Is suburban living considered a failure?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There's a thread over in the family relationship forum that sums up the suburbs for me...

https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/1209934.page

Poster is having a lot of angst because his aging parents live 45 minutes away and struggle with things like taking the trash out and feel compelled to mulch their large yard. Nobody will help them and adult child feels obligated to tear himself away from his own life to try and help this unsustainable situation.

In the city I take my older neighbors trash out for them, I mow their lawn and I talk to them hours each week—I notice and care when they're having a tough time. I love it.

I know, people are going to bombard in response that this is a troll or the reason they love living in Loudon is so they don't have to take care of other people, or Communists trying to urbanize us or whatever, and change the subject to demands that DC put in more highways to ease their commute... but sorry, I think this is a better life.

Don't you think it's very person specific?

I live in Falls Church now and used to live in a high rise in Dupont Circle. I did not know any of my neighbors in Dupont. The one girl I did know have painted her walls pitch black and used to play music super loud at night. I can't say my life has been enriched by the acquaintance.

Also I doubt you talk to them "for hours" each week. A typical family with children does not have hours to talk to neighbors per week.

My block doesn't have any elderly people but if it did, I'm sure we could sort something out.

I don't know what to tell you... families with children are why we all are so close. The kids play in the front walk every day for 1-2 hours after school. All day on the weekend. Every weekend is at least one alley party—someone on the block is always celebrating something, and so everyone wanders by. My elderly neighbor next door likes to sun on the porch and smoke her cigarettes and I'm in and out and in the summer am usually grilling. So, easily hours each week.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am not quite sure I understand the charges of suburban crippling debt and parking wars.

DC real estate is just as expensive so it's not like they are handing out urban properties for free. If you bought recently, you are just as "debt crippled" as anyone who bought in the burbs.

There is ample space to park in the burbs so there is no need to fight for parking. It's not a scarce resource in the burbs.

Ever been to a Wegmans on a Saturday afternoon? Tell me there's no parking wars. Literally insane people in insane cars trying to run each other over.

I’ve been shopping on weekends at the Germantown Wegmans for years and have no idea what you’re talking about.

I'm not trolling. I've been going to Wegman's in various parts of the country for 30 years and as much as I love that place there's something that makes people act crazy in the parking lot. Maybe you're just inured to it.

I also object to the person who said they go to Trader Joes for a calm experience. That's literally the opposite of their business model. I thought the ones in DC were batshit so I tried hitting them out in VA and good god it was insane. I've never seen such long lines or literally been shoved in a grocery store before.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The OPs angry view of the suburbs is so weird. Not everyone has debt and eats at Applebees. So bizarre. I love the burbs, no debt, no HOA, 10 minute walk to the Metro, and tons of restaurants. I even have a beach house, but yes I do need to drive my car there on the weekends. Bummer.

If you love eating at Applebees and being lonely so much why are you posting here trying to convince us you’re happy? Shouldn’t you be sitting silently, fuming that you can hear your neighbors AC? Or tearfully writing a memo to the HOA that you saw someone mowed their lawn 13hrs early?

Why are you so pissed other people are content and enjoying their choice of lifestyle?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am not quite sure I understand the charges of suburban crippling debt and parking wars.

DC real estate is just as expensive so it's not like they are handing out urban properties for free. If you bought recently, you are just as "debt crippled" as anyone who bought in the burbs.

There is ample space to park in the burbs so there is no need to fight for parking. It's not a scarce resource in the burbs.

Ever been to a Wegmans on a Saturday afternoon? Tell me there's no parking wars. Literally insane people in insane cars trying to run each other over.

I’ve been shopping on weekends at the Germantown Wegmans for years and have no idea what you’re talking about.

I'm not trolling. I've been going to Wegman's in various parts of the country for 30 years and as much as I love that place there's something that makes people act crazy in the parking lot. Maybe you're just inured to it.

I also object to the person who said they go to Trader Joes for a calm experience. That's literally the opposite of their business model. I thought the ones in DC were batshit so I tried hitting them out in VA and good god it was insane. I've never seen such long lines or literally been shoved in a grocery store before.

I invite you to the Trader Joe on Rt 7 where I never had to be in line for over five minutes, where parking is easy and cashiers are super friendly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am not quite sure I understand the charges of suburban crippling debt and parking wars.

DC real estate is just as expensive so it's not like they are handing out urban properties for free. If you bought recently, you are just as "debt crippled" as anyone who bought in the burbs.

There is ample space to park in the burbs so there is no need to fight for parking. It's not a scarce resource in the burbs.

Ever been to a Wegmans on a Saturday afternoon? Tell me there's no parking wars. Literally insane people in insane cars trying to run each other over.

I’ve been shopping on weekends at the Germantown Wegmans for years and have no idea what you’re talking about.

I'm not trolling. I've been going to Wegman's in various parts of the country for 30 years and as much as I love that place there's something that makes people act crazy in the parking lot. Maybe you're just inured to it.

