hx87 t1_j6jxykb wrote on January 30, 2023 at 9:27 PM

Reply to comment by wsdog in Maura Healey wants to solve the state’s housing crisis. Here’s step one. by _Hack_The_Planet_

A single family home surrounded by 10 story apartment buildings will have its land priced as if a 10 story apartment can be built on it, ie a whole lot more expensive. In the grand scheme of things buildings aren't worth much compared to the underlying land.

wsdog t1_j6k7qg3 wrote on January 30, 2023 at 10:29 PM

Only if there is demand for a 10 story apartment building. The demand is high for Boston burbs because it gives the small town feel while providing an easy commute to Boston. With apartment buildings built near every commuter rail station till the cape this will go away. There will be little sense living here. If I wanted to live in a 10+ story building (I did) I would move to NYC, and would be making more $.

hx87 t1_j6k9q06 wrote on January 30, 2023 at 10:42 PM

If a SFH is surrounded by 10 story apartment buildings that aren't vacant, you can be pretty damn sure that there is plenty of demand for 10 story apartment buildings.

> With apartment buildings built near every commuter rail station till the cape this will go away.

I don't see what the problem with this is. Why is demand for small towns full of SFHs a good thing? If Boston were built to the density of NYC, we'd be cheaper than NYC, and making close to NYC money too.

wsdog t1_j6kagcz wrote on January 30, 2023 at 10:47 PM

It's like saying why someone needs Legal Seafoods if there are 10 McDonald's nearby. 10x cheaper!

hx87 t1_j6kc9k8 wrote on January 30, 2023 at 10:59 PM

"Sorry, you can't build a McDonald's here (even though there's plenty of demand to justify it). Legal Seafoods only (even though current owners paid McDonald's prices 50 years ago, and displaced No. 9 Park in the process)!"

wsdog t1_j6kd2co wrote on January 30, 2023 at 11:04 PM

Nobody will patronize Legal Seafoods if it's next door to MD's. Makes sense.

If you follow your argument all homeowners must be pro-construction because they would want to flip their land for profit. The problem is that they have to live somewhere, and they don't want to live in apartments because if they would, they would buy in Seaport.