# Why the hatred for the suburbs? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [March 31, 2009, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-hatred-for-the-suburbs/491488 "2009-03-31T20:09:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 10
**Author:** ![Justin\_Bailey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justin_bailey/32/8792_2.png) [@Justin\_Bailey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Justin_Bailey)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2009, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-hatred-for-the-suburbs/491488/181 "2009-04-02T22:13:12Z")
> [@billfish678](#): > > Yes, its just an urban legend. > [@RickJay](#): > > Are you joking? I’ve lived in several suburbs. We ALWAYS knew our neighbours. I’ll admit, I was joking a little. But it was in response to **Maeglin** saying that in the suburbs everyone knows everyone, which I can’t imagine is true. I mean, I know all of my immediate neighbors, but the family that lives five houses down and across the street may as well be in Kahzakstan for as much as we’ve interacted. ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_Parker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/35a633/32.png) [@Richard\_Parker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Parker)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2009, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-hatred-for-the-suburbs/491488/182 "2009-04-02T22:14:57Z")
> [@brazil84](#): > > I was talking about my own preferences. Not what’s best for society. Well, you may not have noticed that the subject of the thread is what’s wrong with suburbs from a societal perspective. Was I wrong for assuming you wanted to post something relevant? ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2009, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-hatred-for-the-suburbs/491488/183 "2009-04-02T22:29:33Z")
> [@Justin\_Bailey](#): > > I’ll admit, I was joking a little. But it was in response to **Maeglin** saying that in the suburbs everyone knows everyone, which I can’t imagine is true. > > I mean, I know all of my immediate neighbors, but the family that lives five houses down and across the street may as well be in Kahzakstan for as much as we’ve interacted. And for the urbanite, how far away do they “know” the neighbors, or even remotely recognize them? I suspect many suburbanites at least recognize distant neighbors. I recall a Seinfield episode where he doesnt even recognize the guy two doors down the hall as living there, much less knowing anything about him. Me thinks that part of the humor there that there was SOME grain of truth there, as in most humor IMO. Suburbanites may know less actual numbers of people, but by the same token they probably ignore less as well. And then there is this. Just my totally unsubstantiated guess. A stranger walks up someone to talk about something. I suspect a suburbanite is going to be much less defensive about it than an urbanite, if for no other reason than an urbanite (by neccessity almost) has trained themselves to ignore a virtual sea of humanity. Just a wild theory there… ---
**Author:** ![Troy\_McClure\_SF](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troy_mcclure_sf/32/4150_2.png) [@Troy\_McClure\_SF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Troy_McClure_SF)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2009, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-hatred-for-the-suburbs/491488/184 "2009-04-02T23:09:57Z")
> [@billfish678](#): > > I’ll put you a room. One room has a 2 percent chance I’ll beat the crap out of you. The other has a 3 percent. Take your pick. How long will I be in the room? Does room 3% have broadband internet and Netflix On Demand on a 42" LCD? Is there good beer in the fridge? Can I have friends over? Is there a nice view? Yes, seriously. ---
**Author:** ![brazil84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8491ac/32.png) [@brazil84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brazil84)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2009, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-hatred-for-the-suburbs/491488/185 "2009-04-02T23:11:41Z")
> [@Richard\_Parker](#): > > Well, you may not have noticed that the subject of the thread is what’s wrong with suburbs from a societal perspective. In my opinion, your question was outside of the scope of the thread and certainly outside the scope of my point. But anyway, I tire of this meta-debate. If you feel that **Cosmic Relief** hijacked the thread, feel free to say something to him or her about it. ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2009, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-hatred-for-the-suburbs/491488/186 "2009-04-02T23:23:40Z")
> [@Troy\_McClure\_SF](#): > > How long will I be in the room? Does room 3% have broadband internet and Netflix On Demand on a 42" LCD? Is there good beer in the fridge? Can I have friends over? Is there a nice view? > > Yes, seriously. The 2 percent room is cheaper to own or rent. Better view? Well, you can see something other than other nearby buildings. It has a yard. Or at least a bigger one. A garage. Or a bigger one. A place to put a pool or a garden or a shed. Or store used nuclear waste. Its bigger. Or cheaper for the same size. Its quiter at night. The neighboring rooms are more likely to leave you alone in peace. Those pesky minorities either dont live there or can’t get there or don’t like living there… the last one is sarcasm btw ---
**Author:** ![HMS\_Irruncible](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hms_irruncible/32/7394_2.png) [@HMS\_Irruncible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HMS_Irruncible)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2009, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-hatred-for-the-suburbs/491488/187 "2009-04-03T00:28:28Z")
> [@brazil84](#): > > In my opinion, your question was outside of the scope of the thread and certainly outside the scope of my point. But anyway, I tire of this meta-debate. If you feel that **Cosmic Relief** hijacked the thread, feel free to say something to him or her about it. What you’ve done is display one major thing that’s wrong with the suburbs from a societal perspective. They’re full of people who think just like you, and that’s something I don’t wish to be around. You flee ethnicities, I flee stupidities. ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2009, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-hatred-for-the-suburbs/491488/188 "2009-04-03T00:31:21Z")
> [@Cosmic Relief](#): > > What you’ve done is display one major thing that’s wrong with the suburbs from a societal perspective. \*\*They’re full of people \*\ ***who think just like you** , and that’s something I don’t wish to be around. You flee ethnicities, I flee stupidities. Yep, no somekinda ism going on here by Cosmic Relief… Move along people…nothing to see… ---