I also object to the person who said they go to Trader Joes for a calm experience. That's literally the opposite of their business model. I thought the ones in DC were batshit so I tried hitting them out in VA and good god it was insane. I've never seen such long lines or literally been shoved in a grocery store before.

It’s okay to admit you don’t know everything. No need to tell me I’m wrong about something I experience every week.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am not quite sure I understand the charges of suburban crippling debt and parking wars.

DC real estate is just as expensive so it's not like they are handing out urban properties for free. If you bought recently, you are just as "debt crippled" as anyone who bought in the burbs.

There is ample space to park in the burbs so there is no need to fight for parking. It's not a scarce resource in the burbs.

Ever been to a Wegmans on a Saturday afternoon? Tell me there's no parking wars. Literally insane people in insane cars trying to run each other over.

I’ve been shopping on weekends at the Germantown Wegmans for years and have no idea what you’re talking about.

I'm not trolling. I've been going to Wegman's in various parts of the country for 30 years and as much as I love that place there's something that makes people act crazy in the parking lot. Maybe you're just inured to it.

I also object to the person who said they go to Trader Joes for a calm experience. That's literally the opposite of their business model. I thought the ones in DC were batshit so I tried hitting them out in VA and good god it was insane. I've never seen such long lines or literally been shoved in a grocery store before.

Looks like the common denominator here is you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am not quite sure I understand the charges of suburban crippling debt and parking wars.

DC real estate is just as expensive so it's not like they are handing out urban properties for free. If you bought recently, you are just as "debt crippled" as anyone who bought in the burbs.

There is ample space to park in the burbs so there is no need to fight for parking. It's not a scarce resource in the burbs.

Ever been to a Wegmans on a Saturday afternoon? Tell me there's no parking wars. Literally insane people in insane cars trying to run each other over.

I’ve been shopping on weekends at the Germantown Wegmans for years and have no idea what you’re talking about.

I'm not trolling. I've been going to Wegman's in various parts of the country for 30 years and as much as I love that place there's something that makes people act crazy in the parking lot. Maybe you're just inured to it.

I also object to the person who said they go to Trader Joes for a calm experience. That's literally the opposite of their business model. I thought the ones in DC were batshit so I tried hitting them out in VA and good god it was insane. I've never seen such long lines or literally been shoved in a grocery store before.

Looks like the common denominator here is you.

Wegman's has 109 locations. Surely a few have calm parking lots at some parts of the day. The fact that you people can find some exception to the rule in the vast wasteland that is suburbia doesn't mean it's not a bleak place. Take the L.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am not quite sure I understand the charges of suburban crippling debt and parking wars.

DC real estate is just as expensive so it's not like they are handing out urban properties for free. If you bought recently, you are just as "debt crippled" as anyone who bought in the burbs.

There is ample space to park in the burbs so there is no need to fight for parking. It's not a scarce resource in the burbs.

Ever been to a Wegmans on a Saturday afternoon? Tell me there's no parking wars. Literally insane people in insane cars trying to run each other over.

I’ve been shopping on weekends at the Germantown Wegmans for years and have no idea what you’re talking about.

I'm not trolling. I've been going to Wegman's in various parts of the country for 30 years and as much as I love that place there's something that makes people act crazy in the parking lot. Maybe you're just inured to it.

I also object to the person who said they go to Trader Joes for a calm experience. That's literally the opposite of their business model. I thought the ones in DC were batshit so I tried hitting them out in VA and good god it was insane. I've never seen such long lines or literally been shoved in a grocery store before.

I invite you to the Trader Joe on Rt 7 where I never had to be in line for over five minutes, where parking is easy and cashiers are super friendly.

I invited you to Tradeer Joe's on Wisconsin Ave in DC, where I never park because I walk, there's no line and I see my neighbors. Go to some far flung cultural desert called Rt. 7 in MagaStan, VA? No thanks.

[Anonymous]

Hmm. I always thought city living was a sign of failure. Isn't the aspiration to live in the suburbs?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am not quite sure I understand the charges of suburban crippling debt and parking wars.

DC real estate is just as expensive so it's not like they are handing out urban properties for free. If you bought recently, you are just as "debt crippled" as anyone who bought in the burbs.

There is ample space to park in the burbs so there is no need to fight for parking. It's not a scarce resource in the burbs.

Ever been to a Wegmans on a Saturday afternoon? Tell me there's no parking wars. Literally insane people in insane cars trying to run each other over.

I’ve been shopping on weekends at the Germantown Wegmans for years and have no idea what you’re talking about.

I'm not trolling. I've been going to Wegman's in various parts of the country for 30 years and as much as I love that place there's something that makes people act crazy in the parking lot. Maybe you're just inured to it.

I also object to the person who said they go to Trader Joes for a calm experience. That's literally the opposite of their business model. I thought the ones in DC were batshit so I tried hitting them out in VA and good god it was insane. I've never seen such long lines or literally been shoved in a grocery store before.

