6 ms·

> crime, trash, prices, overcrowding, urban decay, poverty and homelessness, etc. I fail to see how that description actually fits today's New York, or most o

> crime, trash, prices, overcrowding, urban decay, poverty and homelessness, etc. I fail to see how that description actually fits today's New York, or most other large US cities. It may have been true in the 80s. But just the change over time proves that these aren't necessary consequences of high density. You may also wish to take a walk around Paris, Venice, or Barcelona to see how attractive urban environments can be[0]. Yes, some people may always prefer rural life. But those currently living in Suburbia, USA have probably chosen the worst of all worlds. [0]: Random street view link: https://goo.gl/maps/t96mDMV48rx https://goo.gl/maps/t96mDMV48rx

baud147258 9y ago
For Paris, you can also find ugly parts of urban environments, with the worst in the urban sprawl around the city.
emodendroket 9y ago
I work in downtown Boston, one of the fancier parts of one of the country's most expensive cities. There are tons of panhandlers, you encounter the smell of urine quite often, litter is everywhere, the city is served by filthy trains, etc. The stuff about high prices is definitely true (hell, this article touts it as a benefit!) and there are plenty of other parts of the city that are considerably more run-down. I don't see what the guy is saying that's wrong.
AnimalMuppet 9y ago
> But those currently living in Suburbia, USA have probably chosen the worst of all worlds. Not even close. There are parts of the inner city that make the suburbs look like heaven. There are rural areas where the lack of opportunity makes the suburbs look like the promised land. Urban environments can be fine. But they can also be (at least in places) horrible. And even when their fine, they're not for everybody. Some people just don't do well with crowds.
- emodendroket 9y ago
  And in fact it does offer "the best of both worlds" in a sense: you can work in a dense city with plenty of jobs without having to live there. That's the reason suburbs began to exist essentially as soon as trains made them possible.
briandear 9y ago
Paris? You have lost your mind. Dog shit everywhere. People peeing anywhere they want on the street. Loud scooters at all hours of the day and night. Crowded sidewalks, polluted air much of the year, extortionate housing prices, everything closed on Sundays or after 7pm. And there are the ubiquitous Gypsy pickpockets everywhere. And Venice? It’s about the single most crowded and overpriced city in Europe. Beautiful to visit, but a nightmare to live there. Even in November it’s elbow to elbow people; the infrastructure is at the breaking point.

baud147258 9y ago

For Paris, you can also find ugly parts of urban environments, with the worst in the urban sprawl around the city.

emodendroket 9y ago

I work in downtown Boston, one of the fancier parts of one of the country's most expensive cities. There are tons of panhandlers, you encounter the smell of urine quite often, litter is everywhere, the city is served by filthy trains, etc. The stuff about high prices is definitely true (hell, this article touts it as a benefit!) and there are plenty of other parts of the city that are considerably more run-down. I don't see what the guy is saying that's wrong.

AnimalMuppet 9y ago

> But those currently living in Suburbia, USA have probably chosen the worst of all worlds. Not even close. There are parts of the inner city that make the suburbs look like heaven. There are rural areas where the lack of opportunity makes the suburbs look like the promised land. Urban environments can be fine. But they can also be (at least in places) horrible. And even when their fine, they're not for everybody. Some people just don't do well with crowds.

emodendroket 9y ago
And in fact it does offer "the best of both worlds" in a sense: you can work in a dense city with plenty of jobs without having to live there. That's the reason suburbs began to exist essentially as soon as trains made them possible.

briandear 9y ago

Paris? You have lost your mind. Dog shit everywhere. People peeing anywhere they want on the street. Loud scooters at all hours of the day and night. Crowded sidewalks, polluted air much of the year, extortionate housing prices, everything closed on Sundays or after 7pm. And there are the ubiquitous Gypsy pickpockets everywhere. And Venice? It’s about the single most crowded and overpriced city in Europe. Beautiful to visit, but a nightmare to live there. Even in November it’s elbow to elbow people; the infrastructure is at the breaking point.