#affordability
#affordability

Tesla Launches Long Range RWD Version Of The Model Y In The U.S.

Tesla introduced a new Long Range RWD version of the Model Y in the U.S. at a lower cost, qualifying for the full $7,500 federal tax credit. [ more ]

www.theguardian.com

How soon can Tesla gets is more affordable car ?

Tesla plans to speed up production of lower-priced electric vehicles, potentially starting as early as late 2022 or early 2025. [ more ]

moreelectric-vehicles

Time Out London

Revealed: London's most in-demand renting locations right now

London's up-and-coming rental hotspots are shifting away from central areas due to unaffordability. [ more ]

Time Out London

Revealed: the 10 most affordable London boroughs to buy a home

After comparing the average salary to the average house price, these areas have been crowned the cheapest. [ more ]

www.standard.co.uk

Green London mayoral candidate Zoe Garbett pledges lower Tube fares and free school meals expansion

London is becoming too expensive for many residents, impacting basic needs like meals and housing.

Green Party mayoral candidate Zoe Garbett pledges to lower transportation costs, extend free school meals, and work towards more affordable housing for London residents. [ more ]

Axios

Looking for EV sales growth? Check the used market

The average selling price of EVs on Carvana dropped 16% year over year, making them more affordable and competitive in the market. [ more ]

Toronto

Luxury home sales surge in parts of Canada as buyers flee expensive big cities

Luxury real estate sales increased in Canada, but the GTA lags behind due to steep prices.

Mid-size markets like Calgary, Montreal, and Saskatoon experienced over 50% increase in luxury sales, fueled by lower prices. [ more ]

www.nytimes.com

The Best Markets for First-Time Home Buyers

First-time home buyers face challenges with high prices, low inventory, and high mortgage rates.

Realtor.com ranks top 10 U.S. markets for buyers aged 25-34 based on affordability, job opportunities, and other metrics. [ more ]

The Mercury News

With fewer Californians and more construction, where are the housing bargains?

California's population decreased, housing stock increased, yet cost of living remained high due to economic factors like expensive mortgages and high demand.

The addition of mostly pricier housing options in California did not lead to affordability improvements, with factors like demand from investors and low unemployment contributing to high housing costs. [ more ]

www.ocregister.com

Medicine

20 least-affordable US cities to buy a home are all in California

California cities dominate the list of the most unaffordable housing markets in the US. [ more ]

www.mercurynews.com

California college students call on lawmakers to combat student housing crisis

Tens of thousands of California college students face housing insecurity and affordability issues.

The lack of campus housing options in California leads to students struggling with high rents and long commutes. [ more ]

San Jose Spotlight

Parenting

Silicon Valley parents face highest child care costs - San Jose Spotlight

California is ranked among the top five states with the least affordable child care.

Santa Clara County in California has particularly high child care costs. [ more ]

SFGATE

The 'Golden Age of Manchester': The New Hampshire City Consistently Topping the Hottest U.S. Housing Markets

Manchester, NH, has become a highly competitive real estate market due to affordability and lack of state income or sales taxes

Locals and out-of-state buyers are driving competition for homes in Manchester's booming real estate market [ more ]

www.cbc.ca

Toronto-area home sales down in March, competition hikes prices up: board | CBC News

Home sales in Greater Toronto Area down 4.5% from last year.

Average home price rose 1.3% year-over-year amidst buyer competition.

Affordability remains a challenge for prospective buyers in Toronto. [ more ]

SFGATE

Pending Home Sales Surge in the Midwest, but Slump in Pricier Regions

Pending home sales rose 1.6% nationally in February.

Midwest and South saw monthly gains, while Northeast and West had slumps. [ more ]

morereal-estate-market

electric-vehicles

Ars Technica

EV buyers want SUVs and sedans, not minivans or trucks, survey says

Prospective EV buyers want affordable sedans and SUVs, but automakers offer expensive EVs, including trucks with little demand.

Majority of surveyed buyers aim to spend below $40,000 on an EV, while the average transaction price for new EVs is considerably higher. [ more ]

The Atlantic

America's Lost Year for Electric Cars

The Chevrolet Bolt production has ended, impacting GM's plans for mass-market EVs in 2024.

