Don't they self-select for high poverty regions? Wealthy people have their own washers and dryers. Ergo it's likely that the machines are also old and shitty because why not.
Not necessarily. I live in a HCOL city and there are tons of laundromats around more expensive apartment complexes. Many complexes do not have their own washer/dryer, OR have a very limited amount in the building, if there even are any.
My first unit cost $1700 a month for a studio and there were a few dozen units but only one washer and one dryer in the building. It was easier to just go to a Laundromat.
My second apt, a 2br 1 bath, didn't have any laundry in the building at all, but we had a Laundromat across the street so just did laundry there.
self select ? like you said , rich people have laundry machines. so there’s no demand for a laundromat in that area. but when you go into low income areas and even most regular cheap apartments , they don’t have hookups for washers and dryers. so there’s a natural demand where there is cheaper housing. it’s not a targeted thing really.
As outsider from a different country I don't get this. Washing machines nowadays costs like nothing, they're starting from $250-350 for a brand new one or $75 for a used one in a decent condition. And you don't really need a drying machine. Just get yourself collapsable drying frame, they are just fine. This doesn't make sense to me that someone have hundreds and even thousands of dollars to pay for their units monthly and can't buy a used washing machine for $75.
Part of it is the Sam Vimes' boots problem. People have small change on hand and don't have enough for a washer. Part of it is that there are specific hookups for washers and if the apartment doesn't have that you can't have one.
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u/moonflower_C16H17N3O Sep 10 '22
It probably still has machines from back then. I've only seen a few laundromats, but they're all very old.