phantom tollbooths in Davis Sq. ...

[an-art-worker.livejournal.com]

apropos of nothing and not a serious proposal but I was thinking about sales taxes last night, the discussion of tolls on 93 south and something to do with all the border violence going on in the world these days. Suddenly I had this image of tollbooths/checkpoints on the roads entering Davis Sq. Weird but interesting to speculate on.

The growth in popularity of the sq. has brought higher rents and housing prices, higher prices in stores and bars and general gentrification. The city of Somerville and the property owners benefit but the residents don't. Would be interesting to have a toll that went to offset the costs of gentrification to people who actually live here.

Comments

[clevernonsense.livejournal.com]

I understand that, but I'm willing to bet the *vast* majority of renters in Davis have not been there more than 10 years, and 10 years ago the people moving to Davis were a big cause for the gentrifying.

The point of this post is to reward the residents with a "toll" (which is retarded to begin with since it would just mean no one would ever go to Davis again) - My point is most of the residents are at "fault" for the costs. (Though I personally don't think gentrification is such a bad thing)

[pierceheart.livejournal.com]

You know, i was recently reading a post about a 3br that was going for $3000 in the 90's now at $1800, not far from Davis . . .

Gentrification is a one word label that barely covers all of the bases of what happens. It's too simple, and leads to scape goating (on both sides).

[artic-monkeys.livejournal.com]

That is crazy and you know it. There were a lot of 3br apartments going for 3000 back then, and they all are still in the 2700 to 3300 range except for this 'example' that you are citing.

I know there are a lot of money hungry landlords out there, there are a lot of folks that just bought places with those adjustable rates too as well as the flippers and make money fast folks. But on the other hand, there are a lot of great ones that try to keep the rents stable and keep long term tennants. Most serious investors look at this kind of real estate as long term investments. The issue is that these apartments are not the ones turning over. People get find these places and stay in them forever, or sublet them.