Urban Pwnage
I grew up in a middle class neighborhood in the suburbs of Connecticut. Our family owned our own house, a couple cars and all the associated things that come with those possessions. I used to love mowing the lawn with (or for) my dad. Sometimes we'd go up on the roof and clean the leaves out of the gutters. I'd clean my car in the driveway...OUR driveway. Play catch on OUR lawn. Play my drums in MY bedroom.
But then I moved to NYC and realized...in NYC, nothing is yours. Everything is shared.The parking spaces? That's city property. You have to run out to the store real quick? That prime spot in front of your apartment will be gone within minutes.Oh yeah, that apartment? You don't own that either. Can't pay your rent for a month? You'll get kicked out in no time. Demand outstrips supply in cities. Do you have any idea how many people want to live in the city? Your landlord could kick you out and have a new tenant paying $100/month more than you by tomorrow morning. Hell, I live in Queens and a few months back when we had to find a new roomate, we had dozens of responses to a craigslist ad overnight.I'm glad I don't have to climb up on the roof and clean out the gutters. But it would be nice to be able to wash my car in my driveway. Or play catch in my front yard. Or have a washer/dryer in my apartment. Why do these things become luxuries in the city?
Why do we live in cities where we own practically nothing? Why do I park my car on the street, when I'd obviously prefer my own driveway? Why do I pay rent when I'd obviously prefer to own? Why do I share a park with hundreds of strangers when I'd prefer my own private back yard?These are questions I have yet to answer.(Photo courtsey of ianqui via flickr.)
