Joanna
Matt wrote:
>On Wed, Oct 18, 2006 at 10:00:35PM -0700, joanna wrote:
>
>
>
>>Jesse Lemisch wrote:
>>
>>
>>
>>>But much of this
>>>discussion seems to be proceeding on the assumption that people who choose
>>>to live in suburbs are misguided and beneath contempt. I'm sure that some
>>>on
>>>this list must understand the virtues of suburban living.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>What are they? I've lived in the suburbs and all I remember is the
>>greatest vacuity I've ever experienced: no social spaces, other than the
>>mall and church; unusable public transport; and extremely
>>unfriendly/suspicious people.
>>
>>
>
>Fine, I'll bite.
>
>I live in the suburbs. I'm at the edge of a suburban borough that has
>a University (Millersville in PA). The ground was originally part of
>the township surrounding the city but a 5-10 minute drive from the
>city limits (city == Lancaster).
>
>I have no idea about these hellish suburbs people who live in metros
>love to condemn, but where I live everyone knows everyone because they
>introduce themselves when they move in. My 84 year old neighbor and
>I share a beer when we've both done a bit of yard work and need a
>break, and he tells me stories of what is was like here in the 60s
>when the houses were built. Another neighbor snowblows driveways
>around him just to be nice and refuses money for gas, so we sneak gas
>cans in his garage when he isn't looking.
>
>We have yardsales* and carnivals within walking distances. The college
>is within walking distance and has all the things a small college
>borough has. The city is a 5 minute drive or a 20 minute bike ride.
>The nearest strip mall (and movie theater) is in the city limits.
>
>I don't lock my doors when I'm gone for a short amount of time and I
>and my neighbors think nothing of leaving tools and stuff in our yards
>with our front doors unlocked and taking a break and walking to the
>coffee shop for an iced latte.
>
>Now, when I was a teenager (I'm 33) we moved from *real* rural PA to a
>newer suburban development and there wasn't the same feeling of
>community I have now - but part of that is being 15 and my concerns
>being grass, ass, and whatever...
>
>I admit it, I like it here. I love NYC and San Fran (just had a great
>week) but I can travel a lot and am still practically in
>Philly/NYC/Balt-Wash's backyard so maybe I'm spoiled. But I like
>having a little yard where my dog can run around and where the
>neighbor kids can run in and play fetch with him. I like having a
>place to hose off my tent after a weekend camping and its nice to have
>room for out of town guests who can't afford a hotel. When neighbors
>have outdoor parties everyone is de facto invited (hey, we are parking
>in front of each others houses).
>
>Upon proof reading that REALLY sounds like a cheezy brochure and that
>wasn't my intent, but when I read about how awful the suburbs are per
>Joanna above I think WTF???? I don't doubt it sucks in some places
>but the 'why oh why do those provincial fools want to live there' is
>just silly; I can't imagine Quaker Hills in Lancaster County is the
>only place full of lots of socialization, secular community spaces,
>and friendly people. Although if it is bring the RE bubble... :-/
>
>For Halloween trick or treating I end up spending about $75 on candy,
>the kids just don't stop coming. Some inner city groups run buses out
>here for the evening. Funny, with suburbia being hell on earth and
>what not.
>
>
>Matt
>
>*Does anyone buy anything? There is a lot of swapping and mostly just
> walking around talking but the Amish ladies are there promptly at 8AM
> to buy any canning supplies they can find....
>
>
>
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