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> People love hearing their neighbors in the bedroom next door and their kids stomping on the floor upstairs while practicing their tumbling moves. In densely
by carlmr 4y ago
> People love hearing their neighbors in the bedroom next door and their kids stomping on the floor upstairs while practicing their tumbling moves.
In densely populated areas of Europe we have apartments everywhere. It's not that bad, if the building was well-built you barely hear your neighbors.
> Walking groceries up multiple floors of stairs is great too.
With the average American BMI it's great indeed!
- cudgy 4y agoDensely populated areas in the US are also loaded with apartments. However, there is a vast amount of land in the US, so 99% of it is sparsely populated. European homes are built to a higher standard than US homes and many are built from concrete and stone. US apartments are usually built using cheap particle board for floors that turn into bouncy, noisy trampolines over time and thin walls between units. None of that deals with the many other disadvantages of apartment living.
- nradov 4y agoNah, it's pretty bad. I've been to Europe and visited people who live in those flats. Even if the sound insulation is good, it's a bleak existence compared to a typical American suburban house (or townhouse). Very cramped, little ability to customize or remodel it to fit your needs, no space for any hobbies or activities that involve anything large or heavy or loud or dirty. Can't really invite a large group for a party, or have overnight guests. Dense urban apartments should be available for those who want that lifestyle (primarily childless young people) but it's not a model that we should be pushing as the default for the general population. That would be a real step backwards.