Not only just property, but many of these ‘start-ups’ that seem like horrible investments, appear to be laundering schemes.

We’re facing the same problems here in Austin, as more people leave the Bay to be a part of Austin’s rising tech scene. In the past 4 years, the demographic has changed dramatically. Property costs have skyrocketed, out-of-state entities buying up as much land as they can. Then, like you said, jacking the rent. The only reason I can afford to still live in 512, is because I transitioned into technology/software this year after a 6 year career in branding & design.

This is pushing all of us north and south. Were it not for UT, downtown Austin would lose what’s left of the old slacker, deadbeat culture. We still have a few artists and have musicians, but festivals are becoming violent and overcrowded and not what they were.

Back on the imageboards, there’s a saying “Lurk moar’. Basically it means before contributing to a conversation, learn the board culture. Well, this should apply to transplants in cities as well. But the more people are being pushed into ATX, the less they adapt the culture. Bay transplants are trying to turn it into San Francisco and the Austin culture is becoming watered down — a shell of its former self.