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Rural, Suburban, or Urban?
- Thread starter SamIchi
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Mitthrawnuruodo
Moderator emeritus
Moved to a residential area just about 3 km/2 miles outside Bergen when I was 5 and grew up there, nice place, quiet but still quite central. Most of my family still lives in that area, and I might move back one day, when I can afford the insane housing prices. It's one of the most expensive areas in Bergen... 😱
In 1998 I moved downtown, living in a high ground floor apartment in an area filled with students, with their constant parties (I kid you not, apart from the middle of summer there was constantly a party going in one of the neighbor houses), and in the middle of drug addicts path between the city/town and the main place of drug sales in Bergen (couldn't have the windows open because people stretched in to steal whatever was in the vicinity of the window 😱 and people broke into cars outside my open(!) window while I sat looking at them). Needless to say I hated every minute of it.
Last year we moved back out in a residential area, just 7-8 km/5 miles outside the town centre, not quite suburbia, but still. I love the piece and quiet. And I'm still just 10 minutes from town with car, and just over an hour by foot. Central enough for me, and still within the limits of the yellow town busses in Bergen (which operation area I once swore I'd never move out of 😉).
And in Bergen closeness to nature isn't an issue, even when I lived downtown I could get to the top of any of the 3 main mountains surrounding the town within just over an hour by foot. One of those are closer now, but I'll still get to the other two in under 2 hours.
In 1998 I moved downtown, living in a high ground floor apartment in an area filled with students, with their constant parties (I kid you not, apart from the middle of summer there was constantly a party going in one of the neighbor houses), and in the middle of drug addicts path between the city/town and the main place of drug sales in Bergen (couldn't have the windows open because people stretched in to steal whatever was in the vicinity of the window 😱 and people broke into cars outside my open(!) window while I sat looking at them). Needless to say I hated every minute of it.
Last year we moved back out in a residential area, just 7-8 km/5 miles outside the town centre, not quite suburbia, but still. I love the piece and quiet. And I'm still just 10 minutes from town with car, and just over an hour by foot. Central enough for me, and still within the limits of the yellow town busses in Bergen (which operation area I once swore I'd never move out of 😉).
And in Bergen closeness to nature isn't an issue, even when I lived downtown I could get to the top of any of the 3 main mountains surrounding the town within just over an hour by foot. One of those are closer now, but I'll still get to the other two in under 2 hours.
m-dogg
macrumors 65816
Grew up in the burbs, went to college in a rural area, now live in the burbs of a different city. Both times the cities are medium-sized. It's funny - I love cities but also love the country...and I hate so many things that suburbia represents. I guess I could never decide which way to go so I just ended up in between. I do live in the central part of town though, which allows walking access to lots of things, vs. an area that you have no choice but to drive for whatever you want to do.
Counterfit
macrumors G3
Lived in the 'burbs all m life, save for two semesters in Boston. (I hate ambulance drivers in Boston now 😡 )
On one hand, I hate most of the people in my town, especially the ones that pay $350,000 for a house on a 1/3-1/2 acre lot, in a neighborhood that only 4 or 5 years ago was wooded, but now doesn't have a single tree over 20 feet.
But then, I'm 5 minutes from I-295, about an hour by car or train from Boston, and I can get to Rt 1, with a large variety of shopping-type places by using back roads, and completely skipping most of Rt 1 itself.
But then there's the light pollution, and you don't want me to get started on that. 🙄
Thankfully, my neighborhood isn't of the "clear-cut-to-cut-cookies" type. The lots are mostly large, and there are plenty of trees older than the homes. Of course, the stupid lady who owns the large field at the end of my street wants to put in 60 houses, without adding to the 2 outlets. Right, that'll fly.
Ideally, I'd like a large-ish house on a hill just slightly south of the White Mountains in new Hampshire. Still close enough to Boston, but with more snow, and less people.
On one hand, I hate most of the people in my town, especially the ones that pay $350,000 for a house on a 1/3-1/2 acre lot, in a neighborhood that only 4 or 5 years ago was wooded, but now doesn't have a single tree over 20 feet.
