hike_me t1_jae8uq7 wrote on February 28, 2023 at 8:22 PM

Reply to comment by bradwiser in National Park Service investigates vandalism at Acadia National Park by linuxknight

I’m a local.

I’m not sure I’d call it thrive. Every year more and more houses get turned into AirBnBs and there are fewer and fewer families here. Non-tourism businesses like the Jackson laboratory and the MDI hospital now have to get into the real estate business so they can provide housing for new employees. The amount of tourists we have now is suffocating but certain business owners in town fight anything that might promote anything other than seasonal tourism.

I definitely don’t hate tourists. They make the town more interesting and vibrant in the summer. However, it’s gotten completely out of hand (and the rise of AirBnB and similar services that make single family homes profitable investments for short term tourist housing is really fucking over the town).

Tradesby t1_jaebnvb wrote on February 28, 2023 at 8:40 PM

Yet another problem to check the box off because of Air BnBs

bradwiser t1_jae9gcs wrote on February 28, 2023 at 8:25 PM

Thanks you for the insight I’m not a fan of the summer tourist season I try to get my hiking and whatnot early and later in the season to avoid the whole mess. I thought they provided a lot more to the town but it sounds like I was mistaken

FireNateMcMillianPlz t1_jaf1cnk wrote on February 28, 2023 at 11:33 PM

but on the other hand most families (including mine) who live in bar harbor, can’t afford to live there without renting out part of their property. it’s honestly a revolving door of shit but blaming local families for getting involved in AirBnB isn’t doing much dawg

hike_me t1_jaf45fk wrote on February 28, 2023 at 11:53 PM

If so many people weren’t buying up properties to AirBnB prices wouldn’t be as high in the first place.

Building an ADU on your property to AirBnB is cool. Outbidding a family that needs housing, or kicking out your long term tenants so you can AirBnB is not cool.

I have a friend that built a nice studio apartment over his garage to AirBnB. That’s not hurting anyone. I know other people that bought up multiple properties that had long term tenants and kicked them all out to make room for tourists. That’s an asshole move.