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Sorry, I don't buy that either. Single family homes are objectively nicer in many ways. Some, like mine, are even in very walkable neighborhoods. I've lived in

by kory 4y ago

Sorry, I don't buy that either. Single family homes are objectively nicer in many ways. Some, like mine, are even in very walkable neighborhoods. I've lived in apartments and houses, and I'd take the house every single time. That's not because I grew up in a house, either. I hated housework as a kid and the family thought I'd be a downtown condo dweller until I actually wanted to buy a house. The vast majority of people do not care about walkability. Maybe that's because they grew up without it--even given that, you can't seriously tell me the vast majority of people would pick the "missing middle" over a small house in a walkable area given the choice. If I was forced to pick between walkable + apartment or house + long commute to anything, I'd do the commute every single time.

rsaz 4y ago
There are lots of comments here talking about how living in a single-family home is nicer than a condo, and while I generally agree, it doesn't mean we shouldn't build apartments and condos. A variety of options is good and people look for different things in a living space. If I was forced to pick between walkable + apartment or house + long commute to anything, I'd do the apartment every single time. Especially since it would likely be cheaper.
uoaei 4y ago
> The vast majority of people do not care about walkability. Wow, such authority. Sources for this strong factual claim? More likely, the vast majority of people have never experienced living in a walkable neighborhood, and can't imagine the benefits it confers, and so do not (literally cannot) consider that option. This reinforces the point I made above -- people's desires are shaped by the level of exposure to various ideas and experiences. > a small house in a walkable area You mean all those that are already owned, and for which there is no more space available in cities? This is an imaginary alternative that has no basis in contemporary reality, unless you wish to build an entirely new metro area. Not to belabor the point too much, but obviously this is the wrong direction re: walkability. The geometry of the situation simply doesn't make sense when you can only fit an average of 3-4 people on lots each of minimum 10k sq ft. Walkability and density are highly correlated. > house + long commute to anything, I'd do the commute every single time Everyone I know who grew up in these kinds of living situations (especially ones with such domineering parents who impose their own preferences for housing instead of considering the factors important for early-life development) have pretty severe social deficits now. Your kids would spend all their time in front of screens while at home because there's literally nothing else to do when your parents are busy. If you don't have kids and you live in a single-family home, you're, objectively speaking, wasting space, unless you regularly open your home to others for events.

by kory 4y ago

rsaz 4y ago

There are lots of comments here talking about how living in a single-family home is nicer than a condo, and while I generally agree, it doesn't mean we shouldn't build apartments and condos. A variety of options is good and people look for different things in a living space. If I was forced to pick between walkable + apartment or house + long commute to anything, I'd do the apartment every single time. Especially since it would likely be cheaper.

uoaei 4y ago

> The vast majority of people do not care about walkability. Wow, such authority. Sources for this strong factual claim? More likely, the vast majority of people have never experienced living in a walkable neighborhood, and can't imagine the benefits it confers, and so do not (literally cannot) consider that option. This reinforces the point I made above -- people's desires are shaped by the level of exposure to various ideas and experiences. > a small house in a walkable area You mean all those that are already owned, and for which there is no more space available in cities? This is an imaginary alternative that has no basis in contemporary reality, unless you wish to build an entirely new metro area. Not to belabor the point too much, but obviously this is the wrong direction re: walkability. The geometry of the situation simply doesn't make sense when you can only fit an average of 3-4 people on lots each of minimum 10k sq ft. Walkability and density are highly correlated. > house + long commute to anything, I'd do the commute every single time Everyone I know who grew up in these kinds of living situations (especially ones with such domineering parents who impose their own preferences for housing instead of considering the factors important for early-life development) have pretty severe social deficits now. Your kids would spend all their time in front of screens while at home because there's literally nothing else to do when your parents are busy. If you don't have kids and you live in a single-family home, you're, objectively speaking, wasting space, unless you regularly open your home to others for events.