Many people are use to a certain routine and when there is change, especially when that change is unexpected along with it also making them feel that they are helpless or voiceless or both to that change, this thus can easily create stress and unease for them. The thing about gentrification in those neighborhoods that have lacked for an extended period of time new or even sustainable investments of capital, is that, without having that upkeep and improvement, there is often the perception of that neighborhood that its best days are well behind it; so then, within such a construct as that, this typically demands some sort of new infusion of blood to help revivify that neighborhood.
The upside of gentrification in a given neighborhood is the investment capital that so comes into that neighborhood, along with the corresponding belief that the neighborhood is worthy and of more value, then has been recently perceived by its denizens. In other words, by virtue of that money being invested, properties being bought, and improvements being made, this signifies that the “new blood” believes in the neighborhood. Further to the point, the infrastructure of that neighborhood is almost for a certainty going to improve, so that areas of the neighborhood that have been neglected, will typically see a marked improvement, involving not only clean up, but also new businesses coming to the general area, as well as public schools markedly doing a better job of educating.
One of the things that hurts communities more than anything, is losing the tax base of businesses, along with the fact that when property values are stagnant or even trending down, that there then just isn’t enough monies being collected to sustain even the semblance of a good and nice neighborhood. On the other hand, when property values are going up, businesses are being added, and those that are becoming new residents of that neighborhood bring with them, vital connections to city councils and the like, then governmental services that been neglected or ignored, will become rejuvenated.
Another valid attribute of gentrification, is that improvement to neighborhoods, typically also improves the outlook of the residents that are in that neighborhood, thereby bringing back belief, when there was formerly a lack of belief. After all, even if the motivation of those so buying into a neighborhood has a lot in common with greed so disguised as opportunity, these new buyers and their vote of confidence, makes those that are its residents, believe that where they so live must be of value.
Of course, not everything that changes because of gentrification is going to be good, of which, for those so buying in, somebody else must be selling and then moving out. Additionally, when property values go up, and when a neighborhood thereby becomes more valuable, then correspondingly rents are also invariably going to go up. But then again, people pay what something is worth, and that which has become worth more, demands more in payment. So too, having a mix of residents of different backgrounds, of different income, of different colors, and so on and so forth, makes for a more integrated and vibrant society, and thereupon provides the opportunity for those that are part of that neighborhood to see the commonality that we have one to another.