There are lots of areas in Seattle that would be improved by putting in this high density housing. It would provide the density to support better neighborhood business districts. I'm thinking of areas like Beacon Hill, Interbay, parts of West Lake and parts of East Lake, Dearborn, Rainier Avenue. Those are all areas that are close in, have good transit, and would be more affordable than the neighborhoods these micro-apartments are going in now.
Of course, the developers would not make as much money,because the developers would not be ripping off the hard work the existing neighbors had been doing for the past 50-100 years to create a desirable neighborhood.

But guess what? Poor people don't get to wear as nice clothes as rich people, drive as nice cars as rich people, take as nice vacations, nor live in as nice neighborhoods.

Seattle has plenty of space that could be developed better than it is, where this housing density would be an improvement and a welcome. Instead of sending hate to people who want to keep their quality of life, why not go to places where these developments would be welcomed?

Why not use these apartments to make Seattle better, not worse?

If people will move to Everett or Burien for affordable housing, surely they would move to the west side of Queen Anne, or Beacon Hill.

#59 -
As I was reading all these posts about how great Credit Unions are, I had the same concern as you expressed.

People need to start taking responsibility not only for their own lives and money, but also for society as a whole. As long as people sit back and let other people handle it, they have to expect to get screwed. So I hope your warning is heard, and that people do pay attention to pending legislation in this area.

The big banks absolutely are notorious, but they always have been. I remember decades ago leaving B of A because it was clearly corporate fascism of the worst sort. I guess the Stranger audience is mostly people just learning about grown-up things?

We are supposed to keep track of our own money. The only purpose of the bank statement is to make sure that no unauthorized transactions have taken place. Don't rely upon the bank to tell you how much money you have.

Live within your income. Don't use credit cards if you have bad credit. that's the point. If you can't afford to pay cash, you can't afford it. Don't eat in restaurants. Don't buy booze or cigarettes. Don't buy new clothes, only second-hand. Barter for your rent. Learn to fix computers or repair houses.

Eventually you will be able to take advantage of those great Chase offers, where they pay you $200 to open an account, and keep it open for 90 days (now, six months) and then close it and say, "Thanks for the money, guys!"

Or accept those credit card offers where they give you 50,000 points, enough for a free trip to Hawaii. Take the card, pay your phone bill by credit card for one month, close the account and say, "Thanks for the trip to Hawaii!"

But first you have to be a saver, not a spender.

I refinanced my condo through BECU in 2009, and not only got a great rate, but the total cost for eveything was only $1600, and it took a week. Other places were taking months, and charging $5-$10K, and many were not refinancing at all!

But the main thing is to take control of your own money and spending.

#59 -
As I was reading all these posts about how great Credit Unions are, I had the same concern as you expressed.

People need to start taking responsibility not only for their own lives and money, but also for society as a whole. As long as people sit back and let other people handle it, they have to expect to get screwed. So I hope your warning is heard, and that people do pay attention to pending legislation in this area.

The big banks absolutely are notorious, but they always have been. I remember decades ago leaving B of A because it was clearly corporate fascism of the worst sort. I guess the Stranger audience is mostly people just learning about grown-up things?

We are supposed to keep track of our own money. The only purpose of the bank statement is to make sure that no unauthorized transactions have taken place. Don't rely upon the bank to tell you how much money you have.

Live within your income. Don't use credit cards if you have bad credit. that's the point. If you can't afford to pay cash, you can't afford it. Don't eat in restaurants. Don't buy booze or cigarettes. Don't buy new clothes, only second-hand. Barter for your rent. Learn to fix computers or repair houses.

Eventually you will be able to take advantage of those great Chase offers, where they pay you $200 to open an account, and keep it open for 90 days (now, six months) and then close it and say, "Thanks for the money, guys!"

Or accept those credit card offers where they give you 50,000 points, enough for a free trip to Hawaii. Take the card, pay your phone bill by credit card for one month, close the account and say, "Thanks for the trip to Hawaii!"

But first you have to be a saver, not a spender.

I refinanced my condo through BECU in 2009, and not only got a great rate, but the total cost for eveything was only $1600, and it took a week. Other places were taking months, and charging $5-$10K, and many were not refinancing at all!

But the main thing is to take control of your own money and spending.