But then, I'm 5 minutes from I-295, about an hour by car or train from Boston, and I can get to Rt 1, with a large variety of shopping-type places by using back roads, and completely skipping most of Rt 1 itself.
But then there's the light pollution, and you don't want me to get started on that. 🙄
Thankfully, my neighborhood isn't of the "clear-cut-to-cut-cookies" type. The lots are mostly large, and there are plenty of trees older than the homes. Of course, the stupid lady who owns the large field at the end of my street wants to put in 60 houses, without adding to the 2 outlets. Right, that'll fly.
Ideally, I'd like a large-ish house on a hill just slightly south of the White Mountains in new Hampshire. Still close enough to Boston, but with more snow, and less people.
iSaint
macrumors 603
Lived in a rural town of 25k all of my life. It's tough because you know everyone, and everyone know's your business. Some things have come easier. But, being extremely introverted, I don't get involved in the social circle. I'm now married and have two kids. The schools are going downhill, and it's almost as segregated as it was in 1965 (lots of private schools around). We talk about moving all the time. Somewhere a little bigger would be nice. There's just so much more opportunity in large towns/cities. Personally, when I visit a big city, I get a sense of belonging and energy.
devilot
Moderator emeritus
Grew up and pretty much lived in the suburbs for most of my life (and the pricey ones, too) and I'm pretty sick of it. I really love urban life. Love London, love the little bit of time I spent in NYC and DC, and like SF. I went to UC Berkeley for a year and loved it there (well, city-wise)...
The good thing about living in the suburbs? Parking is easier, streets are wider and easier to drive on, slightly less pollution.
What I love about cities? Better public transportation, no need for car, shorter walking distances (at least it sure feels like it), better accessibility to more stores/items/people... more events (art shows, concerts, speakers, conventions, etc.).
But if in the future, I get married and/or have kids, I'll probably stick w/ the suburbs. Never tried rural living-- but if I found the right cowboy, I'm sure I wouldn't mind it too much. 😉
The good thing about living in the suburbs? Parking is easier, streets are wider and easier to drive on, slightly less pollution.
What I love about cities? Better public transportation, no need for car, shorter walking distances (at least it sure feels like it), better accessibility to more stores/items/people... more events (art shows, concerts, speakers, conventions, etc.).
But if in the future, I get married and/or have kids, I'll probably stick w/ the suburbs. Never tried rural living-- but if I found the right cowboy, I'm sure I wouldn't mind it too much. 😉
floyde
macrumors 6502a
I've been an Urb for about 4 years. My hometown is also technically a city (it is the state capital and all), but if falls more under the "small town" category, even though it has about 1 million 300 thousand people. The city I live in today is much larger (about 4 mil) and I hate it. I can't stand the noise (can't even play guitar anymore without having a loud truck as accompaniment), the traffic and the incredibly unpolite people (people in cities are mean 🙁 ). I would much rather live in a place like this:
Attachments
mactastic
macrumors 68040
Rural here.
Grew up in a pretty rural area, but only an 80 min drive to SF, about 30 min to San Jose, and about the same to Monterey.
Then spent some time in the city, Phoenix and SF both. Loved being there for the late teens/early 20's. Lots of fun and people and nightlife.
Then I was generally in a quasi-urban area I guess you could call it. Hell, it was downtown Morro Bay, which is a pretty unique animal.
Now I live in the country -- and even with all it's warts I love it. I have no neighbors for a good 1/4 mile. The nearest neighbor has a shooting range across the street. I never hear sirens or ***holes peeling out or drag racing. There are no parties to run late and keep me up. I do have to shoo the occasional coyote off, there are mountain lions and I do miss things like broadband and curbside recycling. But overall it's real nice. I'll try and get a picture of the view from my front yard up, but again... I'm on dial-up!
Although the one thing I think I've realized even more than the fact that I like having quiet is that I like being near the ocean even more. I'd give up the space to live near the coast for sure. I need to be able to get near the ocean or I start to freak out a little. Luckily I've got the space and am still within 10 miles of the coast. Best of both worlds for the moment.
Grew up in a pretty rural area, but only an 80 min drive to SF, about 30 min to San Jose, and about the same to Monterey.
