w3gv

That 4% is hard to believe. Source?

NIMBYs and zoning preceded the housing shortage by decades. To attribute it solely to those two factors is oversimplifying the problem

Are you East Asian? This is a fairly common experience in Europe

One factor that doesn't get mentioned often is the global hostility towards East Asians due to the pandemic and Chinese politics (Japanese/Korean unfortunately get lumped into that bucket)

In my experience, this mentality or approach ends up being terrible for a few (i.e. the ones that end up having to do the work) and a net-negative for all. It breeds a culture of deception that feeds on itself and creates widespread insecurity. Not an enjoyable way to spend a big chunk of your life.

Not from my experience. I lived in a neighborhood that was previously dominated by SFH and has since transitioned to mostly townhomes/apartments.

It's lucrative for a select few (i.e. early sellers) but once it passes an equilibrium point (i.e. too many apartment buildings, townhomes, etc.), developers move onto more lucrative areas and would-be SFH buyers no longer find the area desirable out of fear that a giant apartment or townhome will go up right next to them.

In my city, SFH-zoned homes are skyrocketing whereas SFH in non-SFH zones have still grown in value but at a far lower rate.

As much as parts of the article resonate with me, what isn't addressed is that freedom from external forces doesn't necessarily include freedom from one's own impulses -- which can be as, if not more, restrictive.

True freedom not only remove external restrictions but also requires purpose beyond ones self.

I'm going to try this. Thanks

I would say impulses rather than shopping. West is obsessed with being "free" i.e. do whatever I want at anytime