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European Is Shocked To Learn How American Suburbs Work, Goes Online To Ask Some Accurate Questions
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European Is Shocked To Learn How American Suburbs Work, Goes Online To Ask Some Accurate Questions

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Ah, the great American suburbs. Nothing better than being confined to a neighborhood where all the houses look exactly the same, and the closest stores are 2 miles away. (And don’t forget that you have to drive to them because there are no sidewalks or bike lanes…) While I have never experienced living in a suburb myself, I’ve visited the cookie cutter communities many times. However, for many people outside of the United States, the concept of suburbs can be mind boggling.

Last week, a suburb discussion was sparked on Twitter after a Slovakian Reddit user watched a video about these confusing American neighborhoods then reached out to the Urban Planning subreddit to get some answers. Below, you can read the questions that were raised about US suburbs, as well as some responses to the queries from other Twitter users. Then we’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments down below: have you ever lived in an American suburb or are they a bizarre foreign concept to you too?

This urban planner sparked an interesting discussion on Twitter after finding the following questions about American suburbs posed by a confused Slovakian on Reddit

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While versions of suburbs do exist in many countries, the United States is unique in the layout of its suburbs and how much of the nation resides in them. According to the Pew Research Center, as of 2018, 55% of Americans lived in the suburbs. They’re not all the same across the country, though. Politically, the suburbs are evenly divided overall, with certain areas leaning more Democratic or Republican. In New England, for example, 57% of suburbanites tend to vote left. Meanwhile, in the East South Central region (including Alabama, Mississippi, Kentucky and Tennessee) 56% of voters identify as Republicans. The suburbs are also growing, particularly with older Americans. The 65-and-older population in the suburbs has increased 39% since 2000.

Though they may be famous for their perfectly manicured lawns, the suburbs are not all white picket fences and smiles. In 2016, suburban communities were found to have the highest “drug overdose fatality rate of any community type” in the US. And about one third of all suburbanites report that drug addiction is a major issue in their communities. One reason for the prevalence of addiction in suburbs may be the isolation people often feel being surrounded by almost nothing but other homes. Being bored is another factor that can lead to people experimenting with drugs, especially youths. Dr. Keith Humphreys, professor of psychiatry at Stanford University’s School of Medicine, told Modern Healthcare that although people living in suburbs often have better resources available to treat addiction, with most people in these communities being “more educated, [having] better jobs and [living] closer to more healthcare professionals than rural people”, the stigma around addiction can still be powerful. “If they believe that addiction ‘can’t happen here’, they will neglect to screen their patients for substance use as they should and respond appropriately to addiction when they detect it.”  

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American suburbs are a strange and fascinating concept. While they’re not a monolith, many of them do seem like inefficient uses of space and resources. Perhaps, over time, urban planners can learn a thing or two from countries like Slovakia and shift communities away from being so car dependent and focus more on quality of life. Let us know in the comments what your neighborhood is like in your country and if you think you could ever live in an American suburb!

Many Twitter users have responded agreeing with the absurdity of these suburbs and comparing the US to other countries

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audreyn_ avatar
Audrey N.
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

HOAs are Karen breeding grounds. I'd never live in an area with one if there was any other choice.

snowfoxrox avatar
Snowfoxrox
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

First rule of house hunting to our realtor was do NOT show us ANY homes with an HOA!

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tamrastiffler avatar
Tamra Stiffler
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I live in a very small town in Pennsylvania in the US. I have a rather large yard that's broken up by many large trees, some bearing fruit, a small koi pond, herb gardens, and four large vegetable plots. We walk to the post office and bank, and store sometimes. This doesn't address typical suburbs, though, which I personally don't care for. The US is really a huge country, which does explain the sprawl, somewhat. There are a lot of factors at play which brought about the suburbs.

angelatuel avatar
Angela Tuel
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I live in a Suburb just outside Boston... We have stores and schools etc where you can walk or use other transportation. My property is half surrounded by forest and we have a stream... It's also Conservation Land. Meaning we can only change so much, in order to protect the environment. However I can walk the length of my street (probably 1 mile) and get to the grocery store, banks, CVS, Dunkin's etc. The town I grew up is a DRY town, no liquor stores... The town I live in now (30 min from my childhood house) has one of the biggest Malls in our State. Everywhere is different. I def agree with Tamra!

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joemama_4 avatar
AverageWeeb 🇬🇧
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Really scraping the bottom of the barrel in terms of “things to pretend are bad in America”. They’re just houses, calm down.

ytmr avatar
Yves Soucy
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Agreed. They're just houses and I live in one and everything I need is right around the corner. Not a problem.

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giulia-arrigoni21 avatar
Emmydearest
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

God forbid you don't/can't drive (minors, elders, disabled, temporarly injured...)... In Italy we do have some places like that, where all you get is houses, no stores, no bars, no schools... They are called quartieri-dormitorio (dormitory blocks), but it's usually very low-income neighborhoods, definitely not middle/upper class... And it's considered a bad thing honestly

buggycas avatar
Buggycas
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Tell me about it I am disabled, can't drive, and live in RURAL America. I'm pretty much a hermit unless someone takes me somewhere

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janetclarke avatar
Hiker Chick
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

No one is forced to live in the suburbs. We Americans can choose where to live. I understand the questions and confusion, but people live where they want. My in-laws loved having a house in an HOA neighborhood, I chose to live in a non-HOA neighborhood. Most towns and counties in the US do provide free public transportation for elderly and disabled people. Just because it's not regular bus service doesn't mean it doesn't exist.

aliquida avatar
Aliquid
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"We Americans can choose where to live.".... what an odd statement. As if you are implying that people living in other countries don't choose where they live, because the original post was from Slovakia, and they also get to choose where they live. Secondly, I actually challenge the statement that Americans can choose where to live, since many Americans can't due to economic conditions. I'm sure there are plenty of people living in suburbs that wished that they didn't live in a suburb, but are not able to move.

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mhoncho2020 avatar
Mike Honcho
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ever think maybe people live in suburban areas because they want a balance between “leave me the f**k alone” rural living (like me), and being packed in like sardines in urban living? To me the urban living scenario is the absurd concept.

bobbiemeyers avatar
kathrynstretton avatar
kathryn stretton
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The Americans here defending their verson of suburb life I understand, but they have never lived in the European way of living where everything is geared to community. I'm biased (U.K.), but have lived abroad, last stop Turkey for 10 years where it's even more 'community first, and gardens are for productive use. and the children play out making god knows what with mud and lolly sticks, come at teatime. I think it's sad, and would love for the U.S. defenders to try the alternative just for a while.

tamrastiffler avatar
Tamra Stiffler
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I would absolutely love to live in that kind of community. There are some places like that in the US, but they aren't the norm, sadly.

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Steven Bennett
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Part of the problem here is that a lot of posters seem to be confusing Housing Developments with Suburbs. Housing Developments, like the one seen in Edward Scissorhands with identical houses, perfectly manicured lawns with no trees or other foliage, and no nearby businesses do exist, but they are the exception rather than the rule. The suburb where I grew up had a corner drugstore, a diner right next door, a bakery, a pizzeria, and yes, a liquor store all within walking distance. We also had several community parks, picnic areas, and playgrounds. We walked to school and on the street behind mine there was a creek at the bottom of the hill where we sledded in the winter and caught crayfish in the summer. And it seems to me here that a lot of Europeans are criticizing the American way of life while never having lived it, while at the same time accusing us of the same in reverse. Ultimately I believe comfort comes down to what you are used to.

dragonflysweety avatar
Jessica Tieking
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

True there's a difference between a Housing Development and Suburb. I though am in a suburb but we don't have anything like you described. Nothing within walking distance. Not that I can walk far anyways due to a chronic illness and chronic pain due to having Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome. But yeah just houses here. It isn't strict nor lenient. But no public transport. Must be nice to be where you grew up. Even where I grew up in North Carolina (currently in Texas) things weren't really like that. In one house there there was a small strip of businesses and I remember one was a salon where I got my hair cut when I was like 12. But unfortunately places like that is real rare it seems.

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gingersalmons avatar
Ginger Salmons
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I couldn’t stand living in a high rise apartment. People on top of people. If I want or need something, I get in my truck and go to the store to get it close by. Very easy, no biggie.

colleen_rogers avatar
Colleen Rogers
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's why the suburbs were created. To get away from being on top of eachother.

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neophrates avatar
Seymour Butts
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Some people like the peace and quiet of suburbs, especially when raising a family. Yuppie cosmopolitan snobs stay mad. I'm glad I grew up in the suburbs. My early years were spent in a more urban setting, and it had gangs, crime, graffiti, homeless, and other wonderful culture lol.

satanlovesyou avatar
SatanLovesYou
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You know just because you are avoiding those things doesn't mean their not still a massive societal problem in america right? That isn't city culture btw, it's american culture.

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aamatty avatar
AA Matty
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have no problem with single family homes or neighborhoods. I don't even think there is anything wrong with having single family zones within city limits. There are advantages to them. My issue is the strictness of zoning laws. Where I live, it is suburban neighborhood next suburban neighborhood. Every open space is then turned into to a damn corporate offices or more neighborhoods; very few communal parks for kids to go to. As someone mentioned, sidewalks end too soon and public transportation is c**p. Then there are the regulations everywhere about how to build houses that go beyond safety. I think some of those strip malls would be better served if they built apartments, even if it one story, above them. Suburbs should be modeled after towns we see on a Hallmark movie.

terrylovelace avatar
Terry Lovelace
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Come to the coast of Lake Erie in Avon Lake Ohio. We have parks on the coast. But, yes, they are cutting the green areas promised to us and the wildlife. Our deer are starting to starve with all undergrowth eaten and saplings starting to suffer. Money talks louder than compassion for the natural world.

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suzanne-young-58 avatar
Suzanne Young
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Hey, I grew up in the burbs and we were always outside playing. We knew to go home when the streetlights came on. I think the horror of the "suburbs" is really the horror of planned communities with rigid HOAs (now THAT is something horrible, and even worse in condos/townhouses).

peterfabian avatar
rn42
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It surprises me how many Americans support this zoning with "you don't want a slaughterhouse on one side of your house and drunks from a bar on the other" as if these were the only two options. Imagine having a walkable neighborhood where you can easily walk to a grocery store, a family restaurant, your kids to school and sport areas. This is not comparing suburbs to cities either, this is comparing suburbs with suburbs or larger villages. Some of the new suburbs in Eastern Europe (and maybe western, but I have no experience there) are making the same mistake, leading to car dependence. It's common to see people move out happily to their new home and then leave disappointed a few years later after they find their days are consumed with driving their kids around.

ladyfirerose avatar
Vira
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There is no f-ing way I'm going to live somewhere where I can't have a car, easily, in America. It's not because I can't walk, either, so don't even start with that racist c**p. Two of my elderly family members live several hundred miles north of me. My in-laws live several hundred miles south. My uncle lives several thousand miles away. These are trips that can take days to make. Why do most of these comments act like I would just hop on a bus, train, or plane? That's not an option, here. Some of us are farmers. You like food don't you? Well we provide it. Also, your idea of utopia isn't the same as mine. "Imagine walking here or there" sounds like misery, noise, and annoyance. I like wandering the mountains, hiking, fishing, animals, and plants. I'm not interested in sports. I cook my own food. The school is plenty close. My family has plenty of fun at my house. Bonfires, horses, and pit BBQs are pretty fun, thanks.

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balbicky avatar
Milan
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Slovak here. Once i was on court in a small town near New York (my car was hit). I had to walk from train station to the police station almost 2 hours, because there was no public transport or taxi 🤷🏼‍♂️ Except New York, we always rent a car, because of lack of public transport. Here in Slovakia in cities, towns or even in villages buses goes in every few minutes or at least every hours. I dont know much about gardens, but i like the US frontyards and “fenceless” houses. That we dont have here. Everybody have big fences around the house. But i can agree about suburbs in US (in which i lived for short periods). The services and stores in suburbs are mostly in one shopping place, what is comfortable, but again, you have to go there with car because most is far away. Here i can go by walk to the nearest stores or services. In the last 12 years in which i traveled back and forth to the US i can say that US cities especially towns and villages are much more beautiful in TV as in real ☺️

mwhee avatar
M Whee
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is partly why American refrigerators are so much bigger, most try to get the shopping done for a week in one trip, and feel bothered if we run out of something and have to go back. It's not a quick trip to the corner to get fresh bread or milk.

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erin_16 avatar
GirlFriday
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I grew in a small rural community and now live in a condo community just outside of a major city in the US. There are advantages to both, as for the suburbs, those people are paying for larger yards and quiet streets without the traffic of business districts. IT costs more to live a in a suburb away from conveniences and public transport. It is a lifestyle choice. I, personally, have public transport and a few stores within walking distance and major shopping within a five minute drive. I don't have a lawn, but we have a community garden area for planting vegetables if we want to.

miketkoop avatar
Sock Cucker
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Suburbs have all of that. I think you confuse rural with suburban. I'm in a suburb. We have a major mall, several large community gardens, etc. It costs more to live in the city. That's just objective fact. Rent and mortgages are higher, there are more taxes and fees in a city.

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donnaivy avatar
Donna Ivy
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I love my suburban home. I live my grass . It's so peaceful. It was a great playing area fir my 8 grandchildren. Running. ,kickball. Hiding and yes they would play with grass, dirt stones,mixing it up in bowls . They were very imaginative. And I do have a small vegetable garden. No I don't need to walk o a Cafe. I enjoy working in my garden, peace and quiet and birds singing.. But I also don't have an annoying HOA

colleen_rogers avatar
Colleen Rogers
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Which is why they were created. Not all suburbs are like the poster described. He or she should have grown up in Slovakia when it was under Communist rule then maybe they could understand America better.

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pavo6503 avatar
Agamemenon Triforce
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I live in a city and i totally hate it. The stores offer pretty much everything I need but almost nothing i want. People rave about the restaurants but that's not my thing. I live close to a major city but going there is a nightmare between the tourists and how much effort it takes to get to the one place I want to go. There's plenty of convenience but to go anywhere green and quiet takes a minimum of 20 minutes driving and that only gets me 2 miles (3km) away. The neighbors play obnoxiously loud music constantly. There's always construction. I live near 3 auto shops and they use our street as a test track. I will totally move out of the city ASAP for some quiet and isolation.

nikkisevven avatar
Nikki Sevven
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I live in Massachusetts and have a small house on 6475 sq meters (1.6 acres) of property. My "lawn" is mostly clover and wildflowers interrupted by large vegetable gardens and fruit trees. A perennial stream runs through my front yard. It's about 1.6 km to the nearest convenience store along two busy roads with no sidewalks.

veni_vidi_vicky avatar
Vicky Zar
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We've got a big estate for German standards. It's around 1000qm if I am not mistaken. Our house must be around 200qm, on two floors. This is really really big for our standards. And we got lucky. It was cheap because it's a fixer upper and in a very rural area. Normally no middle class people can afford such a thing. It's not even a one family home, but originally a boardinghouse. You do not see such big 1 family homes in Europe because our countries are smaller. That's why we tend to build up instead of just flat on the ground, too. And we do not have HOAs. There are no neighbourhoods that look like every house is a clone of the one before and I am glad of it.

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jessicaolson avatar
Jessica Olson
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'll never understand the HOA, it's so anti American in nature but apparently suburbs are rife with them, it's impossible to find a newer build that's not an HOA (last 20-30 years). You basically spend piles of money to own your land inorder to hand over almost all freedom you could exercise on that property! People say it's too make sure their property value is protected which is bull! Most things that would actually lower values ( like ten junk cars in the yard) are already things banned in suburban areas. No what you get is some bored Karen calling the HOA enforcer because you have some green stubble near your driveway and they slap you with 25$/day fine till it's sorted...

alisonduncanmurphy avatar
Alison Duncan Murphy
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Agree! I don't understand it. I live in a suburban city outside of a big city (sort of just blends together) in a very high value real estate area - no HOA in sight. The neighborhoods are well kept, people can paint their houses, shutters however they wish, put any curtains they choose in the windows, plant whatever they want, have trampoline, swimming pool, clothes line, fence or no fence - and they are all lovely neighborhoods. Sure, we had the kid who bought himself a hearse for his first car, but he moved on to university soon enough. And some people get dandelions in their yards, it's not the end of the world. But to live under the tyranny of an HOA? No house is that nice.

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gkrynick22 avatar
G Kionik
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I hate it when people from congested areas act like their opinion is the end all be all, and this whole "suburb regulation are there 'cuase racism" is stupid. These regulations are not to keep POC out. I did not run into one single barrier when I bought my house. Hell they never even once asked about my race. These idiots are LITERALLY EQUATING poor with POC while pretending to advocate for us. I live in a rural area and love it, we moved here FOR the quiet. There are plenty of shitty cities for people to move too if they want to live like that, just stop trying to turn our nice areas into cesspools. My area is extremely diverse with people from all backgrounds and religions. I have never been treated as anything other then a neighbor by everyone. One other thing I've noticed. "White flight", "gentrification" are both apparently bad. So white people aren't allowed to leave or stay in bad areas. Why are these terms ok? Try using a term that suggest POC moving into your area....

miketkoop avatar
Sock Cucker
Community Member
1 year ago (edited)

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Wht year is it? Do you seriously think that by advertising your refusal to even entertain an idea, it will bring people to your side? Read about white flight or stfu

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jonbonick avatar
Jon Bonick
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It seems like a pretty common misconception here is that every American suburb has the same setup and laws. There are lot of suburbs that are like the ones described, there are others that are almost like miniature cities, and many somewhere in between. Not every suburb has no sidewalks or only has business/entertainment in one part of the town. Don't get me wrong, I grew up in the middle of Chicago and I would never want to live in most suburbs, but they def aren't ALL like this.

frri avatar
Fr Ri
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The condescending way this article is written is ridiculous and is invalidated in the first few sentences where the writer says they have never lived in the suburbs....yet they begin to disparage the lifestyle.... as for the supposed writer of the redit questions, when Americans start migrating to your country in favour of your way of life at the same rate your countrymen are coming to the states, you cant question why we live the way we live, until then, maybe you should direct those inquiries to yourself and countrymen.

miked_4 avatar
Mike D
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The last thing on my mind is wishing my neighborhood was more crowded and had bars in it. Europeans, you do you, and try not to throw your neck out looking down on everyone.

rachelhobbs avatar
Rachel Hobbs
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have lived in Suburbia in Indiana with my husband and 3 kids for 8 years now. My thoughts: it was awesome to move into a brand new home where everything was under a 3-5 year warranty, there are sidewalks and streetlights for the kids to ride their bikes, community pool, we DO use our yard as we have a massive garden, swingset, trampoline, huge deck, patio, fence, all of which is crucial for kids & a huge dog. We have brought in massive trees to create landscaping & privacy. We considered buying land and moving, but it is expensive around here, & the kids would miss the neighborhood. It is very safe here, we are 0.5 miles from their school and 1 mile from the grocery store, pharmacy, & gas station. We also have a winery & strawberry farm 0.5 miles the other way with my son's 2 soccer fields. Outdoor concerts are held there in the summer that families bike to. Halloween is magic here! Charming surroundings but in a safe neighborhood!

josephmainusch avatar
Joseph Mainusch
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I grew up in America, and I scratch my head at these descriptions of what American life is like. I live in rural America, but my mom lives in the suburbs. Walking distance to plenty of shops and facilities. Walking distance to a train that takes her straight into NYC. Small lawn, a few veggies growing in the back yard. I've never experienced an HOA. I've also lived in Germany, which isn't much different, in my experience.

lklee72000 avatar
Lisa Kinoti
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Well, I live in the South of the United States and I will say that being car dependent with no public transportation has contributed to poverty, stress, and homelessness in the city where I live. With no public transportation, everyone needs a car to get to work. No car usually means no work, because jobs will ask on interviews if you have dependable transportation. I don't blame them because they want to make sure you can get to work. So if you don't have a car, you don't make it to work, and if you don't make it to work, you don't make money, and if you don't make money... Well, you do the math. Hence the stress and potential homelessness. Suburb life is for people making enough money to afford a home and car. And by enough money I mean $60,000 a year and up. And this also depends on which state you live in. Some states are more expensive. Therefore, if you work as a restaurant waiter, or as a retail store attendant, or a gas station clerk, or a line cook, you are out of luck. 🤔

darcymarie avatar
Darcy Marie
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Maybe I'm confused as to what a suburb is but unless it's a gated/private community or HOA it's nothing like that. My house has yards and kid has an imagination to play with. There are always so many kids in random peoples yards. I walk out and I'm never surprised to see five kids running around rather than just my one. We're getting a trampoline but that's expensive. We're walking distance from 2 park and a library. There are at least 7 food places waking distance. I'd rather have the space the garden takes up for play. I have a little pond with fish and a waterfall, a grill, outdoor dining furniture, and a basket ball hoop. My house is normal for the area. We have the option for privacy but also the ability for togetherness. My neighbor is 35 years older than me and one of my closest friends. I'm closer to the people around me here than i ever was when I lived in an apartment complex.

gkrynick22 avatar
G Kionik
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Suburbs are usually large neighborhoods of very similar middle class to upper class houses. They are usually built by one builder who buys up a massive chunk of land and builds a neighborhood, which is why the houses are usually identical.

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hjackgerdes avatar
Ein Steinbeck
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

For the non-Americans here: is public transpo any less horrifically ghetto in other countries? Here it's literally unusable as anything other than a last resort.

peterfabian avatar
rn42
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Public transport is anything but horrifically ghetto in anywhere in Europe, even most lines that actually specifically serve ghettos.

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kelldivision avatar
Kelly Robey
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

No one is talking about how people have been being pushed out of cities because of high costs.I could NEVER afford the house my single grandmother (with 5 children) bought in Houston in the 60s. Certainly not on a nurses salary. My family had to move to suburbs and smaller towns outside of the city to afford housing. Its not as easy as making a choice to live in a city with transportation, food, ect. It's just not affordable for the average family.

ceceliarobbins avatar
Cecelia Robbins
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The origin of suburbs: read up on Levittown & GIs returning from WWll. How safe & clean suburbs must have been, after seeing the horror & destruction of the war in Europe, the ruin & filth of great cities. Every man a king of his own green-swarded wee castle.

matthewmeier avatar
Matthew Meier
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I live in a Midwestern suburb and I've lived in suburbs all over this country. Most do have stores within walking distance if you're not too lazy to walk. Most allow for growing food in your yard, kids play in the woods and the yards and the creeks and the streets. We have public transportation and we aren't living on top of one another. City life is one of the worst hells I could possibly imagine for myself but I can see the appeal for some. Most people in America live in suburbs so maybe there is something to it. Maybe these European city dwellers are just so miserable they need to find something wrong with a way of living that doesn't match their own so they feel better about their own choices.

dragonflysweety avatar
Jessica Tieking
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's not only laziness that prevents one from walking. Some have chronic health conditions like myself. Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and chronic pain and besides I'd have to walk too far to get to anywhere. There is a convenience store a couple minutes away but usually things cost more there...

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mwhee avatar
M Whee
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I will never live in another condo because every one I've been in was so poorly insulated you can hear... everything. Happy I was able to get a single family home and I grow my own veggies, have a few fruit trees but a corner market would be fantastic.

ebolachan666 avatar
Ebolachan666
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That depends on the build my next door neighbor in my condo has 3 crazy German shepherds they are insanley loud whennwalking outside and the windows are open. But i cant hear a thing in my house near the connecting wall. I was to loud once but i had it coming i used an impact hammer drill at 11pm like an idiot lol.

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yaojielun avatar
Jay Son
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As a European now living in the US, I can only say that he's not wrong. Some of the things here are ridiculous.

colleen_rogers avatar
Colleen Rogers
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And I am sure that we would find many things in your country ridiculous. The difference between America and most other countries is that we allowed ourselves the freedom to come together and share our ways of life and to create new ones that makes America different from other countries. We're not perfect by any means but we aren't as bad as some make us out to be and it's because of those things that you find "ridiculous" that we are UNIQUE compared to other countries.

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Colleen Rogers
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When the suburbs were first conceived they were meant as an escape from the ciry for people to raise their children and to own a home instead of renting. They basically came about after WW2 when our men (and women) came home and wanted a different life than the one that they had before the war. They were working and raising families and wanted a good place to do so. The suburbs never used to be like they are now. People actually socialized with eachother and children played together. They only turned into status symbols in the 1980s. Unless you grew up during that era you wouldn't understand. No life wasn't perfect in all of them and Hollywood makes it seem like they were evil but for the most part they were great places to live and raise your children. If we hadn't started becoming so paranoid about life, then you could understand. What he or she doesn't mention is how Slovakia was part of the Soviet Union until its downfall and life then was way different than it is.

davidmatayabas avatar
Trisec
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'd say it depends greatly on what "suburb" you live in. I'm in the megalopolis (outside Boston, MA). It's a legit bedroom community of the big city, but it's a city on it's own right. I'm in a dense apartment complex one block from the main road, and we've got all the stores, bars, restaurants, and public transportation. I could live here without a car and be perfectly happy in European Style right in the good ol' USA. Of course, your mileage may vary.

peterfabian avatar
rn42
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You can still do that in the Northeast and some old big cities because the developments predate this useless legislation.

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Marci Sasik
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I was born in Slovakia, but have lived in the States since I was 8. I think much about the US is misunderstood. There are many suburban neighborhoods that do have stores, restaurants, etc., that you can walk to. I live in one of those. It is a mixed neighborhood (mostly houses, some townhouses and condos), with many acres of parks. I can walk to various restaurants within 15 minutes. I can walk to a grocery store in 10 minutes. There is public transportation. Sure, some suburban areas in the US are not like ours, but not all of Europe is urban; there are many rural areas where you have to travel to get to a store, restaurant, etc.

dubia_semper avatar
Tonya Barrett
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There are a lot of misperceptions floating around here. I grew up, lived in and worked in big cities. I also lived in a small rural college town. I spent a few years in a major European city as well. I now work in a big city and live in a manicured suburb. I would not have it any other way. The peace, tranquility and freedom is unsurpassed. My front yard with bushes and shrubs is pleasant and gives me space from my good neighbors. I plant colorful flowers yearly. I chose not to plant vegetables, etc. I sit out cloistered in my backyard. It’s a 1/2 mile to the main road and stores. One local grocery store and restaurant is a 5 minute walk. The commuter train is only a mile away. The schools are vastly superior to the ones in the city. Many towns are mixed, so that eliminates the racial component. Kids get around on foot or bicycle with ease and play in abundant parks and sports fields if not involved in other community events. Europeans and Americans look at living space differently.

perezhugo33 avatar
Igetsurgical
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wait we live in L.A county. We have a lemon and orange tree, 5 pepper plants, 3 types of berries, broccoli, parsley, Basil and mint plants all throughout the house

tomsoundsgood avatar
Tom Kaliszewski
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My favorite twitter response in this story is the guy who thinks he’s got America all figured out and shouts “Play with what?? Grass??” when told that our kids like to go out in the yard and play. No, Sven, they play with toys and games. What do YOUR kids do when they go outside, play with beans and cucumbers??

underachvrnproud avatar
Satan Laughs
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So is it just me or is Bored Panda turning anti-American? Where are their headquarters, anyhow?

miley-n-miller09 avatar
Miley miller
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I live in the California suburbs, and we are a fifteen minute drive from the grocery store, ten minute drive to the nearest middle school, fifteen to the high school, and maybe ten minutes away from the community park. Most homes in my neighborhood have backyards, with lawn and patio space, but we are not allowed to grow any plants visible from the front o the house. They will be ripped out. There is no public transportation out of my neighborhood, but there is a bus stop around ten minutes away, though. No one uses it, because there is a homeless camp right behind it., and is therefore pretty unsafe.

menilly avatar
Menilly
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What is the point of this article? Also a lot of this just isn't true, I can walk to the nearest grocery store in like 5 minutes, and I'm in the suburbs. Everyone here can.

firequeen avatar
Fire Queen
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The correct answer is : racism ! The zoning laws are old-fashioned, and too rigid for their own good. The suburbs were "invented" to get white folks away from the urban areas with lots of darker skinned folks. "Residential segregation" is the term for this. "Exclusionary zoning laws" essentially trap many black families into low-income neighborhoods by pricing them out of richer ones. The exclusionary zoning; such as "single-family zoning", makes it illegal to build anything other than single-family homes, is prevalent in the suburbs. Single-family homes are much more expensive than apartments or duplexes, that could be rented, vs straight out bought! There are many more exclusionary laws regarding the zoning within the suburbs... Such as the "ordained minimum plot size" (thus doubling costs of finished properties.) There also we're "covenanted properties", which made sure that it could never be sold to anything else as a white family. And "mandatory school zones" you cannot pick!

cheesesammich avatar
Cheese Sammich
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

At the end of WWII, millions of young soldiers, sailors, marines and airmen.... who went away to war as teenagers... came home as grown men. They were ready to settle down and raise families. After years of economic depression and war (things which defined them as youngsters), what they wanted most was peace, prosperity, and stability. The big problem was that there wasn't much housing for them.... so housing had to be built quickly. This is where the suburbs originally come from.

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David Howard
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Things that are common to suburbs (at least where I live): Bike/walking paths, golf courses, tennis courts, playgrounds, lakes for fishing and boating, a club house for gatherings, neighborhood activities, etc. I drive to stores in my car and pick what I need and carry it home in my car. I couldn't imagine bringing home everything on public transport or carrying it for long distances. I am 67 years old with back problems and would find this very hard to do

urmibert49 avatar
Farhana Naz
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I live in a suburb in New York State. Many people are growing gardens in their yards. We don't have HOA fees because I live in an older neighborhood. People are always out walking, walking their dogs, their babies. We gave convenience stores, restaurants and bars nearby. I will say though that my neighbors are way too obsessed with their lawns and most use landscapers. I can't afford that, so my lawn isn't perfect, nor do I want it to be. I prefer to have gardens and ground cover plants. I like my privacy and don't want live within hearing distance of my neighbors homes. Nor do I want to look out my windowd and see into theirs. That said, better public transportation would be nice, though the train station is within walking distance.

cdidier9 avatar
Carrie Smigla-Didier
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So the suburbs are really perfectly fine. I have lived in the south burbs of Chicago most of my life and when I was a kid, I played outside with other kids at the nearby park or rode bikes around the neighborhood, or invented games to play like ghost in the graveyard (some weird vatiation of tag) or we swam in that one friend who had a pool's pool. We had sidewalks and each suburban town has its own commercial area which is mixed right in with the houses, just in busier streets. I have always been able to walk to the corner store, but it'll take about 30-45 min to get there which i don't find a huge deal. I could ride my bike on the slower streets just fine or on the sidewalls with no problem. We can do most anything we want with our front and back yards, most people do have vegetable gardens-at least little ones. People have BBQs, parties, eat dinners all on their back patios. A lot have basketball hoops in the driveway and if you have a dog, a lawn is awesome for fetch.

joyousness avatar
Joyousness
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

…….so they started building single-family houses because people could afford it. The silly rules in some suburbs/neighborhoods about not having a garden, etc., are because some people in those neighborhoods think they’re important and they want to act like children and control what everyone does. But you’re free in America to NOT live in those neighborhoods. Some neighborhoods have rules because some Americans are slobs and let their houses fall apart, which lowers the value of everyone else’s house, so those rules are in place to stop that from happening. I’m an American, BTW. My neighborhood has a pool that everyone can use, so we all pay a monthly fee to keep the pool working and clean. It just depends on your neighborhood - they’re not all the same.

joyousness avatar
Joyousness
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have lived in the American suburbs my entire life - I grew up near Chicago, and now I live near Cleveland. The suburbs were created because city housing, historically, was right next to steel mills and chemical plants in these cities, and people wanted to get away from the pollution. Suburbs were originally built with multiple-family home and small yards. My grandpa was from Slovakia, and he had a house in the Chicago suburbs with another family living on the second story and very little land - but a big garden with vegetables and a goat for milk. He would walk to shops a few blocks away. Then the car became more accessible to people, so they didn’t need public transportation as much, and the suburbs became their own towns, with their own governance. So, since people had cars and could drive to shops, these towns started moving the shops away from the houses so people could have a quieter area to live. With cars, people could travel farther to get jobs that pay more…..

hannahgreer avatar
Hannah Greer
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I live in the Suburbs and it's wonderful. Not isolating, we have a vibrant community. It's not only my immediate family in my house - my house is large enough to have my extended family live with me. I can bike the store if I want to. There are plenty of parks and a lot of my neighbors have gardens. I don't need a city planner (aka governmental bureaucrat) telling me how to adjust my life , my city, or my community. Stop trying to make an issue out of thin air.

michelem_ avatar
Michele M.
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's strange to me that people are so against having space. Sometimes people in suburbs have gorgeous lawns, and a lot have really pretty lawns. Children play on playsets in the yard or go to the park, because there are parks in the suburbs. I'm lucky enough to live in a suburb that borders a major city, so I get the best of both worlds. The houses are close together but we have some yards, there's public transportation and shopping. All the streets have sidewalks.

gkrynick22 avatar
G Kionik
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

People aren't against having space. They are against people who have different wants than them. They are so self absorbed they are shocked to see some people prefer to live differently. They refuse to believe it and fool themselves into thinking it must be a problem they need to solve. The overt racism that they spew while defending us is mind boggling. "Those restrictions are there to keep poor people out which is racist" is their favorite "go to" 1. Poor does not equal POC 2. When I bought my house, everything was done electronically and they did not know my race until closing.

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noneanon avatar
Random Anon
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ah the cul-de-sac, the American dream of cultured living. Lol... until your nosy HOA lady with a notepad throws a hissy fit every fortnight over some bushes. It's ironic really. Those that buy houses with swathes of land, can't do anything with the land and can afford to buy their food anyway. While those who cannot afford food, do not have land to grow their own food.

davidforce avatar
David Force
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I live in a walkable suburb of Detroit. Our little suburb is just like a lot of the other towns outside of Detroit. There is a town center and lots of shops, restaurants, movie theaters and parks with playgrounds for children. We have a local farmers market and there are a lot of Europeans live her because it reminds them of home including close friends that are German and Italian that moved here to work in our auto industry. I’m a home builder and have torn down old houses and built many new ones in several local suburbs that have downtowns that were established in the 1930’s. Some suburbs are further out in old farm fields where land is cheap but a lot of suburbs are just like mine.

clwhitehead88 avatar
SelkieBlackfysh
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I enjoy my lawns. I may not do much with my front yard but I enjoy that buffer between myself and others. Largely because I was born and raised up till my teens as "middle class and well off" to my parents making several rapid stupid decisions and putting us in very much low class very much financially struggling so we wound up in areas with many people of many colors and backgrounds who were all universally awful so to this day I'm a misanthrope. As for gardening I'm slowly figuring it out. I don't have any gardening friends, or experience. Having to learn and slowly buy up the things I need. It's not as simple as digging up some dirt and tossing some seeds. There's soil types, growing ranges, you have to consider sun exposure and water needs. I wasn't brought up with agriculture background so I don't have anything to draw from and my life never lead me to learn such things until now, in my thirties. Of course there are those suburban homes with extravagant flower gardens, so.

alisonduncanmurphy avatar
Alison Duncan Murphy
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Try creating a wild space in your yard by letting it go and throwing in wild flowers to attract bees, birds and butterflies. Put up some bat houses, some bird houses and bee habitats and you can use your space to do a lot of good.

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justinoliveri avatar
Bob da Worker
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Speaking as an American, one of the stupidest things we’ve ever done as a country is the grass lawn. It’s pathetic. Manly men spending obscene amounts of time, money and water to stroke his own ego by having the greenest green you never golf on. Hell most of these idiots spend more time grooming their grass than they do themselves. I bought my house and before the ink had dried I was spreading clover seeds. Thought the poor seller was going to have a heart attack when I took his (now mine) giant status symbol and killed it off. On ~3 acres, half of which used to be lawn, there are now hundreds of trees, gardens, mushroom logs, bee hives, raspberry and blueberry bushes, etc.

bobbiemeyers avatar
Bobbie Meyers
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Then there is the dog yard. It's ugly, but what do they care? We encourage dandelions for the bees and I harvest them for my rabbits and Guinea Pigs.