Software bugs, battery problems, and factory delays have hindered the release of new advanced EVs from General Motors. [ more ]

moreelectric-vehicles

homeownership

www.theguardian.com

Rental surge in rural areas putting pressure on English councils, warns report

Rise in rural renters surpassing major cities

Impact of rising unaffordability on rural housing crisis [ more ]

www.nytimes.com

Can't Move? Renovate, if You Can Afford It.

Homeowners are staying put due to lower monthly payments from pre-increase mortgage rates.

Renovating may be a better option in expensive markets like Chicago while more affordable in Southern cities like San Antonio. [ more ]

SFGATE

Is the Palm Springs Real Estate Party Over? Cap on Short-Term Rentals Could Return Region to Its Hideaway Roots

Palm Springs enacted tighter regulations on short-term rentals to address issues like disruptive vacationers.

The crackdown on short-term rentals might make the market more affordable for homebuyers. [ more ]

www.nytimes.com

The Best Markets for First-Time Home Buyers

First-time home buyers face challenges in high-priced, low inventory markets with high mortgage rates

Realtor.com study ranks 10 best U.S. markets based on various metrics for buyers aged 25-34 [ more ]

Boston.com

Boston

Boston ranked among the toughest cities for Gen Z home buyers

Boston is one of the least affordable cities for young homebuyers, particularly Gen Z

High median sales prices and low median income make it challenging for young buyers in Boston. [ more ]

morereal-estate-market

BBC News

Key workers fear 'social cleansing' from London homes with rent rise

Key workers face potential rent increase up to 9% in London by Peabody housing association.

Concerns raised about affordability for key workers in former Crown Estate homes. [ more ]

Time Out London

London is the most affordable it's been in a decade, apparently

London is currently more affordable than it has been since 2014, according to Zoopla.

While London house prices have increased by 13 percent since 2016, the rest of the UK has seen a 34 percent increase. [ more ]

Secret London

London E-Bike Numbers Are Set To Increase By Over 200% This Summer

The number of e-bikes in London will increase from 600 to 2000.

Transport for London is introducing a day pass for the Santander Cycles scheme. [ more ]

moreLondon

SFGATE

Waiting for Lower Mortgage Rates? Prepare To Dig In for the Long Haul

Prospective homebuyers may face a lengthy wait for significant mortgage rate decreases due to the Federal Reserve's decision to hold interest rates steady. [ more ]

SFGATE

Weekly Mortgage Rates Fall, While Affordability Remains Elusive

Mortgage rates fell after economic slowdown news, but higher than last year, impacting affordability. Demand still high due to low inventory. [ more ]

SFGATE

5 days ago

American Families Are Typically Spending 24.2% of Their Income on Mortgage Payments

Families spent nearly a quarter of income on mortgage payments in Q1 2024, with rates up 9.3% from a year ago. [ more ]

Fast Company

Housing market inventory is shifting. Here's what the data shows

Monitoring active listings and months of supply is crucial for assessing home price momentum.

Despite spiked mortgage rates, existing inventory levels have prevented significant regional home price corrections.

National active listings have increased recently but remain below pre-pandemic levels. [ more ]

New York Post

Home prices surge to another record high in February, defying expectations

Home prices reached record high in February despite high mortgage rates and affordability challenges. [ more ]

SFGATE

Weekly Mortgage Rates Are Up, but Prices Are the Real Villain

Mortgage rates are currently at 7%, causing challenges for home buyers. [ more ]

www.amny.com

Brooklyn

Brooklyn state Sen. Zellnor Myrie launches committee to explore 2025 challenge to Mayor Adams | amNewYork

State Senator Zellnor Myrie is exploring a 2025 mayoral bid, aiming to prioritize results over showmanship and make NYC more affordable and livable. [ more ]

BKReader

4 months ago

Brooklyn

Report: BK Housing Prices Surge

Rent costs in Brooklyn have surged by 68% over the past decade, outpacing other major cities in the U.S.

