Fast forward to today, and you’ll see a very pleasant downtown with tons of restaurants and shops, and rapidly gentrifying areas in the west Oakland.

Someday we'll be forced to stop having lush green lawns in California and stop building golf courses and restaurants with misters in places like Phoenix.  

I personally like all the little restaurants and shops in fountain square.

They may have enough votes to pass state law, but they don't control local governments.I'm in a town of 60,000 and we've got a brand new Coles, a brand new Olive Garden, and several brand new restaurants and small business that aren't chains, including an enormous sporting goods warehouse.

Lots of Hipster types, and new cafes and restaurants.

My husband and I are also quarter partners in a restaurant. 

Doing any of the things mentioned in these posts is better than giving your cash to Amazon, Target, automakers (best to not buy new), or every local restaurant/bar in your city.  

So, I keep the very nice car for taking the Mrs. out to very nice restaurants and use the "average" car for meeting with sellers.

As someone who is transitioning from the restaurant business, ANYTHING is easier than that.

If you run a hamburger stand like a five star restaurant it won't be profitable.