @08:06AM
(#9544584)
Reining in sprawl is probably a good thing, but US cities are very much 'not dense'. Increasing density would help with supply. It also makes a place more friendly to walking, cycling and public transportation if done in the right way. Compare and contrast the average European city with someplace like Portland.
Not everyone wants dense, but I don't think someplace like Portland is going to turn into Hong Kong over night, or ever, really.
I'm currently in Boulder, interviewing and looking to relocate here, and this place has the same problem in spades.
It's really an "iron triangle" situation:
* A. Cheap housing.
* B. A desirable place to live.
* C. No growth (be it outward or upwards).
Pick two. Places like Boulder seem to be opting for B and C, but then wring their hands about the lack of diversity. They've also created a situation where a lot more people are driving into town from further out where it's still affordable, rather than living closer and riding bicycles or taking public transportation.
Not everyone wants dense, but I don't think someplace like Portland is going to turn into Hong Kong over night, or ever, really.
I'm currently in Boulder, interviewing and looking to relocate here, and this place has the same problem in spades.
It's really an "iron triangle" situation:
* A. Cheap housing.
* B. A desirable place to live.
* C. No growth (be it outward or upwards).
Pick two. Places like Boulder seem to be opting for B and C, but then wring their hands about the lack of diversity. They've also created a situation where a lot more people are driving into town from further out where it's still affordable, rather than living closer and riding bicycles or taking public transportation.