So, I was just wondering should I expect a bunch of hipsters with thick rimmed glasses, annoying bicyclists, perpetual 'writers/poets', farm to table restaurants, etc in my hood soon? For those who have been through this, let me know if these are the early signs:
- Two weeks ago they had a "zoning" meeting and had posters plastered around about it but it was during work hours and I didn't get to go to the two meetings. I wanted to just to see what was going on in my nieghborhood.
- They recently paved the roads and are adding bike lanes to sort of a square radius around my apartment complex and only to a certain block that if you were to go outside that box you're in a visibly segmented part of the town.
- They built a new fire station
- They are expanding a little shopping area near my apartment.
I don't neccessarily live in the hood and live in a very nice place but its still a predominately black/hispanic/immigrant area and I would say most people in the area are probably either within the 30-60K income level. However, I am worried about rises in rent and the change in the neighborhood.
I don't think any of those are clear signs.
#1 could be anything from community concerns to new development.
#2 could be anything as well. 5 or so blocks of the strip I work on were repaved, all in front of commercial buildings. The area is already well developed, and the nearby residential areas are already expensive. And bike lanes are more about bike enthusiast pushing for safer streets.
#3 could be anything.
#4 is about the only sign, but not definite.
I live in an area that is clearly gentrifying. Prior to me buying in the area, it was one of the highest crime areas in the city. What happened next was...
Heavy police presence. For a short time, they were stopping folks entering the neighborhood, asking where folks were going, ID, etc. Apartheid type shyt. Needless to say, that ended quickly.
Next, people began to invest in the neighborhood. Trolly tracks on the nearby strip. Trolly supposedly coming soon. More businesses on that same strip. New supermarket on that strip. New apartment building. Hood nail salon replaced by nice 7-11 across from that building. Farmer's market nearby. Then house after house being renovated. Apartment buildings renovated & turned into condos.
Unfortunately, more whites buying than Blacks. What was once an almost all Black neighborhood is probably now 10% white. I've only been there 3 years. Prices are up about 60-80% since I bought. When I told one of my boys that used to work for City Planning, he was like, "Yo! You're straight! There planning this & that..." Everything he said has come to fruition.
If you're seeing these signs, buy SOMETHING. Don't be one of the displaced folks, complaining. Check city records for development. All of it is public record. You won't see obvious specifics like "new condo being built", but you'll see what happens prior. I still need to talk to my boy about it, but I'm guess things like large sewage projects and such.
once they fix that Wilson station, it's a WRAP for anyone darker than a grocery bag.
dey aint eem know