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laurabamber avatar
The Starsong Princess
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I used to live in the city but it was noisy, crowded and expensive. Now I live in a condo townhouse and it’s great. I grow my own tomatoes on my beautiful terrace overlooking a ravine filled with wildlife. There are trees everywhere.I can walk to shops, a grocery store and a few restaurants at a nearby busy street. I grew up near here and kids bike, play in the parks and swim in the summer and toboggan and ice skate in the winter. There’s sidewalks and bike paths everywhere. The only downside is the traffic that makes my commute to work nearly a hour. But now I work from home 4 days a week. Surburbia is great.

kleinert-torsten avatar
Torsten
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Nearly all these questions will be answered in the "Not Just Bikes" YT channel.

jeremycrocker avatar
Jeremy Crocker
Community Member
11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Lawns are very important, the give me somewhere to put snow in the winter. Wouldn't want to push snow into a garden but a lawn is just grass.

amoebas_barbed0z avatar
The Milk In Your Fridge
Community Member
11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Englishwoman here! i found one of your sacred red cups used for high school parties on the side of the motorway the other day… shall i donate it to the british museum? /j

josephmelotik avatar
Joseph Melotik
Community Member
11 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We lived in Detroit when I was a kid. You could walk to the store if required but the danger in that was not worth it. Everytime we left the house something was damaged or broken into. Violence ruled. As a 5.YO I was beat many times by teenagers just for being there. When my parents finally got sick of it (after gunfire coming through our home) they sold out at a huge loss and. Moved as far away as they could afford and as secluded as they could reasonably get. Took years to recover financially. But as kids we could finally not worry every minute about violence and racism . We could walk to school without armed guards. This was the driver of suburbs. And while we lived safe in the suburbs the racist mayor of Detroit blamed us for the problems in the city. My parents were so disenchanted and beaten they voved never to spend a dime in Detroit and mostly stuck to that for 30 years. I don't blame them

mdurbin0935 avatar
Raven
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In my neighborhood, there's one elementary school that can be biked to within five minutes of almost anyone within the school zone. There's a park about the same distance away, and a convenience store about twice as far. As long as your kid's wearing a bike helmet and knows or is in the company of someone who knows your phone number, they should be good. I live in a pretty safe neighborhood, so this didn't apply to everywhere in America obviously, but being more spread out can seem a bit less containing. As for HOAs, I think they should be less restrictive. Telling someone not to write crude words on a mailbox is understandable and even appreciated, but I'd someone wants to plant a tree on their property let them. And we really should have better public transit.

alexmosby_1 avatar
Alex Mosby
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

These questions make question the stereotype the Europeans are more informed than Americans.

safsaf avatar
SAF saf
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

lol....Iive in CA which is the MOST heavily regulated state in the USA. We're allowed to have gardens, literally looking at my avocado, grapefruit tree in the garden as i type this. These suburbs are designed to serve a certain type of buyer that prefers this type of regulated neighborhood. You have to go out of your way to live in one of these houses.

sanchishiva avatar
HumanBeingFromEarth
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

BP. Chill with da American hate. Half of that info was wrong or inaccurate. The second half varies on each county. And trust me, only a few are like that. We get you hate America, but you need to calm down. And not once in the whole of bored panda do I see something good towards America, like the fact that “the US has the worlds best education system” or “for such a big country, car crashes are less because of the drinking limit” or “the us is helping the Ukraine possible the second most after Poland and can’t join the war because it might spark a nuclear war or start the war between China, Russia, and America” or “The US has changed so much and so fast” and “Britain left it but it immediately grew and is in the top 5 of worlds greatest nations”

zywiawil avatar
Random person
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

To be fair, the Irish countryside is similar except that you don't have as much neighbours and they aren't as close to you- there's only like 5 people my age that I can comfortably get to without driving lol. And the nearest shop is driving distance, unless you want to spend 20 minutes walking or have a bike, but from my housed you have to go along a main road, so it's not safe for children under the age of 11/12

ann_mohrmann avatar
Ann Mohrmann
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Not all suburbs are the same. I used to live in a house in the middle of several streets of houses, but it was a five minute walk to McDonald's, Walgreens, my vet and another one, a grocery store, etc. I moved five miles away to a condo on a short street with other condo complexes, in the midst of streets of houses. Now I live a five minute walk from...McDonald's, Walgreens, my mother, several churches, Dominos, etc. I don't walk because I don't like to, and public transportation isn't the best, but suburbs aren't necessarily bad.

crzychck3 avatar
Autumn Mansfield
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I like living in a suburbs because you still live with people, but you don't have to listen to your neighbors have sex/talk/argue/yell at their kids flush their toilets, get their roaches or bed bugs, fight for parking, live stacked on top of each other with no land to walk barefoot in the grass under the trees. The traffic is lower so it's safer for kids playing outside. What's there for kids to do:swim, ride bikes/ scooters, trampolines, swingset, play in the sand, play games with other kids, etc. We have a yard and we use it. We've got a small pool, we cook out, relax in hammocks, have people over, garden, grow plants, etc. In the city traffic is horrible and it takes a million years to get anywhere on packed busses and trains with sick people coughing their germs all over you. I've lived in Madrid, and I've lived in US suburbs. Being able to be in quiet nature is important to me.

jenh_1 avatar
Jen H
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

First, Suburbs are made up of towns/townships outside of urban areas. Second, within suburbs, you will find gas stations, grocery stores, libraries, etc to support the suburbs. The suburbs (e.g. towns) are then "zoned" into housing, public works and commercial zones. In housing zones, you only build houses, in commercial-commercial property, and so on. With that said, yes--for every so many square feet/miles (meters/km) there is so much commercial, so much housing, so much public. Americans want shopping away from their houses because, if they wanted it all mashed together--they would live in a city. Public transport is developed and maintained by city's, towns, counties and sometimes the states (though rarely). People forget that one state is the equivalent of all of Slovakia, or Germany....now multiply that by 50--and you can see why each state has their own laws, ordinances, etc..

misterluckys7even avatar
misterluckyS7even
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So I bought this ant farm; a 10" tablet sealed shut with ants, sand qnd and food. So I learned ants must not breathe

emily-selway avatar
Emily
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We get it, we get it. America sucks, it’s horrible, we can keeP churning out content about even more minute and banal things to s**t on it for. Blah blah blah. New content, please.

kellywalter avatar
Kelly Walter
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I live in a suburb, technically of Philadelphia but I am in New Jersey. My suburb is nice, we have sidewalks and little businesses. I think it's all about having your little slice of the world. I'm happy.

b70dub avatar
BA
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wow... so basically this article is a bunch of over-generalized statements and one sided questions written by someone reaching to find an excuse to rant on Americans...Nice. Also, if one feels that they need a bar within walking distance then it seems like they may have missed the marked on setting lifestyle priorities.

imj avatar
IMJ
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So much anti-American bias in the entire Reddit thread, which is unfortunately also populated by a cross section of Americans who can't answer the loaded-and-seemingly-intentionally-provacative questions of the equally obtuse reddit population of non-Americans. You CAN grow on your property, there IS public transportation in the suburbs, and SO much of the benefit of suburban living is disregarded in the reddit thread simply to attack an American way of life. In 3 minutes online I could probably dig up 30 s**t-society facts on each of those redditors countries and I wouldn't have to gaslight over "suburban living" to do it.

paigecybulski avatar
Paige Bankhead
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Finally! I live in a suburbia blob and hate it. I would love to live somewhere within walking distance of amenities, but can't afford it :( moving as close as we can.

iamthesmitty17 avatar
Zane Smith
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"I really enjoy 10s of thousands of people walking right by my house every day" said no one ever. As for what kids do we bike a lot there's often cool places to find especially in areas not under development. I remember finding an area with a friend where there was nothing around wed take our bikes and built a tree fort ourselves where we'd bring our Gameboys and ay for hours because our parents were super strict.

ronnie_3 avatar
Ronnie
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You can tell be the responses how many of these people would make s**t parents lol. “The neighborhood has no cafe? What will the kids do??” Yeah. Those peoples kids are gonna be raised by iPads.

patrckbradshaw avatar
Patrck Bradshaw
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Lmao I moved out of NYC to small town in Upstate Ny. Tons of things for my kids to do. Schools are better, People are nicer and Home prices are avoidable. This hole article is nonsense just trying to push anti American rhetoric.

leo_kinach avatar
Leonardo Kinach
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Europeans baffle me. "If I lived in such a place, I'd buy a house next to mine and turn it into a tavern..." Why would you disturb the peace and quiet of your neighbors by forcing a bar next to them? I am a Brazilian and always lived in European styled neighborhoods, and it was a hell of people making noise with their sound system cars because "You can't have a party without music". "Play with what? Grass?" I hope this is a joke, otherwise I feel inclined to believe European children are too poor to have toys or imagination

ellenranks avatar
Diolla
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I live in Europe and living next door to a bar is not what most ppl wish for. We like our peace and quiet as much as the next person. Parties with sound system cars? Try that for 10 minutes and we will call the police on you.

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thatbemeacb avatar
Thatbeme ACB
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There is so much info bout why the suburbs was created. Look at the history rather an opinion. I'll give u a hint. Has to do with racist America, the great divide.

thatbemeacb avatar
Thatbeme ACB
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

To live in a suburb of America, money is a necessity. If u have money u don't mind driving out of the way for goods especially as decades roll u get used to it. U think that's how life should be

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charleskennedy avatar
Charles Kennedy
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You are permitted to judge other people after you have walked a mile in their footsteps. Until then it's none of your business.

ellenranks avatar
Diolla
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I went to the USA and tried to walk a mile starting from my hotel in the middel of Miami, but I couldn't because the sidewalk ended and there was a 6 lane uncrossable road..... But I do agree with your general statement :-).

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joshuasteele avatar
Joshua Steele
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

No one is implying *literally move tomorrow* when they suggest moving if you don't like where you live. For his private sector career my father moved us every 2-3 years to a new state for 8 moves total by the time I was in high school. I have also moved states 3 different times as an adult. All those moves were planned several months in advance including a "moving fund" being set aside weekly. Stop blaming your surroundings, change them. If you don't want to move, just say it and stop blaming your circumstances on others. Stop expecting strangers to drop their adulting for the day to attend your pity party 🤷🏽‍♂️

heidisanders92 avatar
Heidi S
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Most people don't realize how big America actually is, the state of California alone has double the land area of the UK. I would agree that HOAs are ridiculous but I very much love living in a house and I do grow a majority of our veggies and raise a dozen hens. I really like being away from the stores, and plan my errands for one day of travel. If you prefer to live near coffee shops and town there are certainly places like that. If you prefer apartment living there's lots of that too. But you could also buy hundreds or even thousands of undeveloped acres in northern California if you had the money.

mickosmile avatar
Micko Smile
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I've lived in suburbs of: Cape Town, South Africa, small town, large city, a metropolis of Canada. I'm an introvert and I never felt isolated in any of them. Imagination is what you do with it.

nathanschinigoi avatar
Nathan Schinigoi
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I love the suburbs. I've lived rural and I've lived in the city. The suburbs are kinda right in between. What did I do as a kid, I rode my bike 5 minutes to the park or the soccer field or the baseball diamond or the basketball court. I also fished in rivers and shot archery at a local park. What about food...kwik trip was a 3 minute bike ride away. 15 minutes on a bike I could go to cub foods or any of a dozen restaurants.

tylerj avatar
Tyler J
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The point of living in the suburbs is space and quiet. It costs millions of dollars to get those 2 things in most big city urban communities.

burning_empire avatar
Charles Ayala
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Suburbs are not necessarily cookie-cutter, HOA-driven, no sidewalk communities. All suburbs means is not quite urban, not quite country. I'd say a solid 80% of US suburbs have no HOA or regulations, have convenient stores all over, sidewalks, the houses are different styles from different eras, and have gardens, trees, and small wooded areas between blocks. The stereotypical land development communities are the cookie cutter dystopias you all are referring to.

cathpoop_1 avatar
Cathpoop
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

These people never saw a suburban town that has a main street full of little shops within walking distance?

joyousness avatar
Joyousness
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don’t know what happened to the first half of my post….I live in the suburbs - first near Chicago, now near Cleveland. People lived in cities next to steel mills and chemical plants. Once the car became affordable, people moved out of the cities to get away from pollution. They lived in houses with multiple families and very small yards, but many had gardens and even goats and chickens. With cars, people could travel farther to get jobs that pay more, so they started building one-family houses with more land, because they could - and they wanted a quieter home life…..

waynerogers avatar
Wayne Rogers
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Americans were sold a bill of goods when the interstate highway plans were disclosed. What they werent told is the plan was developed by a former GM ex4ctutive who wanted to make sure we wouldnt demand a nationwide public transportation system

gkrynick22 avatar
G Kionik
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Just because you want to live near public transportation, doesn't mean everyone does. There are choices, there should be choices, and saying all areas across the US should look how YOU envision them is asinine.

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helen-marco avatar
European sparrow
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It seems that many Americans think that Europeans can't have cars and have to use public transport. That's not the case. Only in dense cities it is more convenient to opt out on cars because of parking hassle and costs. I live in a town with only half hourly buslines that go to the nearest city. We have 2 cars, although my husband enjoys cycling to work 30 km away in good weather. We, a family of 4, have 6 bycycles we use for transportation around town and for sports/recreational. I enjoy driving my car for work and shopping and running arrants further away.

craigholmgren avatar
Craig Holmgren
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Hey Folks it's a lifestyle choice. Urban streets are too narrow for a truck. No where to park the boat. Garages are too small for 4 wheelers and other motorized toys. A 3 car garage 900+ sf. preferably heated for winter. Throw in a pool or a hot tub. Both if you can afford it. Hire someone to maintain. Life is good

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tympathi avatar
Timmy Pillinger
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We have towns like this in the UK, like Redditch, but they are not very popular. Even then we retain village like shops. My suburb is an ancient village and we still have a bunch of basic shops (convenience store, grocer, chemist and a load of fast food), and a couple of pubs.

emilymcdonnel avatar
Emily McDonnel
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Gardens are great but not possible everywhere in America. In AZ it is to hit yo grow stuff And if we do the rabbits eat it. Plus Americans are busybodies and don't slow down enough to grow food. I don't know what they means by what do the kids do. They play out side? They have toys. There are sprinklers. It's nice not to have the hustle and bustle of store right next to your house.

tomo avatar
Tom O
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There's a difference between mature suburbs and new housing developments. Mature suburbs will have everything you need within a 5-10 minute drive, while the new developments are far more affordable. Suburbs are neither better nor worse than the European way, just different, and everyone is going to have their preference. I'd venture a guess that if these European countries had historically cheap land, and comparatively cheap gas, as is the case in the U.S., we wouldn't be having this conversation to begin with.

tq_1 avatar
T Q
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Can't tell who is more ignorant... The Europeans comparing a suburb home subdivision to a normal city block or the other Americans who just want to complain about how good they have it.

gkrynick22 avatar
G Kionik
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Definitely the Europeans whining about how some Americans CHOOSE to live, Definitely not the Americans defending how they choose to live. Should be pretty obvious.

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larisamigachyov avatar
Lara M
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What's that about not growing food plants in our yards? I've just recently moved into our suburban house so I don't have all the plants I want yet, but my apricot tree, cherry tree, blueberry bushes, green onions, and potatoes are doing just fine, thank you very much. I also have lovely roses that are blooming right now and some other miscellaneous flowers. My parents live in the same suburb and have a lemon tree, blueberries, grapes, and various other plants I can't remember. Most of the folks here have very nice gardens.

conniemeier avatar
Connie Meier
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The questions and comments on Twitter are more about housing developments than about suburbs. There are tons of businesses in suburbs. I mean come on, the Mall of America is in a suburb.

jeffreykeffer avatar
Jeffrey Keffer
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Slovakia is 201 times smaller then the united states with a population diffrence of 5935.610917750504% Im not sure what all the talk of no public transit is In St.Louis we have Busses as well as a metro link , however most people dont use them for saftey and the fact we have cars , I am in a suburb less than 1km away from major shopping centers and eataries ... I own a home on an acre lot thats mostly grass except for my pool , I have a few fruit bushes and some mint but dont feel like gardening. When I was a kid we would go out and play across backyards ride bikes skateboard and a whole lot of other things ... I think the lonley kids either didnt go out to make friends or were just plain assholes ( the weird kid was always the cool kid making friends was not hard ) Still today in the summer and winter after a snow a lot of kids play out side ... Of course a lot play inside on video game systems which is a shame they miss alot but thats them and their parents choice ...

peterfabian avatar
rn42
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Slovakia is a lot smaller than the US but then the discussion is not about why is there no public transport or services at a farm in middle of Nebraska, we are talking about suburbs. There's literally zero reason not to allow a small grocery store two streets over, where you could send your kid to grab butter and some apples with a fiver in their hand.

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bubbapop avatar
BG
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Our cities are sprawling , also. I rode my bike to the end of a paved trail in a nearby mid-sized city. It took 1.25 hours. I put my bike on the bus to ride back to the trail-head because I had never ridden the bus. I found out halfway through that it was going to take 2+ hours to make it back. The city bike trail is 15 miles long (roughly the diameter of London). The city only has 69k residents. I got off at the next stop. My house is 21 miles from my office and I couldn't imagine spending 4 hours a day on public transport.

peterfabian avatar
rn42
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If I lived 21 miles from my office in my home town, I'd be able to take a bus or a train and be there in an hour.

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katejones_1 avatar
Kate Jones
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

1. Businesses have their own space away from homes because of noise, pollution etc. You don't want a factory that may be blowing smoke or smells being right next to your house. 2. Noise is another reason you don't want business directly next to your home. Bars and restaurants can get rowdy and can be open late and you're trying to just have piece and quiet. So business are required to be elsewhere. It's generally not that far of a drive. Sometimes down the street. 3. There's a difference between a yard and a garden. Yards are for play or space to run around. American's definitely waste space, though. Some people want huge yards for no reason. Some people have gardens but they are usually smaller areas in the back yard. 4. Public transport in the us is bad. Buses/trains don't bring you directly to a location, just near it. Why walk far in the snow or rain when your car will bring you directly where you want to go? Public transport is nice in good weather areas where there are many stops, like NYC, but they're slow and not convenient literally everywhere else.

aliquida avatar
Aliquid
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

1) the question is referring to retail businesses, not industry. 2) Some people don't care about the noise, they can live next door to the business, and the people who don't like it can live a block away. A problem with many suburbs is the utter lack of variety. "not far of a drive"?... missing the point of being able to walk places. Driving shouldn't be required. 3) The word 'yard' and 'garden' can mean the exact same thing, depending on where you are from. 4) You keep assuming that people must HAVE a car in the first place. Walkable communities exist where people don't even own a car or have any desire to own one.

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claireskrine avatar
Just saying
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I watch a lawn care guy on youtube and asked the lawn question. First thing I would do on moving into one of those houses is put up a hedge, plant a load of shrubs and bushes, a vegetable garden, maybe a pond....

alexaspernelson avatar
Philler Space
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And you have to drive to the large grocery store a kilometer away because they put 90% of the tiny neighborhood butcher shops, bakeries, grocers, bodegas, etc that Europeans would expect in walking distance out of decades ago.

nuguanugua avatar
Jiminy
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

1km IS walking distance. But the absence of sidewalks is definitely a reason NOT to walk.

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johnmillerpere_grin6 avatar
John Miller (Pere_grin6)
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Th reason why there aren't businesses in suburbs is because of zoning laws. Businesses go in commercial zones, not residential zones. This is for protecting from the noise and light pollution from stores and shoppers, and also convenient grouping.

stjohn-james avatar
James St. John
Community Member
11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I’ve lived in a mix of housing types across the US, France, England and Belgium. I’ve lived in incredibly bustling, massive European cities in apartments, the rural French and English countrysides, in small middle America towns, and a few of your stereotypical American suburbs. I can tell you from all my experience, in my own opinion, I’ve never grown to despise my environment for the anxiety it causes as I have for American suburbs. I’ve experienced them as a child and as an adult, and I didn’t really have an opinion on them when I was younger. But you live within a 5 mile radius of your house when you’re not at school in the suburbs, and getting your license was the biggest deal so you could drive you and your friends just anywhere else. Unless you have a completely devoted unemployed parent to drive you and your friends everywhere, you’re stuck at home.

clintcarter91 avatar
Teachzebra
Community Member
11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This discussion bothers me because it’s comparing apples to oranges. Just for some comparison if Slovakia were a state in the United States it would rank 23rd in population. But it would rank 42nd in area. It would rank 15th in population density. Europe and Asia are much more densely populated than the United States. Therefore land-use Has to be much more carefully planned and housing Has to be much more dense. I live in a large Midwestern city. I’m only about 10 miles from downtown, and the suburbs stretch about another 15 miles out beyond me. But once you get out of the suburban zone there is a a lot of space out there. Space is a luxury that most Americans have. I have spent a lot of time in Europe, I like it there, I also like densely populated American cities. But there is room for both on this planet. One is not better than the other, they are just different.

mtalalay avatar
Ta Lalay
Community Member
11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ahojte! I am American and lived in Slovakia (Banska Bystrica and Trencin). My family always grew vegetables and fruit in our yards (PA, CT and MD). I have lived in places where you could not do so, but I now live in places without these regulations. Still, some neighbors complain when I grew squash in my front yard bc it has the most sun. Lawns are really a waste. Attract birds and bees with plants! Also, I walk now to the store as far as I did in both Slovak towns where I lived. You can not generalize although you make good points.

kcmilholland avatar
Justme
Community Member
11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don’t grow vegetables etc in my garden because I work full time 2 hours away from my house. Hard to garden when you come and go in the dark 5 days a week.

livijones avatar
Livi Jones
Community Member
11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I live in a suburb. None of the houses around me are identical. I live in a historic building, above a bank and a jewelry store. There are 2 coffee shops, 2 diners, 2 photography studios, 12 restaurants/bars, 3 bakeries, 4 beauty salons, a barbershop, a shoe store, 4 clothing stores, an antique store, a yoga studio, a tattoo parlor, a dispensary, an art gallery, 3 parks, and several other things, all within short walking distance of my residence. We have yoga in the park, farmers markets, live music, and festivals. The whole county has a public transportation system that connects to RTA in Cleveland. These people got lost one day, drove through a Ryan Homes development, and said "this is what a whole suburb is."

deb9755 avatar
Deborah pendleton
Community Member
11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Typical arrogant European. I’ve been to several European countries. So not impressed.

bbmp6685 avatar
Mary Pat Mitchell
Community Member
11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I moved from a city living with public transportation and stores within walking distance to be able to have less light polution, less noise and live in a more diverse population. Our small lawn is enough for the dogs to run and play. No garden because I kill every living plant I've ever had. My subdivision has a primary school, public library and church within walking distance. Stores are a 3 mile drive away.

pattidisbennet avatar
Patti Disbennet
Community Member
11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

American houses (all housing really, apts. etc.) are given a “walk” score for buying and selling purposes. Basically the closer you are to shopping, schools, entertainment and transit the higher the value. Also, America is really large and it’s not cost effective to run busses to all areas. Developers group houses together because they buy a plot of land and the nicest suburbs have really elaborate parks with water features (fishing, small boats or splash pads, etc), playground equipment, skate parks- the list is endless. Stores are not really far unless you are in a rural area. Oh, and we do have sidewalks. I live in a suburb of Phoenix, AZ, USA. My walk score is 56 out of 100, somewhat walkable. It’s about a 10 minute walk to the store, less than 5 to catch the city bus, 10 to the elementary school and about 20 to the high school.

sbarber999 avatar
John Harrison
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If Europeans don't get that American children play on their lawns, then ... where do European children play?

livijones avatar
Livi Jones
Community Member
11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They play in coffeehouses and burlesque shows because Europe is sophisticated.

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rix_1 avatar
Arenite
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Of course there’s stores! I grew up in the suburbs of NYC. One was next to a mall so, yeah, stores- 3 supermakets, 2 multiplex movie theaters, newstand, etc. The other one? Walk 2 blocks to find train station, candy stores/ delis/ newstands, butcher, shoe repair, drugstore (not big chain), even a dentist. But now I’m wondering if Slovak kids have any imagination? Put 3 or 4 kids in a backyard here and they will be playing or even inventing games with each other, running around having fun. But this guy can’t come up with something to do in an open yard. Weird.

datatwo avatar
Data Two
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I lived in a subburb once and only once. I did it for just over a year before my brain started to shrink. I would never go back to living in such a barren, cultureless, pit of excess. In the old days, it was typical for city planners to create neighborhoods where one never had to walk more than 20 minutes at most to a grocery store, or anything else. I grew up in an old NE city that had perhaps the last vestiges of that system. That was the 70s, now those little neighborhood business enclaves are all gone. The few that have any remaining anything are only cellphone places and nothing else.

kb0569 avatar
Karl Baxter
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I live in a quiet neighbourhood in England and in a 200 yard radius there are 2 supermarkets, 5 pubs, 4 restaurants, 3 cafes, 2 bakeries, 3 barber shops, 3 beauty salons, a hardware store and a tattoo parlour. I also grow veg in our back garden. The idea of having to get in the car to drive miles to access services is ridiculous.

deewalters avatar
Dee Walters
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The world will always hear my voice on how I was helped by Priest Odibo in winning $786 million dollars in the Powerball Lottery. I am very happy and advise anyone having stress in winning any lottery or having relationship or health problem to contact him on whatsapp through +2348163083041 or email him via templeofpermanenthealings@ gmail. com

giobemo avatar
Giobemo
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Let's solve all these mind-bending mysteries for our European friends! -Every adult who lives in the suburbs has a car (or one available to them) that they can use to drive anywhere & get whatever they want. -They don't want businesses right next to them bringing all kinds of vehicles & foot traffic & noise. They like peace & quiet. -"Mom, can my friends come over to play in the vegetable garden?" No. American families like space. If they want vegetables, they buy them. -'What do kids play with (in the yard)? Grass?' No. They have toys. They have lots of toys. Many also have bicycles that they ride around (another reason for not having businesses and extra traffic). -'Why just one-family homes?' Again, peace & quiet & space. Anyone who could afford to live there would want their own house & anyone who could only afford row housing couldn't afford living there. -Americans don't go to bars en masse to drink coffee with kids running around. They go to cafes or sit outside (on their lawn)

giobemo avatar
Giobemo
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Anyone else click on this to see how a *question* could be 'accurate'? Teacher: "What's 54x38?" Student: "No idea, but might I just say- What an accurate question!"

benmaharaj avatar
BenMaharaj
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

One of the main appeals of suburbs is their isolation. People who like them love that they aren’t near businesses, etc. they want to be in driving distance of a city but not in it. A sort of comprise between city life and country life.

regeenabutton avatar
Regeena Button
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I hate neighbors in general. I moved to a one-road town half an hour away from true civilization and STILL have to see/deal with these people every goddamn day. I desperately want to buy their plots some day so I can go outside and hear nothing but birds.

lindaellis avatar
Linda Ellis
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

All suburbs are different. Mine is mixed. There are some houses & townhouses built in the 70s, Townhouses built in the 90s, where I live & larger houses built more recently. So, lower middle to middle class. Mostly white. My townhouses have an HOA. But not the rest of the neighborhood. It's weird. There are no shops because everyone has a car. It's extremely peaceful & quiet. There is a shopping mecca just a mile or so away. Any store or chain restaurant u could possibly want is there. IKEA, Walmart, Target, a mall & hundreds of other stores, theaters, medical offices, gas stations. About a square mile of capitalism a 5 minute drive away. Most people have large yards for barbecues, pools, swingsets, gardens, toys, etc. Also, everyone has lots of home entertainment options & can easily drive to whatever they want. There is an industrial park wrapped around my neighborhood with hundreds of businesses so many people live very close to their jobs. Lots of businesses within 5 miles.

lindaellis avatar
Linda Ellis
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And lots of trees. There are some major corporations within 5 miles so lots of people rarely go into the city and the geography is such that there are many bridges and tunnels and rivers so traffic in and out of the city is bad so alot of businesses moved to the suburbs where their employees live. You can have a whole life out here in the suburbs. Also, the schools are funded by property taxes and each town or a few towns together have their own school district which are usually very nice.

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iluvjug avatar
Chelsea Shimell
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Most Americans really can not stand anything they do being questioned, it’s the main reason why nothing will ever get better there.

darthdigital avatar
Darth Digital
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Jesus, people. No one is forcing you live in an HOA-supervised housing plan. If that’s not your thing, don’t move there! It would be one thing if the government mandated where you live and wouldn’t allow you to move without obtains a permit, but choosing to move to such a place is quite another. I for one love having the grass mowed, my landscaping cared for each season, the snow and ice removed, and rules in place to prevent neighbors from turning their homes into a circus or a garbage dump.

emory_ce avatar
Carol Emory
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I lived in Washington State. Spent the first few years in a suburb of Seattle, then lived in Seattle city limits, then lived out in the sticks. Let me break it down. Suburbs had no corner stores, no gas stations, no supermarkets within walking distance and streets were quiet with no bus service. Seattle City Liimits..2 small mom and pop stores on the walk to school, small gas station and supermarket within walks in the opposite direction...but busy streets with bus service. In the sticks...schools all within walking distance, closest store was a 10 minute bicycle ride and to do some serious grocery shopping, you needed a car, bus service was there, but sparse. My first home was one that was perfect for starter families and retired people. Second was good location, but not really safe for young kids. Last one was middle of the road and considered Sub-Suburb without HOAs. It just depends on your needs and what you are willing to spend.

katmin avatar
Kat Min
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

German here and while most local gardens arent quite as dead, people are obsessed with 'clean'' looking gardens and lawns, too. It's become so popular to just cover your front yard in stone that we had to start laws against sealing the floor (to prevent flooding) We also had to forbid pesticides and insecticides for private use because too many people want to live in something that looks like Sims. I have no idea why people like to live like that, why they even have a garden and not just a nice appartment with a terrace or balcony. I think it's a status thing.

sandraroark avatar
sandra roark
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There are all types of living situations and many different types of subdivisions. I live in a fairly new subdivision with homes ranging in the 200’s - 500’s. We have sidewalks, streetlights, a swimming pool, clubhouse, gym, a dog park, 3 beautiful playgrounds, hike and bike trails, creeks and ponds, tennis courts and soccer fields. The entrance/exit is beautifully landscaped and is on the corner that has a gas station, convenience store, laundromat, and doughnut & coffee shop. We are located in the lush pine forest of Magnolia, TX, near The Woodlands, Northwest of Houston about an hour’s drive. I’m a 65 yr old widow and live alone. I love my neighborhood and feel very safe there. My daughter and her family live a mile down the road on several acres of forested land. They have a well, septic tank, a barn, several tractors, and a stocked pond. My grand children have treehouses, places to fish, hunt, explore, and surrounded by wildlife. It’s lovely, but I prefer my subdivision life!

datatwo avatar
Data Two
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I lived in a suburb for one year… I thought I was going to pull my hair out, begin speaking in tongues, and vomiting pea soup. I moved and never went back. As for America and our rights and protections, it would seem that as the rights of individuals in the EU expand, ours are doing the opposite. While over here, the rights and protections for corporations are increasing. But we as Americans are just too overly entertained, or seeking it, to care all that much about such things. Hell, we can't even be bothered to vote, let alone understand much about politics at all. I cringe at every presidential election when so much importance is put on the “undecided” vote, as if they hold some deeper wisdom than the rest of us. IMHO, if you do not know who you are voting for by two weeks before the election, then it means you've been too lazy to pay attention or do any research. There is plenty of info about candidates online, there is no excuse to be in the dark that close to an election.

bestyoutubechannelever avatar
Best YouTube channel ever!
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Most American streets are perfectly safe to walk on. That's b******t. America isn't a warzone. Most of the crime is concentrated in a handful of bad neighborhoods. The vast bulk of them are very safe. America isn't perfect. No countries are but I angers me to listen to the rest of the world constantly putting America down like we didn't pretty much create the most prosperous era in human history. They've become a bunch of spoiled ungrateful children.

loannikerris avatar
Loanni Kerris
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What first bothered me the most was that there were no people outside. Then I learned that they get into their car in the attached garage and drive to the indoor parking lot of their work place or the mall. And they preach about how wonderful it is to live in the nature.

bearfamily avatar
Bear Family
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There are two (among many) channels on YouTube that are both entertaining and enlightening that talk extensively about city and town planning - one is called NotJustBikes (my favorite). StrongTowns is another. Watch and enjoy. You'll never look at suburban America the same. Similar effect to when I moved to Italy for several years. Came back unable to blindly accept the way we live here. My family chose to live next to a small town so we have the benefits of a nice place to live without the hordes of suburban living that requires everyone to drive their car everywhere.

bearfamily avatar
Bear Family
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We have the space to have farm animals if we wanted to. We can plant and grow gardens. We're not crammed into one of those HOA dominated cookie cutter developments. Living that close in one of those developments might require an HOA to keep the human animals content in their little cages. I'd rather live in an urban neighborhood as often found in Europe. Homes and business mingled together thoughtfully. Cars unnecessary. So since we can't have that, we'll live in the country.

