There's no denying that there are negatives about city living. While crime is probably the number one concern, noise. pollution and trash are daily nuisances that can make city living a less attractive option. As for noise, it is not always seen as a negative. Some people like the excitement of living in an urban environment, and view the sounds of fire engines, ambulances, traffic, horns, and people as proof that they do indeed live where the action is. But even the most ardent city dwellers tire of the noise level at times and find themselves yearning for some peace and quiet.
I live across the street from an elementary school where the noise of children and schoolbuses bombard me daily. But you can live near a school in the suburbs, too, so it's not really a urban issue. When I bought my house, I didn't think about the school being noisy (I first saw the house during Christmas vacation and owned it before the New Year.) But it's quiet on the weekends and during vacations and the noise is usually over by five o'clock on school days.
I live near a firehouse, too, which accounts for some of all the sirens we hear. But the only time sirens bother me is when I'm sleeping with the windows open, which isn't very often. You get used to them after a while.
Then there are the helicopters. I can't ignore them as easily. There are the news helicopters every day reporting on in-town traffic, but they're generally pretty high up and I rarely notice them. But we do occasionally have helicopters flying low over this neighborhood, sometimes with spotlights, presumably looking for some kind of fugitive. That's a little scary but kind of exciting, too, especially when the police talk through a loudspeaker to talk to the would-be criminal down on the ground. I'm not really afraid that the person they're chasing could end up in my backyard; I always see the situation as "out there" somewhere. But I suppose it could happen.
One noise that really bothers me is when people walking by our house are fighting--or sound like they are--it's hard to tell sometimes. That makes me a little nervous because I'm afraid one of them is going to pull a gun and shoot someone.
And that leads me to the sound of gunfire. That's definitely not a welcome noise. But I've only heard it once where it actually led to someone being shot--that I know of. There have been shootings that I never heard, or wasn't aware that I was hearing. It's not always easy to differentiate between gunshots and backfires, fireworks, and other loud noises. But this type of noise, as well as that of helicopter searches, are more disturbing because of their connection to crime than because of their actual noise level.
I could have grouped noise and trash under pollution, but by singling it out, I meant to refer to the pollution that is not always visible--except when you dust (the dust tends to be black). It's hard to measure the effects of or the amount of pollution that is in the air, but it's a no-brainer that there's more of it in the city than in the suburbs. I developed a phlegm problem after I moved to this house, but I suspect that has more to do with my smoking than with city pollution. Fortunately there is no major industry near where I live. I recognize that this is not always the case when you're living in the city. So I would have to say that pollution is a valid concern for anyone contemplating a move to the city. Of course, if you live in a climate-controlled high-rise, it's going to be less of an issue. But most city-dwellers don't have that option.
The third negative, trash, is the one that bothers me the most. Perhaps because it's the one people actually have control over. I have a pet peeve about people leaving trash on the ground anyway. In my mind, there's no excuse for it. I'll put trash in my purse or my pocket till I can get to a trash can, before I'll drop it on the ground or throw it out a car window. In all fairness, some of the trash is blown around from dumpsters. But most of it is deliberate and that makes me crazy. And when I see trash in someone's yard, I wonder where they're pride is. Maybe they don't care because they're renting. But that's no excuse.
A few years back I participated in a trash clean-up program in this neighborhood, but I'll never do it again. It was disgusting. We wore gloves, but still. I can sort of see picking trash up from the streets but when it's in someone's yard or on the sidewalk in front of their house, I just get mad. Why should I pick up something that they should take care of?
Sometimes when I drive through a nicer city neighborhood (mine is borderline) or the suburbs, I look longingly at the trash-free yards and streets. But I live here partly because it's what I can afford (like so many city-dwellers), so I have no choice put to take care of the trash I can control, and look the other way at the trash I can't control.
That's pretty much the only choice you have with any city-living negatives.
