As I prepare to move to the urban/suburban frontier, the politics of the suburbs have been much on my mind. If you’re interested in the issue, here are a few links.
- Suburban Nation: Internet book club, anyone? “…their visionary book holds out hope that we can create “places that are as valuable as the nature they displaced.””
- Radiant City: Those crazy Canadians get all the goodies first. It’s on the film festival circuit here in the US; I’m sure it will hit our commercial screens soon enough. Looks like a classic preaching to the choir documentary, but it also looks like there might be some good stuff in there. Check out clip of the kid talking about how much his mom hates the suburbs and would live in the city center if they could afford it.
- KUOW’s Downtown: Interesting Seattle reporting going on this week. “…many critics worry that the proliferation of luxury high rise condos and hotels is creating a city for the rich, leaving no room for a diverse, working class.”
- Ebikes NW: Once the financial dust settles, I’m getting one of these. My new place right where the city turns to WWII housing developments and I have great anxiety about being converted to a car addict, especially since groceries are at the bottom of a big hill. The Giant Suede E is number one on my wishlist for housewarming prezzies.
- Edward Scissorhands: Does Tim Burton get the horror of the suburbs or what? Plus, I have these crazy hedges at my new place. Anyway, do you need a reason for Johnny Depp besides “He’s hot.”
I feel like did the opposite a few years back (fleeing the suburbs for the city). Even now I’m still amazed that I can walk or bike pretty much everywhere. (Look honey, the grocery store is right around the corner! Amazing!) Be sure to keep us updated on what it’s like to head back to the burbs…
But is West Seattle really the burbs? I’ve always thought of it as an extension of the city, a part of the city. A place where you can have a home and still walk to the local store (of course I do that up in Kenmore BUT that is a whole different discussion and isn’t the norm for the burbs). I think you’ll like West Seattle. It’s still a bit quirky and those people really love their neighborhood. They love it quite fiercely in fact.
It’s not TRULY burbs and I’m really right at the space where the burbs begin if it IS burbs. I can’t help but be nervous, tho’, as a city dweller, that I’ll turn into some suburban crazy person, driving everywhere, complaining about parking, voting Republican… 🙂
Jeez, my boyfriend thinks crossing the Burrard St bridge is the burbs. (For those of you without a grasp of Vancouver geography that would be like crossing the Montlake bridge).