I've never understood why people want to live in their city's central business district. Most decent cities have a handful of great residential neighborhoods. I can't see the appeal of paying top-dollar to live in a neighborhood without supermarkets, laundromats, street parking (for visitors) or the other things that typically come with true residential neighborhoods.
TheAlbionist Member since Jul 04th 2011 3306 posts
Thu Aug-13-15 10:25 AM
1. "Yep, live in Canary Wharf, London." In response to Reply # 0
It's great; there's nobody here at the weekend and everywhere's really clean. Could do with a couple more convenience stores, but we've got everything we need.
My girl frequently walks home at 1am and neither of us have to worry about her getting mugged. Result.
6. "not all of it." In response to Reply # 5 Thu Aug-13-15 11:05 AM by SoWhat
the South Loop especially - from about Van Buren all the way to Roosevelt along Wabash, State, Dearborn and Clark - is increasingly residential and feels like a neighborhood.
the area east of the Illinois Center is also increasingly residential and feels neighborhoody. i agree it's not the warmest place but that comes w/a neighborhood full of skyscrapers and de-luxe apartments in the sky.
4. "RE: Do any of you live in a business district?" In response to Reply # 0
>I've never understood why people want to live in their city's >central business district. Most decent cities have a handful >of great residential neighborhoods. I can't see the appeal of >paying top-dollar to live in a neighborhood without >supermarkets, laundromats, street parking (for visitors) or >the other things that typically come with true residential >neighborhoods.
Well you can walk to work, not to mention being in walking distance of a ton of bars and restaurants, there are such things as urban supermarkets that are maybe a little pricier but worth the convenience, most modern apartment building have their own laundry facility if there are not washer/dryers in the individual units, parking can be hassle sometimes but it can usually be worked out.
7. "there are many definitions of 'home'..." In response to Reply # 0
..for some, the traditional quiet suburban areas with manicured lawns are sought after.
for others, being in/near the hustle & bustle of the business world and shorter commutes are the draw. with all the modern amenities, shopping, & entertainment options available, it really just comes down to preference.
8. "Mine is a New Yorker's perspective" In response to Reply # 7
where neighborhoods are dense, vibrant and bustling. I'm not talking about burbs vs city. In a lot of cities "the CBD is dead after hours and on weekends".
16. "I'm sorry (or happy, whichever works better for you)" In response to Reply # 15
that the place you grew up has no bearing on who you are. I lived in NYC all or part of the Koch, Dinkins, Giuliani and Bloomberg administrations. I played in fire hydrants, took regents exams, graduated college, worked and paid rent as an adult in NYC. My four years in Pittsburgh mark the longest I've lived in any place that wasn't NYC.
I am a New Yorker and always will be, regardless of where I live.
10. "even here in nyc that perspective is evolving..." In response to Reply # 8
..esp since you find trader joes/whole foods in almost every neighborhood (CBD or residential).
i definitely understand your point about smaller cities (esp the midwest), since most of their business districts are ghost towns at dusk and on wkds. still, even those places are slowly recognizing the potential draw for evolving families.
11. "that's why I said "In a lot of cities". The financial district has becom..." In response to Reply # 10
a real residential neighborhood over time. Most cities' CBDs are not. There are probably fewer than 10 cities in the country where the CBD is a livable neighborhood.
21. "its been approached more than once in smaller cities..." In response to Reply # 11 Thu Aug-13-15 12:57 PM by CyrenYoung
..but timing is crucial.
15-20 ago there was an attempted shift towards residential living CBD's in cities like st. louis, cleveland, pgh, etc. without the proper resources & support, those endeavors quickly folded.
19. "If I lived in Center City Philadelphia I could walk to work" In response to Reply # 0
No need for a car down here, and if I really wanted one I could park it at my parents' place. I can park my moto on the sidewalk, and there are bike racks all over. I can think of three markets downtown, too.
I'd live downtown if it wasn't for the yuppies, the cost and the noise.
22. "i live across the street from where buffet works & mutual of omaha" In response to Reply # 0
the front of our building faces a quiet tree lined street with historic buildings. the back faces the back of mutual and kiewet where berkshire hathaway has it's office. down the block are a gym movie theatre a park where they have concerts and free movies and a bunch of restaurants and shopping including a grocery store. why wouldn't i live here? not all business districts are the same. this is a kind of small one. but downtown omaha has more larger office type buidlings but even more stuff to do.
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