Population slightly down in MA 2022 (Boston, Weymouth: restaurant, moving, rail)

[BostonBornMassMade]

Originally Posted by msRB311

It doesn't really.

I just think the bigger picture is that there is a problem with greater Boston housing market. If affordable housing has to be built in every town that is a problem. There also doesn't need to be affordable housing in every MA town but here we are because I guess that's only fair.

If few towns will allow the level of construction that is necessary to have naturally affordable housing, the level of construction common in most of the country- then the state has no choice but to step in and create artificially affordable housing. Having a really expensive state doesn't mean it's a good thing for the state.

Hawaii and California are more expensive than MA and they're not exactly shining beacons of prosperity. Mass does better (its cheaper) but it also does poorly in a few glaring areas (child care costs, wealth inequality, government transparency, infrastructure, housing, not great in violent crime, affordability)

[massnative71]

Originally Posted by BostonBornMassMade

If few towns will allow the level of construction that is necessary to have naturally affordable housing, the level of construction common in most of the country- then the state has no choice but to step in and create artificially affordable housing. Having a really expensive state doesn't mean it's a good thing for the state.

Hawaii and California are more expensive than MA and they're not exactly shining beacons of prosperity. Mass does better (its cheaper) but it also does poorly in a few glaring areas (child care costs, wealth inequality, government transparency, infrastructure, housing, not great in violent crime, affordability)

That's the thing. If the region had allowed the free market greater control in the construction of housing, today we wouldn't be having this same conversation about "affordable" housing. And "allowing the free market" includes the state fulfilling its own responsibilities in providing things like infrastructure and education facilities to facilitate that growth where there is demand. We just like to keep shooting ourselves in the foot though.

[msRB311]

What about wildlife? no one cares about wildlife anymore?

[massnative71]

Originally Posted by msRB311

What about wildlife? no one cares about wildlife anymore?

Fearmongering.

[BostonBornMassMade]

Originally Posted by msRB311

What about wildlife? no one cares about wildlife anymore?

What about it?


Any information about the state wildlife in Massachusetts you'd care to share here?

I know, just from looking around- People generally value humans having homes over quails having homes.

[brightdoglover]

Originally Posted by msRB311

... I do get annoyed by this concept of affordable housing where someone will be buying a house for 300k that would normally be 700k.

Well, if/when they go to sell, it's not going to be a 700k house, it'll be whatever restricted increase is allowed in the building. Buy lower, sell lower.

[GeoffD]

Originally Posted by BostonBornMassMade

Hawaii and California are more expensive than MA and they're not exactly shining beacons of prosperity. Mass does better (its cheaper) but it also does poorly in a few glaring areas (child care costs, wealth inequality, government transparency, infrastructure, housing, not great in violent crime, affordability)

Huh? I presume you’ve never been to the Bay Area? It’s easily 10x Boston for 5%ers. I’ve worked a lot around Irvine south of LA. That has way more 5%ers than Boston. Those parts of California are more expensive than Boston because they have a much higher density of high earners.

[massnative71]

Originally Posted by GeoffD

Huh? I presume you’ve never been to the Bay Area? It’s easily 10x Boston for 5%ers. I’ve worked a lot around Irvine south of LA. That has way more 5%ers than Boston. Those parts of California are more expensive than Boston because they have a much higher density of high earners.

Look at the REST of California.

[msRB311]

The problem is that people living in certain suburbs enjoy the quiet, nature and the wildlife. They care about that more than someone else who wants to build a home there.

I think there was a thread on the NH forum where people admitted that they care more about the trees than children having a place to live.

[redplum33]

SF has been going downhill rapidly.