I think this infograph proves Atlanta needs to step up... (Decatur: sales tax, restaurants)

[jsvh]

Originally Posted by Strangejelly

Density means higher cost of living.

Actually the opposite is usually true. Think about it. What is cheaper, paying the rent yourself or splitting it between other people? Yes, price per square foot is usually more. But density means living with less sq ft.

[cqholt]

Density means lower cost for infrastructure as well. Higher density areas use infrastructure more efficiently than low-density suburbs.

[kferq]

Originally Posted by cqholt

Density means lower cost for infrastructure as well. Higher density areas use infrastructure more efficiently than low-density suburbs.

Density can also lead to increased productivity, so that even if prices rise, businesses will find it worthwhile to pay the costs. That is how Manhattan continues to increase job growth. Coke is moving its IT people Downtown in part because it is hoping for productivity gains by making interactions between Headquarters and IT easier.

[arjay57]

Originally Posted by kferq

Density can also lead to increased productivity, so that even if prices rise, businesses will find it worthwhile to pay the costs.

Density is fine but I hope somebody up there remembers that some of us appreciate a little elbow room.

[alco89]

Originally Posted by arjay57

Density is fine but I hope somebody up there remembers that some of us appreciate a little elbow room.

Elbow room is in ABUNDANT supply right now, so....

[kferq]

Originally Posted by arjay57

Density is fine but I hope somebody up there remembers that some of us appreciate a little elbow room.

Good point. I hope the strong neighborhoods of Atlanta will preserve the residential islands of lower density surrounding the built up areas. That will allow some breathing room and wonderful views of tree tops from the high rises.

[cqholt]

Originally Posted by kferq

Good point. I hope the strong neighborhoods of Atlanta will preserve the residential islands of lower density surrounding the built up areas. That will allow some breathing room and wonderful views of tree tops from the high rises.

I could see density being encouraged along corridors where transit can ease the amount of cars on the road. I think Midtown is a perfect example of having high density, while only a blocks away there are SFH.

[Gulch]

Originally Posted by cqholt

I could see density being encouraged along corridors where transit can ease the amount of cars on the road. I think Midtown is a perfect example of having high density, while only a blocks away there are SFH.

Exactly. We're at least 50+ years from the Midtown SFH district even remotely being too valuable to remain as is due to lack of development space.

[Strangejelly]

Originally Posted by kferq

Density can also lead to increased productivity, so that even if prices rise, businesses will find it worthwhile to pay the costs. That is how Manhattan continues to increase job growth. Coke is moving its IT people Downtown in part because it is hoping for productivity gains by making interactions between Headquarters and IT easier.

The average New Yorker still can't afford to live in Manhattan without at least 3 roomates.

[Strangejelly]

Originally Posted by jsvh

Actually the opposite is usually true. Think about it. What is cheaper, paying the rent yourself or splitting it between other people? Yes, price per square foot is usually more. But density means living with less sq ft.

That is a change in lifestyle and is apple and oranges.

You went from being able to afford to live alone to having to split the cost with someone else because the rent went sky high.