3 ms·

For a place like New York City finding solitude would be nearly impossible. I really hope that anything the city does for the community doesn't destroy its sanc

For a place like New York City finding solitude would be nearly impossible. I really hope that anything the city does for the community doesn't destroy its sanctuary-like properties for the residents, but merely improves their quality of life. But I doubt it. > Many residents of The Hole, long abandoned by the state, find peace in the isolation that The Hole provides. > Then, he softens as he explains why he stays. “I stay here because it’s quiet. It’s peaceful,” Lopez says. “This place, it’s idyllic.” My heartfelt respect to Richie Gonzalez for taking care of injured animals.

konschubert 3y ago
I am willing to bet good money that almost all of these people would prefer to live in a nice modern apartment in the same spot, if provided at the same cost. Pretending otherwise might get clicks but is doing the people a disservice.
- morsch 3y ago
  > if provided at the same cost. Pretty big if, if you ask me.
- anonymouskimmer 3y ago
  That's not what I'm writing about. It's obvious from the photos that they're living in apartments already (those who aren't living in vans), so a "modern" apartment is just a living accommodation upgrade. It's about trying to find relative solitude in a huge city. It's hard enough to do so in a modern sub-urban environment. I'm personally paying about $1k/month more for relative solitude in an older place with some solitude near a large metropolitan area than I would for a modern apartment in the area. It's worth it not just for the solitude, but for the things not being physically connected, or even really close, to your neighbors' homes provides.
  - 11217mackem 3y ago
    We all like different things. I've tried many of the different lives, and there's nothing better than being in close quarters for me.
    - anonymouskimmer 3y ago
      And people like you have got almost all of New York to do this in. At a cheaper-than-solitary rent, too.
wkat4242 3y ago
Yeah sometimes it's worth preserving the feel even when making improvements. For example I really lament never having been able to visit the walled city in Kowloon. For a simple 1 square city block it's pretty legendary, and a huge influence on fiction and culture (Cyberpunk genre for example, ghost in the shell, games like stray, call of duty, etc). I'm sure it was going to collapse sooner or later but I'm sad they completely destroyed it instead of improving it and keeping something unique.
mistyvales 3y ago
Fort Tryon Park during the day on a weekday used to be pretty quiet. I would sit and see maybe two people in 30 mins or even fewer sometimes. Not sure what it's like post-covid though..

konschubert 3y ago

I am willing to bet good money that almost all of these people would prefer to live in a nice modern apartment in the same spot, if provided at the same cost. Pretending otherwise might get clicks but is doing the people a disservice.

morsch 3y ago
> if provided at the same cost. Pretty big if, if you ask me.
anonymouskimmer 3y ago
That's not what I'm writing about. It's obvious from the photos that they're living in apartments already (those who aren't living in vans), so a "modern" apartment is just a living accommodation upgrade. It's about trying to find relative solitude in a huge city. It's hard enough to do so in a modern sub-urban environment. I'm personally paying about $1k/month more for relative solitude in an older place with some solitude near a large metropolitan area than I would for a modern apartment in the area. It's worth it not just for the solitude, but for the things not being physically connected, or even really close, to your neighbors' homes provides.
- 11217mackem 3y ago
  We all like different things. I've tried many of the different lives, and there's nothing better than being in close quarters for me.
  - anonymouskimmer 3y ago
    And people like you have got almost all of New York to do this in. At a cheaper-than-solitary rent, too.

wkat4242 3y ago

Yeah sometimes it's worth preserving the feel even when making improvements. For example I really lament never having been able to visit the walled city in Kowloon. For a simple 1 square city block it's pretty legendary, and a huge influence on fiction and culture (Cyberpunk genre for example, ghost in the shell, games like stray, call of duty, etc). I'm sure it was going to collapse sooner or later but I'm sad they completely destroyed it instead of improving it and keeping something unique.

mistyvales 3y ago

Fort Tryon Park during the day on a weekday used to be pretty quiet. I would sit and see maybe two people in 30 mins or even fewer sometimes. Not sure what it's like post-covid though..