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Green Cities
Green spaces are usually at a premium in the city. Those cities that have incorporated trees, gardens and parks into the urbanscape are considered to be more desirable. But most urban areas have a long way to go in this area.
Some urban neighborhoods are known as garden districts, according to Get Urban! by Kyle Ezel. They are usually made up of single- or double-family homes which have yards (usually tiny yards, but nevertheless, there is enough room for trees and small gardens). Many of the streets are lined by trees and there are often parks sprinkled throughout. If you took these neighborhoods out of their city environments, you could mistake them for small towns or older suburbs (which is what they were before the city swallowed them up). These neighborhoods are usually close to main arteries of transportation and within walking distance of stores, boutiques, restaurants, art galleries and movie theaters. They are a good compromise for people who want the convenience of city living but don't want to be surrounded by "hardscape."
But when you get closer to downtown, green spaces are usually at a premium. There may be open plazas and pedestrian-only avenues but grass and trees are often forgotten in favor of large planters or hanging baskets of flowers (which are better than nothing, but don't quite satisfy the soul's longing for nature. And that's not even taking into account the roles trees play in offsetting pollution.) Many people figure that lack of greenery is just the price you pay for urban living, but it doesn't have to be that way. Even New York City has Cental Park.
Americans could do worse than to look to Europe for inspiration. In many countries trees are planted in every conceivable place. They are even liberally sprinkled throughout parking lots--what a concept! People are more prone to planting gardens in containers on their balconies and in the smallest patches of land in between buildings and along sidewalks--and they take care of them, too. All too often, we leave the job up to municipal entities instead of doing what we ourselves can do to make our environment as green as possible.
"The Urban Gardener," in the urban area of Columbus, Ohio known as the Short North, does a brisk business helping people to bring greenery into their city scapes. It's a relatively small nursery built on a former parking lot and it's literally a breath of fresh air. It's largely geared toward container and small gardens, but at least it makes it more convenient for city gardeners to get most of what they need to plant them.
Columbus has invested a lot of money in planting trees along city streets, but park space is still at a premium in the city proper. There are a fair number of small parks but not that many large ones. We do have the Franklin Park and its Conservatory, but it's two miles east of downtown Columbus. Still, it's 88 acres of green space and a popular place for weddings.
You can find out about the parks in any city by visiting its department of parks and recreation.
Some urban neighborhoods are known as garden districts, according to Get Urban! by Kyle Ezel. They are usually made up of single- or double-family homes which have yards (usually tiny yards, but nevertheless, there is enough room for trees and small gardens). Many of the streets are lined by trees and there are often parks sprinkled throughout. If you took these neighborhoods out of their city environments, you could mistake them for small towns or older suburbs (which is what they were before the city swallowed them up). These neighborhoods are usually close to main arteries of transportation and within walking distance of stores, boutiques, restaurants, art galleries and movie theaters. They are a good compromise for people who want the convenience of city living but don't want to be surrounded by "hardscape."
But when you get closer to downtown, green spaces are usually at a premium. There may be open plazas and pedestrian-only avenues but grass and trees are often forgotten in favor of large planters or hanging baskets of flowers (which are better than nothing, but don't quite satisfy the soul's longing for nature. And that's not even taking into account the roles trees play in offsetting pollution.) Many people figure that lack of greenery is just the price you pay for urban living, but it doesn't have to be that way. Even New York City has Cental Park.
Americans could do worse than to look to Europe for inspiration. In many countries trees are planted in every conceivable place. They are even liberally sprinkled throughout parking lots--what a concept! People are more prone to planting gardens in containers on their balconies and in the smallest patches of land in between buildings and along sidewalks--and they take care of them, too. All too often, we leave the job up to municipal entities instead of doing what we ourselves can do to make our environment as green as possible.
"The Urban Gardener," in the urban area of Columbus, Ohio known as the Short North, does a brisk business helping people to bring greenery into their city scapes. It's a relatively small nursery built on a former parking lot and it's literally a breath of fresh air. It's largely geared toward container and small gardens, but at least it makes it more convenient for city gardeners to get most of what they need to plant them.
