When my building across the street from the University of Denver went condo in 2000, buyers with mortgages were legally obligated to live there for one year. Afterwards, a large number of them rented out their places to students, and were obviously not doing background checks. In fact, I rode up to my apartment in the elevator one day as a potential renter explained to the real estate agent that he was being thrown out of the dorm for being too rowdy. The realtor didn't even blink. Welcome to the neighborhood! For years, the building was like a frat house, but during the pandemic, things changed. Housing prices and rents skyrocketed here in Denver, and people, especially those on a fixed incomes, were desperate to find affordable housing. I gradually noticed that more and more older people were now living in the building. It is over 50 years old, after all, with issues, which means cheaper rents and lower sales prices, and is located in a very desirable neighborhood, two doors down from the light-rail station. Perfect for those who rely on public transportation. And then I remembered how when I first moved in, the building was half older people and half graduate students (undergraduates not allowed), owned by the widow of the developer. So after 23 years, it is back to the way it once was. Kind of. Back then, my rent for a one-bedroom was $350. Sadly, some things will never be the same.
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