Being in the suburbs would normally mean little diversity and nothing within walking distance (at least, that's what it meant when I was growing up). My town still isn't the easiest to get to on foot, but my apartment complex is about a mile from the library, a Walgreens, and a not-too-horrible supermarket.
If I get in my car and drive ten minutes, I can get to four other supermarkets, restaurants including fancy Italian and French, Thai, Uzbek, Indian, and a great Mediterranean local chain spot with homemade pita bread, hummus, and baklava (gotta love Pita Inn!), a Barnes & Noble, Trader Joes, and tons of strip malls.
As for diversity, I've said it here before--my apartment building alone has representatives from five continents. When I go swimming in my complex pool in the summer, I'll hear everything from Russian to Arabic to Senegalese.
My neighborhood had (hell, probably still has) a gang that named themselves the Taliband.
Oh, aren't they precious? We've got the Vice Lords, the Latin Kings, the Gangsta Disciples, the Black P Stones.
Farther, not father. Further?
Physical distance is farther.
Phew. At least I typoed the right word.
Moses Card Front
Awwww! Lookit their tears! So sweet!
My neighborhood had (hell, probably still has) a gang that named themselves the Taliband.
Oh, aren't they precious? We've got the Vice Lords, the Latin Kings, the Gangsta Disciples, the Black P Stones.
Tim's joke (I think I've told it here before) about our gang the Taliband (note the "d" at the end of the name, which is the basis for the joke) was, "What's the next gang going to be? Al-Kinda?"
Liese, I must not be in your contacts. tskaredoff if you don't mind adding me.
I love my city as a whole, Madison is a splendid medium-sized city with tons of diversity, tons of recreational opportunities, liberal as all get out and I love it. My neighborhood, OTOH, is not where I prefer to be. It's not within decent walking distance of anything of note and that's a big deal to me. My last neighborhood spoiled me because I was two blocks from the mall, a couple smaller shopping centers, Barnes and Noble, a grocery store, Kohl's, Best Buy, any number of chain and indie restaurants. I could be out the door and in a store/restaurant in five minutes walking. Now, the closest anything is a Super Walmart and Goodwill two miles from my doorstep. I miss having options around me. Guess I better start saving for a better down payment on a different place.
msbelle, is that a new car?
It turns out I can't really judge my neighborhood as good or bad or like or dislike. I like it, sure, but then again I like it because it's home. I know all my neighbors. We used to be the kind of neighborhood that had block parties--I kind of miss that, but not enough to take on hosting duties. TJs was nice enough to set up shop within walking distance, that's a plus.
