$3,000 is now the average rent in New York City

[newworldafro]

Houston is the epitome of diversity

believe it or not Houston/Harris County is one of the most diverse cities in the U.S. ...true story

In Houston, America's Diverse Future Has Already Arrived : It's All Politics : NPR

I just moved here last August, and this guy came to one of my classes

breaking down the numbers...


In Houston, America's Diverse Future Has Already Arrived : It's All Politics : NPR

In Houston, America's Diverse Future Has Already Arrived

by Elise Hu

July 01, 2013 3:00 AM

All this week, NPR is taking a look at the demographic changes that could reshape the political landscape in Texas over the next decade — and what that could mean for the rest of the country.

To see the speed of demographic change in Texas, look no further than its largest city — Houston. Only 40 percent of the city's population is non-Hispanic white, and by a Rice University count, it's the most racially and ethnically diverse city in America.

"Houston is an immigrant magnet," says Glenda Joe, a Chinese-Texan community organizer whose extended family came to Houston in the 1880s.

"Texas looks like me. I'm half-Chinese; I'm half-Irish," she says. "I also do business; I work with universities; I also ride horses. That's what Texas is."

At about 35 percent of the population, Latinos make up the second-biggest group in Houston after non-Hispanic whites or Anglos, according to Census numbers. But Asian-Americans are the fastest-growing group — doubling between the 1990 and 2010 census to about 7 percent.

"There is no majority group here, not even close," says Michael Emerson, a Rice University sociologist who studies Houston's demographic change. He and his research partners put together the 2012 analysis that gave Houston the title of most diverse metropolitan area in America. If you look at the four major ethnic groups — Anglo, black, Asian and Latino — all have substantial numbers in Houston, with no one group dominating. It comes closer to having an equal balance of each group than you would find in New York or Los Angeles.

The city's transformation to an international megalopolis happened quickly, and only within the past few decades. As the metro area shot to nearly 6 million people, 93 percent of all that growth was non-white.

"Houston runs about 10, 15 years ahead of Texas, 30 years ahead of the U.S., in terms of ethnic diversity and immigration flows," Emerson says. "So it is fundamentally transformed in a way that all of America shall transform."

Jobs fuel the transformation. The energy industry remains a huge player, but there's also the Texas Medical Center, burgeoning biotech and a bustling shipping port. Despite crippling humidity, long commutes and a reputation for refineries, Houston's cheap land, affordable homes and low barriers to doing business have lured immigrants from all over.

"You are here to make your fortune; you are here to move ahead in the world. You are about making things happen. There's no way that you could be a leader here in this community and not recognize that," says Houston Mayor Annise Parker, who is a minority among politicians. She's the only female mayor among the top 10 most populous cities, and she's one of the only openly gay politicians, period. And she's learned a few lessons about governing a place where different cultures combine.

"Too often what happens in a state capital or in Washington is that it is about parties and partisanship, not about the practical realities of running something. Cities have to run," Parker says.

For her, running the place means embracing the sociological situation. Houston is remarkably practical that way. Just ask seventh-generation Chinese-Houstonian Glenda Joe.

"It's inexorable. The change in terms of leadership, the change in terms of how we look — it's inexorable," Joe says.

 

[keithj]

Finally got around to reading some of this thread.

Some of these west coast cats are REACHINNNNG.

 

[Ego Noir]

Currently live in Clinton Hill, Brooklyn and it's lovely out here. Ton of cute girls - both sistas and pawgs everywhere, fun bars and restaurants, some really nice parks, tree lined streets, solid bodegas and in the middle of Fort Greene and Bed Stuy.

I live in a nice building and pay $750 a month. Loving it.

NYC is very expensive, I've had a lot of luck here career wise which has helped me float. Is this city worth it? Yes, but you gotta maintain perspective.

Theres almost nothing better than having this entire city at your disposal on a summer weekend. You can have adventures for days here like it's nothing.

Oh, and this is still the GOAT hip-hop city. Worldwide it's not even close.

u live alone?

 

[Fury616]

debating weed is the most corny thing ever. good weed is literally in every city in this country and everyone smokes.....its not big OHH and AHH you got some exotic hairs on ur buds smh

Only kids use the word "noob"...and if you knew anything about that purp Kali kush you'd kill ya self for smokin' that bama you think is top grade. Its born and bred here, not where you at

thats like saying Heisenberg ain't the best cook wit that blue

 

[keithj]

u live alone?

I should have put a * by my rent.

I have one roommate and I found this apartment through a mutual friend. The search was real breh

 

[Liquid]

Currently live in Clinton Hill, Brooklyn and it's lovely out here. Ton of cute girls - both sistas and pawgs everywhere, fun bars and restaurants, some really nice parks, tree lined streets, solid bodegas and in the middle of Fort Greene and Bed Stuy.

I live in a nice building and pay $750 a month. Loving it.

NYC is very expensive, I've had a lot of luck here career wise which has helped me float. Is this city worth it? Yes, but you gotta maintain perspective.

Theres almost nothing better than having this entire city at your disposal on a summer weekend. You can have adventures for days here like it's nothing.

Oh, and this is still the GOAT hip-hop city. Worldwide it's not even close.

Are you the super? How you got that hookup? I can get anything decent for $750 and I'd probably go right away.

Anything over $1,000 and you lost me. I'm sorry I am not paying $1,000+ for something that I am not seeing a return in...that's hustling backwards to me.

