I'm taking Urban Economics this semester, which is one of the most interesting classes I've ever taken at college. On the surface, the questions seem simple- Why do we build the way we do? Why do cities even exist? It's complex and simple, in a strange semi-contradictory way, but there are so many fascinating explanations. The current unit is on suburbs, pros and cons. I uploaded a chapter from a textbook we read, that is a scathing critique of suburbs. I agree with a decent portion of it, not all, but it's a good read (not too long, 10pages) and worth your time.
Currently I've been thinking a decent amount about my future after college; I've thought a good amount about where I'd like to live, (or more specifically where I wouldn't like to live) though perhaps I should be focusing on what job I'm going to do. Secondly, I sent an email to a girl from my old high school who is studying abroad this semester in Madrid, she asked me for suggestions on places to go, and I happily obliged, it brought back some good memories. Thirdly, I've been studying Urban Economics recently, and they all brought about an interesting revelation.
Having returned to the US, I often wondered why I loved Madrid so much. The culture, food, definitely. The people, certainly, everyone there was very friendly and it was quite easy to meet new people and become friends, not like the clique-filled social network of Tulane. I had been thinking about that, and the prior 3 things, and that chapter from the Urban Planning book really nailed it for me. Before, I thought it might have just been city living, but I live here in New Orleans and I'm frequently frustrated at getting around. what the main thing I loved about Madrid was- The lack of a need for a car.
I've never particularly liked driving, or being driven. I don't really like being in a car. I do occasionally get carsick, but generally it has nothing to do with it. I don't know exactly what it is offhand, I haven't really thought about it. But I know I don't like cars, and even moreso I dislike the obligation of needing a car to get to places I want to go. That's what I loved about Madrid- I lived in a neighborhood with an incredible amount of shops and stores, of all sorts of kinds. There was a grocery store, a pharmacy, a drugstore, several bars and restaurants, a pizzeria, etc, etc, etc, all within 3 blocks or so. And everything else was only a metro ride away on one of the world's best subway systems. I loved it- the comprehensiveness of the metro system extended out to the suburbs, yet had plenty of stops in the city center so it was never far away from your destination. That's one thing that bothers me, in the US there's no place with anywhere near as great of a subway system. In Madrid, it was very easy to live without a car, here, with the exception of NYC, even living in a city it's difficult to live without one.
If I wanted to go to the grocery store in Madrid, I walked a few blocks. If I wanted to go play soccer in the south of the city, I hopped on a metro, walked to a friends house, and went to the field. If I wanted to go to the movies, I hopped on the metro and took 6 stops to Callao. If I wanted to go to Barcelona, I could take the metro to the train station (Atocha RENFE) or take the metro straight to the airport. There were few places, if any, within Madrid I could not get to cheaply and quickly- and thanks to the connection to the airport, it was easy to get anywhere within Spain or Europe.
In New Orleans, if I want to go to the grocery store, I have to beg a friend to drive me. If I want to go to the movies, I have to do the same or take a cab. If I want to play soccer, I can usually take the streetcar but it depends on where we are playing. If I want to go to Miami, I have to take a cab to the airport, or take the streetcar downtown, and hop on a bus to the airport. In Fairport, it's worse. The public transportation sucks in New Orleans, but it exists. In Rochester...you can pretty much get downtown after a long walk to the bus stop, and that's it. If I want to go to anywhere within Fairport, I need to bike.
Not needing a car in Madrid and still not being limited was so liberating, in a strange kind of way. And that's what I'd like- To live somewhere where I can get around alright, and not need to own a car. Preferably efficiently...but I doubt I can find that here in the States.
3 comments:
I agree. I was in London last weekend and they're subway system was so nice.
Toronto and Boston have subways but they just don't compare in the states.
True true.
I was talking to a friend about this last night, and he said zipcar might be the way forward for me. It seems like a really nice, simple, and cost-effective service. Too bad it doesn't exist down here in New Orleans.
As you mentioned, NYC is very much like that. Every block has what it needs, everyone walks or takes the subway. Lots of city folk don't even own cars.
I've not been to any other city like that in the US. Many cities have areas like that, but it is generally just that - small areas.
That said, if you're looking for work, I'd consider focusing on what you want to do rather than where. You can find walkable neighborhoods in most cities.
Post a Comment