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Gentrify

A word used by people who insist their neighborhoods can never change to disparage new construction and change in the composition of the neighborhood. Usually accompanies by NIMBYISM. Typically, the cause of this is either being unwilling to accept new development, and/or not realizing that when new houses are built for the rich, their old houses open up for everyone else.
"I can't believe developers tried to build a new apartment in the one part of my city that hasn't been zoned for single-family housing. I can't believe capitalism would gentrify the poor people out of their homes!"
by Pizzaslayer111 June 15, 2020
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Gentrify

When people try to make somebody a part of their community, they dont need it to gentrify, it's no way to repay them. People should have as much involvement in the decision of what goes where in the area they live as a developer or anybody else involved in a decision, even if they dont pay to build it. The king is as in need of his subjects as the subjects are in need of him sort of thing. The same applies with music or anything else somebody wants to gentrify.
The king thoughts his subjects were the only people who needed permission to do anything, so he went ahead and tried to gentrify their lives for them.
by Solid Mantis May 29, 2020
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Gentrification

When "urban renewal" of lower class neighbourhoods with condos attracts yuppie tenants, driving up rents and driving out long time, lower income residents. It often begins with influxes of local artists looking for a cheap place to live, giving the neighbourhood a bohemian flair. This hip reputation attracts yuppies who want to live in such an atmosphere, driving out the lower income artists and lower income residents, often ethnic/racial minorities, changing the social character of the neighbourhood.

It also involves the "yuppification" of local businesses; shops catering to yuppie tastes like sushi resaturants, Starbucks, etc... come to replace local businesses displaced by higher rents.

The term was coined by sociologist Ruth Glass, who is quoted below.
"One by one, many of the working class quarters of London have been invaded by the middle-classes—upper and lower. Shabby, modest mews and cottages—two rooms up and two down—have been taken over, when their leases have expired, and have become elegant, expensive residences .... Once this process of 'gentrification' starts in a district it goes on rapidly until all or most of the original working-class occupiers are displaced and the whole social character of the district is changed."
-Ruth Glass (1964)
by Black_Lotus June 20, 2006
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gentrfy

you looked this up because you saw it on shameless, i don’t know what it means either.
‘gentrfy this’ idk how to lol
by frankgallagher December 30, 2021
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Gentrification

When a bunch of white people move to the ghetto and open up a bunch of cup cake shops
The lower east side has undergone gentrification by homos and hipsters
by tucan121 February 9, 2012
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Gentrifucks

Yuppie scum that move to your funky cool 'hood, spreading banality and leaving condos and chain stores in their wake, thereby spoiling the flavor (and driving up the rents).
The taste-challenged gentrifucks ruined the vibe in Bucktown, and now they're taking over Andersonville.

or

That bar was awesome, but then the gentrifucks caught on and now it sucks.
by Stephanitza November 5, 2006
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gentrification

When uppity white people move into a ghetto and take over the real estate, which fucks over the current residents. Usually followed by the opening of a shit ton of Starbucks, Nordstroms, and Whole Foods.
Uppity white mom: excuse me, where can I find kale and quinoa around here?
local resident: fuck, this gentrification shit needs to stop
by aintnostoppingmenow November 17, 2014
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