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"even when people have options, they feel compelled not to pursue them" Thats a really good point and its scary when you see it all around you. And I think the

"even when people have options, they feel compelled not to pursue them" Thats a really good point and its scary when you see it all around you. And I think the reason it happens is because you dont see anyone else pursuing those options. I have, recently, moved out to Queens and now live with roommates so as to save money. previously I had my own 1 bedroom in Manhattan. No one at work understands why I did this. The one thing I've learned though is that if I get a negative reaction from my co-workers then I might be doing something right :) ...

tomjen3 17y ago
Well if it would make you feel better, you have sucky coworkers :) It should be obvious that most people don't derive pleasure from the place they live. Better use the money for something else.
- nostrademons 17y ago
  I'm not sure about that. I think it's more that people tend to derive pleasure from one or two "must haves" about the place they live, but don't care much about the rest. If those "must haves" don't align with what you value, it looks irrational, but it's perfectly rational to them. Personally, I can't stand living in a place that doesn't look out over greenery. I find I'm so much calmer and get more done when I can come home to a place with grass and trees and bushes, so I'm willing to pay a few hundred dollars a month extra for that. I find it similarly irrational to think of all the people that can't live anywhere but the city. I mean, they pay more than I do, and they have to live with roommates, and their places are usually smaller, and they have to specifically go somewhere else for greenery, and they're looking at an hour commute. (I'm particularly perplexed by people who spend $5k/month to live in Manhattan, which is like SF * 10 in terms of all that overstimulation and has less charm to boot.) But over time, I've realized that these people aren't stupid, they just have different priorities from me. Some absolutely love having lots of small ethnic restaurants on their block. Some enjoy having most of their friends within walking distance (which admittedly would be pretty nice). Some like to go out clubbing every night, and there're lots more opportunities for that in the city. They aren't opportunities that particularly matter to me, which is why I wouldn't make those trade-offs. But they matter to the people in question.
  - smwhreyebelong 17y ago
    I agree it's all about priorities. Once you live in the city and get used to the hustle-bustle and the fast paced life where most things are close-by and you can walk to most places or take public transit, it becomes part of your system. I've lived in cities most of my life and when I had to live in the suburbs once, it was very hard to adjust to the quiet at first. Not seeing a lot of people walking around, going about their lives made me feel something was missing. The mobility and being able to use your feet as the primary means of transport was something I missed dearly.
LiveTheDream 17y ago
Some might prefer having a shorter commute to work and their preferred nightlife to a cheaper rent.

tomjen3 17y ago

Well if it would make you feel better, you have sucky coworkers :) It should be obvious that most people don't derive pleasure from the place they live. Better use the money for something else.

nostrademons 17y ago
I'm not sure about that. I think it's more that people tend to derive pleasure from one or two "must haves" about the place they live, but don't care much about the rest. If those "must haves" don't align with what you value, it looks irrational, but it's perfectly rational to them. Personally, I can't stand living in a place that doesn't look out over greenery. I find I'm so much calmer and get more done when I can come home to a place with grass and trees and bushes, so I'm willing to pay a few hundred dollars a month extra for that. I find it similarly irrational to think of all the people that can't live anywhere but the city. I mean, they pay more than I do, and they have to live with roommates, and their places are usually smaller, and they have to specifically go somewhere else for greenery, and they're looking at an hour commute. (I'm particularly perplexed by people who spend $5k/month to live in Manhattan, which is like SF * 10 in terms of all that overstimulation and has less charm to boot.) But over time, I've realized that these people aren't stupid, they just have different priorities from me. Some absolutely love having lots of small ethnic restaurants on their block. Some enjoy having most of their friends within walking distance (which admittedly would be pretty nice). Some like to go out clubbing every night, and there're lots more opportunities for that in the city. They aren't opportunities that particularly matter to me, which is why I wouldn't make those trade-offs. But they matter to the people in question.
- smwhreyebelong 17y ago
  I agree it's all about priorities. Once you live in the city and get used to the hustle-bustle and the fast paced life where most things are close-by and you can walk to most places or take public transit, it becomes part of your system. I've lived in cities most of my life and when I had to live in the suburbs once, it was very hard to adjust to the quiet at first. Not seeing a lot of people walking around, going about their lives made me feel something was missing. The mobility and being able to use your feet as the primary means of transport was something I missed dearly.

LiveTheDream 17y ago

Some might prefer having a shorter commute to work and their preferred nightlife to a cheaper rent.