 

[Atlrocafella]

And don't get it twisted. I love New York, I was just there last month and I go a few times a year just to chill with friends and fam, stay at the double tree on stone street and just have a great time.

I mean you can literally stumble upon some shyt that's popping in NY any time. I was out with my main last month in the city and we just came up on a street that was just full of bars but they set all the tables outside, so everyone was just eating, drinking, and having a good time on that street, that shyt was just


Edit* Forgot I had the pic of it in my phone

 

[Trip]

ton of fukkery that goes on too...I know someone who lives in a 3 bedroom and he has the relationship with the super, so the other two roommates pay rent through him....he ends up paying about 400 a month while the other two... its amazng what type of sht ppl can get away with doing down there bc ppl will pay for it.

 

[keithj]

Are you the super? How you got that hookup? I can get anything decent for $750 and I'd probably go right away.

Anything over $1,000 and you lost me. I'm sorry I am not paying $1,000+ for something that I am not seeing a return in...that's hustling backwards to me.

I took over the lease from someone who lived here previously when the rent was that. This is definitely not the average rent in this area or in this building. I moved here after living in a rent controlled apt in Greenwich Village and learned game.

 

[Mr Uncle Leroy]

fukk that.

My 4-bedroom 2 bathroom house nets me $985 a month rent in AZ.

which part of AZ? rent/mortgage?

 

[Mr Uncle Leroy]

Shieet. When I lived in Pittsburgh I had a whole house for $500 a month plus utilities.

But, I had nothing to do. All my friends were leaving or already left. After a while, I couldn't find any work that wasn't cooking or cleaning after school. Couldn't meet any women. Couldn't meet any people. The nightlife sucked. I just felt like I just clashed horribly with everything in that city. I was pretty much a loner and besides the fact I hated the f*ck out of that place, I was miserable. I was paying next to nothing for next to nothing.

I've been living here in New York for almost a year and I just feel like a different person. Much better than before. Meeting people is no problem, but I can have my personal space too. There are so many opportunities. I've already been through 4 jobs in that time frame. I think the one thing to take into consideration is not just the cost of a place, but also what it can offer someone.

As a first gen Nigerian/West Indian, I was so sick and tired of living in Pittsburgh. I couldn't and didn't fit in there at all. It's nice to meet more people who share my same background and connect with others on different levels. Sure, I pay out the ass...but it's not like I'm going to live here forever.

whats wrong with pittburgh?

 

[ThiefyPoo]

After living here, it just feels like NYC is the most temporary living situation on planet earth.

A city of 24 million people built on an island with the highest cost of living in the country that's just going to get hit by tropical storm after tropical storm until the majority of it is underwater. Don't even get me started on gentrification.

I love this city though...

:jayz:

You don't have the highest cost of living stop it cali owns that.

Then you have mad cities in VA that will have your ass crying looking at your mortgage.

 

[Rapmastermind]

After living in this great city for over a decade. I completely agree with this article as my rent has gone up since I 1st moved here. When I got here I was fresh out of college and I had a roommate. My rent with utilities was about 800 and again that was with a roommate. After a year I got my own place and was paying 1100 for a studio. A few years later I got a 1 bedroom and I've been paying 1300-1500 every since. But I've stayed in mostly Queens and Brooklyn. I never wanted to live in Manhattan, too expensive and way to much going on. I like how quiet Queens and BK can be sometimes, people would be surprised. But as someone who's lived in the south and The Big City. I think I like the best of both worlds. I love the clean air and nature of the South but it sucks you had to have a damn car to get anywhere.

The convenience of NYC is really unmatched. I can literally get anywhere with public transportation. I walk out my apartment and there are Bodegas and store right up the street, no driving. Even if I wanted to go to Jersey, Conn or even Philly I can get there without a car with affordable public transportation. So you really save on Gas living in NY (Tickets are a B!tch though, lol). I have my own car but the mileage is pathetic cause in NY the whole city isn't even that Big mileage wise so going from Manhattan to Queens or BK is so damn short it's hilarious. The only time I put miles on my car is if I have to go to Long Island or the Hamptons for sh!t. But honestly Living in NY is like having the entire world at your fingertips.

But it's true, it's expensive as sh!t to live here. Anything under 30k a year and I'm sorry you will be struggling or barely making it. There are tons of people making it off that salary or less but they had to cut corners to do it (Roommates etc). As far as Rent. If you live in the boroughs you will save. The most expensive parts in NYC are of course Manhattan and Long Island City Queens cause it right there as well as Downtown Brooklyn. And Yes, L.A./Cali is very diverse, no doubt but NYC is a more concentrated Diversity. You can literally hear every language in the world walking down the street. You can have any food in the world. It's a powerful place to live and be. But I can't lie even though I grew up on the East, I'm a tropical guy. I love warm weather so I see myself out West in the future. But for now, NYC is perfect for me. I'm right next to Philly, Bmore, D.C. and Northern VA. Miami is a quick flight. Overall dope place to live but it's not easy. Jay was right when he said:

"8 million stories, half of ya'll won't make it"

He was being nice cause it's more than half. NYC is brutal dog eat dog world.

 

[Mr Uncle Leroy]

That article reminds me why I've lived in Jersey the past year. But I am moving back at the end of the yea, and will end up paying 3K if I decide to live in Manhattan. Its hard to even wrap my head around. I could work in our Houston office and live like a king down here

My co-worker just bought a 1.25 million dollar house downtown ...i think its like 1500 square feet

what kind of work do they do? whats the job title/salary? old/new money?

 

[keithj]

CitiBike