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fourten00 avatar
K-Lynne
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Usa 100% designed for profit-& not those living in suburbs, etc.). Back in auto Co's heyday, & before all wealthy families'standing to profit from extended $$, downline &--actually I should say started Upline @ (top) in Oil, steel, iron, etc..took Nation from rail/ship. to Semi.(etc).w- Interstate & U.S. hwy systems. No! u can't have a horse/wagon, dog team or magic carpet. If you don't think all was all done on purpose-research. 1st. have to put on Greediest thinking cap u can-& take out any form of a conscience you have. There!-you now are replica of those creating their profit. Initially, 100 yrs. prior was disproportionate # opposite them-So w their use of Hollywood/Media platforms, they slowly, steadily took them over- generation by generation, paring them down to insignificance. Now, rarely if evil is exposed- just blame fall guy-(Co, Org. etc.), Promise w Double-talk to do (zero)-& make $$ by cleaning up or repairing anything forced to correct. Apply-neg suburb issues.

michal_maslan avatar
Michał Osiecki
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I Love those America posts because they give me context when I watch American movies (or play GTA) why is some stuff different then in Europe

mattcintosh avatar
Matt Hill
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I like my yard. I work from home and when i need a break, i wander around in my yard, seeing what new flowers bloomed, or see the birds or bunnies in the yard. Retail businesses would not work in a lot of suburbs as they are places that only residents really go to. Put up a starbucks in the area, and only people that live there would likely go there.

prchrturtle avatar
Mary G----no
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"What do the kids play with?" Uh, toys. We have lots of outdoor toys: sandboxes, ride-on toys, swing sets, playhouses, etc. And we have imagination. Kids go outside and pick up a stick and pretend it's a sword or magic wand. They run and jump and climb trees. They throw a baseball. You don't have to go to a park for that. Parks are fun, and kids love them. But if your parents aren't able to go, why be stuck in the house? Also, my dog gets to run around. I have health problems and can't get out to walk her. She can run around chasing squirrels or something. Or I can go down to my friends' houses and let her run around with their dogs. I do agree that lawns are over glorified though... I don't agree w/people who think a huge yard is a sign of being well-to-do. I do garden in my yard (and would like to do more), and I have enough for my dog, and that's good. If I had kids, I might want more, so I could fit in a swing set or something.

princessofmagnolia avatar
Happy Panda
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My country have this kinda housing too and I do not wish to live there because they're so far away from shops and stuff, unless i don't have any choice lol :')

methjd avatar
James Methvin
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Lawns are living minimalist art. I live in a rural area. My wife hated my front yard garden and made me turn it back into lawn. It takes me over an hour to mow everything with a 23 hp lawn mower. I have plenty of land and a bought a small tractor to work my much larger garden in my side yard.

brent_kaufman_18 avatar
Brent Kaufman
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There is NO SUCH THING as an accurate question. Professional writers should know, if not master, the tools of their craft, which in this case is the English language.

arikeeper avatar
Ari Keeper
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The biggest reasons are racism + class-ism, which ik America doesn’t have a monopoly on, but we literally form our lives around these concepts. White America must feel good about itself, at all costs.

turner-adrienne-c avatar
Adrienne McMillan
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I loved growing up in the burbs. Our HOA never had issues. We enjoyed playing in the yard. I hope to earn enough to move my family to a nice suburb. But I am against the lack of public transportation. We just passed a milage to increase our buses so I'm excited to see what routes are added. Small steps to breaking down the systemic racism that led to no public transportation in the burbs.

ryzarukia01 avatar
Ryza Tigno
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As a disabled person, I don't think I can survive in this type of neighborhood. I'm very spoiled by my Asian neighborhood where a clinic is just in front of my house, a cafe and a take out shop 3 minutes walking, a convince store, another cafe and a restaurant 5minutes away, and a grocery store 10 minutes away. Now I'm wondering how people with disabilities who also can't drive like me survive a neighborhood like this. Thinking about it is depressing

tammyleung avatar
Tammy Leung
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Tomato and cucumber are beautiful. There are a lot of not-very-difficult-to-look after fruit-bearing trees e.g. lemon and apple. Neighbour convenience store, cafe and barbershop is literally the whole ground floor of the house, owner lives upstair. Some of these owners have lived here for very long and are the go-to persons. Bus stops are unoffically named by the locals after those shops. The entry of a famous hiking trail is next to one of those bus stops.

gwenmorgan388 avatar
Morgan Gwen
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

How i become a lottery winner with the help of a spell caster calld Dr Ayoola, i meet this great man online when someone was talking about how this man help him to win lottery and immediately i contacted him and ask for help as well. and this great man promise to help me and assure me that i will win once he give me the lottery number, today i am here saying a big thank you to Dr yoola for helping me to win the sum of 50,000,000 dollars all thanks to you Dr Ayoola you can as well contact him today for help via drayoolasolutionhome@gmail.com or https://www.facebook.com/Dr-Ayoola-105640401516053/ text or call +14809032128

canarycaia avatar
Claudia Calabrese
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Some suburbs look good, others not so much. Americans in general seem to have a huge problem socializing and apparently are very self conscious about economic status and things like that. And you looked so perfect in Doris Day's movies! And not even Doris' life was perfect. All that angst is ruining you. That's why there's so much addictions and sadness. You should learn to be more social, happier and free in your social life. And you should stop distancing from your fellow Americans. It seems that too many are just hating the rest. They hate everything and complain continuously about everything and everyone. Women hate men, Blacks hate Whites, too many hate God and too many are extremely religious, Dems forgot how to let people free and Reps had enough and went crazy. You need to add some valerian and passiflora to the water and calm down a little.

shabbycatcottage avatar
Becca Rowan
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I've lived in both the US and Europe. Many Americans equate living next to a bar with vomit in the alleys and broken bottles/used condoms in the gutters because that seems to be how they utilize those spaces (this is why we can't have nice things, America)!. I miss having my local on the corner where I can pop in for an Irish coffee and a quick chat with the neighbors, then being able to stroll home and enjoy the evening air. I know there will be Americans who get up in arms about this post, saying that they can do this too...but trust me it's different. It doesn't feel as safe here as a general rule, and it's not a standard part of our culture(s) and traditions. In cities where local bars are more common, you run the risk of being mugged, but everyone is so used to living with that prospect it's just a fact of life! Also, HOA's suck...don't try to justify them.

taranw avatar
Okiedokie
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Floridian here. A lot of these houses tend to er, congregate, around areas with high tourist traffic. I.e. California & your ‘Hollywood Life’ Florida & your ‘Disney/Tropicsl vacation life [orlando is an hoa hellhole]’. I’m saying this as someone who lives in these areas with a ton of [& ton being built] these crackerbox houses/identical McMansions in HOA neighborhoods: they are an eyesore, they eat up A LOT of natural land, & they are often very poorly built. but as long as there is this mentality of ‘Im going to move where I’ve been taught there’s paradise/fame/big things happen’, they will keep being built, and built badly. Supply and demand. There is a lot of demand. The cycle continues. Florida/all these places are great if you go to places you aren’t told to go & don’t pay ridiculous prices to get in, but if I had a chance to leave without breaking the bank, I’d take it, because it’s not the Florida I used to know. Visit. Don’t stay.

mariagoula avatar
Mary
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

HOA is one of the biggest c**p I found out about America. (After their non existent health care system and the way education is done) Imagine buying a house, being the owner of it, and having someone else telling you how to live in your own house.... 🤦🏼‍♀️😤😑

insectbite avatar
INSECT BITE
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

People should only live in single family homes. And people should not be allowed to junk up their suburb grass yards with other plants. Living in homes seperated by the inside walls= owning no property and suffering. Suburbs were made by the people and not by companies. And cars are good and essensial to going to specific locations without walking in bad weather. And Europe and Asia have bad city planning all they do is dump pollution into the enviorment. Suburbs are eco friendly.

tismeandrew66 avatar
frog
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Literally had to mark our land as official "agricultural land" because the township had a problem with us (our neighbours pitched in via votes so we could keep our livestock) It's so dumb. People and other neighbours don't even see our land!!! We are surrounded by trees and scattered woods. 🙄

llyevaleandre avatar
Llyev Aleandre
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Lol the grief about grass is silly... The lawns are nice no one wants to play on concrete or dirt compared to soft grass. As to what children would play with? Obviously toys or whatever gadgets a parent might get their kids, I had a trampoline, my neighbor has a playfort, my other neighbor has a pool/jacuzzi, in the summer months we bring out the hoses squirt guns or sprinklers and play in the yard with whatever toys. Obviously most people don't leave their s**t in their yards that's just begging to get your s**t stolen or broken or lost. I had a previous cat that would go into people yards to steal pool noodles no joke and pipe insulation.... It was the foam she forking looooves foam. But yeah the smart thing to do is put away your toys and gadgets trampolines basketballs hoops or toys... So yeah most people don't leave stuff out in their yard to get stolen or tripped on or the worst one to get run over by the lawnmower and risk some serious injury.

bnkessler avatar
Bri Nicole
Community Member
1 year ago

This comment has been deleted.

shado_1 avatar
shado
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

only in Amurica can you be prevented from or fined for collecting rain-water - on your own property!

ajones_1 avatar
A Jones
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I grew up in a town house as a kid (US). We didn't have HOA, so we planted flowers, grew crops, had a fig and apple trees among other trees. We even grew mint and honey suckles. My sibs and I play outdoors often and have ready available free snacks for the warm season. ------- HOAs sound like a joke and just a glorified form of restricting personal property freedoms. Like houses are already bloody expensive and ya' HOA c***s telling me I can't have a rose bush because it isn't pretty year round??? I don't have a house though, do have an apartment with way more freedoms. Kind of funny.

dkfields74 avatar
Diane Fields
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In a lot of European countries many apartments are built above businesses, i.e. stores, Drs offices, pharmacies, Iaw offices, gas stations, restaurants, etc. Because these countries have high population numbers for their size they can't spread out like we can. They spread up with lots of apartment houses with businesses on the ground floor. Most houses are within walking distance of a lot of these businesses, or at least a grocery store and a pharmacy. These people walk way more than we do to run errands and bicycles are almost as abundant as cars in the suburbs. A lot of the older generation don't even have drivers licenses. I know all this because my family is German. They live in Germany and I grew up there.

jsinger78 avatar
Joseph Singer
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In my neighborhood people are allowed gardens, there are sidewalks and buses to get places, shops nearby, and it's all pretty nice. I don't mind walking a me or two sometimes. However, my area may well be an exception.

shawncullen avatar
Shawn Cullen
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Someone mentioned not being allowed to grow vegetables in their backyard. I’ve never heard of that. Some HOAs ban vegetable growing from the front yards because of a desire for uniformity. Gardens are a lot of work & not everyone is interested in investing the time & labor. I really feel like none of these replies really addressed the Slovakian’s questions. Most of them were just dull baritone “Yeah, suburbs are the worst!”

mheidt0 avatar
Okatango
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Lived for 10 years in one of these soulless, joyless, utterly boring, can't-get-anywhere-without-a-car places, listening to gas-powered lawnmowers and weed whackers all weekend long. The few little clover plants on my lawn got me called out for attracting bees. Never again.

ivy_11 avatar
Ivy
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There are a few reasons for the lawn one. A. People do garden, I suppose it’s just less common here B. Having a lawn is actually nice. Laying out in the grass or just having some open space is so peaceful C. Nobody wants to have to meander through a rose bush to pick up dog poop (this obviously only applies to people with dogs) D. Sometimes HOAs will not allow you because it’s not uniform because not everyone does it I genuinely don’t see what’s wrong with having a lawn. In terms of shops I feel like we have a decent amount? I’ve lived in several neighborhoods or apartments in my life and all of them but one had some kind of shop. One of them had a big corner store, another had a whole shopping marketplace with restaurants and such. I think it’s massively dependant on the area, demand, and the neighborhood. Also nobody has a good answer for bad public transport. At least I don’t. I think that would be nice but random twitter users aren’t responsible for the lack of transportation

adrianhobbs0 avatar
Adrian
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Street numbering confounds me. Visited my brother who lived at 10002 Elm Drive. Turned out to be a 50 metre long cul-de-sac with 4 houses.

kellynnd avatar
Kellynn D
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Not American, but Canadian, and we have suburbs... but they closer to European than American. The main issue with the burbs, from the outsider view, is we simply do not understand the cookie-cutter deliberate isolation from everything, the need for at least one vehicle, and no public accessibility... not even sidewalks, corner stores, schools etc. It's stepford wives creepy, and started out a deliberately planned racist elitism. Then we have the really long commutes... Canadian burbs are planned with access to public transportation, stores and schools... even if the houses are still cookie-cutter. I do get the ideal of space... I'm actually rural, so everything is a drive, but that is part of being rural.

jnegraham avatar
Janet Graham
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have seen some aerial views of modern-day suburbs with cookie-cutter houses. They looked like horrible places to live. Things are much different in my state where each housing development is required to have a curb, gutter, sidewalks, fire hydrants, and paved roads. For every so-many single-family homes, they are required to build so-many multiple-family buildings, have so many little strip malls, and so much green space with parks and playgrounds. Our state is all about the quality of life and the equity of society.

joeedwards avatar
Joe Edwards
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Getting tired of the rest of the world always telling me that America and Canada are the same thing. If that is the case then England and France are the same country too

jo91150 avatar
Joanne Hudson
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Its a BIG country. Probably each and every square mile is different with different rules, houses, stores, than the next square mile and on and on. You can find a place to live that suits your desires.

bikramsaluja avatar
Bikram Saluja
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I live in suburbs of state of Virginia and I love it here. A lot of families around with kids and big yards and play grounds where children can play. Great schools and markets to buy anything are usually a 5 minute drive. If someone who doesn’t want all the above, usually live in cities where everything is almost like in European cities. I think it’s a personal choice of people what setting they want to live here in United States and it’s all here.

angelarampelli avatar
Angela Rampelli
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I live in an American suburb and there are shops withing walking distance, but only because I'm lucky as far as where my house is placed in town. There is no grocery store in my town, but we have like 7 liquor stores and 2 dunkin donuts 🙄 I can walk to a neighboring town for groceries (honestly its only a mile and a half from me) and there is a local produce guy with a shop (dangerous to walk to though, especially with my 2 babies in tow) as well as a farm around the corner with vegetable stand in summer. We are a one-car family so im glad to have some amenities nearby. And if my 11 year old misses the bus he has to walk to school. It's 1 mile down a main road with wide sidewalks and crossing guards during school traffic hours. Yet my ex acts like I'm a poor and abusive slob to make my son walk to school. His classmate, our neighbor, walks to school every day of his own choice and he seems to be just fine.

misterluckys7even avatar
misterluckyS7even
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The developers assumed once all you Xanadu pilgrims moved there, you'd develop a park, rec center, community Center, pool, etc, for your offspring...all one horse towns aren't just a saloon and twenty syph ridden whores...you build your homestead, and form a community around you for self sufficiency...either that or you're Amazon vips

misterluckys7even avatar
misterluckyS7even
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Theyre the embodiment of the Real American Dream, of living with your family and kids at a place that promises to not turn ghetto as long as it stands...its just a ghetto of people who hate the crude urban environment

misterluckys7even avatar
misterluckyS7even
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

These housing schemes were built specifically for people who wanted a place to live far and away from specific groups, and far away enough to discourage specific groups from migrating there behind them...all those quirks mentioned are just things they put up with, like the rules of a gated community, with its guaranteed security and safety, but it's facist HOA

jessicabobessica avatar
Jessica Bobessica
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

y is everyone so stupid! The suburbs r great 4 RAISING A FAMILY, thats y theyre built the way they r! Its WAY SAFER not to have businesses in the middle of a bunch of houses in a neighborhood! Who wants or needs that!? This is where people LIVE! Do people not realize u can have neighborhoods and then a bunch of tiny strip malls/grocery stores/offices etc every few miles that can b biked or driven to? In NJ if u drive in any direction 15 min u hit at least 500 stores and we had sidewalks. Depends where u live if u have a garden-we did. We had a huge yard & used it every day to play frisbee, have soccor games with kids in the neighborhood etc so we never had to play in the st! Its 4 safety! 2 that guy who asked wat kids play with outside and said "grass?" Kids with big yards have money, at least in the NE where I grew up. we had sports equipment or at least a frisbee! We also had toys & some kids had real mini cars that drove! Ppl have pools, swing sets, slip n slides 4 summer...geez

juhel avatar
Pixie
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Money and sports equipment, but no grammar, it seems... It's a bit strenous reading this textwall without punctuation and all those missing letters. Also, what the helI is unsafe about a grocery store?

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aliadnan1984 avatar
A.A
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

does anyone else here from Dubai ? does this sound familiar to you ?

himorythedreamer avatar
Himory TheDreamer
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In my country property value is added by having shops, schools, pharmacies, and such nearby. Not the opposite.

cooperterry avatar
Cooper Terry
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Dude i live 5 minutes away from school cafes restaurants stores etc i think there just overreacting i live in a short contempt neighborhood where we all get along no +we got farms in literally every direction you go i think we get enough f*****g food

evelyn_haskins_7 avatar
Evelyn Haskins
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Not American, But we DO use our yards. Kids play in them, people put trampolines in them people play ball games in them and train their dogs in them, or just sit outside and enjoy the sun. We even have gardens in them.

michaelk_2 avatar
Michael K
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Well I live in the suburbs. I have a small pool a nice size yard. I live about a block away from a beautiful park. Where they play soccer, softball, baseball, have many hiking trails and even have a dog park. Public high school and a shopping plaza with a market, bar, and restaurants all within walking distance. Anything else I need is within one or two miles. Very good transportation system to go to the city if I'd like. It's not so bad.

rayarani avatar
Ray Arani
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think the questions here are about those pop up cookie cutter burbs that got popular in the 1990s. Before that suburbs had more amenities and often no HOAs. I lived in a pop up suburb in the 90s from ages 10-13. We'd moved from an older suburb (early 1900s) in Dearborn, MI where I could walk to shops, school, and the houses were interesting and unique, a mix of single families and flats...to a brand new burb in Ann Arbor where we thought we'd achieve the American dream. In our brand new house, in a brand new neighborhood, there was nothing in walking distance other than a tiny nature preserve, where I played in the woods happily when I wasn't biking around or playing basketball in driveways...until the local pedophiles figured out all those houses were filled with young families whose kids played unattended in the streets...yeah, after several incidents I was afraid of being outside at all...but I still went because I'd normalized that fear. Thankfully, my family relocated to Canada

hawahaliled avatar
Marcelle Lardjim
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I love the suburbs. We have stores and malls all around us. I love our 2 acres property with all of the flowers and animals that live in it. I am not sure what suburbs they're talking about my town rocks.

inkylynx avatar
inkylynx
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I didn't realize how much I hated pristine suburbs until I got back from college. You can't even enjoy your lawn because someone next door is always noisily mowing theirs to make sure they fit in with the rest of their neighboors. And there is no point walking around in this "pretty" neighborhood, because there is no where to walk to. Some suburbs are nice, but most of the huge prissy ones lack all character, are not practical, and are unintesting to look at.

coachshatavia avatar
Thebook Isfluke
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The suburbs were created out of white flight. People like to say we make everything about race, but when you go back in history a lot of stuff was about race. Not only that, they prefer that it not be desirable for poor and low income families. I'm sure some HOAs are so a**l they enforce the codes or policies regarding the capacity for a single family home. Poor/low income families tend to have more people in a household. And they are in denial about their problems which is why they ignore the addiction problem.....or they have until recent years. The suburbs are typically Republican/conservative so they are apart of the group constantly pointing the finger at other minority groups while ignoring what is going on in the mostly white suburbs of this country. They have no problem grouping other people together and calling them out, but as soon as we talk about what white people do the conversation gets shut down.

shak_1 avatar
Sha K
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sounds like your classic a*****e white Europeans judging America once again cuz they're too stupid or narrow-minded to try and actually learn.

sussanmercurio01 avatar
Susan Mercurio
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The suburbs are not "growing" just because the percentage of people are elderly. It's because all of the younger people have moved away, and the ones who are left are the people who have lived there most of their lives.

mikealbers avatar
mike albers
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Europe is tiny.... looks like lots of children that live in a microcosm commented here.

kellya_ avatar
Kelly A.
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There are so many variations to suburbs in the U.S. I grew up in a cookie cutter neighborhood with no public transit. We had bonfires in the back, played as kids outside and came in when the street lights started to come on, and just enjoyed the space. I now live in the suburbs where I'm one minute away from the bus stop, and a 10 minute walk away from bars, coffee shops, book shop, library etc. Not all neighborhoods are the same.

sarahbouachir avatar
Sarah Bouachir
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We like lawns. Our kids can play sports and have room to run in the safety of our yard. We like safety. We left the city because...well look at the crime rates and gun violence. We like privacy. Self explanatory. I've lived in the heart of a major city, in the suburbs and in the countryside....the suburbs are much less stressful than other options.

caprifool avatar
Bengt
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I grew up in London and Stockholm. Sidewalks, bike lanes, tunnels or viaducts across large roads made it possible to walk or cycle everywhere. Our mum's gave us money and sent us to the shop if we ran out of something. School was within walking distance. So was the local shops, the swimming pool, the library, playground and parks. We all had buss passes and could go anywhere we wanted. I giggled a bit over the comment about kids not needing a café. We'd hang at the local café several times per week. And then we became teenagers, we'd hang in the local pizzeria or outside the hamburger joint until bedtime. We had our freedome to be who we are. No one really needed a car. But the "things are to far to make public transportation realistic" excuse doesn't really work in rural areas either. Sweden is a loooong country with towns far apart. We still have busses, commuter trains etc. To be fair, not always with time table's that work for every profession. Rural life is a bit tougher to organise.

kristaleslie avatar
Krista Leslie
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Suburbs are the way they are because the people that live there like it that way. And at least in my city every subdivision has a beautiful park with amazing playgrounds that I used to drive to from in the city so my kids could play there. Much nicer and cleaner than the inner city parks that always have used needles

jarenc avatar
Jaren C
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is so stupid. Lol It’s just suburbs not really that much to think about. It’s called walking. You can grow food, plenty of people grow their own food. Don’t be afraid of grass. 🤣 I’m perfectly happy not living next to a chemical plant or a night club. So people prefer to be surrounded by other families or in quiet but not isolated areas.

clancymurphy avatar
Clancy Murphy
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"Suburbs" are huge socio-economic zones located between /overlapping with urban and rural areas. NOT just those "cookie-cutter neighborhoods..."

dylanlafrain avatar
Dylan LaFrain
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Suburbanites enjoy the RELATIVE peace and quiet away from the noise, traffic and hubbub of the more urban areas of the cities. Simple as that. Just a few minutes away from the necessities and conveniences while far enough away to reduce the annoyances of city living.

justinmeredith avatar
Justin Meredith
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have sidewalks that lead to a convenience store/ gas station, supermarket, pizza bar, nail salon, fast food restaurant, smoke shop, pediatrician, large gymnastics facility, liquor store, a few others … this is all 5 minute bike ride or 2 minutes by car. All the neighborhoods Around here are pretty much like this. The actual hood is all houses and green spaces, but all commerce is concentrated along certain roadways connecting said hoods. Crime is less than the city, the schools are generally better, and the air and noise is better. I do have to drive 20 miles to work however.

jd_15 avatar
J D
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It depends on the where. I lived in the suburbs in Wisconsin and there they're not bad and you do have plenty corner stores and small shops( however newer suburbs being built are not following this trend and a car is a must). I live in the Florida suburbs now and I absolutely hate it. Although the HOA is not too bad if you need something it's definitely a 15 minute drive minimum. There are also zero small shops a few small restaurants but for everything else it's Walmart or some major supermarkets.

leighprice avatar
Leigh Price
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I can understand the European perspective...I live in midtown Manhatten during the week where I have anything I need within 2 blocks and work is a 6 minute walk... on the weekends I go to my connecticut suburban house with 2+ scres and no HOA... both have their merit

charitylund avatar
Charity Lund
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It is because of market demand. I lived just outside the main part of the city in Salt Late City, Utah for years and the closest grocery store was a 15 minutes walk - too far for you to carry very many groceries. There were several grocers looking to place a store in the location but they had to wait for population growth in order to justify overhead. The one grocery store that existed was tiny and prices were only for the very desperate. You need people to build up more and out less but you lose rec space. But electric vehicles will change everything once public transport adapts.

melissawallace avatar
Melissa Wallace
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ok so we have back yards for children to play in. Some back yards are orderly and taken care off toys put away when not in use. I live in a metro detroit suburb. Closer to the city you get the more crime human traffiking and driveby shoot outs at some cases the wrong house. Therefore your not safe in your own yard let alone your house. Plus if your yard is cluttered with lots of toys and junk you have rat haven. So they look mostly clean. HOA s are evil. If you are not the leader in the HOA dont waste your money on land that you have to beg to do anything with including sell the worthless thing. Not many people in america has time, talent, or cares to garden. Mostly you dont feel free if you cant just go when you want to where you want. when you are dependent on mass transit, then you have the crazies and violent to worry about being them depending on state and city. That part is the most important. Some cities like mine have about or over 1000 murders a month not solved.

susanmiller avatar
Susan Miller
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Even central banks are niw calling the coming food shortage "apocalyptic." Everyone better start getting seeds in whatever ground they can find ASAP, like, yesterday.

a-m-poreba avatar
AAPnonraeba
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I couldn't cope with someone ordering me what to not do on my land. Bought it, paid for it- imma use it as I see fit. None of your business what am I doing in my garden.

ryanbenkert avatar
Ryan Benkert
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You see, the purpose of the yard is that you have to mow it. That way you have something to complain about doing. Americans love having dumb things to complain about.

brittneyboggs avatar
Brittney Boggs
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I grew up in a large typical suburb on the east coast, it was right off of a major road Rt 40 that runs through Delaware and Maryland, the public bus was rightout on RT 40 at the entrance to our neighborhood. Our suburb was also right behind several strip malls with everything in them like Chilli's, Big Lots, Food Lion, Walmart, Royal Farms, Ashley furniture store, Subway, Staples, the bank, bar, an axe throwing place, a gym, a dollar general, pizza place, Chinese food place, pharmacy, movie theater, ice cream shop, for a while there was a go kart track across RT 40, everything was a 15 minute walk. There were even schools in our neighborhood so everyone walked to school. Kids played at the school playground when they weren't riding their bikes and skateboarding around the strip mall or down the road at the town skate park. There were sections that had townhomes and apartments as well as duplexes and single family homes. We had a small yard but we had a balcony with a paved area under

lmulkey58 avatar
Lora Burke-Mulkey
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When at NYC Cornell hospital with my daughter I met a gal from Haitii and we started having dinner together a few times. She asked me about where I lived in Indiana. When I said I had a yard, front, back, sides, and a 3 bedroom house with a garage she asked if I was rich. I laughed, I had a 900 as ft 3 bed, 1 bath, kitchen and living room. Far from anything but a beginner home here in Indiana but to her I must have been rich. It's all about the norm in your area. As to kids playing...sadly they don't play the way I did as a child (now 63 yrs old). We never took anything outside we just played! When all these kids grow up with less creativity and imagination development we are going to be in a sad state. All the great inventions, cures, advancements came from those with these skill sets well developed

andersonpeter84 avatar
Pete Anderson
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I work and interact with people all day. My home and my yard, where I can't see or hear traffic, where the grass is cut a d clean, and where I have space that my neighbors can't trespass is my sanctuary where I recharge for the next day. I work so that I can afford to isolate myself and feel like everything is in order at my home while the world around me is in chaos.

tuula_a_salonen avatar
Tuula Salonen
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In England as well people are insistent that kids 'must have a (private) yard to play in' - I grew up in Finland in an old suburb, three stories high apartments, big communal yard with swings and a sandbox, and a lot of space for building things of snow in winter. And a lot of kids. Parents would just send them out and shout from the window for them to come to eat - we also had a special sort of chant, mommy come to window, here is (name), because if you just screamed Mum!!! At least four people would stick their heads out. I don't think having maybe one or two neighbor's kids would compare, in a small yard? What if your neighbors have no kids and you are an only child, and you can't even cross the road on your own? Newer suburbs in Finland still have a similar layout, lots of 'commie blocks', while we were never communist, lots of communal space in the middle with footpaths and play areas, usually a kindergarten, some sort of old people's club house, shop and a bar, every few blocks

doug_denunzio avatar
Doug DeNunzio
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We will get the dynamic right between inflation and the right place with houses happen a few times in terms of our own lives.

vfkvideo avatar
Joel Emmett
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Planning and city commission members set zoning laws. They are volunteers and, frequently, know nothing of urban planning. Or, they know so little that they don't know what they don't know. So many good ideas, that would improve our standard of living, never occur to them. If you want to point out their ignorance, welp, good luck with that.

jenniferspinner avatar
Jennifer Spinner
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Europeans love putting ALL people from the US in a box. I guess because they’ve had an an encounter with one “ugly American”, or they see ONE picture of a IS neighborhood, so they figure we’re all like that. I grew up in a neighborhood where everything was within walking distance or biking distance. We had a convenient store down the street from my house that was next to a bar. Where I grew up was in an old small town. Now that I live I. A bigger city the zoning is different. No HOA but everything is a little further. We have a bike path we ride our bikes on, but most everyone uses their cars, especially in the summer because it gets super hot and humid. Public transportation is a thing here and a lot of people use it. The US is pretty diverse. Not all neighborhoods are the same.

edleonardi avatar
Ed Leonardi
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Europeans live in extremely small houses/apartments and they are complaining that we don't grow potato in the garden? Gimme a break 😫

michael-olson12 avatar
MICHAEL OLSON
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Top three things I don't care about: 1. What Europeans think about America way or life. 2. What Europeans think about America way or life. 3. What Europeans think about America way or life.

darkfafnir avatar
Dark Fafnir
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why does everyone run out of milk??? Its not that good for you why you drinking so much you gotta make a special trip....you want shops live in a big city...wish i didnt live 3 blocks away from a hospital and 2 schools across the street...ask stupid questions get stupid answers

briana_kessler avatar
Briana Kessler
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Houses that don't allow gardens are few and rare. People have imaginations and do have fun without pubs or shops on every corner. There are all sort of games and toys for kids to play. We have more sports than Europe. We get outside instead of sitting in a bar. Shocking

janicevaughan avatar
Janice Vaughan
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I’ve lived all my life in suburban/rural homes. Drive carpool to work and back and then have a nice evening dinner and go out, take a walk with your dogs, and stay home. It worked and still works for the Pandemic. We only drive to get groceries, doctors and supplies. The suburbs were the best place to live during the Pandemic. There’s a backyard for kids and pets to play. And grandkids.

rose_tyson avatar
Rose Tyson
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I've lived in multiple suburbs in multiple states and never been somewhere that didnt have stores within walking distances. As for things to do there are often lots of nice parks nearby. And plenty of people have gardens. What are these people smoking? I loved growing up in my suburbs. Right by the city with lots of things to do but prettier and less crime, just a few hour drive from the countryside or the mountains, a great school district

mikesmith_7 avatar
Mike Smith
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I live in a housing development in a rural area, non hoa. I have a garden, can walk to the lake, trails for miles in the woods. Peaceful nights, ect. It's not far to work/stores/town, I enjoy it cuz I don't care for the city, I get how it's not everyone's cup of tea.

riddleofst33l avatar
riddleOFst33l
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Dumb and subjective article. Surburbs remain some of the most desirable places to live in the U.S. Why? ALL THE CONVENIENCES OF CITY LIFE WITHOUT THE HASSLE! It's not rocket science.

riddleofst33l avatar
riddleOFst33l
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Stupid article. Totally subjective and without merits. This coming from a suburban dweller who lives in a crackerjack house that is the same floorplan as 50% of the others in my HOA-maintained community. WHAT DO YOU DO? ARE YOU STUCK INSIDE? I have (7) beautiful city parks within walking distance of my housing community. Complete with playgrounds, hiking trails, and ballparks. I have grocery stores, movie theaters, bounceparks for the kids, and pretty much everything you can think of to do as a family within a 10-minute drive. From where I live, within a 3 hour drive-- I can go skiiing in the mountains, surfing in the ocean, camping in the Sequoias, clubbing with beautiful women in a gazillion nightclubs, dirbiking in the desert, kayaking in the Colorado river, or golfing on the golf course right next to my housing community. I'll take living in my nice, clean, quiet suburb, with TONS of THINGS TO DO, over living next to a deserted cornfield ANYDAY!

aubrey_shreve avatar
Aubrey Shreve
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Both of my neighbors have vegetable gardens. I simply kill plant life… therefore, I don’t spend the money to try again and again. My neighborhood has little grocery stores, bars / pubs, clothing stores, bakeries, small restaurants, etc. throughout the entire city / suburb, many within walking distance (and I do when it’s not snowing) with sidewalks leading to them. There’s many that I’m personally aware of throughout our state… and I know I’m not aware of all of them. Not all suburbs are alike. My suburb has homes that were built at very different times. Example: my home was built in 1906, but my one neighbor’s house was built in the 1950’s. They’re all different.

kavyakadame avatar
Kavya Kadame
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I live in an American suburb and couldn’t be more happy. Our house is like a mansion, yet affordable. Have you checked the prices in big cities? If you are someone who likes quiet, you can consider this option. I can even hear a person’s footsteps walking on the sidewalk from inside my closed window. That is how quiet it is here. But again, I am a writer and I like it this way. If you are a more outgoing person and party till late night, you might find it torturous to live in a suburb. A prominent shop is just 5 min drive from our house. If I am given a chance to change something, I might request to build a pathway to reach that store. And who gave you the idea that we are not allowed to grow vegetables in our own garden? It sounds ridiculous. Even though most of us don’t have a fence, our backyard is ours alone. We can do whatever we want to do in that place. Many of us don’t grow vegetables or do gardening because that is not always our preference. We outsource the lawn-mowing too.

cheesesammich avatar
Cheese Sammich
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

At the end of WWII, millions of young soldiers, sailors, marines and airmen.... who went away to war as teenagers... came home as grown men. They were ready to settle down and raise families. After years of economic depression and war (things which defined them as youngsters), what they wanted most was peace, prosperity, and stability. The big problem was that there wasn't much housing for them.... so housing had to be built quickly. This is where the suburbs come from. As for the interstate highway system, Gen. Eisenhower saw the highway system when he was in Germany during the war. He thought it was a good idea to have the means to move troops quickly from one end of the US to the other.... which is why our own interstate highway system was built. One of every 5 miles must be straight, so they can be used as emergency airfields if it ever came down to that.

stephenking avatar
Stephen King
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is terrible content ripped from reddit that has no resemblance to real life. This picture painted of suburbs here only exist in the imagination.

createyourlife avatar
Nat Pinson
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If someone is reading this "to learn more" here are some details about Suburbia USA. There are wealthy Suburbs & poor Suburbs...and everything in between. Everyone has the option to CHOOSE a home that is walkable to a few shops (it might be a Nail Salon, corner mkt, Diner, etc) For a home with "walkable Suburbs near several shops" the more desirable the house- so they do get bought up quickly. 90% of Suburbians can grow a garden in their backyard...most just choose not to. Lawns & "lawn care" is a thing...I don't know why? Some kids do play outside still, often in their backyards. Backyards are a HUGH draw in Suburbia! This is where a lot of folks gather friends & family. BBQ, cookouts & games happen often in Suburb backyards. It is true that if you live in the heart of a Suburbian area you likely need a car. But- Americans LOVE their cars & don't take issue with that. If someone doesn't have a car -they choose a home/apartment accordingly. Walking is done for exercise vs errands.

johawkins avatar
Jo Hawkins
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Country living. I came home from work and saw my grands playing. They are so pretty with their summer tan. They were running, riding go cart, swimming, jumping on trampoline. They are 3 and 4. I sit on my deck and look over the private lake. We have trees, birds. AND wildlife that comes in. In front of us we get to see spring baby calves being born. We are at peace with the world and content.

iamme_3 avatar
IamMe
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think they are confusing HOA's and suburbs. Suburbs are just any area not in, but close enough to commute to a bigger city for work and stuff. They usually have busses or trains that can take you there. HOAs are a lot of (usually big) houses that look very similar. They have committees that tell them what type of everything is allowed, from your siding color to what plants you're allowed to put in. Even things like doors and mailboxes are regulated. I, personally, would never live in one. If I owned a place I'd want to do what I wanted with it. However, enough people seem to like them, as they pop up like crazy.

clblmd320 avatar
Connie Daniels
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So what American suburb was in this video? California? Here in Ohio there are strip stores within walking distance or corner stores (which usually cost more). High country time areas can't keep stores for long because of crime in inner cities. Where I had owned my house ( now in apartment) there were stores outside the development well more like between developments and larger stores near like a 50 to 10 min drive. In the area strip store would be restaurant, bar, dry cleaners/laundry mat hardware store, drug store and even dentist or Drs. All a 15 min walk and kids schools within the development. People move there to get away from the compact city life. Less noise, safer commun and some garden, I did bu.

sanchishiva avatar
HumanBeingFromEarth
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Here in Michigan, during summer sometimes I walk to the stores. This article is false

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swearwolfe avatar
Swear Wolfe
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As am American and now living in Belgium... I wish there was more shops near neighborhoods but it's not that way. I don't know why but I assume it's purposeful to ensure people go out and spend money on things like gas and stuff. I see a lot of the answers were answered but people briefly touched on the garden in the yard thing. I'm only speaking from my own experience but growing up nobody ever has time to do gardening. We work (myself included) from 8am to 5pm but my commute had me up at 5am and out the door by 5:30am so that I could dodge the traffic to work. I'd end up home by around 7pm because traffic was so bad at the end of the day. Any time I had off which was two days a week I tried to use for family or myself. Gardening was just more work and I was too tired to do that. My mom garden's now for the first time in her life... she's retired though and has a part time job on the side because that's the only way she can afford bills and medical but she loves to garden.

bdiraimondo06 avatar
Brian DiRaimondo
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Not only did I grow up in an American suburb, but I live on the water and on a dead end street. So probably more confined than the 'typical suburban home' There is a footbridge nearby I would use to ride my bike into town. From reading all of these comments I can see how strange it is to outsiders, but as far as "What did you do as a kid?" Um we played in our yards with our neighbors, we ran around? Threw a football. To my European brothers and sisters that's an American football.

bdiraimondo06 avatar
Brian DiRaimondo
Community Member
1 year ago

This comment has been deleted.

stephaniegee avatar
Stephanie Gee
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I grew up in Lee's Summit, MO in the MIDDLE of the US from 6th grade through high school...it is a suburb of Kansas City Missouri, but there was tons of stuff to do in that town, there WERE sidewalks, and all us neighborhood kids walked (or rode our bikes) LITERALLY all over town....there was a bowling alley and an ice cream shop right at the end of our neighborhood that we frequented...most of the time we walked home from school because we made better time than the bus because we used all the shortcuts through the neighborhood. The "downtown" area of our suburb was AWESOME! There was a HUGE carnival every year right before we all had to go back to school at the end of the summer....crafts, games, rides...the works! And my favorite coffee shop still to this day is downtown. There was an Amtrak train station right across the street from it and we would walk up there, get our coffee (and shortbread cookies) and sit on the bench outside and watch the trains go by. It was amazing!

