Bobby Fijan
@bobbyfijan.bsky.social
Building Housing for Families
Here's the full episode
(I really need to learn to look into the camera)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=H5eY...
(I really need to learn to look into the camera)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=H5eY...
Cities Are Great! But You Can't Afford It Anymore | Reasonably Optimistic
YouTube video by Reasonably Optimistic
www.youtube.com
February 14, 2026 at 11:20 PM
Here's the full episode
(I really need to learn to look into the camera)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=H5eY...
(I really need to learn to look into the camera)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=H5eY...
Fire rating between building
January 28, 2026 at 10:56 AM
Fire rating between building
Yes. Good catch We did add that to the real one
January 20, 2026 at 7:08 PM
Yes. Good catch We did add that to the real one
I'm willing to engage in back and forth on ideas about how to make cities better, housing for families, parking, mixed-use, regulations, etc here on bluesky
I will pass on political ones with you, other than perhaps in person
And I'd ask that you stop, unless it's about above list
I will pass on political ones with you, other than perhaps in person
And I'd ask that you stop, unless it's about above list
January 15, 2026 at 6:12 PM
I'm willing to engage in back and forth on ideas about how to make cities better, housing for families, parking, mixed-use, regulations, etc here on bluesky
I will pass on political ones with you, other than perhaps in person
And I'd ask that you stop, unless it's about above list
I will pass on political ones with you, other than perhaps in person
And I'd ask that you stop, unless it's about above list
If we ever meet again in person and there's a reasonable amount of time, I'd be fine with that. But this is obviously not the forum or medium for a conversation like that
And you can hang out in the construction trailer. You'll meet lots of people with WILD range of beliefs
And you can hang out in the construction trailer. You'll meet lots of people with WILD range of beliefs
January 15, 2026 at 5:47 PM
If we ever meet again in person and there's a reasonable amount of time, I'd be fine with that. But this is obviously not the forum or medium for a conversation like that
And you can hang out in the construction trailer. You'll meet lots of people with WILD range of beliefs
And you can hang out in the construction trailer. You'll meet lots of people with WILD range of beliefs
And I’m already working with plenty of people, including quite prominent ones, on the other side from me, who are also pragmatic and just want to build good things and make cities better
If thats not your personal position … then okay. Not everyone needs to.
If thats not your personal position … then okay. Not everyone needs to.
January 15, 2026 at 1:49 AM
And I’m already working with plenty of people, including quite prominent ones, on the other side from me, who are also pragmatic and just want to build good things and make cities better
If thats not your personal position … then okay. Not everyone needs to.
If thats not your personal position … then okay. Not everyone needs to.
Who people choose to personally support politically is ~irrelevant to me when it comes to building housing for families
I’ll talk to, hire or partner with basically anyone … if we align on the vision for the City of more kids and families
I’ll talk to, hire or partner with basically anyone … if we align on the vision for the City of more kids and families
January 15, 2026 at 1:49 AM
Who people choose to personally support politically is ~irrelevant to me when it comes to building housing for families
I’ll talk to, hire or partner with basically anyone … if we align on the vision for the City of more kids and families
I’ll talk to, hire or partner with basically anyone … if we align on the vision for the City of more kids and families
In sports when it’s more individual, the motivations by a good coach are often more tailored
Some people (like me) respond to a good kick in the pants, others need more reassurance
Individual sales folks have different styles too, but at the CORP level its v aggressive
Like Glengarry Glenn Ross
Some people (like me) respond to a good kick in the pants, others need more reassurance
Individual sales folks have different styles too, but at the CORP level its v aggressive
Like Glengarry Glenn Ross
January 14, 2026 at 7:30 PM
In sports when it’s more individual, the motivations by a good coach are often more tailored
Some people (like me) respond to a good kick in the pants, others need more reassurance
Individual sales folks have different styles too, but at the CORP level its v aggressive
Like Glengarry Glenn Ross
Some people (like me) respond to a good kick in the pants, others need more reassurance
Individual sales folks have different styles too, but at the CORP level its v aggressive
Like Glengarry Glenn Ross
No, it’s just that not all people are cut out for commission based sales
It’s a strange part of the business and you need folks who respond to that kind of motivation for broad sales teams.
It’s a strange part of the business and you need folks who respond to that kind of motivation for broad sales teams.
January 14, 2026 at 7:26 PM
No, it’s just that not all people are cut out for commission based sales
It’s a strange part of the business and you need folks who respond to that kind of motivation for broad sales teams.
It’s a strange part of the business and you need folks who respond to that kind of motivation for broad sales teams.
And that's what we are doing even in cities & with politicians who do not agree with me politically and yet are ~aware of them
But it frankly doesn't ever come up bc in my professional experience ... people who want to get stuff built view "housing for families" as a non-partisan issue
But it frankly doesn't ever come up bc in my professional experience ... people who want to get stuff built view "housing for families" as a non-partisan issue
January 14, 2026 at 4:27 PM
And that's what we are doing even in cities & with politicians who do not agree with me politically and yet are ~aware of them
But it frankly doesn't ever come up bc in my professional experience ... people who want to get stuff built view "housing for families" as a non-partisan issue
But it frankly doesn't ever come up bc in my professional experience ... people who want to get stuff built view "housing for families" as a non-partisan issue
Leaving my personal religion aside ... I'm happy to work with people who did not vote for this president. In fact many of my investors and several of my employees do not
My focus is on building great product for families in the City so they can have kids and stay.
My focus is on building great product for families in the City so they can have kids and stay.
