The New York Times asks a provocative question: why are people so unhappy in some of the most ostensibly booming American places? For example, California has a strong economy and low relative unemployment. But the high cost of housing has increased commute times, and traffic is a nightmare. The state is vulnerable to the effects of climate change. What can be done? These are complicated questions, but we focus on one particular aspect: housing and commutes. Why is housing so expensive in some