But it's a really long commute ... and I'm spoiled. I've lived in DC for the past 30 years, and I'm used to living in town. (yes, the diamond shoes are pinching)

They're doing a half-assed job of the renovation, not addressing a lot of serious problems, charging market rates for the condos (1 bedrooms will average $350K), high condo fees (almost $500 per month for a 1 bedroom), and destroying a lot of the historic character of the building.

That's one of the annoying things about the destabilization of my building.

They're breaking old Classic Sixes into one bedrooms and sheetrocking the fuck out of everything. The building is a hundred years old and mouldings -- gone, tiling -- gone, claw foot tubs -- gone. The elaborate ceiling of our lobby is being covered up. Its going from a New York City apartment building full of working families to a slice of over-priced Generica on the Upper West Side.

There are definite signs that the real estate market is finally starting to crash, so prices will start to come down.

On the other hand, DC has a pretty steady job market, so demand for property will always be high.

I can think of 5 new luxury condo developments going up within walking distance of my apartment, and that's just off the top of my head. I can't help but think that eventually, they will run out of millionaires to sell luxury condos too, and then they'll have to build stuff priced to sell to the rest of us. Eventually.

But it's a really long commute

Yeah, I know. I can't imagine doing that on a daily basis, even if I lived within spitting distance of one of the train lines. I've got a coworker who does a reverse commute (DC to here) but then, they have a paid off house in DC and his wife's career is there.

I can't dare dream that the Los Angeles property market will come within reach. One of the ways I know I was becoming LA was when I stopped thinking I'd ever own a house (some of the other ways involve Fred Segal). Now I think I may have a chance, just not here.

Skipping even the 50 posts that accumulated since I last checked Natter (yeah, I'm that lame, I can't even skim 50 posts), before I have to leave for the weekend, in which hopefully the amount of both grading and whining would be minimal, but so would the internet access, to post before I leave that, according to the Buffista Calendar, tomorrow, the 23rd, will be Steph L's birthday, and to send her lots of early wishes.

Have good rest-of-the-weeks and great weekends, everybody!

Steph is having a birthday? Who knew?

Steph? We have a Steph?

Steph is having a birthday? Who knew?

Just Nilly.

I have been remiss. Happy togethergettings for the Petes and the chs!