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I'm going to have to firmly disagree on all points. Car towns are the worst for the elderly. Most elderly don't feel comfortable driving but in the US, they'r

I'm going to have to firmly disagree on all points. Car towns are the worst for the elderly. Most elderly don't feel comfortable driving but in the US, they're all but forced to do it to escape the house. Anywhere else, they can get out and socialize. Getting physical and mental exercise. You're also likely to find nicer single-floor homes (good condos with elevators) rather than "old people warehouses". As for snow, do you really want drivers with failing eyesight and reaction time to be driving on snow and ice? Or even shoveling out their car, for that matter? I have young children. How many articles have we seen here about kids walking to school or childhood independence? Being car-bound makes that extraordinarily difficult or impossible. At this point, I struggle to think of an advantage of a "car town" for kids. Less time spent getting dressed in the winter, maybe? I suppose when they're older and even more "free range", I'll have to worry about how far they've gotten on the bus or train without me. I'll consider that being a victim of success though.

humanrebar 9y ago
> Most elderly don't feel comfortable driving but in the US... I'm talking about people who can't do stairs anymore. They're not walking a few blocks or driving cars. They're taking shuttles places or taking trips with the family. Shuttling the elderly around is cheaper and simpler in car towns. Scooting around NYC or downtown SF with Grampa in his wheelchair is rough. Rougher still when it's cold, raining, or hot. It's often bad for their health, even. Car towns, maybe just because they are newer on average, are easier to deal with. * basically never having to illegally park just to function * car towns have plenty of bathrooms and indoor places to stop and relax * elevators and handicap accessibility is much more common; dense cities are lousy staircases, steps, and narrow aisles * keep gear in the trunk (changes of clothes, extra diapers, umbrellas, ponchos, picnic lunches, etc.) * buckling a tired kid in a car is safer and more convenient than dragging them across intersections * a screaming kid in a car is nicer all around than a screaming kid on a train * getting around a dense town with luggage is rough: cabs don't stop, big/extra suitcases on buses is rough, and there are stairs everywhere The math changes, of course, if everyone in your party is old enough, healthy enough, and responsible enough to carry their own gear. Some families with kids are in this category. But most families aren't that way, at least through different seasons.

humanrebar 9y ago

> Most elderly don't feel comfortable driving but in the US... I'm talking about people who can't do stairs anymore. They're not walking a few blocks or driving cars. They're taking shuttles places or taking trips with the family. Shuttling the elderly around is cheaper and simpler in car towns. Scooting around NYC or downtown SF with Grampa in his wheelchair is rough. Rougher still when it's cold, raining, or hot. It's often bad for their health, even. Car towns, maybe just because they are newer on average, are easier to deal with. * basically never having to illegally park just to function * car towns have plenty of bathrooms and indoor places to stop and relax * elevators and handicap accessibility is much more common; dense cities are lousy staircases, steps, and narrow aisles * keep gear in the trunk (changes of clothes, extra diapers, umbrellas, ponchos, picnic lunches, etc.) * buckling a tired kid in a car is safer and more convenient than dragging them across intersections * a screaming kid in a car is nicer all around than a screaming kid on a train * getting around a dense town with luggage is rough: cabs don't stop, big/extra suitcases on buses is rough, and there are stairs everywhere The math changes, of course, if everyone in your party is old enough, healthy enough, and responsible enough to carry their own gear. Some families with kids are in this category. But most families aren't that way, at least through different seasons.