19forte avatar
19 FORTE
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I own a home and we use our back yard. Our kids play with other neighborhood kids my wife and daughter have a garden and I have a hammock between 2 trees that I relax on. I love my house, we don’t live on top of each other in the suburbs and it’s quiet and peaceful. Grocery stores are 1 mile up the street and yes we have sidewalks to get us there. Lastly many of our families left Europe in search of something better. Your continent is beautiful but America has always had the room to grow. I like where I live, I think I’ll stay.

melodysanchez_1 avatar
Melody Sanchez
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Here in Oregon, unless you have an HOA, you can plant for food or pleasure. I live in an urban, previously suburban area but I use my land to grow food and a few plants for aesthetics, as well as, have chickens and now quail. I do not have an HOA. Also, my city has buses and lite rail not to mention is bike friendly. I also have a couple of restaurants, a bar, a convenience mart, parks, and a bakery in walking distance. So, I am thinking, maybe this is more about certain areas with HOAs or states rather than a US problem.

tonyfarese avatar
Tony Farese
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Don't worry everyone, President Biden is fixing all of these things. It won't be long before everyone in the suburbs is walking everywhere and planting food in their backyard.

michalbrat avatar
Michal Brat
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I can assure you those questions were legit bafflement, not any kind of provocation. I haven't been to any US suburb myself but from what I've seen in videos it looks like the worst possible combinations of living in a city and living in a village.

blacknoir avatar
Black Noír
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The main topic is mentioning suburbs. However the focus seems to be specifically about housing developments/subdivisions. Suburbs are outskirts of Urban areas. Suburbs do have businesses, shops, stores, bars, theatres, etc etc etc. They can be many different housing subdivisions in a suburb. The context for which suburbs are described here in this article is inaccurate.

craigmayhan avatar
Craig Mayhan
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Although the national age-adjusted rate of drug overdose deaths in 2019 was higher in urban counties than in rural counties, for five states (California, Connecticut, North Carolina, Vermont, and Virginia), rates were higher in rural counties than in urban counties What the writer is guilty of is called lying by omission and she does it almost constantly. My question is why?Whats the objective in attempting to put such a negative spin on the suburbs and suburban life?

tk_4 avatar
T K
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have lawn in my U.S. suburban backyard...and guess what? My children play sports and games on that lawn all the time. Backyards are not wasted space. Seems that some people are misunderstanding why many people want grass in their back yard.

brandonbridges avatar
Brandon Bridges
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This article sound much more like it is describing rural areas, not suburbs. I live in a suburb of Detroit, my city has over 80,000 people on it. There are over 100 stores within two miles of me.

scottiestevens avatar
Scottie Stevens
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

O.k. mist if what I am reading is generalizations, The reason for the zoning laws is most people don't want a bar next to a school or my house. I don't want to deal with the drunks running over my child. Same with restaurants the owners are irresponsible to the community regarding noise and intoxication. Gardens, that is preference, and time. H.o.a. has no say in backyards below the fence line you can grow whatever you like. HOA and city ordinances can be changed by the residence if they chose. Children there time is taken up with the same thing kids in your country d

beklah324 avatar
Beks Czar
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I would not want to live in a cookie cutter house with like 50-100 houses that all look the same with a small front yard, a fenced in backyard and a HOA. --- On the flip side, I would not want to live in a city, in an apartment, even with walking distance to everything. --- I grew up in a little village of about 3000 people. I had a yard that went around the entire house and then a large backyard that was about 2 football fields long. My mom and I lived with my grandparents and my grandpa had probably a 20x20 ft.-ish garden in the backyard. My schools, a small grocery store, gas stations, the library and a small amusement park were all about 1 mile away. But we were still dependent on cars because jobs, medical, larger grocery stores, the mall, department stores were about 30 minutes away.

pitbullmomma2005 avatar
Kimberly Poole
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm an American & I have mostly lived in the country my entire life. The country is anything outside of city limits. In response to the question as to what kids do for fun outside? We played, made up games, rode our bikes, skateboarded, went swimming. There was always something to do & we let our imagination lead us. Properity taxes are cheaper outside of city limits. Life is quieter, more calm than in a city. Stores are everywhere. I'm not understanding that comment. There are gas stations, grocery stores that are within a few miles of home. No they are not within walking distance but just a small car ride. It's all to personal preference as to where someone settles. Having a nice yard & room is important to some people, like me. I don't want to live in a condo, or anything like that as I do not want people so close to me. I need room & space for myself because it makes me feel good. Very simple. Homes & outside spaces are what the family makes of them.

jimresta avatar
Jim Resta
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

City planner here. I also live in the suburbs. In Florida. I walk to multiple cafes and bars and a supermarket - on a sidewalk. Townhomes are everywhere. I have multiple fruit trees in my yard. My neighbor has a small banana farm in his front yard. None of these things are "illegal." There's almost nothing in that trash "article" I just read that's true. I mean nothing. Lots of countries have suburbs with detached, single family housing. They also have zoning. You also can't open a store in your house in the suburbs of Paris if it's not zoned commercial. The suburbs of Sydney and Toronto don't exist because Australians and Canadians were trying to get away from African Americans in their inner cities. Suburban living took off everywhere there was a middle class as soon as passenger rail service was available because 19th century industrial cities were terrible places to live. The US didn't have an awesome public transport system and then it ripped up to make way for cars.

katyhesser avatar
Katy Hesser
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Um so I live in suburbia we have 10 raised beds all with their own watering system, we grow onions, lettuce, strawberries, jalapeños, basil, English cucumbers, purple asparagus, rainbow carrots and we do not have HOA, yes we have large manicured lawns but this article is ridiculous. We have lived in the city with our children and experienced murders, theft, and many horrible things that come with living in a non suburban environment, I’ll take suburbia over that b******t any day.

theresapierson903 avatar
Theresa Pierson
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have lived in the suburbs all my life. The houses are older in my neighborhood,and all look different. The only ones that look alike are newer or in the subdivision. I have stores nearby that I can walk to, and there is a bus service if needed. I would absolutely hate living in a condo or a dirty city. I played with the neighbor kids and we used our imagination. There is nothing wrong with the suburbs.

bradgodshall avatar
Brad Godshall
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Comments assuming they don't use the yard or grass are quite misleading in my opinion. It can be, and is used for many things: spending time outside, playing games or practicing sports, having picnics and parties with friends and families, getting some sun, meeting and socializing or playing with neighbors, etc. And can be an opportunity to learn work ethic and outlet for accomplishment or expression to learn how to take care of a lawn. Also the comment about not having freedom is misleading too, as if people are forced to move into a suburb.

mattdimenna avatar
Matt DiMenna
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

How about we judge Slovakia based on photos and ask why it is one of the lesser known and even lesser visited countries in the entire world.

madelinekopanda avatar
Lemon Beans
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think this is confusing suburbs for subdivision neighborhoods? Suburbs are literally just the outskirts of a city, and are residential, commercial, and mixed use zoning. Subdivisions are neighborhoods zoned specifically for residential use, and are usually found within the suburbs. They have policies on the appearance of your property, may have an HOA, and mostly consist of tract housing. They were created during the 20th century from things like new ideas on what success looked like (homeownership); laws and consumer demand for affordable housing resulting in tract housing; the desire to live as a perfect, harmoness society after ww2 (and the subsequent demand for social conformity); capitalism, industrialism, and a growing population; efforts to preserve segregation; and the automotive industry making cars a necessity. It's all still ingrained in our culture, we didn't just wake up and think "hey ya know what'd be a neat idea"

jennifer_16 avatar
Jennifer Reding
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We moved from an area of higher population density and a townhouse community to a suburb to be closer to my husbands job, and traded a small townhouse with postage stamp backyard for a bigger house with a yard. While we can no longer walk to our favorite restaurant, we are actually closer to a grocery store that I can walk to. I wouldn't trade our extra space and yard, which has fruit trees, a koi pond, and a small grass area, for the ability to walk to a restaurant. I do miss the pool that the townhouse HOA maintained, though.

wiredrabbit1 avatar
Ken Shaw
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's all about the white flight out of urban areas after World war II when European white people wanted to escape those others you know how we're racist country? Well we were even worse back then although maybe not. Anyway, look up Robert Moses, the one who designed a lot of suburban areas and what a racist scumbag he was. Purposely building bridges over the freeway low enough so buses couldn't come through. Maids had a hard time going out to the suburbs to work and they either had to take the train or they didn't have work. But that was it the Long Island railroad. It's all about racism man the suburbs were developed for that let us sprawl out get away from the urban world where people of color are taking over and oh my God it sounds just like what's going on today but on a grander and sadly more open scale.

wiredrabbit1 avatar
Ken Shaw
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I grew up in the suburbs in Long Island. And they were developed for white flight after World war II. This is a well-known fact that Robert Moses was in spectacular racist. He made sure that buses could not go under the bridges on the main highway back then. This is fact and easy to figure out. And so there really is your answer no matter what anyone else says it was all about white flight escaping the cities because of black and people and those others you know anybody else that wasn't white European, and also why their public transit out there is terrible. And I dare anyone to challenge me on this one. Really an interesting article but it shows how naive the guy is because he has no idea of what a racist country America was back then and unfortunately is today.

rmbrumfield78 avatar
Rick Brumfield
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

People are acting like this is the only way of life in the US. We have urban life style, we have smaller neighborhoods with near by stores. And we have suburbs where people wanted a yard for their kids to be able to run around in, play sports in, make pretty. In some places it is illegal to plant a garden in your yard, but not everywhere. People also need to realize: not everyone wants to "garden". I'd say most Americans are fine paying reasonable prices for carrots, peas, & peppers in exchange for not having to weed. As for the comments about "what is there to do?" Usually it's in the house itself. Toys, TVs, tools. I have lived in a major Asian city with stores & restaurants within 5min walking distance, & part of me misses it. A lot. I also have nearly an acre in mid mo where my kids can use their power wheels, explore the woods & I can use a chainsaw whenever I want, plant blackberries, & listen to -NOT- urban street noise at all times of day.

rmbrumfield78 avatar
Rick Brumfield
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Also, a lot of people are comparing Asian & European cities that are at least 2-3x times older than the US itself. Different times, different cultures.

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joecaraccio avatar
Joe Caraccio
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It is really frustrating how we are all supposed to accept the premise that Europe does not have identical communities. England in particular has massive suburbs that are far more spread out with far less business. To the next point. There is always a handful of stores in walking distance less than a mile away. It's sort of what separates suburbs from what people consider rural. This article conflates suburbs with planned gated communities. I grew up in suburbs where no houses looked the same, some had tons of yard and some were close together, some were two family some 4 family some private, we had stores and bars and restaurants in walking distance. We had two train stations and a bus system that was as good or better than most major cities. If this person doesn't understand the suburbs how do they wrap their head around expensive rural areas.

monogurui avatar
Stephanie Joyner
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I've lived in the suburbs most of my life and am confined to a wheelchair. No, they aren't fine, talk about rose-colored glasses. I can't go anywhere without a car, Orlando barely has public transport, where I am there's literally none. When I didn't have my own car I was dependant on a taxi, which good luck finding a handicapped taxi on my side of town. I can't 'walk' anywhere, my neighborhood is about 2 miles long. The nearest gas station/grocery store is about 5 miles away. Shops are 10-15 miles. My friend is 15 minutes away from his job by car, but it's 2 hours by bus, because we only have like... 2-3 routs on a major highway. You can't use your land for anything productive, in some cities it's actually illegal to have a garden in your lawn. Watch Adam ruins everything on netflix. Public transport isn't promoted because they want us in debt. You spend thousands on a car, you have to buy insurance in order to drive it, and forget gas, especially now. I could go on.

jakevanwagoner avatar
Jake VanWagoner
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm with everyone on the sheer stupidity of Homeowner's Associations. Proof that the Nazis didn't lose WWII, they just moved to American neighborhoods.

darrylwest avatar
Darryl West
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I do not find this intellectually sound or accurate. Other than that, what's the big deal about a foreigner not understanding the dynamics of another country? I wonder what bizarre questions (to him, other Slovaks & foreign countries that share things in common with Slovaks) would I have from seeing how they live? I've never seen an American suburb with ZERO public transportation and school buses, huge shopping centers and malls, within reasonable distance, including the one that I live in now. Everyone isn't fit to garden and lawns are nice places to exercise, have at home picnics, etc... If suburbs stimulate this kind of ridiculous inquiry. What of rural areas? I'm sorry, but I found this just dumb, LOL!!! Only America gas suburbs, huh?

johnbaker avatar
John Baker
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The big deal is that, at least here at BP, when the country a foreigner doesn't understand the dynamics of is the US, it's more often than not used as an excuse to bash, insult and belittle all things American.

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stephb_2 avatar
Steph B
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What's wrong with suburbs? I'd rather have property and my own space vs living in a condo or high rise with loud neighbors Below and above me and packed like sardines whom I can't get away from. I lived in one once. My neighbor accidentally set her flat on fire and destroyed half the building. NO THANKS . Public transport is way different in the USA than it is abroad and a lot more unsafe

stephb_2 avatar
Steph B
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Who says you can't garden in your own yard? Lol. I live in a very strict HOA and we can have whatever garden we want to. These questions are absolutely absurd.

katiebrown_1 avatar
Katie Brown
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I live in a suburban area, in California. We have a bit of extra room being a corner house. The front yard is just decorative (because naighbors complain) in the back we have a veggie garden. 13 chickens. 3 turtles and a dog ........

katiebrown_1 avatar
Katie Brown
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Had a job once. And they had red plum trees out in the parking lot area.. and I'd pick and eat them. And everyone at my job would freak out. And I still to this day wonder where those people think food comes from.

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greta-elisif avatar
Greta Hoostal
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My house is in a suburban-type neighborhood, in a rural town and on the border of a suburb. HOA, but not crazy, mainly just maintains the ponds & walking path. No church, library, or store close, though. In the summer & fall there’s a farmer’s market. There’s a playground 1 mi. away, but there’s no shade. Playgrounds w/ shade are 3 mi. away. We DO have a sidewalk going into town each direction. My family is Ruthenian Catholic, & we could go to a Roman Catholic church, 4½ mi. away, but its holidays, theology, & practices are mostly very different, & they won’t commune our children. So we really have to drive 30 min. to a Ukrainian mission, or 1½ or 2½ hrs to a Ruthenian church. This town has a tourist-attraction “general store”, an actual general store, &, in 1 group, 3 grocery-type stores. I guess zoning laws must be the reason 3 stores are in 1 place. So I suspect the problem is from government. There IS a neighborhood by the stores & library, but the houses aren’t as nice.…

greta-elisif avatar
Greta Hoostal
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

…I would like best to have church close but for that we’d need to est. a Ruthenian enclave, at least a city “quarter” like in the ancient cities, e.g. Armenian Quarter of Jerusalem. It wouldn’t be racist since even though it’s ethnic, people of all races are allowed to become Ruthenians. Very open church. But we’d be accused of racism anyway, since this is the U.S.

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sharonwilliams_2 avatar
Sharon Williams
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I live in the suburbs. We have sidewalks and the grocery store is within biking or walking distance. Have a small vegetable garden in backyard. Children play ball,skate,ride their hoverboards, bikes etc.. As we live in a cul-de-sac on Halloween we bring our hibachi out and watch the roving band of trick or treaters go house to house. We have trampoline and a neighborhood pool. The park ,elementary school and middle school are within walking distance .There is a coffeeshop,sandwich shop liquor store,hardware store ,gardening center,pharmacies and fast food is close. All suburbs are not the same.

taraquail84 avatar
TQ
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

According to our HOA, we can't have gardens in our back yard, we can't have any free roaming animals in our back yard snf we can't even set up a temporary pool in our back yard. A permanent above ground only if approved by HOA. Same with ingrounds. I have yet to see an above ground pool installed at all in our neighborhood. I regret buying our house in this neighborhood. A bunch of nosey "Karen" neighbors that love to tell others how to live in their home. I would move back to our old place in a heartbeat if we could.

jayjackomin avatar
Jay Jackomin
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This comes from a person who lives in a part of the world that gave us two world wars in the 20th century that killed tens of millions. Most white people living in the United States today are the descendants of immigrants who exited the shithole of Europe before those wars Sounds like a good move to me.

ericraitanen avatar
Eric Raitanen
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I am American, but have never lived in a suburb or near a city bigger than around 10-15,000 population. I have relatives that lived in suburbs, and I like them fine and there were parks easy to walk to. I only have lived in places where you have to drive to stores, and suburbs seemed to always have the best nation wide store selection within a couple minutes drive. The houses are well kept, rarely see a dump or garbage front yard neighbor, nice landscaping. You can bike down the spacious roads with few cars parked in it because of limits to street parking. Limits to bright lights on front porch. No businesses creating commotion. Middle class and rich don't shop at convenient stores or pubs much, so no problem. I guess I don't see the problem with them, but get a hotel in the city if you don't have a car.

mtownsendsp2017 avatar
Lioness Nature
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Well the US suburbs are different from town to town state to state. The ones with white houses that look the same with plain green grass front and backyards, in a row or culdesacs are usually white dominate suburbs. Forms or redlining and redzoning are used to keep Black people and other people of color out of those neighborhoods also inflation and strategic disqualification tactics that are not used on the poorest white person looking to buy a home. These racists methods are still highly used today with gentrification added if the white people want to expand over the Black suburbs or even urban cities they raise property taxes and mortgages and it forces Black people to sell and move back to the he city. The Equal housing opportunity act is BS in America. No one follows it. The American suburbs are trying to give the BS narrative of the American dream and the simple life. House on the hill white picket fence, family dog, car in the driveway, apple pie cooling on the window sil. Repeat

bluered avatar
Blue Red
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Do you think it's ok to mock how people live in other countries or just the USA? Is it ok for me to laugh at how most people in Europe live in apartments and own no land? Is it ok to mock African villages without electricity or laugh at the lack of refrigeration in Papua New Guinea? You people are sick

seanwilliams avatar
Sean Williams
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is stupid, suburb aren't usually isolated, shops a literally in walking distance, they have parks and community facilities, some do have public transportation but they are usually needed as suburb consist of middle and upper income family. Many have home business or work from home, hell will delivery services they don't even have to leave the house. As for why people like them is for the space, the quite, less light population and so on. Not all have HOA, some are located her universities. It for people that don't like to be piled on top of each other. Person I person inbetween suburbs and cities. Still single houses but closer together without the gross smells of the city. What kind of b******t news is this

denniswright avatar
Dennis Wright
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't know where these other people have lived, but it's not how I lived. I was raised in Huber Heights, Ohio, the (at that time) largest single brick community. There were stores, schools, and churches with 15 minutes walking distance of most of the approximately 30 miles. There was even a sprinkling of apartments mixed in. The schools and services were top rated. And yes, we had many a garden in our backyard. I have been gone now for 40 years so some things may have changed, but on visit back I haven't seen it. For those who have complained about where they live, you sleep in the bed you make. For those in this conversation from overseas, in America we say, "don't knock it til you try it.". I have live in Europe, Asia, and Central America, and each had their own positive and negative attributes. So, does America.

pintaco avatar
Pin Taco
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Lol whoever wrote this is rather clueless, especially the intro. Id rather live a few miles from a store than like rats in the city.

lingeriedeparis avatar
Lingerie De Paris
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If you want pollution and a store right next door we have these things called cities. If you want quiet live in suburbia . how's are really quite rare . but serve the purpose of maintaining a lifestyle. Gardens are nice but un America we have so much to do besidecwatch tomatoes grow . kids play with other kids and yes there are playgrounds nearby . supermarkets and walmart 5 minutes by car .

naomi avatar
Naomi
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

How are Canadian residential areas? More like the US or Europe?

the_original_blue62 avatar
Bravo6Two
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Varies wildly. The "cookie-cutter house farm" suburbs seem to be pretty much all that's being built though, maybe a convenience store on the edge. Usually a few parks and a trail or two, depending on the developer

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kevinjohnson_1 avatar
Kevin Johnson
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You should link to the reddit post https://www.reddit.com/r/urbanplanning/comments/umv2ib/i_just_watched_this_video_from_not_just_bikes_on/

jenk7138 avatar
Jen Kilgore
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This made my head hurt. So glad I never got a Twitter account

bobbiemeyers avatar
Bobbie Meyers
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Some people want space, not living elbow to elbow in apartments, condos. The yard is for the dogs. And no, I don't want shops within walking distance, bringing all sorts of people around. I don't live in a typical suburban neighborhood, but close enough. Also, would NEVER put up with a HOA. Let people do what they want with the property THEY are paying for.

lostusa avatar
Joe Pig
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Do these people.unserstand scale? 300+ million people and they think they all could just live in these quaint little houses in self contained neighborhoods. People pool in one area business in another. One store can then serves thousands a day rather than 50 stores serving dozens. It's simply not monetarily or logically possible to self contain. Also, suburbs suck. Cookie cutter homes with drab designs lived in by people who don't strive for anything else. I live in a rural area. Surrounded by fields. A local deli, 2 restaurants and a convenience store are within a 15 min walk. A municipal park is even closer along with the fire department. The police station is slightly farther away. If I want to go to church I can see one from my house. A full service grocery store is a 4 mile drive along with a pharmacy and lots of other shops. It's a great mix. A city 15 minutes drive and a metropolitan one 90 minutes. I don't want to live in a village.

helen-marco avatar
European sparrow
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have those exact questions, but I don't see them very well answered. Why can't you have schools of supermarkets, fashion stores, etc in those massive suburbs? What can kids do? Are there playgrounds, sportsfield, sportsclubs, youthclubs stuff like that. My kids wonder arond from playground to playground, walking and cycling. They go to there sportsclubs and music lessons independently. They buy groceries frequently from as young as 8 years old. My 15 year old takes the train to go to other cities with his friend. They both have a small job on saterdays.

larisamigachyov avatar
Lara M
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There are three playgrounds and two schools within walking distance of where I live. The closest playground also has a sports field for soccer or other similar sports. I see kids there all the time. Stereotypes aren't pretty.

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alpun avatar
Al Pun
Community Member
1 year ago

This comment has been deleted.

sammo187 avatar
Sam Savang
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You see the problem with Pubs and stores in a neighborhood is because that's where 90% of the crime happens in most neighborhoods in America. The criminals and would be criminals sit there watching people and follow them to their homes even. That's what happened in San Francisco during those Home Invasion robberies around Christmas time this past year. Stores and pubs are the centre for organized crimes also. You should know this by now If you live in Europe. We have the freedom here to live as we please. If we want to set our lawns on fire well he'll why wouldn't we? The front yard lawn is where we let our children play with their problem friends. You know what I am talking about those little shits that break all your stuff when they come inside. I have nephews amd nieces that are little assholes. We have places that do that like Berkeley, CA. If you don't mind Congestion and sitting at the Bart station getting molested by the homeless and the mentally inferred be my Guest.

lamirmagus avatar
Lamir Magus
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I live in Washington, where the government actively pursues more environmental suburbs. My Seattle suburb is an evolved cattle/coal town that now has grown due to the tech boom in our area, as a result we have a wide variety of steakhouses, multicultural restaurants, a beautiful little library, and lots of bars within a 20 minute walk of my house. This sort of thing is common in Washington suburbs, but it all comes down to one thing: money. Washington is a rich state and some of our suburbs are best described as bougie (samammish, for example). This is prime American living, come to Washington, we have trees!

suzanne-young-58 avatar
Suzanne Young
Community Member
1 year ago

This comment has been deleted.

rchargel avatar
RafCo
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I am living in a suburb of Philadelphia. Walking distance (less than 20 minute walk) from my house, there are four playgrounds, a movie theater from the 1920s, two auto repair shops, four cafés (yes, one is a Starbucks), a grocery store, an elementary school, two train stations, lots of bus stops, at least two dozen restaurants, a farmers market, a flea market, and an art studio/museum. Oh, and many of my neighbors, and myself, have gardens where we grow vegetables. I even grew corn once, but the squirrels stole it all, before it was ready for havest. I haven't driven a car in weeks. It's not all white picket fences with big yards where nobody talks to each other. That is a Midwestern thing maybe. In older cities on the east coast and south there are some actual communities in suburbs.

rchargel avatar
RafCo
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The problem in my community is that there is a children's hospital and two universities. All of which will drive you into horrible life altering debt, should you ever need them.

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anotherschulz avatar
Chris Schulz
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is a tough one.. But I've personally seen emigrants ruin neighborhoods by doing trashy work and terrible paint jobs to their property.. Attracting pests like cockroaches because of their lifestyle choices.. slowly our country is being destroyed by people bringing their way of life and disrespect to our communities

ameliajacobs avatar
Amelia Jacobs
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ok, those aren't suburbs but sub divisions. I live in the suburbs, 2 towns west of Portland. In a 3 story apartment complex with a bus stop outside, a corner store on the next block. Less than a mile from the grocery, restaurants, etc. The light rail is 1mi away and I use it to commute to work in central Portland. We are very active in the local community as well as in the larger Portland area. We live here because 1) it's less expensive and 2) it's quieter. Lower population density means fewer people asking me for money at the light rail stops, fewer urban pests, fewer traffic issues. I have lived in the downtown areas of several cities and I prefer to be a little removed, but not out of reach. I do not live in a manicured subdivision, just a smaller neighborhood in a larger metropolitan area.

jlvanwatoughest avatar
Joseph Ludlow
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

every suburb I've ever lived in had atleast a couple different kinds of stores within 10-15 minutes and bus stops like 5 minutes away... I'm talking from anywhere in the burb. They just keep outside traffic away from your front door, like main road traffic and faster moving cars. Suburbs have a 10-25mph limit, main roads have to move more vehicles so they're usually 35-50mph. I don't think most of these people have ever lived in a suburb. Also, every suburb I've ever been to atleast has a park, sidewalks, some have private pools, a club house you can reserve.Also, again, most suburbs have really good sized yards for kids and pets. Some suburbs don't for people who don't want to worry about yards.

kevinhickey avatar
Kevin Hickey
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In America, people in suburbs actively fight against having public transportation in their neighborhoods. We all know why. It's the same reason that the suburbs were built in the first place.

gkrynick22 avatar
twhartman avatar
Thomas Hartsworth
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I love in a newer suburb. We have three restaurants, a game store, a liquor store, a kids park and large open space with a city bike path running through it, and public transportation all within a 5-10 minute walk from our home. I realize this isn't typical but it's one of the reasons we picked this neighborhood.

net0 avatar
Margaret Weaver
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That was a painfully familiar read. Murican entitlement and avarice on display, narrated by an impartial foreigner who legitimately does not understand posturing and intentional waste.

bnkessler avatar
Bri Nicole
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They really just find any reason to hate the U.S. don't they

bnkessler avatar
Bri Nicole
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Some of us don't want to be near stores and restaurants and wants peace and QUIET and NATURE. HUGE fan of that nature stuff.

jonsheik avatar
Jon Sheik
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Smiles. America is the nexus of profit and racism. Un the planned suburbs, you see that the one good thing is the houses are cheaper to build. More profit for the company that "developed" the suburb, and homogeneity keeps the sale price high. The higher price keeps out those who generally make less, and conveniently, that's a lot of non-white (people of no color? :-) in that group, naking the suburbsa mostly white and very boring place. How to nake drug addicts out of kids? Bore them and ignore them. The suburbs! :-) Etc.

notimportant_1 avatar
Not Important
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The answer for most of the questions is historical anti-black racism. Why no public transport, that's what blacks use. Why so far from the city, that's where blacks are. More than single family homes doesn't support yt supremacy and it's tenace of individualism. Racial covenants, red lining, school districting all popped up as suburbia took hold of upper middle class Americans during the Jim crow era.The point of American suburbia was to support American segregation and racism.

jarenc avatar
Jaren C
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Do not call us “blacks”. Diverse places are statistically the most segregated. Gentrification is typically don’t in urban areas. Anyone can live in suburbs. And man poc live in suburbs. Racism is rooted into everything here so there’s really no comparing.

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thatbemeacb avatar
Thatbeme ACB
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's called racism. Look into America's history for why the suburbs was created. You'll get more info rather an individual's opinion.

reddogmcgraw avatar
Reddog McGraw
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This weird idealism is why ii question the validity of a. Democratic vote. Just because I don't use my land as you see fiit per the culture you were brought up in has no bearing on whether or not it's being wasted. I grew up in North East Texas in a town that only had three policemen. One day this crackhead literally pulled up to our house and started going through my father's things. (We lived 6 milles outside of town). Soo my mom grabbed a gun because she was alone with young children...moral of the story, some Entitled Liberal schmuck sipping their Starbucks in Downtown Pasadena California crying about Americans should own guns and if we can just get rid of the outdated electoral college. People shouldn't be allowed to make decisions when they have no clue what they are actually considering. I live in a luxury condo now, and ii would be pretty pissed if my neighbor decided too open up a pub nextdoor keeping me up all night and people puking and fighting in the street.🤦🏻‍♂️

brianwood_1 avatar
Brian Wood
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Suburbs were created in order for white people to escape the Ccivil rghts criminal crowd. Didn't work out well. Too many HOA's headed by politically minded dictators. Let's face it, if you are a white living in the US, you have NO rights. Your responsibility is to financially support the millions of unskilled immigrants imported by your govt, plus millions more who are sixth generation welfare recipients. Thst is your lot in life, no matter where you live.

dewonthecloverpatch avatar
Daisy dukes
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have land because I don’t want to live next-door to the scum in the low income housing and government subsidized housing that the government forces into every neighborhood. Drugs etc. don’t excite me and I don’t want to be around it. We do lots of things with our land but the best thing it is is a barricade. Europeans are different than Americans, I don’t want to live next-door to a bar and I don’t want booze around my home. I don’t care with the parents sit on the terrace of the bar and drink, they ought to be ashamed of themselves but I guess they don’t know any better. I’m glad that at least businesses are separated from housing because shopping centers are dangerous, they have loitering and shooting. Some stores are grandfathered in so it’s not like every neighborhood is a desert, those stores are bad enough. You will hear the sirens as the police are summoned to the latest robbery at night .

brittanycopeland avatar
Brittany Copeland
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I live in one of the largest cities in my state. I'm not even IN the suburbs. While I do live a block away from a school, I need to drive 15 minutes to the closest store. I purposefully bought an older home so the HOA is long defunct (though technically we still have to follow the rules, nobody does) so that I could have a small veggie garden and plant some fruit trees. The closest city park is in the downtown district, across 2 highways and an interstate away. There WERE some restaurants and businesses, but they recently fell victim to eminent domain and now they are a huge warehouse. Busses only pick kids up if they have to cross a major thoroughfare or if they live 5 miles or more away. Only the newer parts of the city have public transportation. And zoning is kinda a joke around here. I can see a limestone quarry from my front door, for example. My sister went to college by a chicken slaughterhouse which was surrounded by single family homes. Housing in the US sucks. I miss Europe

klorinczi avatar
Klara Lorinczi
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In my state, if you have a back yard, you can grow anything you want - food, herbs, marijuana (with permits), flowers, anything. If you have an HOA, they will disallow food gardens in front but we can grow flowers. Children play in the back yards on mini playgrounds like kids forts, swing sets, etc. In front they can play on small basketball courts. There are lots of small neighborhood parks with playgrounds, lakes, ponds, for kids to play on. The suburbs were intended to be safe and quiet. Not as safe as before but still quiet. HOAs are sometimes too strict but they make the residents keep their lawns clean, mowed and the homes have to be properly maintained. The neighborhoods without HOAs are not as clean and people get away with leaving lots of stuff and garbage on the front and back yards. HOAs do more good than harm. Colorado is one of the most beautiful places in the US and where I live, it’s very clean with lots of parks and some medium sized lakes for fishing.

gkrynick22 avatar
G Kionik
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"The neighborhoods without HOAs are not as clean and people get away with leaving lots of stuff and garbage on the front and back yards" ------ this is 100% conjecture. I have lived in many different neighborhoods, some with and some without HOA's. You would not be able to tell them apart. The only difference is with HOA's you are at the mercy of the decorating whims of the board so every house looks almost exactly the same.

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peterfabian avatar
rn42
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"It drives up property values" is the largest "fvck you, I got mine" vibe there is in the states

gibson330usa avatar
Gibson330usa
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

so it's ok with you if you work hard and save money and finally buy your own home then someone buys the house next to you and turns it into a bar? The value of the property you just bought for $200,000 suddenly drops to $125,000 because no one wants to raise a family next to a bar.

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delilahevil avatar
Delilah Evil
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Grass is environmentally evil. They require maintenance and offer nothing but some entitled c**t the "perfect" neighborhood. People should be able to grow food anywhere they can. Why do we accept shipping more food than necessary to appease these twats?

gizmomsu avatar
Lance Egan
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sounds like a bunch of commie complianting to me. To me living like euro trash is not for me and big cities sum with their Progressive ways. No one has seen a cow up close or have ridden a horse. They want to gay everything up and feel like they are superior. Most people in large cities think food comes from the store. They are way to sexualized. I can go on but I like living in the way off suburb the farther the better.

andrewworrall avatar
Andrew Worrall
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When I go to the store, I do it once a week because I don't have time to walk there for 3 things. We also don't have postage stamp houses, hence why we have 4k and 5k sqft houses with pretty lawns. We don't want to have close neighbors or live in an apartment. Why is this so hard to understand?

gyaltendechen avatar
Gyalten Dechen
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I live in New Zealand and here we don’t have many of those housing developments and if we did they are just a sprinkling of houses. I think this keeps things small scale and community sized. In Auckland there are larger developments and I always feel those places to be very soul less. However like the UK we also have to have a community space nearby wether it’s a sport centre or community art space, or corner shop. I think it’s the places that have been planned and developed quickly rather than grown up organically where there is an issue. Sometimes social housing when it hasn’t been thoughtfully done can have this kind of problem, but these days planners here are more aware of this and make it more mixed with non social privately owned houses together with social government housing. I would die a slow death in a suburb. I feel uncomfortable even visiting them, as something just feels “wrong” about it and dehumanising somehow.

lamirmagus avatar
Lamir Magus
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The original purpose of suburbs was to give the middle class a slice of opulence when they came home from the war. They're really just a way to pretend you're a wealthy landowner when you're really just a middle class drone...

dean_9 avatar
Dean
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I’m sooooooo tired of the constant subliminal brainwashing in America!!!!!! I’m sure that the stupid people don’t even realize that you’re trying to get them to dislike America but for me, when I read stupid $hit like this, I want to hunt down the authors that wrote it and punch them in the face until my hand starts to bleed…….

donnie_elam avatar
Donnie Elam
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This article is just an excuse to spread communist propaganda. Every comment seems to smell like B.O. and apparently doesn't have a job

josephmarthaler avatar
Joseph Marthaler
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Just another bash America article. American Suburbs? Really? We Americans jearcyou loud and clear... you hate hate hate us. Well, we all hope you choke on that hate. 🙂👍

ambenedict1972 avatar
Aimee Benedict
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Hi- look- we don’t know- someone already built them and we’d like to keep them that way- now we’re just trying to get by with them being so big and it’s hard to reach the store- don’t you eat bland food?

dewonthecloverpatch avatar
Daisy dukes
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Europeans are different than Americans. I don’t want to live next-door to a bar no matter what the parents drink on the terrace. I don’t want booze around me and my family. That shopping centers in America there is loitering and shooting so I am glad that housing is separate from business. Shopping centers are not safe to live next-door to. Parent to comment here they don’t want to drive their children anywhere probably don’t care about their children very much. Couldn’t be very involved in school which is why the government is taking over the children. The parents are in raged about this but where have they been all these years? We don’t want the government to raise our children . Public schools were there for education, not indoctrination. I have land because I don’t want to live next-door to the scum that the government forces into every neighborhood. Never before had I heard shooting in the night until they move low income into decent neighborhoods.

tamrastiffler avatar
Tamra Stiffler
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Where do you propose poorer people live?! You make the very erroneous assumption that all people who have to live in low income housing must be some sort of low life or criminal. They have to live somewhere! Just say you're a heartless NIMBY and be done with it.

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hannahburkett avatar
Hannah Burkett
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Capitalism is the root cause to most of these questions. Not all but most.

gladyshayessoutherland avatar
Gladys Hayes Southerland
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

American suburbs are isolated, lonely & devoid of the rich diversity that exists in the areas where there are several cultures together. If the life is so very good in the suburbs why do they consistently have such a high drug abuse rate ?

miketkoop avatar
Sock Cucker
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Drug abuse rates are way higher in the city... Maybe the war on drugs has had a hand in it, huh? The sacklers? Why are you so ignorant?