I invite you to the Trader Joe on Rt 7 where I never had to be in line for over five minutes, where parking is easy and cashiers are super friendly.

I invited you to Tradeer Joe's on Wisconsin Ave in DC, where I never park because I walk, there's no line and I see my neighbors. Go to some far flung cultural desert called Rt. 7 in MagaStan, VA? No thanks.

? I don't live there so there's no reason for me to go there. I have a large family so I don't want to carry my groceries. If you like your TJ, that's good.

I'm sure you know that Northern Virginia votes blue.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The OPs angry view of the suburbs is so weird. Not everyone has debt and eats at Applebees. So bizarre. I love the burbs, no debt, no HOA, 10 minute walk to the Metro, and tons of restaurants. I even have a beach house, but yes I do need to drive my car there on the weekends. Bummer.

Something tell me that Applebee’s is aspirational for that poster, which is why it’s clearly such a trigger for them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The OPs angry view of the suburbs is so weird. Not everyone has debt and eats at Applebees. So bizarre. I love the burbs, no debt, no HOA, 10 minute walk to the Metro, and tons of restaurants. I even have a beach house, but yes I do need to drive my car there on the weekends. Bummer.

Something tell me that Applebee’s is aspirational for that poster, which is why it’s clearly such a trigger for them.

Why would someone aspire to go to applebees?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am not quite sure I understand the charges of suburban crippling debt and parking wars.

DC real estate is just as expensive so it's not like they are handing out urban properties for free. If you bought recently, you are just as "debt crippled" as anyone who bought in the burbs.

There is ample space to park in the burbs so there is no need to fight for parking. It's not a scarce resource in the burbs.

Ever been to a Wegmans on a Saturday afternoon? Tell me there's no parking wars. Literally insane people in insane cars trying to run each other over.

I’ve been shopping on weekends at the Germantown Wegmans for years and have no idea what you’re talking about.

I'm not trolling. I've been going to Wegman's in various parts of the country for 30 years and as much as I love that place there's something that makes people act crazy in the parking lot. Maybe you're just inured to it.

I also object to the person who said they go to Trader Joes for a calm experience. That's literally the opposite of their business model. I thought the ones in DC were batshit so I tried hitting them out in VA and good god it was insane. I've never seen such long lines or literally been shoved in a grocery store before.

I invite you to the Trader Joe on Rt 7 where I never had to be in line for over five minutes, where parking is easy and cashiers are super friendly.

I invited you to Tradeer Joe's on Wisconsin Ave in DC, where I never park because I walk, there's no line and I see my neighbors. Go to some far flung cultural desert called Rt. 7 in MagaStan, VA? No thanks.

? I don't live there so there's no reason for me to go there. I have a large family so I don't want to carry my groceries. If you like your TJ, that's good.

I'm sure you know that Northern Virginia votes blue.

And I have no reason to sit in traffic, brave psychotic Escalade moms in the parking lot and be surrounded by sad people who ignore the opiod addicts selling fentanyl in the parking lot... just to go to Rt 7 wherever the hell THAT is.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am not quite sure I understand the charges of suburban crippling debt and parking wars.

DC real estate is just as expensive so it's not like they are handing out urban properties for free. If you bought recently, you are just as "debt crippled" as anyone who bought in the burbs.

There is ample space to park in the burbs so there is no need to fight for parking. It's not a scarce resource in the burbs.

Ever been to a Wegmans on a Saturday afternoon? Tell me there's no parking wars. Literally insane people in insane cars trying to run each other over.

I’ve been shopping on weekends at the Germantown Wegmans for years and have no idea what you’re talking about.

I'm not trolling. I've been going to Wegman's in various parts of the country for 30 years and as much as I love that place there's something that makes people act crazy in the parking lot. Maybe you're just inured to it.

I also object to the person who said they go to Trader Joes for a calm experience. That's literally the opposite of their business model. I thought the ones in DC were batshit so I tried hitting them out in VA and good god it was insane. I've never seen such long lines or literally been shoved in a grocery store before.

I invite you to the Trader Joe on Rt 7 where I never had to be in line for over five minutes, where parking is easy and cashiers are super friendly.

I invited you to Tradeer Joe's on Wisconsin Ave in DC, where I never park because I walk, there's no line and I see my neighbors. Go to some far flung cultural desert called Rt. 7 in MagaStan, VA? No thanks.

? I don't live there so there's no reason for me to go there. I have a large family so I don't want to carry my groceries. If you like your TJ, that's good.

I'm sure you know that Northern Virginia votes blue.

And I have no reason to sit in traffic, brave psychotic Escalade moms in the parking lot and be surrounded by sad people who ignore the opiod addicts selling fentanyl in the parking lot... just to go to Rt 7 wherever the hell THAT is.

Opioid addicts selling fentanyl in the parking lot of Trader Joe's on Rt 7?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Absolutely.

It's giving up, accepting monotony, rigidity and boredom for perceived security.

Are you 18? You sound like you have zero life experience.

Gain some experience and perspective and maybe people will listen to you.