gentrification in boston? your thoughts?

[Bob Lanata]

Xsobe, I worked in Chinatown in the overnight hours in the later 70s and throughout the 80s while I started a business of my own. I loved the aura that Chinatown had at that time. I was hoooked on it. Having lived in Hyde Park, then in Dorchester, looking back, it is as if the City is meant to change to bring in different ethnicities, then to move out. I spoke in front of a class at Stone Hill College some time ago and one of the students brought that point out to me. I am now thinking that this has been the way of many cities as well. Change is our only constant.

[Bob Lanata]

PS, I agree with your view

[lovelife11]

Students drive the rents up. People have told me the reason harvard square apts. are so pricey is because the law students are willing to pay a lot. Look at Jamaica Plain. I was told this used to be an affordable area...have you seen the rent prices for JP neighborhoods lately?

[missionhill]

Originally Posted by lovelife11

Students drive the rents up. People have told me the reason harvard square apts. are so pricey is because the law students are willing to pay a lot. Look at Jamaica Plain. I was told this used to be an affordable area...have you seen the rent prices for JP neighborhoods lately?

Perhaps, but these two examples are both places with tremendous market appeal. Both have what lots of people are looking for--real community, public safety, walkable shopping/cafe/restaurant scene, heavy-rail subway service, parks and open space, quality housing... The only less-than-first-rate thing about either one is the desirability of local public schools. People have always paid a premium to live around Harvard Square. Jamaica Plain really was cheap years ago but the baby boom generation, when young, saw a lot of value in inner city neighborhoods like that and now it's very desirable.

[Mr. Joshua]

Dorchester homeowner here. Go Gentrification!

[xS☺B☺s]

Originally Posted by Bob Lanata

Xsobe, I worked in Chinatown in the overnight hours in the later 70s and throughout the 80s while I started a business of my own. I loved the aura that Chinatown had at that time. I was hoooked on it. Having lived in Hyde Park, then in Dorchester, looking back, it is as if the City is meant to change to bring in different ethnicities, then to move out. I spoke in front of a class at Stone Hill College some time ago and one of the students brought that point out to me. I am now thinking that this has been the way of many cities as well. Change is our only constant.

Oh absolutely, and the people caught up in the change have polar opinions on whether the change is good or bad. The Massachuset certainly weren't happy with the arrival of Miles Standish, although the Wampanoag were - at first. A generation later that all changed. The Puritans, then Greek, Irish, Italian, Jews, Blacks Asians and Hispanics Gays, now Yuppies all in sequence one out as the other arrives.

In the fifties, Jews didn't want blacks forcing them out, but it happened. Later, Irish didn't want to lose their neighborhood identity in DOT and Southie. Blacks didn't want to lose the South End, but it happened. Wally from Wally's used to stand in his bar shaking his head saying " I hate white people". Cause they were taking over his bar.

It's hard to see the culture of your home disappear. But it is the cycle of life.

BTW, did you ever wonder why Bolylston has such a vibe? It might interest you that it is known that people have been walking down Boylston for 7000 years!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boylston_Street_Fishweir

[Bob Lanata]

Xsobe,

I agree with you on the history and did not know about that Boylston St fact. I will check out that site later. I found this site not too long ago and love it. Boston born and still loving and learning about this city

[xS☺B☺s]

Originally Posted by Bob Lanata

Xsobe,

I agree with you on the history and did not know about that Boylston St fact. I will check out that site later. I found this site not too long ago and love it. Boston born and still loving and learning about this city

Welcome to the forum. :-)