Then spent some time in the city, Phoenix and SF both. Loved being there for the late teens/early 20's. Lots of fun and people and nightlife.
Then I was generally in a quasi-urban area I guess you could call it. Hell, it was downtown Morro Bay, which is a pretty unique animal.
Now I live in the country -- and even with all it's warts I love it. I have no neighbors for a good 1/4 mile. The nearest neighbor has a shooting range across the street. I never hear sirens or ***holes peeling out or drag racing. There are no parties to run late and keep me up. I do have to shoo the occasional coyote off, there are mountain lions and I do miss things like broadband and curbside recycling. But overall it's real nice. I'll try and get a picture of the view from my front yard up, but again... I'm on dial-up!
Although the one thing I think I've realized even more than the fact that I like having quiet is that I like being near the ocean even more. I'd give up the space to live near the coast for sure. I need to be able to get near the ocean or I start to freak out a little. Luckily I've got the space and am still within 10 miles of the coast. Best of both worlds for the moment.
rockthecasbah
macrumors 68020
i live in Moorestown, NJ...beautiful suburb community, so beautiful it was voted #1 town to live in in the US by Money Magazine (2005), all towns were considered above 15k residents... I love it here. It's a historic community too, founded in the 1600s... everything is just awesome here. 🙂
OnceUGoMac
macrumors 6502a
I like all three areas. I was raised in Springfield, MO, which is a giant suburban city with a small central downtown. I lived in central London, which is my favorite city. I'm in Oak Park, IL now, which borders on Chicago. I was living downtown Chicago, but it was kind of boring. As I get older I'd like a second home in the country to escape to. They all have strenghts and weaknesses, but I hold all three in equal value.
Brother Michael
macrumors 6502a
I grew up suburban.
I now live rural.
I plan to go urban.
I will eventually move back to suburban (when I have a family).
I like cities a lot. I find them fascinating. I wouldn't want to try and have a family in the city for a variety of reasons.
I think the country is a nice get-away and is always refreshing to kind help me slow down. However, I don't like it for long periods of time because I hate being removed from it all.
I now live rural.
I plan to go urban.
I will eventually move back to suburban (when I have a family).
I like cities a lot. I find them fascinating. I wouldn't want to try and have a family in the city for a variety of reasons.
I think the country is a nice get-away and is always refreshing to kind help me slow down. However, I don't like it for long periods of time because I hate being removed from it all.
macbaseball
macrumors 6502a
I live in a small country village, and love it here, but urban areas facinate me. I would love to live in the downtown area of a big city, but if I was on the outskirts or in the suburbs, I'd just forget it and move to the country.
Jaffa Cake
macrumors Core
We live slap bang in the city centre. No complaints at all I'm three minutes walk away from work, the same distance away from the city's main shopping centre/street, and within ten minutes walk of two theatres, a cinema, and numerous pubs and eateries.
Job's a good 'un. 😀
Job's a good 'un. 😀
Urban
- There was a nutter staggering down the street a little while earlier shouting obscenities!! -
Yes i'm very much in an urban area - a busy road in an inner London borough with a W postcode. Lots of shops, bars, restaurants and four different tube lines pretty much on my doorstep. Love it!
- There was a nutter staggering down the street a little while earlier shouting obscenities!! -
Yes i'm very much in an urban area - a busy road in an inner London borough with a W postcode. Lots of shops, bars, restaurants and four different tube lines pretty much on my doorstep. Love it!
The town I live in (East Lansing, MI) is basically a cultureless void and I really can't stand it. The only saving grace is that it's a college town, so there's young people around and it's at least somewhat "alive". My significant other thrives on the sporting events, but I'm not at all into sports so that doesn't do much for me (although I enjoy a good tailgate and I like going to basketball games).
Anyway, we're both very eager to get out of here and move to a RURAL area out West. Ideal setting for me would be a nice, quiet little mountain town.
Oddly enough, I once thought I wanted to live in L.A. and tried to move there. Fortunately it didn't work out, I don't think I would have been very happy there. It's definitely an interesting place to visit, but I feel very out of place and ill-at-ease in a big city.
