E. 4th Street & Waller. Austin, TX. Photo by Mary Lowry.
It’s an old story. Artists move in to poor and minority neighborhoods, driving up the taxes a bit and driving out some of the locals. Then the rich folks move in to drive up the taxes even further and drive out the artists, along with the last of the long-term residents. It’s not a happy story for everyone.
But in this moment–even as home prices and upscale condos go up–East Austin has an interesting mix of old and new businesses, artists, long-time inhabitants in passed down family homes, and yuppies. A nice place for a bike ride, a Tecate in a can, a homemade tamale, an amplified call to Catholic prayer, a jukebox blaring Tejano music, a fancy coffee drink, a swanky new bar, or an old shotgun shack.
I say enjoy it now, ’cause change isn’t gonna stop coming.
Another great picture..Thanks Mary. The evolution of East Austin has been an interest of mine for some time now. I would like to know more about this phenomenon of poor working class neighborhoods being exploited by rich developers and hypocritical politicians. Who wins and who loses?
East Austin Anthem..to paraphrase the words of acclaimed poet Mike Jones “back then they didn’t want me..now they all up on me.”