[boston_clone]

Have you been to Paris recently?

Great food, tons of bike and rail infra, 35 hour work week, strong social safety nets, lower than average rate of violent crime, wide consideration as the preeminent destination for fashion and art, etc. etc.

[Schiendelman]

Right - for the people who can afford to live there. That's dramatically artificially limited, the people who aren't rich don't get many of those things.

[boston_clone]

Rent control helps, from what I remember. but I imagine you may be looking from the perspective of purchasing a home (in which yes - pricey!)

[Schiendelman]

Rent control doesn't change how many people get to live there, just swaps some people for others. And usually hinders housing production, reducing that number more over time.