The city I live in is starting to lose its original charm. I originally moved to San Francisco about 10 years ago. I loved this city when I first moved here, and I still do today. San Francisco is a major hub for technology and many successful startups are born here. Back in the good old days, rents were much lower, less homeless, and the iPhone wasn't even out yet. In fact, the first iPhone commercial aired a month after I moved here. Mobile apps weren't consuming our lives and although we were still connected to the internet, life was simpler. It's amazing to think about how much can change in just a decade.
San Francisco architecture has a unique look to it and it is slowly being diminished. As new software and mobile startup companies are created and demand for employees increases dramatic changes are inevitable. There is huge demand here for housing. With the influx of new San Franciscans, housing has become scarce. Rents and real estate have gone through the roof. They are selling "crackhouses" for millions. What most people don't understand is that rent control laws have a direct effect on the housing market and availability. If we removed these laws, even with the growing population, housing would not be as bad. Part of the reason for the increase in rent is because of all the people on rent control. The apartments that are not rent controlled have skyrocketing prices. The only new construction in the city is for luxury housing that only the wealthy can afford. Most will avoid constructing low-cost housing because of a low-profit margin. The rent control laws completely backfire.
This city has become extremely unaffordable for average people. If you are not lucky enough to be involved in a high-paying technology job or building a well funded started up, most likely you are struggling to survive. Every day I go to the corner markets I can see that prices are being increased. The number of homeless people has increased drastically over the years. When I walk down the city blocks people are sleeping on the street. It is sad because I am literally stepping over people without even thinking twice about it.
As the mobile market has boomed over the last decade, I've seen so many changes to how the San Francisco economy functions. We no longer ride in cabs, we take Ubers. We no longer go out to eat, we just order PostMates. We no longer have to cash checks at the bank, we just snap a picture on our cellular. Sometimes, when I lift my head away from my phone screen I notice everyone is on their phones as well. We are connected today but divided.
There are more Uber drivers today than cab drivers. The number of bicycle lanes has increased and with construction happening everywhere traffic is a nightmare. This chill, laid-back, city is starting to change. It is all about what company is getting funded, which employer is going to pay more, will we get bought out for millions, I have a new startup idea, I need a programmer. For others, they are just grinding out their paychecks trying to make ends meat.
Even with all of these changes that have occurred, I still love San Francisco. There are so many amazing adventures you can find yourself in. My favorite activities in San Francisco are walking the city as far as I can, sightseeing all the amazing architecture, and learning the history.
