economic downturn has no effect on ever-rising DC rent
The housing search is depressing. From my estimation of living in DC for as long as I have, the rent goes up about $100 every year. And while I have a good salary, it has not increased along with the inflation of rental prices. And apparently this housing crisis and economic downturn in the rest of the country has not affected rental prices in DC at all.
But my current 'hood is as depressing as the rental prices are high elsewhere. I've got to get out of here as it's gotten worse since I moved here 2 years ago. This week I spotted our block's first prostitute since I moved in, and we have a brand new group of dealers on the block who do their work in broad daylight right on the sidewalk. I guess they're displaced from a less tolerant neighborhood. We've asked for undercover investigators to spend just one afternoon sitting there, but I guess we don't have the political clout that other neighborhoods have. It doesn't take a genius or a task force to figure out what's going on on our block of Q Street.
Other things: Herb has announced the return of Zubaz pants!
Are we becoming an Unscientific America?
Isn't it about time we scale back the security paranoia? I've noticed those ugly jersey barriers have been removed from many Smithsonian museums, and one can hear the sound of small engine planes over DC again. While 9/11 was tragic and horrible, I believe we got caught with our pants down, and have done what we can to secure our safety, but there's only so much you can do before people start getting pissed off, and you can never fully prepare for every contingency. But I believe we've done our best since then and maybe it's time to review our procedures. Do I really have to take my frakkin' shoes off at the airport every time?
Political cartoonist Tom Toles gives a nod to the infamous Alien chestbursting larva.
Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Cliff Lee is woofy.
Spartacus remake to feature Lucy Lawless and lots and lots of beef.
I've been on this Beach Boys kick lately, particularly because of this super-beardy performance of Good Vibrations. That was the golden age of the beard since the Civil War, no doubt about it. The late Dennis Wilson gets first prize for righteous beardiness among the 'Boys for sure.
From Epic Civil War Beardy Boy Xanthos: Fuckin' L.A. I feel that way about DC sometimes too.
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As more people are no longer in the home ownership market, there is more demand for rentals... rental price goes up... home prices go down.
Considering the economics of the housing market, the high rents are understandable. With fewer people owning or being able to obtain mortgage loans, it's jacking up the demand for rental housing. And since the supply hasn't jumped up accordingly, it means you're probably going to be SOL on trying to find something more affordable. At least in a neighborhood you'd be likely to want to live in.
Jimbo, Really do hope you find a place that is safer. I know what your going thru! Finding a safer place in DC is hell! I lucked out on my space. Plus Thanks for all the things to do and places to go on your blog.
Cliff Lee, Cy Young Award winner got traded from Cleveland to Philly last week.
Stay tuned 'cause next week I am bringing back the reverse mullet! I have the power!
Thanks for the heads up on Unscientific America. The Republican War on Science by the same author was excellent.
Jimbo, I feel badly that the apartment search isn't going well. You might consider looking in Columbia Heights or Mount Pleasant where some condos are now renting for lack of buyers. Maybe this might help you find something:
http://www.bernsteinmgmt.com/residential_properties/apartment_result.asp
http://www.apartments.com/partner/Results.aspx?page=results&p=wpost&state=dc&cobrand=wpost&partner=wpost&rgn3=34&cont.x=56&cont.y=3&area2=y&subarea11=y&subarea6=y&subarea12=y&subarea14=y&prvpg=5&Rent_Minimum=0&Rent_Maximum=1200
http://www.rent.com/rentals/washington-dc/
Dennis Wilson was hunktastic.
There's no scruff in this photo ...
http://enlavalla.files.wordpress.com/2006/12/denny.jpg
... but you could whittle with the cleft in that chin.
And here's a video with lots of DW clips and still photos:
http://www.metacafe.com/watch/sy-1618633090/dennis_wilson_dennis_wilson_epk_official_music_video/
The jersey barriers around some of the museums have come down because permanent, Fine Arts Commission approved security barriers have been installed. It started with the National Air and Space Museum (which already had some substantial walls) and continued with Natural History and American History. Look closely next time you're around Natural History. See the new perimeter fence? Looks like it could have been there originally. The soon to be installed berms around the castle will look great too. Wish the rest of the federal government would follow suit.