Transplants are raising my cost of living. What’s a local to do?

Dear Grace,

Over the past few years, lots of people have moved to our town since the cost of living is cheaper than in the big cities and suburbs. I’m all for people finding ways to save money, but the transplants have made rent and housing prices go through the roof. How are locals supposed to get by when people with big city money come buy everything up?

– Local in Lewistown

Dear Local,

I can definitely understand where you’re coming from—I get lots of questions from folks across the country grappling with housing prices and feeling squeezed by the inflation that we (and the entire world) experienced after COVID. While it’s great that there are more affordable communities for people who are priced out of big cities, we ought to take some time to think about the impact that their move has on existing community members. This isn’t a question of keeping transplants out or only catering to locals, but a question of how we make sure there is enough housing to go around for everyone.

Whether you’re renting or looking to buy, no one should worry about being able to keep a roof over their head. Stable housing is one of those basic necessities we all need to thrive, not a luxury that should be auctioned to the highest bidder. 

While there isn’t a magic wand you can wave, Local, you still have options. Here’s my advice:

Negotiate your rent. Unless your city or state has regulations limiting how much landlords can increase their rent, the monthly price you pay is entirely up to your landlord. When it comes time to renew your lease, sit down and talk to the landlord or leasing office about any increase in rent or property costs (parking, standard utilities, pet fees, etc.). You might be surprised how much they are willing to negotiate to keep a good, responsible tenant. A good friend of mine did this last year when her landlord wanted to raise her rent by $300 and was able to negotiate them down to something much more reasonable. 

Look into renting to own. If your town is seeing an influx of folks from bigger (more expensive) cities, you’re likely facing a bidding war when it comes to buying a home. If you like the place you currently rent, consider asking the landlord if they would be open to a rent-to-own agreement in which your rent would be going toward an eventual purchase of the property. This isn’t near as common now as it was in decades past, but it saves both you and the landlord the stress of entering the housing market and keeps them from having to fuss with realtors, open houses, and staging. 

Talk to your local council person. Ultimately, Local, without any rules in place to regulate housing prices and property developers who are crowding out aspiring homeowners, you’re swimming upstream. There are plenty of towns and cities across America that have instituted policies to keep housing affordable for everyone, whether through investing in new properties, changing local zoning laws, or instituting rent control. The federal government has already taken steps to regulate housing, and home ownership is higher today than it was pre-pandemic. 

Even so, your local or municipal government has a lot to do with how housing works in your area, and they work for you. Call their office and ask what they are doing on housing—you may find ways to get involved with your neighbors and help move the solution forward. Remember that the government’s job is to make sure that we all have what we need to be productive members of the community and thrive—don’t be afraid to speak up!

I’ve been a cash-strapped renter and a first time homebuyer, Local, and I feel for you. The American Dream for so many of us is being able to call ourselves home owners in our community and build the life that we want for ourselves and our families. I know it might seem far off now, but I really believe that if more locals like you use their voice, we can make that dream a reality. 

Sending all my best, 

Grace