Used in a sentence: "Me and mine were *almost* gentrified, but I am pleased to report that we'll be staying in place until at least the end of this decade."
You know "gentrified"? It's that thing where your 'hood starts changing ... and you suddenly notice more private coffee shops and craft breweries and artisanal things all suddenly within walking distance? And all the homes where the poor Haitians live get sold ... and rehabbed ... and "flipped". And then when your lease is up, your landlord announces a 45% increase?
The good news -- that 45% increase apparently *can* be negotiated down to only 40% ... and, in an even better outcome, the landlord is actually amenable to a TWO year lease instead of just ONE (despite the rapidly changing complexion of the 'hood) ... which is all the long way to say that we will be able to stay here at the same address until 2020 (at an admittedly somewhat higher cost [damn you Zillow!], but there's a new refrigerator promised as part of the deal).
Between now and 2020, though, I'll be looking for the one true sign that the jig is up, as taught to me by my good friend Adam M back in Chicago -- once the streetlamps change and get all cutesy, the upper middle class takeover will truly begin and us poor folk will have to leave. Until then ... I am happy to now announce that you can send your holiday cards to the same address for Christmases 2018 AND 2019!
TO BE CLEAR ... IN FLORIDA, IT'S IN FAVOR OF THE LAND BARONS:
https://www.sapling.com/7879461/rent-increase-laws-florida
WHAT GENTRIFICATION WAS LIKE BACK IN CHICAGO:
https://chicagotonight.wttw.com/2018/01/09/how-gentrification-takes-shape-across-chicago-neighborhoods
WHAT GENTRIFICATION MEANS HERE IN THE SOFLO:
https://www.theroot.com/color-of-climate-is-climate-change-gentrifying-miami-s-1797516942
