The Somewhat Landed Gentry

For me, “gentrification” has mostly been an annoying catchphrase used to describe yuppies moving into San Francisco’s Mission District.  It never really meant anything that substantive to me, and since I’ve never actually rented an apartment before, I couldn’t say the issue has ever really effected me that much.  I was, however, oftentimes a little annoyed and bemused that it was often well off white people complaining about “gentrification,” and never those who are able to move into better neighborhoods, see their blocks become safer, and sell their homes for a hefty profit.

All that being said, Garance Franke Ruta, who I’ve probably been overly critical of before,  has a fucking slam dunk post on the subject.  Read the entire thing, it’s excellent.  In fact, the only good way I can describe it is by comparing it to this: