3 ms·

Because they are a really social society, the Spanish think of their neighbors as an asset not a liability and they also highly value being within walking dista

Because they are a really social society, the Spanish think of their neighbors as an asset not a liability and they also highly value being within walking distance to social meeting places like bars and restaurants (which encourages higher density housing). Then there is the cultural aspect of being owners not renters as the article goes into in detail.

omegaworks 12y ago
I think this is a chicken+egg kind of issue. Denser cities in general happen to have highly valued social meeting places.
fesja 12y ago
I'm a Spaniard and I can't agree more!! Yes, we love to be near bars, restaurants, terraces, small-medium supermarkets you can buy fresh food daily, use public transportation instead of depending on the car, have nearby parks to play sports, good public schools... Also usually our family and friends live nearby. That's very important for us. Also, many people used to choose their apartment in a walking distance from their job (traditionally there is few movement of workers, people usually stay many years on the same company). It's way different than USA (except NY or SF maybe). Not better nor worse, just different :)
- RodericDay 12y ago
  It sounds like Montreal, too. I miss it.
candeira 12y ago
As a Spaniard now living in the inner suburbs of Melbourne, I have a good view into both ways of living. My wife likes to say that we live closer to shops than she's ever lived, and farther from shops than I've ever lived.
FranOntanaya 12y ago
Walking distance -- huge asset, even if a lot of spaniards still try to take their air conditioned car (it can get hot out there.) Neighbors as an asset... not so much. Some neighbors are nice, some are noisy, don't pay the communal expenses, quarrel a lot or fry sardines under your laundry lines. But crime is not a big issue, so in general you don't have to be afraid of your neighbors.

omegaworks 12y ago

I think this is a chicken+egg kind of issue. Denser cities in general happen to have highly valued social meeting places.

fesja 12y ago

I'm a Spaniard and I can't agree more!! Yes, we love to be near bars, restaurants, terraces, small-medium supermarkets you can buy fresh food daily, use public transportation instead of depending on the car, have nearby parks to play sports, good public schools... Also usually our family and friends live nearby. That's very important for us. Also, many people used to choose their apartment in a walking distance from their job (traditionally there is few movement of workers, people usually stay many years on the same company). It's way different than USA (except NY or SF maybe). Not better nor worse, just different :)

RodericDay 12y ago
It sounds like Montreal, too. I miss it.

candeira 12y ago

As a Spaniard now living in the inner suburbs of Melbourne, I have a good view into both ways of living. My wife likes to say that we live closer to shops than she's ever lived, and farther from shops than I've ever lived.

FranOntanaya 12y ago

Walking distance -- huge asset, even if a lot of spaniards still try to take their air conditioned car (it can get hot out there.) Neighbors as an asset... not so much. Some neighbors are nice, some are noisy, don't pay the communal expenses, quarrel a lot or fry sardines under your laundry lines. But crime is not a big issue, so in general you don't have to be afraid of your neighbors.