Hating on Suburbia

I feel like a real snot saying this, but I'm not a fan of suburban living. Well, maybe just some aspects of it. I Blame my parents because I grew up in a rural area with more green grass yard than sidewalk and neighbors.  Right now we step out our front door onto a sidewalk, we have approximately five square inches of grass in our front "lawn" and I could throw a stone and hit the neighbors across the street.  Mostly, I'm troubled that Noah doesn't have the space to play outside that I did as a kid.

I know that we are a young family and we have plenty of time to move into a single family home but I still have the nagging stress of teaching a one year old about the dangers of the STREET! and CARS!  I'm sort of afraid to roll around in the grass too, because, you know, neighboring dogs have visited my yard before for that certain activity dogs DO outside if you know what I mean and I think you DO. 

Suburban living is not without ease and conveniences that I give a wholehearted thumbs-up.  I have three grocery stores within two miles, banks, post offices, parks, lakes, big-box-super-stores abound, and Noah's swim lessons and baby-gym class are five minutes away too. There are walking trails and you can actually walk to the elementary school. 

And of course, friends.  We have friends in every neighborhood.  We have friends across the street who we go to the playground with almost daily and new neighbors next door with whom we have deck parties on weekends, I have buddies to walk the dog with and older neighbors who always stop by to compliment my child's cuteness and my flower beds.  I know that as a child I missed having people around, it got lonely and boring sometimes. I like that Noah has playmates the second he walks out the door.

I think what is troubling me is the townhouse-living thing and not feeling as though I can stretch my arms out wide enough.  I think what I want is more green space and privacy for the same mortgage I have here.

Hum.... pipe dream much?

This is an original post to DC Metro Moms.

Stacy Kravitz complains about this and other issues at The Fabulous Miss S.