Boo-Freakin'-Hoo.... (Austin, San Diego, Riverside: cheap apartment, rent, condos)

[jread]

I'm sick of all the whining in this city. There is nothing to "preserve" on East Riverside... it's a freaking craphole and always has been. New development is the absolute BEST thing that could possibly happen there. Nobody owes you anything... get with the times or go somewhere else: The faces of change (broken link)

I don't like all the changes in Austin but I think many are necessary. This one happens to fall under that category.

[satanoid]

Injecting some 'hipness' into east riverside would be helpful, but man... it'll take 20 years for that area to fully gentrify.

[jwb123]

New development is the absolute BEST thing that could possibly happen there.

Except for those that live there, and are being displaced, and can't afford much else.

Even working poor deserve a place to live.

[love roses]

Originally Posted by Jenbar

Except for those that live there, and are being displaced, and can't afford much else.

Even working poor deserve a place to live.

So true. When I was in Denver, there was a project going on near downtown, and the developers were very good about making sure the displaced people had new housing options. There's just something that's wrong with buying up apartments and kicking people out on the streets with no options. I also believe the project that I was mentioning even offered some of the residents who could afford it an option to buy.

[equus007]

It is true that Austin must have a cheap apartment city like E.Riverside but right now that property is being underused. It is right next to downtown and you shouldn't expect to live affordable downtown or right next to it.

There are plenty of other places for the working poor to live. Rent on Riverside is about the same as it is in North Austin and other parts of the Eastside/S.W. where said development is not planned.

I think it will suprize you how fast this can happen as well. In other parts of town gentrification(which I find a crass and bordering on racist term)has taken years because buyers are remodeling existing structures. On Riverside they plan of plowing down all the crappy apts. and building new condos. This could take ~2years. I currently live on Woodward near Congress and ~6 months ago major construction got started on St.Edwards and several condos on Congress. St.Eds is almost done and the Condos will be up within another 6 months. Within 3 years you won't recognize it...except maybe the BelAire wich the police refuse to shut down.

[jabbit]

so whats happening to Austin?

people are crying about what here?

[equus007]

They are talking about plowing down property on Riverside Dr. in Austin where a large portion of the "affordable" apartments are located.

[jwb123]

It is right next to downtown and you shouldn't expect to live affordable downtown or right next to it.

Excuse me? Seriously? "They shouldn't expect..." to live in the same place they have for YEARS, simply because a developer has decided to make it the next "hot" area?

Probably one of the reasons the area is good for those people, is because of it's affordability, but also because of PROXIMITY - I don't think they are getting into their Hummers and hiking it across town to their 3 jobs..

Snobbery. Elitism. Gross.

Perhaps if public transportation and walkability was improved.

None the less, they need options. You don't just kick a person out of their home and turn the other cheek.

It's not good business. It's NOT responsible growth.

[achtungpv]

Yay more condos. That's what Austin needs. Pretty soon it'll be the next San Diego...dozens of condo towers with not a single light on at night since they were all bought by investors.

Can't wait to get the Chili's, Applebee's, and if we're lucky a Cracker Barrel on Riverside. That's living I tell you.

[love roses]

Exactly. So the next time anyone complains about suburban sprawl, I guess this quote should be reposted. I understand that people get displaced sometimes when redevelopment happens, but to say that people who don't make triple digit salaries can't live in or near downtown is elitist and snobbish.