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I am one who is in love with the urban experience of living in a diverse walkable transit friendly neighborhood.
What are some of the things that makes the urban experience so special? I know its different for different people. Some just wanted to be close to work. Others like the sophistication of the big city lifestyle.
World class cities attract world class amenities, especially when it comes to the arts, theater, restaurants, nonstop flights to other world class cities, etc.
I also love the energy, the diversity, and the way people tend to embrace new ideas. There's less of this attitude of: Well, we've always done it this way and change is bad and if newcomers don't like it, they should leave. Cities are constantly changing.
Plus, yes, walking! Walking is so good for my health and well-being, both mental and physical. I love being car free for days at a time. I even don't mind living in small, efficient spaces. It's less to maintain and everything you need is right out your front door. (Feeling cooped up? Go to the park or coffee shop down the block. Run out of paper-towels? Head to the bodega next door.)
Last edited by WanderingFar; 02-21-2016 at 10:00 AM..
There's two levels of this in my mind. One level of "urban" is the type of environment you find in NYC, CHI etc. At that level, I love the access to things that truly are on a world class level...arts, culture, dining, diversity, sports and so forth. I love the busyness of the people on the street and the energy and buzz I get knowing there are thousands of people above and below me, all around me, just doing things. Maybe it's a little weird but I've always fed off of that.
Then, there is "urban" here in Jax...similar to other mid-sized cities. Where the urban environment is limited to specific neighborhoods and boundaries. I prefer the urban space in those places because I like being in an area that my friends want to come to. I like being in an area where I can walk to some things. I honestly don't mind driving at all...in fact sometimes I quite enjoy it...but it's great not being forced to drive for everything. My wife absolutely hates driving so it's definitely a great benefit that she doesn't have to do it all the time. Also (these days it is rare but) it's indeed safer that there are options to go out for a drink and not have to worry about driving home.
Public transportation, major employers, major schools and universities, hotels, restaurants and cafes, shopping, diversity, tourist attractions, urban parks, cultural festivals, etc...
Basically, having all such things and more in a compact area are what make a city attractive.
Having a huge assortment of amenities only a short walk away, or being able to access most places you need to by taking a short trip by bus or train. Pedestrian environments are built to maximize the use of space.
In suburbia, people live life driving to and from place to place. If they want to enjoy a night out, they have very limited options since they'll have to drive (unless they're stupid and drink and drive... Which many dumb suburbanites do).
Basically suburbia encourages isolation; it compels people to stay at home unless they need to drive to the store to buy groceries... Then scurry back home. Pedestrian environments encourage people to go outside and walk, shop, eat out... Basically live life outside of your home.
Having a huge assortment of amenities only a short walk away, or being able to access most places you need to by taking a short trip by bus or train. Pedestrian environments are built to maximize the use of space.
In suburbia, people live life driving to and from place to place. If they want to enjoy a night out, they have very limited options since they'll have to drive (unless they're stupid and drink and drive... Which many dumb suburbanites do).
Basically suburbia encourages isolation; it compels people to stay at home unless they need to drive to the store to buy groceries... Then scurry back home. Pedestrian environments encourage people to go outside and walk, shop, eat out... Basically live life outside of your home.
Ha. Most folks are not interested in living in an amusement park - it's a place you visit, not live.
"Encourages isolation" is maybe the way a socialist would try to mischaracterize an environment where they can't intrude into the lives of others. Perhaps "discourages intrusion" is the way homeowners would see it. The homeowner in suburbia isn't limited to hamster-style housing.
The "maximize the use of space" for pedestrians tends to mean small living space and legal quagmires like condominium residential housing. The latter in particular is very unappealing to anyone who experienced it or those sophisticated enough to understand they are nothing but liabilities. The former (regardless of legal entanglement) is less appealing to those with families or who have experienced something more appealing like a house and a yard. Space from neighbors is desirable.
Young people like it; they'll give you a lot of reasons but the main reason they like it is because there's a high density of other young people for them to hook up with.
1. stuff to do
2. diversity
3. proximity to stuff
4. the ability to not drive to stuff
I live in a city, it isn't super dense. It is a mid sized city. I live in one of the denser parts. I love that my 3 mile radius has hundreds of restaurants. I am quick train ride to SF if I want to do the big city cosmopolitan stuff (like touring broadway shows). But there is plenty of interesting stuff in my 3 mile radius: art galleries, parks, museums...
I like access to many types of activities. Especially since many are in easy biking distance.
Think of an idealized yuppie weekend-day: you wake up, head over to the local hipster coffee-shop a few blocks over, meetup with some friends, argue where to have brunch, checkout yelp results for places in the neighborhood, walk over another few blocks to chosen brunch place, have bottomless mimosas and breakfast food, walk a bit and spend some time in a museum or a park, then you walk again to a new restaurant for dinner and then walk a few more blocks to the neighborhood where all the clubs/bars are and go barhopping until 3 am, drunkenly walk back to your apartment and fall asleep.
Last edited by Mahavidya; 02-21-2016 at 08:10 PM..
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