2010 Report: PGH with most affordable housing among Top 100 metros (Philadelphia: rental car, sale)

[globalburgh]

The oddity that is Seattle:

How Seattle is exporting its poor people | Crosscut.com

The main story here is obviously the gentrification of Seattle and the expulsion of the poor and of minorities to south King County and even to Pierce and Snohomish counties. The city of Seattle is one of very few cities that has higher socio-economic status than many of its suburbs. One is reminded of a New Yorker cartoon from way back in the 1960s, of a conversation between two city leaders. One says, what can we do about these poor people? The other says, Just zone them out!

[gg]

Originally Posted by globalburgh

Your point about taxes is irrelevant to the discussion.

A fixed cost of home ownership isn't relevant? That is an interesting perspective. How do you figure taxes don't come into play when affording an area? Is there some magic wand you can wave and there is no school tax? No 1% tax if you buy a car in our county? You do know the average new car price is over $27K. That is $2700 extra you need to come up with if you live in our county if you buy a car. If you go out for a drink, you have to pay 7% more here than in any other county around ours. What about the city wage tax?

Don't kid yourself, all variables need to be considered when moving into an area, not just how much a home will cost. The idea of that is so silly, I wouldn't know where to begin.

[globalburgh]

Originally Posted by h_curtis

A fixed cost of home ownership isn't relevant? That is an interesting perspective. How do you figure taxes don't come into play when affording an area? Is there some magic wand you can wave and there is no school tax? No 1% tax if you buy a car in our county? You do know the average new car price is over $27K. That is $2700 extra you need to come up with if you live in our county if you buy a car. If you go out for a drink, you have to pay 7% more here than in any other county around ours. What about the city wage tax?

Don't kid yourself, all variables need to be considered when moving into an area, not just how much a home will cost. The idea of that is so silly, I wouldn't know where to begin.

And all areas have these other costs, too. Your framing of the issue is so silly I don't know where to begin.

[gg]

Originally Posted by globalburgh

The oddity that is Seattle:

How Seattle is exporting its poor people | Crosscut.com

The main story here is obviously the gentrification of Seattle and the expulsion of the poor and of minorities to south King County and even to Pierce and Snohomish counties. The city of Seattle is one of very few cities that has higher socio-economic status than many of its suburbs. One is reminded of a New Yorker cartoon from way back in the 1960s, of a conversation between two city leaders. One says, what can we do about these poor people? The other says, Just zone them out!

Nice to know there is a natural progression in Seattle. If you can't afford a neighborhood, you move to one that is. People do understand that is the case ALL the way up to the rich, don't they. Plenty of middle class people having to move, due to expense of areas. They just move! There is no zoning required. If an area becomes desirable, it becomes more expensive. Landlords can raise rent, or they cash out. Why wouldn't they be able to? Do you want to penalize property owners somehow?

[gg]

Originally Posted by globalburgh

And all areas have these other costs, too. Your framing of the issue is so silly I don't know where to begin.

Really? Who has costs as high as our region as a percentage of value? Not many. Give examples. I already outlined our tax situation. You come back with this one liner and think it is some argument? Good luck with that.

[globalburgh]

Originally Posted by h_curtis

Nice to know there is a natural progression in Seattle. If you can't afford a neighborhood, you move to one that is. People do understand that is the case ALL the way up to the rich, don't they. Plenty of middle class people having to move, due to expense of areas. They just move! There is no zoning required. If an area becomes desirable, it becomes more expensive. Landlords can raise rent, or they cash out. Why wouldn't they be able to? Do you want to penalize property owners somehow?

Well put. Since so many can't afford Seattle, they can move to Pittsburgh. Which, contrary to your blubbering, is much cheaper.

[pman]

the discussion is about housing not drink taxes. if the discussion were more about overall cost of living id agree with you but its not.i get the feeling you are unfamiliar with just how expensive other places have gotten. the most affordabke metros may as well be a list of cities least affected by the housing boom. it is true, if pittsburgh successfully attracts people it will drop off that list...which is a good thing. right now its underpriced and offers unusual value. a growing population and housing market would allow prop tax revenue to rise without raising rates.

[globalburgh]

Originally Posted by h_curtis

Really? Who has costs as high as our region as a percentage of value? Not many. Give examples. I already outlined our tax situation. You come back with this one liner and think it is some argument? Good luck with that.

You haven't given any examples for comparison, either. Emperor has no clothes.

[gg]

Originally Posted by pman

the discussion is about housing not drink taxes. if the discussion were more about overall cost of living id agree with you but its not.i get the feeling you are unfamiliar with just how expensive other places have gotten. the most affordabke metros may as well be a list of cities least affected by the housing boom. it is true, if pittsburgh successfully attracts people it will drop off that list...which is a good thing. right now its underpriced and offers unusual value. a growing population and housing market would allow prop tax revenue to rise without raising rates.

Okay, we have cheap housing in the city. The cost of a home is cheap. Who cares? That doesn't mean people can afford to live here due to the huge other costs. How is that for an answer? The study means really nothing if it doesn't address affordability.

[globalburgh]

The study does address affordability. You are the one not addressing it.