Will the outer suburbs become the next slums?

[Anonymous]

To the urbanites:

For how great your city is and all it has to offer, you sure do have a lot of free time between sipping your lattes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If people are really interested in this discussion, I would highly recommend reading the article in the Atlantic Magazine that a previous poster referenced: http://www.theatlantic.com/doc/200803/subprime

It is interesting as it talks about the DC area - how Reston is a great example of mixed use space - and what is happening in Manassas with vacant properties.

We moved from DC and live in a small townhouse in Reston. I love Reston. There are sinews of trails throughout the town for biking, walking, jogging. (It's not body-to-body crowded as I've experienced on the Capital Crescent trail in Bethesda or the trail that runs along the GW Pkwy in Arlington. You're not going to get runover by a rude bicyclist). It's an uncommon suburb in that older growth trees needed to be maintained when the homes were built. It really offers such a different feeling from the majority of other American suburbs. Reston has only been around since 1969, but the "hippies" who supported its development had vision, which one would have wished had been more contagious.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't see where the poster said she wants everyone to actually live in the city. I think the poster is referring to paying for the services you use and stop complaining about it all, which is valid, whether the poster is angry or not. Someone who moves 20 miles outside of the city and then complains abotu commute time and gas prices are pretty spoiled sounding, aren't they?

I don't think they are spoiled. Everyone is complaining about the gas - no one likes long commutes. Some people really don't have a choice! if you can only afford 250K for a home, can you get that in DC or in the close-in suburbs? No way. Most people who live far do so because they can't afford anything closer. There are some that prefer to live on vast properties with huge homes - that is a totally different story. And what do you mean by paying for services that we use?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't see where the poster said she wants everyone to actually live in the city. I think the poster is referring to paying for the services you use and stop complaining about it all, which is valid, whether the poster is angry or not. Someone who moves 20 miles outside of the city and then complains abotu commute time and gas prices are pretty spoiled sounding, aren't they?

I don't think they are spoiled. Everyone is complaining about the gas - no one likes long commutes. Some people really don't have a choice! if you can only afford 250K for a home, can you get that in DC or in the close-in suburbs? No way. Most people who live far do so because they can't afford anything closer. There are some that prefer to live on vast properties with huge homes - that is a totally different story. And what do you mean by paying for services that we use?

S/he may be referring to the fact that many cities (I believe this includes NYC) in the United States have a payroll tax, where people who work in the city pay taxes on their income to that city and then get released from local income taxes where they live (at least that is how it worked other places I've lived). The idea is that they should pay for the services they use while they're in the city for work, e.g., roads, police, firefighters. This is one of the many things that Congress...sigh.....forbids us from implementing (in addition to releasing the results of our referendum on medical marijuana) even though it is common in other places in the US.

[Anonymous]

So when my DH and I were looking for our first house 7 years ago, we gave our real estate agent our wish list and our budget. We wanted to be able to walk everywhere, we really wanted to be in upper NW, we wanted sidewalks and friendly neighbors. And we only had $250k. When she finally stopped laughing her head off at us, she was able to show us some sfh in Silver Spring and Takoma Park.

We are now in Silver Spring and I feel lucky to be here. Great neighborhood, close to metro, diverse and friendly neighbors. My DH has switched jobs twice since then, and instead of working in DC, he now works in Rockville. I guess my point is that if this is going to be a conversation about city vs suburbs, then you have to realize that most people want the same things, just not everyone can afford it. Plus, your job may change or move and you may find yourself commuting to NOVA or MoCo. I just don't understand why city dwellers are soooo judgemental. I mean, how fabulous for you that it has all worked out and that you are thrilled with your choices. Most of us have to make some compromises when choosing a place to live. And sorry, I don't get that a $600k condo is a compromise.

Not that this post has anything to do with the original post, but I really think most people make the best choices they can with what they have. And I feel for those living in the exurbs who are facing declining home values and abandoned properties. Scary for all of us.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So when my DH and I were looking for our first house 7 years ago, we gave our real estate agent our wish list and our budget. We wanted to be able to walk everywhere, we really wanted to be in upper NW, we wanted sidewalks and friendly neighbors. And we only had $250k. When she finally stopped laughing her head off at us, she was able to show us some sfh in Silver Spring and Takoma Park.

We are now in Silver Spring and I feel lucky to be here. Great neighborhood, close to metro, diverse and friendly neighbors. My DH has switched jobs twice since then, and instead of working in DC, he now works in Rockville. I guess my point is that if this is going to be a conversation about city vs suburbs, then you have to realize that most people want the same things, just not everyone can afford it. Plus, your job may change or move and you may find yourself commuting to NOVA or MoCo. I just don't understand why city dwellers are soooo judgemental. I mean, how fabulous for you that it has all worked out and that you are thrilled with your choices. Most of us have to make some compromises when choosing a place to live. And sorry, I don't get that a $600k condo is a compromise.

Not that this post has anything to do with the original post, but I really think most people make the best choices they can with what they have. And I feel for those living in the exurbs who are facing declining home values and abandoned properties. Scary for all of us.

Wow, you actually brought some class to the discussion.

I can't say that the city dwellers posting on here make it a bit appealing to actually want to live in the city if that is the kind of uptight neighbors one would be stuck living next to.

[Anonymous]

I've lived in the city for 12 years and I can't wait to get out.

Cities and towns in the metro area have a considerable amount to offer; DC proper does not have the monopoly on culture or coffee.

[Anonymous]

I've lived in the city for almost 35 years (grew up here) and would never leave. Yes there are frustrations, but I am willing to put up with them for the trade-off of the amenities I receive.