I love to see articles like this, from the New York Times, which describe what we’ve known for a long time: Phoenix is a great place to live and start a business and our downtown is getting better all the time.

What we need to continue to watch, however, is affordable housing. Specifically, I believe that we have learned over many decades that affordable housing cannot be simply built in isolation and stacked atop each other, as in Chicago.

Nor, can we only put affordable housing alone, out in the suburbs.

The same motivation to live close to work is apparent in all income levels. Indeed, years of research indicates that the best approach is to encourage affordable housing right along side those shiny, feature-rich new-builds that we’ve seen going up recently.

The same goes for creating a good mix of rentals and owner-occupied homes.

Its, you know, diversity. Diversity helps any system thrive, whether ecological or economic.

So, I’ve been concerned in recent years about the ratio of apartment units to owner-occupied units have been build in CenPho. Last I checked, it was a six to one ratio. That means that the only owner-occupied units being built are mainly only within reach of those earning over about $70,000 per year.

Its just my personal opinion, but if we are going to continue our revitalization in Phoenix, we need a good mix of options for all kinds of folks.

If you are thinking of buying a home, whether that is a condo or detached house, whether in downtown or elsewhere, give us a call at 602-456-9388. We can help you put together the right strategy.