For a week, we ran a poll asking the reader whether Ocean Beach is becoming gentrified. 63% of the respondents said ‘yes.’ Most of those – 2/3rds – believed it was a very slow process. 33% of the respondents asked us back – in answer number 4 – “What does gentrified mean?”
So, here it is:
gentrification:
– the process of renewal and rebuilding accompanying the influx of middle-class or affluent people into deteriorating areas that often displaces poorer residents.
Here are the complete results:
The Poll: Do you think Ocean Beach is becoming gentrified? Out of 75 respondents:
- Yes, I see it everyday and it’s upsetting. – 15 votes – 20%
- Yes but very slowly. – 32 votes – 43%
- No, OB has been saved. – 3 votes – 4%
- What does ‘gentrified’ mean? – 25 votes – 33%
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
I’m very concerned about the gentrification of Ocean Beach.
It seems to occur more rapidly during boom times with things like condo conversions, escalating rents,and development projects that don’t fit the scale of our neighborhoods.I’ve known many long time residents who have been displaced and have had to move to other areas.
I think we need to have a place for seniors, students, surfers, and artists and retain our socioeconomic diversity.
I guess inadvertently I’ve been responsible for some of this by trying to make it a better place to live.
When I first moved here, (1976) OB was a less than desireable place to live. Now it seems everybody would like a piece of it.
Local businesses don’t make money off of street kids; they make money off of tourists who think we are “cute.” Then we put on a cute face and take their money to feed ourselves.
Absent a local-centric group of land owners who appreciate and wish to cultivate the OB culture, gentrification will continue. Once I get my next million, I’ll buy a piece and commit to keeping OB weird. I’m sure the rest of you would too – but how important is a million bucks to anyone weird enough to appreciate our lifestyle anyway?
Bob
All the more reason to try to keep OB from becoming gentrified. More and more people are looking toward cultural tourism, going to a place and immersing them selves in the culture and history of a place.
Why go to a place that looks like anywhere USA.
I don’t have a problem with tourists as long as they respect our community.
In fact I like seeing the faces of people who lay there eyes on the mighty blue Pacific for the first time.
It makes you realize what an awesome place we live in .
I am concerned about to many vacation rentals.
I wouldn’t want it to become like Mission Beach, a mini Phoenix by the sea. Nothing against “zonies” I married one and we have a constant stream of family coming over during summer months. Who could blame them
for wanting to escape the inferno.