53% of NYC households were rent-burdened in 2021, with Brooklyn having the highest number of households facing high rent burdens. [ more ]

WIRED

Acer's Chromebook Plus 514 Is a Plenty-Capable Budget Laptop

Chromebooks meeting specific hardware requirements ensure quality and affordability, as seen in Acer's Chromebook Plus 514. [ more ]

Electric Bike Report | Electric Bike, Ebikes, Electric Bicycles, E Bike, Reviews

Electric Bike Company Model A Review, 2024 - Electric Bike Report

The Electric Bike Company Model A offers a budget-friendly option with commuter-friendly features and a simple customization process. [ more ]

MarTech

Microsoft unveils a new small language model | MarTech

Microsoft introduces cost-effective small language models, starting with Phi-3-Mini with 3.8 billion parameters and trained on 3.3 trillion tokens. [ more ]

GSMArena.com

Poco X6 Neo hands-on review

X6 Neo is the most affordable in the series, similar to Redmi Note 13R Pro.

Key features include a 120Hz AMOLED display and the thinnest design for a Poco device. [ more ]

www.theguardian.com

2 days ago

Medicine

Great Ormond Street hoping to license gene therapy for bubble baby' syndrome

Gene therapy trial had high success but was dropped by pharmaceutical company, prompting Great Ormond Street hospital to license the therapy non-profit for wider access. [ more ]

WSJ

4 months ago

Medicine

Medicare Patients on Pricey Drugs Are Saving Big This Year

Medicare Part D patients will have a cap on how much they pay for prescription drugs in 2024.

The maximum amount they will pay in 2024 is approximately $3,300, which will decrease to $2,000 in 2025. [ more ]

BuzzFeed

4 days ago

Writing

They Say A Picture Is Worth A Thousand Words, And That Is Absolutely The Case With The Before And Afters For These 31 Products Under $20

Quality beauty products under $5 on Amazon have excellent reviews for efficacy and affordability. [ more ]

Austin Monitor

14 minutes ago

As downtown sees slowing of development, new programs aim to promote activity - Austin Monitor

Supporting arts and culture in downtown areas can combat affordability crises and sustain vibrancy. [ more ]

Austin Monitor

Lacking a sense of cultural belonging, many Black Austinites are relocating - Austin Monitor

Lack of community bonds, cultural offerings, and business opportunities are contributing to the decline of Austin's Black population.

Affordability is a persistent issue for Black residents, but a lack of belonging is also a significant factor. [ more ]

Austin Monitor

Interfaith organizer, LGBTQ advocate Doug Greco running for mayor - Austin Monitor

Doug Greco, former executive director of Central Texas Interfaith, has announced his candidacy for mayor of Austin.

Greco's platform focuses on addressing inequality, unaffordability, and the difficulty of making ends meet in Austin. [ more ]

Bikerumor

Motion Instruments Suspension Telemetry Kit Shrinks in Size & Price

Affordable Motion Instruments System 2 makes suspension setup testing accessible to all riders. [ more ]

BikeMag

Bicycling

Ohio University Offering Discounted MTB Rentals To Students

Universities offering affordable rental programs for outdoor gear can lower barriers to entry for students in expensive sports like mountain biking.

Collaboration between universities and local organizations can provide students with access to essential outdoor equipment at discounted rates. [ more ]

BikeMag

Bicycling

The Difference Between A High-End And Budget BMX Bike

BMX is one of the more affordable disciplines in biking with a range of bikes performing well.

Difference in performance between expensive and affordable BMX race bikes is not huge, making affordable options suitable for many riders. [ more ]

moreBicycling

www.cbc.ca

Canada's shopping for a foreign grocer. Can an international retailer succeed here? | CBC News

The Canadian federal government is exploring the possibility of inviting foreign deep-discounters like Aldi and Lidl to set up operations in Canada to address grocery affordability and competition issues. [ more ]

www.cbc.ca

New home construction in January was down 10% from December, says CMHC | CBC News

New home construction in Canada fell by 10% in January compared to December.

