7 signs your neighborhood is gentrifying

gentrificationPacific Press/ Getty

From small neighborhoods in Brooklyn to entire cities like Detroit, gentrification can be seen across the US.

Gentrification is when a neighborhood cosmetically improves so that it becomes more livable for the middle class. Although gentrification sounds positive, the lower income residents who originally lived there often get priced out of the neighborhood.

Business Insider spoke with Albert Goldson - the executive director of Indo-Brazilian Associates LLC, which specializes in geopolitical risk in cross-cultural communities - to learn more about the gentrification process.

Keep reading to find out if your neighborhood is showing signs of gentrification.

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If the city suddenly starts putting a lot of money into your neighborhood's roads, it may be a sign that gentrification is in process.

If the city suddenly starts putting a lot of money into your neighborhood's roads, it may be a sign that gentrification is in process.

When a neighborhood starts to gentrify, a city may repave the road so that there are no potholes or other dangerous road conditions, according to Goldson. It's also common that street signs will be replaced, and stop signs will be swapped for traffic lights.

Goldson said these changes occur because the neighborhood is expecting an increase in traffic flow as more and more people come to the area.

When landlords start to refurbish older apartments, the neighborhood might be gentrifying.

When landlords start to refurbish older apartments, the neighborhood might be gentrifying.

These newly renovated apartments often have stainless steel appliances, a new coat of paint, and hardwood floors. Goldson said these former "tenements are now rebranded as 'luxury rentals.'"

As a result, the landlord likely increases the rent, prompting many of the original tenants to move out because they cannot afford the higher rent. Some parts of the country are trying to curb the effects of renovated apartments, like Washington where 10% of all renovated and new buildings need to be affordable housing.

As renovations cause increased rent, property values also increase in a gentrifying neighborhood.

As renovations cause increased rent, property values also increase in a gentrifying neighborhood.

The real estate market changes dramatically as a neighborhood gentrifies. Property values increase dramatically as gentrification spreads throughout the neighborhood, often pushing rents higher and higher. Rental units sometimes become condos for sale.

"With gentrification, the city has a considerably higher tax base for both residents and businesses," Goldson told Business Insider.

If your neighborhood is rapidly becoming more diverse, it's probably because of gentrification.

If your neighborhood is rapidly becoming more diverse, it's probably because of gentrification.

Although gentrification does push minorities out of their neighborhoods, there is evidence that some remain, creating a more diverse neighborhood. A study from Columbia University found that gentrifying neighborhoods have more diversity in race, in education, and in income.

"It is found that gentrification does not decrease neighborhood-level diversity," the study reads. "The evidence on whether gentrification precedes increased levels of neighborhood-level diversity is more mixed. Depending on the outcome and the metric of gentrification used, there are some instances where gentrification appears to lead to increased diversity."

As a neighborhood gentrifies, there will be an increase in coffee shops and specialty shops.

As a neighborhood gentrifies, there will be an increase in coffee shops and specialty shops.
A study found that the opening of cafes, especially Starbucks, is a sign that a neighborhood is gentrifying. "It could be that people see a Starbucks coming in and say, 'This is a neighborhood we should move into,'" Edward L. Glaeser, an urban economist and Harvard University professor told Forbes. "But we think it is more likely that Starbucks has insight into neighborhoods that are going to be expanding." Goldson said it goes beyond Starbucks, however. These neighborhoods also tend to see an increase in grocery stores, bars, restaurants, and specialty shops. "Specialty shops sell items at a higher price point aimed at wealthier, more demanding residents," Goldson said.

When art galleries open in the neighborhood, it's another sign of gentrification.

When art galleries open in the neighborhood, it's another sign of gentrification.
A study found that gentrified neighborhoods have some of the highest concentration of fine art and commercial art establishments. Some of these establishments are art galleries, which are designed to entice people who have extra cash to spend on the arts. "Art galleries have a lower turnover of items but at a much higher price point," Goldson said. "[These] items are purchased by wealthier residents."

A gentrified neighborhood has easier access to Ubers and Lyfts, plus more expensive cars can be seen on the streets.

A gentrified neighborhood has easier access to Ubers and Lyfts, plus more expensive cars can be seen on the streets.

In far-to-reach areas, it may be difficult to get an Uber or Lyft. But as a neighborhood gentrifies, these car share apps may become more accessible as people come to the neighborhood.

"Though public transportation is available and nearby, the influx of new residents puts a strain on the system," Goldson said. "For this reason, more residents prefer a faster option such as Uber."

You may not only be seeing more Ubers on the road but also more expensive cars, as a different class moves in with higher salaries.