I don't look down on the burbs. hell, I grew up in the burbs. the thing is there isn't much to do there, which is why we always hung out downtown. its very boring, as everything is built around chain stores, mini-malls, watching movies at the megacineplex and big box retailers. life in the burbs seems so artifical, created in a boardroom of marketers. I'm not saying its not in downtown condos, but at least you're closer to edgier parts of town instead of it being so vanilla. even living in poorer neighborhoods that are "closer to the action" and have real culture appeal to me much more than suburbia. the question is asked about where would you rather be, in a highrise or the burbs (upscale).
the appeal of a highrise condo is you are living in a smaller space, so it forces minimalism, which I like as well. Everything is more disposible of a lifestyle in this kind of living as you don't want to keep too much.
Not all jobs are downtown or in the city. If you live in the middle of the city, while the jobs are outside the city, the number of times that you "walk and get real culture" after a day where you commuted almost 4 hours of your day in addition to work, gets much less.
ahhh, yes, the souless business parks of amurrica. :MARIS61: team meeting at Chilis from 11:30-12:35!
Never been to Silicon Valley? Palo Alto? Not everybody is so lucky to be a clothes-folder at the downtown Gap or a barista at the loft coffee shop. I have a feeling you love those little chick-flicks of the 20-something girl, living in Manhattan in a "cute" little studio, with her two bffs, who work at the local downtown hipster coffee shop. Then magically, as they are being so hip, she is picked up by a high-power exec at the advertising agency who offers her a job because she can create scrapbook storyboards.
I've never seen that movie. Then again, I rarely go to movies to begin with. That's some suburban shit yo. Silicon Valley, at least when I've been there is terrible. sure you can make good coin I guess, but I'd pick a condo at Santana Row over a big house out in the middle of BFE with young families and soccer moms. It all depends on your situation in life. Its a lifestyle choice. when you go live in a suburban community, you're fitting a certain lifestyle. one of building a family, staying home and living vicariously through television. If you're living near the hot parts of town in a condo where there's really not much to do so you're forced out into the real world...that's the lifestyle there. To me, its like choosing between a mini-van and a sports car.
if you're a single guy who likes to go out and have a good time, having a 3000 square foot home in the burbs makes as much sense as a family of four in a 1500 square foot condo. and vice versa.
As you say below, I think it's a personal lifestyle choice, not a location of your housing choice. I grew up in the suburbs (not in downtown Portland) and rarely went to movies. It's just not what I enjoy doing. you are projecting here. Someone can still not go to movies and live in the 'suburbs', or live in a condo/downtown and go to a lot of movies. To make sweeping generalizations is fun I guess. I love how "downtown = real world". Does that mean that those who live in rural parts of the state (or country) aren't experiencing "real world"? I didn't know one single person in the "suburbs" who had a mini-van, or anyone who does now. But hey, if you need to project stereotypes to get your point across, have fun.
why is it one or the other? what about a single guy who doesn't want to go out and "have a good time"? or a family of four who live in a 'condo' (or downtown) in an apartment? My parents house wasn't much bigger than 1500 square feet when I was a kid and the 5 of us survived fine. With 1 and a half bathrooms too.
there's more to do downtown vs the burbs though. so its more likely you will go to the movie or stay home instead of going out. its not that hard to figure out how people think. sweeping generalizations are there for a reason. sure there are exceptions to the rule...but most people are sheep and fit the lifestyle they choose.
the single guy who doesn't want to have a good time....sure, you can be that guy I suppose. again, there are exceptions to every rule. I currently live in a 500 square foot apartment. but i like the area since there is a lot to do and don't need the extra space...its not a big deal. I'd much rather live here than 30-40 miles away and spend my weekends reading magazines at barnes and noble and looking creepy.
well, you spend your weekends (and work days) looking creepy while posting here. so I'm not sure whats worse... but seriously. Who says you have to live 30-40 miles away? It's 15 minutes to downtown (w/out traffic issues) from Tualatin/Tigard, and it's not much different from other areas too. 40 miles from downtown Portland (or the "Pearl" ) is almost Newberg, McMinville, Keizer or Salem to the south, and LaCenter/Battle ground to the north. I don't think many people there are in McMansions. I think you're just looking for a lifestyle that is different then yours that you want to make fun of, and throw shit on the wall hoping it sticks. "well, suburbanites go to Barnes and Noble and read magazines/go to movies/don't experience the real world/etc". For some people, the "real world" doesn't consist of going to clubs, or shops downtown, or urban areas, but instead involves working, raising a family, working in their community or being a helpful neighbor. Please note that I didn't imply that this behavior patterns only applies to one group. I personally don't care about going to clubs, or neat little coffee shops in SE or NE Portland, or book stores or whatever. I especially don't care about going to anything in NW Portland (the "trendy" areas I mean). That isn't "real life" to me, that's "hey, look at me! I'm unique! I think globally! I'm cool!" and phoney.
In LA, the burbs are 30-40 miles away. I'm kind of an area code snob, I despise certain areas around town for various reasons. Just the vibe, demographics and lifestyle of an area are important to me. I like cool and hip areas. As I stated, I like condos/apartments due to the disposible lifestyle that they can provide. everything is much easier...no yard, no kids around, you can pick up and leave as long as you want and not worry about the crap that goes along with a house and its closer to the action. well, thats where we're different i guess. different priorities in life. I didn't hate the suburbs really, it was nice I guess. Right now I'm still in a social part of my life and I enjoy doing the social things in life. the little coffee shops, good ethnic restaurants, and going to bars/lounges (and not on friday/saturday nights where most of the B&T crowd comes from the burbs to "take over").
well, if you're talking LA, then I change what I'm saying. I was taking it from a Portland/NW perspective. the suburbs in LA are phoney. I hate phoney people. doesn't matter what area they call their location.
