Why do people drive up rents?

Hey, at least bleeds' post only contained one inaccuracy from a factual standpoint, which is an improvement. That was when she implied that landlords raise rents, which is not technically true. I know I'm a broken record, but rents are raised by mutual consent between landlords and tenants, since you can't raise rents unless there's a tenant willing to pay you and the only housing monopolist is the state. Again, rents are raised when conditions improve, supply is constrained, yadayadayada.

Now, as for the in and outflows of ethnic groups, there's definitely a romanticization of demographic stasis wherever you go. Hence, Americans don't like Mexicans coming across our border, Italians don't like it when blacks move in, blacks don't like it when hipsters move in, hipsters don't like it when yuppies move in, etc. But it happens. Fort Greene used to be Italian, then they were all "pushed out" by blacks, who are now being "pushed out" by whites. In the 80's there was mass white flight--now that they're returning, others are leaving. Plus there's a huge influx of Asian and Latino immigrants to the city.

IMO, this constant shifting and mixing of cultures is fantastic beyond words and makes NYC the place I want to live. But for those who resent it, take comfort in the fact that most of the country is still pretty static--neighborhoods remain perpetually divided along racial lines, no one ever mixes, and you rarely have to see anyone who doesn't look like you. If that's what you want, there are plenty of options.

I next plan on moving to lower Manhattan, where I look forward to pushing some accountant out on his butt--sucker!

bleeds if you really dont like the changing demographics of nyc and the racial mixing thats happening. i suggest you move to the south. a huge trend in nyc right now.