High Sierra Topix

The local paper in Calistoga published an article I wrote about overtourism and its impacts. It's a long read, but that's because it's complex topic.

Their website doesn't have the story up yet, so here's a link to my version:

https://www.paulwagnerwine.com/post/ove ... -face-napa

Cool! Great exploration of the issue. Thank you.

As you reiterate several times, it's happening all over the place. I suspect Napa will continue to head the way ski towns have gone, which is to say a lot of empty houses owned by rich people as second/vacation homes or kept as vacation rentals. Bedroom communities for workers commuting in from afar. It plays out the same everywhere.

You touch on affordable housing construction to house low income workers. That's fine (if it's allowed to happen), but also has a weird underclass tinge to it. Locally working residents live congested into dense housing complexes. Second homes and investment properties sit vacant or with tourists occupying them. This is actually something about the Spanish unrest that is little talked about. Empty villas sit above congested apartment complexes that keep rising in cost. It angers people.

Everyone seems happy about the value of their homes skyrocketing, but no one likes what it produces. Can't have cake and eat it too. To some extent, becoming wealthy means coming to terms with serfdom.

Just wait until private equity scoops up all the property in Pacific Palisades from long time property owners who cannot afford to rebuild, pay taxes on newly rebuilt property, or get insurance.

John

John Harper wrote: ↑Mon Jan 13, 2025 7:35 am Palisades

What does the fire and private equity have to do with Paul's article????

TahoeJeff wrote: ↑Mon Jan 13, 2025 9:34 am What does the fire and private equity have to do with Paul's article????

Oh, I think you can figure it out if you really try.

John