ND
Anyway, we're both very eager to get out of here and move to a RURAL area out West. Ideal setting for me would be a nice, quiet little mountain town.
Oddly enough, I once thought I wanted to live in L.A. and tried to move there. Fortunately it didn't work out, I don't think I would have been very happy there. It's definitely an interesting place to visit, but I feel very out of place and ill-at-ease in a big city.
ND
My home is in Chesterfield, which is a suburb of St. Louis. I like it, a lot. I go to college in Rolla, MO, which is a tiny hick town about 120 miles west of STL, and I absolutley hate living in a rural area. Nothing but a Wal-Mart, all of the townies are a bunch of rednecks who hate college kids. I absolutley hate it.
BTW, the St. Louis suburbs may not be like other cities. We have stuff. We don't have to drive to STL City to do any shopping, entertainment, eat, whatever. I'm rarley in the city, just a few times a year. Everything I need is near my house, not walking distance, but a 10 minute drive. So it's not bad. Not like in this rural piece of crap college town where the nearest Best Buy, Circuit City, Apple Store, Car dealer other than the big 3, Target, decent clothing store, is an hour and a half away.
So, no plans for me to ever live in a rural area except for college. If I was stuck with a job in a rural area, I'd most likley live in the nearest larger city and commute. It would be worth it for me. Hell, most of my professors who make decent money commute from larger cities, such as StL, Columbia, Springfield and Jefferson City to this town every day for work.
BTW, the St. Louis suburbs may not be like other cities. We have stuff. We don't have to drive to STL City to do any shopping, entertainment, eat, whatever. I'm rarley in the city, just a few times a year. Everything I need is near my house, not walking distance, but a 10 minute drive. So it's not bad. Not like in this rural piece of crap college town where the nearest Best Buy, Circuit City, Apple Store, Car dealer other than the big 3, Target, decent clothing store, is an hour and a half away.
So, no plans for me to ever live in a rural area except for college. If I was stuck with a job in a rural area, I'd most likley live in the nearest larger city and commute. It would be worth it for me. Hell, most of my professors who make decent money commute from larger cities, such as StL, Columbia, Springfield and Jefferson City to this town every day for work.
I now live in a suburb and i must say i am enjoying the peace compared to when I used to rent an apartment.
OnceUGoMac
macrumors 6502a
OnceUGoMac said:
Springfield Missouri to Rolla Missouri? Its about 100 miles on I-44. About an hour and a half. I've driven it a few times.
OnceUGoMac
macrumors 6502a
russed
macrumors 68000
i would probably say that i live in all three. when at uni in york (though its not really a huge city) i could class that as living in urban areas.
at home i like in a large town of about 13000 and is about 30 mins drive away from some pretty big cities e.g. leeds manchester bradford (nice) but also within 3 mins i can be up on the top of a moor in the middle of nowhere looking over dales that go on forever. wow, i love skipton!
at home i like in a large town of about 13000 and is about 30 mins drive away from some pretty big cities e.g. leeds manchester bradford (nice) but also within 3 mins i can be up on the top of a moor in the middle of nowhere looking over dales that go on forever. wow, i love skipton!
BakedBeans
macrumors 68040
I cant stand city life, it sucks (in my opinion of course). I cant stand being in london for more than a couple of days.
I grew up in walking distance of this
i currently dont live there but plan on moving back to that area in time.
I grew up in walking distance of this
i currently dont live there but plan on moving back to that area in time.
Jersey's only 9x5mi and I'm not sure whether where I lived would be urban, suburban or rural as your never more than a few minutes from town, country of beach.
I'd like to have a place in a city but would also like a place in the mountains somwhere.
Idealy I'd like to keep a place here and get places in Maui, New York, London, New Zealand (North Island Auckland or north of there), Vancouver, San Francisco and Southern California south of LA.
Of course I might have to settle for just one of those and don't know which to choose. 😕
I'd like to have a place in a city but would also like a place in the mountains somwhere.
Idealy I'd like to keep a place here and get places in Maui, New York, London, New Zealand (North Island Auckland or north of there), Vancouver, San Francisco and Southern California south of LA.
Of course I might have to settle for just one of those and don't know which to choose. 😕