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> Cities used to be filled with tight knit communities in neighborhoods where everyone knew each other. Kids played outside and roamed around and no one cared
by danans 2y ago
> Cities used to be filled with tight knit communities in neighborhoods where everyone knew each other. Kids played outside and roamed around and no one cared
There are many neighborhoods in cities and towns in the US where this is still true. I know because I live in one, and I've visited others. There are also a ton of US suburbs and exurbs where people barely know their neighbours.
Having a friendly neighborhood has much to do with the strength of community institutions and the existence of "third places". Those can be present (or not) in a variety of community layouts and densities.
My take is that it requires a sweet spot of economic security where people aren't struggling so much that they can't/don't trust in community, but also aren't so wealthy that they don't need/rely on their community. Beyond that, it also helps to have physical layouts that enable friendly unintentional encounters between residents.
The problem is that none of these places will be cheap to live in, because all else equal, the existence of that lifestyle will drive up demand (and therefore housing prices).
- kjkjadksj 2y agoThats the narrative thats popular but I find it doesn’t pencil out. I know plenty of neighbors living in an urban area. More than when I lived in a suburban area that’s for sure. You have much higher chance of coming about someone on foot in earshot in the urban area. When your neighbor takes out the trash in the suburbs they are doing it 100 yards away from you.
- danans 2y ago> I know plenty of neighbors living in an urban area. I didn't say that urban areas are less neighbourly. I meant that the range of densities that are conducive to neighbourliness is a necessary, but insufficient condition. People on average need to feel both economically secure enough and at the same time so wealthy as to not rely on anyone else. They also need a third-place in which to congregate
- jen20 2y ago> They also need a third-place in which to congregate This is why American suburbs outside the north east are so soul crushing - the "third place" is typically a church instead of a a pub.
- hammock 2y agoWhat city do you live in? Which cities are you thinking of?
- danans 2y agoA neighborhood in a major west coast city. Other places that come to mind include Ann Arbor MI, Burlington VT, Boulder CO. Like I said, none of these are cheap places to live relative to nearby areas.