**Author:** ![Troy\_McClure\_SF](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troy_mcclure_sf/32/4150_2.png) [@Troy\_McClure\_SF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Troy_McClure_SF)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2009, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-hatred-for-the-suburbs/491488/189 "2009-04-03T00:34:36Z")
> [@billfish678](#): > > Better view? Well, you can see something other than other nearby buildings. > It has a yard. Or at least a bigger one. > A garage. Or a bigger one. > A place to put a pool or a garden or a shed. Or store used nuclear waste. > Its bigger. Or cheaper for the same size. > Its quiter at night. So… a bunch of stuff I don’t care about. I’ll pass. Plus, if I take the 3% room, I probably won’t even be there when you come to beat me, since there are craft stores and bars and restaurants and a couple of movie theaters and hiking trails and […] and friends’ apartments and a dog park and a record (yes, record) store within walking distance, and I’ll be out having fun doing those things. ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2009, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-hatred-for-the-suburbs/491488/190 "2009-04-03T00:40:59Z")
> [@Troy\_McClure\_SF](#): > > So… a bunch of stuff I don’t care about. I’ll pass. Plus, if I take the 3% room, I probably won’t even be there when you come to beat me, since there are craft stores and bars and restaurants and a couple of movie theaters and hiking trails and […] and friends’ apartments and a dog park and a record (yes, record) store within walking distance, and I’ll be out having fun doing those things. Good for you then. Honestly. So, you agree its just a lifestyle choice of whats important to YOU? Anybody else like to get of their moral high horse now? ---
**Author:** ![brazil84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8491ac/32.png) [@brazil84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brazil84)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2009, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-hatred-for-the-suburbs/491488/191 "2009-04-03T00:56:23Z")
> [@Cosmic Relief](#): > > What you’ve done is display one major thing that’s wrong with the suburbs from a societal perspective. They’re full of people who think just like you, and that’s something I don’t wish to be around. If you don’t wish to have contact with people who think differently from you, it’s certainly your choice. I congratulate you on your moral superiority. ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2009, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-hatred-for-the-suburbs/491488/192 "2009-04-03T01:01:18Z")
> [@brazil84](#): > > If you don’t wish to have contact with people who think differently from you, it’s certainly your choice. I congratulate you on your moral superiority. You know, I hear theres a place where he can move that will do it for him 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![HMS\_Irruncible](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hms_irruncible/32/7394_2.png) [@HMS\_Irruncible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HMS_Irruncible)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2009, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-hatred-for-the-suburbs/491488/193 "2009-04-03T01:22:31Z")
> [@brazil84](#): > > If you don’t wish to have contact with people who think differently from you, it’s certainly your choice. I congratulate you on your moral superiority. Oh I don’t mind being around people who think differently from me except when they all think the same things, and think that it’s grand that they all think the same things. A few racist cranks is fine, but whole geographical swathes of them… you’re welcome to that. ---
**Author:** ![brazil84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8491ac/32.png) [@brazil84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brazil84)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2009, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-hatred-for-the-suburbs/491488/194 "2009-04-03T01:29:13Z")
> [@Cosmic Relief](#): > > Oh I don’t mind being around people who think differently from me except when they all think the same things, and think that it’s grand that they all think the same things. Sure, and everyone in the suburbs thinks exactly the same, whereas people in your hip urban neighborhood have a wide diversity of views. I again congratulate you on your moral and intellectual superiority. ---
**Author:** ![HMS\_Irruncible](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hms_irruncible/32/7394_2.png) [@HMS\_Irruncible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HMS_Irruncible)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2009, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-hatred-for-the-suburbs/491488/195 "2009-04-03T01:34:30Z")
> [@brazil84](#): > > Sure, and everyone in the suburbs thinks exactly the same, whereas people in your hip urban neighborhood have a wide diversity of views. I again congratulate you on your moral and intellectual superiority. I really don’t see what you’re protesting. Several posters in this thread have as much said that this is part of what they like about the suburbs. It seems that’s part of the appeal for you as well. Why does it seem to bother you to call it what it is? ---
**Author:** ![brazil84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8491ac/32.png) [@brazil84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brazil84)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2009, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-hatred-for-the-suburbs/491488/196 "2009-04-03T01:47:29Z")
> [@Cosmic Relief](#): > > I really don’t see what you’re protesting. Several posters in this thread have as much said that this is part of what they like about the suburbs. It seems that’s part of the appeal for you as well. I’m not sure I understand your question. Exactly what is part of the appeal to me, in your view? ---
**Author:** ![Ruminator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b9bd4f/32.png) [@Ruminator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruminator)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2009, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-hatred-for-the-suburbs/491488/197 "2009-04-03T01:48:19Z")
> [@Cosmic Relief](#): > > Why does it seem to bother you to call it what it is? Because it’s [condescending](http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/condescension)? ---
**Author:** ![tomndebb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@tomndebb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tomndebb)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2009, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-hatred-for-the-suburbs/491488/198 "2009-04-03T02:31:18Z")
> [@Cosmic Relief](#): > > Got some news for you… everybody already knows the code words, so everybody already knows when you’re making a racist ass out of yourself (as you’re doing now). If you insist on insuting other posters, do it in the **BBQ Pit**. This sort of comment is not permitted in **Great Debates**. [/Moderating] ---
**Author:** ![tomndebb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@tomndebb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tomndebb)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2009, 3:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-hatred-for-the-suburbs/491488/199 "2009-04-03T03:14:56Z")
> [@billfish678](#): > > . . . crazy M. . . > > . . . crazy M’s You will refrain from this sort of insult, as well. [/Moderating] ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2009, 3:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-hatred-for-the-suburbs/491488/200 "2009-04-03T03:23:32Z")
> [@tomndebb](#): > > You will refrain from this sort of insult, as well. > > [/Moderating] Your right I apologize. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-hatred-for-the-suburbs/491488.md?page=9) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-hatred-for-the-suburbs/491488.md?page=11)