Zombie Cities: A Warning to Los Angeles from San Francisco, Seattle, Portland and Philly

Why I Reached Out to a Seattle Blogger: A Plea for a Focused Lens on a Failing City

REAL ESTATE NEWS (Los Angeles, CA) — A couple of days ago, I found myself deeply engrossed in an email I was composing. The recipient was a Seattle blogger, who recently published a piece detailing the closing of a promising local store, Amazon Go. While his prose was somewhat elegant, I couldn’t shake off a feeling of intense frustration. Why? Because the post failed to address the complex web of underlying issues that led to the store’s closing.

In the text, I wrote, “How can you write a blog post about a Seattle store closing without even scratching the surface of the why it closed? You are fake news. Crime and censorship are king and queen of failed socialist city Seattle. You are their pawn. Try reading and telling the whole truth. The world might then begin to care about what you say.” To help him out, I included news reports about a Starbucks closure, retail theft and Seattle resident mass exodus. I’ve written plenty of warnings about California’s own exodus.

As the middle class gives way to more haves and have-nots, luxury lofts flourish in Los Angeles.

Might this email have come across as stern? Yes, but it needed to be. The city of Seattle, like many other urban areas in the United States such as San Francisco and Portland, is facing a range of deep-seated issues that are driving away its residents. So is Los Angeles. As the middle class gives way to more haves and have-nots, luxury lofts flourish in Los Angeles.

Let’s start with the glaring issue: the rise in crime rates. According to the Seattle Times, one in three Seattleites is considering leaving the city due to escalating crime and high living costs. Crime, as a social phenomenon, is influenced by various factors, but a well-documented connection has been established between crime rates and social policies. In Seattle, the prevalence of chronic criminal homelessness is a telling indicator of the failures in addressing the complex interplay between poverty, mental health, and addiction. City authorities have been unable to effectively manage these individuals, leading to a surge in crime rates that has sparked fear and insecurity among residents.

Then there’s the rise in living costs, another reason driving Seattle’s residents away. Housing prices have skyrocketed, causing unprecedented stress and financial hardship. Not surprisingly, Seattle’s housing market has become increasingly inaccessible for individuals earning lower incomes. According to a recent poll, renters, particularly those earning less than $20,000 a year, were more likely to consider moving out due to the city’s soaring housing prices.

However, there’s more to the problem than rising housing costs and crime. The increasing numbers of people considering leaving Seattle reflect deep-rooted social and economic disparities. Lower-income households have been pushed to the brink of housing insecurity, and homeownership has become an elusive dream for many. High-income earners are becoming increasingly concerned about public safety, with their concerns centered more on the city’s failing policies to combat crime effectively.

Despite these alarming statistics, the narrative portrayed by some media outlets remains one-sided and detached from reality. The city’s narrative must reflect the entire truth if we are to find solutions that address the root causes of these issues. Unfortunately, some news outlets and blogs continue to gloss over the complexities of these issues, painting an incomplete picture that does little to spur collective action or affect meaningful change.

This brings us back to why I reached out to the Seattle blogger. Just like many of us, he plays a critical role in shaping public opinion and awareness. Yet, his recent post, while eloquent and well-written, didn’t do justice to the complex and multifaceted issues at hand. Instead of a comprehensive analysis, readers received a superficial overview of the problem, devoid of depth and context.

So, I urge every blogger, reporter, and citizen of Seattle and beyond: don’t just scratch the surface. Delve deep into the issue, question the status quo, and most importantly, tell the whole truth. Seattle’s current state is a cautionary tale for all urban cities, and if we don’t learn from it, cities like Los Angeles may be next.

L.A. is hanging in the precipice. While taking the Metro train to properties and restaurants in Downtown Los Anglees over several days this week, more than 20% of my favorite restaurants were permanently closed, vacant. Although the Metro train was full of people breaking the rules (playing loud music, drinking, smoking, and even filling up the train with smoke by burning pieces of paper), Metro safety personnel almost never stepped foot on board a train, except very briefly. We never saw any sign of much-needed police on a Metro train. While L.A. currently has fewer used needles per square foot that some area, our goal should be 100% clean and safe streets, where women, children and pets can walk to schools, parks, shops and public transportation. Homeless addicts who want a clean, safe life plead, “call in the military!” Under the current system, homeless are being neglected, abused and killed like never before. Successful cities do not leave babies, puppies, criminals or incapacitated adults to fend for themselves. One thing is certain of a solution: rich, poor and middle class must follow the same rules.

