[jpao79]

"And I have other friends who are homeowners, but the majority of people I know are renters, and I keep teasing my friends who are economically vulnerable that maybe they should go to Vallejo or Stockton, which are in economic crisis, and create a great, thriving bohemia there."

I think she's on to something here... A smart community activist in conjunction with a pro-active real estate developer with a really long term vision could 'organically' help create neighborhoods ready for gentrification (and profit handsomely) and help create great places for artists, writers and activists to live at the same time.

All that's needed is a website that organizes groups of artists, writers and activists to tell them where to go live next, flash mob style. Once the artists, writers and activists have sown the seeds of gentrification, the developer can then provide the members some financial (or non-financial) reward to move on to the next neighborhood and start the process anew.

Basically it'd be comp'ing the group for all the work they have done to create a live-able, dynamic neighborhood which is not happening today.