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Updated almost 10 years ago, 02/11/2015
Is Boston Developing too fast? Quincy, Malden, Chinatown last vestiges for developers hungry paws?
I have seen Boston exploding with new developments. But part of me sees it as too big too fast. The rents they are asking are incredible. Are people really that many people making 6 figures in Boston. Based on 40X salary rule of thumb, and what I'm seeing for studios from 1900 to low 2000s that's a salary of 78K to 108K. That leads to another thing where trying to invest outside Boston for somewhat affordable and rentable MFR or SFR is next to nil. I've ruled out NYC and the outer boroughs unless you go far far out to Long Island. Even then taxes are high. If I buy in Manhattan or BK/Queens its more about having as a permanent residence then selling it to make big bucks and move to a cheaper state to retire on land and a nice house. NYC prices don't seem to ever falter. Rents are always increasing from my rental experience. When I hear of purchases on the BP podcast for under 100,000 or even under 70,000 I just think how hyper overpriced Boston and NYC are. Even more so with Boston because it has such old construction and high density, antiquated public transit, cow path roads paved over. Not sure if the infrastructure can handle the luxury condos boom. I'm thinking there will be a bubble but what do I know I'm just a newbie. Or like in NYC, all areas will be gentrified and taken over by big money chain restaurants that can afford the jacked up rents local landlords want. There is obviously more money in NYC, a functional public transit, accessible by foot for the most part. But when 1 bdrm rents reach 1800 in Astoria (far from train, in converted old SF homes), I wonder how far it will go because for the most part is everyone in NYC going to make 6 figures? The divide keeps growing and there is no stopping it. It's becoming like farm land. Unless your family invested years ago you ain't gonna get anything except for a condo in an up and coming neighborhood and bank on appreciation.