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Interestingly, I’m not particularly young (approaching 40), and can’t stand living in the suburbs (where I moved, from a city, last year). I feel so completely

Interestingly, I’m not particularly young (approaching 40), and can’t stand living in the suburbs (where I moved, from a city, last year). I feel so completely trapped, unfree, and dependent on my car, it’s ridiculous. I’ll be eating a $40k+ loss on this house purchase to move back asap, and it will be worth it. I find the ability to walk to my library or grocery store infinitely more freeing than having to buckle in to my car and drive to my destination. I like being able to hop on my bicycle and get out of the city, without having to navigate suburban style 45mph stroads. I like the actual peace and quiet as opposed to the leaf blower brigade firing up at 7am. This suburban lifestyle ain’t for me.

midasuni 3y ago
So what you’re saying is you are against seatbelt laws…
- readthenotes1 3y ago
  Don't have cars, don't need seatbelts;)
jjav 3y ago
I enjoy walking to the library and grocery stores (and many other things), that's why I live in a suburb which has all these amenities within an easy walk. > I like being able to hop on my bicycle and get out of the city You find it safer to bike in NYC or SF than in a quiet low-traffic suburb? I did spend a lot of time biking in Manhattan in my youth but I wouldn't call it safe. Much safer cycling these days in the suburbs with low traffic.
- the_gastropod 3y ago
  I’d suggest a couple things here: 1. Whatever suburb you live in is extremely unusual as far as suburbs go. Suburbs are almost defined by the lack of amenities accessible by foot. Hence the whole “15 minute city” thing. If you’ve got that in a suburb, that’s a great suburb. 2. There are cities other than New York and SF. For what it’s worth, I lived in NYC for a decade+ and rode my bike as my main mode of transportation for a lot of my time there. And the comparison isn’t even close. Yes. I absolutely find it safer riding my bike in Manhattan than in the quiet suburb I find myself living now. Infrastructure matters. And the infrastructure here is solely built for car driving.
  - jjav 3y ago
    > Whatever suburb you live in is extremely unusual as far as suburbs go. I disagree. Every suburb I've ever lived in has had services within walking distance. > Suburbs are almost defined by the lack of amenities accessible by foot. Well... If you decide to define suburb by lack of walkable amenities, then of course by definition any place that's walkable isn't a suburb. Tautologically, so I can't argue with that. But I will argue that this is not actually the definition of suburb! > There are cities other than New York and SF Sure but those are the top two densest cities in the US, so worth considering. > Yes. I absolutely find it safer riding my bike in Manhattan than in the quiet suburb Interesting. Well that's very different from my experience. Riding a bike in Manhattan is an extreme sport. I did it in my youth along with other risky things but in hindsight maybe a bit too much risk. Riding a bike out here in the quiet suburbs is a pleasure since there's so much less traffic and more space.

midasuni 3y ago

So what you’re saying is you are against seatbelt laws…

readthenotes1 3y ago
Don't have cars, don't need seatbelts;)

jjav 3y ago

I enjoy walking to the library and grocery stores (and many other things), that's why I live in a suburb which has all these amenities within an easy walk. > I like being able to hop on my bicycle and get out of the city You find it safer to bike in NYC or SF than in a quiet low-traffic suburb? I did spend a lot of time biking in Manhattan in my youth but I wouldn't call it safe. Much safer cycling these days in the suburbs with low traffic.

the_gastropod 3y ago
I’d suggest a couple things here: 1. Whatever suburb you live in is extremely unusual as far as suburbs go. Suburbs are almost defined by the lack of amenities accessible by foot. Hence the whole “15 minute city” thing. If you’ve got that in a suburb, that’s a great suburb. 2. There are cities other than New York and SF. For what it’s worth, I lived in NYC for a decade+ and rode my bike as my main mode of transportation for a lot of my time there. And the comparison isn’t even close. Yes. I absolutely find it safer riding my bike in Manhattan than in the quiet suburb I find myself living now. Infrastructure matters. And the infrastructure here is solely built for car driving.
- jjav 3y ago
  > Whatever suburb you live in is extremely unusual as far as suburbs go. I disagree. Every suburb I've ever lived in has had services within walking distance. > Suburbs are almost defined by the lack of amenities accessible by foot. Well... If you decide to define suburb by lack of walkable amenities, then of course by definition any place that's walkable isn't a suburb. Tautologically, so I can't argue with that. But I will argue that this is not actually the definition of suburb! > There are cities other than New York and SF Sure but those are the top two densest cities in the US, so worth considering. > Yes. I absolutely find it safer riding my bike in Manhattan than in the quiet suburb Interesting. Well that's very different from my experience. Riding a bike in Manhattan is an extreme sport. I did it in my youth along with other risky things but in hindsight maybe a bit too much risk. Riding a bike out here in the quiet suburbs is a pleasure since there's so much less traffic and more space.