“IN THE DOCUMENTARY ‘DOGTOWN’ they say the beach neighborhood in the ‘70s was dangerous, dirty, and filthy. It was paradise. Now the same $25,000 homes are $2.5 million and most of the poor are displaced. Not long ago you could go to the bakery on Rose and buy six rolls and a cupcake for a buck or go to the St. Joseph thrift and get a shirt, pants and a book for $2. Or stop at Big Lots and buy a Coke, a hammy and a candy bar for three bucks. Now we can go into Whole Foods and get a little bottle of water for $5. The yuppiza-tion of the beach areas are great for real estate values and the rich, but the poor and middle class suffer.”
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on September 13, 2008. Read the original PDF.