Gentrification in Colorado Springs (Walsenburg: fit in, 2014, homes)

[wilberry]

yes I agree add WALSENBURG !

[abcdefg567]

Originally Posted by otowi

Maybe we should add Walsenburg to the Front Range list.

I had to Google what Walsenburg even was.

Evidently it's only 1.5 hours away....I suppose one could always commute and take advantage of their cheap (is there even?) housing.

Let's wait a good 10-15 years before it's included in any type of list.

[abcdefg567]

Otoh - http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/n...lity/29110033/

That was two years ago.

Looks like a great place for the marijuana workers and perhaps others to go.

[smdensbcs]

Originally Posted by otowi

Rather than acting resigned and hopeless and stand by and watch bad things happen to people because life is tough and they should know it is tough and be prepared to just suffer while we all watch, I'd rather fight for improvements and try to do something for people. If we allow cynicism to make us do nothing in the face of stuff we think is not right, then we become part of the problem and part of the machine, imho.

Well, sure, of course. That's why I serve on 2-3 local non-profit boards at any given time in addition to my full-time job and family obligations, to try to "do something" and be more a part of the solution than part of the problem. That being said, our "system" OBVIOUSLY grinds everything in its path to dust whether we like it or not, like a glacier advancing. Acknowledging and adapting to that inevitable fact is the first step toward protecting yourself and finding ways to hopefully protect others. You can't ever really stop the glacier from grinding however, not in this country with it's political climate that violently abhors a Western European style social contract. Sorry this has gotten deep for a nice little conversation wringing our hands over a little pocket of market-driven gentrification, which inevitably happens anywhere people want to live. It was an epidemic phenomena in the supposedly rent-controlled coastal city in which I grew up in the 1970's and '80's. Nobody lives in those buildings anymore but rich (or highly indebted) two-income professionals or folks with inherited money. Nothing new to see here whatsoever. Maybe new to Colorado Springs but is that such a surprise? Maybe I'm more jaded than the average person as I've been witness to this and similar phenomena since I was a kid, and it always ends the same exact way. Always.

[Marcy1210]

We have the University of Arizona here in Tucson, and developers have come along, bought, and torn down old Best Western, Holiday Inns, and some older apartment complexes that had seniors and students, and built high rise, 10+ story "dorms". The senior citizens had to find other places to live, which was hard since they faced much higher rents in other neighborhoods, were separated from their friends, and had to start over in areas they weren't familiar with. Many don't drive, so finding walkable neighborhoods with reasonable rents is very difficult. Many end up moving out of state to live near adult children, which uproots them from the life they have known, sometimes for decades.

Up here in Oro Valley, we have lots of medical facilities and labs (Sanofi Adventis, GKS, and others), and health related industries like Ventana Health, and the U of A Veterinary College. We also have a large snowbird/retired population. Lots of open land has been bought up for new housing communities and apartment complexes. They build the apartments as 3 stories without elevators, which excludes many seniors, and put in granite counters, stainless appliances, all the latest decorating fads, small or no patios/balconies and charge $1000/mo for a 1BR/1BA, up to $2500+ for a 3BR/2BA which prices out most seniors on fixed incomes. The single family housing developments are geared toward young families, with prices for 3BR/2BA postage stamp lots starting at about $300,000. That prices out most seniors, as well. The housing in the Del Webb Sun City community doesn't turn over very often, and those homes are 20+ years old, have been owned by one couple for all those years, so many need lots of upgrade work, which many seniors can't afford.

Condos are another option, but again, three stories, no elevators, and covered parking often no where near the condo, which is inconvenient for seniors if they've got groceries to carry, or other things. The other options are Assisted Living communities where they have graduated housing. Condos for those seniors who are medical issue free, have an active lifestyle, but like the community living idea all the way to those in hospice care. Several new communities are being built, but many are in the $500K price range, which again, seniors can't afford. The trend is toward very active singles and young couples without kids, or growing families who want communities with other young families, and a walk-in school. Seniors on fixed incomes are priced out of most decent housing, but seniors with excellent retirement plans and who are in good health can usually afford some of the upscale single family homes that the rest of us can't afford. In the Tucson area, low-priced, available, decent housing is difficult to find.

[MountainEarth]

This isn't a money issue. It's a moral issue. And it's happening nationwide.

[rochester_veteran]

Originally Posted by MountainEarth

This isn't a money issue. It's a moral issue. And it's happening nationwide.

I remember driving with my uncle when I was a kid and there was an elderly man driving slower than the speed limit in front of us. My uncle was patient with him and made it a point to teach me an important life lesson. My uncle told me to treat the elderly with respect and to cut them some slack because one day, if I'm lucky to live long enough, I'll be an elderly person one day.

I'm not a socialist, rather, I believe in a free market economy, but I also believe in morals and a moral person does NOT evict elderly people from their homes to extract greater profit.

Do not cast me off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength is spent.

[Jobster]

It's a cycle. IOC's have neglected to build any infrastructure, so in 0-3 years it is likely there will be an oil shock and then the landlord's that engage in this type of behavior lose their properties.

We are currently in the pinnacle of greed, as we are nearing the end of this cycle.

You will be able to pick up residences for half price. Be patient.

Pigs get slaughtered.

[TCHP]

Originally Posted by abcdefg567

I had to Google what Walsenburg even was.

Evidently it's only 1.5 hours away....I suppose one could always commute and take advantage of their cheap (is there even?) housing.

Let's wait a good 10-15 years before it's included in any type of list.

Uhhh, no way. I'd commute from Pueblo long before ever considering Walsenburg.

Originally Posted by MountainEarth

This isn't a money issue. It's a moral issue. And it's happening nationwide.

...and it is more rampant than just affordable housing. Why do CEOs of minor corporations need to make 300 times more than their average employees...in just cash compensation, never mind all the additional perks, stock, and bonuses thrown at them.

But, IMO, the widespread prosperity and development of the middle class in post WW2 America was a flash in the pan compared to most of history. We are simply slowly reverting back to times of old, with royalty by birth being replaced by the most successful of free market enterprise.

[MissMischief]

Originally Posted by TCHP

But, IMO, the widespread prosperity and development of the middle class in post WW2 America was a flash in the pan compared to most of history. We are simply slowly reverting back to times of old, with royalty by birth being replaced by the most successful of free market enterprise.

I've thought this for years. Getting old and vulnerable in a predatory winner-takes all system worries me.