Rant: The 'work from anywhere' dream is killing local housing in places like Lisbon

I keep seeing posts about how cheap and amazing Lisbon is for nomads, but after living here for 6 months, I think we're the problem. My rent just went up 40% because my landlord can now charge tourists double what locals make. I watched a family get priced out of their apartment in my building so it could become an Airbnb. Everyone talks about 'giving back to the community,' but how is paying inflated prices for everything actually helping? I know a cafe owner who had to move his business because the rent tripled. We fly in with our strong currencies, drive up costs, and then leave when it gets 'too expensive.' It feels like we're just the latest wave of gentrification, but with better wifi. Has anyone else felt guilty about their impact on a city they claimed to love?

3 comments

3 Comments

jake9861mo ago

Sounds like the same story in every cool city now.

susan_wright341mo ago

Ugh, right? @jake986, what's the first city that comes to mind for you when you say that... feels like it's everywhere now.

lunag301mo ago

Used to think remote work was just freedom, but seeing local shops close in Mexico City last year really hit me. How can a place keep its soul when everyone living there gets pushed out?