January 14, 2026 at 4:27 PM
Leaving my personal religion aside ... I'm happy to work with people who did not vote for this president. In fact many of my investors and several of my employees do not
My focus is on building great product for families in the City so they can have kids and stay.
My focus is on building great product for families in the City so they can have kids and stay.
This is Kendall Square, so it needs to be a 2BR or else a VERY expensive 1BR
January 7, 2026 at 12:28 AM
This is Kendall Square, so it needs to be a 2BR or else a VERY expensive 1BR
The City that I want to see is like this one described in a bible verse:
"Old men and old women shall again sit in the streets (of Jerusalem), each with staff in hand because of great age. And the streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing in its streets."
"Old men and old women shall again sit in the streets (of Jerusalem), each with staff in hand because of great age. And the streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing in its streets."
December 16, 2025 at 2:12 AM
The City that I want to see is like this one described in a bible verse:
"Old men and old women shall again sit in the streets (of Jerusalem), each with staff in hand because of great age. And the streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing in its streets."
"Old men and old women shall again sit in the streets (of Jerusalem), each with staff in hand because of great age. And the streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing in its streets."
A City built for families is one when you *could* stay. And even a 24 year who has no interest in marriage or kids can appreciate they don't want to HAVE to move out if they ever did want to make those entirely natural decisions.
And also, a City with kids is just a more beautiful place.
And also, a City with kids is just a more beautiful place.
December 16, 2025 at 2:12 AM
A City built for families is one when you *could* stay. And even a 24 year who has no interest in marriage or kids can appreciate they don't want to HAVE to move out if they ever did want to make those entirely natural decisions.
And also, a City with kids is just a more beautiful place.
And also, a City with kids is just a more beautiful place.
For me, that’s a place where any young person can move to the city start their career and CAN have a first child … and after that, it who knows.
The should ought to be multi-generational. It's better that way. Even for people who never end up having children, whether by choice or circumstances.
The should ought to be multi-generational. It's better that way. Even for people who never end up having children, whether by choice or circumstances.
December 16, 2025 at 2:12 AM
For me, that’s a place where any young person can move to the city start their career and CAN have a first child … and after that, it who knows.
The should ought to be multi-generational. It's better that way. Even for people who never end up having children, whether by choice or circumstances.
The should ought to be multi-generational. It's better that way. Even for people who never end up having children, whether by choice or circumstances.
It is ironic that many of the people who issue polemics about cities, either got their education or their career starts in a major city.
Either way, I think that it is incumbent on those who love Cities to paint a vision for what they want the city to be.
Either way, I think that it is incumbent on those who love Cities to paint a vision for what they want the city to be.
December 16, 2025 at 2:12 AM
It is ironic that many of the people who issue polemics about cities, either got their education or their career starts in a major city.
Either way, I think that it is incumbent on those who love Cities to paint a vision for what they want the city to be.
Either way, I think that it is incumbent on those who love Cities to paint a vision for what they want the city to be.
Recently, much has been made by people, to write off cities. Either just to say that country or suburbs are just "better" or the cities are too far gone.
I reject both of those ideas
Cities are the centers, not just of economic growth in this country, but also of social and cultural influence
I reject both of those ideas
Cities are the centers, not just of economic growth in this country, but also of social and cultural influence
December 16, 2025 at 2:12 AM
Recently, much has been made by people, to write off cities. Either just to say that country or suburbs are just "better" or the cities are too far gone.
I reject both of those ideas
Cities are the centers, not just of economic growth in this country, but also of social and cultural influence
I reject both of those ideas
Cities are the centers, not just of economic growth in this country, but also of social and cultural influence
I feel the same. Beauty matters … and it’s not unreasonable for somebody to care that the building that goes next to them is pretty or ugly
December 13, 2025 at 2:35 PM
I feel the same. Beauty matters … and it’s not unreasonable for somebody to care that the building that goes next to them is pretty or ugly
I think granular/individual school enrollment data would be a cool way to track "Do Studios lead to an increase in kids in immediate neighborhood?"
I have apartment building data (year, floorplans, address, rent) and could overlay that - but thats a lot of work and I have a lot house chores today!
I have apartment building data (year, floorplans, address, rent) and could overlay that - but thats a lot of work and I have a lot house chores today!
December 13, 2025 at 1:48 PM
I think granular/individual school enrollment data would be a cool way to track "Do Studios lead to an increase in kids in immediate neighborhood?"
I have apartment building data (year, floorplans, address, rent) and could overlay that - but thats a lot of work and I have a lot house chores today!
I have apartment building data (year, floorplans, address, rent) and could overlay that - but thats a lot of work and I have a lot house chores today!
I think 60+ was interesting because it stayed constant (as a %)
I had thought there might be a bunch of wealthier boomers moving in, since I knew a bunch, anecdotally, who did ... but seems it didn't work out that way. Or else it replaced displacement of other older folks
I had thought there might be a bunch of wealthier boomers moving in, since I knew a bunch, anecdotally, who did ... but seems it didn't work out that way. Or else it replaced displacement of other older folks
December 13, 2025 at 1:41 PM
I think 60+ was interesting because it stayed constant (as a %)
I had thought there might be a bunch of wealthier boomers moving in, since I knew a bunch, anecdotally, who did ... but seems it didn't work out that way. Or else it replaced displacement of other older folks
I had thought there might be a bunch of wealthier boomers moving in, since I knew a bunch, anecdotally, who did ... but seems it didn't work out that way. Or else it replaced displacement of other older folks