Tuesday, May 16, 2006

Just got back from Hellinois (to paraphrase Credence)


This photo is not an example of the extreme gentrification that has obfuscated much of what was once the north side of Chicago with Pottery Barns and Gymborees. It is, instead, one of the few things that is more-or-less the same as it was 10 years ago: my old apartment. Changed is the retail establishment on floor one: a nail salon (as opposed to a nail spa) instead of a plumbing fixture store. But the 100-year-old building still looks like it houses folks who don't work at fancy firms downtown or dot-coms in Bucktown. Back when I lived there it was $480 for a spacious, if a bit decrepit, two-bedroom. The condos going up around the corner start at $300k. Ah, real estate.

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Wait, you're in what, Palo Alto and complaining about OUR real estate?

You should have said you were gonna be in town, wanna meet the little guy.

Kathy Schrenk said...

Redwood City. And paying what we pay for real estate makes sense to me. There are advantages to living here. Like, we have sun.

Anonymous said...

Just remember in 20 years when your kids are big pussies who don't know how to cope with real weather: I told you so.

Kathy Schrenk said...

That's a chance I'm willing to take.

Toad734 said...

I lived in East Village/Wicker Park area 10 years ago for one year. In that time three people got shot on my street. Now the street is lined with trees, BMW SUVs and 400k condos.
I guess its better than getting shot but still.