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sammo187 avatar
Sam Savang
Community Member
1 year ago

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As far as the idiot that was talking about the great form of public transport what the hell is he talking about? MULES AND DONKEYS? EVERYwhere in America has a street Buses drive on streets, Trams drive on the street? But then again judging by the profile picture is probably a stoner that is living in a tent mooching off the Taxpayers that is probably high off their a*s when that was written. Drugs are not a form of public transportation just because Crack and crack pipes are free in NYC, SF, LA, Chicago and other leftwing globalist controlled cities doesn't mean it's acceptable. Then again what do you expect from someone that has @postingtwink as their screen name? What does the word "Twink" mean in the UK? Since you were the 1st to coin that word.

gibson330usa avatar
Gibson330usa
Community Member
1 year ago

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We need big yards to shoot our guns and all we need is a McDonald's within 5 miles so we can drive our big SUVs and git us some food a few times a day.

thalia13lovering avatar
Thalia Lovering
Community Member
1 year ago

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From lack of transportation to lack of proper healthcare to gun laws, everything you read about the US is ridiculous. I can't believe that we once believed the "American dream" c**p.

sanchishiva avatar
HumanBeingFromEarth
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I won’t downvote you, but just so people can comment on this idiocy. Honestly, this comment has -3 votes. But look at the highest votes. Look at what it says. And why are Europe countries tiny with tiny economies and tiny cars.

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Sock Cucker
Community Member
1 year ago

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Imagine thinking Americans want to live like people in stinky Europe...

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Tamar Hannah Whipkey
Community Member
1 year ago

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Ah, another reason that I feel / think more like a European / foreigner than an American. I have not thought of this topic specifically.  But I loathe the suburbs!  I prefer either extreme, city living in the thick of things or else a remote area with few neighbours spaced at a comfortable distance, close enough to call for help but far away enough so that I can have company, a conversation, a party, play music, yell, etc. without disturbing the peace or people watching my movements. I find the suburbs to be depressing, ugly, and not useful, especially being a loner who does not drive.  It facilitates / represents being stuck without transportation; having little personal space; lacking the beauty, freedom, and natural landscape of a rural address; living in cookie-cutter boxes; possibly being part of a HOA / Home Owners Association, which invades personal space and dictates how people can run their own houses, which is overstepping boundaries.

audreyn_ avatar
Audrey N.
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

HOAs are Karen breeding grounds. I'd never live in an area with one if there was any other choice.

snowfoxrox avatar
Snowfoxrox
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

First rule of house hunting to our realtor was do NOT show us ANY homes with an HOA!

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tamrastiffler avatar
Tamra Stiffler
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I live in a very small town in Pennsylvania in the US. I have a rather large yard that's broken up by many large trees, some bearing fruit, a small koi pond, herb gardens, and four large vegetable plots. We walk to the post office and bank, and store sometimes. This doesn't address typical suburbs, though, which I personally don't care for. The US is really a huge country, which does explain the sprawl, somewhat. There are a lot of factors at play which brought about the suburbs.

angelatuel avatar
Angela Tuel
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I live in a Suburb just outside Boston... We have stores and schools etc where you can walk or use other transportation. My property is half surrounded by forest and we have a stream... It's also Conservation Land. Meaning we can only change so much, in order to protect the environment. However I can walk the length of my street (probably 1 mile) and get to the grocery store, banks, CVS, Dunkin's etc. The town I grew up is a DRY town, no liquor stores... The town I live in now (30 min from my childhood house) has one of the biggest Malls in our State. Everywhere is different. I def agree with Tamra!

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joemama_4 avatar
AverageWeeb 🇬🇧
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Really scraping the bottom of the barrel in terms of “things to pretend are bad in America”. They’re just houses, calm down.

ytmr avatar
Yves Soucy
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Agreed. They're just houses and I live in one and everything I need is right around the corner. Not a problem.

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giulia-arrigoni21 avatar
Emmydearest
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

God forbid you don't/can't drive (minors, elders, disabled, temporarly injured...)... In Italy we do have some places like that, where all you get is houses, no stores, no bars, no schools... They are called quartieri-dormitorio (dormitory blocks), but it's usually very low-income neighborhoods, definitely not middle/upper class... And it's considered a bad thing honestly

buggycas avatar
Buggycas
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Tell me about it I am disabled, can't drive, and live in RURAL America. I'm pretty much a hermit unless someone takes me somewhere

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janetclarke avatar
Hiker Chick
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

No one is forced to live in the suburbs. We Americans can choose where to live. I understand the questions and confusion, but people live where they want. My in-laws loved having a house in an HOA neighborhood, I chose to live in a non-HOA neighborhood. Most towns and counties in the US do provide free public transportation for elderly and disabled people. Just because it's not regular bus service doesn't mean it doesn't exist.

aliquida avatar
Aliquid
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"We Americans can choose where to live.".... what an odd statement. As if you are implying that people living in other countries don't choose where they live, because the original post was from Slovakia, and they also get to choose where they live. Secondly, I actually challenge the statement that Americans can choose where to live, since many Americans can't due to economic conditions. I'm sure there are plenty of people living in suburbs that wished that they didn't live in a suburb, but are not able to move.

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mhoncho2020 avatar
Mike Honcho
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ever think maybe people live in suburban areas because they want a balance between “leave me the f**k alone” rural living (like me), and being packed in like sardines in urban living? To me the urban living scenario is the absurd concept.

bobbiemeyers avatar
kathrynstretton avatar
kathryn stretton
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The Americans here defending their verson of suburb life I understand, but they have never lived in the European way of living where everything is geared to community. I'm biased (U.K.), but have lived abroad, last stop Turkey for 10 years where it's even more 'community first, and gardens are for productive use. and the children play out making god knows what with mud and lolly sticks, come at teatime. I think it's sad, and would love for the U.S. defenders to try the alternative just for a while.

tamrastiffler avatar
Tamra Stiffler
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I would absolutely love to live in that kind of community. There are some places like that in the US, but they aren't the norm, sadly.

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stevenbennett avatar
Steven Bennett
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Part of the problem here is that a lot of posters seem to be confusing Housing Developments with Suburbs. Housing Developments, like the one seen in Edward Scissorhands with identical houses, perfectly manicured lawns with no trees or other foliage, and no nearby businesses do exist, but they are the exception rather than the rule. The suburb where I grew up had a corner drugstore, a diner right next door, a bakery, a pizzeria, and yes, a liquor store all within walking distance. We also had several community parks, picnic areas, and playgrounds. We walked to school and on the street behind mine there was a creek at the bottom of the hill where we sledded in the winter and caught crayfish in the summer. And it seems to me here that a lot of Europeans are criticizing the American way of life while never having lived it, while at the same time accusing us of the same in reverse. Ultimately I believe comfort comes down to what you are used to.

dragonflysweety avatar
Jessica Tieking
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

True there's a difference between a Housing Development and Suburb. I though am in a suburb but we don't have anything like you described. Nothing within walking distance. Not that I can walk far anyways due to a chronic illness and chronic pain due to having Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome. But yeah just houses here. It isn't strict nor lenient. But no public transport. Must be nice to be where you grew up. Even where I grew up in North Carolina (currently in Texas) things weren't really like that. In one house there there was a small strip of businesses and I remember one was a salon where I got my hair cut when I was like 12. But unfortunately places like that is real rare it seems.

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gingersalmons avatar
Ginger Salmons
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I couldn’t stand living in a high rise apartment. People on top of people. If I want or need something, I get in my truck and go to the store to get it close by. Very easy, no biggie.

colleen_rogers avatar
Colleen Rogers
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's why the suburbs were created. To get away from being on top of eachother.

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neophrates avatar
Seymour Butts
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Some people like the peace and quiet of suburbs, especially when raising a family. Yuppie cosmopolitan snobs stay mad. I'm glad I grew up in the suburbs. My early years were spent in a more urban setting, and it had gangs, crime, graffiti, homeless, and other wonderful culture lol.

satanlovesyou avatar
SatanLovesYou
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You know just because you are avoiding those things doesn't mean their not still a massive societal problem in america right? That isn't city culture btw, it's american culture.

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aamatty avatar
AA Matty
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have no problem with single family homes or neighborhoods. I don't even think there is anything wrong with having single family zones within city limits. There are advantages to them. My issue is the strictness of zoning laws. Where I live, it is suburban neighborhood next suburban neighborhood. Every open space is then turned into to a damn corporate offices or more neighborhoods; very few communal parks for kids to go to. As someone mentioned, sidewalks end too soon and public transportation is c**p. Then there are the regulations everywhere about how to build houses that go beyond safety. I think some of those strip malls would be better served if they built apartments, even if it one story, above them. Suburbs should be modeled after towns we see on a Hallmark movie.

terrylovelace avatar
Terry Lovelace
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Come to the coast of Lake Erie in Avon Lake Ohio. We have parks on the coast. But, yes, they are cutting the green areas promised to us and the wildlife. Our deer are starting to starve with all undergrowth eaten and saplings starting to suffer. Money talks louder than compassion for the natural world.

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suzanne-young-58 avatar
Suzanne Young
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Hey, I grew up in the burbs and we were always outside playing. We knew to go home when the streetlights came on. I think the horror of the "suburbs" is really the horror of planned communities with rigid HOAs (now THAT is something horrible, and even worse in condos/townhouses).

peterfabian avatar
rn42
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It surprises me how many Americans support this zoning with "you don't want a slaughterhouse on one side of your house and drunks from a bar on the other" as if these were the only two options. Imagine having a walkable neighborhood where you can easily walk to a grocery store, a family restaurant, your kids to school and sport areas. This is not comparing suburbs to cities either, this is comparing suburbs with suburbs or larger villages. Some of the new suburbs in Eastern Europe (and maybe western, but I have no experience there) are making the same mistake, leading to car dependence. It's common to see people move out happily to their new home and then leave disappointed a few years later after they find their days are consumed with driving their kids around.

ladyfirerose avatar
Vira
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There is no f-ing way I'm going to live somewhere where I can't have a car, easily, in America. It's not because I can't walk, either, so don't even start with that racist c**p. Two of my elderly family members live several hundred miles north of me. My in-laws live several hundred miles south. My uncle lives several thousand miles away. These are trips that can take days to make. Why do most of these comments act like I would just hop on a bus, train, or plane? That's not an option, here. Some of us are farmers. You like food don't you? Well we provide it. Also, your idea of utopia isn't the same as mine. "Imagine walking here or there" sounds like misery, noise, and annoyance. I like wandering the mountains, hiking, fishing, animals, and plants. I'm not interested in sports. I cook my own food. The school is plenty close. My family has plenty of fun at my house. Bonfires, horses, and pit BBQs are pretty fun, thanks.

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balbicky avatar
Milan
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Slovak here. Once i was on court in a small town near New York (my car was hit). I had to walk from train station to the police station almost 2 hours, because there was no public transport or taxi 🤷🏼‍♂️ Except New York, we always rent a car, because of lack of public transport. Here in Slovakia in cities, towns or even in villages buses goes in every few minutes or at least every hours. I dont know much about gardens, but i like the US frontyards and “fenceless” houses. That we dont have here. Everybody have big fences around the house. But i can agree about suburbs in US (in which i lived for short periods). The services and stores in suburbs are mostly in one shopping place, what is comfortable, but again, you have to go there with car because most is far away. Here i can go by walk to the nearest stores or services. In the last 12 years in which i traveled back and forth to the US i can say that US cities especially towns and villages are much more beautiful in TV as in real ☺️

mwhee avatar
M Whee
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is partly why American refrigerators are so much bigger, most try to get the shopping done for a week in one trip, and feel bothered if we run out of something and have to go back. It's not a quick trip to the corner to get fresh bread or milk.

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erin_16 avatar
GirlFriday
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I grew in a small rural community and now live in a condo community just outside of a major city in the US. There are advantages to both, as for the suburbs, those people are paying for larger yards and quiet streets without the traffic of business districts. IT costs more to live a in a suburb away from conveniences and public transport. It is a lifestyle choice. I, personally, have public transport and a few stores within walking distance and major shopping within a five minute drive. I don't have a lawn, but we have a community garden area for planting vegetables if we want to.

miketkoop avatar
Sock Cucker
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Suburbs have all of that. I think you confuse rural with suburban. I'm in a suburb. We have a major mall, several large community gardens, etc. It costs more to live in the city. That's just objective fact. Rent and mortgages are higher, there are more taxes and fees in a city.

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Donna Ivy
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I love my suburban home. I live my grass . It's so peaceful. It was a great playing area fir my 8 grandchildren. Running. ,kickball. Hiding and yes they would play with grass, dirt stones,mixing it up in bowls . They were very imaginative. And I do have a small vegetable garden. No I don't need to walk o a Cafe. I enjoy working in my garden, peace and quiet and birds singing.. But I also don't have an annoying HOA

colleen_rogers avatar
Colleen Rogers
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Which is why they were created. Not all suburbs are like the poster described. He or she should have grown up in Slovakia when it was under Communist rule then maybe they could understand America better.

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pavo6503 avatar
Agamemenon Triforce
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I live in a city and i totally hate it. The stores offer pretty much everything I need but almost nothing i want. People rave about the restaurants but that's not my thing. I live close to a major city but going there is a nightmare between the tourists and how much effort it takes to get to the one place I want to go. There's plenty of convenience but to go anywhere green and quiet takes a minimum of 20 minutes driving and that only gets me 2 miles (3km) away. The neighbors play obnoxiously loud music constantly. There's always construction. I live near 3 auto shops and they use our street as a test track. I will totally move out of the city ASAP for some quiet and isolation.

nikkisevven avatar
Nikki Sevven
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I live in Massachusetts and have a small house on 6475 sq meters (1.6 acres) of property. My "lawn" is mostly clover and wildflowers interrupted by large vegetable gardens and fruit trees. A perennial stream runs through my front yard. It's about 1.6 km to the nearest convenience store along two busy roads with no sidewalks.

veni_vidi_vicky avatar
Vicky Zar
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We've got a big estate for German standards. It's around 1000qm if I am not mistaken. Our house must be around 200qm, on two floors. This is really really big for our standards. And we got lucky. It was cheap because it's a fixer upper and in a very rural area. Normally no middle class people can afford such a thing. It's not even a one family home, but originally a boardinghouse. You do not see such big 1 family homes in Europe because our countries are smaller. That's why we tend to build up instead of just flat on the ground, too. And we do not have HOAs. There are no neighbourhoods that look like every house is a clone of the one before and I am glad of it.

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jessicaolson avatar
Jessica Olson
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'll never understand the HOA, it's so anti American in nature but apparently suburbs are rife with them, it's impossible to find a newer build that's not an HOA (last 20-30 years). You basically spend piles of money to own your land inorder to hand over almost all freedom you could exercise on that property! People say it's too make sure their property value is protected which is bull! Most things that would actually lower values ( like ten junk cars in the yard) are already things banned in suburban areas. No what you get is some bored Karen calling the HOA enforcer because you have some green stubble near your driveway and they slap you with 25$/day fine till it's sorted...

alisonduncanmurphy avatar
Alison Duncan Murphy
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Agree! I don't understand it. I live in a suburban city outside of a big city (sort of just blends together) in a very high value real estate area - no HOA in sight. The neighborhoods are well kept, people can paint their houses, shutters however they wish, put any curtains they choose in the windows, plant whatever they want, have trampoline, swimming pool, clothes line, fence or no fence - and they are all lovely neighborhoods. Sure, we had the kid who bought himself a hearse for his first car, but he moved on to university soon enough. And some people get dandelions in their yards, it's not the end of the world. But to live under the tyranny of an HOA? No house is that nice.

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gkrynick22 avatar
G Kionik
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I hate it when people from congested areas act like their opinion is the end all be all, and this whole "suburb regulation are there 'cuase racism" is stupid. These regulations are not to keep POC out. I did not run into one single barrier when I bought my house. Hell they never even once asked about my race. These idiots are LITERALLY EQUATING poor with POC while pretending to advocate for us. I live in a rural area and love it, we moved here FOR the quiet. There are plenty of shitty cities for people to move too if they want to live like that, just stop trying to turn our nice areas into cesspools. My area is extremely diverse with people from all backgrounds and religions. I have never been treated as anything other then a neighbor by everyone. One other thing I've noticed. "White flight", "gentrification" are both apparently bad. So white people aren't allowed to leave or stay in bad areas. Why are these terms ok? Try using a term that suggest POC moving into your area....

miketkoop avatar
Sock Cucker
Community Member
1 year ago (edited)

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Wht year is it? Do you seriously think that by advertising your refusal to even entertain an idea, it will bring people to your side? Read about white flight or stfu

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jonbonick avatar
Jon Bonick
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It seems like a pretty common misconception here is that every American suburb has the same setup and laws. There are lot of suburbs that are like the ones described, there are others that are almost like miniature cities, and many somewhere in between. Not every suburb has no sidewalks or only has business/entertainment in one part of the town. Don't get me wrong, I grew up in the middle of Chicago and I would never want to live in most suburbs, but they def aren't ALL like this.

frri avatar
Fr Ri
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The condescending way this article is written is ridiculous and is invalidated in the first few sentences where the writer says they have never lived in the suburbs....yet they begin to disparage the lifestyle.... as for the supposed writer of the redit questions, when Americans start migrating to your country in favour of your way of life at the same rate your countrymen are coming to the states, you cant question why we live the way we live, until then, maybe you should direct those inquiries to yourself and countrymen.

miked_4 avatar
Mike D
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The last thing on my mind is wishing my neighborhood was more crowded and had bars in it. Europeans, you do you, and try not to throw your neck out looking down on everyone.

rachelhobbs avatar
Rachel Hobbs
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have lived in Suburbia in Indiana with my husband and 3 kids for 8 years now. My thoughts: it was awesome to move into a brand new home where everything was under a 3-5 year warranty, there are sidewalks and streetlights for the kids to ride their bikes, community pool, we DO use our yard as we have a massive garden, swingset, trampoline, huge deck, patio, fence, all of which is crucial for kids & a huge dog. We have brought in massive trees to create landscaping & privacy. We considered buying land and moving, but it is expensive around here, & the kids would miss the neighborhood. It is very safe here, we are 0.5 miles from their school and 1 mile from the grocery store, pharmacy, & gas station. We also have a winery & strawberry farm 0.5 miles the other way with my son's 2 soccer fields. Outdoor concerts are held there in the summer that families bike to. Halloween is magic here! Charming surroundings but in a safe neighborhood!

josephmainusch avatar
Joseph Mainusch
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I grew up in America, and I scratch my head at these descriptions of what American life is like. I live in rural America, but my mom lives in the suburbs. Walking distance to plenty of shops and facilities. Walking distance to a train that takes her straight into NYC. Small lawn, a few veggies growing in the back yard. I've never experienced an HOA. I've also lived in Germany, which isn't much different, in my experience.

lklee72000 avatar
Lisa Kinoti
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Well, I live in the South of the United States and I will say that being car dependent with no public transportation has contributed to poverty, stress, and homelessness in the city where I live. With no public transportation, everyone needs a car to get to work. No car usually means no work, because jobs will ask on interviews if you have dependable transportation. I don't blame them because they want to make sure you can get to work. So if you don't have a car, you don't make it to work, and if you don't make it to work, you don't make money, and if you don't make money... Well, you do the math. Hence the stress and potential homelessness. Suburb life is for people making enough money to afford a home and car. And by enough money I mean $60,000 a year and up. And this also depends on which state you live in. Some states are more expensive. Therefore, if you work as a restaurant waiter, or as a retail store attendant, or a gas station clerk, or a line cook, you are out of luck. 🤔

darcymarie avatar
Darcy Marie
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Maybe I'm confused as to what a suburb is but unless it's a gated/private community or HOA it's nothing like that. My house has yards and kid has an imagination to play with. There are always so many kids in random peoples yards. I walk out and I'm never surprised to see five kids running around rather than just my one. We're getting a trampoline but that's expensive. We're walking distance from 2 park and a library. There are at least 7 food places waking distance. I'd rather have the space the garden takes up for play. I have a little pond with fish and a waterfall, a grill, outdoor dining furniture, and a basket ball hoop. My house is normal for the area. We have the option for privacy but also the ability for togetherness. My neighbor is 35 years older than me and one of my closest friends. I'm closer to the people around me here than i ever was when I lived in an apartment complex.

gkrynick22 avatar
G Kionik
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Suburbs are usually large neighborhoods of very similar middle class to upper class houses. They are usually built by one builder who buys up a massive chunk of land and builds a neighborhood, which is why the houses are usually identical.

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hjackgerdes avatar
Ein Steinbeck
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

For the non-Americans here: is public transpo any less horrifically ghetto in other countries? Here it's literally unusable as anything other than a last resort.

peterfabian avatar
rn42
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Public transport is anything but horrifically ghetto in anywhere in Europe, even most lines that actually specifically serve ghettos.

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kelldivision avatar
Kelly Robey
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

No one is talking about how people have been being pushed out of cities because of high costs.I could NEVER afford the house my single grandmother (with 5 children) bought in Houston in the 60s. Certainly not on a nurses salary. My family had to move to suburbs and smaller towns outside of the city to afford housing. Its not as easy as making a choice to live in a city with transportation, food, ect. It's just not affordable for the average family.

ceceliarobbins avatar
Cecelia Robbins
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The origin of suburbs: read up on Levittown & GIs returning from WWll. How safe & clean suburbs must have been, after seeing the horror & destruction of the war in Europe, the ruin & filth of great cities. Every man a king of his own green-swarded wee castle.

matthewmeier avatar
Matthew Meier
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I live in a Midwestern suburb and I've lived in suburbs all over this country. Most do have stores within walking distance if you're not too lazy to walk. Most allow for growing food in your yard, kids play in the woods and the yards and the creeks and the streets. We have public transportation and we aren't living on top of one another. City life is one of the worst hells I could possibly imagine for myself but I can see the appeal for some. Most people in America live in suburbs so maybe there is something to it. Maybe these European city dwellers are just so miserable they need to find something wrong with a way of living that doesn't match their own so they feel better about their own choices.

dragonflysweety avatar
Jessica Tieking
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's not only laziness that prevents one from walking. Some have chronic health conditions like myself. Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and chronic pain and besides I'd have to walk too far to get to anywhere. There is a convenience store a couple minutes away but usually things cost more there...

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mwhee avatar
M Whee
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I will never live in another condo because every one I've been in was so poorly insulated you can hear... everything. Happy I was able to get a single family home and I grow my own veggies, have a few fruit trees but a corner market would be fantastic.

ebolachan666 avatar
Ebolachan666
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That depends on the build my next door neighbor in my condo has 3 crazy German shepherds they are insanley loud whennwalking outside and the windows are open. But i cant hear a thing in my house near the connecting wall. I was to loud once but i had it coming i used an impact hammer drill at 11pm like an idiot lol.

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yaojielun avatar
Jay Son
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As a European now living in the US, I can only say that he's not wrong. Some of the things here are ridiculous.

colleen_rogers avatar
Colleen Rogers
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And I am sure that we would find many things in your country ridiculous. The difference between America and most other countries is that we allowed ourselves the freedom to come together and share our ways of life and to create new ones that makes America different from other countries. We're not perfect by any means but we aren't as bad as some make us out to be and it's because of those things that you find "ridiculous" that we are UNIQUE compared to other countries.

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colleen_rogers avatar
Colleen Rogers
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When the suburbs were first conceived they were meant as an escape from the ciry for people to raise their children and to own a home instead of renting. They basically came about after WW2 when our men (and women) came home and wanted a different life than the one that they had before the war. They were working and raising families and wanted a good place to do so. The suburbs never used to be like they are now. People actually socialized with eachother and children played together. They only turned into status symbols in the 1980s. Unless you grew up during that era you wouldn't understand. No life wasn't perfect in all of them and Hollywood makes it seem like they were evil but for the most part they were great places to live and raise your children. If we hadn't started becoming so paranoid about life, then you could understand. What he or she doesn't mention is how Slovakia was part of the Soviet Union until its downfall and life then was way different than it is.

davidmatayabas avatar
Trisec
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'd say it depends greatly on what "suburb" you live in. I'm in the megalopolis (outside Boston, MA). It's a legit bedroom community of the big city, but it's a city on it's own right. I'm in a dense apartment complex one block from the main road, and we've got all the stores, bars, restaurants, and public transportation. I could live here without a car and be perfectly happy in European Style right in the good ol' USA. Of course, your mileage may vary.

peterfabian avatar
rn42
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You can still do that in the Northeast and some old big cities because the developments predate this useless legislation.

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marci_sasik avatar
Marci Sasik
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I was born in Slovakia, but have lived in the States since I was 8. I think much about the US is misunderstood. There are many suburban neighborhoods that do have stores, restaurants, etc., that you can walk to. I live in one of those. It is a mixed neighborhood (mostly houses, some townhouses and condos), with many acres of parks. I can walk to various restaurants within 15 minutes. I can walk to a grocery store in 10 minutes. There is public transportation. Sure, some suburban areas in the US are not like ours, but not all of Europe is urban; there are many rural areas where you have to travel to get to a store, restaurant, etc.

dubia_semper avatar
Tonya Barrett
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There are a lot of misperceptions floating around here. I grew up, lived in and worked in big cities. I also lived in a small rural college town. I spent a few years in a major European city as well. I now work in a big city and live in a manicured suburb. I would not have it any other way. The peace, tranquility and freedom is unsurpassed. My front yard with bushes and shrubs is pleasant and gives me space from my good neighbors. I plant colorful flowers yearly. I chose not to plant vegetables, etc. I sit out cloistered in my backyard. It’s a 1/2 mile to the main road and stores. One local grocery store and restaurant is a 5 minute walk. The commuter train is only a mile away. The schools are vastly superior to the ones in the city. Many towns are mixed, so that eliminates the racial component. Kids get around on foot or bicycle with ease and play in abundant parks and sports fields if not involved in other community events. Europeans and Americans look at living space differently.

perezhugo33 avatar
Igetsurgical
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wait we live in L.A county. We have a lemon and orange tree, 5 pepper plants, 3 types of berries, broccoli, parsley, Basil and mint plants all throughout the house

tomsoundsgood avatar
Tom Kaliszewski
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My favorite twitter response in this story is the guy who thinks he’s got America all figured out and shouts “Play with what?? Grass??” when told that our kids like to go out in the yard and play. No, Sven, they play with toys and games. What do YOUR kids do when they go outside, play with beans and cucumbers??

underachvrnproud avatar
Satan Laughs
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So is it just me or is Bored Panda turning anti-American? Where are their headquarters, anyhow?

miley-n-miller09 avatar
Miley miller
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I live in the California suburbs, and we are a fifteen minute drive from the grocery store, ten minute drive to the nearest middle school, fifteen to the high school, and maybe ten minutes away from the community park. Most homes in my neighborhood have backyards, with lawn and patio space, but we are not allowed to grow any plants visible from the front o the house. They will be ripped out. There is no public transportation out of my neighborhood, but there is a bus stop around ten minutes away, though. No one uses it, because there is a homeless camp right behind it., and is therefore pretty unsafe.

menilly avatar
Menilly
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What is the point of this article? Also a lot of this just isn't true, I can walk to the nearest grocery store in like 5 minutes, and I'm in the suburbs. Everyone here can.

firequeen avatar
Fire Queen
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The correct answer is : racism ! The zoning laws are old-fashioned, and too rigid for their own good. The suburbs were "invented" to get white folks away from the urban areas with lots of darker skinned folks. "Residential segregation" is the term for this. "Exclusionary zoning laws" essentially trap many black families into low-income neighborhoods by pricing them out of richer ones. The exclusionary zoning; such as "single-family zoning", makes it illegal to build anything other than single-family homes, is prevalent in the suburbs. Single-family homes are much more expensive than apartments or duplexes, that could be rented, vs straight out bought! There are many more exclusionary laws regarding the zoning within the suburbs... Such as the "ordained minimum plot size" (thus doubling costs of finished properties.) There also we're "covenanted properties", which made sure that it could never be sold to anything else as a white family. And "mandatory school zones" you cannot pick!

cheesesammich avatar
Cheese Sammich
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

At the end of WWII, millions of young soldiers, sailors, marines and airmen.... who went away to war as teenagers... came home as grown men. They were ready to settle down and raise families. After years of economic depression and war (things which defined them as youngsters), what they wanted most was peace, prosperity, and stability. The big problem was that there wasn't much housing for them.... so housing had to be built quickly. This is where the suburbs originally come from.

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davidhoward_1 avatar
David Howard
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Things that are common to suburbs (at least where I live): Bike/walking paths, golf courses, tennis courts, playgrounds, lakes for fishing and boating, a club house for gatherings, neighborhood activities, etc. I drive to stores in my car and pick what I need and carry it home in my car. I couldn't imagine bringing home everything on public transport or carrying it for long distances. I am 67 years old with back problems and would find this very hard to do

urmibert49 avatar
Farhana Naz
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I live in a suburb in New York State. Many people are growing gardens in their yards. We don't have HOA fees because I live in an older neighborhood. People are always out walking, walking their dogs, their babies. We gave convenience stores, restaurants and bars nearby. I will say though that my neighbors are way too obsessed with their lawns and most use landscapers. I can't afford that, so my lawn isn't perfect, nor do I want it to be. I prefer to have gardens and ground cover plants. I like my privacy and don't want live within hearing distance of my neighbors homes. Nor do I want to look out my windowd and see into theirs. That said, better public transportation would be nice, though the train station is within walking distance.

cdidier9 avatar
Carrie Smigla-Didier
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So the suburbs are really perfectly fine. I have lived in the south burbs of Chicago most of my life and when I was a kid, I played outside with other kids at the nearby park or rode bikes around the neighborhood, or invented games to play like ghost in the graveyard (some weird vatiation of tag) or we swam in that one friend who had a pool's pool. We had sidewalks and each suburban town has its own commercial area which is mixed right in with the houses, just in busier streets. I have always been able to walk to the corner store, but it'll take about 30-45 min to get there which i don't find a huge deal. I could ride my bike on the slower streets just fine or on the sidewalls with no problem. We can do most anything we want with our front and back yards, most people do have vegetable gardens-at least little ones. People have BBQs, parties, eat dinners all on their back patios. A lot have basketball hoops in the driveway and if you have a dog, a lawn is awesome for fetch.

joyousness avatar
Joyousness
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

…….so they started building single-family houses because people could afford it. The silly rules in some suburbs/neighborhoods about not having a garden, etc., are because some people in those neighborhoods think they’re important and they want to act like children and control what everyone does. But you’re free in America to NOT live in those neighborhoods. Some neighborhoods have rules because some Americans are slobs and let their houses fall apart, which lowers the value of everyone else’s house, so those rules are in place to stop that from happening. I’m an American, BTW. My neighborhood has a pool that everyone can use, so we all pay a monthly fee to keep the pool working and clean. It just depends on your neighborhood - they’re not all the same.

joyousness avatar
Joyousness
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have lived in the American suburbs my entire life - I grew up near Chicago, and now I live near Cleveland. The suburbs were created because city housing, historically, was right next to steel mills and chemical plants in these cities, and people wanted to get away from the pollution. Suburbs were originally built with multiple-family home and small yards. My grandpa was from Slovakia, and he had a house in the Chicago suburbs with another family living on the second story and very little land - but a big garden with vegetables and a goat for milk. He would walk to shops a few blocks away. Then the car became more accessible to people, so they didn’t need public transportation as much, and the suburbs became their own towns, with their own governance. So, since people had cars and could drive to shops, these towns started moving the shops away from the houses so people could have a quieter area to live. With cars, people could travel farther to get jobs that pay more…..

hannahgreer avatar
Hannah Greer
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I live in the Suburbs and it's wonderful. Not isolating, we have a vibrant community. It's not only my immediate family in my house - my house is large enough to have my extended family live with me. I can bike the store if I want to. There are plenty of parks and a lot of my neighbors have gardens. I don't need a city planner (aka governmental bureaucrat) telling me how to adjust my life , my city, or my community. Stop trying to make an issue out of thin air.

michelem_ avatar
Michele M.
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's strange to me that people are so against having space. Sometimes people in suburbs have gorgeous lawns, and a lot have really pretty lawns. Children play on playsets in the yard or go to the park, because there are parks in the suburbs. I'm lucky enough to live in a suburb that borders a major city, so I get the best of both worlds. The houses are close together but we have some yards, there's public transportation and shopping. All the streets have sidewalks.

gkrynick22 avatar
G Kionik
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

People aren't against having space. They are against people who have different wants than them. They are so self absorbed they are shocked to see some people prefer to live differently. They refuse to believe it and fool themselves into thinking it must be a problem they need to solve. The overt racism that they spew while defending us is mind boggling. "Those restrictions are there to keep poor people out which is racist" is their favorite "go to" 1. Poor does not equal POC 2. When I bought my house, everything was done electronically and they did not know my race until closing.

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noneanon avatar
Random Anon
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ah the cul-de-sac, the American dream of cultured living. Lol... until your nosy HOA lady with a notepad throws a hissy fit every fortnight over some bushes. It's ironic really. Those that buy houses with swathes of land, can't do anything with the land and can afford to buy their food anyway. While those who cannot afford food, do not have land to grow their own food.

davidforce avatar
David Force
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I live in a walkable suburb of Detroit. Our little suburb is just like a lot of the other towns outside of Detroit. There is a town center and lots of shops, restaurants, movie theaters and parks with playgrounds for children. We have a local farmers market and there are a lot of Europeans live her because it reminds them of home including close friends that are German and Italian that moved here to work in our auto industry. I’m a home builder and have torn down old houses and built many new ones in several local suburbs that have downtowns that were established in the 1930’s. Some suburbs are further out in old farm fields where land is cheap but a lot of suburbs are just like mine.

clwhitehead88 avatar
SelkieBlackfysh
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I enjoy my lawns. I may not do much with my front yard but I enjoy that buffer between myself and others. Largely because I was born and raised up till my teens as "middle class and well off" to my parents making several rapid stupid decisions and putting us in very much low class very much financially struggling so we wound up in areas with many people of many colors and backgrounds who were all universally awful so to this day I'm a misanthrope. As for gardening I'm slowly figuring it out. I don't have any gardening friends, or experience. Having to learn and slowly buy up the things I need. It's not as simple as digging up some dirt and tossing some seeds. There's soil types, growing ranges, you have to consider sun exposure and water needs. I wasn't brought up with agriculture background so I don't have anything to draw from and my life never lead me to learn such things until now, in my thirties. Of course there are those suburban homes with extravagant flower gardens, so.

alisonduncanmurphy avatar
Alison Duncan Murphy
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Try creating a wild space in your yard by letting it go and throwing in wild flowers to attract bees, birds and butterflies. Put up some bat houses, some bird houses and bee habitats and you can use your space to do a lot of good.

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justinoliveri avatar
Bob da Worker
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Speaking as an American, one of the stupidest things we’ve ever done as a country is the grass lawn. It’s pathetic. Manly men spending obscene amounts of time, money and water to stroke his own ego by having the greenest green you never golf on. Hell most of these idiots spend more time grooming their grass than they do themselves. I bought my house and before the ink had dried I was spreading clover seeds. Thought the poor seller was going to have a heart attack when I took his (now mine) giant status symbol and killed it off. On ~3 acres, half of which used to be lawn, there are now hundreds of trees, gardens, mushroom logs, bee hives, raspberry and blueberry bushes, etc.

bobbiemeyers avatar
Bobbie Meyers
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Then there is the dog yard. It's ugly, but what do they care? We encourage dandelions for the bees and I harvest them for my rabbits and Guinea Pigs.

