Heather Propes

Sun Dec 14 2025

I grew up in Long Beach but have lived in the East Coast since 1996. I've seen California gradually become a place where I would not want to live. Every time I go back to Southern California, it seems more full of stores and strip malls will less and less housing of any type, including affordable. This is the result of many forces – the gamified housing market, interest rates, and inflation. I look forward to more houses being built and the beginning of a new era where a house is no longer a precious investment, but merely a place where a person lives nad enjoys their life.

I pride myself on the fact that I am very adaptable. Five years ago I moved to a 1 bedroom condo on the 5th floor of a building in Jersey City. I went from spread-out suburban comfort to no parking and an elevator. I made this work and actually grew to love city life. In Jersey City, each block is its own little neighborhood. i walked to the grocery store and met neighbors in the street. It was great and I think high-density living is something that more people should try. I also love your idea of bringing shipbuilding to California. China is a serious force that we should be paying attention to and Jan Sramek's explanations make a lot of sense.

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