>In the US, a house (for personal use, investment property is
>different!) isn't really an "investment" at all
It's not even a house. It's a dream:
<http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/california/la-me-lopez7nov07,1,3789998.column?coll=la-headlines-pe-california>http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/california/la-me-lopez7nov07,1,3789998.column?coll=la-headlines-pe-california
From the Los Angeles Times
$3 million doesn't buy what it used to
Steve Lopez
November 7, 2007
Sabrina Gordon-Gilardian grew up in the San Fernando Valley with her heart set on living in one place, and one place only.
(Two clues: Swimming pools. Movie stars).
In February, it finally happened.
"I spent $3 million to live in Beverly Hills 90210. To be the creme de la creme of society. I am supposed to be at the pinnacle here," she wrote to me.
But little did she know that paradise could be hell.
In April, wildfires came too close for comfort. In July, she read about the burglary ring hitting the homes of the rich and famous in Beverly Hills and surroundings.
But the toughest blow of all came last month, when coyotes ate her miniature beagle, Lucy.
"I am miserable living here and did not get what I bargained for," Gordon-Gilardian wrote, asking if I could help.
[....]
While we were talking, she got a cellphone call from her husband, who trades with China in the import-export business, according to Gordon-Gilardian. She told him I was on the case and she hoped some good would come of it.
When she called the city of Beverly Hills for help, she said, she got the run-around and was told animal control officers might or might not come.
When she asked the Fire Department about clearing the brush next to her property, she says, she was told it was her concern.
"That's city property," she said, suggesting the city should be clearing the brush and trapping and removing coyotes.
I told her as diplomatically as possible that in my experience, cities don't tend to have teams of animal trappers on the payroll. They tend to see coyotes as part of the deal.
"Not in Beverly Hills," she said. "I didn't move to Pacoima. I was told by the Realtor at Sotheby's that this was going to be my dream life."
[...]
I called to break it to her.
"You don't live in Beverly Hills," I said.
There was a brief moment of silence on the other end.
But the ZIP is 90210, Gordon-Gilardian said. And on her mail, "the city is Beverly Hills."
As Mayor Delshad explained, lots of people get their mail delivered by the Beverly Hills Post Office but don't live in the city limits.
"You live in Los Angeles," I told Gordon-Gilardian.
I figured that was enough of a blow, so I didn't tell her there's only one wild animal control officer for the entire city of L.A., and he's so swamped with calls, he seldom leaves the office.
But I told Gordon-Gilardian she could solve a lot of problems by selling the house and moving into Beverly Hills proper.
Far as I know, there have been no coyote sightings anywhere near the Neiman Marcus.