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I read people talk about sprawl on this site like it is automatically bad and I finally saw a few people defend it in the Houston forum. Now I want to hear both sides in this thread so we see the benefits of both congestion and sprawl.
Location: Austin, TX/Chicago, IL/Houston, TX/Washington, DC
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I literally do like using my car and I literally do like my space. I like to have a massive house and a baller car and the opportunity to use it, because that is what it is for.
I also hate public transit, being around random people I don't know, some people who are annoying, some that aren't hygienically prepared for life, some of them that just randomly keep staring at you, and all the inconveniences you get of not being in charge of your own time. I'm sorry it is not my way of life, and you can't pay me enough to live life this way. In my opinion it is a terrible type of lifestyle. I just don't like crowded places, I don't like being around people that are weird, and theres always a few of them there... I just hate it, and I just simply hate how when its raining and you're using something like CTA that you're always at an inconvenience before and after you get on the train.
I don't mind traffic, gives me chance to play suduko on my phone, and possibly catch up with the lunch that I skipped earlier in the day. And did I mention, I like music control of my vehicle, I like air temperature control of my vehicle, I like being in control of my time, and I certainly love my car very much.
I don't mind driving a car when I'm outside the city and running a few errands. I love taking public transit though compared to driving to work. It's just more relaxing to sleep or read a book, do work, listen to music as opposed to having to concentrate on traffic. That's just my take though. I also like that I know that it takes me 35 minutes to get to work regardless of if it's raining, snowing, 5pm or 2am.
I don't think it is just that simple. I live in a very urban environment but either work at my house or travel mostly, also my office is in the burbs which I drive to (maybe one day a week). I have a car and hardly take PT, except Acela, subway to games and taxis if they qualify. Now my lifestyle is one of a city because I typically walk/take a short taxi ride everywhere once my workday ends. This is my preferred lifestyle but doesn't necesarilly include PT on a day to day basis. But I love being able to walk to everything I need and love the vibrancy of the neighborhood I live in that can't be duplicated in a suburban environment, nor having to drive everywhere, especially when I go out. A car is an additional expense where I live becasue i also have to pay nearly $500 rent to park it every month. But again this is my preference...
And on a car, I need one for my work, even if some days I do not, I even get a car allowance to ensure that I have one and am happy to have one when I leave the city
Location: Austin, TX/Chicago, IL/Houston, TX/Washington, DC
10,138 posts, read 16,076,868 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kidphilly
you walk them home/share a cab, far better then a car having had both
plus the walk allows for so many new possibilities and things that pop up to learn about them etc.
At this point I much prefer a non-car date actually
having dinner a 45 second walk from your house has benefits
From my experience:
What about red lights, stop signs, and having the ultimate control of the background music and maybe the option of rolling down the windows (and sunroof) and utilizing that. Also having a drive 5 minutes away also gives you the chance to talk and get to know someone as well and sort things out, from my personal experience, most of the main heart to heart discussions I've ever had have been in an interval from Point A to Point B drive. Walking gives you that opportunity too, but maybe someone who is shy of a certain subject might not talk about certain things on a walk where others are nearby. Its all off a personal personality or perception really.
From my experience in Chicago, I do know what you're saying. I liked walking in downtown for the same reasons as you, the vibrancy and I like walking or water taxiing far more than public transit. The weather conditions however can skew my plans when walking. Thats okay though.
Anyways for the car, you have equal opportunities, having experienced both, it depends mostly on the person and if you're willing to utilize what you have in front of you. I can assure you, I almost always make red light stops worth it, whether I'm driving alone or with someone there.
Have you ever played a game called Chinese Fire Drill at a red light? LOL! Its a fun game.
What about red lights, stop signs, and having the ultimate control of the background music and maybe the option of rolling down the windows (and sunroof) and utilizing that.
From my experience in Chicago, I do know what you're saying. I liked walking in downtown for the same reasons as you, the vibrancy and I like walking or water taxiing far more than public transit. The weather conditions however can skew my plans when walking. Thats okay though.
Anyways for the car, you have equal opportunities, having experienced both, it depends mostly on the person and if you're willing to utilize what you have in front of you. I can assure you, I almost always make red light stops worth it, whether I'm driving alone or with someone there.
Have you ever played a game called Chinese Fire Drill at a red light? LOL! Its a fun game.
well a cab is one long red light
but will agree like everything else there are probably good and bad parts on both aspects
I grew up in the burbs so have experienced both lifestyles, the older i get the more I prefer my current but neither is perfect unfortunately
ah and the rain and snow are the best actually, took me a while to figure those aspects out (slow learner). Adapatabilty is key though whether walking, driving, or in a cab, that I think we will agree on that...
I always wondered how dates work or how guys pick up girls in non-car friendly cities. I guess it comes with the culture.
From my experience you just meet at the restaurant, or go to their place before and have a drink, then set out. Normally just hop in a cab, walk or jump on the train to dinner.
Have you ever played a game called Chinese Fire Drill at a red light? LOL! Its a fun game.
What is that? Does it have a happy ending?
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Thats okay though.