The decrease in housing starts was mainly due to a decline in multi-unit urban homes. [ more ]

www.cbc.ca

Rent prices soared in 2023 as Canada saw lowest vacancy rate on record | CBC News

Rent prices in Canada increased significantly in 2023 due to high demand and low supply, resulting in the lowest national vacancy rate on record.

The average rent for a two-bedroom purpose-built apartment grew by 8% to $1,359, surpassing the average rent increase recorded in previous years. [ more ]

Conde Nast Traveler

Wine

How to Do Napa Without Breaking the Bank

Downtown Napa has affordable wine tasting experiences amidst a producer renaissance. [ more ]

Mail Online

Tech industry

Apple launches new Beats headphones with 50-hour battery life

Apple released Beats Solo 4 with 50-hour battery life at $200, half the price of AirPods Max, focusing on performance and affordability. [ more ]

Yanko Design - Modern Industrial Design News

JavaScript

nubia Flip 5G Foldable Phone Review: Finally, A Foldable Phone You Can Afford - Yanko Design

To make foldable phones more common, they need to be affordable for the masses, as seen with the nubia Flip 5G being claimed as the most affordable foldable. [ more ]

PortlandTribune.com

JavaScript

2024 Toyota Grand Highlander is a bigger and better family SUV

The 2024 Grand Highlander competes effectively against the luxury Lexus TX model while being more affordable. [ more ]

BuzzFeed

JavaScript

29 Pairs Of Shoes From Amazon That'll Just Plain Freshen Up Your Wardrobe

Women's shoe options reviewed with prices and comfort levels. [ more ]

Axios

Marketing

Walmart's new store brand "bettergoods" rolling out to stores

Walmart launches affordable "bettergoods" brand focusing on food trends with most products under $5. [ more ]

InsideEVs

Americans Are Open To Cheap Chinese Cars. That's 'Scary' For The Rest Of The Auto Industry

Chinese electric cars pose a real threat to Western automakers due to affordability, technology, and consumer openness. [ more ]

InsideEVs

Volvo EX30: 10 Things To Love About This Compact Electric SUV

The Volvo EX30 is praised for its exterior design details, interior quality, driving experience, quick acceleration, and affordability. [ more ]

WIRED

Gadgets

JLab's $60 Noise-Canceling Earbuds Are Better Than They Have Any Right to Be

JLab offers high-quality wireless earbuds with features comparable to more expensive brands at a significantly lower price point. [ more ]

siliconvalleyjournals.com

Education

Community college startup Campus receives $23M Series A from Founders Fund

Campus revolutionizes education with high-quality, affordable classes, strong student support, and scalable model. [ more ]

Inside Higher Ed | Higher Education News, Events and Jobs

Education

Free college can spread in states without federal legislation

Michigan is becoming a leader in providing free college opportunities through programs like Michigan Reconnect and Futures for Frontliners.

Governor Whitmer's gradual approach to implementing free college offers valuable lessons for other states looking to increase college accessibility. [ more ]

www.nytimes.com

Artificial intelligence

Microsoft Makes a New Push Into Smaller A.I. Systems

Tech companies shifting towards smaller, more affordable A.I. models to make A.I. more accessible and cost-effective. [ more ]

Creative Bloq

OK, I think I may have found the best office chair for creatives

The right office chair can significantly improve back pain and overall well-being by balancing ergonomics and aesthetics at an affordable price point. [ more ]

Creative Bloq

4 weeks ago

Sihoo Doro S100 chair: A touch of luxury ergonomics on a budget?

The Sihoo Doro S100 ergonomic chair is affordable but requires significant effort for assembly. [ more ]

Fast Company

Ikea is selling two iconic pieces of furniture in bright new colors

Ikea's long-running, popular furniture pieces, the Klippan sofa and Poäng armchair, were designed by Japanese designer Noboru Nakamura. [ more ]

Yanko Design - Modern Industrial Design News

Ergonomic wooden laptop stand is portable, sustainable - Yanko Design

WOULDSTAND is an ergonomic wooden laptop stand designed to elevate screens for better posture and reduce strain on wrists and arms.

