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Shopping everyday for 5 minutes (or 15-20 minutes every 3-4 days) in a small market with no lines and a clerk that knows your name is much nicer than circling the parking lot looking for the perfect parking spot, battling all the super moms at Wal-Mart for the sale items, and waiting in line for 10 minutes to check out. If you've never experienced it, you should try it - but it doesn't work in a world that is dominated by the car (hence why everything is so spread out in the suburbs). If you've ever traveled to a real city for an extended amount of time (long enough to where you actually cook your own meals from time to time), then you would know what I'm talking about.
Been to a real city for an extended period of time. wouldn't ride the mass transit for any amount of money. Plus are you saying that "Jackson, MS" is a "real city"? LOL, I've been to Jackson plenty of times, you need to get out more.
I shop once a week for 6 people in the family and have never once in YEARS of driving to the grocery store circled the parking lot. I drive in the lot, park (about a 30 second "ordeal"), go in grab a cart and do my shopping (in and out in 20 - 25 minutes flat INCLUDING checking out). The check-outs all know who I am, and most of them even know where I live even though it is a large store. Load the stuff in the truck (another 1 or 2 minute ordeal) then a 5 minute drive back home covering the 4 miles between home and the store, without traffic. Park 20 feet from the door in the driveway and it takes just 2 or 3 minutes to haul it all inside.
Your argument doesn't hold water. Just because YOU like to do something one way, doesn't mean it is the "right" way to do it, or any other way is longer and more trouble.
Been to a real city for an extended period of time. wouldn't ride the mass transit for any amount of money. Plus are you saying that "Jackson, MS" is a "real city"? LOL, I've been to Jackson plenty of times, you need to get out more.
I shop once a week for 6 people in the family and have never once in YEARS of driving to the grocery store circled the parking lot. I drive in the lot, park (about a 30 second "ordeal"), go in grab a cart and do my shopping (in and out in 20 - 25 minutes flat INCLUDING checking out). The check-outs all know who I am, and most of them even know where I live even though it is a large store. Load the stuff in the truck (another 1 or 2 minute ordeal) then a 5 minute drive back home covering the 4 miles between home and the store, without traffic. Park 20 feet from the door in the driveway and it takes just 2 or 3 minutes to haul it all inside.
Your argument doesn't hold water. Just because YOU like to do something one way, doesn't mean it is the "right" way to do it, or any other way is longer and more trouble.
Actually, I never brought Jackson into the discussion, and (this might shock you a bit, so make sure you're sitting down) I get my groceries the same way you do. Why? Because I don't have any other option. If I were to live in a bigger city with more options, I definitely would stop by the market every 1-3 days on my way home rather than driving.
The problem is that America has evolved into an asphalt maze over the past 60 years filling up with more and more traffic every year, hence the reason why you and I both drive to get groceries. Does it make sense? Sure - for now. But what will we do when gas prices reach $10/gallon? The suburbs keep getting further and further from downtowns, and most of the sought after jobs are downtown. So, you end up spending more time on the freeways, at the red lights, and in the parking lots - which is stressful considering it takes much of your attention to drive and everyone is trying to get home as fast as possible. I would much rather take public transit and/or walk, which makes the idea of stopping by the market very appealing.
I know it's a different mindset than what you have developed over time, but there are millions of people who do this everyday. That is why I am already preparing to be more centrally located in the future, so that all my necessities are within walking distance.
Car isn't really freedom. Your at the mercy of the traffic. That's why I prefer rail. No traffic, very reliable.
Also, when you get into an accident in your own car, you have to deal with insurance, getting your mode of transportation fixed, finding a new ride while yours is getting fixed, paying for it if it's your fault, and potentially going to court to fight the insurance companies (which is occurring more often these days).
If you're on a public bus and get into a wreck, you simply get off the bus and get on another one.
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