Mailbag: High costs diminishing lively neighborhoods
As a Laguna resident for much of the past five decades, I appreciated David Hansen’s April 24 column, “Laguna is losing its youth.”
He is right on target in his coverage of the tragedy occurring in Laguna Beach. Not only has our permanent population declined by several thousand over the past decade but young families are scarcely moving in to help us maintain vital, lively neighborhoods.
Folks with big money have been attracted to Laguna for the town’s funky, artistic charm as most of us were. But, now their influences are bringing about the demise of our village.
We see dozens of McMansions “unoccupied” popping up everywhere. Mom and pop shops closing. Old time galleries and landmarks disappearing. Affordable eateries evaporating. Fewer local children playing in the parks. And rental costs are soaring out of sight.
Recently our neighbor listed his home that occupies a small 1,742 square foot lot on Ocean Front for $75,000 monthly.
This situation is shameful and sad.I wish tothank Hansen for his continuing efforts to address local issues. And thank you Coastline Pilot for printing his weekly column.
Lee Casegrillo
Laguna Beach
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Realistic prices in Laguna would be a dream
Re: “Laguna is losing its youth.”
Great article. I do not live in Laguna Beach but really wish I could.
It definitely is not that more housing is needed. There is plenty. What is needed are more realistic prices. For the majority of the homes and rentals available, a person needs to be a millionaire or billionaire.
I’m 55 and would embrace the lifestyle as I continue to work.
In the meantime, I will visit Laguna almost every weekend, dream about moving there and leave with a heavy sigh and heart.
Suzanne Sammut
Corona
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It’s not the fun, it’s the prices keeping the young out
David Hansen presents an interesting perspective on the “aging” of Laguna Beach. He says we are losing the very people who, if they stayed, would give our community the energy and vitality we suddenly seem to be lacking.
He gives us the example of three of those vibrant residents who have chosen to depart. Note, however, that two thirds of his obviously tiny sampling give reasons other than Laguna’s losing its “zip” for their leaving. But he doesn’t rest his argument on such shallow, shifting grounds. He also uses statistics.
Oops.
The hard numbers Hansen uses to bolster his argument is that our population in the 24 to 54 age bracket in 2000 (I was one of them then) has fallen drastically today while among those 60 to 74 (I’m one of them now) it has soared. Point proven. Or is it?
People ages 24 to 54 range from the very beginning of their earning power to their peak. And the economics of living in Laguna have risen markedly since 2000, particularly when it comes to the matter of rentals. The cost of living in an apartment, percentage wise, has gone up far faster than that of buying a home. Maybe those now in Hansen’s older age group were fortunate enough, economically, back in 2000 to move here and have remained.
Thus, taking Hansen’s numbers and looking at them from a different angle, the town’s problem is not an exodus of young people. Rather it is that, due to an ever-increasing downturn in young peoples’ earning ability, they simply can’t afford to move here. There are things, other than having a Laguna address, that they want to do with what little money they make.
Gary J Jarlson
Laguna Beach