Why suburbia sucks (Oglethorpe: food, farmers market, commuter)

[Iconographer]

Originally Posted by cqholt

It would be a great example of how to transform those strip malls, which are in a car-centric community but still has pedestrian connections.

Yeah, just sayin'.

[sstsunami55]

Originally Posted by LovinDecatur

Especially considering that there is a Safeway and and a QVC Supermarket in the Village. Like it or not, most people want easy access to their car when they are carrying groceries.

Again, if people had a grocery store a block away, they wouldn't necessarily need their car. And also, maybe grocery deliveries will become a thing in the future.

[AnsleyPark]

Originally Posted by sstsunami55

Again, if people had a grocery store a block away, they wouldn't necessarily need their car.

Yes, perhaps so for some. However, if you've got a passle of kiddos and you go to the grocery store, well, hauling milk, sodas, a bottle of wine for you and your spouse, meat, taters, puppy dog treats and such... That's a bit much to carry for a couple of blocks. Nah, most folks are gonna need a car for that.

[arjay57]

Originally Posted by AnsleyPark

Yes, perhaps so for some. However, if you've got a passle of kiddos and you go to the grocery store, well, hauling milk, sodas, a bottle of wine for you and your spouse, meat, taters, puppy dog treats and such... That's a bit much to carry for a couple of blocks. Nah, most folks are gonna need a car for that.

I agree. We've got a couple of grocery stores within walking distance but it's much easier to drive.

[wasel]

Originally Posted by sstsunami55

Again, if people had a grocery store a block away, they wouldn't necessarily need their car. And also, maybe grocery deliveries will become a thing in the future.

It was a "thing" about 16 years ago (Webvan) and a lot of people used it, including me. Then it became financially untenable and died.

[sstsunami55]

Originally Posted by AnsleyPark

Yes, perhaps so for some. However, if you've got a passle of kiddos and you go to the grocery store, well, hauling milk, sodas, a bottle of wine for you and your spouse, meat, taters, puppy dog treats and such... That's a bit much to carry for a couple of blocks. Nah, most folks are gonna need a car for that.

So tell me how people in walkable cities in developed countries do it.

[arjay57]

Originally Posted by sstsunami55

So tell me how people in walkable cities in developed countries do it.

It's one thing to walk to the grocery store if all you want is a baguette, a wedge of cheese and a bottle of wine.

But if you're feeding a family there's a whole lot more to it.

[PKCorey]

Originally Posted by arjay57

It's one thing to walk to the grocery store if all you want is a baguette, a wedge of cheese and a bottle of wine.

But if you're feeding a family there's a whole lot more to it.

One difference that I've seen in my travels is that they go to the store more often than we do.

Originally Posted by sstsunami55

So tell me how people in walkable cities in developed countries do it.

Exactly.

[samiwas1]

Originally Posted by PKCorey

One difference that I've seen in my travels is that they go to the store more often than we do.

If there's one thing in my life that I don't want to do even more, it's go to the store.

[arjay57]

Originally Posted by PKCorey

One difference that I've seen in my travels is that they go to the store more often than we do.

Exactly.

I guess the part I'm not getting is what's so great about walking?

Say you can drive up there in 5 minutes in your very comfortable climate controlled car. The cost of gas for a two mile trip is pretty negligible. You can get all the groceries you need and be back home in a jiffy. If you want to run a few additional errands while you're out that's easily doable, too.

What's not to like about that? I can walk back up there later if I need some exercise but it doesn't seem very practical for regular grocery shopping.