Columbus has invested a lot of money in planting trees along city streets, but park space is still at a premium in the city proper. There are a fair number of small parks but not that many large ones. We do have the Franklin Park and its Conservatory, but it's two miles east of downtown Columbus. Still, it's 88 acres of green space and a popular place for weddings.
You can find out about the parks in any city by visiting its department of parks and recreation.
Monday, July 21, 2008
What's Happening?
One of the criticisms of urban life is that it is noisy and in your face. There's no respite from it as soon as you step outside of your building. Even where I live, which is basically a residential neighborhood made up primarily of single-family homes, there are people walking by at all hours of the day and even into the night. They're not always noisy, but they're out there. You can't sit on your front porch and not see at least fifty people a day walk by. Some say hi or comment on your garden or your dog ("You need to get that dog into your house!"), but most are silent. But they're active. There's always something happening.
If you're into people-watching, this is a dream come true. Sometimes I wish for more privacy, but mostly I enjoy seeing who is out and what they're doing. I think I would enjoy it even more if we lived in a more congested area of the city. I think I'd like looking out my window and down at the activity on the street. (My husband, however, likes a little more solitude.)
Unfortunately, illegal activity--or at the least, socially unacceptable behavior--is also a part of urban life. Or at least it's more obvious than in the suburbs or the country. The prostitutes and drug dealers, gangs and burglars, shooters and murderers--you can kid yourself that they're not around, but the news often brings you back to reality. I wince when I hear on the evening news that a shooting occurred in our neighborhood, or other inner-city areas. I know that these occurrences give city living a bad name. And rightfully so; I'm not so naive as to say that anyone can stomach that part of urban living.
I used to drive through the neighborhood where I live now in terror, sure I was going to become the victim of crossfire in some kind of gang war. Now I walk these sidewalks without fear (although not at night--that's just asking for it). Not long ago there was a shooting in a parking garage on the edge of the university district (which is approximately seven blocks away from our house). The result was a fatality and the shooter ran away into the surrounding city streets before he finally gave himself up. We weren't even aware of it happening until we saw the evening news. Yes, we could have been in that parking garage--there's a movie theater attached to it. But how do we know that it couldn't have happened in any parking garage? You just have to trust that you're going to be safe as long as you don't do something stupid. That might not always be true, but safety can be uncertain in the suburbs, too.
For the most part, you are safe in the city. There are some areas you want to avoid at all costs, but that's not the kind of city living I'm talking about. You do have to use some common sense when you move to a city neighborhood. You might be surrounded by a lot of activity, but not all, or even a majority of it, is illegal. Only you can decide what kind of activity you're comfortable being around. But if you're like most city dwellers (at least the ones who are there by choice), you'll thrive in the environment.
If you're into people-watching, this is a dream come true. Sometimes I wish for more privacy, but mostly I enjoy seeing who is out and what they're doing. I think I would enjoy it even more if we lived in a more congested area of the city. I think I'd like looking out my window and down at the activity on the street. (My husband, however, likes a little more solitude.)
Unfortunately, illegal activity--or at the least, socially unacceptable behavior--is also a part of urban life. Or at least it's more obvious than in the suburbs or the country. The prostitutes and drug dealers, gangs and burglars, shooters and murderers--you can kid yourself that they're not around, but the news often brings you back to reality. I wince when I hear on the evening news that a shooting occurred in our neighborhood, or other inner-city areas. I know that these occurrences give city living a bad name. And rightfully so; I'm not so naive as to say that anyone can stomach that part of urban living.