Some skilled Los Angeles residents even find jobs in Seattle, not far from its own hordes of homeless. Seattle big tech industry is doing super. With almost no rules, lots of free stuff, cheap drugs and no taxes to pay, homeless drug addicts are feeling no pain in a sense, while being treated more harshly than feral animals in some ways. The hard-working middle class is getting squeezed, squashed and robbed. Like Seattle, criminals and closed businesses are creeping into Los Angeles. Everyone must get the facts. We’ve seen particularly bad, dangerous cities in the 70s. While some “starving” artists love the gritty city inspiration, the average Downtowner will ultimately not cope with a dirty, dangerous city. Everyone must face the truth. Without sunlight, California has nothing. There are many clean, safe big cities in the world. Los Angeles must strive to be one of those.

My email to the Seattle blogger was a plea for responsible reporting from all cities. Portland today embraces the zombie apocalypse model; deadly Philadelphia is even worse — so bad that the police don’t even care any more. It was a call for him, and others, to lend their voices to the unheard and to hold a mirror to the city’s faults. In sharing the whole truth, we can begin to engage in a dialogue that leads to transformative solutions. Let us not be pawns in the game of misinformation, but rather, champions for the truth, for it is only through an honest lens and sunlight that we can start to address and rectify the issues plaguing our beloved cities, especially LA.

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Copyright © This free information provided courtesy L.A. Loft Blog with information provided by Corey Chambers, Broker DRE 01889449. We are not associated with the seller, homeowner’s association or developer. For more information, contact 213-880-9910 or visit LALoftBlog.com Licensed in California. All information provided is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed and should be independently verified. Text and photos created or modified by artificial intelligence. Properties subject to prior sale or rental. This is not a solicitation if buyer or seller is already under contract with another broker.

Corey Chambers Real Estate Newsletter July 2023 — The SoCal Home

Celebrate ‘Your’ Independence… TOO!

July 4th 1776 is a momentous day in history for all FREE

Owning real estate, especially your own home, is a sure-fire celebration of independence. In today’s market, many homeowners really want to make a move but are finding themselves in a catch-22 – whether to sell first or buy first. They don’t want to end up getting stuck owning two homes or none at all. I am sure you will join me in saying we can’t blame them. I also believe that you agree that this is true for ourselves and others; homeownership is good for ALL. The more who can buy a home, the more who can sell a home, the more our economy benefits. And as Jimmy Carter said, “To be true to ourselves, we must be true to others.

Fortunately, I have a special program for Home Owners wanting to move and Buyers wanting to buy in Today’s market that turns the tables on this CATCH 22.

Over the last 12+ years of selling real estate, I have been able to develop and successfully implement a program that allows me to guarantee the sale of a property. Yep, you read that right. Actually guarantee in writing the sale of a home. Obviously, a program like this gives sellers GREAT PEACE OF MIND (a true celebration of independence from fear). I guarantee, upfront and in writing, that if their home does not sell at their price and within their time frame – I will step in and buy it myself.

The conditions are simple: the seller and I must agree on the price and possession date. Buyers benefit too because we are able to ensure they get the home they want and back up their purchase with a satisfaction guarantee: if they are not happy with the home, we will buy it back. This obviously is a win-win for all involved.

This is where you come in…

Your friends, neighbors, work associates, and family members who may be considering a move can now do so and celebrate true independence from the fear of getting stuck with two homes or none at all. And remember… Your referrals help the Children… As I share with you each month, we are on a mission to raise $25,000 for the Children’s Hospital Los Angeles Helping Hands Fund. We do this by donating a portion of our income. Children’s does great work in helping kids overcome cancer and other life-threatening diseases. In fact, Kids under their care are 300% more likely to enter into remission IF they can get into the recovery center. BUT the Recovery Center depends on sponsorships and donations to keep rolling. So, YOUR REFERRALS REALLY DO HELP THE KIDS…

Who do you know considering buying or selling a home you could refer to my real estate sales team? Not only will they benefit from our award-winning service, but we donate a portion of our income on every home sale to Children’s Hospital Los Angeles Helping Hands Fund. I want to make it easy to refer your friends, neighbors, associates, or family members considering making a move, so here are your options:

1. You can go to www.ReferralsHelpKids.com and enter their contact info on line or forward the link to who you know considering a move.