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laurabamber avatar
The Starsong Princess
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I used to live in the city but it was noisy, crowded and expensive. Now I live in a condo townhouse and it’s great. I grow my own tomatoes on my beautiful terrace overlooking a ravine filled with wildlife. There are trees everywhere.I can walk to shops, a grocery store and a few restaurants at a nearby busy street. I grew up near here and kids bike, play in the parks and swim in the summer and toboggan and ice skate in the winter. There’s sidewalks and bike paths everywhere. The only downside is the traffic that makes my commute to work nearly a hour. But now I work from home 4 days a week. Surburbia is great.

kleinert-torsten avatar
Torsten
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Nearly all these questions will be answered in the "Not Just Bikes" YT channel.

jeremycrocker avatar
Jeremy Crocker
Community Member
11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Lawns are very important, the give me somewhere to put snow in the winter. Wouldn't want to push snow into a garden but a lawn is just grass.

amoebas_barbed0z avatar
The Milk In Your Fridge
Community Member
11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Englishwoman here! i found one of your sacred red cups used for high school parties on the side of the motorway the other day… shall i donate it to the british museum? /j

josephmelotik avatar
Joseph Melotik
Community Member
11 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We lived in Detroit when I was a kid. You could walk to the store if required but the danger in that was not worth it. Everytime we left the house something was damaged or broken into. Violence ruled. As a 5.YO I was beat many times by teenagers just for being there. When my parents finally got sick of it (after gunfire coming through our home) they sold out at a huge loss and. Moved as far away as they could afford and as secluded as they could reasonably get. Took years to recover financially. But as kids we could finally not worry every minute about violence and racism . We could walk to school without armed guards. This was the driver of suburbs. And while we lived safe in the suburbs the racist mayor of Detroit blamed us for the problems in the city. My parents were so disenchanted and beaten they voved never to spend a dime in Detroit and mostly stuck to that for 30 years. I don't blame them

mdurbin0935 avatar
Raven
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In my neighborhood, there's one elementary school that can be biked to within five minutes of almost anyone within the school zone. There's a park about the same distance away, and a convenience store about twice as far. As long as your kid's wearing a bike helmet and knows or is in the company of someone who knows your phone number, they should be good. I live in a pretty safe neighborhood, so this didn't apply to everywhere in America obviously, but being more spread out can seem a bit less containing. As for HOAs, I think they should be less restrictive. Telling someone not to write crude words on a mailbox is understandable and even appreciated, but I'd someone wants to plant a tree on their property let them. And we really should have better public transit.

alexmosby_1 avatar
Alex Mosby
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

These questions make question the stereotype the Europeans are more informed than Americans.

safsaf avatar
SAF saf
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

lol....Iive in CA which is the MOST heavily regulated state in the USA. We're allowed to have gardens, literally looking at my avocado, grapefruit tree in the garden as i type this. These suburbs are designed to serve a certain type of buyer that prefers this type of regulated neighborhood. You have to go out of your way to live in one of these houses.

sanchishiva avatar
HumanBeingFromEarth
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

BP. Chill with da American hate. Half of that info was wrong or inaccurate. The second half varies on each county. And trust me, only a few are like that. We get you hate America, but you need to calm down. And not once in the whole of bored panda do I see something good towards America, like the fact that “the US has the worlds best education system” or “for such a big country, car crashes are less because of the drinking limit” or “the us is helping the Ukraine possible the second most after Poland and can’t join the war because it might spark a nuclear war or start the war between China, Russia, and America” or “The US has changed so much and so fast” and “Britain left it but it immediately grew and is in the top 5 of worlds greatest nations”

zywiawil avatar
Random person
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

To be fair, the Irish countryside is similar except that you don't have as much neighbours and they aren't as close to you- there's only like 5 people my age that I can comfortably get to without driving lol. And the nearest shop is driving distance, unless you want to spend 20 minutes walking or have a bike, but from my housed you have to go along a main road, so it's not safe for children under the age of 11/12

ann_mohrmann avatar
Ann Mohrmann
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Not all suburbs are the same. I used to live in a house in the middle of several streets of houses, but it was a five minute walk to McDonald's, Walgreens, my vet and another one, a grocery store, etc. I moved five miles away to a condo on a short street with other condo complexes, in the midst of streets of houses. Now I live a five minute walk from...McDonald's, Walgreens, my mother, several churches, Dominos, etc. I don't walk because I don't like to, and public transportation isn't the best, but suburbs aren't necessarily bad.

crzychck3 avatar
Autumn Mansfield
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I like living in a suburbs because you still live with people, but you don't have to listen to your neighbors have sex/talk/argue/yell at their kids flush their toilets, get their roaches or bed bugs, fight for parking, live stacked on top of each other with no land to walk barefoot in the grass under the trees. The traffic is lower so it's safer for kids playing outside. What's there for kids to do:swim, ride bikes/ scooters, trampolines, swingset, play in the sand, play games with other kids, etc. We have a yard and we use it. We've got a small pool, we cook out, relax in hammocks, have people over, garden, grow plants, etc. In the city traffic is horrible and it takes a million years to get anywhere on packed busses and trains with sick people coughing their germs all over you. I've lived in Madrid, and I've lived in US suburbs. Being able to be in quiet nature is important to me.

jenh_1 avatar
Jen H
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

First, Suburbs are made up of towns/townships outside of urban areas. Second, within suburbs, you will find gas stations, grocery stores, libraries, etc to support the suburbs. The suburbs (e.g. towns) are then "zoned" into housing, public works and commercial zones. In housing zones, you only build houses, in commercial-commercial property, and so on. With that said, yes--for every so many square feet/miles (meters/km) there is so much commercial, so much housing, so much public. Americans want shopping away from their houses because, if they wanted it all mashed together--they would live in a city. Public transport is developed and maintained by city's, towns, counties and sometimes the states (though rarely). People forget that one state is the equivalent of all of Slovakia, or Germany....now multiply that by 50--and you can see why each state has their own laws, ordinances, etc..

misterluckys7even avatar
misterluckyS7even
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So I bought this ant farm; a 10" tablet sealed shut with ants, sand qnd and food. So I learned ants must not breathe

emily-selway avatar
Emily
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We get it, we get it. America sucks, it’s horrible, we can keeP churning out content about even more minute and banal things to s**t on it for. Blah blah blah. New content, please.

kellywalter avatar
Kelly Walter
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I live in a suburb, technically of Philadelphia but I am in New Jersey. My suburb is nice, we have sidewalks and little businesses. I think it's all about having your little slice of the world. I'm happy.

b70dub avatar
BA
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wow... so basically this article is a bunch of over-generalized statements and one sided questions written by someone reaching to find an excuse to rant on Americans...Nice. Also, if one feels that they need a bar within walking distance then it seems like they may have missed the marked on setting lifestyle priorities.

imj avatar
IMJ
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So much anti-American bias in the entire Reddit thread, which is unfortunately also populated by a cross section of Americans who can't answer the loaded-and-seemingly-intentionally-provacative questions of the equally obtuse reddit population of non-Americans. You CAN grow on your property, there IS public transportation in the suburbs, and SO much of the benefit of suburban living is disregarded in the reddit thread simply to attack an American way of life. In 3 minutes online I could probably dig up 30 s**t-society facts on each of those redditors countries and I wouldn't have to gaslight over "suburban living" to do it.

paigecybulski avatar
Paige Bankhead
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Finally! I live in a suburbia blob and hate it. I would love to live somewhere within walking distance of amenities, but can't afford it :( moving as close as we can.

iamthesmitty17 avatar
Zane Smith
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"I really enjoy 10s of thousands of people walking right by my house every day" said no one ever. As for what kids do we bike a lot there's often cool places to find especially in areas not under development. I remember finding an area with a friend where there was nothing around wed take our bikes and built a tree fort ourselves where we'd bring our Gameboys and ay for hours because our parents were super strict.

ronnie_3 avatar
Ronnie
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You can tell be the responses how many of these people would make s**t parents lol. “The neighborhood has no cafe? What will the kids do??” Yeah. Those peoples kids are gonna be raised by iPads.

patrckbradshaw avatar
Patrck Bradshaw
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Lmao I moved out of NYC to small town in Upstate Ny. Tons of things for my kids to do. Schools are better, People are nicer and Home prices are avoidable. This hole article is nonsense just trying to push anti American rhetoric.

leo_kinach avatar
Leonardo Kinach
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Europeans baffle me. "If I lived in such a place, I'd buy a house next to mine and turn it into a tavern..." Why would you disturb the peace and quiet of your neighbors by forcing a bar next to them? I am a Brazilian and always lived in European styled neighborhoods, and it was a hell of people making noise with their sound system cars because "You can't have a party without music". "Play with what? Grass?" I hope this is a joke, otherwise I feel inclined to believe European children are too poor to have toys or imagination

ellenranks avatar
Diolla
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I live in Europe and living next door to a bar is not what most ppl wish for. We like our peace and quiet as much as the next person. Parties with sound system cars? Try that for 10 minutes and we will call the police on you.

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thatbemeacb avatar
Thatbeme ACB
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There is so much info bout why the suburbs was created. Look at the history rather an opinion. I'll give u a hint. Has to do with racist America, the great divide.

thatbemeacb avatar
Thatbeme ACB
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

To live in a suburb of America, money is a necessity. If u have money u don't mind driving out of the way for goods especially as decades roll u get used to it. U think that's how life should be

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charleskennedy avatar
Charles Kennedy
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You are permitted to judge other people after you have walked a mile in their footsteps. Until then it's none of your business.

ellenranks avatar
Diolla
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I went to the USA and tried to walk a mile starting from my hotel in the middel of Miami, but I couldn't because the sidewalk ended and there was a 6 lane uncrossable road..... But I do agree with your general statement :-).

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joshuasteele avatar
Joshua Steele
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

No one is implying *literally move tomorrow* when they suggest moving if you don't like where you live. For his private sector career my father moved us every 2-3 years to a new state for 8 moves total by the time I was in high school. I have also moved states 3 different times as an adult. All those moves were planned several months in advance including a "moving fund" being set aside weekly. Stop blaming your surroundings, change them. If you don't want to move, just say it and stop blaming your circumstances on others. Stop expecting strangers to drop their adulting for the day to attend your pity party 🤷🏽‍♂️

heidisanders92 avatar
Heidi S
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Most people don't realize how big America actually is, the state of California alone has double the land area of the UK. I would agree that HOAs are ridiculous but I very much love living in a house and I do grow a majority of our veggies and raise a dozen hens. I really like being away from the stores, and plan my errands for one day of travel. If you prefer to live near coffee shops and town there are certainly places like that. If you prefer apartment living there's lots of that too. But you could also buy hundreds or even thousands of undeveloped acres in northern California if you had the money.

mickosmile avatar
Micko Smile
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I've lived in suburbs of: Cape Town, South Africa, small town, large city, a metropolis of Canada. I'm an introvert and I never felt isolated in any of them. Imagination is what you do with it.

nathanschinigoi avatar
Nathan Schinigoi
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I love the suburbs. I've lived rural and I've lived in the city. The suburbs are kinda right in between. What did I do as a kid, I rode my bike 5 minutes to the park or the soccer field or the baseball diamond or the basketball court. I also fished in rivers and shot archery at a local park. What about food...kwik trip was a 3 minute bike ride away. 15 minutes on a bike I could go to cub foods or any of a dozen restaurants.

tylerj avatar
Tyler J
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The point of living in the suburbs is space and quiet. It costs millions of dollars to get those 2 things in most big city urban communities.

burning_empire avatar
Charles Ayala
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Suburbs are not necessarily cookie-cutter, HOA-driven, no sidewalk communities. All suburbs means is not quite urban, not quite country. I'd say a solid 80% of US suburbs have no HOA or regulations, have convenient stores all over, sidewalks, the houses are different styles from different eras, and have gardens, trees, and small wooded areas between blocks. The stereotypical land development communities are the cookie cutter dystopias you all are referring to.

cathpoop_1 avatar
Cathpoop
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

These people never saw a suburban town that has a main street full of little shops within walking distance?

joyousness avatar
Joyousness
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don’t know what happened to the first half of my post….I live in the suburbs - first near Chicago, now near Cleveland. People lived in cities next to steel mills and chemical plants. Once the car became affordable, people moved out of the cities to get away from pollution. They lived in houses with multiple families and very small yards, but many had gardens and even goats and chickens. With cars, people could travel farther to get jobs that pay more, so they started building one-family houses with more land, because they could - and they wanted a quieter home life…..

waynerogers avatar
Wayne Rogers
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Americans were sold a bill of goods when the interstate highway plans were disclosed. What they werent told is the plan was developed by a former GM ex4ctutive who wanted to make sure we wouldnt demand a nationwide public transportation system

gkrynick22 avatar
G Kionik
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Just because you want to live near public transportation, doesn't mean everyone does. There are choices, there should be choices, and saying all areas across the US should look how YOU envision them is asinine.

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helen-marco avatar
European sparrow
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It seems that many Americans think that Europeans can't have cars and have to use public transport. That's not the case. Only in dense cities it is more convenient to opt out on cars because of parking hassle and costs. I live in a town with only half hourly buslines that go to the nearest city. We have 2 cars, although my husband enjoys cycling to work 30 km away in good weather. We, a family of 4, have 6 bycycles we use for transportation around town and for sports/recreational. I enjoy driving my car for work and shopping and running arrants further away.

craigholmgren avatar
Craig Holmgren
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Hey Folks it's a lifestyle choice. Urban streets are too narrow for a truck. No where to park the boat. Garages are too small for 4 wheelers and other motorized toys. A 3 car garage 900+ sf. preferably heated for winter. Throw in a pool or a hot tub. Both if you can afford it. Hire someone to maintain. Life is good

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tympathi avatar
Timmy Pillinger
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We have towns like this in the UK, like Redditch, but they are not very popular. Even then we retain village like shops. My suburb is an ancient village and we still have a bunch of basic shops (convenience store, grocer, chemist and a load of fast food), and a couple of pubs.

emilymcdonnel avatar
Emily McDonnel
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Gardens are great but not possible everywhere in America. In AZ it is to hit yo grow stuff And if we do the rabbits eat it. Plus Americans are busybodies and don't slow down enough to grow food. I don't know what they means by what do the kids do. They play out side? They have toys. There are sprinklers. It's nice not to have the hustle and bustle of store right next to your house.

tomo avatar
Tom O
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There's a difference between mature suburbs and new housing developments. Mature suburbs will have everything you need within a 5-10 minute drive, while the new developments are far more affordable. Suburbs are neither better nor worse than the European way, just different, and everyone is going to have their preference. I'd venture a guess that if these European countries had historically cheap land, and comparatively cheap gas, as is the case in the U.S., we wouldn't be having this conversation to begin with.

tq_1 avatar
T Q
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Can't tell who is more ignorant... The Europeans comparing a suburb home subdivision to a normal city block or the other Americans who just want to complain about how good they have it.

gkrynick22 avatar
G Kionik
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Definitely the Europeans whining about how some Americans CHOOSE to live, Definitely not the Americans defending how they choose to live. Should be pretty obvious.

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larisamigachyov avatar
Lara M
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What's that about not growing food plants in our yards? I've just recently moved into our suburban house so I don't have all the plants I want yet, but my apricot tree, cherry tree, blueberry bushes, green onions, and potatoes are doing just fine, thank you very much. I also have lovely roses that are blooming right now and some other miscellaneous flowers. My parents live in the same suburb and have a lemon tree, blueberries, grapes, and various other plants I can't remember. Most of the folks here have very nice gardens.

conniemeier avatar
Connie Meier
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The questions and comments on Twitter are more about housing developments than about suburbs. There are tons of businesses in suburbs. I mean come on, the Mall of America is in a suburb.

jeffreykeffer avatar
Jeffrey Keffer
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Slovakia is 201 times smaller then the united states with a population diffrence of 5935.610917750504% Im not sure what all the talk of no public transit is In St.Louis we have Busses as well as a metro link , however most people dont use them for saftey and the fact we have cars , I am in a suburb less than 1km away from major shopping centers and eataries ... I own a home on an acre lot thats mostly grass except for my pool , I have a few fruit bushes and some mint but dont feel like gardening. When I was a kid we would go out and play across backyards ride bikes skateboard and a whole lot of other things ... I think the lonley kids either didnt go out to make friends or were just plain assholes ( the weird kid was always the cool kid making friends was not hard ) Still today in the summer and winter after a snow a lot of kids play out side ... Of course a lot play inside on video game systems which is a shame they miss alot but thats them and their parents choice ...

peterfabian avatar
rn42
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Slovakia is a lot smaller than the US but then the discussion is not about why is there no public transport or services at a farm in middle of Nebraska, we are talking about suburbs. There's literally zero reason not to allow a small grocery store two streets over, where you could send your kid to grab butter and some apples with a fiver in their hand.

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bubbapop avatar
BG
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Our cities are sprawling , also. I rode my bike to the end of a paved trail in a nearby mid-sized city. It took 1.25 hours. I put my bike on the bus to ride back to the trail-head because I had never ridden the bus. I found out halfway through that it was going to take 2+ hours to make it back. The city bike trail is 15 miles long (roughly the diameter of London). The city only has 69k residents. I got off at the next stop. My house is 21 miles from my office and I couldn't imagine spending 4 hours a day on public transport.

peterfabian avatar
rn42
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If I lived 21 miles from my office in my home town, I'd be able to take a bus or a train and be there in an hour.

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katejones_1 avatar
Kate Jones
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

1. Businesses have their own space away from homes because of noise, pollution etc. You don't want a factory that may be blowing smoke or smells being right next to your house. 2. Noise is another reason you don't want business directly next to your home. Bars and restaurants can get rowdy and can be open late and you're trying to just have piece and quiet. So business are required to be elsewhere. It's generally not that far of a drive. Sometimes down the street. 3. There's a difference between a yard and a garden. Yards are for play or space to run around. American's definitely waste space, though. Some people want huge yards for no reason. Some people have gardens but they are usually smaller areas in the back yard. 4. Public transport in the us is bad. Buses/trains don't bring you directly to a location, just near it. Why walk far in the snow or rain when your car will bring you directly where you want to go? Public transport is nice in good weather areas where there are many stops, like NYC, but they're slow and not convenient literally everywhere else.

aliquida avatar
Aliquid
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

1) the question is referring to retail businesses, not industry. 2) Some people don't care about the noise, they can live next door to the business, and the people who don't like it can live a block away. A problem with many suburbs is the utter lack of variety. "not far of a drive"?... missing the point of being able to walk places. Driving shouldn't be required. 3) The word 'yard' and 'garden' can mean the exact same thing, depending on where you are from. 4) You keep assuming that people must HAVE a car in the first place. Walkable communities exist where people don't even own a car or have any desire to own one.

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claireskrine avatar
Just saying
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I watch a lawn care guy on youtube and asked the lawn question. First thing I would do on moving into one of those houses is put up a hedge, plant a load of shrubs and bushes, a vegetable garden, maybe a pond....

alexaspernelson avatar
Philler Space
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And you have to drive to the large grocery store a kilometer away because they put 90% of the tiny neighborhood butcher shops, bakeries, grocers, bodegas, etc that Europeans would expect in walking distance out of decades ago.

nuguanugua avatar
Jiminy
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

1km IS walking distance. But the absence of sidewalks is definitely a reason NOT to walk.

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johnmillerpere_grin6 avatar
John Miller (Pere_grin6)
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Th reason why there aren't businesses in suburbs is because of zoning laws. Businesses go in commercial zones, not residential zones. This is for protecting from the noise and light pollution from stores and shoppers, and also convenient grouping.

stjohn-james avatar
James St. John
Community Member
11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I’ve lived in a mix of housing types across the US, France, England and Belgium. I’ve lived in incredibly bustling, massive European cities in apartments, the rural French and English countrysides, in small middle America towns, and a few of your stereotypical American suburbs. I can tell you from all my experience, in my own opinion, I’ve never grown to despise my environment for the anxiety it causes as I have for American suburbs. I’ve experienced them as a child and as an adult, and I didn’t really have an opinion on them when I was younger. But you live within a 5 mile radius of your house when you’re not at school in the suburbs, and getting your license was the biggest deal so you could drive you and your friends just anywhere else. Unless you have a completely devoted unemployed parent to drive you and your friends everywhere, you’re stuck at home.

clintcarter91 avatar
Teachzebra
Community Member
11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This discussion bothers me because it’s comparing apples to oranges. Just for some comparison if Slovakia were a state in the United States it would rank 23rd in population. But it would rank 42nd in area. It would rank 15th in population density. Europe and Asia are much more densely populated than the United States. Therefore land-use Has to be much more carefully planned and housing Has to be much more dense. I live in a large Midwestern city. I’m only about 10 miles from downtown, and the suburbs stretch about another 15 miles out beyond me. But once you get out of the suburban zone there is a a lot of space out there. Space is a luxury that most Americans have. I have spent a lot of time in Europe, I like it there, I also like densely populated American cities. But there is room for both on this planet. One is not better than the other, they are just different.

mtalalay avatar
Ta Lalay
Community Member
11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ahojte! I am American and lived in Slovakia (Banska Bystrica and Trencin). My family always grew vegetables and fruit in our yards (PA, CT and MD). I have lived in places where you could not do so, but I now live in places without these regulations. Still, some neighbors complain when I grew squash in my front yard bc it has the most sun. Lawns are really a waste. Attract birds and bees with plants! Also, I walk now to the store as far as I did in both Slovak towns where I lived. You can not generalize although you make good points.

kcmilholland avatar
Justme
Community Member
11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don’t grow vegetables etc in my garden because I work full time 2 hours away from my house. Hard to garden when you come and go in the dark 5 days a week.

livijones avatar
Livi Jones
Community Member
11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I live in a suburb. None of the houses around me are identical. I live in a historic building, above a bank and a jewelry store. There are 2 coffee shops, 2 diners, 2 photography studios, 12 restaurants/bars, 3 bakeries, 4 beauty salons, a barbershop, a shoe store, 4 clothing stores, an antique store, a yoga studio, a tattoo parlor, a dispensary, an art gallery, 3 parks, and several other things, all within short walking distance of my residence. We have yoga in the park, farmers markets, live music, and festivals. The whole county has a public transportation system that connects to RTA in Cleveland. These people got lost one day, drove through a Ryan Homes development, and said "this is what a whole suburb is."

deb9755 avatar
Deborah pendleton
Community Member
11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Typical arrogant European. I’ve been to several European countries. So not impressed.

bbmp6685 avatar
Mary Pat Mitchell
Community Member
11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I moved from a city living with public transportation and stores within walking distance to be able to have less light polution, less noise and live in a more diverse population. Our small lawn is enough for the dogs to run and play. No garden because I kill every living plant I've ever had. My subdivision has a primary school, public library and church within walking distance. Stores are a 3 mile drive away.

pattidisbennet avatar
Patti Disbennet
Community Member
11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

American houses (all housing really, apts. etc.) are given a “walk” score for buying and selling purposes. Basically the closer you are to shopping, schools, entertainment and transit the higher the value. Also, America is really large and it’s not cost effective to run busses to all areas. Developers group houses together because they buy a plot of land and the nicest suburbs have really elaborate parks with water features (fishing, small boats or splash pads, etc), playground equipment, skate parks- the list is endless. Stores are not really far unless you are in a rural area. Oh, and we do have sidewalks. I live in a suburb of Phoenix, AZ, USA. My walk score is 56 out of 100, somewhat walkable. It’s about a 10 minute walk to the store, less than 5 to catch the city bus, 10 to the elementary school and about 20 to the high school.

sbarber999 avatar
John Harrison
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If Europeans don't get that American children play on their lawns, then ... where do European children play?

livijones avatar
Livi Jones
Community Member
11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They play in coffeehouses and burlesque shows because Europe is sophisticated.

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rix_1 avatar
Arenite
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Of course there’s stores! I grew up in the suburbs of NYC. One was next to a mall so, yeah, stores- 3 supermakets, 2 multiplex movie theaters, newstand, etc. The other one? Walk 2 blocks to find train station, candy stores/ delis/ newstands, butcher, shoe repair, drugstore (not big chain), even a dentist. But now I’m wondering if Slovak kids have any imagination? Put 3 or 4 kids in a backyard here and they will be playing or even inventing games with each other, running around having fun. But this guy can’t come up with something to do in an open yard. Weird.

datatwo avatar
Data Two
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I lived in a subburb once and only once. I did it for just over a year before my brain started to shrink. I would never go back to living in such a barren, cultureless, pit of excess. In the old days, it was typical for city planners to create neighborhoods where one never had to walk more than 20 minutes at most to a grocery store, or anything else. I grew up in an old NE city that had perhaps the last vestiges of that system. That was the 70s, now those little neighborhood business enclaves are all gone. The few that have any remaining anything are only cellphone places and nothing else.

kb0569 avatar
Karl Baxter
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I live in a quiet neighbourhood in England and in a 200 yard radius there are 2 supermarkets, 5 pubs, 4 restaurants, 3 cafes, 2 bakeries, 3 barber shops, 3 beauty salons, a hardware store and a tattoo parlour. I also grow veg in our back garden. The idea of having to get in the car to drive miles to access services is ridiculous.

deewalters avatar
Dee Walters
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The world will always hear my voice on how I was helped by Priest Odibo in winning $786 million dollars in the Powerball Lottery. I am very happy and advise anyone having stress in winning any lottery or having relationship or health problem to contact him on whatsapp through +2348163083041 or email him via templeofpermanenthealings@ gmail. com

giobemo avatar
Giobemo
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Let's solve all these mind-bending mysteries for our European friends! -Every adult who lives in the suburbs has a car (or one available to them) that they can use to drive anywhere & get whatever they want. -They don't want businesses right next to them bringing all kinds of vehicles & foot traffic & noise. They like peace & quiet. -"Mom, can my friends come over to play in the vegetable garden?" No. American families like space. If they want vegetables, they buy them. -'What do kids play with (in the yard)? Grass?' No. They have toys. They have lots of toys. Many also have bicycles that they ride around (another reason for not having businesses and extra traffic). -'Why just one-family homes?' Again, peace & quiet & space. Anyone who could afford to live there would want their own house & anyone who could only afford row housing couldn't afford living there. -Americans don't go to bars en masse to drink coffee with kids running around. They go to cafes or sit outside (on their lawn)

giobemo avatar
Giobemo
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Anyone else click on this to see how a *question* could be 'accurate'? Teacher: "What's 54x38?" Student: "No idea, but might I just say- What an accurate question!"

benmaharaj avatar
BenMaharaj
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

One of the main appeals of suburbs is their isolation. People who like them love that they aren’t near businesses, etc. they want to be in driving distance of a city but not in it. A sort of comprise between city life and country life.

regeenabutton avatar
Regeena Button
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I hate neighbors in general. I moved to a one-road town half an hour away from true civilization and STILL have to see/deal with these people every goddamn day. I desperately want to buy their plots some day so I can go outside and hear nothing but birds.

lindaellis avatar
Linda Ellis
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

All suburbs are different. Mine is mixed. There are some houses & townhouses built in the 70s, Townhouses built in the 90s, where I live & larger houses built more recently. So, lower middle to middle class. Mostly white. My townhouses have an HOA. But not the rest of the neighborhood. It's weird. There are no shops because everyone has a car. It's extremely peaceful & quiet. There is a shopping mecca just a mile or so away. Any store or chain restaurant u could possibly want is there. IKEA, Walmart, Target, a mall & hundreds of other stores, theaters, medical offices, gas stations. About a square mile of capitalism a 5 minute drive away. Most people have large yards for barbecues, pools, swingsets, gardens, toys, etc. Also, everyone has lots of home entertainment options & can easily drive to whatever they want. There is an industrial park wrapped around my neighborhood with hundreds of businesses so many people live very close to their jobs. Lots of businesses within 5 miles.

lindaellis avatar
Linda Ellis
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And lots of trees. There are some major corporations within 5 miles so lots of people rarely go into the city and the geography is such that there are many bridges and tunnels and rivers so traffic in and out of the city is bad so alot of businesses moved to the suburbs where their employees live. You can have a whole life out here in the suburbs. Also, the schools are funded by property taxes and each town or a few towns together have their own school district which are usually very nice.

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iluvjug avatar
Chelsea Shimell
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Most Americans really can not stand anything they do being questioned, it’s the main reason why nothing will ever get better there.

darthdigital avatar
Darth Digital
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Jesus, people. No one is forcing you live in an HOA-supervised housing plan. If that’s not your thing, don’t move there! It would be one thing if the government mandated where you live and wouldn’t allow you to move without obtains a permit, but choosing to move to such a place is quite another. I for one love having the grass mowed, my landscaping cared for each season, the snow and ice removed, and rules in place to prevent neighbors from turning their homes into a circus or a garbage dump.

emory_ce avatar
Carol Emory
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I lived in Washington State. Spent the first few years in a suburb of Seattle, then lived in Seattle city limits, then lived out in the sticks. Let me break it down. Suburbs had no corner stores, no gas stations, no supermarkets within walking distance and streets were quiet with no bus service. Seattle City Liimits..2 small mom and pop stores on the walk to school, small gas station and supermarket within walks in the opposite direction...but busy streets with bus service. In the sticks...schools all within walking distance, closest store was a 10 minute bicycle ride and to do some serious grocery shopping, you needed a car, bus service was there, but sparse. My first home was one that was perfect for starter families and retired people. Second was good location, but not really safe for young kids. Last one was middle of the road and considered Sub-Suburb without HOAs. It just depends on your needs and what you are willing to spend.

katmin avatar
Kat Min
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

German here and while most local gardens arent quite as dead, people are obsessed with 'clean'' looking gardens and lawns, too. It's become so popular to just cover your front yard in stone that we had to start laws against sealing the floor (to prevent flooding) We also had to forbid pesticides and insecticides for private use because too many people want to live in something that looks like Sims. I have no idea why people like to live like that, why they even have a garden and not just a nice appartment with a terrace or balcony. I think it's a status thing.

sandraroark avatar
sandra roark
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There are all types of living situations and many different types of subdivisions. I live in a fairly new subdivision with homes ranging in the 200’s - 500’s. We have sidewalks, streetlights, a swimming pool, clubhouse, gym, a dog park, 3 beautiful playgrounds, hike and bike trails, creeks and ponds, tennis courts and soccer fields. The entrance/exit is beautifully landscaped and is on the corner that has a gas station, convenience store, laundromat, and doughnut & coffee shop. We are located in the lush pine forest of Magnolia, TX, near The Woodlands, Northwest of Houston about an hour’s drive. I’m a 65 yr old widow and live alone. I love my neighborhood and feel very safe there. My daughter and her family live a mile down the road on several acres of forested land. They have a well, septic tank, a barn, several tractors, and a stocked pond. My grand children have treehouses, places to fish, hunt, explore, and surrounded by wildlife. It’s lovely, but I prefer my subdivision life!

datatwo avatar
Data Two
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I lived in a suburb for one year… I thought I was going to pull my hair out, begin speaking in tongues, and vomiting pea soup. I moved and never went back. As for America and our rights and protections, it would seem that as the rights of individuals in the EU expand, ours are doing the opposite. While over here, the rights and protections for corporations are increasing. But we as Americans are just too overly entertained, or seeking it, to care all that much about such things. Hell, we can't even be bothered to vote, let alone understand much about politics at all. I cringe at every presidential election when so much importance is put on the “undecided” vote, as if they hold some deeper wisdom than the rest of us. IMHO, if you do not know who you are voting for by two weeks before the election, then it means you've been too lazy to pay attention or do any research. There is plenty of info about candidates online, there is no excuse to be in the dark that close to an election.

bestyoutubechannelever avatar
Best YouTube channel ever!
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Most American streets are perfectly safe to walk on. That's b******t. America isn't a warzone. Most of the crime is concentrated in a handful of bad neighborhoods. The vast bulk of them are very safe. America isn't perfect. No countries are but I angers me to listen to the rest of the world constantly putting America down like we didn't pretty much create the most prosperous era in human history. They've become a bunch of spoiled ungrateful children.

loannikerris avatar
Loanni Kerris
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What first bothered me the most was that there were no people outside. Then I learned that they get into their car in the attached garage and drive to the indoor parking lot of their work place or the mall. And they preach about how wonderful it is to live in the nature.

bearfamily avatar
Bear Family
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There are two (among many) channels on YouTube that are both entertaining and enlightening that talk extensively about city and town planning - one is called NotJustBikes (my favorite). StrongTowns is another. Watch and enjoy. You'll never look at suburban America the same. Similar effect to when I moved to Italy for several years. Came back unable to blindly accept the way we live here. My family chose to live next to a small town so we have the benefits of a nice place to live without the hordes of suburban living that requires everyone to drive their car everywhere.

bearfamily avatar
Bear Family
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We have the space to have farm animals if we wanted to. We can plant and grow gardens. We're not crammed into one of those HOA dominated cookie cutter developments. Living that close in one of those developments might require an HOA to keep the human animals content in their little cages. I'd rather live in an urban neighborhood as often found in Europe. Homes and business mingled together thoughtfully. Cars unnecessary. So since we can't have that, we'll live in the country.