The stand is made from sustainable materials, easily adjustable, lightweight, and can be used for laptops, tablets, and books in various settings. [ more ]

www.mercurynews.com

4 weeks ago

Which were Milpitas' best home deals the week of April 8?

The most affordable real estate sale in Milpitas was a condo sold for $770,000, contrasting with the average price of $1.6 million per house. [ more ]

New York Post

Single-family new home construction plunges in huge housing market setback

Homebuilding dropped due to high mortgage rates and low supply, impacting housing recovery and affordability. [ more ]

Boston.com

Running

One bib at a time, Stride for Stride aims to make road races more diverse and accessible

Running is affordable, but racing can be costly, with entry fees ranging from a couple of hundred dollars to raising thousands for charity. [ more ]

Boston.com

Boston

A report says you won't be able to afford a home in Worcester in 5 years. What gives?

Housing inventory shortage in Worcester causing substantial competition among buyers.

Worcester named among cities unaffordable in 5 years due to remote work rise and elevated prices from Boston. [ more ]

TheTravel

New York City

This Affordable City Rivals New York City And Its Boroughs

Jersey City offers a more affordable alternative to New York City.

Jersey City is a vibrant and well-connected city in the Tri-State Area. [ more ]

SFGATE

New-Home Prices Fall to Lowest Level in 3 Years as Builders Appeal To Buyers Amid High Mortgage Rates

Newly built home prices dropped 7.6% year-over-year to attract buyers amidst higher mortgage rates.

Despite a slight dip in new-home sales due to higher mortgage rates in February, sales are up annually and comprise a larger market share post-COVID. [ more ]

SFGATE

5 Happy and Historic Craftsman Bungalows Priced at $400K or (Much!) Less

Craftsman bungalows originated in India but became historically American through the Arts and Crafts movement, adapting to different regions.

Craftsman bungalows are known for style, character, durability, and affordability, with many well-preserved old homes available at reasonable prices. [ more ]

SFGATE

Mortgage Rates Are Finally Falling: See How Much Homebuyers Can Save on a House Right Now

Mortgage rates have dropped over a full percentage point from their recent peak, making the cost of buying a home more affordable.

Homebuyers could save about $366 every month due to the lower mortgage rates. [ more ]

SFGATE

Can You Afford a Home in America's Top Emerging Housing Market?

Despite being affordable, housing prices in the top emerging markets are still rising quickly.

Buyers are willing to pay higher prices for scenic locations like Santa Maria, regardless of mortgage rates. [ more ]

SFGATE

Want a Lease for Less? Not in These Cities, Where Rents Are Still On the Rise

The rental market is becoming slightly more affordable, but prices are still higher than before the pandemic.

Prices are still rising in some major cities, and while price declines are expected, high demand will prevent a big break for renters. [ more ]

SFGATE

New-Home Sales Jump as Buyers Snag Lower Mortgage Rates

New home sales in December increased by 8% compared to the previous month and rose 4.4% year over year.

The rise in sales was driven by lower mortgage rates and the lack of existing homes for sale. [ more ]

Boston.com

Boston food

Tell us: What's your Boston dining and nightlife wishlist?

A quarter of young adults in Greater Boston consider leaving due to affordability, jobs, and housing.

Young adults prioritize entertainment and nightlife options to build communities in Greater Boston. [ more ]

Boston Condos For Sale Ford Realty

Boston food

Will Lower Broker Fees Bring Home Prices Down? No, Here's Why Boston Condos For Sale Ford Realty

Tax credits or rebates and lower real estate commissions won't decrease Boston condo prices.

Supply shortage and high demand are driving MA housing prices up. [ more ]

Sacramento Bee

California

Former state Controller Betty Yee announces campaign for California governor

Betty Yee announces gubernatorial run for California in 2026, focusing on affordability and transparency.