I used to drive through the neighborhood where I live now in terror, sure I was going to become the victim of crossfire in some kind of gang war. Now I walk these sidewalks without fear (although not at night--that's just asking for it). Not long ago there was a shooting in a parking garage on the edge of the university district (which is approximately seven blocks away from our house). The result was a fatality and the shooter ran away into the surrounding city streets before he finally gave himself up. We weren't even aware of it happening until we saw the evening news. Yes, we could have been in that parking garage--there's a movie theater attached to it. But how do we know that it couldn't have happened in any parking garage? You just have to trust that you're going to be safe as long as you don't do something stupid. That might not always be true, but safety can be uncertain in the suburbs, too.
For the most part, you are safe in the city. There are some areas you want to avoid at all costs, but that's not the kind of city living I'm talking about. You do have to use some common sense when you move to a city neighborhood. You might be surrounded by a lot of activity, but not all, or even a majority of it, is illegal. Only you can decide what kind of activity you're comfortable being around. But if you're like most city dwellers (at least the ones who are there by choice), you'll thrive in the environment.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
"Urban" Decorating
Modern Urban Living is about the beauty, functionality and uniqueness of modern contemporary home design products and gadgets in urban settings. It features products that are designed to make living spaces inspired, functional and fabulous!
Monday, July 14, 2008
Getting Around by Foot
Here are the places I can walk to with ease: a grocery store, several carryouts, the library, Ohio State University, a movie theater, a Barnes and Noble bookstore, Panera's, the bus stop, an ice cream shop, various boutiques, nightclubs, bars and restaurants (including a sushi restaurant and a tea house, three churches, one mosque, three parks, Starbucks, a check-cashing store, art galleries and a nursery (yes, right in the city--it's called Urban Gardener's). If the weather is bad, I'd want to resort to a car or bus for some of these destinations, but most of them are practically at our front door.
My husband and I had no car for several years, but most of the time we made out just fine without one. Sure, we had to walk to the grocery and the library and lug home groceries and books in backpacks and tote bags. And it took a few extra minutes to get there and back. But the grocery and library are less than five blocks away from our house. Driving seems almost pointless, unless we're really in a hurry or have too much to carry home. Unfortunately, now that we have a car, we rarely walk anymore. But we can if we want to.
Walking in the great outdoors is great exercise, but so is walking in the city. And it's less boring.
My husband and I had no car for several years, but most of the time we made out just fine without one. Sure, we had to walk to the grocery and the library and lug home groceries and books in backpacks and tote bags. And it took a few extra minutes to get there and back. But the grocery and library are less than five blocks away from our house. Driving seems almost pointless, unless we're really in a hurry or have too much to carry home. Unfortunately, now that we have a car, we rarely walk anymore. But we can if we want to.
Walking in the great outdoors is great exercise, but so is walking in the city. And it's less boring.
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Proximity to Downtown
One of the hassles of modern life is the hoops you have to go through every time you have something to do with the government. To add insult to injury, you usually have to travel to the downtown area to go to court, make a police report, pay a fine quickly, get a license or visit any government bureau or entity. If you live in an outlying area, the commute alone can take up half your day. And then you have to pay for parking.
As I said in my last post, I can be downtown in 1o minutes and if I go by bus I only pay $3 for the round trip. The downtown area being fairly compact, I can walk anywhere I need to go in minutes. Dealing with the government can be intimidating enough without worrying about getting there to begin with. And who wants to spend any more time than is necessary on a government errand?
Columbus happens to be Ohio's capital, so there is even more to see and do that pertains to the government. It's nice to know that I'm so close to the Capitol Building and the state legislators if I would want to visit them. Most of the state departments are situated downtown, or if not, are not far for someone who is starting from the inner city area.
Being close to government entities is probably not one of the main reasons a person would want to live in the city (unless, of course, he or she happens to work for one), but it is definitely one of the perks.
As I said in my last post, I can be downtown in 1o minutes and if I go by bus I only pay $3 for the round trip. The downtown area being fairly compact, I can walk anywhere I need to go in minutes. Dealing with the government can be intimidating enough without worrying about getting there to begin with. And who wants to spend any more time than is necessary on a government errand?