2. Of course you can always call me direct as well at 888-240-2500.

You and your referrals mean more than ever to my team and me. As we move forward in this new season, please know my team and I are extremely thankful for you and you’re being a special part of our business.

With all my appreciation.

P.S. The story of this young person enclosed may cause you to look at your loved ones differently. It did me. Check it out.

It’s easy to refer those you know considering buying or selling a home. Here are the Options Again:

You can go to www.ReferralsHelpKids.com and enter their contact info on line or forward the link to someone you know considering a move.

Call me direct or pass my number on 213-880 9910.

Why I Support Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles

I grew up right here in Los Angeles. Born right nearby at St. Francis Hospital. I remember when I first heard about a young person close to our family suffering from a serious disease and getting treated for that at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. It was then that I began to pay closer attention to the work they do at that hospital. Since then, I have learned that it is a collection of hard-working health care professionals, most making their home right here in the Los Angeles area, all coming together for a common cause. That cause is to help young people overcome unfortunate health issues that life sometimes throws our way. Being a Los Angeles area, California native, I take pride in supporting in any way that I can the good work these people do at Children’s. My team rallies around our annual goal of raising money and donating portions of our income to help Children’s Hospital in its quest to heal young people when they need healing. My team and I are committed to providing outstanding results for buyers and sellers referred to us by our past clients. I have discovered that Children’s Hospital Los Angeles shares similar commitments to their patients. And since their services survive on sponsorships and donations we are happy to contribute and proud to support them.

Kairi Goes to Washington

By Jeff Weinstock

The teenage recipient of a rare double-organ transplant will attend Family Advocacy Day in the nation’s capital to tell lawmakers about her remarkable health journey at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles.

In July 2019, Oscar could not imagine that things would turn out this good. His 11-year-old daughter, Kairi, on dialysis for close to three years after being diagnosed with a failing kidney and liver, was set to have a lifesaving double-organ transplant at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles.

“During that time, there was a whole bunch of pressure on us,” he says. “The future wasn’t clear. We couldn’t comprehend what the outcome would be.”

Nearly four years later, the landmarks keep coming, each warranting a celebration. In January, the family celebrated Kairi’s 15th birthday, a milestone in Hispanic families signifying the entrance into young womanhood that Kairi wasn’t always certain to reach. “We’re blessed that she did and she’s doing awesome,” Oscar says.

Next month, Kairi and her dad are going to Family Advocacy Day in Washington, D.C., to meet with members of Congress to tell them about her experiences at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and the importance of supporting pediatric hospitals. In addition to joining with kids from across the U.S., Kairi and Oscar will be given a tour of the city.

“It’s going to be great,” Oscar says. “We can’t wait to go.”

The journey Kairi will narrate to lawmakers is a success story, but one that has had its hurdles. Diligent medical monitoring and frequent follow-ups at CHLA force Kairi, a ninth-grader, to miss multiple school days. She has had a few hospital stays to battle infection, which is part of the experience for transplant recipients, who have vulnerable immune systems as a result of taking immunosuppressants to prevent their bodies from rejecting the transplanted organs.

“But other than that, we’ve been lucky,” Oscar says. “She takes care of herself. She makes sure that she takes her medicine. She’s aware of how important the medication is. She can’t miss one pill because that might cause her body to start rejecting the transplant. She’s a tough cookie, so she is hanging in there and getting nice grades and doing generally what any regular teen does.”

Another milestone approaches: The fourth anniversary of Kairi’s transplant surgery is in July. Each year, Oscar and his wife, Roxana, honor the day with a party. After learning about the longevity of some of the earliest transplant patients at CHLA, they have reason to think that Kairi has a long and good life awaiting her.

“I know that the medication now is even better,” Oscar says, “so I’m just thinking, hey, there’s good hope for her.” | The Curious Case of Kairi

Learn more about Kairi’s journey at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, before the transplant and after it.

Refer your friends, neighbors, associates, or family members who are considering making a move:

www.ReferralsHelpKids.com 
or call Corey at 213-880-9910

Copyright © This free information is provided courtesy of L.A. Loft Blog and LAcondoInfo.com with the information provided by Corey Chambers, Broker, DRE#01889449 We are not associated with the homeowner’s association or developer. For more information, contact (213) 880-9910 or visit CoreyChambers.com Licensed in California. All information provided is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed and should be independently verified. Properties are subject to prior sale or rental. This is not a solicitation if the buyer or seller is already under contract with another broker.