Gratitude Challenge – Thankful To Live Here

    I am thankful for the place I live in.  Don’t get me wrong – there are days I need an escape from this place – but it’s for many reasons, not because I hate where I live.

What do I love about it? Here are some reasons:

1. It’s the suburbs. The hustle and bustle of the city is great – but in my opinion, not for extended periods of time. I speak with experience, because I grew up in the city. From both perspectives, I enjoy the suburbs.
2. The openness of the suburbs is refreshing. The city is congested – people, traffic, cars stores…sometimes I wonder how much more could be fit in such a limited space. The suburbs’ openness is great for enticing new developments and encouraging existing ones. Unfortunately, what once was an untapped resource is fast becoming the place to expand and encourage growth – especially after 9/11. This is one of the downsides to living in a place that can be seen as a true jewel for businesses and people, in general.
3. The accessibility to the city is one of THE biggest things I love about where I live! The city is a train ride away, so I can go to enjoy the perks any time I want to, but I live close enough that I can escape the noise and craziness.
4. The suburbs offer more than people think. Where can you go to a petting zoo, water park, amusement park, and a vineyard all in one day? Ok, so maybe that’s too much for one day, but you certainly have options and where I live is certainly not lacking!
5. Further out east, the farms are wonderful. Great food, great roadside stands, and just a reminder of a simple life without too much craziness.

What I wish was a bit different:

1. It’s getting a bit congested because everyone’s discovering this place is AWESOME!
2. Public transportation is not its forte – unlike the city where public transportation is the primary mode of transportation, out in the suburbs, its presence is felt but not as the major mode of transportation. Out here, a car is a necessity to go from one place to another – even the local store! If you don’t have access to a car or cannot drive, patience is a necessity because then you are bound to the schedule of public transportation which may not be as regular and common as the city. Some tell me it’s getting better but I’m not sure if it’s still up to what the city has. I drive, so I’m not as familiar with how it goes like a regular ‘straphanger’.
3. At times, I wish it was a bit easier to “run to the store” like it was in the city, but I would never sacrifice the open space of the suburbs.

These lists aren’t the entire lists, but I just wanted to give you a snippet of what I think of where I live. All in all, I love it here, although, as I said before I need an escape. Look at it this way: I work, live, breathe here….vacations are great but when it comes down to it: THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE HOME.

XOXOXOXO,

Photo by jmd41280