[quinncom]

I was just thinking the same thing. I was involved with a development project in Colombia, a three-story tract of 3b/2b apartments. The total construction cost was about $40k each. Permits and fees was maybe $1000 plus a year of waiting and a few bottles of gift-wrapped tequila. Selling prices were $50–70k, some rented at $250/month.

Why is it absurdly expensive to build in the USA?

[asdff]

There are a lot of articles out there covering the basics on everything from environmental review to open space requirements to labor, but they can be summed up by just saying that local government in most American cities has never not been somewhat corrupt all through the past and going on to this day, and politically connected people stand to make a lot of money from this status quo that doesn't take an expert to see hurts the average working person. I think the FBI has indicted three sitting LA city councilmembers within the last couple of years now? It's amazing how the headlines don't seem to stick though, uncanny really.