Why suburbia sucks (Atlanta, Savannah, Millen: violent crime, dangerous, statistics)

[wasel]

Originally Posted by abalashov

I agree strongly with jsvh that "like it or leave it"--though a common rejoinder to all manner of criticism--is an incomplete and bankrupt stance which, if applied fundamentally, presumes to deprive one of the right to agitate for what they believe to be positive change.

Beyond that, no, I am not an EU citizen. If only! I'd be long gone.

A more realistic question is whether there are more livable parts of America for us to move to. NYC and SF are much too expensive, but I've given strong consideration to Chicago over the years. As to why we're still here: in actually-existing reality, the forces of inertia, custom, habit and family ties are strong. One is not always at liberty to wander the planet in pursuit of lifestyle tweaks.

Oh, I'm misinformed about how EU citizenship works. I thought you were born there & could hold dual citizenship. My relatives in the UK tell me I'm eligible for a UK passport because of my mother being British, but I think you have to have patriarchal linkage, not maternal.

At any rate, I hope you can put a larger priority on relocating to a place that suits you better. Life is too short to be unhappy, and it's clear this subject causes you a great deal of unhappiness!

[abalashov]

"Europe" is certainly a broader construct than that of the European Union, though there has been something of a convergence between the two in recent years.

I'm a native Soviet. :-)

[abalashov]

Originally Posted by wasel

I just am calling Alex out for his flimflamming

And again, I'll say that I think such a perception is inevitable in a discussion where my personal tastes (which, no surprise, are very negative on virtually all aspects of American-style build-out) are comingled with my broader, more accommodating policy positions.

Delineating one from the other is not always easy in a discussion where many different things, including personal aesthetic tastes, are being discussed simultaneously.

The part that sounds more "reasonable" to you ("backtracking", as you allege) are the more intersubjective bits.

[whodean]

Originally Posted by abalashov

I'm a native Soviet. :-)

Not a Russian?

[abalashov]

Originally Posted by whodean

Not a Russian?

Yes, a Russian. It's a term of art at this point.

[jsvh]

Originally Posted by sedimenjerry

Didn't say they were your words. But you shared criticisms of suburbia so why be surprised that people are defending it. If I blasted urban areas you would do the same thing and talk about how much you love intown living.

But I said these same criticisms can be applied to many "urban" areas of Atlanta as well.

[abalashov]

Originally Posted by jsvh

But I said these same criticisms can be applied to many "urban" areas of Atlanta as well.

Indeed, and they certainly can. Atlanta's downtown & Midtown have made good strides, but it's still a far cry from a truly walkable area. I walk in it every day nevertheless, but it's not a compelling, interesting or especially convenient walk.

The other big problem with places like downtown Atlanta is that it can be a patchwork. 700 ft of somewhat adequate pedestrian realm, then a freeway or some blighted parking lot nightmarescape.

[sedimenjerry]

Originally Posted by jsvh

But I said these same criticisms can be applied to many "urban" areas of Atlanta as well.

Yes you did (which is true), but you're still slamming suburbia. They don't cancel each other out.

[jsvh]

Originally Posted by sedimenjerry

Yes you did (which is true), but you're still slamming suburbia. They don't cancel each other out.

How am I "slamming" suburbia and not the city by making the same criticism of both?

I will admit to defending the city because people need real choices between urban and suburban lifestyles. But I don't think that is "slamming" suburbia.

[SavannahLife]

My view coming from Savannah burbs: Why? Crime. There are less thugstas per capita in burbs. I do not like the burbs and think they are on an unsustainable trajectory. Sometimes I wish I lived in Savannah downtown but I don't want to be raped and shot in the head. I would like nothing more than to walk to everywhere. That doesn't outweigh being shot by a thug randomly or on purpose. All my neighbors with children? Heck no they aren't living near projects or sending their kids to urban schools. It's not racist it's simply safety.