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fourten00 avatar
K-Lynne
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Usa 100% designed for profit-& not those living in suburbs, etc.). Back in auto Co's heyday, & before all wealthy families'standing to profit from extended $$, downline &--actually I should say started Upline @ (top) in Oil, steel, iron, etc..took Nation from rail/ship. to Semi.(etc).w- Interstate & U.S. hwy systems. No! u can't have a horse/wagon, dog team or magic carpet. If you don't think all was all done on purpose-research. 1st. have to put on Greediest thinking cap u can-& take out any form of a conscience you have. There!-you now are replica of those creating their profit. Initially, 100 yrs. prior was disproportionate # opposite them-So w their use of Hollywood/Media platforms, they slowly, steadily took them over- generation by generation, paring them down to insignificance. Now, rarely if evil is exposed- just blame fall guy-(Co, Org. etc.), Promise w Double-talk to do (zero)-& make $$ by cleaning up or repairing anything forced to correct. Apply-neg suburb issues.

michal_maslan avatar
Michał Osiecki
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I Love those America posts because they give me context when I watch American movies (or play GTA) why is some stuff different then in Europe

mattcintosh avatar
Matt Hill
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I like my yard. I work from home and when i need a break, i wander around in my yard, seeing what new flowers bloomed, or see the birds or bunnies in the yard. Retail businesses would not work in a lot of suburbs as they are places that only residents really go to. Put up a starbucks in the area, and only people that live there would likely go there.

prchrturtle avatar
Mary G----no
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"What do the kids play with?" Uh, toys. We have lots of outdoor toys: sandboxes, ride-on toys, swing sets, playhouses, etc. And we have imagination. Kids go outside and pick up a stick and pretend it's a sword or magic wand. They run and jump and climb trees. They throw a baseball. You don't have to go to a park for that. Parks are fun, and kids love them. But if your parents aren't able to go, why be stuck in the house? Also, my dog gets to run around. I have health problems and can't get out to walk her. She can run around chasing squirrels or something. Or I can go down to my friends' houses and let her run around with their dogs. I do agree that lawns are over glorified though... I don't agree w/people who think a huge yard is a sign of being well-to-do. I do garden in my yard (and would like to do more), and I have enough for my dog, and that's good. If I had kids, I might want more, so I could fit in a swing set or something.

princessofmagnolia avatar
Happy Panda
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My country have this kinda housing too and I do not wish to live there because they're so far away from shops and stuff, unless i don't have any choice lol :')

methjd avatar
James Methvin
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Lawns are living minimalist art. I live in a rural area. My wife hated my front yard garden and made me turn it back into lawn. It takes me over an hour to mow everything with a 23 hp lawn mower. I have plenty of land and a bought a small tractor to work my much larger garden in my side yard.

brent_kaufman_18 avatar
Brent Kaufman
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There is NO SUCH THING as an accurate question. Professional writers should know, if not master, the tools of their craft, which in this case is the English language.

arikeeper avatar
Ari Keeper
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The biggest reasons are racism + class-ism, which ik America doesn’t have a monopoly on, but we literally form our lives around these concepts. White America must feel good about itself, at all costs.

turner-adrienne-c avatar
Adrienne McMillan
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I loved growing up in the burbs. Our HOA never had issues. We enjoyed playing in the yard. I hope to earn enough to move my family to a nice suburb. But I am against the lack of public transportation. We just passed a milage to increase our buses so I'm excited to see what routes are added. Small steps to breaking down the systemic racism that led to no public transportation in the burbs.

ryzarukia01 avatar
Ryza Tigno
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As a disabled person, I don't think I can survive in this type of neighborhood. I'm very spoiled by my Asian neighborhood where a clinic is just in front of my house, a cafe and a take out shop 3 minutes walking, a convince store, another cafe and a restaurant 5minutes away, and a grocery store 10 minutes away. Now I'm wondering how people with disabilities who also can't drive like me survive a neighborhood like this. Thinking about it is depressing

tammyleung avatar
Tammy Leung
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Tomato and cucumber are beautiful. There are a lot of not-very-difficult-to-look after fruit-bearing trees e.g. lemon and apple. Neighbour convenience store, cafe and barbershop is literally the whole ground floor of the house, owner lives upstair. Some of these owners have lived here for very long and are the go-to persons. Bus stops are unoffically named by the locals after those shops. The entry of a famous hiking trail is next to one of those bus stops.

gwenmorgan388 avatar
Morgan Gwen
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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canarycaia avatar
Claudia Calabrese
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Some suburbs look good, others not so much. Americans in general seem to have a huge problem socializing and apparently are very self conscious about economic status and things like that. And you looked so perfect in Doris Day's movies! And not even Doris' life was perfect. All that angst is ruining you. That's why there's so much addictions and sadness. You should learn to be more social, happier and free in your social life. And you should stop distancing from your fellow Americans. It seems that too many are just hating the rest. They hate everything and complain continuously about everything and everyone. Women hate men, Blacks hate Whites, too many hate God and too many are extremely religious, Dems forgot how to let people free and Reps had enough and went crazy. You need to add some valerian and passiflora to the water and calm down a little.

shabbycatcottage avatar
Becca Rowan
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I've lived in both the US and Europe. Many Americans equate living next to a bar with vomit in the alleys and broken bottles/used condoms in the gutters because that seems to be how they utilize those spaces (this is why we can't have nice things, America)!. I miss having my local on the corner where I can pop in for an Irish coffee and a quick chat with the neighbors, then being able to stroll home and enjoy the evening air. I know there will be Americans who get up in arms about this post, saying that they can do this too...but trust me it's different. It doesn't feel as safe here as a general rule, and it's not a standard part of our culture(s) and traditions. In cities where local bars are more common, you run the risk of being mugged, but everyone is so used to living with that prospect it's just a fact of life! Also, HOA's suck...don't try to justify them.

taranw avatar
Okiedokie
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Floridian here. A lot of these houses tend to er, congregate, around areas with high tourist traffic. I.e. California & your ‘Hollywood Life’ Florida & your ‘Disney/Tropicsl vacation life [orlando is an hoa hellhole]’. I’m saying this as someone who lives in these areas with a ton of [& ton being built] these crackerbox houses/identical McMansions in HOA neighborhoods: they are an eyesore, they eat up A LOT of natural land, & they are often very poorly built. but as long as there is this mentality of ‘Im going to move where I’ve been taught there’s paradise/fame/big things happen’, they will keep being built, and built badly. Supply and demand. There is a lot of demand. The cycle continues. Florida/all these places are great if you go to places you aren’t told to go & don’t pay ridiculous prices to get in, but if I had a chance to leave without breaking the bank, I’d take it, because it’s not the Florida I used to know. Visit. Don’t stay.

mariagoula avatar
Mary
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

HOA is one of the biggest c**p I found out about America. (After their non existent health care system and the way education is done) Imagine buying a house, being the owner of it, and having someone else telling you how to live in your own house.... 🤦🏼‍♀️😤😑

insectbite avatar
INSECT BITE
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

People should only live in single family homes. And people should not be allowed to junk up their suburb grass yards with other plants. Living in homes seperated by the inside walls= owning no property and suffering. Suburbs were made by the people and not by companies. And cars are good and essensial to going to specific locations without walking in bad weather. And Europe and Asia have bad city planning all they do is dump pollution into the enviorment. Suburbs are eco friendly.

tismeandrew66 avatar
frog
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Literally had to mark our land as official "agricultural land" because the township had a problem with us (our neighbours pitched in via votes so we could keep our livestock) It's so dumb. People and other neighbours don't even see our land!!! We are surrounded by trees and scattered woods. 🙄

llyevaleandre avatar
Llyev Aleandre
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Lol the grief about grass is silly... The lawns are nice no one wants to play on concrete or dirt compared to soft grass. As to what children would play with? Obviously toys or whatever gadgets a parent might get their kids, I had a trampoline, my neighbor has a playfort, my other neighbor has a pool/jacuzzi, in the summer months we bring out the hoses squirt guns or sprinklers and play in the yard with whatever toys. Obviously most people don't leave their s**t in their yards that's just begging to get your s**t stolen or broken or lost. I had a previous cat that would go into people yards to steal pool noodles no joke and pipe insulation.... It was the foam she forking looooves foam. But yeah the smart thing to do is put away your toys and gadgets trampolines basketballs hoops or toys... So yeah most people don't leave stuff out in their yard to get stolen or tripped on or the worst one to get run over by the lawnmower and risk some serious injury.

bnkessler avatar
Bri Nicole
Community Member
1 year ago

This comment has been deleted.

shado_1 avatar
shado
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

only in Amurica can you be prevented from or fined for collecting rain-water - on your own property!

ajones_1 avatar
A Jones
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I grew up in a town house as a kid (US). We didn't have HOA, so we planted flowers, grew crops, had a fig and apple trees among other trees. We even grew mint and honey suckles. My sibs and I play outdoors often and have ready available free snacks for the warm season. ------- HOAs sound like a joke and just a glorified form of restricting personal property freedoms. Like houses are already bloody expensive and ya' HOA c***s telling me I can't have a rose bush because it isn't pretty year round??? I don't have a house though, do have an apartment with way more freedoms. Kind of funny.

dkfields74 avatar
Diane Fields
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In a lot of European countries many apartments are built above businesses, i.e. stores, Drs offices, pharmacies, Iaw offices, gas stations, restaurants, etc. Because these countries have high population numbers for their size they can't spread out like we can. They spread up with lots of apartment houses with businesses on the ground floor. Most houses are within walking distance of a lot of these businesses, or at least a grocery store and a pharmacy. These people walk way more than we do to run errands and bicycles are almost as abundant as cars in the suburbs. A lot of the older generation don't even have drivers licenses. I know all this because my family is German. They live in Germany and I grew up there.

jsinger78 avatar
Joseph Singer
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In my neighborhood people are allowed gardens, there are sidewalks and buses to get places, shops nearby, and it's all pretty nice. I don't mind walking a me or two sometimes. However, my area may well be an exception.

shawncullen avatar
Shawn Cullen
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Someone mentioned not being allowed to grow vegetables in their backyard. I’ve never heard of that. Some HOAs ban vegetable growing from the front yards because of a desire for uniformity. Gardens are a lot of work & not everyone is interested in investing the time & labor. I really feel like none of these replies really addressed the Slovakian’s questions. Most of them were just dull baritone “Yeah, suburbs are the worst!”

mheidt0 avatar
Okatango
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Lived for 10 years in one of these soulless, joyless, utterly boring, can't-get-anywhere-without-a-car places, listening to gas-powered lawnmowers and weed whackers all weekend long. The few little clover plants on my lawn got me called out for attracting bees. Never again.

ivy_11 avatar
Ivy
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There are a few reasons for the lawn one. A. People do garden, I suppose it’s just less common here B. Having a lawn is actually nice. Laying out in the grass or just having some open space is so peaceful C. Nobody wants to have to meander through a rose bush to pick up dog poop (this obviously only applies to people with dogs) D. Sometimes HOAs will not allow you because it’s not uniform because not everyone does it I genuinely don’t see what’s wrong with having a lawn. In terms of shops I feel like we have a decent amount? I’ve lived in several neighborhoods or apartments in my life and all of them but one had some kind of shop. One of them had a big corner store, another had a whole shopping marketplace with restaurants and such. I think it’s massively dependant on the area, demand, and the neighborhood. Also nobody has a good answer for bad public transport. At least I don’t. I think that would be nice but random twitter users aren’t responsible for the lack of transportation

adrianhobbs0 avatar
Adrian
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Street numbering confounds me. Visited my brother who lived at 10002 Elm Drive. Turned out to be a 50 metre long cul-de-sac with 4 houses.

kellynnd avatar
Kellynn D
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Not American, but Canadian, and we have suburbs... but they closer to European than American. The main issue with the burbs, from the outsider view, is we simply do not understand the cookie-cutter deliberate isolation from everything, the need for at least one vehicle, and no public accessibility... not even sidewalks, corner stores, schools etc. It's stepford wives creepy, and started out a deliberately planned racist elitism. Then we have the really long commutes... Canadian burbs are planned with access to public transportation, stores and schools... even if the houses are still cookie-cutter. I do get the ideal of space... I'm actually rural, so everything is a drive, but that is part of being rural.

jnegraham avatar
Janet Graham
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have seen some aerial views of modern-day suburbs with cookie-cutter houses. They looked like horrible places to live. Things are much different in my state where each housing development is required to have a curb, gutter, sidewalks, fire hydrants, and paved roads. For every so-many single-family homes, they are required to build so-many multiple-family buildings, have so many little strip malls, and so much green space with parks and playgrounds. Our state is all about the quality of life and the equity of society.

joeedwards avatar
Joe Edwards
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Getting tired of the rest of the world always telling me that America and Canada are the same thing. If that is the case then England and France are the same country too

jo91150 avatar
Joanne Hudson
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Its a BIG country. Probably each and every square mile is different with different rules, houses, stores, than the next square mile and on and on. You can find a place to live that suits your desires.

bikramsaluja avatar
Bikram Saluja
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I live in suburbs of state of Virginia and I love it here. A lot of families around with kids and big yards and play grounds where children can play. Great schools and markets to buy anything are usually a 5 minute drive. If someone who doesn’t want all the above, usually live in cities where everything is almost like in European cities. I think it’s a personal choice of people what setting they want to live here in United States and it’s all here.

angelarampelli avatar
Angela Rampelli
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I live in an American suburb and there are shops withing walking distance, but only because I'm lucky as far as where my house is placed in town. There is no grocery store in my town, but we have like 7 liquor stores and 2 dunkin donuts 🙄 I can walk to a neighboring town for groceries (honestly its only a mile and a half from me) and there is a local produce guy with a shop (dangerous to walk to though, especially with my 2 babies in tow) as well as a farm around the corner with vegetable stand in summer. We are a one-car family so im glad to have some amenities nearby. And if my 11 year old misses the bus he has to walk to school. It's 1 mile down a main road with wide sidewalks and crossing guards during school traffic hours. Yet my ex acts like I'm a poor and abusive slob to make my son walk to school. His classmate, our neighbor, walks to school every day of his own choice and he seems to be just fine.

misterluckys7even avatar
misterluckyS7even
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The developers assumed once all you Xanadu pilgrims moved there, you'd develop a park, rec center, community Center, pool, etc, for your offspring...all one horse towns aren't just a saloon and twenty syph ridden whores...you build your homestead, and form a community around you for self sufficiency...either that or you're Amazon vips

misterluckys7even avatar
misterluckyS7even
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Theyre the embodiment of the Real American Dream, of living with your family and kids at a place that promises to not turn ghetto as long as it stands...its just a ghetto of people who hate the crude urban environment

misterluckys7even avatar
misterluckyS7even
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

These housing schemes were built specifically for people who wanted a place to live far and away from specific groups, and far away enough to discourage specific groups from migrating there behind them...all those quirks mentioned are just things they put up with, like the rules of a gated community, with its guaranteed security and safety, but it's facist HOA

jessicabobessica avatar
Jessica Bobessica
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

y is everyone so stupid! The suburbs r great 4 RAISING A FAMILY, thats y theyre built the way they r! Its WAY SAFER not to have businesses in the middle of a bunch of houses in a neighborhood! Who wants or needs that!? This is where people LIVE! Do people not realize u can have neighborhoods and then a bunch of tiny strip malls/grocery stores/offices etc every few miles that can b biked or driven to? In NJ if u drive in any direction 15 min u hit at least 500 stores and we had sidewalks. Depends where u live if u have a garden-we did. We had a huge yard & used it every day to play frisbee, have soccor games with kids in the neighborhood etc so we never had to play in the st! Its 4 safety! 2 that guy who asked wat kids play with outside and said "grass?" Kids with big yards have money, at least in the NE where I grew up. we had sports equipment or at least a frisbee! We also had toys & some kids had real mini cars that drove! Ppl have pools, swing sets, slip n slides 4 summer...geez

juhel avatar
Pixie
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Money and sports equipment, but no grammar, it seems... It's a bit strenous reading this textwall without punctuation and all those missing letters. Also, what the helI is unsafe about a grocery store?

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aliadnan1984 avatar
A.A
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

does anyone else here from Dubai ? does this sound familiar to you ?

himorythedreamer avatar
Himory TheDreamer
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In my country property value is added by having shops, schools, pharmacies, and such nearby. Not the opposite.

cooperterry avatar
Cooper Terry
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Dude i live 5 minutes away from school cafes restaurants stores etc i think there just overreacting i live in a short contempt neighborhood where we all get along no +we got farms in literally every direction you go i think we get enough f*****g food

evelyn_haskins_7 avatar
Evelyn Haskins
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Not American, But we DO use our yards. Kids play in them, people put trampolines in them people play ball games in them and train their dogs in them, or just sit outside and enjoy the sun. We even have gardens in them.

michaelk_2 avatar
Michael K
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Well I live in the suburbs. I have a small pool a nice size yard. I live about a block away from a beautiful park. Where they play soccer, softball, baseball, have many hiking trails and even have a dog park. Public high school and a shopping plaza with a market, bar, and restaurants all within walking distance. Anything else I need is within one or two miles. Very good transportation system to go to the city if I'd like. It's not so bad.

rayarani avatar
Ray Arani
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think the questions here are about those pop up cookie cutter burbs that got popular in the 1990s. Before that suburbs had more amenities and often no HOAs. I lived in a pop up suburb in the 90s from ages 10-13. We'd moved from an older suburb (early 1900s) in Dearborn, MI where I could walk to shops, school, and the houses were interesting and unique, a mix of single families and flats...to a brand new burb in Ann Arbor where we thought we'd achieve the American dream. In our brand new house, in a brand new neighborhood, there was nothing in walking distance other than a tiny nature preserve, where I played in the woods happily when I wasn't biking around or playing basketball in driveways...until the local pedophiles figured out all those houses were filled with young families whose kids played unattended in the streets...yeah, after several incidents I was afraid of being outside at all...but I still went because I'd normalized that fear. Thankfully, my family relocated to Canada

hawahaliled avatar
Marcelle Lardjim
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I love the suburbs. We have stores and malls all around us. I love our 2 acres property with all of the flowers and animals that live in it. I am not sure what suburbs they're talking about my town rocks.

inkylynx avatar
inkylynx
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I didn't realize how much I hated pristine suburbs until I got back from college. You can't even enjoy your lawn because someone next door is always noisily mowing theirs to make sure they fit in with the rest of their neighboors. And there is no point walking around in this "pretty" neighborhood, because there is no where to walk to. Some suburbs are nice, but most of the huge prissy ones lack all character, are not practical, and are unintesting to look at.

coachshatavia avatar
Thebook Isfluke
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The suburbs were created out of white flight. People like to say we make everything about race, but when you go back in history a lot of stuff was about race. Not only that, they prefer that it not be desirable for poor and low income families. I'm sure some HOAs are so a**l they enforce the codes or policies regarding the capacity for a single family home. Poor/low income families tend to have more people in a household. And they are in denial about their problems which is why they ignore the addiction problem.....or they have until recent years. The suburbs are typically Republican/conservative so they are apart of the group constantly pointing the finger at other minority groups while ignoring what is going on in the mostly white suburbs of this country. They have no problem grouping other people together and calling them out, but as soon as we talk about what white people do the conversation gets shut down.

shak_1 avatar
Sha K
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sounds like your classic a*****e white Europeans judging America once again cuz they're too stupid or narrow-minded to try and actually learn.

sussanmercurio01 avatar
Susan Mercurio
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The suburbs are not "growing" just because the percentage of people are elderly. It's because all of the younger people have moved away, and the ones who are left are the people who have lived there most of their lives.

mikealbers avatar
mike albers
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Europe is tiny.... looks like lots of children that live in a microcosm commented here.

kellya_ avatar
Kelly A.
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There are so many variations to suburbs in the U.S. I grew up in a cookie cutter neighborhood with no public transit. We had bonfires in the back, played as kids outside and came in when the street lights started to come on, and just enjoyed the space. I now live in the suburbs where I'm one minute away from the bus stop, and a 10 minute walk away from bars, coffee shops, book shop, library etc. Not all neighborhoods are the same.

sarahbouachir avatar
Sarah Bouachir
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We like lawns. Our kids can play sports and have room to run in the safety of our yard. We like safety. We left the city because...well look at the crime rates and gun violence. We like privacy. Self explanatory. I've lived in the heart of a major city, in the suburbs and in the countryside....the suburbs are much less stressful than other options.

caprifool avatar
Bengt
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I grew up in London and Stockholm. Sidewalks, bike lanes, tunnels or viaducts across large roads made it possible to walk or cycle everywhere. Our mum's gave us money and sent us to the shop if we ran out of something. School was within walking distance. So was the local shops, the swimming pool, the library, playground and parks. We all had buss passes and could go anywhere we wanted. I giggled a bit over the comment about kids not needing a café. We'd hang at the local café several times per week. And then we became teenagers, we'd hang in the local pizzeria or outside the hamburger joint until bedtime. We had our freedome to be who we are. No one really needed a car. But the "things are to far to make public transportation realistic" excuse doesn't really work in rural areas either. Sweden is a loooong country with towns far apart. We still have busses, commuter trains etc. To be fair, not always with time table's that work for every profession. Rural life is a bit tougher to organise.

kristaleslie avatar
Krista Leslie
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Suburbs are the way they are because the people that live there like it that way. And at least in my city every subdivision has a beautiful park with amazing playgrounds that I used to drive to from in the city so my kids could play there. Much nicer and cleaner than the inner city parks that always have used needles

jarenc avatar
Jaren C
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is so stupid. Lol It’s just suburbs not really that much to think about. It’s called walking. You can grow food, plenty of people grow their own food. Don’t be afraid of grass. 🤣 I’m perfectly happy not living next to a chemical plant or a night club. So people prefer to be surrounded by other families or in quiet but not isolated areas.

clancymurphy avatar
Clancy Murphy
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"Suburbs" are huge socio-economic zones located between /overlapping with urban and rural areas. NOT just those "cookie-cutter neighborhoods..."

dylanlafrain avatar
Dylan LaFrain
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Suburbanites enjoy the RELATIVE peace and quiet away from the noise, traffic and hubbub of the more urban areas of the cities. Simple as that. Just a few minutes away from the necessities and conveniences while far enough away to reduce the annoyances of city living.

justinmeredith avatar
Justin Meredith
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have sidewalks that lead to a convenience store/ gas station, supermarket, pizza bar, nail salon, fast food restaurant, smoke shop, pediatrician, large gymnastics facility, liquor store, a few others … this is all 5 minute bike ride or 2 minutes by car. All the neighborhoods Around here are pretty much like this. The actual hood is all houses and green spaces, but all commerce is concentrated along certain roadways connecting said hoods. Crime is less than the city, the schools are generally better, and the air and noise is better. I do have to drive 20 miles to work however.

jd_15 avatar
J D
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It depends on the where. I lived in the suburbs in Wisconsin and there they're not bad and you do have plenty corner stores and small shops( however newer suburbs being built are not following this trend and a car is a must). I live in the Florida suburbs now and I absolutely hate it. Although the HOA is not too bad if you need something it's definitely a 15 minute drive minimum. There are also zero small shops a few small restaurants but for everything else it's Walmart or some major supermarkets.

leighprice avatar
Leigh Price
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I can understand the European perspective...I live in midtown Manhatten during the week where I have anything I need within 2 blocks and work is a 6 minute walk... on the weekends I go to my connecticut suburban house with 2+ scres and no HOA... both have their merit

charitylund avatar
Charity Lund
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It is because of market demand. I lived just outside the main part of the city in Salt Late City, Utah for years and the closest grocery store was a 15 minutes walk - too far for you to carry very many groceries. There were several grocers looking to place a store in the location but they had to wait for population growth in order to justify overhead. The one grocery store that existed was tiny and prices were only for the very desperate. You need people to build up more and out less but you lose rec space. But electric vehicles will change everything once public transport adapts.

melissawallace avatar
Melissa Wallace
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ok so we have back yards for children to play in. Some back yards are orderly and taken care off toys put away when not in use. I live in a metro detroit suburb. Closer to the city you get the more crime human traffiking and driveby shoot outs at some cases the wrong house. Therefore your not safe in your own yard let alone your house. Plus if your yard is cluttered with lots of toys and junk you have rat haven. So they look mostly clean. HOA s are evil. If you are not the leader in the HOA dont waste your money on land that you have to beg to do anything with including sell the worthless thing. Not many people in america has time, talent, or cares to garden. Mostly you dont feel free if you cant just go when you want to where you want. when you are dependent on mass transit, then you have the crazies and violent to worry about being them depending on state and city. That part is the most important. Some cities like mine have about or over 1000 murders a month not solved.

susanmiller avatar
Susan Miller
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Even central banks are niw calling the coming food shortage "apocalyptic." Everyone better start getting seeds in whatever ground they can find ASAP, like, yesterday.

a-m-poreba avatar
AAPnonraeba
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I couldn't cope with someone ordering me what to not do on my land. Bought it, paid for it- imma use it as I see fit. None of your business what am I doing in my garden.

ryanbenkert avatar
Ryan Benkert
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You see, the purpose of the yard is that you have to mow it. That way you have something to complain about doing. Americans love having dumb things to complain about.

brittneyboggs avatar
Brittney Boggs
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I grew up in a large typical suburb on the east coast, it was right off of a major road Rt 40 that runs through Delaware and Maryland, the public bus was rightout on RT 40 at the entrance to our neighborhood. Our suburb was also right behind several strip malls with everything in them like Chilli's, Big Lots, Food Lion, Walmart, Royal Farms, Ashley furniture store, Subway, Staples, the bank, bar, an axe throwing place, a gym, a dollar general, pizza place, Chinese food place, pharmacy, movie theater, ice cream shop, for a while there was a go kart track across RT 40, everything was a 15 minute walk. There were even schools in our neighborhood so everyone walked to school. Kids played at the school playground when they weren't riding their bikes and skateboarding around the strip mall or down the road at the town skate park. There were sections that had townhomes and apartments as well as duplexes and single family homes. We had a small yard but we had a balcony with a paved area under

lmulkey58 avatar
Lora Burke-Mulkey
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When at NYC Cornell hospital with my daughter I met a gal from Haitii and we started having dinner together a few times. She asked me about where I lived in Indiana. When I said I had a yard, front, back, sides, and a 3 bedroom house with a garage she asked if I was rich. I laughed, I had a 900 as ft 3 bed, 1 bath, kitchen and living room. Far from anything but a beginner home here in Indiana but to her I must have been rich. It's all about the norm in your area. As to kids playing...sadly they don't play the way I did as a child (now 63 yrs old). We never took anything outside we just played! When all these kids grow up with less creativity and imagination development we are going to be in a sad state. All the great inventions, cures, advancements came from those with these skill sets well developed

andersonpeter84 avatar
Pete Anderson
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I work and interact with people all day. My home and my yard, where I can't see or hear traffic, where the grass is cut a d clean, and where I have space that my neighbors can't trespass is my sanctuary where I recharge for the next day. I work so that I can afford to isolate myself and feel like everything is in order at my home while the world around me is in chaos.

tuula_a_salonen avatar
Tuula Salonen
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In England as well people are insistent that kids 'must have a (private) yard to play in' - I grew up in Finland in an old suburb, three stories high apartments, big communal yard with swings and a sandbox, and a lot of space for building things of snow in winter. And a lot of kids. Parents would just send them out and shout from the window for them to come to eat - we also had a special sort of chant, mommy come to window, here is (name), because if you just screamed Mum!!! At least four people would stick their heads out. I don't think having maybe one or two neighbor's kids would compare, in a small yard? What if your neighbors have no kids and you are an only child, and you can't even cross the road on your own? Newer suburbs in Finland still have a similar layout, lots of 'commie blocks', while we were never communist, lots of communal space in the middle with footpaths and play areas, usually a kindergarten, some sort of old people's club house, shop and a bar, every few blocks

doug_denunzio avatar
Doug DeNunzio
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We will get the dynamic right between inflation and the right place with houses happen a few times in terms of our own lives.

vfkvideo avatar
Joel Emmett
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Planning and city commission members set zoning laws. They are volunteers and, frequently, know nothing of urban planning. Or, they know so little that they don't know what they don't know. So many good ideas, that would improve our standard of living, never occur to them. If you want to point out their ignorance, welp, good luck with that.

jenniferspinner avatar
Jennifer Spinner
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Europeans love putting ALL people from the US in a box. I guess because they’ve had an an encounter with one “ugly American”, or they see ONE picture of a IS neighborhood, so they figure we’re all like that. I grew up in a neighborhood where everything was within walking distance or biking distance. We had a convenient store down the street from my house that was next to a bar. Where I grew up was in an old small town. Now that I live I. A bigger city the zoning is different. No HOA but everything is a little further. We have a bike path we ride our bikes on, but most everyone uses their cars, especially in the summer because it gets super hot and humid. Public transportation is a thing here and a lot of people use it. The US is pretty diverse. Not all neighborhoods are the same.

edleonardi avatar
Ed Leonardi
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Europeans live in extremely small houses/apartments and they are complaining that we don't grow potato in the garden? Gimme a break 😫

michael-olson12 avatar
MICHAEL OLSON
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Top three things I don't care about: 1. What Europeans think about America way or life. 2. What Europeans think about America way or life. 3. What Europeans think about America way or life.

darkfafnir avatar
Dark Fafnir
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why does everyone run out of milk??? Its not that good for you why you drinking so much you gotta make a special trip....you want shops live in a big city...wish i didnt live 3 blocks away from a hospital and 2 schools across the street...ask stupid questions get stupid answers

briana_kessler avatar
Briana Kessler
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Houses that don't allow gardens are few and rare. People have imaginations and do have fun without pubs or shops on every corner. There are all sort of games and toys for kids to play. We have more sports than Europe. We get outside instead of sitting in a bar. Shocking

janicevaughan avatar
Janice Vaughan
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I’ve lived all my life in suburban/rural homes. Drive carpool to work and back and then have a nice evening dinner and go out, take a walk with your dogs, and stay home. It worked and still works for the Pandemic. We only drive to get groceries, doctors and supplies. The suburbs were the best place to live during the Pandemic. There’s a backyard for kids and pets to play. And grandkids.

rose_tyson avatar
Rose Tyson
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I've lived in multiple suburbs in multiple states and never been somewhere that didnt have stores within walking distances. As for things to do there are often lots of nice parks nearby. And plenty of people have gardens. What are these people smoking? I loved growing up in my suburbs. Right by the city with lots of things to do but prettier and less crime, just a few hour drive from the countryside or the mountains, a great school district

mikesmith_7 avatar
Mike Smith
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I live in a housing development in a rural area, non hoa. I have a garden, can walk to the lake, trails for miles in the woods. Peaceful nights, ect. It's not far to work/stores/town, I enjoy it cuz I don't care for the city, I get how it's not everyone's cup of tea.

riddleofst33l avatar
riddleOFst33l
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Dumb and subjective article. Surburbs remain some of the most desirable places to live in the U.S. Why? ALL THE CONVENIENCES OF CITY LIFE WITHOUT THE HASSLE! It's not rocket science.

riddleofst33l avatar
riddleOFst33l
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Stupid article. Totally subjective and without merits. This coming from a suburban dweller who lives in a crackerjack house that is the same floorplan as 50% of the others in my HOA-maintained community. WHAT DO YOU DO? ARE YOU STUCK INSIDE? I have (7) beautiful city parks within walking distance of my housing community. Complete with playgrounds, hiking trails, and ballparks. I have grocery stores, movie theaters, bounceparks for the kids, and pretty much everything you can think of to do as a family within a 10-minute drive. From where I live, within a 3 hour drive-- I can go skiiing in the mountains, surfing in the ocean, camping in the Sequoias, clubbing with beautiful women in a gazillion nightclubs, dirbiking in the desert, kayaking in the Colorado river, or golfing on the golf course right next to my housing community. I'll take living in my nice, clean, quiet suburb, with TONS of THINGS TO DO, over living next to a deserted cornfield ANYDAY!

aubrey_shreve avatar
Aubrey Shreve
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Both of my neighbors have vegetable gardens. I simply kill plant life… therefore, I don’t spend the money to try again and again. My neighborhood has little grocery stores, bars / pubs, clothing stores, bakeries, small restaurants, etc. throughout the entire city / suburb, many within walking distance (and I do when it’s not snowing) with sidewalks leading to them. There’s many that I’m personally aware of throughout our state… and I know I’m not aware of all of them. Not all suburbs are alike. My suburb has homes that were built at very different times. Example: my home was built in 1906, but my one neighbor’s house was built in the 1950’s. They’re all different.

kavyakadame avatar
Kavya Kadame
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I live in an American suburb and couldn’t be more happy. Our house is like a mansion, yet affordable. Have you checked the prices in big cities? If you are someone who likes quiet, you can consider this option. I can even hear a person’s footsteps walking on the sidewalk from inside my closed window. That is how quiet it is here. But again, I am a writer and I like it this way. If you are a more outgoing person and party till late night, you might find it torturous to live in a suburb. A prominent shop is just 5 min drive from our house. If I am given a chance to change something, I might request to build a pathway to reach that store. And who gave you the idea that we are not allowed to grow vegetables in our own garden? It sounds ridiculous. Even though most of us don’t have a fence, our backyard is ours alone. We can do whatever we want to do in that place. Many of us don’t grow vegetables or do gardening because that is not always our preference. We outsource the lawn-mowing too.

cheesesammich avatar
Cheese Sammich
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

At the end of WWII, millions of young soldiers, sailors, marines and airmen.... who went away to war as teenagers... came home as grown men. They were ready to settle down and raise families. After years of economic depression and war (things which defined them as youngsters), what they wanted most was peace, prosperity, and stability. The big problem was that there wasn't much housing for them.... so housing had to be built quickly. This is where the suburbs come from. As for the interstate highway system, Gen. Eisenhower saw the highway system when he was in Germany during the war. He thought it was a good idea to have the means to move troops quickly from one end of the US to the other.... which is why our own interstate highway system was built. One of every 5 miles must be straight, so they can be used as emergency airfields if it ever came down to that.

stephenking avatar
Stephen King
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is terrible content ripped from reddit that has no resemblance to real life. This picture painted of suburbs here only exist in the imagination.

createyourlife avatar
Nat Pinson
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If someone is reading this "to learn more" here are some details about Suburbia USA. There are wealthy Suburbs & poor Suburbs...and everything in between. Everyone has the option to CHOOSE a home that is walkable to a few shops (it might be a Nail Salon, corner mkt, Diner, etc) For a home with "walkable Suburbs near several shops" the more desirable the house- so they do get bought up quickly. 90% of Suburbians can grow a garden in their backyard...most just choose not to. Lawns & "lawn care" is a thing...I don't know why? Some kids do play outside still, often in their backyards. Backyards are a HUGH draw in Suburbia! This is where a lot of folks gather friends & family. BBQ, cookouts & games happen often in Suburb backyards. It is true that if you live in the heart of a Suburbian area you likely need a car. But- Americans LOVE their cars & don't take issue with that. If someone doesn't have a car -they choose a home/apartment accordingly. Walking is done for exercise vs errands.

johawkins avatar
Jo Hawkins
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Country living. I came home from work and saw my grands playing. They are so pretty with their summer tan. They were running, riding go cart, swimming, jumping on trampoline. They are 3 and 4. I sit on my deck and look over the private lake. We have trees, birds. AND wildlife that comes in. In front of us we get to see spring baby calves being born. We are at peace with the world and content.

iamme_3 avatar
IamMe
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think they are confusing HOA's and suburbs. Suburbs are just any area not in, but close enough to commute to a bigger city for work and stuff. They usually have busses or trains that can take you there. HOAs are a lot of (usually big) houses that look very similar. They have committees that tell them what type of everything is allowed, from your siding color to what plants you're allowed to put in. Even things like doors and mailboxes are regulated. I, personally, would never live in one. If I owned a place I'd want to do what I wanted with it. However, enough people seem to like them, as they pop up like crazy.

clblmd320 avatar
Connie Daniels
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So what American suburb was in this video? California? Here in Ohio there are strip stores within walking distance or corner stores (which usually cost more). High country time areas can't keep stores for long because of crime in inner cities. Where I had owned my house ( now in apartment) there were stores outside the development well more like between developments and larger stores near like a 50 to 10 min drive. In the area strip store would be restaurant, bar, dry cleaners/laundry mat hardware store, drug store and even dentist or Drs. All a 15 min walk and kids schools within the development. People move there to get away from the compact city life. Less noise, safer commun and some garden, I did bu.

sanchishiva avatar
HumanBeingFromEarth
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Here in Michigan, during summer sometimes I walk to the stores. This article is false

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swearwolfe avatar
Swear Wolfe
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As am American and now living in Belgium... I wish there was more shops near neighborhoods but it's not that way. I don't know why but I assume it's purposeful to ensure people go out and spend money on things like gas and stuff. I see a lot of the answers were answered but people briefly touched on the garden in the yard thing. I'm only speaking from my own experience but growing up nobody ever has time to do gardening. We work (myself included) from 8am to 5pm but my commute had me up at 5am and out the door by 5:30am so that I could dodge the traffic to work. I'd end up home by around 7pm because traffic was so bad at the end of the day. Any time I had off which was two days a week I tried to use for family or myself. Gardening was just more work and I was too tired to do that. My mom garden's now for the first time in her life... she's retired though and has a part time job on the side because that's the only way she can afford bills and medical but she loves to garden.

bdiraimondo06 avatar
Brian DiRaimondo
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Not only did I grow up in an American suburb, but I live on the water and on a dead end street. So probably more confined than the 'typical suburban home' There is a footbridge nearby I would use to ride my bike into town. From reading all of these comments I can see how strange it is to outsiders, but as far as "What did you do as a kid?" Um we played in our yards with our neighbors, we ran around? Threw a football. To my European brothers and sisters that's an American football.

bdiraimondo06 avatar
Brian DiRaimondo
Community Member
1 year ago

This comment has been deleted.

stephaniegee avatar
Stephanie Gee
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I grew up in Lee's Summit, MO in the MIDDLE of the US from 6th grade through high school...it is a suburb of Kansas City Missouri, but there was tons of stuff to do in that town, there WERE sidewalks, and all us neighborhood kids walked (or rode our bikes) LITERALLY all over town....there was a bowling alley and an ice cream shop right at the end of our neighborhood that we frequented...most of the time we walked home from school because we made better time than the bus because we used all the shortcuts through the neighborhood. The "downtown" area of our suburb was AWESOME! There was a HUGE carnival every year right before we all had to go back to school at the end of the summer....crafts, games, rides...the works! And my favorite coffee shop still to this day is downtown. There was an Amtrak train station right across the street from it and we would walk up there, get our coffee (and shortbread cookies) and sit on the bench outside and watch the trains go by. It was amazing!

