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I'm not sure about Europe and America but where I live (Australia) living in the city is ridiculously expensive (Sydney routinely ranks as one of the highest co

I'm not sure about Europe and America but where I live (Australia) living in the city is ridiculously expensive (Sydney routinely ranks as one of the highest cost of living cities in the world). When I was growing up I lived in the suburbs, I hated it so far from everything, very infrequent public transport (lucky to get one bus an hour). Maybe worst of all as a young geek poor internet speed. I was stuck on dial up for years because it was all we had... I vowed when I left my parent's home I'd live closer to the city. But it is just so expensive (especially rent) there is no way I can justify it. So I suffer through all the long commutes, traffic congestion hell etc.

linkregister 8y ago
Why not move to a smaller city that is more affordable? Brisbane has software jobs and a lower cost of living. Condos in Perth near the CBD are surprisingly very affordable, though there are fewer good jobs.
- King-Aaron 8y ago
  Perth has a sickeningly low density of residents within the CBD, and as a result you can get some really good deals on apartments within a stones throw to the city. It's also got a pretty good 'small town' sort of atmosphere compared to other cities. It's not exactly the most progressive of places, however. But personally I love it. NB: I'm currently in the position of purchasing land in Perth and you can get some good sub-$200k deals on 350-400 square metre blocks within 20 minutes to the city too if you look around.
  - dbetteridge 8y ago
    Existing house or empty lot? I'm looking in the near future so would be keen to know where to look.
    - King-Aaron 8y ago
      I'm looking at empty lots.
- dbetteridge 8y ago
  Come work in Perth, if you're handy with web dev and don't mind learning some GIS skills I might be able to get you an interview :)
didibus 8y ago
I totally understand that. Cities can be crazy expensive, and small towns lack the job market some people need. I guess I just wonder sometime, what if we designed a city where cars took second place, and high density, public transit, walk-ability, bike-ability, e-bike, car share, etc, was made the priority. Would it make for nicer cities, which are more livable and affordable? I don't know, maybe not, but it seems as long as Car are still around, we'll never try it out. EDIT: Generally, dense cities in the European style are like that because they were designed prior to the existence of Cars, and thus Cars have never been able to enter them successfully, too small roads, and weird road networks. Since they were made for walking, they're automatically higher density. But, those cities were also designed before public transit, e-bike, bikes, scooters, package delivery, car share, etc. So I feel like we could do much better then those today.

linkregister 8y ago

Why not move to a smaller city that is more affordable? Brisbane has software jobs and a lower cost of living. Condos in Perth near the CBD are surprisingly very affordable, though there are fewer good jobs.

King-Aaron 8y ago
Perth has a sickeningly low density of residents within the CBD, and as a result you can get some really good deals on apartments within a stones throw to the city. It's also got a pretty good 'small town' sort of atmosphere compared to other cities. It's not exactly the most progressive of places, however. But personally I love it. NB: I'm currently in the position of purchasing land in Perth and you can get some good sub-$200k deals on 350-400 square metre blocks within 20 minutes to the city too if you look around.
- dbetteridge 8y ago
  Existing house or empty lot? I'm looking in the near future so would be keen to know where to look.
  - King-Aaron 8y ago
    I'm looking at empty lots.
dbetteridge 8y ago
Come work in Perth, if you're handy with web dev and don't mind learning some GIS skills I might be able to get you an interview :)

didibus 8y ago

I totally understand that. Cities can be crazy expensive, and small towns lack the job market some people need. I guess I just wonder sometime, what if we designed a city where cars took second place, and high density, public transit, walk-ability, bike-ability, e-bike, car share, etc, was made the priority. Would it make for nicer cities, which are more livable and affordable? I don't know, maybe not, but it seems as long as Car are still around, we'll never try it out. EDIT: Generally, dense cities in the European style are like that because they were designed prior to the existence of Cars, and thus Cars have never been able to enter them successfully, too small roads, and weird road networks. Since they were made for walking, they're automatically higher density. But, those cities were also designed before public transit, e-bike, bikes, scooters, package delivery, car share, etc. So I feel like we could do much better then those today.