If elected, Betty Yee would be the first female governor of California, challenging other Democratic contenders in an open race. [ more ]

HuffPost

Parenting

We Found A Bento-Style Lunch Box At Walmart That Doesn't Cost A Fortune

Sistema's bento-style lunch box offers adaptability, lightweight design, and affordability. [ more ]

Yanko Design - Modern Industrial Design News

Web design

IKEA pet accessories collection is the minimalist vibe for fur babies - Yanko Design

IKEA launches UTSÅDD collection for pets with a focus on design and functionality

Products are affordable, globally available, and cater to both pets and pet parents. [ more ]

Nature

Health

Cutting-edge CAR-T cancer therapy is now made in India - at one-tenth the cost

Indian biotech company produces affordable CAR-T therapy

Promise of CAR-T therapy in treating cancer and autoimmune diseases [ more ]

Social Media Explorer

DevOps

The World of Modular Container Homes Delivered Worldwide - Social Media Explorer

Modular container homes offer affordability, sustainability, durability, and flexibility.

Global delivery of modular container homes requires meticulous planning and coordination. [ more ]

Polygon

Video games

The Meta Quest 2 is a great VR headset, and right now, it's cheaper than usual

The Meta Quest 2 headset is a cost-effective way to experience virtual reality with a wide range of games and apps.

Connecting the Quest 2 to a Windows gaming PC expands your gaming library to include titles from Steam VR. [ more ]

Polygon

Video games

Star Wars: Unlimited is a force to be reckoned with in a resurgent TCG landscape

Design decisions impact card availability in trading card games.

Star Wars: Unlimited offers a more affordable and modular approach to deck building. [ more ]

Inside Higher Ed | Higher Education News, Events and Jobs

Podcast

Voices of Student Success podcast, textbook affordability

Focus on student success in higher education

Use of OER e-textbooks to promote affordability [ more ]

WhoWhatWear

Fashion & style

H&M Does This Classy Spring Staple Better Than Anywhere Else on the High Street

H&M offers an extensive size range, impressive sportswear section, and an elevated premium edit.

H&M's cardigans are known for their elegance and affordability, making them a popular choice for many shoppers. [ more ]

New York Post

East Bay real estate

Affordable 2-bedroom apartments for middle-class families in NYC no longer exist

Mayor Eric Adams emphasizes housing affordability for families, but the city's focus on studios and one-bedroom units may not align with family needs. [ more ]

Eater

Chicago

Why Eater Readers Chose Milwaukee as One of 2024's Hottest Dining Cities

Milwaukee, Wisconsin was voted the next hot dining destination in the US

The food scene in Milwaukee is known for its diversity, accessibility, and affordability [ more ]

New York Post

NYC politics

Anti-housing Democrats want New York to be a city of soulless skyscrapers

Gov. Hochul and Mayor Adams are pushing to overhaul a 1961 law that restricts new housing construction in NYC.

The law has cost the city an estimated 200,000 apartments and is contributing to the housing deficit and lack of affordability. [ more ]

ABC7 San Francisco

Digital life

Best vehicle dash cameras to help protect you and your family

The article discusses three top-rated dash cameras for law enforcement agencies.

The cameras are evaluated based on affordability, video quality, ease of use, and features. [ more ]

WIRED

Music

Music Piracy Is Back in a Big Way-Especially From YouTube

Music piracy is on the rise again, with over 17 billion visits to piracy websites last year.

Factors contributing to the resurgence include affordability issues with streaming services and high mobile data costs. [ more ]

www.independent.co.uk

UK news

Council tenants forced into debt' and facing eviction over tripling energy bills

Residents in south London face eviction over massive heating bill increases.

They are unable to switch suppliers as their homes are heated by shared heat networks. [ more ]

Washington Post

France politics

French proposal for free fertility tests at age 25 outrages women's groups

French President Emmanuel Macron proposes a "major plan" to reverse France's declining birthrate, including offering free fertility checks to 25-year-olds.

The proposal has received strong reactions in France, with some women criticizing the government for pressuring them to think about fertility early and women's rights groups arguing that more should be done to make it affordable to have children. [ more ]

Creative Bloq

Graphic design

3DMakerPro Seal 3D Scanner review: highly accurate entry level scanner

The 3DMakerpro Seal 3D Scanner offers entry-level affordability without compromising on accuracy.

The scanner is ideal for small and medium objects, making it suitable for a wide range of users. [ more ]

www.mercurynews.com