What made you leave the city?
INTERVIEW WITH SAMUEL ALI
David Santos: How long did you live in the San Francisco Mission District for?
Samuel Ali: More than half of my life. Like 13 years.
David Santos: Why did your family decide to move?
Samuel Ali: We didn’t decide anything. We were forced to.
David Santos: What do you mean?
Samuel Ali: We lived in the same apartment for 13 years. We were good tenants who didn’t make a mess and always paid rent on time. Overtime, the landlord kept increasing rent. It got to the point where it was just too much for my family to afford.
David Santos: Why did he keep increasing the rent?
Samuel Ali: Man, you know all the techies kept on coming to my neighborhood. These guys don’t have to worry about raising kids or have any other financial responsibility. They make good money and no dependents, so they are able to pay high rent. I understand why he did it. He was simply trying to get as much money as possible.
David Santos: Oh Wow! What did your family do after?
Samuel Ali: Well the landlord was fair about it he gave us a two weeks notice to move out and find a new place to live. We had family in Antioch, so we stayed there for a while.
David Santos: Did you find a permanent new residence?
Samuel Ali: Yea, it took some time but we were able to find a decently priced home in Pittsburg. It’s only an hour from the city, but at least its something.
David Santos: How long did you live in the San Francisco Mission District for?
Samuel Ali: More than half of my life. Like 13 years.
David Santos: Why did your family decide to move?
Samuel Ali: We didn’t decide anything. We were forced to.
David Santos: What do you mean?
Samuel Ali: We lived in the same apartment for 13 years. We were good tenants who didn’t make a mess and always paid rent on time. Overtime, the landlord kept increasing rent. It got to the point where it was just too much for my family to afford.
David Santos: Why did he keep increasing the rent?
Samuel Ali: Man, you know all the techies kept on coming to my neighborhood. These guys don’t have to worry about raising kids or have any other financial responsibility. They make good money and no dependents, so they are able to pay high rent. I understand why he did it. He was simply trying to get as much money as possible.
David Santos: Oh Wow! What did your family do after?
Samuel Ali: Well the landlord was fair about it he gave us a two weeks notice to move out and find a new place to live. We had family in Antioch, so we stayed there for a while.
David Santos: Did you find a permanent new residence?
Samuel Ali: Yea, it took some time but we were able to find a decently priced home in Pittsburg. It’s only an hour from the city, but at least its something.