Posts

GH&H Railroad Bridge, Buffalo Bayou Houston, TexasPatrick Feller, used under CC 2.0 License

The Future of Superstar Cities and Houston, CA’s Problems, Warehouse Glut, Why Tech in HTX

by Tory Gattis — The lead item this week is a really interesting piece my friend George sent me on the future of superstar cities by Matthew Yglesias.  I think his observations are directionally correct, but he’s missing some pretty important nuances.
Charles Blain talks with Eric Barvin, founder of The Barvin Group, bout property ownership in Houston

Entrepreneurship and Opportunity with Eric Barvin

Charles Blain sits down with Eric Barvin to discuss entrepreneurship and opportunity in Texas. Eric identifies the affordability of housing as a key factor in the success of his investment in rental properties.
Costly housing in California unaffordable for working class

Making America California

by Joel Kotkin — As the Biden administration settles in and begins to formulate its agenda, progressive pundits, politicians, and activists point to California as a role model for national policy. If the administration listens to them, it would prove a disaster for America’s already-beleaguered middle and working classes.
View of Downtown Houston, Texas

Techxodus, Houston’s Identity, Future of Offices and more

by Tory Gattis — What defines Houston? Affordable housing is one of the things that makes Houston attractive to tech employees looking to relocate, and reap the benefits of the Texas model for supplying a continuous flow of new, affordable housing.
Case for moving to Houston

Bloomberg’s Case for Moving to Houston, URI 2020 Year in Review Video, and More

by Tory Gattis — Bloomberg Businessweek's makes "The Case for Moving to Houston" in a story on high-tech workers leaving the big expensive coastal cities.
Houston Downtown

New Zealand Adopts Texas Municipal Utility Districts (MUDs)

by Tory Gattis — In 2018, New Zealand sent delegates to the USA to study urban development, with a focus on revenue bonds and municipal utility districts (MUDs) in Texas.
Suburbs with green spaceLa Citta Vita, used under CC 2.0 License

Post-Pandemic Housing Reality, Alt Cities to CA-NYC Housing Boom

by Tory Gattis — A post-pandemic housing boom is underway in alternative cities as residents flee high housing costs and low quality of life.
Historic HP garage - the "birthplace" of Silicon Valley

Silicon Valley Exits California for Texas

Silicon Valley exits California for Texas in a quest for lower taxes, less competition for talent and an affordable cost of living for employees.
Ownership and Opportunity: New Report from Urban Reform Institute

Ownership and Opportunity: A New Report from Urban Reform Institute

Ownership and Opportunity, a new report from Urban Reform Institute, explores the connection between homeownership and opportunity for upward mobility.

Houston Top 5 Global City in America, Big SWA increase at Hobby, Dilbert vs. City Red Tape

by Tory Gattis — Houston ranks in top 5 of America's global cities behind NYC, LA, and SF. We're still the most affordable global city in America!