When blue state politicians were promoting the Summer of Rage in 2020, and forcing residents out with draconian COVID policies through the next couple years, did they have any idea that they’d sink their commercial real estate markets? Employees who could fled to the country to telework, and others moved to offices in Florida and Texas, where politicians put freedom first.
Now those who remain in the big blue blob cities like Boston, New York, and San Francisco are suffering the consequences of their politicians’ decisions to #DEFUNDTHEPOLICE, and #LOCKDOWNNOW.
With so many commercial properties empty in America’s big cities, residents are being asked to pick up the tab for politicians’ spending. The Wall Street Journal’s Peter Grant explains the plight of Bostonian Paulette Durrett, who has watched her taxes jump in the face of demand from City Hall. Grant writes:
When the value of the city’s commercial buildings falls, that places a higher tax burden on Boston residential owners. Since it can take years for tax assessments to change, tax bills earlier this year were the first since the outbreak of Covid-19 that boosted residential tax rates because of a major decline in commercial values.
While homeowners in other cities are starting to feel this tax burden, it is particularly extreme in Boston.
Durrett, 76 years old, said her annual bill will more than double to close to $1,600 from about $720. That is going to force the retiree to shelve plans for home repairs, replacing her 15-year-old car and buying new clothes this spring.
Massachusetts is one of Your Survival Guy’s “Escape States,” which means it ranks among the bottom 10 of my annual Super States rankings. This, despite, Massachusetts being where I grew up. It gives me no pleasure to rank Massachusetts so low. With its beautiful coastline, gorgeous Berkshire mountains, and its deep history as the cradle of America’s revolution for freedom, Massachusetts should be a destination for all Americans. Instead, they have been leaving in droves. Massachusetts ranked No. 5 on the list of most moved from states in 2024, according to the United Van Lines annual ranking.
Action Line: Since 2020, misguided blue state politicians have unleashed riots, homelessness, drug use, and draconian restrictions on their citizens and are now reaping what they have sown. Americans have the luxury of voting with their feet, and over the last few years, many of them have. If you’re stuck in a blue state, and you’re looking for a better America, start your search with Your Survival Guy’s 2025 Super States. And click here to subscribe to my free monthly Survive & Thrive letter.
