AIBU to think not affording the trendy area is not a crisis?

[lucksoup]

I live in a city in the north of the UK. Its a good sized city but there are about 3 neighbourhoods in the city that are especially desirable for younger people in their 20's and 30's. These are the areas with cool bars, interesting independent shops and trendy cafes and bakeries I am sure all cities have neighbourhoods like this.

One area in my city is especially cool at the moment and everyone is looking to buy or rent there. The area was previously fairly run down but about 20 years ago creatives started moving into that part of town drawn by the cheap rents and over time that same community has built up or gentrified that area. Everyone I know is trying to get a flat in that area and its often the topic of conversation that it's so unfair that nobody can get a place there, that rents are out of control. I do get that but people talk like they can't afford a place anywhere when what they really mean is that they can't afford a place in that one neighbourhood and they will even go as far to say there should be a campaign for rent controls or other measures taken to help them access that area.

I mean I get it, I'd love to live in that area myself its such a nice vibe and really the coolest place in my city but it's unaffordable to most people now. My cousin who has been working in NYC and living in Brooklyn is now moving back and has bought a flat in that area for him and his wife and that is the kind of people who can afford to buy there now and renting is super competitive considering every young professional couple and university grad wants to live there.

One guy I work with was trying to get a flat in that part of town for over a year. I suggested to him to look at another area in the east of the city and when he finally did that he was able to get a flat within a few weeks all after he took his focus off this hyper cool area nobody my age can see past. Me and my partner did look the cool area too and quickly realised that it was unrealistic and a waste of money for us to try and buy or rent there and we were quickly able to buy a nice house farther out.

My AIBU is am I unreasonable for thinking that young people not being able to secure a rental or buy in the trendy area of their choice is not a housing crisis?

I am aware there is a housing crisis and that lots of young people can't afford to rent or buy a suitable home and that there does need to be help for that I am specifically talking about middle class, university educated people who feel hard done by because they can't live in the hippest, most sought after area in the city?

Your AIBU doesn’t make sense to your post, you didn’t say anyone involved was calling it a crisis. And you accept why people want to live there…

Rent controls would make sense in loads of areas to be fair

You can only buy what you can afford.
There are always new up and coming nice parts of towns!

North of the UK or north of England? Just out of interest.

It might not be phased perfectly but they are calling it a crisis, they are literally saying they can't afford a home or find anywhere to live and that the government need to do something but when you speak to them it becomes apparent that they are only looking in that one neighbourhood or maybe one of the other cool areas too. Maybe rent controls would be a good idea but that isn't going to increase their access to that area it would just allow those already living there to continue to stay and not be forced out in favour of young double income professionals.

All of these people could easily afford a really nice flat or house in another decent area of the city but they are all acting like it's a massive injustice that they can't afford to live in that one area where literally everyone wants to live.

I agree there are probably areas right now being moved into by younger generations of people that will become the next cool area in a few years time isn't that how gentrification works? It's just the sheer entitlement that annoys me from some of my peers. Some people can't afford any place to live and that's a real crisis not that they can't afford to buy near that amazing brunch place they love.

@TheKindnessProject The UK.

I agree, I lived in East London when part of it was known as ‘murder mile’! I could not afford West, and now of course East is considered the hippest place to live.
I just accepted that some areas were for people wealthier than me. Its part of this entitlement and status building we see more now. It’s a shame because if people decide to try other more affordable areas then eventually they’ll end up with the cool bars and cafes also.

IMO only a problem if you’ve lived there your whole life and now you can’t afford it. That’s sad (& the situation I am in 😭) My parents only had 1 earner who worked in a factory and they could afford a 3 bed detached house. We (good earners) can’t even afford a 2 bed flat and are stuck renting and will have to leave to buy somewhere. Away from family etc.