4 ms·

I think that discussion about "suburbs" tend not to accomplish much because the word isn't really defined. I mean, in common parlance, but also in the US govern

I think that discussion about "suburbs" tend not to accomplish much because the word isn't really defined. I mean, in common parlance, but also in the US government I believe that things like the census divide everything into urban and rural. I live within city limits, in a multifamily building. But the edge of the city outside of which is presumably "suburban" is literally a few dozen feet away. Also, my neighborhood has a layout and look that I think a lot of people would consider suburban. No businesses, mostly no sidewalks, mostly a cookie cutter development. On the other hand, it's super quick to go from where I live (by car that is) into the middle of the city where I work, which is kind of against the stereotype of suburbs. It's also much cheaper than the "actual" suburbs, probably because it's part of the city school district.

Ericson2314 5y ago
A suburb is where people's work aren't tied to the land (agriculture, logging, etc.) And virtually all transport is done by car. There, did it. Sounds like your place has some nice benefits, but since you drive everywhere (you mentioned work, and stores not being in the neighborhood, so that's a safe assumption, right?), It's suburban.
- perl4ever 5y ago
  I'm within easy walking distance of a bus stop. However, the bus goes mostly east and west, rather than north to where I work. I could also technically walk to a convenience store or perhaps a supermarket. It doesn't take that long to walk a mile or two. Point is though, it's clearly not rural, and it's within a recognized city, so any time people are talking about "urban" it includes this sort of setting. It doesn't matter if you think it should be classified as urban, the fact that it is, means that's where the statistics show up indirectly. There is a distinct separation in property value between my neighborhood and surrounding suburbs with single-family housing at double or quadruple the price. Furthermore, as a matter of geometry, any city that is more or less a roundish blob, is going to have more space near the edges than the center. So it seems plausible to me that it's more representative of a city lifestyle. The very center in several cities I've been in is almost completely commercial.
  - Ericson2314 5y ago
    > I'm within easy walking distance of a bus stop. However, the bus goes mostly east and west, rather than north to where I work. This is the US? I'll happily grant you that the bus system is terrible. > I could also technically walk to a convenience store or perhaps a supermarket. It doesn't take that long to walk a mile or two. That's way too far. Don't beat yourself for not walking. > The fact that it is, means that's where the statistics show up indirectly. Sure. That's a bummer. Hopefully we can fix that someday. > Furthermore, as a matter of geometry, any city that is more or less a roundish blob, is going to have more space near the edges than the center. So it seems plausible to me that it's more representative of a city lifestyle. The very center in several cities I've been in is almost completely commercial. This pattern: (big towers?) commerical monoculture in the center, gradual peetering off, is very (North) American. A lot of other places have stricter transitions at the city boundary, and less division within the city.

Ericson2314 5y ago

A suburb is where people's work aren't tied to the land (agriculture, logging, etc.) And virtually all transport is done by car. There, did it. Sounds like your place has some nice benefits, but since you drive everywhere (you mentioned work, and stores not being in the neighborhood, so that's a safe assumption, right?), It's suburban.

perl4ever 5y ago
I'm within easy walking distance of a bus stop. However, the bus goes mostly east and west, rather than north to where I work. I could also technically walk to a convenience store or perhaps a supermarket. It doesn't take that long to walk a mile or two. Point is though, it's clearly not rural, and it's within a recognized city, so any time people are talking about "urban" it includes this sort of setting. It doesn't matter if you think it should be classified as urban, the fact that it is, means that's where the statistics show up indirectly. There is a distinct separation in property value between my neighborhood and surrounding suburbs with single-family housing at double or quadruple the price. Furthermore, as a matter of geometry, any city that is more or less a roundish blob, is going to have more space near the edges than the center. So it seems plausible to me that it's more representative of a city lifestyle. The very center in several cities I've been in is almost completely commercial.
- Ericson2314 5y ago
  > I'm within easy walking distance of a bus stop. However, the bus goes mostly east and west, rather than north to where I work. This is the US? I'll happily grant you that the bus system is terrible. > I could also technically walk to a convenience store or perhaps a supermarket. It doesn't take that long to walk a mile or two. That's way too far. Don't beat yourself for not walking. > The fact that it is, means that's where the statistics show up indirectly. Sure. That's a bummer. Hopefully we can fix that someday. > Furthermore, as a matter of geometry, any city that is more or less a roundish blob, is going to have more space near the edges than the center. So it seems plausible to me that it's more representative of a city lifestyle. The very center in several cities I've been in is almost completely commercial. This pattern: (big towers?) commerical monoculture in the center, gradual peetering off, is very (North) American. A lot of other places have stricter transitions at the city boundary, and less division within the city.