Columbus happens to be Ohio's capital, so there is even more to see and do that pertains to the government. It's nice to know that I'm so close to the Capitol Building and the state legislators if I would want to visit them. Most of the state departments are situated downtown, or if not, are not far for someone who is starting from the inner city area.
Being close to government entities is probably not one of the main reasons a person would want to live in the city (unless, of course, he or she happens to work for one), but it is definitely one of the perks.
Wednesday, July 09, 2008
Getting Around
City living cuts your commute, sometimes drastically. If you work in the city, you're already there. Even if you work in a more outlying location, you can get there in a reasonable amount of time because you're usually starting from a central location and have easy access to the freeway system.
Most cities evolve from a hub and spread outwards. Some cities are so large they have multiple urban neighborhoods, but still only one downtown. These neighborhoods were usually once suburbs that were at the end of a railroad or trolley line, making them easily accessible from the city proper. Now freeways continue that tradition. But it's still true that the closer in you are to the city center, the less traveling you will have to do.
I live in one of those urban neighborhoods. Technically, I don't live "downtown," but I'm still only a couple of miles away. I could walk to the center of the city in forty minutes (and I walk slowly!). I can take the bus and be there in ten minutes, tops. The area I live in is made up of single family dwellings, duplexes and apartment buildings that were built between the 1890s and the 1910s. At that time it was a suburb. The city gradually crept north up High Street, leaving behind neighborhoods and districts like the layers of an onion. My neighborhood is known as Weinland Park and is located between the Short North and the University District. I can walk to Ohio State in 15 minutes and be there by bus in five. (It's almost embarrassing to get on the bus for such a short ride.)
I used to live on the southeast edge of the Columbus metropolitan area and it took me forever--okay, close to an hour-- to travel to the northwest where my sister lives. Even with the freeway. Now I can be there in twenty minutes. I don't have the lot size that I used to have, but I do have two parking spots and enough yard to garden in (and a lot less grass to mow). Our house is as big as the one I used to own in the suburbs, if not nearly as new. (It was built in 1915 as opposed to 1995.) One thing I don't have is the high cost of transportation. With gas prices being what they are today, that's a tremendous plus. (I don't know if I could afford to live in the suburbs these days.) This makes city living a better choice economically, if nothing else.
Most cities evolve from a hub and spread outwards. Some cities are so large they have multiple urban neighborhoods, but still only one downtown. These neighborhoods were usually once suburbs that were at the end of a railroad or trolley line, making them easily accessible from the city proper. Now freeways continue that tradition. But it's still true that the closer in you are to the city center, the less traveling you will have to do.
I live in one of those urban neighborhoods. Technically, I don't live "downtown," but I'm still only a couple of miles away. I could walk to the center of the city in forty minutes (and I walk slowly!). I can take the bus and be there in ten minutes, tops. The area I live in is made up of single family dwellings, duplexes and apartment buildings that were built between the 1890s and the 1910s. At that time it was a suburb. The city gradually crept north up High Street, leaving behind neighborhoods and districts like the layers of an onion. My neighborhood is known as Weinland Park and is located between the Short North and the University District. I can walk to Ohio State in 15 minutes and be there by bus in five. (It's almost embarrassing to get on the bus for such a short ride.)
I used to live on the southeast edge of the Columbus metropolitan area and it took me forever--okay, close to an hour-- to travel to the northwest where my sister lives. Even with the freeway. Now I can be there in twenty minutes. I don't have the lot size that I used to have, but I do have two parking spots and enough yard to garden in (and a lot less grass to mow). Our house is as big as the one I used to own in the suburbs, if not nearly as new. (It was built in 1915 as opposed to 1995.) One thing I don't have is the high cost of transportation. With gas prices being what they are today, that's a tremendous plus. (I don't know if I could afford to live in the suburbs these days.) This makes city living a better choice economically, if nothing else.
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