Tuesday, December 14, 2004
The cost of living downtown
Houston's new light-rail line (which has now been involved in 70 accidents after about a year of operation) has attracted some people to buy townhomes in the downtown Houston area. They've discovered that there are few drawbooks to New Urban living in Houston.
First, you have to chain any furniture on your front porch to your house. Second, don't bother putting up any Christmas decorations -- they will just get stolen. Third, you can look forward to entertaining drunks in your garage and having your cars broken into. "Some say this is just the price you pay for moving into a neighborhood in transition," says this article, "but residents here insist they had no idea theft would be a daily occurrence."
That's New Urban living!
First, you have to chain any furniture on your front porch to your house. Second, don't bother putting up any Christmas decorations -- they will just get stolen. Third, you can look forward to entertaining drunks in your garage and having your cars broken into. "Some say this is just the price you pay for moving into a neighborhood in transition," says this article, "but residents here insist they had no idea theft would be a daily occurrence."
That's New Urban living!
Comments:
The process of gentrification of Midtown actually predates the Main Street rail line, and most the new construction is further away -- not nearly within walking distance. Rail has failed to redirect much development in Houston because frankly, the area was already developed.
But yes, people are quickly finding out that the city has been far more focused on wasting money on rail projects than dealing with HPD's massive manpower shortage. Adding to the embarassment is the fact that the new police chief doesn't even wear a uniform -- he has thus far refused to take the examinations necessary to be a genuine member of the department.
But yes, people are quickly finding out that the city has been far more focused on wasting money on rail projects than dealing with HPD's massive manpower shortage. Adding to the embarassment is the fact that the new police chief doesn't even wear a uniform -- he has thus far refused to take the examinations necessary to be a genuine member of the department.
As someone who has lived in a Philadelphia rowhome, I would say that these types of occurances are a fact of life in a dense urban setting.
As someone who has lived in a Philadelphia rowhome, I would say that these types of occurrences are a fact of life in a dense urban setting.
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