I grew up on the southwest side of Chicago in the '70s, '80s, and into the early '90s.
Just about every night, many of our neighbors would be out on their front porches. Most homes were brick bungalows from the 1920's that had wide front stairs, and "sitting stoops" like these:
Our area had been mostly a blue-collar area, and there were several Chicago firemen, paramedics, and police on our block, as well as white-collar workers. It was not diverse ethnically but it was diverse as far as the types of people. A couple folks were workers at a bank, one was a VP, one was an assistant state's attorney. Quite a few retired older folks. And as time went on, we had newer families who were 1st or 2nd generation Mexican-American.
In front of the houses, there was the part of the front yard that was your property, then there was the sidewalk, and then there was the strip of parkway that was city-owned but it was yours to care for. Then cars parked on both sides of the street, and it was only wide enough to be a one-way street.
There was a shopping strip nearby, a few churches, and schools, all walking distance.
I grew up in that safe, secure, friendly environment. Every night for years, we walked down the block to our aunt's front porch and had a soda (adults sometimes had a beer), sat on the porch and talked, and listened, four or five other neighbors would always stop by and chat for a while or at least say hello.
On my side of the block, there were a couple guys my age across the street. When we were smaller (5-10 years old) most days they were out in front playing catch, tossing a football, or playing tag, or having races down the sidewalk. I wasn't the most athletic kid but I played my share of games with them.
I remember really enjoying the days with my mom and her friend and their girls, and we'd draw on the sidewalk and catch lightning bugs and run around the tree in front.
When everyone got older there was still some sports, more tackle football, more organized games, and more basketball in someone's driveway or in the alley (there weren't many driveways), or down the street at the park. The focus was also more social, you'd hang out with people and their brothers and sisters and just talk. Or if there was somewhere to go, ride your bike there. By the time we were 15-16 some of us had cars. Then the car was a focal point too, even if not driving anywhere the car always needed some attention (washing, detailing, fixing.)
When I listen to my aunts talk about how they grew up (1-2 generations older than me - they are 70 and 85 now), it was like this for them too, even though they grew up in a different city neighborhood. From what they tell me, it was even livelier, with more people out, and more friends. They speak of it as a very loose, very supportive, very friendly time.
So here is what it was:
- An environment where we knew more than half of our neighbors on our block.
- We'd see our neighbors every day or every few days. Rarely a week or two would go by without running into someone and saying hello.
- It was low key, relaxed, sane, safe, secure. No one was hostile, no one was disorderly. You'd get a couple kids who were a little hotheaded but the worst that would happen would be the game would break up and you'd all go back into your house till tomorrow. We had to pay for someone's window once or twice. Nothing too much. We just avoided the one cranky guy who didn't want anyone on his grass.
- Adults were watchful, not neglectful, but not watching us like a hawk, either. When we were under 10 there was almost always someone's parent or relative within shouting distance.
- We grew to all know each other and help each other.
- None of this was "organized" - it happened naturally. You sat outside because it was better than being cooped up in the house. It was fun. It was like an extended family. It added a lot to our lives.
- My 80 year old neighbor had an immigrant family move next door. She taught the little boy some English and he tried to help her understand some Spanish. They were friends.
- The activity in the front yards didn't bother you if you were in the house and didn't want to participate. We had plenty of trees as a buffer, houses had plenty of space, plus the houses were built like castles with thick brick walls.
- It was all-ages. You interacted with everyone. Every age group from babies to the very old.
- The socializing wasn't about alcohol, like it is when you go to a city festival or a pub.
- You didn't have to spend any money to be part of it all.
So my question for the forum is,
Are there still places like this? We haven't found one since we moved out of Chicago.
I'm wondering where you've found anything close to what I'm describing here.
The closest I've found in the 20 years since I've been gone, are:
- One or two small towns that I've been to.
- Vacation towns and beach towns during the busy season.
- College neighborhoods that are full of undergrads (and even better when it is a mixed population, with local residents and professors and grad students all together.) The socializing revolves more around alcohol though, its not as harmonious.
- Busy retail/restaurant/pub areas, and street festivals - but it's not the same.
And that's really it.
One last thought, we had air conditioning, and cars, and we had TV, and VCR's, and we had Atari. It wasn't like we didn't have those things then. I always hear that it's "car culture" or television or movies-on-demand, or video games that is the cause for the demise of the neighborhood. That's not it. We had all of those things then, and we had probably more access to cars (because they were cheaper).
So in some ways I'm still trying to figure out what caused people to go so inward.