I suppose many people who live in the city, do so because they dislike living in a suburb. That's okay, and I'm not trying to influence anyone's opinions or values about anything.
For the first 12 years in this country (I came from Japan in 1992; I was 25 then), I lived in suburbs in Connecticut, and I enjoyed it and I don't recall wishing to myself, "Gee, I wish I could live in a big city..." (I didn't know any better then, first of all).
What I loved most was the big open space (I had never even seen big open space when I lived in Japan). Where I came from, Tokyo area is perhaps even more congested than NYC, so it was refreshing to live in a big house with a big backyard.
I also loved driving with no or little traffic (in Tokyo, driving is not fun). I do remember being amazed at the fact that my house key and my car key were chained together, which meant I never went anywhere on foot
(I couldn't; there was nothing in the walking distance from my house).
People in the city (on this forum) often talk about how great it is to be able to walk to places. After experiencing it for the last 2 years (I live in JC), I can say that it is nice to be able to walk to places. But I didn't hate driving to places, either.
I still do a lot of driving in order to commute to my job in a suburb every day and play music in the city several times a week (I'm an amateur musician), so I go back and forth between urban and suburban on a daily basis.
While I love living in an urban community, I have to say that there are a few things that are definitely easier if you live in a suburb.
Getting grocery is one of them. There are a couple of grocery stores within 3 blocks from my apartment, but I rarely go there because the stores are always crowded and I hate to carry so much grocery bags (and the prices seem higher).
So instead, I do almost all my grocery shopping in the suburb near the office, either before work or during lunch hour. It's so easy and hassle free. I mean, there is a HUGE parking space where you can park easily, and no one is bumping into you when you push a shopping cart (When I was dating a girl in UES, we went to the stores in her neighborhood, and I found it very difficult and stressful).
Of course, my perception is influenced by my background and my past experiences. So, I'm sure there are people who disagree with me on this, and that's okay.
But here is my question: If you don't like doing grocery shopping at a supermarket in a suburb, is there anything you like about doing it in a store in the city?
While I'm intrigued by the idea of living in the city without a car (my girlfriend and I are considering it for various reasons), my past and current experiences tell me that the quality of my life may decline if I have to do my grocery shopping in stores in the city on foot.
Sure, there are a lot of positive things about living in the city, I know. But getting grocery is something you have to do, right? I would hate it if it becomes something I hate doing. Some people may suggest to have grocery delivered. But I kind of feel funny to not be able to pick the food that I find fresh by my own eyes.
Atsushi
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