19forte avatar
19 FORTE
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I own a home and we use our back yard. Our kids play with other neighborhood kids my wife and daughter have a garden and I have a hammock between 2 trees that I relax on. I love my house, we don’t live on top of each other in the suburbs and it’s quiet and peaceful. Grocery stores are 1 mile up the street and yes we have sidewalks to get us there. Lastly many of our families left Europe in search of something better. Your continent is beautiful but America has always had the room to grow. I like where I live, I think I’ll stay.

melodysanchez_1 avatar
Melody Sanchez
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Here in Oregon, unless you have an HOA, you can plant for food or pleasure. I live in an urban, previously suburban area but I use my land to grow food and a few plants for aesthetics, as well as, have chickens and now quail. I do not have an HOA. Also, my city has buses and lite rail not to mention is bike friendly. I also have a couple of restaurants, a bar, a convenience mart, parks, and a bakery in walking distance. So, I am thinking, maybe this is more about certain areas with HOAs or states rather than a US problem.

tonyfarese avatar
Tony Farese
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Don't worry everyone, President Biden is fixing all of these things. It won't be long before everyone in the suburbs is walking everywhere and planting food in their backyard.

michalbrat avatar
Michal Brat
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I can assure you those questions were legit bafflement, not any kind of provocation. I haven't been to any US suburb myself but from what I've seen in videos it looks like the worst possible combinations of living in a city and living in a village.

blacknoir avatar
Black Noír
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The main topic is mentioning suburbs. However the focus seems to be specifically about housing developments/subdivisions. Suburbs are outskirts of Urban areas. Suburbs do have businesses, shops, stores, bars, theatres, etc etc etc. They can be many different housing subdivisions in a suburb. The context for which suburbs are described here in this article is inaccurate.

craigmayhan avatar
Craig Mayhan
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Although the national age-adjusted rate of drug overdose deaths in 2019 was higher in urban counties than in rural counties, for five states (California, Connecticut, North Carolina, Vermont, and Virginia), rates were higher in rural counties than in urban counties What the writer is guilty of is called lying by omission and she does it almost constantly. My question is why?Whats the objective in attempting to put such a negative spin on the suburbs and suburban life?

tk_4 avatar
T K
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have lawn in my U.S. suburban backyard...and guess what? My children play sports and games on that lawn all the time. Backyards are not wasted space. Seems that some people are misunderstanding why many people want grass in their back yard.

brandonbridges avatar
Brandon Bridges
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This article sound much more like it is describing rural areas, not suburbs. I live in a suburb of Detroit, my city has over 80,000 people on it. There are over 100 stores within two miles of me.

scottiestevens avatar
Scottie Stevens
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

O.k. mist if what I am reading is generalizations, The reason for the zoning laws is most people don't want a bar next to a school or my house. I don't want to deal with the drunks running over my child. Same with restaurants the owners are irresponsible to the community regarding noise and intoxication. Gardens, that is preference, and time. H.o.a. has no say in backyards below the fence line you can grow whatever you like. HOA and city ordinances can be changed by the residence if they chose. Children there time is taken up with the same thing kids in your country d

beklah324 avatar
Beks Czar
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I would not want to live in a cookie cutter house with like 50-100 houses that all look the same with a small front yard, a fenced in backyard and a HOA. --- On the flip side, I would not want to live in a city, in an apartment, even with walking distance to everything. --- I grew up in a little village of about 3000 people. I had a yard that went around the entire house and then a large backyard that was about 2 football fields long. My mom and I lived with my grandparents and my grandpa had probably a 20x20 ft.-ish garden in the backyard. My schools, a small grocery store, gas stations, the library and a small amusement park were all about 1 mile away. But we were still dependent on cars because jobs, medical, larger grocery stores, the mall, department stores were about 30 minutes away.

pitbullmomma2005 avatar
Kimberly Poole
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm an American & I have mostly lived in the country my entire life. The country is anything outside of city limits. In response to the question as to what kids do for fun outside? We played, made up games, rode our bikes, skateboarded, went swimming. There was always something to do & we let our imagination lead us. Properity taxes are cheaper outside of city limits. Life is quieter, more calm than in a city. Stores are everywhere. I'm not understanding that comment. There are gas stations, grocery stores that are within a few miles of home. No they are not within walking distance but just a small car ride. It's all to personal preference as to where someone settles. Having a nice yard & room is important to some people, like me. I don't want to live in a condo, or anything like that as I do not want people so close to me. I need room & space for myself because it makes me feel good. Very simple. Homes & outside spaces are what the family makes of them.

jimresta avatar
Jim Resta
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

City planner here. I also live in the suburbs. In Florida. I walk to multiple cafes and bars and a supermarket - on a sidewalk. Townhomes are everywhere. I have multiple fruit trees in my yard. My neighbor has a small banana farm in his front yard. None of these things are "illegal." There's almost nothing in that trash "article" I just read that's true. I mean nothing. Lots of countries have suburbs with detached, single family housing. They also have zoning. You also can't open a store in your house in the suburbs of Paris if it's not zoned commercial. The suburbs of Sydney and Toronto don't exist because Australians and Canadians were trying to get away from African Americans in their inner cities. Suburban living took off everywhere there was a middle class as soon as passenger rail service was available because 19th century industrial cities were terrible places to live. The US didn't have an awesome public transport system and then it ripped up to make way for cars.

katyhesser avatar
Katy Hesser
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Um so I live in suburbia we have 10 raised beds all with their own watering system, we grow onions, lettuce, strawberries, jalapeños, basil, English cucumbers, purple asparagus, rainbow carrots and we do not have HOA, yes we have large manicured lawns but this article is ridiculous. We have lived in the city with our children and experienced murders, theft, and many horrible things that come with living in a non suburban environment, I’ll take suburbia over that b******t any day.

theresapierson903 avatar
Theresa Pierson
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have lived in the suburbs all my life. The houses are older in my neighborhood,and all look different. The only ones that look alike are newer or in the subdivision. I have stores nearby that I can walk to, and there is a bus service if needed. I would absolutely hate living in a condo or a dirty city. I played with the neighbor kids and we used our imagination. There is nothing wrong with the suburbs.

bradgodshall avatar
Brad Godshall
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Comments assuming they don't use the yard or grass are quite misleading in my opinion. It can be, and is used for many things: spending time outside, playing games or practicing sports, having picnics and parties with friends and families, getting some sun, meeting and socializing or playing with neighbors, etc. And can be an opportunity to learn work ethic and outlet for accomplishment or expression to learn how to take care of a lawn. Also the comment about not having freedom is misleading too, as if people are forced to move into a suburb.

mattdimenna avatar
Matt DiMenna
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

How about we judge Slovakia based on photos and ask why it is one of the lesser known and even lesser visited countries in the entire world.

madelinekopanda avatar
Lemon Beans
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think this is confusing suburbs for subdivision neighborhoods? Suburbs are literally just the outskirts of a city, and are residential, commercial, and mixed use zoning. Subdivisions are neighborhoods zoned specifically for residential use, and are usually found within the suburbs. They have policies on the appearance of your property, may have an HOA, and mostly consist of tract housing. They were created during the 20th century from things like new ideas on what success looked like (homeownership); laws and consumer demand for affordable housing resulting in tract housing; the desire to live as a perfect, harmoness society after ww2 (and the subsequent demand for social conformity); capitalism, industrialism, and a growing population; efforts to preserve segregation; and the automotive industry making cars a necessity. It's all still ingrained in our culture, we didn't just wake up and think "hey ya know what'd be a neat idea"

jennifer_16 avatar
Jennifer Reding
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We moved from an area of higher population density and a townhouse community to a suburb to be closer to my husbands job, and traded a small townhouse with postage stamp backyard for a bigger house with a yard. While we can no longer walk to our favorite restaurant, we are actually closer to a grocery store that I can walk to. I wouldn't trade our extra space and yard, which has fruit trees, a koi pond, and a small grass area, for the ability to walk to a restaurant. I do miss the pool that the townhouse HOA maintained, though.

wiredrabbit1 avatar
Ken Shaw
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's all about the white flight out of urban areas after World war II when European white people wanted to escape those others you know how we're racist country? Well we were even worse back then although maybe not. Anyway, look up Robert Moses, the one who designed a lot of suburban areas and what a racist scumbag he was. Purposely building bridges over the freeway low enough so buses couldn't come through. Maids had a hard time going out to the suburbs to work and they either had to take the train or they didn't have work. But that was it the Long Island railroad. It's all about racism man the suburbs were developed for that let us sprawl out get away from the urban world where people of color are taking over and oh my God it sounds just like what's going on today but on a grander and sadly more open scale.

wiredrabbit1 avatar
Ken Shaw
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I grew up in the suburbs in Long Island. And they were developed for white flight after World war II. This is a well-known fact that Robert Moses was in spectacular racist. He made sure that buses could not go under the bridges on the main highway back then. This is fact and easy to figure out. And so there really is your answer no matter what anyone else says it was all about white flight escaping the cities because of black and people and those others you know anybody else that wasn't white European, and also why their public transit out there is terrible. And I dare anyone to challenge me on this one. Really an interesting article but it shows how naive the guy is because he has no idea of what a racist country America was back then and unfortunately is today.

rmbrumfield78 avatar
Rick Brumfield
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

People are acting like this is the only way of life in the US. We have urban life style, we have smaller neighborhoods with near by stores. And we have suburbs where people wanted a yard for their kids to be able to run around in, play sports in, make pretty. In some places it is illegal to plant a garden in your yard, but not everywhere. People also need to realize: not everyone wants to "garden". I'd say most Americans are fine paying reasonable prices for carrots, peas, & peppers in exchange for not having to weed. As for the comments about "what is there to do?" Usually it's in the house itself. Toys, TVs, tools. I have lived in a major Asian city with stores & restaurants within 5min walking distance, & part of me misses it. A lot. I also have nearly an acre in mid mo where my kids can use their power wheels, explore the woods & I can use a chainsaw whenever I want, plant blackberries, & listen to -NOT- urban street noise at all times of day.

rmbrumfield78 avatar
Rick Brumfield
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Also, a lot of people are comparing Asian & European cities that are at least 2-3x times older than the US itself. Different times, different cultures.

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joecaraccio avatar
Joe Caraccio
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It is really frustrating how we are all supposed to accept the premise that Europe does not have identical communities. England in particular has massive suburbs that are far more spread out with far less business. To the next point. There is always a handful of stores in walking distance less than a mile away. It's sort of what separates suburbs from what people consider rural. This article conflates suburbs with planned gated communities. I grew up in suburbs where no houses looked the same, some had tons of yard and some were close together, some were two family some 4 family some private, we had stores and bars and restaurants in walking distance. We had two train stations and a bus system that was as good or better than most major cities. If this person doesn't understand the suburbs how do they wrap their head around expensive rural areas.

monogurui avatar
Stephanie Joyner
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I've lived in the suburbs most of my life and am confined to a wheelchair. No, they aren't fine, talk about rose-colored glasses. I can't go anywhere without a car, Orlando barely has public transport, where I am there's literally none. When I didn't have my own car I was dependant on a taxi, which good luck finding a handicapped taxi on my side of town. I can't 'walk' anywhere, my neighborhood is about 2 miles long. The nearest gas station/grocery store is about 5 miles away. Shops are 10-15 miles. My friend is 15 minutes away from his job by car, but it's 2 hours by bus, because we only have like... 2-3 routs on a major highway. You can't use your land for anything productive, in some cities it's actually illegal to have a garden in your lawn. Watch Adam ruins everything on netflix. Public transport isn't promoted because they want us in debt. You spend thousands on a car, you have to buy insurance in order to drive it, and forget gas, especially now. I could go on.

jakevanwagoner avatar
Jake VanWagoner
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm with everyone on the sheer stupidity of Homeowner's Associations. Proof that the Nazis didn't lose WWII, they just moved to American neighborhoods.

darrylwest avatar
Darryl West
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I do not find this intellectually sound or accurate. Other than that, what's the big deal about a foreigner not understanding the dynamics of another country? I wonder what bizarre questions (to him, other Slovaks & foreign countries that share things in common with Slovaks) would I have from seeing how they live? I've never seen an American suburb with ZERO public transportation and school buses, huge shopping centers and malls, within reasonable distance, including the one that I live in now. Everyone isn't fit to garden and lawns are nice places to exercise, have at home picnics, etc... If suburbs stimulate this kind of ridiculous inquiry. What of rural areas? I'm sorry, but I found this just dumb, LOL!!! Only America gas suburbs, huh?

johnbaker avatar
John Baker
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The big deal is that, at least here at BP, when the country a foreigner doesn't understand the dynamics of is the US, it's more often than not used as an excuse to bash, insult and belittle all things American.

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stephb_2 avatar
Steph B
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What's wrong with suburbs? I'd rather have property and my own space vs living in a condo or high rise with loud neighbors Below and above me and packed like sardines whom I can't get away from. I lived in one once. My neighbor accidentally set her flat on fire and destroyed half the building. NO THANKS . Public transport is way different in the USA than it is abroad and a lot more unsafe

stephb_2 avatar
Steph B
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Who says you can't garden in your own yard? Lol. I live in a very strict HOA and we can have whatever garden we want to. These questions are absolutely absurd.

katiebrown_1 avatar
Katie Brown
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I live in a suburban area, in California. We have a bit of extra room being a corner house. The front yard is just decorative (because naighbors complain) in the back we have a veggie garden. 13 chickens. 3 turtles and a dog ........

katiebrown_1 avatar
Katie Brown
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Had a job once. And they had red plum trees out in the parking lot area.. and I'd pick and eat them. And everyone at my job would freak out. And I still to this day wonder where those people think food comes from.

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greta-elisif avatar
Greta Hoostal
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My house is in a suburban-type neighborhood, in a rural town and on the border of a suburb. HOA, but not crazy, mainly just maintains the ponds & walking path. No church, library, or store close, though. In the summer & fall there’s a farmer’s market. There’s a playground 1 mi. away, but there’s no shade. Playgrounds w/ shade are 3 mi. away. We DO have a sidewalk going into town each direction. My family is Ruthenian Catholic, & we could go to a Roman Catholic church, 4½ mi. away, but its holidays, theology, & practices are mostly very different, & they won’t commune our children. So we really have to drive 30 min. to a Ukrainian mission, or 1½ or 2½ hrs to a Ruthenian church. This town has a tourist-attraction “general store”, an actual general store, &, in 1 group, 3 grocery-type stores. I guess zoning laws must be the reason 3 stores are in 1 place. So I suspect the problem is from government. There IS a neighborhood by the stores & library, but the houses aren’t as nice.…

greta-elisif avatar
Greta Hoostal
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

…I would like best to have church close but for that we’d need to est. a Ruthenian enclave, at least a city “quarter” like in the ancient cities, e.g. Armenian Quarter of Jerusalem. It wouldn’t be racist since even though it’s ethnic, people of all races are allowed to become Ruthenians. Very open church. But we’d be accused of racism anyway, since this is the U.S.

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sharonwilliams_2 avatar
Sharon Williams
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I live in the suburbs. We have sidewalks and the grocery store is within biking or walking distance. Have a small vegetable garden in backyard. Children play ball,skate,ride their hoverboards, bikes etc.. As we live in a cul-de-sac on Halloween we bring our hibachi out and watch the roving band of trick or treaters go house to house. We have trampoline and a neighborhood pool. The park ,elementary school and middle school are within walking distance .There is a coffeeshop,sandwich shop liquor store,hardware store ,gardening center,pharmacies and fast food is close. All suburbs are not the same.

taraquail84 avatar
TQ
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

According to our HOA, we can't have gardens in our back yard, we can't have any free roaming animals in our back yard snf we can't even set up a temporary pool in our back yard. A permanent above ground only if approved by HOA. Same with ingrounds. I have yet to see an above ground pool installed at all in our neighborhood. I regret buying our house in this neighborhood. A bunch of nosey "Karen" neighbors that love to tell others how to live in their home. I would move back to our old place in a heartbeat if we could.

jayjackomin avatar
Jay Jackomin
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This comes from a person who lives in a part of the world that gave us two world wars in the 20th century that killed tens of millions. Most white people living in the United States today are the descendants of immigrants who exited the shithole of Europe before those wars Sounds like a good move to me.

ericraitanen avatar
Eric Raitanen
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I am American, but have never lived in a suburb or near a city bigger than around 10-15,000 population. I have relatives that lived in suburbs, and I like them fine and there were parks easy to walk to. I only have lived in places where you have to drive to stores, and suburbs seemed to always have the best nation wide store selection within a couple minutes drive. The houses are well kept, rarely see a dump or garbage front yard neighbor, nice landscaping. You can bike down the spacious roads with few cars parked in it because of limits to street parking. Limits to bright lights on front porch. No businesses creating commotion. Middle class and rich don't shop at convenient stores or pubs much, so no problem. I guess I don't see the problem with them, but get a hotel in the city if you don't have a car.

mtownsendsp2017 avatar
Lioness Nature
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Well the US suburbs are different from town to town state to state. The ones with white houses that look the same with plain green grass front and backyards, in a row or culdesacs are usually white dominate suburbs. Forms or redlining and redzoning are used to keep Black people and other people of color out of those neighborhoods also inflation and strategic disqualification tactics that are not used on the poorest white person looking to buy a home. These racists methods are still highly used today with gentrification added if the white people want to expand over the Black suburbs or even urban cities they raise property taxes and mortgages and it forces Black people to sell and move back to the he city. The Equal housing opportunity act is BS in America. No one follows it. The American suburbs are trying to give the BS narrative of the American dream and the simple life. House on the hill white picket fence, family dog, car in the driveway, apple pie cooling on the window sil. Repeat

bluered avatar
Blue Red
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Do you think it's ok to mock how people live in other countries or just the USA? Is it ok for me to laugh at how most people in Europe live in apartments and own no land? Is it ok to mock African villages without electricity or laugh at the lack of refrigeration in Papua New Guinea? You people are sick

seanwilliams avatar
Sean Williams
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is stupid, suburb aren't usually isolated, shops a literally in walking distance, they have parks and community facilities, some do have public transportation but they are usually needed as suburb consist of middle and upper income family. Many have home business or work from home, hell will delivery services they don't even have to leave the house. As for why people like them is for the space, the quite, less light population and so on. Not all have HOA, some are located her universities. It for people that don't like to be piled on top of each other. Person I person inbetween suburbs and cities. Still single houses but closer together without the gross smells of the city. What kind of b******t news is this

denniswright avatar
Dennis Wright
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't know where these other people have lived, but it's not how I lived. I was raised in Huber Heights, Ohio, the (at that time) largest single brick community. There were stores, schools, and churches with 15 minutes walking distance of most of the approximately 30 miles. There was even a sprinkling of apartments mixed in. The schools and services were top rated. And yes, we had many a garden in our backyard. I have been gone now for 40 years so some things may have changed, but on visit back I haven't seen it. For those who have complained about where they live, you sleep in the bed you make. For those in this conversation from overseas, in America we say, "don't knock it til you try it.". I have live in Europe, Asia, and Central America, and each had their own positive and negative attributes. So, does America.

pintaco avatar
Pin Taco
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Lol whoever wrote this is rather clueless, especially the intro. Id rather live a few miles from a store than like rats in the city.

lingeriedeparis avatar
Lingerie De Paris
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If you want pollution and a store right next door we have these things called cities. If you want quiet live in suburbia . how's are really quite rare . but serve the purpose of maintaining a lifestyle. Gardens are nice but un America we have so much to do besidecwatch tomatoes grow . kids play with other kids and yes there are playgrounds nearby . supermarkets and walmart 5 minutes by car .

naomi avatar
Naomi
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

How are Canadian residential areas? More like the US or Europe?

the_original_blue62 avatar
Bravo6Two
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Varies wildly. The "cookie-cutter house farm" suburbs seem to be pretty much all that's being built though, maybe a convenience store on the edge. Usually a few parks and a trail or two, depending on the developer

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kevinjohnson_1 avatar
Kevin Johnson
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You should link to the reddit post https://www.reddit.com/r/urbanplanning/comments/umv2ib/i_just_watched_this_video_from_not_just_bikes_on/

jenk7138 avatar
Jen Kilgore
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This made my head hurt. So glad I never got a Twitter account

bobbiemeyers avatar
Bobbie Meyers
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Some people want space, not living elbow to elbow in apartments, condos. The yard is for the dogs. And no, I don't want shops within walking distance, bringing all sorts of people around. I don't live in a typical suburban neighborhood, but close enough. Also, would NEVER put up with a HOA. Let people do what they want with the property THEY are paying for.

lostusa avatar
Joe Pig
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Do these people.unserstand scale? 300+ million people and they think they all could just live in these quaint little houses in self contained neighborhoods. People pool in one area business in another. One store can then serves thousands a day rather than 50 stores serving dozens. It's simply not monetarily or logically possible to self contain. Also, suburbs suck. Cookie cutter homes with drab designs lived in by people who don't strive for anything else. I live in a rural area. Surrounded by fields. A local deli, 2 restaurants and a convenience store are within a 15 min walk. A municipal park is even closer along with the fire department. The police station is slightly farther away. If I want to go to church I can see one from my house. A full service grocery store is a 4 mile drive along with a pharmacy and lots of other shops. It's a great mix. A city 15 minutes drive and a metropolitan one 90 minutes. I don't want to live in a village.

helen-marco avatar
European sparrow
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have those exact questions, but I don't see them very well answered. Why can't you have schools of supermarkets, fashion stores, etc in those massive suburbs? What can kids do? Are there playgrounds, sportsfield, sportsclubs, youthclubs stuff like that. My kids wonder arond from playground to playground, walking and cycling. They go to there sportsclubs and music lessons independently. They buy groceries frequently from as young as 8 years old. My 15 year old takes the train to go to other cities with his friend. They both have a small job on saterdays.

larisamigachyov avatar
Lara M
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There are three playgrounds and two schools within walking distance of where I live. The closest playground also has a sports field for soccer or other similar sports. I see kids there all the time. Stereotypes aren't pretty.

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alpun avatar
Al Pun
Community Member
1 year ago

This comment has been deleted.

sammo187 avatar
Sam Savang
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You see the problem with Pubs and stores in a neighborhood is because that's where 90% of the crime happens in most neighborhoods in America. The criminals and would be criminals sit there watching people and follow them to their homes even. That's what happened in San Francisco during those Home Invasion robberies around Christmas time this past year. Stores and pubs are the centre for organized crimes also. You should know this by now If you live in Europe. We have the freedom here to live as we please. If we want to set our lawns on fire well he'll why wouldn't we? The front yard lawn is where we let our children play with their problem friends. You know what I am talking about those little shits that break all your stuff when they come inside. I have nephews amd nieces that are little assholes. We have places that do that like Berkeley, CA. If you don't mind Congestion and sitting at the Bart station getting molested by the homeless and the mentally inferred be my Guest.

lamirmagus avatar
Lamir Magus
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I live in Washington, where the government actively pursues more environmental suburbs. My Seattle suburb is an evolved cattle/coal town that now has grown due to the tech boom in our area, as a result we have a wide variety of steakhouses, multicultural restaurants, a beautiful little library, and lots of bars within a 20 minute walk of my house. This sort of thing is common in Washington suburbs, but it all comes down to one thing: money. Washington is a rich state and some of our suburbs are best described as bougie (samammish, for example). This is prime American living, come to Washington, we have trees!

suzanne-young-58 avatar
Suzanne Young
Community Member
1 year ago

This comment has been deleted.

rchargel avatar
RafCo
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I am living in a suburb of Philadelphia. Walking distance (less than 20 minute walk) from my house, there are four playgrounds, a movie theater from the 1920s, two auto repair shops, four cafés (yes, one is a Starbucks), a grocery store, an elementary school, two train stations, lots of bus stops, at least two dozen restaurants, a farmers market, a flea market, and an art studio/museum. Oh, and many of my neighbors, and myself, have gardens where we grow vegetables. I even grew corn once, but the squirrels stole it all, before it was ready for havest. I haven't driven a car in weeks. It's not all white picket fences with big yards where nobody talks to each other. That is a Midwestern thing maybe. In older cities on the east coast and south there are some actual communities in suburbs.

rchargel avatar
RafCo
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The problem in my community is that there is a children's hospital and two universities. All of which will drive you into horrible life altering debt, should you ever need them.

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anotherschulz avatar
Chris Schulz
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is a tough one.. But I've personally seen emigrants ruin neighborhoods by doing trashy work and terrible paint jobs to their property.. Attracting pests like cockroaches because of their lifestyle choices.. slowly our country is being destroyed by people bringing their way of life and disrespect to our communities

ameliajacobs avatar
Amelia Jacobs
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ok, those aren't suburbs but sub divisions. I live in the suburbs, 2 towns west of Portland. In a 3 story apartment complex with a bus stop outside, a corner store on the next block. Less than a mile from the grocery, restaurants, etc. The light rail is 1mi away and I use it to commute to work in central Portland. We are very active in the local community as well as in the larger Portland area. We live here because 1) it's less expensive and 2) it's quieter. Lower population density means fewer people asking me for money at the light rail stops, fewer urban pests, fewer traffic issues. I have lived in the downtown areas of several cities and I prefer to be a little removed, but not out of reach. I do not live in a manicured subdivision, just a smaller neighborhood in a larger metropolitan area.

jlvanwatoughest avatar
Joseph Ludlow
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

every suburb I've ever lived in had atleast a couple different kinds of stores within 10-15 minutes and bus stops like 5 minutes away... I'm talking from anywhere in the burb. They just keep outside traffic away from your front door, like main road traffic and faster moving cars. Suburbs have a 10-25mph limit, main roads have to move more vehicles so they're usually 35-50mph. I don't think most of these people have ever lived in a suburb. Also, every suburb I've ever been to atleast has a park, sidewalks, some have private pools, a club house you can reserve.Also, again, most suburbs have really good sized yards for kids and pets. Some suburbs don't for people who don't want to worry about yards.

kevinhickey avatar
Kevin Hickey
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In America, people in suburbs actively fight against having public transportation in their neighborhoods. We all know why. It's the same reason that the suburbs were built in the first place.

gkrynick22 avatar
twhartman avatar
Thomas Hartsworth
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I love in a newer suburb. We have three restaurants, a game store, a liquor store, a kids park and large open space with a city bike path running through it, and public transportation all within a 5-10 minute walk from our home. I realize this isn't typical but it's one of the reasons we picked this neighborhood.

net0 avatar
Margaret Weaver
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That was a painfully familiar read. Murican entitlement and avarice on display, narrated by an impartial foreigner who legitimately does not understand posturing and intentional waste.

bnkessler avatar
Bri Nicole
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They really just find any reason to hate the U.S. don't they

bnkessler avatar
Bri Nicole
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Some of us don't want to be near stores and restaurants and wants peace and QUIET and NATURE. HUGE fan of that nature stuff.

jonsheik avatar
Jon Sheik
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Smiles. America is the nexus of profit and racism. Un the planned suburbs, you see that the one good thing is the houses are cheaper to build. More profit for the company that "developed" the suburb, and homogeneity keeps the sale price high. The higher price keeps out those who generally make less, and conveniently, that's a lot of non-white (people of no color? :-) in that group, naking the suburbsa mostly white and very boring place. How to nake drug addicts out of kids? Bore them and ignore them. The suburbs! :-) Etc.

notimportant_1 avatar
Not Important
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The answer for most of the questions is historical anti-black racism. Why no public transport, that's what blacks use. Why so far from the city, that's where blacks are. More than single family homes doesn't support yt supremacy and it's tenace of individualism. Racial covenants, red lining, school districting all popped up as suburbia took hold of upper middle class Americans during the Jim crow era.The point of American suburbia was to support American segregation and racism.

jarenc avatar
Jaren C
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Do not call us “blacks”. Diverse places are statistically the most segregated. Gentrification is typically don’t in urban areas. Anyone can live in suburbs. And man poc live in suburbs. Racism is rooted into everything here so there’s really no comparing.

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thatbemeacb avatar
Thatbeme ACB
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's called racism. Look into America's history for why the suburbs was created. You'll get more info rather an individual's opinion.

reddogmcgraw avatar
Reddog McGraw
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This weird idealism is why ii question the validity of a. Democratic vote. Just because I don't use my land as you see fiit per the culture you were brought up in has no bearing on whether or not it's being wasted. I grew up in North East Texas in a town that only had three policemen. One day this crackhead literally pulled up to our house and started going through my father's things. (We lived 6 milles outside of town). Soo my mom grabbed a gun because she was alone with young children...moral of the story, some Entitled Liberal schmuck sipping their Starbucks in Downtown Pasadena California crying about Americans should own guns and if we can just get rid of the outdated electoral college. People shouldn't be allowed to make decisions when they have no clue what they are actually considering. I live in a luxury condo now, and ii would be pretty pissed if my neighbor decided too open up a pub nextdoor keeping me up all night and people puking and fighting in the street.🤦🏻‍♂️

brianwood_1 avatar
Brian Wood
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Suburbs were created in order for white people to escape the Ccivil rghts criminal crowd. Didn't work out well. Too many HOA's headed by politically minded dictators. Let's face it, if you are a white living in the US, you have NO rights. Your responsibility is to financially support the millions of unskilled immigrants imported by your govt, plus millions more who are sixth generation welfare recipients. Thst is your lot in life, no matter where you live.

dewonthecloverpatch avatar
Daisy dukes
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have land because I don’t want to live next-door to the scum in the low income housing and government subsidized housing that the government forces into every neighborhood. Drugs etc. don’t excite me and I don’t want to be around it. We do lots of things with our land but the best thing it is is a barricade. Europeans are different than Americans, I don’t want to live next-door to a bar and I don’t want booze around my home. I don’t care with the parents sit on the terrace of the bar and drink, they ought to be ashamed of themselves but I guess they don’t know any better. I’m glad that at least businesses are separated from housing because shopping centers are dangerous, they have loitering and shooting. Some stores are grandfathered in so it’s not like every neighborhood is a desert, those stores are bad enough. You will hear the sirens as the police are summoned to the latest robbery at night .

brittanycopeland avatar
Brittany Copeland
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I live in one of the largest cities in my state. I'm not even IN the suburbs. While I do live a block away from a school, I need to drive 15 minutes to the closest store. I purposefully bought an older home so the HOA is long defunct (though technically we still have to follow the rules, nobody does) so that I could have a small veggie garden and plant some fruit trees. The closest city park is in the downtown district, across 2 highways and an interstate away. There WERE some restaurants and businesses, but they recently fell victim to eminent domain and now they are a huge warehouse. Busses only pick kids up if they have to cross a major thoroughfare or if they live 5 miles or more away. Only the newer parts of the city have public transportation. And zoning is kinda a joke around here. I can see a limestone quarry from my front door, for example. My sister went to college by a chicken slaughterhouse which was surrounded by single family homes. Housing in the US sucks. I miss Europe

klorinczi avatar
Klara Lorinczi
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In my state, if you have a back yard, you can grow anything you want - food, herbs, marijuana (with permits), flowers, anything. If you have an HOA, they will disallow food gardens in front but we can grow flowers. Children play in the back yards on mini playgrounds like kids forts, swing sets, etc. In front they can play on small basketball courts. There are lots of small neighborhood parks with playgrounds, lakes, ponds, for kids to play on. The suburbs were intended to be safe and quiet. Not as safe as before but still quiet. HOAs are sometimes too strict but they make the residents keep their lawns clean, mowed and the homes have to be properly maintained. The neighborhoods without HOAs are not as clean and people get away with leaving lots of stuff and garbage on the front and back yards. HOAs do more good than harm. Colorado is one of the most beautiful places in the US and where I live, it’s very clean with lots of parks and some medium sized lakes for fishing.

gkrynick22 avatar
G Kionik
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"The neighborhoods without HOAs are not as clean and people get away with leaving lots of stuff and garbage on the front and back yards" ------ this is 100% conjecture. I have lived in many different neighborhoods, some with and some without HOA's. You would not be able to tell them apart. The only difference is with HOA's you are at the mercy of the decorating whims of the board so every house looks almost exactly the same.

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peterfabian avatar
rn42
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"It drives up property values" is the largest "fvck you, I got mine" vibe there is in the states

gibson330usa avatar
Gibson330usa
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

so it's ok with you if you work hard and save money and finally buy your own home then someone buys the house next to you and turns it into a bar? The value of the property you just bought for $200,000 suddenly drops to $125,000 because no one wants to raise a family next to a bar.

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delilahevil avatar
Delilah Evil
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Grass is environmentally evil. They require maintenance and offer nothing but some entitled c**t the "perfect" neighborhood. People should be able to grow food anywhere they can. Why do we accept shipping more food than necessary to appease these twats?

gizmomsu avatar
Lance Egan
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sounds like a bunch of commie complianting to me. To me living like euro trash is not for me and big cities sum with their Progressive ways. No one has seen a cow up close or have ridden a horse. They want to gay everything up and feel like they are superior. Most people in large cities think food comes from the store. They are way to sexualized. I can go on but I like living in the way off suburb the farther the better.

andrewworrall avatar
Andrew Worrall
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When I go to the store, I do it once a week because I don't have time to walk there for 3 things. We also don't have postage stamp houses, hence why we have 4k and 5k sqft houses with pretty lawns. We don't want to have close neighbors or live in an apartment. Why is this so hard to understand?

gyaltendechen avatar
Gyalten Dechen
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I live in New Zealand and here we don’t have many of those housing developments and if we did they are just a sprinkling of houses. I think this keeps things small scale and community sized. In Auckland there are larger developments and I always feel those places to be very soul less. However like the UK we also have to have a community space nearby wether it’s a sport centre or community art space, or corner shop. I think it’s the places that have been planned and developed quickly rather than grown up organically where there is an issue. Sometimes social housing when it hasn’t been thoughtfully done can have this kind of problem, but these days planners here are more aware of this and make it more mixed with non social privately owned houses together with social government housing. I would die a slow death in a suburb. I feel uncomfortable even visiting them, as something just feels “wrong” about it and dehumanising somehow.

lamirmagus avatar
Lamir Magus
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The original purpose of suburbs was to give the middle class a slice of opulence when they came home from the war. They're really just a way to pretend you're a wealthy landowner when you're really just a middle class drone...

dean_9 avatar
Dean
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I’m sooooooo tired of the constant subliminal brainwashing in America!!!!!! I’m sure that the stupid people don’t even realize that you’re trying to get them to dislike America but for me, when I read stupid $hit like this, I want to hunt down the authors that wrote it and punch them in the face until my hand starts to bleed…….

donnie_elam avatar
Donnie Elam
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This article is just an excuse to spread communist propaganda. Every comment seems to smell like B.O. and apparently doesn't have a job

josephmarthaler avatar
Joseph Marthaler
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Just another bash America article. American Suburbs? Really? We Americans jearcyou loud and clear... you hate hate hate us. Well, we all hope you choke on that hate. 🙂👍

ambenedict1972 avatar
Aimee Benedict
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Hi- look- we don’t know- someone already built them and we’d like to keep them that way- now we’re just trying to get by with them being so big and it’s hard to reach the store- don’t you eat bland food?

dewonthecloverpatch avatar
Daisy dukes
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Europeans are different than Americans. I don’t want to live next-door to a bar no matter what the parents drink on the terrace. I don’t want booze around me and my family. That shopping centers in America there is loitering and shooting so I am glad that housing is separate from business. Shopping centers are not safe to live next-door to. Parent to comment here they don’t want to drive their children anywhere probably don’t care about their children very much. Couldn’t be very involved in school which is why the government is taking over the children. The parents are in raged about this but where have they been all these years? We don’t want the government to raise our children . Public schools were there for education, not indoctrination. I have land because I don’t want to live next-door to the scum that the government forces into every neighborhood. Never before had I heard shooting in the night until they move low income into decent neighborhoods.

tamrastiffler avatar
Tamra Stiffler
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Where do you propose poorer people live?! You make the very erroneous assumption that all people who have to live in low income housing must be some sort of low life or criminal. They have to live somewhere! Just say you're a heartless NIMBY and be done with it.

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hannahburkett avatar
Hannah Burkett
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Capitalism is the root cause to most of these questions. Not all but most.

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Gladys Hayes Southerland
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

American suburbs are isolated, lonely & devoid of the rich diversity that exists in the areas where there are several cultures together. If the life is so very good in the suburbs why do they consistently have such a high drug abuse rate ?

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Sock Cucker
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Drug abuse rates are way higher in the city... Maybe the war on drugs has had a hand in it, huh? The sacklers? Why are you so ignorant?

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Sam Savang
Community Member
1 year ago

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As far as the idiot that was talking about the great form of public transport what the hell is he talking about? MULES AND DONKEYS? EVERYwhere in America has a street Buses drive on streets, Trams drive on the street? But then again judging by the profile picture is probably a stoner that is living in a tent mooching off the Taxpayers that is probably high off their a*s when that was written. Drugs are not a form of public transportation just because Crack and crack pipes are free in NYC, SF, LA, Chicago and other leftwing globalist controlled cities doesn't mean it's acceptable. Then again what do you expect from someone that has @postingtwink as their screen name? What does the word "Twink" mean in the UK? Since you were the 1st to coin that word.

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Gibson330usa
Community Member
1 year ago

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We need big yards to shoot our guns and all we need is a McDonald's within 5 miles so we can drive our big SUVs and git us some food a few times a day.

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Thalia Lovering
Community Member
1 year ago

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From lack of transportation to lack of proper healthcare to gun laws, everything you read about the US is ridiculous. I can't believe that we once believed the "American dream" c**p.

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HumanBeingFromEarth
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I won’t downvote you, but just so people can comment on this idiocy. Honestly, this comment has -3 votes. But look at the highest votes. Look at what it says. And why are Europe countries tiny with tiny economies and tiny cars.

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Sock Cucker
Community Member
1 year ago

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Imagine thinking Americans want to live like people in stinky Europe...

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Tamar Hannah Whipkey
Community Member
1 year ago

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Ah, another reason that I feel / think more like a European / foreigner than an American. I have not thought of this topic specifically.  But I loathe the suburbs!  I prefer either extreme, city living in the thick of things or else a remote area with few neighbours spaced at a comfortable distance, close enough to call for help but far away enough so that I can have company, a conversation, a party, play music, yell, etc. without disturbing the peace or people watching my movements. I find the suburbs to be depressing, ugly, and not useful, especially being a loner who does not drive.  It facilitates / represents being stuck without transportation; having little personal space; lacking the beauty, freedom, and natural landscape of a rural address; living in cookie-cutter boxes; possibly being part of a HOA / Home Owners Association, which invades personal space and dictates how people can run their own houses, which is overstepping boundaries.

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