2003-06-18 - 9:35 a.m.

after a nice note from johnny raygun, i thought i'd talk about the anatomy of hipster gentrification. i consider myself something of an expert, having participated in the gentrifications of san francisco, venice beach, and williamsburg.

first wave - the true pioneers of any neighborhood. genuinely move there while its still a shit hole and they have to walk to another neighborhood just to get a decent beer. usually this neighborhood reform is financially motivated; i.e., they are too poor to live in the currently hip sector.

second wave - once a critical mass of people in the right socioeconimic stratum takes hold, and one or two concessions open such as a tragically cool bar or junkie coffee chop and a health food store, the area is ready for the second wave. second wavers are trend spotters and pride themselves on knowing where the coolest places are. often, the rents are still pretty cheap as the second wavers take hold. due to their dayjobs as web designers and content providers, they tend to draw attention to the neighborhood.

third wave - second wavers make everything look cool, so by the time a few articles appear in a local magazine about the hip new area, its time for the third wave. third wavers are the ones who drive up the rents and attract profiteering businesses. by the third wave, most of the original residents of the area will be pressured to move along. if the neighborhood was really dangerous before, by the third wave it will be fairly safe for drunk girls stumbling home at the wee hours.

fourth wave - by the time the area begins to get a little expensive, the fourth wave arrives. by this time there is usually a record store and/or hair salon. fourth wavers usually have decent, non-bohemian jobs and often nice cars. they are attracted to the neighborhood for its cachet, and are proud of what they can afford. by the fourth wave, many of the first wavers will likely be heading out to a newer, cheaper frontier.

fifth wave - young families and baby strollers begin to appear by the fifth wave. some of these families may actually be procreating second and third wavers. others will arrive, attracted by day care centers or baby stores opening in the neighborhood. often a big fancy pharmacy opens nearby as well. second wavers with good leases may still be hanging on, but even they may start to feel a little left behind. they may be calling any first wavers who will speak to them to find out where they moved. by the fifth wave, the neighborhood is no longer truly hip.

san francisco got all the way to the fourth wave before the crash. williamsburg is well into the fifth wave. venice beach where i used to live is stuck in the fourth wave, but maybe when ghost town is finally made into condos it'll be safe for preschoolers. the remarkable thing about the hipster subculture is its replicablility across the country. from seattle to austin to provincetown, the stories are remarkably similar. i do think williamsburg has the hippest baby store i've ever been to, though, so maybe there will yet be a sixth wave created.